2.0 - Lure of the Lost

You hear some footsteps out on the stairs below -- Kaveri is jogging up them, a lightsaber hilt swings at her side. When questioned she indicates that she's been here for some time -- likely finishing her lightsaber before Dagger, and decided to poke around. Although she's not particularly chatty about her experience, she does note that it was a trial and she has a lot of reflection to do.

The conversation eventually turns to "what next" and Kaveri indicates a cave -- with a tunnel beyond -- that she's explored somewhat. "I think that is our only way out of this vale -- and I have climbed around quite a bit."

The five of you leave the forge for the last time and wander down the steps. About a quarter of a mile away, there's an opening in the mountains that rings the vale and you step in. Walking along the path is pleasant, and the air is warm -- without being stifling and smells of life. As you walk, however, you notice that the dirt of the cave and the surrounding rock moves from brown and fertile-seeming to redder and redder shades. Their air dries noticeably and warms up -- not to discomfort but noticeably all the same.

Eventually, you walk into a chamber and Kaveri comments, "Wait... wasn't this the chamber with the fog in it? I recognize that rock formation on the wall there."

Consensus appearing to be "getting out of here" the party settles into its prior marching order, attempting to remember the pathway out.

After a few mis-steps and wrong turns that end in dead ends, you are able to find yourselves in that room-with-the-gas. Given the maze of passageways you're fairly certain there's got to be some other way out that doesn't push through this room -- but on the other hand you know that there's a way out if you walk forward.