Omari looks at Manuun and then turns to Roryx and asks "Hey Roryx, did we see any sign of a sewage treatment facility? I suppose the Princess will have to establish one, otherwise, we'll end up s@!~ting in the river likes the gnolls, bugbears and so forth undoubtedly did... probably upstream of here, because that's closest point to the battle market."
Ohrmizd observes the bugbear disappear "And well... we have found Haleen and freed Kalmerane from the gnolls. So now... what do you plan to do with your lives my friends?"
The Keleshite smiles at Manuun as he taunts him. The man throws away his belt and armor, removes his boots and gets quickly naked "Challenge accepted!"
He jumps as a bomb on the middle of the river splashing all over.
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"Hey Omari whats wrong with you. Are you afraid of the water."
Manuun is clearly enjoying his newfound skill of swimming, refreshing himself after the heat of the day.
"Come in here. If you keep smelling like a gnoll the Princess might throw you out too."
Then he swims over behind Ohrmizd Dousing him with a wave of water.
Ohrmizd dives in to avoid the wave of water, then gets out into the air with a great splash "Leave him be Man. He is very worried the bugbears can come back, or this pile of ruins of a town attacked"
"There needs to be someone always-worried around so we others can enjoy life" the Keleshite jumps over Manuun and tries to push him down the water playfully.
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.
"Guess that is taken care of, for now" - Roryx ponders as the bugbears move off.
Ohrmizd observes the bugbear disappear "And well... we have found Haleen and freed Kalmerane from the gnolls. So now... what do you plan to do with your lives my friends?"
"Not really sure, but I am sticking around for now - place seems right for someone with my skills. Removed enough for some studying, and rough enough to present opportunities for gold making"
Omari looks at Manuun and then turns to Roryx and asks "Hey Roryx, did we see any sign of a sewage treatment facility? I suppose the Princess will have to establish one, otherwise, we'll end up s$~+ting in the river likes the gnolls, bugbears and so forth undoubtedly did... probably upstream of here, because that's closest point to the battle market."
He looks at Omari then at Manuum and Ohrmizd and laughs - "Guess most folks don't care about that"
"See you later, I'm going to look for something to eat and drink!" - the half-orc shouts at the bathers - "Omari? Heshan?"
The crocodiles are all on the lion's birthday party, so Ohrmizd and Manuun are safe for now.
Back at the bar, Rory gets offered the choice between a transparent and a green bottle of hard liquor. One making blind and the other making blind and fresh breath (it has a note of mint). Kurellak, the barkeep, looks very sad today.
"If I am going blind, might as well keep a fresh breath" - Roryx chuckles at Kurellak - "And pour yourself one also - you look like you need it. What is up? Business is no good?"
"Your princess wants me gone as a barkeep." Kurellak replies, resignation in his voice. He hands over the green bottle and takes a swig from the other. "Two gold.
His sadness might also have to do with his whole tribe being wiped out.
"She gave you any reason why?" - Roryx adds, putting the two gold on the counter.
"She told here to all, that she needs no barkeep that sheds into the drinks." Kurellak retells what Almah said earlier.
"I remember she saying also there was no issue with you staying if people... I don't know. Vouched for you? I am thinking if you prove the quality of the service you provide, they will not object?" - Roryx grunts, tasting the green concoction - "In other words, proving you do not 'shed' into the drinks" - he added, now with more of a snarl.
"Though... If someone spoke of me like that, I would... I guess I would move out. Unless you have a stomach that can digest that kind of insult often"
"I just happen to be just that kind of person."
Heshan ultimately chose the bar to hang out with Roryx.
"Look at me. I didn't even get hired until after they found me in a crypt. If I can make if, I am certain you can find a role for yourself here."
Haleen joins the group at the bar. "Give me a bottle red wine." she tells the gnoll and places a gold on the counter. "You have always been a nice guy. I will start some kind of business and if you can't stay as barkeep, I'll find a position for you in my business."
”There you have it” - Roryx poured himself another shot - ”Things are looking better already. Lots of friendly people around” - he adds.
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After a refreshing bath and lots of banter Manuun leaves the river and returns to the other.
"Speaking about starting some kind of business. Has anyone seen Garavel? t seems to me that our original term would be over. So lets see if he wants to continue our Employment or if we need to find work on our own."
Ohrmizd pads Manuun pushing him out of the river and drying out "So... I just remembered we have not checked with Kardswann after we defeated the demon. I think I will try to check with him now"
Dressing out the Keleshite looks for Father Zastoran.
