The North Road had always been a dangerous place.

Travellers spoke of wolves in the forests, bandits on lonely stretches of road and stranger things lurking amongst forgotten ruins. Yet even seasoned merchants had begun whispering that goblins were growing bolder than ever — caravans vanishing, couriers disappearing. Something was changing in the wild lands beyond civilisation.

Most people chose safer roads.

Four young adventurers chose the North Road instead.

Thorn Axehand walked at the front — a fearless half-orc who believed courage could solve almost any problem. Beside him padded Loki, a loyal guard dog with an excellent nose and absolutely no fear.

Derek followed, steady as a walking barrel: a dwarven cleric whose calm judgement often kept the others from greater trouble.

Dave, the youngest, was a copper dragonborn wizard with an unusual talent. While other wizards studied elegant spells of force and fire, Dave had somehow turned one of the most famous spells in the world into a barrage of flying potatoes. Nobody — not even Dave — could quite explain why.

Nibbles McPicklepants brought up the rear, a dragonborn rogue whose curiosity was almost as dangerous as the monsters ahead. If there was treasure to be found, Nibbles would usually discover it first.

None of them knew each other particularly well.

None of them had any idea what awaited them.

And none of them had ever heard the name…

Ethium.

The North Road — and four young adventurers who chose it anyway.