((Hey, when you got to the instant death involving inflation, I couldn't resist applying it to a different part of Whisper's anatomy.  And who knows, maybe I should implement some sort of bonus every three 'deaths'.))<br/><br/>Passing the Rock Grub's borehole on your left, you soon arrive at a junction.  You take a quick look down the tunnel leading south, but do not see anybody approaching.  Quickening your step, you hurry on east.<br/><br/>You walk down the passage and soon find yourself at the edge of a deep, dark pit.  The passage continues east on the other side of the pit.  You think you could probably jump over the pit, but you are not sure.  There is a rope hanging down from the ceiling over the center of the pit.<br/><br/><em>Your choices are to throw your shield over the pit and jump after it, or to jump over the pit carrying all your possessions, or to reach for the rope with your sword to enable you to swing across the pit.  Yes, you have a shield, and yes, this is the first mention of it in the book.</em>