As Lem moves up and uses some healing on Sutekh, enough to stanch the bleeding, Aetherys strikes at the trollhound. Her blade cutting a deep gash into the beast's hide.
Even as Aetherys is recovering from her attack, Brox nimbly moves past the beast, never giving it a chance to strike at him. Brox's blades cut neat lines into the hound's flank, bringing forth another howl, this one low and long as it slumps to the ground it's breathing ragged.
In the other room, the grunt looks at Karasu before speaking in a stammer.
"No, no. Those things don't like me or anyone. They listened to the boss, but usually just because she had food."
"You've seen the entire cave, there's nothing else here." The pirate states as he uses his hands to take in the entire room. "The rest of our crew are either getting drunk in Riddleport, or waiting in our warehouse for Alejia to get back."
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"I just hit it with fire a moment ago. It looks like that was enough. I could burn the bodies, but it would smoke the place up."
Kiya watches the two corpses long enough to be sure they're not still healing, stretches back up to 3', as the Reduce Person wears off. "Ah, that's better. It feels so cramped being small."
Joining in the search:
"What else do we have around here?"
The fallen grunt has the same equipment that the others has had, masterwork cutlass , light crossbow, masterwork studded leather, a few potions and alchemical items.
Searching Alejia's body, Aetherys sees that both her fallen cutlass and the suit of studded leather she wears give off magic. With a bit of time you are able to determine that both are simple enchantments, but the armor appears to be stronger. She also has a hand crossbow with some bolts, a disguise kit, and her magus spellbook.
All 0's, Burning hands, color spray, corrosive touch, magic missile, ray of enfeeblement, acid arrow, bull's strength, frigid touch
Searching through the rest of the caves, show that there isn't much for pirate treasure here. It seems to be mostly a waypoint for Alejia to unload cargo onto her own ship away from prying eyes. You do find food stuff and some basic equipment for repairing and maintaining ships.
Now that the excitement has died down a bit, the old man comes up to you to thank you.
"Very well done. I am Hirako Gurukaza, and I am in your debt for saving me. Rest assured, I will send word of your bravery and dedication to your superiors. But if you don't mind, could we please leave this dingy place? I have seen quiet enough of it."
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"We are glad to help, Hirako. It was fun. Except for the getting shot part. That wasn't fun. Or the getting frozen part either. But still, all in all fun. I hadn't been to Riddleport before, you see. Shame not to get a closer look at the arch. Maybe there'll be time on the way back. What was Alijia trying to find out from you anyway? Must of thought she was onto something big if she was kidnapping all you scholars. Maybe there's something in her stuff that explains it...
Oooh, that's a spellbook...."
Kiya will also fill a couple of vials with blood from the trollhounds. "Not quite troll's blood, but it could still be useful for something."
Hirako nods eagerly and you all load up into the rowboats and head out to the Lionfish where Smulwarts waits patiently aboard. A smile momentarily breaks along her face before she shoves her emotions back down.
"So I take it we're ready to head back to port?" She says as she eyes Hirako.
Word is sent back to the Society of your success and a letter quickly returns with information on your return voyage, but it will take a few days for the boat to arrive. During that time you hear rumors that the attacks directed at the Cyphermages have stopped, and the tension between Tammerhawk and Cromarcky has settled down to it's usual levels.
Also during these days, Sutekh seems to begin to fall ill to something (possibly the bite of the trollhounds), but as quickly as the symptoms surface, Sutekh seems to fight them off. By the time the boat arrive, he seems to be completely healthy.
You also hear many rumors of your own exploits and how you defeated the pirate Alejia and her crew. Your reputation in Riddleport has become one of a formidable force.
Hirako thanks you profusely before leaving your company, telling you that he wishes to help you in whatever way he can, if you find yourself in the City of Cyphers. He also tells you that he will let Tammerhawk and any allies of the crime boss know of your exploits.