"You say goodbye, and I say hello"

[Fzoumah]

Shazzam: "I'm sorry friends, the time has come for me to return to my people and be their shaman exclusively.  At least with Sharran's angel, you can continue to call yourselves "The Magnificent Seven"!  Fear not though, I have found you a new companion to take my seat by the campfire..."

He motions to someone just out of your sight, and moves over a little to allow the individual to stand in that spot. At first you can only hear the footsteps approaching: heavy, long-strides, and something else...they almost seem to rake at the ground/floor with every step. A helmed head appears, pupilless green eyes staring out...from a full eight feet above the ground. Goliath would be your first guess, but the skin's all wrong...instead of grey or brown, it's black. Instead of dull, it seems almost glass-like, and the coin-sized bone growths on his skin look like...sapphires? The raking sound of his foot steps were caused by the metal cleats on the bottom of his sandals. He's wearing the hide of what appears to be an owlbear as armour, and carries possibly the largest sledge hammer you've ever seen.

Obsidian: "The little boulder would like for me to watch over you now." he says motioning at Shazzam,   "We agree that you are worthy of my protection.  I am Obsidian, Champion of Stormbrim peak."

[Fzoumah]

Unable to rouse Fig and Lynx after their late night of heavy drinking during Shazzam's farewell party, The Seven re-enlisted the dwarf for one last romp: The Gate.  The druid's quickly debriefed them on their arrival at the gate: bizarre magical "hotspots" littered the area around the gate (recharge magic item power, regain encounter power, and high crit zones scattered somewhat evenly). And nasty look tentacles can reach 10' out from the 20'x30' portal striking creatures (heroes) within range.  The plan: clear out the area as quickly as possible, the druids would then erect a barrier locking and new arrivals in the area, who had to be kept busy (our job) while the druids completed the ritual to seal the gate.  There would be little time for resting, as once the denizens on the other side clued in, they would come across to stop us.  Twenty five creatures occupied the immediate area to start...and while, they couldn't really take a hit, they sure caused havok on the party members (reach attack, then slide 3 sqaures and knocked prone as secondary attack). Luckily these minions liked to swarm, allowing the party to utilize their bursts and blasts to great effect.  The druids erected the barrier as soon as the last one fell, and not a moment later the 2nd wave came through. 

Unfortunately, it seemed to be random where they would emerge from the large portal, so the party divided into two groups: Obsidian, Thom, and the Spirit took oneside, while Lokag, Sharran, and Shazzam took the other. Obsidian and Thom showed immediate chemistry (though they outnumbered enemies 3:2, Spirit made 3), but the other 3 struggled slightly against even odds. Unfortunately, each round the combat lasted, more evil minions poured out of the gate and began assaulting the barrier...if left unchecked they would thwart the plan.  Obsidian, Thom, and the Spirit, made short work of the 6 that had come through; while Sharran, Lokag, and Shazzam gained the upperhand on their side. 

The party reunited in time for to take on the final creature to emerge from the gate, and their superior numbers and tactics felled the brute.  Victory!  In some ways, the prolonged encounter aided the heroes, as they were able to take advantage of effects geared for much shorter combats for an extended period of time (zones, guardian form, regen).

metagame recap...

most damage dealt: 1. Sharran 2. Thom 3. Obsidian 4. Lokag 5. Shazzam 6. Lynx (who wasn't even there). Fig did 1 point of damage...to Lynx...
most damage received: not sure, but I suspect Lokag, followed by Obsidian.  Lokag and Sharran had regen 4 for most of the encounter, Thom had regen 5 (at the cost of a surge), but only while bloodied.  Obsidian used one surge...ended combat bloodied, but had the capability of spending two surges as a standard action if necessary.  Shazzam used two surges (but also used all of his healing, including a daily item power twice for regen on others - he recharged it - and a recharged encounter heal), Lokag...not sure, maybe 3.
most misc: Thom used hotspots to recharge an item twice and to regain one encounter. Obsidian and Shazzan each used hotspots to recharge an item and regain an encounter.

[jtpattie]

you didn't tell them about the 25 flinging minions who rush up, whack you, fling you 3 squares and repeat ad nauseum