Herbert's Flaming Torch

A roughly hewn wooden torch with flames licking up one end, casting frantic orange light around the cavern walls. Herbert seizes it from its sconce with sudden intent, the fire snapping upright as he pivots toward the Morlox snapping at Peri. Its heat flares visibly in the damp darkness, embers drifting free as he swings it in wide arcs to drive the predator back. The torch’s grip is barely warm—he wields it as an instrument of defiance rather than comfort, its light not to guide but to repel.