Episode 1: Ierendi, The Tournament of Adventurers

Anlo's careful investigation reveals that there is an almost imperceptible depression in the stones to the left direction while the ones to the right are leveled at the same height as the ones he and Khali came from.

Khali's illusion noticeably causes many serpents to navigate the canals toward the sound (at N13).

Anlo will use a throwing spike to mark the stone before moving right, to stones that are the same height as the ones they were already on. He will then mark this stone in the same way as he marked the first.

He will then Help Khali determine which stone should be next, even as he tries to remember their path.

She tries to spot which stones look unsafe.

Between Anlo's marking of the stones Khali's keen senses the two are able to push through the maze fairly quickly avoiding any triggers. (They make it to G10 without incident)

Khali observes the path dutifully, occasionally glancing in the direction of her spell.

Anlo and Khali mark the stones as they proceed through the maze. The two are sure they spot a number of triggers but carefully avoid setting them off. Also, as far as Khali can tell, the serpents that had hastily converged near her illusion are beginning to disperse from there. An occasional long serpent menacingly swims by in canals on either side of them as they proceed.

(When they make it to H8) a deep voice suddenly echos through the maze arena. Its source location is indeterminable.

"You are unwise to have followed, but nonetheless your disappearance along with the acrobat and fire thrower will be proof enough that you are in league with the missing contestants in stealing the crowns and thwarting the Tournament."

There is slow labored quality--as if is being controlled--to the voice that otherwise is booming and melodious.

At the tail end of the words mechanical sounds erupt from every corner of the maze. Starting from each stairway landing, stone runways rise up from the canals, creating four strait runways to a round platform at the center of the maze. More mechanical sounds and activity occur on the central platform and a large multi-shot ballista emerges from the platform, which also rises up higher to give the weapon a good vantage point over the maze. The ballista looks very maneuverable.

Just moments after Captain Zephyros "Swiftclaw" Sunblade, and KaeKae Storm appear at the top of the stairways (to the left and to the right). They hastily and deliberately make their way down the runways toward the large weapon.

Insight check

As she generally makes it a habit to stay aware and absorb her surroundings, filing away anything she can for future use, the voice filling this arena sounds vaguely familiar to Khali from the chatter of the guests at the post show reception but she is not able in all the stress of the moment to pinpoint it to a face or conversation stored in her memory.

Investigation roll

With Zephyros and Storm rushing down runways, a large ballista at the center of the arena, and the taunting voice still reverberating off the walls, Anlo and Khali continue their deliberate navigation through the maze. The air is damp, and the smell of moss lingers.

Anlo cautiously measures stone segments with spikes, following Khali's suggestion to check for inconsistencies. Despite their hastened but still careful efforts, at one point the two step and there is a click...A segment tilts abruptly, stone gives way with a grinding noise, and then quickly drops down into the water. Serpents react hungrily to the mechanical sound of the the dropping platform and many head toward the sound's source.

Anlo tries to jump to the next platform, but the one he's on falls out from under his feet so fast he can't find purchase to push off from. He instead slides into the water, already eyeing the ripples in the water that signify the approaching serpents.

Khali follows suite, also sliding into the water with Anlo.She's just hoping against hope the water isn't tainted or too deep.

Used to quick actions during his performances, Anlo is able to respond timely to the feeling of the stone platform drop from under him. He gets enough lift to leap forward onto the platform ahead (in the direction he was heading to the bottom right corner of G7).

But Khali is not as quick to react. The platform submerges rapidly and she submerges with it. The stone continues down below the treading of her feet in the water. Anlo sees some serpents close to the surface dive and head toward Khali. Khali feels one rub against her side just before it lifts its head out of the water and hisses at her.
Stats
Anlo – Current HP: 48, Temp HP: 0, Superiority Dice: 4/4
Khali – Current HP: 22, Temp HP: 0, Spells Left: (Lvl1 2/4 - Lvl2 2/3), Portent Rolls (4, 10)

Serpent 1 - HP: 2
Serpent 2 - HP: 2