your best riddle/puzzle/thingy ever.

[big teej]

big teej, your puzzle seems pretty cool and detailed, but it is indeed quite difficult. I don't see anything in the phrase "Fear Denies Faith" that would give any clue on solving the puzzle. Unless this is just some specific reference to something which I don't get, the encounter might very well end in a TPK unless some player tries the real solution just out of desperation OR you give them some other hint.

Don't ask me about what the hint should be. :P

the logic (flawed though it may be) that I used was "you must make an act of faith (devotion) to pass"

the phrase is partly meant to throw off the players (as is proper for a trap meant for 18th level characters)

I'm with SilverLeaf Here.

Also, what prevents them from staying there for a long time and hoard XP?

mostlly because I've yet to play with someone who would have thought of that.