Tariq once more searches for magic auras - which, in a temple of Nethys, should be like searching for drugs in a fraternity party.
There are surprisingly few auras. The sphinx are magic , the altar, and the area with the carvings showing Nethys and others on the ground floor.
There are surprisingly few auras. The sphinx are magic , the altar, and the area with the carvings showing Nethys and others on the ground floor.
“I’ve had worse,” Aithaloessa says cheerfully as she joins Antarah in a bit of a break, knowing that it’s the least she could do after the others humoured her the day before, and, after all, she had the easy part of the last bit of spider-clearing as one of the ranged knights.
She helps Tariq with his investigations, studying the auras carefully so that maybe they can at least report to Zastoran if there are any indications of dangerous wards left in place.
Afterwards, per her original plans, she tries to put what little she knows about spiders to work recovering alchemically useful bits for Undrella. It’s only the neighbourly thing to do. As she tidies up from her work, she turns to Antarah and the others. “I wonder if Zastoran has friends who’d be interested in reclaiming this place. Or if anyone else would be, in repurposing it. Otherwise… well, it provides a bit of shelter, so it’s liable to attract all sorts of beasts who might want some relief from the desert sun, I expect. Hopefully not any more aggressive wereleopards, though.”
Altar - Conjuration
Wall Carvings - Conjuration, Illusion
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Antarah says "I'm sure Zastoran will want to come here. Nethy's boat is here and it's probably an important site. Also... I'm beginning to wonder... Would there be a reason why we already found two important temples in this region?" He means the monastery and this temple. Of course, he wonders if this is a region of divine importance, although he failed to convey that.
En-Nebi, Blade of the Leopard
DESCRIPTION
Crafted in Katapesh some 300 years ago, En-Nebi is a katar some 15 inches in length. An embossed image of a ferocious Katapeshi leopard adorns the weapon’s hilt, while strange shadowy patterns writhe across its damascened blade, even in strong light.
In combat, En-Nebi is treated as a +1 vicious punch dagger. As it strikes, the extra damage from the vicious property manifests as if a great cat’s claws had cruelly raked the victim’s flesh.
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Antarah says "I remember reading about this blade. En-Nebi, it's called. It's supposed to feel like a leopard is raking you if you're hit by it! It's too small a weapon for me. In fact I thought it was just a legend, but... here it is, in my hand..." Antarah continues examining the blade, and answers if anyone asks for more.
"Seems a cool weapon, but also too small for me" Tariq finally says.
“Fascinating. Horrible, but fascinating,” Aithaloessa says, watching the dagger somewhat doubtfully as Antarah turns it over hand over hand as he tells its story. “It claws the wielder as well, then? Possibly useful, for a hardier soul than mine.”
“Could we … reforge it? To something more useful for one of us? I’d have to ask someone, but I’m sure there are also ways to change the shape of a weapon magically, but to bind that ability to one would be expensive, and perhaps not something we’d want to do with something that bites back anyway.”
"How about selling it and getting something useful instead?" Haleen suggests.
"I bet someone who fights in the arena would love to incorporate it into their act," Yasmeena says thoughtfully. "It's a very good brawler's weapon."
"If we put actually killing the opponent on the menu again..." Haleen comments with a mischievous smile. "But without the raking like a big cat and leaving the bloody marks on the bare skin, it is just a gilded knife. And punching daggers are not made for fancy choreography, or am I wrong?"
"We're done here, let's go." Haleen states and leaves. It's early morning and the ground is still chill from the night. She's prefer to be back inside before the sun rises high in the sky burning everyone still outside.
Half an hour later the group reaches the bridge into Kelmarane.
Tariq goes to Father Zastorian and tells him of their findings.
Father Zastoran is very excited to hear of this holy place of Nethys. "Animated sphinx guardians you say? And an altar summoning snakes? And the bark of Nethys floating on mysterious mists? You need to bring me there I need to see that with my own eyes!"
"But without the raking like a big cat and leaving the bloody marks on the bare skin, it is just a gilded knife. And punching daggers are not made for fancy choreography, or am I wrong?"
“It would be very distinctive, I imagine,” Aithaloessa says, trying to do so. “All exaggerated lunges and that. It would take someone very confident that they’re not leaving an opening for their opponent while they’re putting on a show. Maybe?”
