Ohrmizd takes Heshan's hand while he administers the potion, the man cheeks gets red while he kisses the potion mouth "Pretty sweet... yes..." then he opens his eyes to spot Heshan over him and reels back in a sudden jump "Oh! Eh! What you doing!?"
When the confusion baths away he looks back at the standing up sylph "Oh, I am much better than the droning critter for sure, Man!" he touches his head, still on pain "Wow, you did a tremendous work here. I thought I was going to die"
"So... that's it? We saved Kelmerane? Are we heroes now and we can just lazily lay down and eat savory cheese and bread forever ever?" standing up with some difficulty he offers the crypt key to Omari "Yes, sure, let's burn the body and close the crypt again. I will ask Almah about the possibility of consecrating the temple again to Sarenrae"
Heshan looked more amused at the situation than anything as he smirked. "Sound like you took a brief trip to Elysium instead of Nirvana."
Taking a hand to bring him back up, he shrugged. "I would like to say that I did contribute to its destruction. Most of the time."
As for his suggestion, he grimaced. "I... do not know. This is not exactly my field to be honest."
"That was quite a fight my friends" - Roryx grunted, looking around at his companions - "Very well done to all, and even more important we now know to bake the liver with bacon and onions, and roast over an open fire until the charring is gone" - he added, stifling a laugh and clapping Omari on his shoulder.
"As for you my friend, staying toe to toe with that beast was a bold move. Kudos for that, and I owe you beers aplenty" - he turned to compliment Manuun.
"So... that's it? We saved Kelmerane? Are we heroes now and we can just lazily lay down and eat savory cheese and bread forever ever?"
"Don't know about that, but at least I am getting a memento" - Roryx replied, drawing his dagger, and cutting off one of the many barbs from the creature's tail.
Ohrmizd gladly accepts Heshan's hand to stand up "It really was... lovely..." the man offers as explanation of his unconscious trip "Are there clues here of whom this demon was?"
Seeing Roryx cutting a piece of the demon, Ohrmizd offers "Maybe before burning the body it would be a good idea to take the head as proof to Almah and Garavel that the job is done."
If no one opposes, he just does that, chop the head with his scimitar "Oh, look, there was a fancy amulet attached to the neck" turning it to one side and the other he adds "I guess we can get some nice bucks for this one"
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"As for you my friend, staying toe to toe with that beast was a bold move. Kudos for that, and I owe you beers aplenty" - he turned to compliment Manuun.
"That wasn't really the plan", Manuun blushes slightly, knowing full well that this was more the result of a tactical blunder.
"Don't mention it. it was the only way to survive this fight, although apparently I nearly didn't anyway."Manuun looks at his arm and realizes that he seem to have gained a new tatoo in the form of a tail fly buzzing around his cloud tattoo.
"Both you and Roryx truly came through for the rest of us," Heshan added to compliment the two men.
"Aye Ohrmzid, take the head, and burn the body. Let us do that quickly, and get ourselves to a safe place to rest and heal. Does anyone have some oil to help the body catch? Once that is done, let us get gone from this place. We can return for a thorough search tomorrow."
Once we have done the honors on the fiends body (behead and burn), Omari will chivy the rest of the party out of here, and back to the Battle Market (and the Princess's HQ) to rest overnight. He makes sure to use the Key that Ohrmizd gave him to lock the door behind him; we will return for a thorough search tomorrow.
Fresh dead bodies don't burn well. Luckily before someone finds oil, someone remembers that big fires in closed rooms are a surefire way to die. Either of burning, or suffocating.
So the group climbs out of the hole, rings the gong again to close the passages to the north and in the well and leaves the crypt. The main door of the crypt can be locked again but the seal no longer works.
Outside you find a small herd of goats in the street, ushered together by Hadrah. At the wall of the battle market you see the caravan parked. The mercenaries guard the southern door. Dashki is busy getting some troph yteeth from a dead gnoll. Hadrod holds two camels.
Princess Almah, Garavel and her guards are not seen outside.
"My plan was to burn it up at the graveyard. I do not want to spoil the walls of the crypt, and it might even be dangerous to make a fire here" Ohrmizd explains, before they leave the body back for now, picking up the severed head only.
Once up, he is happy to see Hadrah and the goats. With a monster head in one hand, recent wounds all over his body some still open, and stocked with weapons all over, he smiles wide to the herder "Hi there! It is a nice day to feed the goats. The brushes at the monastery cloister were devastated already. Oh look! There is my boy" the Keleshite kneels in front of Rombard and strokes its chin "How are you? Is Hadrah feeding you well?"
"Do you know where can we find Almah and Garavel?" raising the severed head he smiles "We have outstanding news to offer"
Roryx is wearing a satisfied grin, after they were able to work as a team, and turn the tide of the brutal combat against Xulthos.
He follows out with the others, but then something seems to catch his eye among the garbage pit a ways from where they are, and he moves toward it to investigate.
