Prison Without Walls

The weary travellers come to the aid of a group of gnomes, forced to work for Venger, compelled by his magic. Reluctantly one brave oppressed explains how to break the spell - they must find and release Lukian, who's imprisoned.

This is a somewhat more serious episode, quieter but full of depth. I like that the heroes assume Lukian is a villain and attack him without thought; it shows how mistrust and fatigue have shaped them. When the truth comes out, it's almost tragic - Lukian's calm and dignity make their mistake feel heavier, and his brief role adds real heart to the story.

I'm glad Venger is back, his presence always brings the series back to that darker, more compelling tone. Yet by this point I'm not sure if Dungeon Master is really helping them anymore - his riddles feel distant, while Lukian seemed ready to offer real guidance, just not given the chance.

A thoughtful, mature episode with a powerful theme of perception and redemption.

8/10.