Qina's spell again deals massive damage to the elemental, though this time the fire is snuffed completely.
Still bruised and smoking from his beating, Gad'larr shakes his head.
"We have a couple of days before the gold-trap executes...do we not? I won't argue right now if we decide to rest for a bit. I only need a couple of hours..."
He looks at Qina to see if she is flagging any.
"What do you say Mother Dragon?"
"Let's push on for another hour. I don't think my protection spells will last much longer than that."
Your group walks along the golden path, following the trail of the cultists closely. After another half hour of walking (27 minutes for those of you keeping a closer eye on time) you come to yet another intersection, this one before some of the most intact buildings you've seen so far. Ahead you can barely make out a bridge crossing the widest gold channel you've seen so far.
Gad moves up carefully, already entering Dragon Style, expecting another monster or trap!
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Vivian scans the scene, the buildings for snipers, the storefronts for ambush parties. She doesn't like how quiet it is... "We cross the bridge expecting another Champion to appear on it, and remember they explode. Gad, Brezik, want to scout ahead for traps? Wait for us all to enter the bridge space together though.. There's something weird in the air..."
Bel enchants his blade with frost and divinity once more, prepared for the attack he knew was coming. He could feel that Pharasma's blessings
were wearing thin, he had few spells left to call upon.
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Allister assumes his position next to Qina, now hoping that she will guard him in the battles to come.
After so many encounters, the paladin rests the flat of the blade on his shoulder and scans for potential trouble.
He also searches for any gold-plated items that could be easily picked up while on their trail.
Brezik sees the intersection and stops... Every time we see one of these intersections we set off some sort of summoning trap. You know what. Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Fool me three times and I'm a blasted idjit . You guys settle in for a minute. I'm finding this trap.
Allister finds lots of random detritus in the roads, rocks, bent forks, broken plates, damaged armor, and other mundane things typically found in a golden city, except these are all gold.
Brezik's keen eye however discovers there is indeed a trap, designed to summon, around the edges of each intersection. Should you wish to avoid more combat Brezik can easily tell you where to step.
"Excellent work Brezik! Let's move on quickly then?"
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As they move through the city, Allister will pick up any small items with minimal or no damage that are coated in gold, such as forks, tankards, tools, and other mundane household or adventuring items.
When Brezik spots the trap, the paladin grins. Where would I be without them? No doubt still kicking around where I started, looking for trouble, feeling sorry for myself. If Lightbringer Naabi could see me now...
"Well done, Brezik. You do your family proud." The young paladin smiles at his friend, then turns to the others. "Just look how far we've come, friends. You honor Kassen!"
Ooh, look at that! A golden bucket! Allister bends down and picks it up with a smile. Only one hole, too! Luck is with me.
You advance down the street for another two minutes when a sudden clanging of shields and weapons resounds in the ruins. A pack of flaming, gold-plated skeletons bearing golden scimitars rise up from the nearby ruins and advance on your position!
Only Allister is surprised at their sudden appearance, the others in the group sensing something about to happen.
"Irori's wisdom! There must be something to say about greed in all of this...!"
Moving forward, Gad charges his nearest foe with his sword!
Brezik hastily pulls a hammer and tosses it one handed.
The hammer goes nowhere near his intended target.
Holding her ground, Qina raised her arm and aimed her finger at the undead directly in front of her. Concentrating as she whispered the arcane words, she closed one eye to take aim.
Bel moves forward past Brezik and takes a better look at the skeletons.
The skeletons are not appreciative of the monk in their midst and move to attack him as much as possible, except for the one at the end who heads towards Brezik "thinking" him a closer target.
The sheer number of attacks allow some of them to slip through Gad'larr's defenses and cut him with gold plated sword edge. The sole skeleton that attacks Brezik is unable to get through his defenses.
Um... apparently molten gold doesn't kill skeletons?
Obviously shaken by having to fight undead once again Brezik misses with his half-hearted swing and then ducks around behind his opponent.
Get him AL!!!
Taking his scratches from the gold-coated creatures, Gad'larr smiles and lashes out at the monstrosities in front of him with his entire body!
With a swift front kick on Green...
-Includes Dragon Style!
...and a spinning back fist to Blue...
+ Flurry!
-Includes Dragon Style!
...he finishes his spin and side kicks at Black!
+ Flurry!
-Includes Dragon Style!
Were Gad not protected by Qina's spell the whole body assault might be more damaging to himself than his opponents. However, with the spell still going strong he destroys the two pushing in on him from the north, but only manages to graze the last with his foot, allowing it to remain standing. The two fallen skeletons explode into light and fire, though they are luckily far enough away from unprotected members of the party to do no damage with their explosions.
Vivian's menacing aura beats against the skeletons making their attacks and defenses unsure and weak.
Belathorian spins his scythe and slings the blade forward towards the ribcage of the skeleton...
Bel and Al's combined attack breaks the skeleton down in yet another fiery explosion. Qina's spell again takes the brunt of the attack, and only a single skeleton remains.
Slipping closer to the bridge, Qina aimed her trusty finger at the remaining skeleton and mentally pulled the trigger.
Qina drops the last skeleton and allows your group to move on. With another two minutes of travel you'll make it to the bridge you spotted earlier.
Gad approaches the bridge cautiously, keeping his eyes open for more traps and guardians.
Gad'larr doesn't see or hear anything either on the bridge or on the other side of the large canal.
Seeing Gad approach the bridge Brezik takes a position on the opposite side of the path from him trying to kkep an eye out for whatever danger may appear next.
About a minute goes by with nothing noticeably happening on the bridge or the other side of it.
Bel calls forward to where the 'scouts' crouch
"No traps Brezik? No foes either? Should we press on?"
"I heard SOMETHING. I'm just not sure what it was.
Moving to investigate the unknown sound better, Gad will move across the bridge.
Gad moves across the bridge and dodges as a golden spearblade thrusts out of the ruins next to him. The blade cracks against a nearby column cracking the gold plating off the iron and damaging the blade beneath.
An emaciated figure, looking like a horned human skeleton smothered within a bone-tight hide of slimy leather, steps out of hiding. It hisses out words that make your insides squirm and your brains feel hot. "."
Startled by the creature's sudden appearance, Gad steps back.
"Contract...? Assassin! He's been sent here to kill us!"
Bel moves up alongside Gad, drawing his scythe as he does so.
Vivian's words kept Qina from panicking. This creature was stuff of nightmares. Big claws, acid skin, and evil as could be, sweat beaded on her brow as the creature attacked Gad.
The Captain's orders echoed through her head. She started to raise her finger, but hearing the order about forgetting about elements forced Qina to think. She drew out her wand of magic missiles instead and loosed the force missiles at the creature.
The missiles seem to dissipate before reaching the demon who just grins maliciously. He drops his broken spear and drools while flexing his claws. It staggers forward to savage Gad'larr and Belathorian.
It manages to catch both in its claws leaving bloody furrows.
Hating to do it, Gad takes a step back from the creature and reaches his free hand up to his golden collar!
With a flash of Infernal Runes the collar activates and with multiple 'Whumps' and puffs of smoke, three Hell Hounds appear behind the Demon!
Brezk advances towards the fight, pulling a hammer and tossing it at the Demon, just missing it.
Babau? Huh... looks like a Porcupine with Mange to me. Hahaha