Tahldar looks the group over.  "We can't possibly fill this with our own blood.  There isn't enough of us.  Maybe we can fill it with something else, or maybe we can ignore it entirely."

"I say we move on.  We can always come back here if we have to."

You have seven people.

Here is my blood loss rule:

-1 to hit, -1 to saving throws, and +1 armor class per pint lost. (I elected not to use Constitution, strength, etc. because it just makes it too complicated.)

For blood volume, I will say that the smaller individuals (gnome, dwarf, halfling) can give up to 3 pints before passing out. For humans, elves and half elves, up to 4 pints. And +1 pint per Constitution AC bonus.

(This might be a little more generous than real life, but I tried to make it work out close to realistic.)

Because the blood loss is a constitution related issue, it cannot simply be healed. But healing can be boosted. With no healing, we will say one pint regained per 1 day (instead of a week or so in real life), but up to 3 pints per day with a cure light wounds or cure disease spell...but you still have to wait 24 hours for full effect.

Shae casts detect magic on the bowl.

The bowl and its podium do radiate magic of some sort.

Kahan casts Augury. "What will happen if we do not fill the bowl?" he asked.

The answer he gets is: "The door will not open."

Shae says, "I'll give a few pints of blood if that's what it takes. I take it we are all in agreement to make that sacrifice?" She pulls out a small dagger to make the cuts if everyone is on board.

Tahldar steps up to the dais.  He looks at the knife with disdain and it is clear he is not pleased with the situation.

Gingerly he picks it up and pricks a deep wound on his left arm.  Blood flows freely and begins to slowly fill the bowl.  Pint after pint begins to collect, to the point where one would think the Elf has no more left to give.

Finally he grabs his arm to staunch the flow and seems on the brink of stumbling over.  "Kahan, I could use a healing spell." he says simply as his face has taken on a ghost like pallor.

OOC:  Being a non warrior and that Tahldar has a unusually strong constitution, he will give 3 pints.  So -3 to hit, -3 on save and +3 on AC.  We will need 5 more pints.  I would have given another pint, but I really don't want to go -4 on saves.

Leo offers to give what he can, but being a halfling it's probably not much.

"We need a lot of blood, unfortunately," Kahan begins explaining, going into detail about how much blood each of them could give, in rough measurements, before they pass out. "I think Borimer and Fingas should give the least amount of units, two a piece, as I am willing to give four myself. If the rest of you each give three, that should be enough to fill the bowl," he concludes, binding everyone's wrists when they are done donating blood, for the time being.

OOC: Not sure if I need to roll here as it should be pretty simple bandaging.

Since the damage is not to hit points, bandaging does the trick. I'm assuming the following:

Borimer: 3 pints
Geebo: 2 pints
Fingas: 3 pints
Leo: 2 pints
Tahldar: 3 pints
Kahan: 4 pints
Shae: 3 pints

You are able to measure out the blood in a one pint wood bowl carried by Shae. (I will leave it up to you what healing spells are cast. Cure wounds and cure disease are the two that will help, in addition to bandaging.)

As the last drop pours into the cup, it begins swirling like a tiny whirlpool, draining into a newly formed opening in the bottom which is now glowing a sickly green.

And then the wall beyond parts, opening like a gate of skulls, a door of bones.  Given your weakness, you all sit on the ground and simply watch while Kahan administers to you.

What you see beyond is mostly shrouded in darkness and mist, but it glows a deep red. Unlike the chilly hallway, the air beyond the door is hot and burns your nostrils. Flames leap up from little pools of lava spread throughout this cavern. Geysers of hot mud erupt from time to time, releasing a sulfurous stink into the air. Steam rises from the floor of this inferno. A small path, about two feet wide, can be dimly glimpsed through the steam as it winds its way among the lava pools. It leads to a golden door about 90 feet away; the door glistens in the muggy heat.

Kahan pulls a scroll out from his backpack and casts Cure Disease on two party members, then puts it away and casts Cure Light Wounds on everyone else, going in order of whichever spell would be more effective. "If the fires are too much for us to withstand, I can also cast a spell on us to help deal with the heat, but it will not last long," he explained, huffing a sigh of exhaustion as he thinks about having to go through, essentially, another trial, just to survive. It was getting tiresome, after all, to continually have to fight for one's life.

"I can't protect against flames, but I can give a little protection against...well everything." Tahldar says as he begins to cast.

Going around to everyone the mage weaves a simple spell on each party member.  When he gets to Leo, fatigue evident in his voice, he says "Sorry, but I'm done for the day for that spell."

OOC: Tahldar will give each party member the 0 level spell resistance which provides a +1 bonus on all saves.  Not sure how long it lasts.  I can't find the full spell description anywhere.  Tahldar can cast up to 6 zero level spells a day.  He gave preference based on how blood each of us gave.  He had one last spell to give between Geebo and Leo and choose Geebo as he's younger and likely weaker...

Shae thanks Kahan and offers her own healing spells, if needed. As a druid, she has some abilities in that regard. She looks across the path, agreeing with the assessment. "Another day, another test to pass. I think we will have to cross single file on the path. We should probably get a marching order and go, unless we want one or two people to test the path first. I can volunteer if you want."

The healing spells are done and everyone will regain their strength in 1 day (assuming a night of rest as well).

Tahldar also casts his spell of protection.

Shae tests the path and it seems sturdy if she or others want to cross.

"Let's go." Tahldar says as he begins to cross.

OOC:  I assume we'll go in a 5' marching order across.

Shae says, "I will test the path first." She holds up her arm to have the others wait at the entrance and says an incantation of protection before going across the path, looking from side to side for dangers.

As Shae is talking, the opening of the doorway has apparently caused a reaction of some sort, and steam is billowing up from the lava, obscuring vision of more than about halfway across.

Shae begins to cross the winding path, which is narrow but manageable. It seems to hold her weight with no problems. Everything seems to be going well, but about halfway across, you lose visibility of her as she is enveloped by the haze and smoke.

"We should go after her.  It's not safe to be alone." Tahldar says as he looks to his companions on what to do.

OOC:  Is Borimer still playing?  I haven't seen him post in a while.

Kahan nods, and tiredly lifts his shield and mace as he heads towards the door. "I will yell if we need help. Surely you'll still be able to hear us," he commented before heading into the steam.

OOC: He hasn't logged in for a week, he's probably just busy with rl or something. Borimer is the only player that's been here longer than me and I doubt he's going to quit on us now.

Kahan follows after Shae. When he reaches the center of the path, he too is enveloped in the mist and disappears.

In reply to DM Heath (msg # 45):

PM

"Well Leogold, I suppose we should cross as well.  Either they are in trouble, or they are fine but some magic is preventing them from returning." Tahldar says.

The mage is weary, but not so tired as to be unable to continue.  With tentative steps he starts to follow Kahan and Shae.

As Tahldar and Leo start across, a hawk flies through the hazy mist of the lava right toward them!