So you exit the abbey through the main gate and already the first big decision arrives. Should you take the trail north or south? Or go off the trail to the east or west? Looking about, it was but the work of a moment to find a little something Rigbane left you. He left you directions in riddle.

Ignorant fool who searches for me,
Heading out from your abbey,
Search not land ward,
Nor near nofla's camp.
Set ye out, keep day all night,
If ye wish to end your plight.

So which way do you go?

North
South
East
West

It's apparent that Rigbane is smarter than you had given him credit for. Not only was he an accomplished poisoner, but he had a great skill for riddles. Maybe Rigbane was one of the few vermin who sought power through knowledge, after all, that riddle told you more than just which direction to go. His riddle told you that Rigbane thinks he's more intelligent than you, and believes that you can't catch him even with his help.

It comes to you as no surprise when you spot further directions carved into the trunk of an old rowan tree. From the rowan you can spot a lake to the south, a stream to the north, a swamp to the west, and a pine grove to the northeast.

Trees and water, each ye shall meet,
Travel not to the peat.
Head ye not towards the dying sun,
Or your days might be done.
Instead, head ye to what does not flow,
Rise or swell, instead it grows.

Which way now?

To The Lake
Follow the Stream
Into the Pine Grove
Through the Swamp

Travelling night and day until your footpaws bleed, you find neither sight nor sound of Rigbane. He has evaded your grasp, and your time is running out.

Head Back West

The blazing sun beats down from above, with no sign of Rigbane's existance. Have you just wasted the remaining days of Sloey's life? Or is Rigbane still out here, somewhere farther south?

Head North
Continue South

The northlands' cold winds chill you to the bone. You pull your cloak about you tightly and emit a slight whimper. Rigbane was nowhere to be found, there was no evidence he even existed...

Head Back South

Stumbling along the path, you can walk no longer. Rigbane was just far too clever for you... He is out there somewhere, while Sister Sloey is dying. The rustling of leaves in the bushes behind you causes you to turn about, just in time to see the flash of a vermin's sword. The vermin sneers at you and speaks, "Rigbane said you'd never catch him, and you weren't even close." Quickly stumbling to your feet, you fend off the vermin and begin running back the way you came.

Head Back North!

The vast waters of the great lake lay before you, but there's no evidence that Rigbane passed this way. Of course he could have headed for the island in the center of the lake, it would be the perfect place to escape!

Head Back
Head to the Island

Following the flow of the stream, you walk until noontime, when you must take a rest. Bending down to drink from the cool stream, you notice the reflection of a stoat with a cutlass standing behind you. Quick as a flash, you turn about to parry his blade with your own. The stoat laughed and mocked you, "Rigbane said you'd be a fool and go the wrong way. But I won't be the one to spoil his fun. Turn around now, if you know what's best for you!"

Head Back

Rigbane may be clever, but his last riddle was a cinch! He can't evade you much longer, or so you think. Less than a day's march from the rowan tree, you found the third riddle...but this time, one thing has changed. His riddle was engraved into a large, flat stone, and this time you're in the middle of a vast pine grove, with no other features around.

Inferior fool, ye may be,
But I'm impressed thus far you've tracked me.
Now I shall leave ye in dismay,
While your friend's life ticks away.
Search for me where a clan did hide,
When they killed an otter and stole his pride.
Search for me where's tales are caught,
Of hedgehog, hare and fish he fought.

Head to:

(Be sure to use proper spelling and capitalization. Click "Go" to continue.)

You shake the slime off of your footpaw for the hundredth time today. Going into the swamp was a bad idea, a very bad idea. There's no way Rigbane went this way. Soon the air was filled with the croaks of toads, a warning of impeding doom. Turning about, you dart back the way you came, just as reed darts pierce the air where you once stood.

Run to Safety!

Your riddle solving abilities save the day once again! Rigbane certainly headed to the ford, and the riddle written in pebbles on the sandy bank assured you of this. Rigbane wasn't far off, you could practically taste success. That mad fox had spelled his own demise, now all you have to do is decipher it!

Nicely done, if I must say,
I did not expect ye to come all this way.
But, alas, this is where it ends,
With a riddle you can't comprehend.
Fire, blood, death, and mirth,
All encompasses its girth.
How fitting is it that all ends here?
For a specter once did to a creature mere,
What I have done to one you hold dear.

Head to:

(Be sure to use proper spelling and capitalization. Click "Go" to continue.)

The lake is much larger than you had even first thought. Sailing for days on end, you never catch site of the island at the center. On the third day on the waters, you finally site land. Upon landing you realize that this isn't the island, and Rigbane never came this way. And worst of all, you're lost!

Wander Around and hope to find something you recognize...

On the shores of Salamandastron, you saw the pawprints, leading directly to a cave. Inside sat Rigbane, a bowl of soup in hand, and a smile on his face.

"Rigbane, it all ends now. You'll regret the day you left me clues to find your mangy hide."

The fox merely grinned, baring his fangs. "No need for violence, I play fair. Here, it's the antidote. That is what you're after isn't it? Now, judging by the strength of my poison, I think ye'd best hurry back to your abbey. Besides, ye can't attack an unarmed beast can ye?"

Knowing the fox spoke true, you took the antidote, and placed it in your satchel. "Why should I believe this is the antidote?"

The cunning fox had seen the question coming, "Do ye really have a choice? I'm the only one who'll really know, and if ye don't go now it'll be too late. And ye certainly can't bring me back to the abbey with ye in case the antidote is fake, afterall, I'd put up a struggle that would delay ye, and time is of the essence."

Once again, the fox spoke true, he certainly was a cruel and clever best. As you exit the cave, his final remark cuts into your deepest fears, "Maybe I'll drop by the abbey again sometime, it's been fun."

Return to the Abbey!

"Thank you so much! You made it just in time. Sister Sloey will be fine now, apparently Rigbane told the truth. Let's just hope he doesn't return as he said he would. How can I reward you? Here, I know, take this!"

You receive 150 points for saving Sister Sloey.

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