It seemed like you got into cover just in time, as a strange rumbling in the sky and some additional sunshine caused you to look up... just in time to see what looked like a huge pillar of fire scattering any clouds in its way and coming down towards the middle of the village. After that, you had enough sense to lay low and cover your eyes and ears...
Of course that only lessened the effect, but not removed it completely. The flash, however brief, turned the countryside a stark mix of white surfaces and the occasional black shadow. The roar of an explosion made your ears ring, and the heat wave that rolled over the land afterwards left you short for breath... but alive to take all of it in. With the first sensation to come to you after the blast being the smell of ash in the air, it's probably a safe bet that others weren't quite so fortunate.
The scene that greeted you as you opened your eyes wasn't quite as pleasant as what you'd seen when you first arrived at the village. The fields immediately around the village had been turned to ash which now soared up along with smoke on the thermals. Further out, you saw fires consuming what the initial blast missed. The wooden houses had generally been reduced to charred skeletons. The few stone ones had likewise had their wooden elements charred, their stones glowing red-hot and even fused together in some places. But at least they were still mostly standing. Some scrabbling in the charred ground then drew your attention, and you were forced to jump back as what looked like a massive claw of crude black metal ripped up out of the dirt and folded out like some parody of a flower. A swirling cloud formed moments later in the "palm" of the claw, and soon after that, the familiar red goblins began pouring out, scattering around the area, no doubt in search for anything you might have missed. A large group made a beeline to the remains of the tavern - it appeared that the cellar had survived in relatively good shape.
Not wanting to stick around much longer (the ash, smoke, and general shortage of clear air made the area less than hospitable overall) you steppep up onto the portal each with your share of loot (or lack thereof).
A few moments of gut-wrenching magical travel later, you found yourself standing once again in the throne room of the Overlord's tower. The Overlord himself was conferring with several minions, and actually laughing. Not an evil, malicious laugh, but a plain old happy one. Downright disturbing.
"
...it worked! Ha, the PIE worked! Hit that marker beacon dead on, too. We should start sending those to our enemies, that'll make for a fun time..."
At this point he noticed your return, and stood up, clapping his hands. "
Admirable work, my servants. A good show of loyalty, and you've done your part in the weapon test admirably. What did you think of the Precision Incendiary Enchantment, hmm? Quite a piece of work, eh?" he said, then shook his head briefly. "
Well, at any rate, the tower barracks are available for your use if you want somewhere to keep your spoils. Once you're rested, I've got another task for you."
Your efforts so far have earned you an additional reward of 200 XP, and some better quarters than a dank old cave. And, of course, a place to keep your loot between adventures. You may also now take an extended rest, should you so wish. Otherwise treat the period as a short rest.
And of course...