She looks to Yasmeena, who she imagines might have an actually informed opinion, as a dancer.
Regardless, Haleen’s right about doing with a break from the temple, and Aith falls in with the others back on the way to Kelmarane rather pleased with how things turned out, in the end. Beasts and brigand cleared out, and spells deciphered.
She slips away discreetly to stop by Undrella’s on the way in, and drop off some potentially alchemically useful spider parts as a collegial gesture: silk glands and venom sacs. Maybe the harpy could turn use them for tanglefoot bags and, homeopathically, antitoxin? Or whatever she likes to brew up. On the latter front, Aith tries very hard to give Undrella the benefit of the doubt.
Father Zastoran is very excited to hear of this holy place of Nethys. "Animated sphinx guardians you say? And an altar summoning snakes? And the bark of Nethys floating on mysterious mists? You need to bring me there I need to see that with my own eyes!"
She rejoins the others to debrief Zastoran, adding, “We’d be glad to, but we need to rest a bit first. It will be the heat of the day soon enough, and we stayed up through the night deciphering some inscriptions. But those did include some spells, and we’d be glad to show you our notes, of course!”
Even through her weariness, her enthusiasm for anything magical is almost palpable.
"You can't tell me it's the real one. Nethys is using that barge to travel the multiverse and I don't believe he is stuck in an abandoned temple."
"But this was a great place of magic knowledge! And even if most of it is lost, it must be a sight to behold."
"I can surely take you there, but I'm not going through that most again, I'm telling you."
"But this was a great place of magic knowledge! And even if most of it is lost, it must be a sight to behold."
“It is,” Aithaloessa agrees, “though as Tariq says, the drugged mist is unpleasant.”
[b]“And quite apart from the sphinx and the altar, there are other statues that are, er, definitely trapped,” she adds quickly. “On which note, we should probably get some rest rather than returning while we’re weary enough to risk stumbling into something we shouldn’t. Oh, and do you read Osiriani? None of us do, but there must be a spell for that.”
Sleep, something other than goodberries and warm water, spell transcriptions, and – she supposes, graciously conceding the point – catching up on sheriff business all seem like good ideas, not necessarily in that order.
"I can prepare the magic for that. Tomorrow it is then." Zastoran acknowledges.
The next day the knights travel back to the ruined temple with Father Zastoran in tow. In the area before the carvings of Nethys a mug full of sand rises by an unseen hand from the floor and is brought to Aithaloessa.
Downstairs the tour includes the altar, which refuses to summon anything in the presence of Father Zastoran. He chuckles as Haleen proves that it works, but doesn't explain the issue as the unworthy from Nethys teachings crosses his mind. Also two wooden statues depicting sphinx and the large basalt plaque. The osiriani inscriptions on the ominous southern portal alternate between descriptions of the positive and destructive properties of magic. Zastoran is delighted as the plate's inscriptions glow when hit with magic and slides up.
About the mist the knights come up with a simple non-magical solution - rope. Zastoran is tied around the waist and has to call continuously to show he is ok. There are a lot of "Ahs" and "Ohs" from Zastoran until he falls silent and blunt hitting noises emerge from the cave. Pulling him back is easy, as he doesn't weigh much, but it earns him a lot additional bruises.
His comment on that: "Totally worth it." He has some inquiries though, why there is a beheaded human in the cave.
"Oh, that..." Tariq scratches his head. "He turned into a leopard and attacked us."
The quest about the dangerous animals solved there are no further disturbances of the peace for a while.
Antarah retreats to his shop to craft weapons enchanted with magic. He is busy from day one, but mostly to fulfill the wishes of his friends who expect not to pay full prices. Which helps Antarah to practice and not sit bored in his smithy. But doesn't really add to his profit. Other than he planned, very few people can afford his magical goods and he sells more masterwork scimitars than anything else. But during the year buyers for two magical masterpieces show up and he earns a net profit of 3000 gold.
Haleen and Yasmeena are very busy to keep the entertainment running. It's all fun and play at the start, but as soon as the village grows and a larger amount of people come through Kelmarane it turns into serious work. Keeping the stage busy at all hours from 10am to 10pm becomes a full time job for more than two people.
But with the increase in visitors Princess Almah chips in. An entrance fee is established for the battle market and a part of that goes to the entertainment. Haleens deal with Aithaloessa also pays off for entertainment. Everyone who is incarcerated for disturbing the peace or theft ends up on stage. After a proper humiliation in front of the big audience the culprits are cured of their truculence, or even never seen again in town.
