The sign reoriented itself to point down each bend of the path as it came, true to form, and occasionally hopped a little to indicate when they should go uphill or downhill. The countryside was uneven, but fairly flat, and eventually they passed through a large clearing -- a clearing through which was visible a faraway hill, and on that, a black castle.

It disappeared among the treetops soon enough, though, and they came to another fork in the road, and the sign led them on.

[Congratulations! You have completed the puzzle section of the Introduction Stage and your characters are on the path to Vetrel. You are now free to write and explore as you please. The forest from here is as black and barren and inhospitable as ever and the carcasses of mauled animals can be found periodically -- and the sun is, as ever, setting. As long as your characters continue to follow the guidance of the sign, they will arrive at Stage One when Stage One begins.]