The next day, the friends leave from Northfort and travel to the wizard’s castle. Along the way, they are attacked by highwaymen. Defeating the ruffians, the friends strip them to their underwear and tie them to a tree. They leave them there and continue to the castle.

Once reaching the castle, the friends use the secret entrance that Gilroy informed them about and gain access to the entryway. They see that it is an extremely large room with adjacent doors on every side. There are three cauldrons in the open areas of the room that probably used to be for lighting.

Suddenly noise is heard from the entrance and the group sees Gilroy and several of his men enter. He says that the only reason he let the friends know about the entrance is so they would set off any traps when trying to gain entry. Gilroy has no intention of sharing any of the treasure with them. A battle ensues and Gilroy and his men are soundly beaten by the group of friends. They flee out the front door and are not heard from again.

A few weeks after the friends’ last adventure, they have gotten even more acclaim in Northfort for their success at the Lava Temple. The tavern hostler, Elvan, says that if they are looking to do more exploring, there is a famous adventurer in town named Gilroy the Stout Hearted who has been asking about them. He points out the tall, blonde man at another table as Gilroy and says that they should go and meet him.

The friends speak to Gilroy and the group of men with him, and they are greeted warmly. Gilroy says that there is an exciting opportunity for a group of adventurers and they might be right for the job. A few miles out of town there is an abandoned castle, and legend says that it used to belong to an extremely powerful wizard. In years past the wizard ruled over the entire area and the locals were his slaves. They feared him, and if they ever disobeyed they were punished severely. Even long after the wizard died the locals would not visit the castle out of fear, but supposedly the wizard’s riches and magical items are still there. Gilroys says that if the friends are brave enough, they could try and enter the castle and find the riches — and that he knows of a secret way to get inside. All that Gilroy asks is for a portion of the riches in exchange for showing the friends the secret way in. A deal is struck, and the friends prepare to leave for the castle using Gilroy’s directions.

The friends are enjoying their status as local heroes in the town of Northfort. They do small jobs for people in the town but are dreaming of larger adventures.

One day the halfing thief, Swiftmark, comes to the group and says that he needs to leave town. He does not get much explanation for this, but seems sad. The others bid him farewell and he packs up his things and departs.

A short time later, when visiting the Northfort tavern, the friends hear from the hostler Elvan about an ancient temple outside of town. It is known that there is treasure inside, but there are many traps and no one who has tried to take the treasure has come out alive. The friends decide it is worth the risk and plan to go there.

On the way to the temple they are attacked by wild animals. Voran uses his animal communication skills to calm them down and make them leave.

Finally reaching the temple, Voran, Daladium and Elysant find a stone door and are able to pull it open. Once inside, they find that there are many dangers indeed. Almost every room has lava on the floor, and there are traps everywhere. Also large insects and other beasts have been living here and attack the group.

After finding some gold and other treasure and getting through all of the traps, the friends finally reach what they think may be the last room where the treasure horde is kept. However, the floor gives way and they slide down into a room filled with lava! Barely making their way to safety and after defeating several more monsters, they finally find the treasure horde.

Among the treasure is more gold, jewels and several magical items. Voran finds a ring that allows him to see through his pet wolf’s eyes, no matter the distance. He also finds a pair of boots that greatly increase his speed. Daladium finds a staff that can cast a bolt of light from it, and a ring that increases his magical power. Elysant finds a pair of arm bands that increase her strength. Finally there is a magical headrest that imbues healing on anyone that sleeps on it.

Glad to have survived the lava temple, the friends make their way home to Northfort.

Four friends — a wizard (Daladium), an Elf (Voran), a girl in armor with a spear (Elysant the Brave), and a Halfling (Swiftmark) are walking through their town in the market square when they hear a Dwarf shopkeeper complain that an Elf stole from him.

The Elf says that he’s done nothing wrong and tries to leave. The friends get involved and speak to the Elf. They see that it was really the Dwarf that was trying to cheat the Elf, so they confront him.

The Dwarf has some lackeys attack the friends, but they defeat them and Voran’s wolf pet bites the shop keeper in the butt!

They take the Dwarves off to jail, and the town is thankful for their heroism.