The second part of the businees is easily earned money. Everyone needs food and a place to sleep and the beds in the inn are always full. Together they earn 5500gold, which could have been more if it were not for the hard competition...
Tariq rebuilds the monastery as far as it is possible. First he fixes the roof of the parts where the guests shall sleep and eat. Then some new furniture are due. At the start it is mostly costs. But with some timber that the high priest of Kelmarane provided as promised the progress is fast.
The food serveed is extraordinaire and even though the place is an hour away from Kelarane it becomes the favorite place for travelling merchants. As the inn in Kelmarane is almost always full, especially with masons and carpenters rebuilding town, those who only stop in town for business before moving on grow to like this location.
At the end of the year Tariq has all of the parts he uses restored, as well as the places that house art protected one way or the other. The wooden ceiling in the chapel that Aithaloessa brought down though is still not replaced and rebuilding the walls to full height and the roof of the high parts are still an issue. The most annoying part is the formerly gilded mural, that Dashki raided for the gold. It would take an expert to restore this to full glory.
After the year Tariq has made a solid profit of 2000gold, despite the necessary investments.
Aitholoessa is busy everywhere. Hiring for the guard, planning patrols and shifts and complex defense strategies for coordinated attacks on Kelmarane. Finally Garavel agrees to a ballista on the watch tower, but probably only to get her out of his hair with her more 'exalted' ideas.
Her alchemical studies produce something marketable too, but the most business in her shop comes through her special connections and what Undrella has to offer on provision.
Summed up the pay as head of the guard and the multiple side businesses earn Aithaloessa 4000 gold over the period of almost a year.
Keeping an eye on Undrella also takes time. Some long talks and further studies reveal the issue. In simple words: sentient beings taste smart. And that is impossible to reproduce. Aithaloessa does some - mostly thought - experiments, but making an animal intelligent before eating it is no solution.
The solution presents itself, when there are increased sightings of gnolls in the area. They make for a challenging hunt, a nice meal for Undrella and no one minds some eaten gnolls.
“It would be very distinctive, I imagine,” Aithaloessa says, trying to do so. “All exaggerated lunges and that. It would take someone very confident that they’re not leaving an opening for their opponent while they’re putting on a show. Maybe?”
She looks to Yasmeena, who she imagines might have an actually informed opinion, as a dancer.
Yasmeena shrugs. "I have heard of street fighters particularly adept at brawling with such weapons in close combat. Perhaps they have similar techniques to the battle dance that I have learned from Sarenrae's temple."
During the year Haleen leaves Kelmarane for two weeks to visit Katapesh and pay her debt. Katapesh is still the same busy huge city it always was. Never sleeping, always out for another trade to make and some more gold to change hands.
But Haleen has changed. She has lived in Kelmarane for over a year and she grew to like the peacefulness and solitude you find when walking five minutes out of Kelmarane at night. Also she and her new and old friends are stars in Kelmarane. And here in Katapesh she is only one among thousands with no real chance to change something for the better.
She is glad once the debt is payed and this last thing tying her to Katapesh is cut.
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While not forging, Antarah spends the first months of Kelmarane's rebuilding practicing his fist fighting in the arena. However, it starts becoming much more about the performance than the fight and he grows bored of it. He decides to focus more on his flute playing. He asks Yasmeena for some pointers to get better, but she finds him a little too stiff, but dedicated. One day he may become a good flutist.
Antarah finds he prefers staying in Kelmarane rather than walking around the outskirts. He does visit Tariq often. He offers help in the rebuilding of the monastery, even though every time Tariq says it's not neessary. He continues offering.
Eventually, Aithaloessa settles down to a more regular schedule, if only for everyone else’s comfort, though that still means the odd alchemical mishap that leaves her office in need of airing out, freaks of magical experiments at unpredictable moments when her desk is clear and she has the free time to indulge the more chaotic side of her studies, and one memorable week in which she puts the ballista Garavel acquires in response to her prompting through its paces, to the dismay of those less enthused by experimental ballistics.