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"Hi Father! How are you doing in this new place?" Ohrmizd looks for Kardswann "Has Kardswann recovered consciousness recently? I would like to try talk with him now that the demon is no more"
"Kardswann is packed away in a wooden box in my wagon. We can revive him tomorrow. When you're in a better shape, in case it turns out, he is still the evil murdering type." Zastoran suggests.
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Freshly bathed again and convinced that all work is done for the day, Manuun joins the other at the bar and orders a glass of the clear liquid.
"Well its definitely worth keeping you here. A glass of this would go down well after Hadrah delicious Soups."
"So Omari what will you be up to once we are done here? Will you be staying with us in Kelmarane?"
"Ok Father, you are totally right. Let's do it that way. Is there anything I can help you with?" if Zastoran has no other task for him, Ohrmizd will just go downstairs and hand out with the guys at the bar.
After a night of drinks and epic stories he will tiredly go to rest knowing a lot of hard work has been done today.
"If you want to help, I'll happily accept that. I'm moving into that infusium on the second floor and I have that heavy chest with all my valuable potions and lab equipment..." Zatoran replies.
"Yes sure!" before moving to the bar, Ohrmizd helps the Father bring his chest and other belongings upstairs "Do you have any idea how that weird machine of tubes works Father Zastoran?"
Meanwhile, before going down to gather with the others, Ohrmizd will pick one of the eastern rooms on the second level for himself.
Back down he comes up by Haleen and fills a cup of gin for her and himself "So where are you sleeping now that the gnolls are no more Haleen?"
"Here, some extra help in case it is needed" - Roryx flips another coin at Kurellak, grabs his bottle and glass, and heads outside - "I'm gonna catch some desert night"
"And it all worked out. That's wonderful to know. Speaking of which..."
He turned to face Haleen. "Did you think of what you will do here?"
"That depends a lot on what your princess will agree to. I like that stage a lot."
"If it's possible I would like to manage the stage and take care of the entertainment for the battle market. Not as bloody as it was. And for sure more music, drama, maybe auctions? That would be really nice. And if not, I'll open a shop."
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Outside, Roryx put down the bottle and decided to walk the perimeter, his sensitive vision not impaired by the darkness, and he actually welcoming a respite from all the bustle of the recent days.
A noise made him pause like a statue - he was well aware this was still a wild place, so inched quietly around a corner, weapon drawn... Just to spot a wild dog going over trash piles - "Hey! What..." - his first impulse was to shoo the animal away, but something stopped him.
It stared at the half-orc, not afraid, but... Evaluating him? Then resumed the nudging of garbage piles until... There! It caught hold of something, and with a last look at the magus, moved away. It did so with a limp however, and Roryx realized it was wounded - "Good luck surviving the desert with a bad leg..." - he shrugged, and resumed his tour of the perimeter.
Heshan chuckled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think she is talking about some of the more physical kind of entertainment. Provided that everyone is kept safe of course." he smiled.
"Oh no, readings and storytelling is also an interesting pastime. I guess it will become popular again once more humans and other people interested in the arts come to town."
"There still will be fights I assume."
"Yes sure!" before moving to the bar, Ohrmizd helps the Father bring his chest and other belongings upstairs "Do you have any idea how that weird machine of tubes works Father Zastoran?"
"It is a fine alchemy lab, but it seems to have further special functions, that I have to research, before I can tell anything for sure." Zastoran answers. "Thank you for the help." Zastoran doesn't look like he is getting too much sleep that night, as he immediately starts doing said research, in parallel to unpacking his books that could help him with that.
Back down he comes up by Haleen and fills a cup of gin for her and himself "So where are you sleeping now that the gnolls are no more Haleen?"
"I still have my room. The rent is payed for the whole month, and I don't think anyone will challenge me for my accomodations."
"And that will likely happen more often with more patron arriving."
He nodded over to the inquisitor. "Perhaps the gnolls had more spacious bedding. Now you have the chance to take that for yourself."
Omari doesn't understand it, but he feels something calling him...
He spends the afternoon wandering the town, looking for a good location to establish a temple to Erastil. If Kelmarane is to rise again, it will need deeper roots and a stronger community than these foolish Saerenite sun worshippers. The Stag Lord will provide...
