You decide to head south. As you near the edge of the chasm, a large cloud of the steam escapes and blasts upwards ahead of you. You see two paths down. One path is steep, and passes near the steam vents, but the other is long and winding, though safer. Which path do you take?

I get up and dust my knees off as I glance over to the waiting group. I look back over to the single creature that wasn't looking at me. I slowly walk over to stand next to it and look at what it's staring at.

i'll go down the long and winding path since it is safer

You decide that it would be best to go near water. But as you come to the river, it looks less and less like water, and more like a dark mass of oil, bubbling and oozing. You can collect some of the liquid in a hollowed out stone, or you can leave it be.

The group runs forward, almost knocking you over, and surround the lone creature. It seems to be trying to get into the cave, but the others form a tight circle and don't let him go. He gazes around hesitantly, unsure of how to get to the cave, while the others start yelping at it in a mocking sort of way. He crouches down, afraid. Do you help the creature, or ignore it since you don't know how the others will react?

You safely reach the bottom after about half an hour of walking. You look out over the bottom of the chasm. There is a river of black muck in the center, heading towards the east. In the east, you see a glint of something shimmering, but to the west, you hear a distant roaring sound. Which way do you go?

I stand for a moment watching how the others seem to be mocking the single one. I quickly step forward try to gently move a few of them so I can get the scared one in the middle.

I am going to head to the distant roaring sound

Explore the den

The others think that you are going to mock him as well, and move aside. When they realize that you are actually trying to help him, they shove you inwards, so you are near him, and then close up the circle, blocking your way out.