She files the Undrella situation for further consideration at a later date. There’s no need to rush or push, as long as no decent people are going missing. Eventually, maybe she can enroll Tariq – his cooking is wonderful, and she can’t help but think what a coup it would be for his monastery if he could boast that its offerings redeemed the reprobate harpy. Like a risen angel. Demon. Whatever. Souls aren’t really my business, but really, it would be nice if everyone was … well, nice. And it would also be lovely if I could remove “are any of the locals secretly eating people?” from the list of ongoing concerns.
For now, she focuses on the rest of keeping the peace and maintaining her own interests, or both, when slow days mean that she’s up in her office and it’s either putting her boots on the desk and staring into space, or – which is much more interesting – pulling out her notes on spellcraft or giving her flasks and burners a swirl.
As Tariq approaches Father Zastoran with the items found in the ruins to gift them to him, he takes the mask. "That is a nicely crafted mask of Nethys. And made of copper - I've rarely seen this."
Then he looks at the rest of the offering, casts detect magic on it and immediately loses interest. "You keep that non-magical trumpery."
After almost a year Kelmarane has completely changed. Most of the houses are inhabited and restored. Many small businesses have opened. At first mostly those selling timber and other materials needed to build or rebuild houses. Later the focus shifted to import/export businesses. Outposts either from Katapesh or from Osirion, which established storage facilities with small storefronts in Kelmarane.
Food is driving the cost of living up as no one has cared to become a farmer in this dry area.
About a third of the people in Kelmarane are transients. Most are traveling merchants or deliveries for one of the many outposts. But of course a town like Kelmarane draws some shady figures. But Aithaloessa takes care of that, one way or the other.
One day an impressive figure that stands out appears in Kelmarane and the Battle Market. A towering human who stands nearly 7 feet in height dressesd in the colors and symbolics of Sarenrae.
He orders something to drink, and as there is a pause on the stage he speaks up. Would someone please pass on that I wish to speak to the leaders of the village and the heroes who so recently liberated it from the gnolls. Thank you."
He turns back to his drink and waits.
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Antarah, who is sitting in the stool in his shop looks at the man curious. He looks around, trying to see if Princess Almah is around to greet the man, but then he thinks that he can do it himself. Being a large man as well, Antarah considers enlargening himself to match the man, but dismisses this thought as silly.
Making sure his mother's scimitar is at his side, he approaches the man saying "My name is Antarah ibn Nasim'Rushdi Saad Khaled, Knight Protector of Kelmarane. I see you carry the colors of the Dawnflower, but that does not explain who you are or what you intend drawing so much attention to yourself."
Although he hasn't posed a question, his tone indicates the man should respond.
"I'm Zayifid, traveler of the sand and scrub, a student of all things Sarenrae sees fit to shine upon, and an unwilling bearer of bad news that I have to bring to your attention." the man introduces himself.
"Where and when would you like to have this conversation, with all who are in charge of keeping Kelmarane safe?"
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Antarah considers the man's words for a few moments. If there are indeed ill news, then he should gather the Knights. If this is an impostor, then at least Tariq should be able to tell so.
He replies "Wait here, have a drink from Haris' stand. His arak is particularly good. We will meet you before nightfall." He turns the sign on his store to show it is temporarily closed and goes find Yasmeena. He is sure she will be able to contact the others faster and relays to her what he has learned.
As Almah is informed, she suggests inviting the man to her meeting room.
As all arrive on the third floor they are greeted by two of Almah's special guards. They nod at the knights, but stop Zayifid and pat him down.
In the meeting room, there is a seat for everyone invited and tea and coffee is prepared. Princess Almah sits at the head of the table, Garavel to her right, Zastoran to her left and two more guards stand behind her.
Zayifid gets seated at the opposite end, the Knights of Kelmarane along the sides.
"I am Princess Almah Roveshki, sovereign over Kelmarane by order of the Pactmasters of Katapesh. And these are the Knight Protectors of Kelmarane. You wanted to speak to us. What is so important that this is necessary."
The 'this is better worth my time or else' is only thinly veiled under the words.
"I'm Zayifid, traveler of the sand and scrub, a student of all things Sarenrae sees fit to shine upon, and an unwilling bearer of bad news."
"I do not belong to a single church. I do not mock those priests who choose to remain in one location and tend to one building — not at all, for they provide a needed service. But I am not at ease if I stay in one location. I am a traveler, as I have said, and have walked the billowing sands of Osirion, the westernmost veldt of Nex, and much of our own beloved Katapesh in between. I have seen much in my travels, and have brought the word and redemption of the Dawnflower to many. Yet also have I seen much in the way of cruelty and war in those travels, and it is a warning of such I bring to you today."
