The First Trial of the Southern Caves

Before Fred could take his first step, however, he suddenly became aware that the three of them were in a completely different setting. They stood upon a narrow precipice inside a giant cavern, with no visible escape route. Under their feet spanned a treacherous chasm that looked to be at least a hundred feet long. A rickety bridge of frayed ropes and rotting planks spanned the gap, and the chasm was filled with a thick fog that obscured their view.

"I guess this is our first trial," said Fred.

"You have guessed correctly," came the disembodied voice, suddenly. It spoke to everyone this time. "You shall cross this chasm and blast your way into the uppermost chambers of the Great Castle across the gulf within 15 minutes, or face certain death."

"What??" exclaimed Belboz. "What good are the Magic Stones for that?"

But he received no answer. Belboz turned to the others. "These stones will not help us cross this chasm, of that I am certain," Belboz stated. "What's more, this voice speaks of a castle. There is no castle across this gulf."

Fred strained his eyes, peering across the chasm, with the only light source being a few odd crystals and two torches mounted on the cavern wall on either side of them. He could see nothing.

"How do you know there's no castle there?" said Menifee. "We can't see anything at all."

"But my sprites can," answered Belboz, "and they are sensitive to the physical realm. They have not perceived any castle or any structure within this cavern, aside from this bridge!"

"Well you're the magician Belboz," replied Menifee, "I'd expect you've got a spell for just this situation. That bridge is all but worthless, we'll fall right through."

"I don't have spells for everything you dimwit!" answered Belboz again. "But it just so happens that I might have a spell that will let one and only one of us levitate across the chasm, after which point my mana will be spent."

"Great," said Fred nonchalantly. "Send me over and I'll break into the castle myself."

"There is no castle! Didn't you hear a word I just said?" Belboz shrieked. "We are guaranteed to die here unless we can escape this cavern altogether!"

As Menifee and Belboz began to argue, Fred was already thinking of solutions. He was not without recourse. In his backpack was a grappling hook and ample rope, and he was well-versed in climbing rock. Fred shouted over the group to inform them of his intention to cross the chasm alone, using his skills as an acrobat and his trusty grappling hook. But as he approached the bridge, the planks beneath his feet began to crumble and splinter.

With a sudden roar, a giant spider the size of a horse appeared, its eight eyes glowing with hunger. The spider had been lurking in the fog, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Menifee and Belboz rushed to Fred's aid, but they were quickly surrounded by a swarm of smaller spiders. The trio found themselves fighting for their lives against the arachnid horde.

Belboz cast spells of flame and ice, while Menifee swung his massive club, crushing the spiders with each blow. Fred used his grappling hook to swing from the ropes of the bridge, and as he did so, the giant spider approached over the bridge. Fred slashed across its eyes as it did so, but this did not deter such a mighty beast. Just as it was about to tear Fred apart, a point of light shot into the spider and caused it to lose its footing and fall into the darkness below. Not waiting to find out what just happened, Fred continued swinging across the bridge until he was safely across the gulf.

For Belboz and Menifee, the battle was fierce and intense, and it seemed as though they might not make it out alive. But after some time which felt like ages, they all finally emerged victorious, covered in spider webs and battle scars.

Fred, now across the chasm, shouted to the other two who could no longer see him, that he had found a way for them to cross the chasm. Before they could react, a magical bridge of greenish-white light opened across the mighty deep, almost too brilliant to look at, which illumined the cavern before them and lo! A mighty castle stood in the darkness beyond, a pinnacle of workmanship beyond mortal abilities. Belboz was stunned, and Menifee had to grab him to get him across the bridge even as the light was fading. Just in time they made it, and all was dark again.

Fred smiled as he held up his Emerald Stone, which dimly illumined his face, creating a ghastly spectre. "I used the Stone for light and found a pedestal with instructions engraven upon it. I simply placed the Stone on top." Belboz, no longer stunned, rolled his eyes. He had not expected this, as he was still certain that the Stones had no accessible mana within, but obviously there were mechanisms that could draw it out. Belboz took note, however, that the pedestal behind Fred seemed to be churning with unnatural energy.

"That castle over there," Belboz stated to the group, "is not physical. That's why I couldn't detect its presence. My sprites are optimized for mapping physical objects."

Menifee growled. "Whatever you say, Belboink. Let's just get on with this Trial before we're attacked by something else. No more wild guesses."

And so the trio continued, their first trial only just beginning.

1. The trio continues on towards the spectral castle
2. The trio explores the stony space they have landed on
3. The trio consults a nearby pedestal for more information, using the stones

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