### 181

Your pulse quickens as you look into the black abyss beyond the portal. You can make out no walls or roof, and the hollow wind that whistles in the darkness makes it easy to imagine that you are staring into a limitless void. There is a rope ladder fixed to the threshold of the portal: it descends into darkness below.

If you wish to gather up the ladder in order to judge how deep the abyss is, turn to 153.

If you decide to descend the rope ladder, turn to 231.