The Funnel

As our numbers dwindle, Trey and his two buddies stay with the group and join those going toward the strength tester.

A shallow but sturdy wooden box lies on the ground here, a square metal plate mounted on its surface. The plate has clearly taken a hammering in its lifetime, pitted and scarred by repeated blows by some blunt object. Another metal arm connects the prone box to a larger wooden structure that rises twenty-five feet into the mists, crowned by a large iron bell. A square lump of lead is attached to a metal rod that runs all the way up to the bell. The wood surface behind the rod is painted with numbers and categories ranging from "Babies can hit harder" on the very bottom to "Strongest in the land!" at the very top. A large wooden mallet is propped against the upright structure. A squat oak closet with shuttered doors sits off to one side. Music echoes from within and scenes of toys and prizes are painted along the sides.

Marand grabs the mallet and lifts it over his head, swinging it in a wide arc.

The striker shoots up the pole at incredible speed, striking the bell with a resounding tone. The oak closet opens, revealing a matched set of three darts.

As soon as Marand has collected his prize, the doors slam shut. The darts appear finely made and well-balanced.

A look about the area reveals several looming shapes; a large tent of some sort straight ahead from which whimsical music flows and to your left, the mist begins to part, revealing a previously shrouded large construction. A giant wooden jester head rises fifty feet into the mists above, its mouth frozen in mid-laugh. A wide section of highly polished pink wood slopes steeply down from the mouth to the ground, ending in a pile of velvet pillows. Halfway down the ramp, glowing keys dangle from a cord that hangs in the air from both sides. A sign on the side of the structure depicts children laughing as they ride the ramp down. Some hold keys they grabbed along the way. Further ahead in the distance, you can see a massive structure that looks like the skeleton of some gargantuan beast.