After about sixteen hours of travel-and card-games, and dice-games, and sleeping, and singing led by the off-key Scupper-a faint red glow can be seen coming from below.
“Coming in to Midpoint," Scupper announces. "A chance to stretch your legs."
Through the windows, the PCs can see what looks like an enormous pool of lava filling the entire shaft below. Just as they begin to worry, the cylinder begins shuddering as it starts to slow. Finally, about 100 feet above the lava it descends to a stop beside a large platform which leads to a large lighted cavern cut into the rock beside it.
The platform was cut into the stone by means of disinte*grate spells, a fact which will be apparent to any experienced magic-user in the party who looks carefully at the surrounding stone. The edge overlooking the lava-filled shaft has a high, sturdy railing to keep people from falling in accidentally.
There are four drawbridges. t each of these four points an extendable drawbridge (like the one the player characters saw at the top of the pit) extends out to enable passengers from the cylinders to disembark with*out falling into the lava below.
Once the PCs are safely on solid ground again, Scupper tells them they have an hour or so to stretch their legs, enjoy the cool air, get something fresh to eat and drink, and have a look about.