Coronet of Khitros

The Coronet of Khitros is a bronze band previously owned by the eponymous Khitros the Hallowed but claimed by an expedition party following his destruction in Halla-Greencrown of 3 WD.

## Description

The Coronet of Khitros is a modest decorative construction of polished non-precious metal embellished with a ruby and a uncoiling cobra head emerging from the gemstone's setting.

## Research

### Completed by Zareyl Arkenviir

*Seemingly a simple crown of bronze set with a large red gemstone, the construction of the coronet has proven to be far more foriegn and unknown upon deeper and greater inspection. The gemstone, while ruby like in appearance instead seems to drink greedily at the light of nearby torches and candles and the metal itself is in reality an alloy of unknown composition. Attempts to score the metal, even forcibly with chisels or sharp blades fail.*

*After much time attempting to pierce the strong abjuration aura shrouding the Coronet, each passing night shares another vision. The first is brief, a flash of a city of glittering bricks built around a vast oasis, viewed from atop a spiralling tower. The second is equally short, watching as your body kneels involuntarily before a shrine to make an offering into a shallow basin bathed in verdant flame. The third lingers for longer, chaotic and tumultous. A featureless horizon shimmers in the heat haze of the high noon sun and the sands at your feet start to grow and swirl, clawing their way first atop your boots, then to your knees, waist, chest, shoulders. Struggle as you may, naught stops your descent into the dunes, a passing shadow catching your eye before the sands cover your head entirely.*

*Waking from the dream brings you back to consciousness with a seemingly unquenchable thirst, although given enough time this fades over the course of the day. Each night the same vision returns however, and every waking brings the accompanying clinging dryness in your throat. With each passing cycle, variations in the dream with time start to develop, the horizon growing increasingly distinct. Mountains rise and fall, towering constructs of bone and glass emerge and crumble before things finally start to settle. Nestled at the base of a mountain with a peak split in two, a view of streching hills before you fades as you are pulled into the sands below once more. Relinquished from the weight of the dunes and descending into free-fall beneath them, a form shifts in the abyss before you. Centauroid but covered in thick plaques of peeling skin, its humanoid torso is naked and bloodied, pierced through thrice with twisted nails racked with corrosion and rust. In place of hooves curved claws stir at the dust of the chamber, restless, the upright arms grasping a pair of long needle-like blades. With an echoing gurgle, the monstrosity's maw swings wide, held in place only by pale scraps of torn flesh, seemingly evicerated by the dark and slick fangs too numerous for its grin. Weeping russet-red from two horns emerging from shattered eye sockets, the entire form rears upon its back legs, hooked and cadaverous wings spreading wide. The darkness at your feet falters, and you fall once more.*

*Waking from this vision does not bring the same thirst, although a thick grainy substance litters the corner of your eyes and your cheeks. Rushing to a mirror, you wash the rust-like substance from your face, only to find that the hue of your eyes had faded to match the colour. Attuned to the Coronet of Khitros, you gain the following properties:*

1. *Increase your Wisdom and Constitution by 1 point each, to a maximum of 25.*
2. *You can speak, read and write Infernal.*
3. *You learn the Wall of Sand spell and can cast it once without expending a spell slot. If cast in a desert area, the length of the wall summoned is doubled. You regain the ability to cast it in this way when you finish a long rest.*
4. *You have the ability to significantly accelerate the process of corrosion of up 5 ft. cubed of iron-based metal that you can touch. You regain the ability to do this when you finish a long rest.*
5. *[REDACTED]*