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Manuun is contend at following Omaris orders for now and and climbs up to the surface again, happy to see the daylight once more. Once tehy arrive at the Battle market he stops a few minutes to take in the apparent banality of the scene playing out as if he were in any other city of the realm. "I think I could get used to this."
"Hufff" Omari give a wordless sigh of relief, well content to be up in the sunshine, away from the black things of the crypt. The crypt had disturbed him, the things inside repeatedly attacking his agency... He would have to pray to Erastil for strength. For now though, he would let Ohrmizd deal with the social issues, now that they were safe. It would be good to rest his bones for a day or two...
The battle was frustrating, but the payoff was satisfying. Heshan walked in with hands on the back of his head.
Inside of the battle market stands Princess Alma, discussing with Garavel about how to proceed, now that the special ops team isn't found.
Kurellak stands behind the bar, nervously polishing his favorite bottle with a rag. The merchants at the bar are also nervous, but more the excited kind. For them this could mean trouble too, but it also could mean business.
"Ah, finally. I expected you to prepare everything for my arrival, and then there is none of you seen here." the Princess complains, as Heshan walks in.
"Sorry Princess. We got busy" the blood covered Ohrmizd puts the demon insect head over the counter for everyone to see. He does so in an intimidating posture, casting a challenging stare to all the merchants and fighters left in the arena that informs them beyond doubt that the group is to be respected.
"You are welcome. It was nothing at all. We accept the gifts, soft words and tasty food" the man answers before Almah or Garavel can reprimand them further, while gesturing thoroughly.
"Ewww - that's disgusting." Almah voices and turns away from the demon trophy.
"There will be time for festive speeches. But for now I wonder who those 'guests' are that still populate the battle market." Almah inquires.
"These are the merchants and fighters we talked about" Ohrmizd makes an ample gesture to show the merchants and fighters, and points to Haleen if she is there to be seen.
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"I'm Haleen, your heighness."
"And these are Gorundal, Kalyx and Juluce. They offer their wares in those stalls over there. Kurellak is the resident barkeep."
"These three bugbears, who's name I don't know are part of the battlemarket entertainment."
"I'm too making a living here on the battle stage and was hoping that there would still be the possibility to earn a living here after the change of command."
"...I'll see to that right away." And with that, Heshan scurried to join Manuun up the stairs.
Manuun and Heshan make a quick search of the rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floor and there are no persons or creatures as it should be. But there are still some personal belongings of Kardswann and Undrella in the masters bedroom and the smell is less than pleasant.
Almah musters all those people and the merchants stands carefully. She sighs. "For sure there will be a place for you to earn a living once Kelmarane comes back to life. And of course all kind of trade is welcome in any town of Katapesh. We'll see if your shops will be able to compete, once the trade route to our capital is reestablished."
"If someone is especially fond of that gnoll, I don't mind. He doesn't look like trouble. But we don't need a barkeep that sheds into the drinks."
"As for the bugbears - they shall pack their stuff, and then escort them out of town. And I never want to see them again within ten miles of Kelmarane."
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Manuun is making sure all shutters or similar devices are wide open letting his windbreeze drive out as much air as possible. Finally he puts himself in the back of the room and pushes out a single large gust of wind.
Breezes seem to follow most sylphs wherever they go, but some sylphs are better able to control these winds than others. A Sylph with this racial trait surrounds herself with swirling winds, gaining a +2 racial bonus to AC against non-magical ranged attacks. The Sylph can calm or renew these winds as a swift action. Once per day, the Sylph can channel this wind into a single gust, making a bull rush or trip combat maneuver attempt against one creature within 30 feet. Whether or not the attempt succeeds, the winds are exhausted and no longer provide a bonus to the sylph’s AC for 24 hours. This is a supernatural ability.
Than he helps Heshan collecting the belongings of Kardswann and Undrella and moves them out onto the balcony for now.
Ohrmizd turns towards the bugbears "You heard the Princess. Pack your stuff and leave"
The Keleshite crosses his arms and shows himself solid in front of them.
Assuming they do as they are ordered, he personally escorts them out of the market and follows them until he makes sure they leave Kelmerane "Roryx or Omari, can you help me make sure these ones make it out?"
Father Zastoran raises a brow at the suggested course of action.
The bugbears leave the bar and move towards the rented rooms/cells on the southern end of the battle market.
Omari doesn't recall being asked to prepare for the princess's arrival, but he's willing to let Ohrmizd deal with what looks like a "high maintenance girlfriend" situation, especially because it was Ohrmizd who got himself into it, chasing off on his own after Haleen...
His eyes narrow and he starts paying quite a bit more attention when the issue turns to the bugbears. He tries to assess if Ohrmizd has gotten himself into trouble as the Bugbears head to their cells...
4 ranks +3 trained +2 wis
Heshan went right to work on cleaning up the place. First by moving items over to the balcony. Then, he would make sure that the rooms look sparkling, adding a bit of Prestidigitation magic to help out if needed.
"So do you know what items our bosses plan to sell in their market?" he asked Manuun.
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"So do you know what items our bosses plan to sell in their market?" he asked Manuun.
