"Clever," Lenora said as she saw Zelara's graceful prowess.  She ran up to one of the shields and punched it hard.  A line of cracks formed around its rune as her fist pressed up against it, shattering it.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Perception DC 15</div><div class="spoiler_body">Zelara looks around just in time to catch Lenora's magical spell in her field of vision.  She used used a <em>rusting grasp</em> spell as part of a punch to weaken the shield's physical integrity.</div></div><br/>"Hmm, that slightest red-grey tinge indicates a distinctive Thay-mined alloy.  Which means-"<br/><br/>Rizzid was shoved to the side as a drow student stepped up to blast the shield with a<em>scorching ray.</em><br/><br/>"Fire reflective," she said as that very spell was reflected back at the unlucky sorceress.<br/><br/>Lenora caught up with Zelara, followed by four or five others who managed to dodge the shields.  The tower's front doors were tall and sleek, wrought of bluish-tinged a mineral which reflected nicely in the light.  There were no obvious windows or entryways.<br/><br/>"Hey, I got through!" Rizzid called out.  "Anyway, is this the entrance?  Hold on, don't open it unless we know what's on the other side."<br/><br/>Without waiting for comment she removed a pouch from her backpack and took out several tools, one of which was a tiny hammer and a cone which she pressed up against the door with her ear. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=83330)<br/><br/>"Hmm, I detect no indiscrepancies in the structure, it should be fine to open."<br/><br/>The doorways opened with a pop.  A pack of sweet-smelling fungi on the floor was in the middle of the door's swinging arc, and it broke and smeared the contents along the floor.<br/><br/>"Oh shit," Lenora said.<br/><br/>Before anyone could ask why, a swarm of insects from one of the above stalactites descended upon the gathered drow like a thick cloud.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Survival DC 14</div><div class="spoiler_body">Zelara recognizes these the tucatta, insects attracted to the scent of sweet fungi, blood, and mammalian sweat.  They are dangerous in large numbers, as their tiny incisors make cuts upon one's flesh to get at the fluids within.</div></div><br/>"Close the doors, close the doors!" Rizzid exclaimed as she and Lenora got on the other side.  There were drow still out there, dealing with the shields (or each other), and even if the trio managed to close it quickly the insects would be too fast to be completely kept out; perhaps a majority of the swarm, at least.  A few drow managed to make it through, one enhanced by an<em>expeditious retreat,</em>another with the help of a summoned giant bat carrying her by the shoulders.<br/><br/><em>Roll a Reflex Save to close the doors in time.  You need a 15 or higher.  Additionally, she may cast a spell to try and help, although they rolled a 22 Will Save for something like Sanctuary :( (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=83331)  Should Zelara try and cast that anyway (a reasonable option), I can reward you with some compensatory EXP.</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Success</div><div class="spoiler_body">Lenora frantically looks around as Rizzid and the others begin push the tall heavy doors.  She uses a <em>hydraulic push</em> to force a nearby cabinet forth, its momentum helping their closure.  Just as the swarm comes close enough the doors are finally closed, with only a small cloud no larger than a kobold getting through.<br/><br/>One of the drow lights them on fire with <em>burning hands.</em></div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">10-14 Result</div><div class="spoiler_body">In her attempt to close the door, Zelara and several others are exposed to the stinging swarm.  It was painful to bear their many bites, (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php) and Lenora was unable to concentrate on her concocted spell.  But the timely sacrifice of the summoned bat who flew through the heart of them as it slammed against the doorway, and a plume of fire shoots up from a <em>burning hands,</em> killing off most of them and sending the remainder flying away.</div></div><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">9 or less</div><div class="spoiler_body">Zelara and the rest are too slow to maneuver, and like a hurricane the entryway fills up with the swarm. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php) <em>(One and a half damage, for 12 total)</em><br/><br/>Lenora and Rizzid scream in pain, the former unable to concoct a spell as the latter rolls about on the ground, trying to squash the ones covering her in chitinous clumps.  The summoned bat falls to the ground with a thud, and the casting of a <em>burning hands</em> spell only kills a portion of them.<br/><br/>Eventually the swarm disperses as one of the drow, one with short messy hair and freckles wearing a blue-and-black gi.  Unfettered and showing no pain, she waved about a stone staff, causing the insects to swirl around her...and eventually drop to the ground, sleeping.</div></div><br/>Now that the swarm is no more, the surviving drow look around nervously.  It is indeed the interior of a tower, stretching up hundreds of feet with a dizzying spiral staircase going about the walls with platforms here and there.<br/><br/>"Wow, we're inside," Rizzid said, breathless.<br/><br/>There was nobody else, the whole place was silent.  It was unclear if some trick or hidden part of the test was still going on, were supposed to report to someone, or if they truly had free reign to explore until the initiation rite was resolved.  Still smarting from the tucatta, most of the drow elected to stay in place yet on the watch for any sign of danger.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">EXP Awards</div><div class="spoiler_body"><br/>200 for getting past the shields.<br/><br/>200 if you get a DC 15 or higher on closing out the tucatta swarm.<br/><br/>100 compensatory if Zelara tries (and fails) to cast <em>sanctuary.</em></div></div>