"He can't be trusted, but if you're willing to drag him along go ahead." Lirika shrugs. "But if he makes a wrong move, he's getting my sword through his throat."

"Good enough. Though a part of me finds the idea somewhat... disharmonous. Let us finishing taking apart the camp, rest, and then come morning... we set out for these mountains." Vusgaar holds a hand over his chest, and started to mouth the words of... something. But then, he catches himself and asks, "How long do you think before we make it there, Lirika? And apart from these crystalline structures, is there anything else we should know of the area?"

"It'll be a two and a half day journey or so, but beyond that, I don't know much about the area," Lirika admits. "That's been deep Kalaak territory for as long as I've been alive."

Talaak eyes their prisoner, "Then there's no need to drag dead weight there, especially not one that could call the entire horde on our heads."

"A decent point, and if that confident-..." Vusgaar just sweeps his hands towards the prisoner in offering Talaak. Then, he looks to the others -- the party. "Unless any of you have objections. I have spoken my piece." With that, the shifter walked off to start aiding in stripping the camp of anything of use.

Ani would look between Lirika, Talaak, Vusgaar and then back to Talaak. She'd shrug. She didn't care to carry dead weight with them either. The more efficient the better right?

Meiara is indifferent towards the idea of taking the Kalaak with them.

"I agree with Talaak here," Demetrios decides after listening to the group, glaring down at the Kalaak. "No need to carry dead weight."

Talaak hefts his greatsword, "Return to the Path. Do not stray in your next life."

chop chop

With that, you have finished off the camp of Kunigaal the Desecrator. Lirika nods. "Most of my warriors will be returning to the Stones to inform the Council of our success. However, I will accompany you into the Krertok, to ensure you do not get lost, as will my second in command, Telaani-Kasqae."

A shifter steps forward from the others, eyes narrowed at you, and you recognize him as the one who, way back when you first saw Lirika here in the Tundra, objected to her going with you. He gives you each a nod, but nothing else.

"Now." Lirika grins, her teeth on full display. "We have cut off the head of this plague. Let us go rip out its heart."

OOC: Everyone long rest and perform any final spell swaps. The next encounter will be the finale, and it will be big, and dangerous. So let me know once you've done everything you need to and are ready, and we'll move to the finale.

Vusgaar returns the curt nod to Kasqae, but kept a noticeably close eye on the man from at least the corner of one at all times. "It shall be made to regret its decisions, for what little time it has left upon this existence." The Ursine shifter affirms flatly. "This Voice, and ever misled soul in their fool hearty endeavor." Having said that, Vusgaar looks to the others, giving them one last firm nod, prior to stepping away to make whatever last minute preparations would be needed for the next leg of their journey.

Talaak gives the shifter a stare, pointing his level gaze at him. He maintains his calm demeanor as Lirika speaks of killing, but seems to be suppressing some sort of excitement.

The seven of you set off, heading west for the Krertok Peninsula. After a few days of traveling and dodging warbands, you make it to the center of the Peninsula, where the mountain that Lirika described rises above you, an edifice of grey stone marked with veins of dark red crystal. At the top of the mountain, a dark red light pulses, turning the crystal an even darker red.

Lirika narrows her eyes. "That...is very different from how it was described to me. Something very dark is happening here."

Vusgaar says nothing, but instead spends a few moments studying the sight and trying to arrange in his mind the meaning of the change. Between his studies and experience with the wild zones last, he dared to think along the lines of even some crossing having been or in the process of opening. And if so...

Arcana: 17.

Vusgaar:

Vusgaar, whether conscious of it or not, began emitting a deep, rumbling growl at the back of his throat. "The Kalaak... Or at least, those they've been manipulated by....They seek to awaken some ancient evil below. Fiends powerful enough, that if not stopped soon, will make the past few days and weeks a dream." Vusgaar states. "We have to move quick. Destroy or disrupt whatever they have up there before its too late. And judging by the light... we may not have much time left."

Talaak also growls, though he bites it off as soon as he notices, "Then we move. Now."

He begins to run towards the mountain, pushing ahead of his companions.

Demetrios knew there was no stopping the barbarian, so he merely gives a knowing look to his fellow Edgewalkers and pushes forward behind Talaak.

Meiara advances because someone's gotta heal.

“Let’s make haste and end this madness!” Ani will hop too after the others, joining in after Meiara and Deme.

Bardic Inspiration on Deme: 1d8