The story’s first chapter actually opens long after it ended, in a library centuries in the future, after the world of Quelmar was no longer a sphere. (And yes, at one time it was a sphere.) The librarian Celeste is viewing a film from a supposed time traveler.
The film zeroes in on a remarkably round world before zooming further in on the continent of Panglhea, then even further underground to a small group of adventurers: the Rakshasa Wizard Puud Een, the Centaur Fighter Indomitus, the Elven Ranger Aranwe, the Kender Paladin Citizen Doctor Eloise Merhermbler, and the half-Triton Genasi Cleric Sae Kelven.
The group is exploring a dark, recently abandoned amphitheater covered in glowing "spotlight" mushrooms, in search of a young Rakshasa child from the neighboring town Outrys who got lost within is vast tunnels. Aranwe discovers tracks that suggest the child—and the group—has company. Sae prays to her deity for guidance to determine where this new presence is located, and is rewarded with a trail of water that points them all down a set of stairs…before the water crashes to the ground, earning a growl from the darkness beyond.
The group makes their way towards the sound at various speeds, Indomitus and Citizen Merhermbler in the lead. Puud Een briefs the party as to why the amphitheater was abandoned: a hungry creature has moved in and now lurks in its depths.
They discover the Rakshasa, Youngling, trying to hide by climbing a stalagmite. Youngling describes two creatures residing in the chambers: one, a large crystalline dog-like creature from the Elemental Plane of Earth (which Aranwe recognizes as an Argon,) and another “it” that’s much smaller and makes a hissing sound.
Before the conversation ends, the Argon arrives, aggressive and angry at the group’s intrusion. Citizen Merhermbler immediately tells Indomitus to throw her at the creature, and attacks. In the ensuing battle Sae breaks her staff, but everyone manages to prevail against the Argon.
As the group tries to recover, the other “it” arrives: a Medusa who identifies themselves as Murrakh and is very irate the others have killed their guard dog. Youngling covers his eyes, leading the others to follow suit as they converse with Murrakh. Citizen Merhermbler “quietly” stage-whispers to her deity asking if they want her to slay the Medusa, but doesn’t receive an answer. Indomitus considers collapsing the tunnel, but realizes it would trap and possibly kill the party.
After tense words (and not-so-small threats from Indomitus) Puud Een enters negotiation with Murrakh, and the Medusa demands all members of the party look them in the eye directly and swear to leave, collapsing the tunnel behind them to prevent further intrusion. They agree, some of them reluctantly, and Indomitus still won’t meet their eyes.
As the group makes their way to the exit, an argument breaks out over precisely which tunnel to collapse and whether or not to keep their word to the Medusa. Ultimately they agree to keep their promise, taking one last trip around the amphitheater beforehand, and Aranwe notices the Medusa watching them from a short distance. Indomitus cuts off a hefty piece from one of the glowing mushrooms and hands it to Youngling, who nearly falls over from its size. Meanwhile Citizen Merhermbler tries to convert the less than enthusiastic Sae to her god via a ritualistic dance and a cry of “HALALALALALALALALALALALALA”.
The group exits the amphitheater, Indomitus bringing down the tunnel in a cacophonous crash as they leave. The rocks fall, but surprisingly, no one dies.
The film ends, leaving the confused Celeste looking on. Several notes surround her, most prominently a note with the names of all five prehistoric figures written down—or at least, four names and several attempts at spelling Citizen Doctor Eloise Merhermbler.