"I assume all the usual things a princess means. You know like silk, cayal, drinking pearls. Its probably a good time to start an asses milk business."
"And I hope all the usual trading goods for us normal people too. Maybe set up the pesh trade?"
Ohrmizd goes upstairs and surveys how the bugbears pick up their stuff, he makes sure they leave swiftly after "I have seen the faster ones"
Assuming they do as they are ordered, he personally escorts them out of the market and follows them until he makes sure they leave Kelmerane "Roryx or Omari, can you help me make sure these ones make it out?"
Roryx was moving away from the back and forth between the princess and Ohrmizd, distracted by something. But he paused at Ohrmizd's words - "They could make decent enough security duties around here..." - came the reply as he followed after Ohrmizd and Omari.
"Why are we scrambling over ourselves at a word from the Princess?" - he inquired as they moved along - "I am not a big fan of being ordered about"
"It seems she is someone important among the Pactmasters. You know what that means here in Katapesh... I do not want to make my life more complicated, and anyway she seems to want good for Kelmerane" answers Ohrmizd.
"Understood, but since when does that means blind obedience?" - Roryx added - "Unless.... Are you somehow infatuated with her?"
"Thuooooo!" Ohrmizd casts a stretched stare back at Roryx "Do I have to remember you of where your affairs have brought us in the past?"
"Besides, there is no way to the Princess, her hound Garavel has her well protected" the man chuckles "You seem just wanting to divert my attention from Haleen. Do I have to remind you I found her just first?"
"Haleen is very different from how I remembered her" - Roryx shrugs - "Or maybe my memories of her were all wrong since the start. I am not sure, but all I see now is a callous and self-centered person"
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"Smart Idea Heshan this rooms looks much cleaner now."
Looking once more around them he remarks:"Well its no getting any tidier soon, so we might as well show her."
When Manuun and Heshan come down the stairs once more he checks the stands of the merchant to see if there is something like flowers or Sweets which might make for a nice welcoming gift.
Then Heshan and he step up to the princess. "Princess Alma! Sorry to leave you waiting. But we wanted to make sure that the Quarters we had secured for you still were empty. If you will follow us, we will show you the quarters reserved for the former leader of this town."
Ohrmizd nods agreeing with Roryx assessment "Or maybe it is just us who have changed"
Ohrmizd goes upstairs and surveys how the bugbears pick up their stuff, he makes sure they leave swiftly after "I have seen the faster ones"
Heshan nodded in response. "While that seems essential on their own, we will need to make sure that our guests are thoroughly entertained. Perhaps Hadrah can prepare meals that would put all of Katapesh to shame. Not to mention dance halls."
Once the princess was back, he would formally bow to his boss. "We assure that we left nothing to waste to make sure that your new quarters are as tidy as possible."
Omari slides up to Roryx and Ohrmizd as they talk and breaks into their conversation "Quit chit-chatting about your nicknames for your left hands" and reaches out to pull them closer so he can whisper. "Ohrmizd, those bugbears aren't going to start trouble here, where they're outnumbered by the princess's guards, but I bet on trouble once they're away from here...You're going to bite off more than you can chew one of these days. Both of you get ready for a fight."
Then he pulls out his holy symbol of Erastil and heals Ohrmzid and then Roryx.
+4 CL
+4 CL
Almah, Garavel, Zastoran and the guards follow Heshan to the cleaned quarters. "It looks like this venture starts paying off."
And to Heshan she adds "Thank you for your effort. Now please suppor the others in escorting the bugbears out."
"Garavel - prepare some letters to Katapesh. We must not delay further with reopening this trading post."
"Bugbears?" he asked wearily. He decided to check what was going on with the others... and sure enough he discovered the group of bugbears in the room.
Leaving him to scratch his head. "Is there any explanation to this that would make any sense?"
The bugbears aren't in the best mood. Instead of a nice regular income for mauling prisoners on stage and then turning the profits into cheap drinks, they now have to find a new place to live. But once they are done packing their stuff, they leave the marketplace without putting up a fight and walk towards the river.
Ohrmizd smiles to Omari "You know how much we like to just talk too much. Thanks for the healing"
When Heshan arrives, the Keleshite is happy to explain "We are escorting these gentlemen out of the Princess' domains. Care to join?"
Ohrmizd proposes to hold position in the river and guard there for as long as possible until the bugbears clearly leave the area.
The place at the bridge is in clear sight of the battle market, and the mercenaries that still stand there. The bugbears just move on in northern direction. It takes a while until the disappear from sight behind a hill.
With the bugbears gone, Heshan waved them off. "What do you think they will be doing now?" he asked.
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"Probably find a new place to terrorize. Maybe some other unfortunate gnoll tribe."
After the bugbears have been gone for ome time Manuun looks down on Ohrmizd and himself: "Anyway I think we really are in need of a bath, before we return to 'Civilization'. I think there is still some nbits of that choking corpse hanging from your hairs.". Then he puts down his weapons and pack with heshan and jumps into the river from the bridge. "Whats keeping you Ohrmizd. Still looking for your Bugbear lady?"