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"I would assume at least one of the golden skeletons to be the source of the Haunt," Khalaban murmured to the others. He knew he would personally prefer to not have his bones interred in metal. "I presume none of us are powerful enough to break the curse via magical forces?" he asked in a vain hope. If not, they would simply have to deal with the Haunt's effects, somehow.
"This place is wrong and ash-choked, and something haunts it," Khalaban warned the others, raising his shield and hunting for whatever was setting off the Haunt Detector hanging off the back.
Khalaban scanned the strange, golden area with caution. If even the buildings were layered with gold then there was at least a chance that there would be guardians.
"I concur in most hearty fashion, and that person is in need of help." Whether they should give it was a question they'd have to answer when they got there, but the massive Skinwalker started heading that way anyway, unless someone had another plan.
"Vixie's shield seems like the logical choice for a quick improvement - our armour would take too long to strip off and put back on, alas," Khalaban said, frowning.
I think the other option was Vixie's armour?
Khalaban breathed out as the fight ended, and looked at the anvil warily as it sprang to life. "I fear my weapon would be incompatible, summoned as it is from the earth around me. Dare we risk one to see if it functions, and what function it has?"
Moving to the other skeleton to give it a little crack upside the head. His magically created earthern weapon took on a distinctly blunt form as it was called.
"Sustained my magic, or did the cult re-light it for some reason?" Khalaban wondered outloud as he looked around.
Finally brought down to my level, eh?
"Disarmed for now, but not destroyed," Khalaban said as e rolled his shoulders. "But yes, alas, we should keep moving. Rivers of molten gold wait for no one."
Khalaban grunted, sliding the blow off his shield - he couldn't take too many shots like that even in full armour. "Melts, you say? Then perhaps I shall coat my shield in it as a memento of this battle, if it wishes to fight to its end. Allow me to play the decoy, since it has chosen me for the role." Khalaban summoned his weapon - more full formed than the previous earth club, more refined - and swung as the dust in the air stopped moving around him.
"There is that bonus, yes," Khalaban agreed with a smile under his helmet.
"It could be so," Khalaban agreed. "There is a button on the statue. Perhaps pushing it will turn it off. However, it is on the creatures back. If one of us were to move behind it, I presume it would turn to face the threat and another could move to push said button."
Against his usual inclination, Khalaban looked for the off switch.
"Does anyone know the tongue the people spoke in this place?" Khalaban asked, hoping to avoid fighting a super-heated statue of gold, rolling his shoulders in preparation. Perhaps they could talk it down. Surely they would not leave a killing machine with no off switch on a major thoroughfare, or else they kept there children strictly leashed.
Taking up his own usual position in the order, Khalaban scanned the enviroment to avoid ambushes. Or more likely traps. A place that flooded its streets with gold likely had a lot of traps, and hot metal was...less that enjoyable.
"Hmmm?" Khalaban looked over at Shyla, then over at Adriana. "Hm." Smiling a little, he looked over at Max. "Indeed, I can't imagine the cult's mathematics is any more sound than anything else its done. The centre is typically an important location, so heading directly for it seems like a plan." Whether it was a good one or not...
Khalaban glanced down at the footprints in the dust, nodding. It was no surprise to see them. "At least we know our prey moved this way too," he said, pointing them out to the others.
"Remarkable," Khalaban breathed as he looked over the evidence of the ruined city. He had to wonder exactly what had happened here, to lead to this, to this tainted land and poisoned sky. "Alas, I lack the skills to pull the tale from this past. Or more importantly the knowledge of why the Cult may have come to this place. Do any of you think you might?"
"It would seem that not all of them made it," Khalaban noted of the graves. Hopefully that meant that the ones inside were also in poor condition, but more likely they'd simply hoarded the available healing from there weaker members.
Well, the smoke suggested that the cult was not far ahead, but Khalaban moved the examine the campsite for any additional clues as to what they might want here.
"That sounds...unpleasant." Adjusting his pack Khalaban followed, eying the sky warily. He had no idea what a negative energy storm would entail, but it did not conjour up images of a pleasant day on the beach.
"I don't suppose that means the clear water is safe, then?" The divine casters could provide plenty of water, Khalaban considered, but if there was ever a reason they couldn't it would be useful to know.
Khalaban considered. It was unlikely that the little kobold was a danger to them, and even if they were keeping an eye out should be sufficient to keep them safe. Looking around, Khalaban considered. "That would seem wise, yes. Perhaps you can show us what you survived on as we go, to help us supplement what we've brought. It might be less delicious, but it'll extend our supplies."
"That does not sound appetizing," Khalaban agreed. "Since you've been here some time, what can you tell us about this place? Anything in regard to the cult's most recent activites would be especially helpful."
"4700," Khalaban replied slowly. She seemed to be honest, but surely not knowing what year it was meant she'd been here a terrifying amount of time. Was there a way to check for undead?
"Greetings, Kitterix. Have you been stuck on the island for long?" It seemed unlikely that she would live that long without some kind of support, unless she was a lot more powerful than she appeared - or lying. Khalaban tried to get a sense of what was going on here.
