"Malcolm, sense any evil?"
Some of this bones are human... quite a lot of them actually. the elf says feeling a chill go through his spine.
Malcolm Detects Evil.
"Remember the spiders. The nets they spun were unnaturally cold, it stands to reason that the environment they live in would become like them in time.
And if there are more of them, and BIGGER..."
A whisper in the dark... is it time?
"We are coming closer to the secret and the danger. Knowledge has a price and, if we continue forward, we will pay it."
Evil is afoot, bathed in decay...be wary.
Marduzi grips his sword tighter and squints into the darkness. "Be ready to restore those lights in case we run into more creatures that can extinguish them." He moves forward with Ruhk and Malcolm when they are ready.
"Time to take a shot to the face."
Jordan shoots a force bolt as soon as he can target the source of the voice.
Kelistra concentrates on trying to find magical emanations from among the gloom.
The voice has no obvious source, but the deeper reaches of the bone-strewn cave are still cloaked in shadow as your group huddles near the entrance.
The disembodied voice, again, ... so long ...
"Time is an illusion. Everywhen is now." Azmythe responds to the voice. "We are seekers. What knowledge have you for us?"
"Desna guide us," Kelistra says softly. "There's death magic at work here, Azmythe. I'm too young for the grave, so I wouldn't trust that voice for guidance. Well, it's not getting any warmer in here and Desna shows no path for those who stay home. Let's move on." Kelistra walks deeper into the cave.
"Kelistra, is it focused in any one area we should go to?" Marduzi also advances further into the room.
Kelistra shakes her head. "It's all around us, even in the air. Very faint so far. Maybe when we move in I'll get a stronger impression."
Malcolm leads the party further into the cavern with his Bastard Sword held before him.
Really? Debating with a disembodied voice out of nowhere? We're doing that? Really? Now even *I* know that's just silly.
Nevertheless, Ruhk moves along with Malcolm and Marduzi, Bethany held ready and shield to the front.
Jordan staggers along. "Just find something for me to shoot at."
Agreed. the elf mumbles as he follow the others.
... even death quails before duty ...
... honor fled in endless waiting ... is it time? ...
"Ruhk and Malcolm, ready to keep advancing toward that voice?" If they answer in the affirmative, Marduzi will move forward in parallel with them.
Indeed...
Malcolm nods and proceeds.
"Let's go for it!" Ruhk cheerfully agrees.
Halvor moves with the rest, ready to come to their aid and keep them alive
"I have your backs"
"Let's see what's hiding in the gloom."
Silently the alchemist follows the group.
In the center of the cavern the skeleton of a man dressed in ornate foreign armor is posed in a sitting position atop a large decorated chest. The skeleton's armor is faded, but in the light of Dalvor and Kelistra's magic you can see that it is made from overlapping scales and lacquered in intricate red and black patterns. The skeleton bears a short single edged sword, slightly curved, unsheathed and laid across its thighbones. Four complete skeletons kneel in positions of obeisance around the central armored figure.
The whispered voice, dry as dust, cuts through the chill air. ... not goblins? ... perhaps one with honor? ...
Marduzi pauses, but hazards a question, "Who are you? We are not goblins, but we're sent against them by Sandpoint."
"Be at ease, ancient one. We came to discover what goblins took and find out what happened to it. We intend no disrespect."
Ruhk bristles a little at having his honour questioned by a dead thing, but he manages to restrain himself enough to answer in a fairly cordial tone.
"If it is honour you seek, I have it in excess, and so do my comrades."
"This day keeps getting better," Kelistra mutters. "Now we've got dead guys from out of town. At least we know where the aura came from."
There is no motion in the cold dark cavern. The skeletal form seated upon the chest does not move, its hollow eyes do not lift to meet your gaze, its deathly grin does not change. But you feel its attention pass over you nonetheless.
... I? ... I am ... I am a servant ... a failure ... honor lost and unredeemed ... no clean death with honor for the last faithful servant ... endless failure even in death ...
"None of us are perfect, not even in death. All we can do is our best and then hope for the best. So be at peace. Ease your mind faithful, honorable servant."
"So, ummm... Whom do you serve good sir?"
"Yes, tell us more. Perhaps There is still an opportunity for you to repair your honor and pass peacefully."."
"Yes! If you had a task to do and we complete it then it will be like you did it yourself. After all, YOU are the one who send us on that task."
The elf shift his weight between his legs while looking at all sides and appearing unconfortable with the situation. Dead things should remain dead...
... two things do I desire... a pledge of protection for the Kaijitsu heir ... and an end to this curse in honorable combat ... single combat ... a final death ... if any is brave enough to challenge my blade ...
Malcolm steps forward.
I will challenge you to an honorable end!
malcolm detects evil specifically on the personage.
Kaijitsu...Ameiko? So self-absorbed is Marduzi in pondering the first part of the question that he completely misses the second until Malcom has spoken. That should be me! "Hey, wait a second." He sighs. "Can you tell us why the Kaijitsu heir needs protection? Is that the duty that binds you here?"
Ruhk raises a finger to protest, pauses and then sighs.
Too slow, he robbed me of the chance, but he who snooze will forever lose.
At Malcolm's words the skeletal figure moves for the first time. The gleaming white skull lifts, looking directly at you. In the empty eye-sockets twin cold blue fires burn, like the embers of tiny suns lost to mortal memory. The jaw of the skull grins in silent hunger.
... ahhhhhhh then ... prepare yourself ... we begin in 100 beats of your mortal heart ...
The skeleton stands, still gripping the foreign single-edged blade loosely in one hand. It turns to the north and bows deeply, then to the east bowing again. It is clearly engaged in some private ritual of preparation. As he prepares, a chill wind spirals round the cavern, rattling the bones on the floor.
The skeletal figure completes it's circuit of bows to the cardinal directions, and returns to facing the group.
... I am ... I was ... Tsutami ... called the Whispering Blade ... for long years I protected the Kaijitsu family ... even before they bore that name ... failed and cursed in failure ... but there is a heir ...
Malcolm and Iralynash, you in particular recognise that Kaijitsu is Ameiko's family name.
As the corpse of Tsutami continues to speak, you realise that it is not the wind that is rattling the bones strewn across the cavern. Instead, the skeletons that you noticed are rising, assembling themselves, and clambering to their feet. Some are missing an arm, or several ribs, or their jaw. All bear a reflection of the same distant blue flame in their eyes as Tsutami.
... my loyal followers even in disgrace and death ... they will not intervene in our combat ... if your companions are equally restrained ...
Kelistra is awed by what the speaking corpse has said. There is no way he can be talking about Ameiko, no way at all. And to top it off, Malcolm has accepted Tsutami's challenge of single combat. Kelistra is tempted to intervene with one of her special performances, but refrains herself - not because of Tsutami's honor or the threat of his minions interfering. Kelistra does not intervene because Malcolm would be pissed. Kelistra draws forth her mandolin and starts playing a quiet tune, a strange alien tune that Ameiko taught her that's better suited for Ameiko's samisen than Kelistra's mandolin.