He finds a couple of possible sites, but still, in the evening, he finds himself wandering on the edge of the town, looking towards the mountains as the sun sets. Sihoutted by the rays of the setting sun, he sees an enormous stag walking towards him: Erastil has sent him a sign.
"Ah, that's a pity" Ohrmizd sighs and smiles at Haleen "Well, I guess I will have to continue the party upstairs alone"
Without more, Ohrmizd waves the others, and while Omari and Roryx take on a watch around the town, he peacefully goes to sleep after the great hard work day.
The next day, Ohrmizd will wake up and see how he can help Almah and Garavel establish at the town. Otherwise, he looks for Soraya and how he can help to reestablish Sarenrae presence at town.
Afterwards, Heshan would decided to head over to bed. It was a harrowing experience and he wanted to spend a good amount of time resting.
The following days were spent helping with cleaning around. He would then go to the market for some items.
Omari will spend the evening finding a space for Kheldron at the battle market. Once Kheldron is settled (cared for and fed as well), Omari will settle himself, looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.
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There is noone hindering Omari parking his elk in one of the empty stalls. But the battle market is not designed to house animals. But he is watched with suspicion.
Roryx finds on his walk, that the nightly wildlife wakes. With the moon and the stars out in the cloudless sky some can be seen. But most of them are only heard. A howl here, a roar there and some whistling noises in response. In the far distance even the howl of the gnolls is heard again. But this time no one answers from the battle market.
The night in the battle market is strange - at least for those who have been living there for a longer time. It is creepily silent. Instead of two dozen gnolls and their entourage their is now the princess and her entourage. This makes for a different air in the dome.
Without any unwelcome interruptions the night passes. There are some early birds who meet at Kurellak's bar. The topic of the day is, what will be. Will the new government allow to carry on with the business, or if it will become necessary to pack one's stuff and move on.
Among those early birds are Hadrah and Hadrod, but they have other topics. Where is the hearth, are there grocery supplies, where is firewood and how to get that kitchen working properly. It looks like gnolls don't care to cook their meals. The soot in the fire places might as well be 20 years old. But an hour later an irresistable smell wafts through the whole battle market.
Once they are finished, they tell Haleen to give out the food to all who want some. From the side glances it is clear that the one who would naturally be the one for that job is Kurrelak, as he operates the bar. But he is a gnoll and they don't really trust him, so they do it by proxy.
Then they disappear with a few trays of especially nicely arranged goods to the upper floor.
After another hour or two with not much to do finally Almah appears with Garavel, Zastoran and two of her guards on the balcony with the thrones. She takes a seat on the middle throne and points Zastoran to the seat at her left. It looks a bit funny as the seat is not meant for halflings.
Garavel takes a stand to Almah's right. "Citicens of Kelmarane." he addresses the ones present, making a long pause to assure he has everyone's attention.
Most present move from the bar to the ranks opposite the balcony to see and hear what's going on. Garavel is holding a formerly sealed scroll that he is readin galoud. "By decree of the Pactmasters, merchant princess Almah Roveshki is empowered to reinstate the rule over Kelmarane. ..."
A long list of goals for the enterprise are named, which basically sums up to: make trade work again to earn money for the pactmasters, all of which Garavel reads to the small audience.
"... The means to reinstate this desired state again are for merchant princess Almah Roveshki to decide as she sees fit."
Those who know the ways of Katapesh realize what that means.
1. If this doesn't work, merchant princess Almah is screwed as she got a free hand and is the one responsible for the success of this.
2. For all intents and purposes, her word is the law, and her decisions legal judgements. If she has the men to back it she can go as far as decide over life and death.
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Garavel steps back and Almah gets up to adress the crowd herself.
"Dear citicens of Kelmarane."
"And we're all citicens here, no matter if you've been here a while, or arrived jsut yesterday" she tries to take the edge off the contractual facts Garavel read. "There are market stalls, that need to be filled with merchants and goods. There are buildings that need to be rebuilt and inhabited again. There are roles to be filled, jobs to be done, moeny to be earned. And you are in the lucky position to be here first. Within two weeks I expect the battle market to fill with new arrivals. Traders and merchants for all kinds of goods. Craftsmen, artisans, artists."
"Caravans will come from Katapesh and Osirion and will turn this ghost town into a prospering trading outpost, an important connection to the neighboring Osirion."
"Nothing is for free though. You have to earn your place in this. For now the market stalls are for free. But everyone who want a stall, or wants to keep it has to apply for it within a week. The application shall tell, what kind of businees it will be and a forecase on the rent the business will be able to afford. For now it is free, but with competition coming in only the best will be able to stay."
