Episode 1: The Salvaged Job

The creature hisses in reply.

Distracted by the words of the bard, the wight does not see Maenor's mace slam into its shoulder. It spins around from the impact, just in time to have a blast of fire explode into its face. Thrown backward, it slams against the wall and collapses to the ground. The sword clatters to the side.

Half of its head is missing, smoke and ash sizzling dry flesh. Its one baleful eye casts a gaze across you all, and as the ash spreads across its body, dissolving into dust, that same wheezing laugh hisses through. It starts as a chuckle, slowly deepening into mirthful guffaws.

Soon, all that remains are a set of broken leathers, a heavy-looking cloak, and the creature's sword. Silence settles throughout the tomb.

Battered and weary, you climb the stairs to the surface and crawl through the stone wall and between close tree roots. It almost feels like the rock and wood have constricted, squeezing tighter as if to prevent you from leaving, but you all manage to push through and find yourselves standing outside the mound, breathing fresh air.

The first thing you notice is the sound of birdsong, faint twitters in the canopy nearby.

The second thing you notice is the smell of a campfire and cooked flesh, wafting in from the direction you left your horses.

You make your way to where you had secured your steeds and find them standing casually together, all semblance of nervousness gone. A small fire within a ring of stones sits in a cleared area not too far away, flames licking at a tent of small animals spitted upon thin metal skewers. The white-haired goblin sits cross-legged next to the fire, facing your approach.

It stands, using its small staff as support. "You're back," it says casually, though a tone of surprise is mixed within. "That was quick."

The white-haired goblin nods. "Already the land feels cleaner," it says, glancing up to the trees. "More alive. Come, sit and rest. I have just put food on the fire." It gestures for you to approach the warmth.