At the massacre site, the Ember Enclave encounter Kaelis, a lone tracker following the Pale Offering. He confirms the threat may not be singular.

After investigating the remains, the party continues north in search of the creature and the source of the smoke. They find signs of the same airborne predator and track it toward a confined canyon, but no encounter comes that night.

The following day, smoke is sighted again near the Maw. Instead of the creature, they encounter scouts from Eirik’s people, confirming his kaer has begun to open and that new allies may be within reach.

After a brief exchange, the party turns back south to carry that news. As they cross Eirik’s Bridge, a rising hum signals that something has found them first.

As Bram marks the blood trail, a young half-elf stands at the edge of the clearing, watching.

"You’re tracking it," he says.

He introduces himself as Kaelis. He has been following the Pale Offering.

When asked why, he answers simply: "Someone needs to."

When questioned about the creature, his eyes roll back and he stares skyward, as if entering a brief trance.

"You might not be dealing with just one."

The conversation is brief and direct. Both sides distrust the Pale Offering. Kaelis calls them careless.

As Fhino weighs whether to trust him, Kaelis notices and nods. "You’re right to be cautious."

He has heard of the party’s involvement at Whitecap.

"Most people make things worse. So far, you haven’t."

When told of the corrupted tree and dryad, he is surprised.

"I was there recently. The druids had made no progress. And you solved it? You have my respect."

Of the druids, he is less generous.

"They mean well. But they’re naïve. And they don’t trust me, not that I blame them. Folks in Mosswater Vale call me a witch."

The party invites him to join them. He declines. They are capable. He has his own path. Before departing, he adds, "You’ll find it. Or it’ll find you."

The party searches the wreckage more thoroughly. Among the scattered supplies, they find snap powder and a locked container holding three bags of gold.

Is someone paying the Pale Offering again?

The party continues north with Eirik, following both the smoke and signs of the creature.

They cross a broad river using "Eirik’s Bridge," a tree the giant smashed down across the gap.

Overhead, they hear the buzzing of the Flickerfly returning for the remaining half of the mule, though they never spot it. The sound later echoes from a nearby box canyon.

The party prepares for a possible night encounter, but the night passes without incident.

The next day, smoke is seen again near the Maw.

Instead of the creature, they encounter scouts from Eirik’s people. The giants are armed with massive longbows and explain that the kaer has partially opened. Some have emerged, while others remain sealed as their leaders debate whether the world is safe.

The party explains that it is not, though those in the light are trying to make it so. The aid of the giants would be welcome.

They share a rough map of the surface world and outline major landmarks and factions. Dawnspire, they explain, has people who specialize in first contact and could send a delegation to meet their leaders.

They propose a formal meeting at Eirik’s Bridge in two weeks.

The party turns south.

As they cross Eirik’s Bridge, a menacing hum begins to build.

Scouts from Eirik’s people suggest the kaer is opening and allies may be within reach.

As the party turns south to carry that news, something has found them first.