Khalaban's ears perked up, and looked around for the source of the voice. "Yes? We're here, are you in trouble?" He eyed the black water with distaste - if anything was in there they would have to be very cautious it wasn't a trap, he wasn't sure a mortal could live in such tainted water long.
Pointing up towards the ruins, Khalaban murmured, "Company already," pointing out the possibly once wolves. Alas, they had no sheep to help defeat these ones.
Khalaban nodded, making sure he had his set of tinder and flint securely in a pocket before hoping out of the vessel. He did not want to risk having to swim out to try and find them, as he wasn't a great swimmer. Perhaps not shockingly the first thing he did was scan the area for threats, given how many people had told him that this place was extremely dangerous. He did not wish to be ambushed at the very start of this task.
"Climbing kits for us all," Khalaban agreed firmly.
Khalaban nodded slightly. "I'll make sure to go out and get more rope, to be safe. Perhaps some climbing equipment too? And perhaps we can compensate for the water with divine magic?" He looked over at Maxilla and Adriana, and noted that she didn't seem quite...present for the conversation. He looked quizzical, but tried not to bring attention to the issue. If she had something she wished to speak on then she would.
"Well," Khalaban said after a moment. "That is not exactly thrilling to hear, but we shall have to deal with it. I wonder what possible business the cult could have in such a place?"
"I purchased some supplies, but all we really know is that they moved the items from Kassen's tomb to this island." At least, that was all Khalaban recalled. It had been a fun night. "Our pardon, lady. It is lovely to finally meet Vixie's wife. She has spoken of you on occasion." Khalaban nodded his head again. "Apologies for the interruption, but it sounded you like you also have some business with this 'church' of Razmir?"
"Tomorrow, I believe, is the plan," Khalaban nodded his agreement. "We have a lead suggesting the items we seek are there."
Khalaban returned for lunch, reconsidering the wisdom of having a tattoo and wearing heavy armour. Full plate wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world at the best of times, if not the terrible burden some thought it was, but the tattoo, while well padded, was tender. The bulky Kineticist saw Vixie and the other woman head toward the table, and moved to join then. "Good afternoon, Vixie. Has your time been productive?" He nodded to the other woman respectfully. "Madam."
Khalaban spent a bit of his time preparing for the travel to come. He sought out a Haunt Detector given the rumours of undead, and some Soul Candles for much the same reason. The undead were deadly enough when you could spot them, let alone when they snuck up, so spotting them soon was essential. He also hunted down additional food, mostly in the form of simple travel rations, travel cake and wandermeal he could use as a base for meals, along with some herbs, spices and basics like dried meat and waxed cheese. Stuff that would travel well. He still had plenty, but adding was never a bad idea. What he mostly did, however, was get a tattoo. A large sleeve that covered his left shoulder and ran down his arm, chronicling what had happened since leaving home. Khalaban had decided that this was all worth leaving a memory of, even if it was only on his skin one day. And then, he went to party.
"Please, use what you will Maxilla. Given my bulk I can carry things well enough, but it would be a boon for you to be able to carry more. And weapons are a simple matter for me." Khalaban nodded. "I have no great need for more things, I think. Some gold will be payment enough, and perhaps the potion of Cure Wounds. I would like to be able to revive those with healing magic in a pinch."
Shaking his head - and hoping the captain liked women who came on strong - Khalaban followed behind to go see if there was anything they needed among the items. His armour was good, and he made his own weapon. A new shield might be useful, although he hadn't seen one in the goods they'd taken.
"As you prefer, of course," Khalaban agreed, although he was intently studying said map for any sexy islands that might be present.
"I agree with Maxillia," Khalaban said with a nod. "I'm sure you have ideas and plans, but if you also have need of our assistance then I shall be happy to provide such."
"We found several things", Khalaban agreed, gesturing for Vixie to pass the paperwork over. He hoped she hadn't left it in the inn. He really should have checked.
Ready to go, Khalaban was moderately surprised that the others had chosen to get food. But he wasn't one to look a gift meal in the mouth, and ordered some strawberry waffles and blueberry pancakes.
Khalaban nodded. "My thanks," he replied, mourning the breakfast that would not be, and headed to get his padding and armour on before returning in his burnished plate armour.
Groaning softly as he roused himself from the dregs of sleep, Khalaban pulled on his trousers so as not to offend or distract the messenger, depending on their proclivities, and went to answer. "Good morning. How urgent would this be? Do we have time to wash, dress and eat first, or shall we rush?" He hated rushing off without food.
"I think I can find where we should be heading," Khalaban said slowly, "At least roughly. It's on the waters of Lake Encarthan."
"Not here, certainly," Khalaban mused. "And given how things have been working out, I suspect other places shall follow." He racked his mind, hoping to recall this 'Isle of Terror'.
Khalaban took a quick peek over the little Halfling's (?) shoulder, and said, "Transportation, I believe is the word. It looks like what we seek has already been moved."
Cautious, thanks to the whole situation, Khalaban checked the door before pushing it open.
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