"You have distinguished yourselves by defeating the Kulldis. You know that word of the liberation of Kelmarane has reached all the way to the coast by now, and you are enjoying the fruits of that success even as we speak in the form of trade and tax. Yet word spreads not only to friends, but also to enemies. The Carrion King knows of what you’ve done to the Kulldis, and though he did not reply in kind at once, I have heard dire rumors in my travels. Rumors of gnoll tribes gathering on the far slopes of Pale Mountain, tribes united under one banner — the sign of the Carrion King!"
"My path is not one of war. Sarenrae teaches redemption and forgiveness, but I know well that many do not seek these ends, and that war is often inevitable. Yet sometimes, there are other ways. The gnolls are ever a bickering lot, and if the Carrion King has managed to unite these tribes, then his word is mighty indeed. And although I despair to think on the death of any living creature, if the Carrion King’s death would mean that the gnoll tribes would stand down — a war could be averted."
"And so I bring this news to you. I shall not stay long, for I have no desire to be caught up in the folly of battle. But you would do well, heroes, to take my warning to heart. Seek out the Carrion King and bring him low before he raises high the flags of war. You will find him in the House of the Beast, the rumors say, an ancient temple upon the far side of Pale Mountain from which he has long ruled. May your efforts be swift and just, that needless suffering be averted."
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Antarah takes a long time taking in the man's words. His feelings range from pride to worry to resolve. He agrees with the wandering priest, but knows they must verify this information. What if he is trying to get us out of town to attack it himself?, he wonders.
Still, they need to give this man the benefit of the doubt. He says "Thank you for this information. We will discuss on it and act accordingly." He thinks of asking if he has visited the monastery yet, but that would be too radical of a subject change.
Tariq does wait until Almah expresses his opinion, not wanting to sound too brash.
Aithaloessa considers Zayifid’s news carefully. It sounds reasonably likely: it’s what gnolls and such hordes do, after all, and if Kardswann was somehow allied with the Carrion King, this was bound to happen sooner or later. The priest’s strategy is also sound, but there are so many factors to consider…
“Thank you, Zayifid,” the sheriff begins, echoing Antarah. “These are timely warnings indeed. Do you have any further details that might be helpful? Numbers, notable activity among particular tribes? For now, I’ll see who the guard might spare as riders to gather intelligence and observe.”
Her glance flickers to Almah and Garavel, and the other knights of Kelmarane. As a foreigner, Aithaloessa knows she’ll have to rely on the locals for a better sense of who’s likely to get involved and what this “House of the Beast” is, apart from something that definitely sounds like not her thing. More seriously, Kelmarane’s a small place. Finding scouts and making sure they’re supported enough to maximize their chances of all coming back is going to be tricky enough as it is, but for a decisive covert operation … well, the specialists on hand are really the Knights Protector themselves.
"I'm sorry, but what I pass on to you is gathered from rumors told in different places, and nothing more specific was mentioned besides comparisons made while bragging or wild guesswork. Zayifid explains.
Almah follows the conversation and lets the Knight Protectors lead the conversation. Once it becomes clear that no more information will come from the strange visitor, she tells "You have my gratitude and that of Kelmarane for bringing this threat to our attention."
"We will take a closer look into the issue and then decide about the necessary steps. How long do you plan to stay in Kelmarane?"
Zayifid bows to the princess. "It's my pleasure to help."
"I don't have time to stay. I have other places to be, and only visited to bring this message. I will leave Kelmarane this hour."
After formal dismissal of Zayifid Almah turns to her knights. "I assume this issue is in good hands. Please keep Garavel updated on what you find out and what you plan."
Then the princess retreats to her room.
"Father Zayifid, please allow me to show a Sarenrae's servant's proper hospitality" Tariq offers once the matter is settled. "Have a meal at my place before you go, and take another one for the road; dust and salt have been your diet for long, probably, and it's in my hands to relieve your palate and your soul, so let this humble priest help his brother."
If the offer is accepted, Tariq will prepare lunch for the travelling priest and something more resistant to take away.
After all, he will visit many places and can talk about Soul Food's delicacies.