A couple weeks ago our heroes braved the Halls of the Crimson Whip and the Howling Pillars to collect the last two artifacts to prove their worthiness to Baphomet. They explored a bit of the proving grounds and found the four ritual circles, as well as a pool of magical liquid that, when consumed, granted them each resistance to poison. Super handy, especially since the next room consisted mainly of two pools of poison blood.

There was lots of jumping around and some disastrous splashing, as Dakkon splashed into the first blood pool while carrying Borris on his back. Things might have gone well, since Aderes did summon the ever-useful Floating Disc. Dakkon and Borris weren’t too into waiting though, and made their fateful leap right as the ritual to create the disc finished.

Consequently, the Carnage Demons leapt out of the blood and the giant minotaur statues activated, making any path to the sacred dagger treacherous. The Demons and the warriors trashed about covered in blood, while Darkguard got to work disabling the first of the traps and the ladies made their way slowly to the two pieces of the dagger.

I really meant to get a picture of this encounter, since I bought some Goristro minis to represent the minotaur statues, and used a scrap of crazy red fabric for the blood pools. Ah well.

The Hall of Howling Pillars was no less insane, but I think the battle went much smoother for our heroes. A timely prayer of peace from Awendella stopped the otherwise brutal Barlgura from attacking for most of the fight, thought it didn't save her from being smashed by its last raging blows.

I really liked the random attacks from the pillars, and the teleporting effect especially. The range was such that it essentially scrambled every single combatant to random parts of the map, and it happened a couple times. Besides that, the arrangement of the area encouraged movement. I love it when battles are more fluid.

In the end, the party managed to limp out of the hall with the last artifact (The Bell of Fury's Calling, I believe). Whenever we're able to play next, they'll be facing the the last challenge the Well of Demons has for them, as well as Maldrick Scarmaker.

Because of the time constraint the party is facing (slaves about to be sacrificed, and the seven pillared hall currently being overrun by zombies), there have been no opportunities to take extended rests. As such, some of the party has accepted aid from Baphomet (equivalent to an extended rest) in return for the promise of future payment. Interestingly, Borris and Dakkon refused the boon...we'll see how this all plays out in the future.