"But those who best the challenge and come out first will be well off. An shining example for that are the heros that freed Kelmarane not only of the reign of gnolls, but also of the great evil imprisoned in the crypt of the Sarenrae temple. Each of them is paid the 500 gold that Kardswann put on their heads. And as a gift from me they receive the Wharfmaster's Manor as their property."
"You are here in Kelmarane at this important point in time. This might be the biggest opportunity your life has to offer. Use this headstart fate has granted you to make your own fortune."
Almah shortly considers to sit down again, but decides to leave instead. Zastoran gets up and follow, and last Garavel turns and leaves the balcony.
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"Here we go again. Moving rubble and cleaning up just to get a place ti sleep. At least by now we have Roryx and Omari to help a bit." When Princess Almah talks about earning a place to stay and competition from Katapesh, Manuun seem them as having to rebuild one of the places on the outskirt of town just to have a place to stay.
All the more surprised he is at the generous gift. " Wow a Mansion of our own. Isn't that nice. That's certainly a long way from the backalleys of Katapesh's Dog Town." The youg Sylph can't wait to go outside and visit his new palace.
Roryx finds on his walk, that the nightly wildlife wakes. With the moon and the stars out in the cloudless sky some can be seen. But most of them are only heard. A howl here, a roar there and some whistling noises in response. In the far distance even the howl of the gnolls is heard again. But this time no one answers from the battle market.
"We may not be done yet..." - Roryx snarled as he heard the gnoll yapping sounds in the far distance.
He could not deny the pull to rush out into the desert and hunt them, like they had hunted him those years before... His hand brushed absently over the scar which 'decorated' his abdomen, a wound which almost took his life - "Never again" - he reiterated to himself the oath of never being the hunted again, but always the hunter.
Even through the slight drowsiness of the shots he already had, he knew this was a flimsy affirmation if fate decided otherwise, but he still repeated it to himself - "Never. Again"
He eventually found a safe place, and a bed to crash - he went to sleep almost immediately, dreaming of Gnolls and wild dogs in the desert.
The previous night Ohrmizd pads Roryx's back "Do not worry, they are just the gnolls we left alive whining for the end of their tyranny over Kelmarane"
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Ohrmizd smiles wide and looks at the others as they are offered coin and lodge "Yes, it seems we got a mansion Man. Finally it seems Almah has some heart for her men. You heard, she even referred us as heroes!"
"So, we have a manor by the bridge now? Maybe we can place a small business in the lower story. A small inn for the recent arrivals, or if we can get into those stables the location is great to treat the camels as the buyers and traders arrive" the Keleshite nods satisfied and decides to join Manuun to look after the state and start clean it out of gnoll dung.
"My crafting skills are limited brother" - Roryx grunted, as he assisted with taking outside the debris left behind by the gnolls - "For working in a shop.... I know languages and magic. And I know my way around beasts. But I think I will want to be out there in the wilds - patrolling the region" - he paused, and looked around.
"Any chance I can get dibs on a room with space for a big desk and natural light?"
Heshan held up a hand to Ohrmizd. "Or we could make a bar for others to drink and be merry. No need to worry about rousy sleepers at night."
At Manuun's suggestion, he merely huffed at the response. "Can't a man dream of what he may have before reality slams the door on him?"
"Well lets first see what we got before we divide the hide of the lion. But first I think we should thank her for the generous gift."
"Though it is not really a gift, is it Manuum? It is payment for services rendered" - Roryx ponders.
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"Well she didn't owe us that. 5 sp and all the loot we could carry was the original deal. Nevertheless you are right that we need not be ashamed of our deeds. Shall we have a look at our new property?"
When hearing the others argue, Manuun decides toflow with the crowd and go over to the mansion to visit the place.
"Well I would like an airy room with access to the roof if you don't mind."
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Omari will go with Manuun when he goes upstairs to thank Almah. When he has the chance to speak with her: "To begin with Princess Roveshki, thank you for your most generous gift. I am glad we were able to help you in reclaiming Kelmarane for civilization.
I undertook this mission with the blessing of my lord Erastil; his areas of interest include trade, farming and community. I would beg of you the opportunity to establish a Temple of Erastil in Kelmarane. I think we can work together, to achieve a stable and prosperous community, pleasing both Erastil and the Pactmasters."