"The fire one would come in handy in a tight spot, so I'll take that. The other should go to whomever is goin' to be on the front lines." Varan scoops up his dice and places them back into the pouch. "Seems like we've still got a ways to go, and this is a rush job."

Let me know when you're ready to move on.

Tobin:

Once the magic items are disbursed (plus anyone who wants some magical but unidentified daggers), Tobin will get up and stretch his legs.  “Let’s compare notes about your second trip through the maze, Soar,” suggests The small mage as he starts walking towards the exit opposite their entrance to the shepherd glen.

Along the maze path you go.

The path leads you to a large clearing with a sundial in the centre. It appears to be identical to those you have seen before. Three shadows are cast, one pointing north, another south-east, the third south-west, and you entered from the south.

Varan lets out a sigh, "I can see how this maze makes folks crazy. So, which way now?"

Tobin:

”While I am confused as well, I have the feeling that when we get all the shadows, we may be at the center of the maze.  Let’s just pick a direction betweeen two of the shadows and see what happens.  Perhaps east or west, since there are no shadows there and no shadows being cast from that direction?” says Tobin, writing “Entry 4” as they come out of the southern passage.

Which direction will you pick?

Varan digs in a pocket and takes out a coin, "Heads, we go east; tails, we go west." He'll then flip the coin up in the air and lets it hit the ground coming as 'heads'. "Well, guess we are goin' east then." He picks up the coin putting it back into his pocket.

((OOC: I flipped a coin IRL, since D&D beyond doesn't have a coin flip mechanic.))

Tobin:

Nodding, Tobin writes "Exit 4" in the dirt as they leave to the East.

Aiwin just nods "East it is."

East it is.

You follow the familiar hedge path of the maze; it curves southward, and you find you enter a new clearing from the north.

A placid pond fills the center of this open space. A stout pagoda rises from a huge boulder that stands in the water like an island. An arched bridge crosses the water to the pagoda, whose red roof is held up by six sturdy pillars and capped with carved fish. A human male wearing yellow silk robes embroidered with red and gold fish stands in the pagoda. You hear exotic music being played on a stringed instrument.

Soar comes back to herself and tries to catch up. It's been a long day for her. She briefly shares details about her path through the maze to return to the group.

As they enter the place with the pool and pagoda, she says, "Each of these clearings has a pool, I wonder if they're the same one. We saw the bottom of the one with those monsters in it but there wasn't a passageway out. Hmm. So, magic folks, what do you make of this one? Gemstone inside? There were pretty stones inside flowers in the last one I ran through. Do you think that guy speaks Common?"

"Hello? What's your deal?" she calls out to the man

Aiwin just tightens his grip on his bow as he stays in the back waiting to see what happens.

The old man turns to look at Soar, gives a slight bow, and sits down on the boulder that protrudes through the floor of the pagoda.

Aiwin just nods in respect “I like this guy, he’s just relaxing in a maze filled with dangers. Either means he has accepted his fate, or he is extremely dangerous. Should we join him in meditation?”

Varan shrugs, "I don't see why not. Maybe they've got some information on this maze to share." 

Tobin:

"Sounds good to me," says Tobin, and he goes into the pagoda and sits cross-legged against one of the walls.

Tobin, as you enter the pagoda, the man smiles and gestures towards some silk cushions scattered over part of the floor, inviting you to sit. 

Will everyone join Tobin?

Will the others join? Or is Tobin entering by himself?

Soar squints at the pagoda, trying to see anything she missed on the first glance. Perception: 20

As she gets closer, she tries to figure out if this guy seems like he's calm and relaxed, or extremely dangerous, as Aiwin said. Insight: 22

"T, what do you think happens if we sit?" she says, standing just outside the pagoda, and readying an eldritch blast if something goes hostile.