III. The Unhinged Child

Carl's group completes their looting of a defeated Dream elf hunter and collects valuable equipment including a venomous trebuchet. They then travel north to rendezvous with Signet's team for an assault on Fort Freedom, the naiad palace. During their journey, they witness a lightning strike at the location where the assault team has gathered, suggesting they've come under attack.

After receiving a disappointing boon from the fire god Emberus, Carl and his companions find the corpse of another Dream elf hunter killed by a seeking missile. They loot a +1 strength ring, an unenchanted bow, arrows, and an absurd photograph of Louis. The primary prize is an Enchanted Venomous Elven Rock Chucker—a small, lightweight trebuchet made of magical poisoned bamboo that can hurl 300-kilo rocks infused with Poison Cloud on a 90-second cooldown. Carl notes the device uses high-tech components inconsistent with dungeon technology. He collects several boulder ammunition and adds the trebuchet to a new "Siege Equipment" inventory tab. Samantha questions the practicality while Donut and Mongo frolic nearby. Carl discusses the likelihood of more Dream elf hunters appearing and reflects on his packed schedule: helping Signet assault her castle, taking another town, handling dinosaur-related quests, and appearing at three fan events. He grows increasingly concerned that Signet's story arc may end tragically before the floor's final party, potentially resulting in her death and that of her companions. The group then travels north for three hours, grinding on slickbacks and encountering various nocturnal creatures. Donut and Holger discuss beavers and castor oil while Samantha rolls along with them, occasionally getting stuck in vegetation and threatening trees. As they approach their destination—an old tree where Signet's assault team is gathering—a massive blue lightning strike illuminates the night sky, followed by thunder and a tremor. The smell of burning wood fills the air. Donut's map reveals hunters, Signet, the ogre Areson, and what appear to be two dead bodies from the hunter faction. Samantha immediately rolls off toward the commotion, yelling for combat. Carl and Donut follow cautiously through the fleeing forest creatures.