In the next days while the group prepares for the new stage Kelmarane will progress to, the first people from Katapesh arrive. Among them an envoy of the pactmasters who brings some carrier pidgeons and provisions for Princess Almah and her entourage. He too has four of the typical guards that accompany everyone in service of the pactmasters.
As expected there are some soldiers of fortune who didn't like what life handed them in Katapesh and are now going to try their luck here. Some of them might be guard material. Some might apply to be put in a holding cell. Most of them are artisans who want to make a living from the rebuilding of the town.
A rich (or rich looking) merchant arrives with two wagons full of goods and his own small army of half a dozen mercenaries. He is looking forward to provide Kelmarane "With everything a prospering and growing town needs, for a fair price. Come to Ahmed's goods." The slogan is ambitious, but the heavily loaded wagons contain a proper stock for the town's first general store. Almah assigns Ahmed to the stalls of the batttle markets first floor until a building is restored that can house that shop.
But most impressive of all newcomers is a group of a dozen cheerful people. They are lead by a middle aged woman whose face is lined by the sun and laughing. A bow over her shoulder she approaches the guards and asks for Omari. Besides the people following her, there are two wagons full of timber and tools, pulled by a yoke of oxen each.
"I am Omari; I am pleased to see that my letter to the Curia has sprouted fruit...I am pleased to welcome the faithful to Kelmarane. Please introduce yourselves to me. We will get you settled from your journey, and then the first thing we shall do is visit the Merchant-Princess Almah and discuss land holdings."
"I'm Gabina Nadezhda, at your service. And these are Tasarla, Sanda and Jardan. They are acolytes of the faith. And then there are some families that are eager to bring life back to this community."
"Should we all go or anly a delegation?"
Garavel invites Roryx to a meeting on the second floor. With all the shabby furniture and blankets gone that the gnolls used the typical smell is gone too. With the furniture Garavel and the princess brought in the room looks very elegant. An escritoire made of mahogany with intricate boiserie. Waxed and polished to the point where the surface shines.
A matching dining table and chairs complete the furnishings. Carpets depicting Katapesh history adorn the walls. A large carpet with an elaborate pattern covers most of the floor.
Only the curtain that seperated the sleeping are seems to be the same - though it seems to be cleaned.
Garavel listens carefully to Roryx suggestions about building up the guard. "I see you have made plans to prepare Kelmarane for different kinds of threats up to a full on invasion of gnolls." he starts.
"If I may make some suggestions..." Creating a quick sketch of the most prominent features in Kelmarane he puts in the numbers where Roryx plans to put guards. "As for now I assume, you are the captain of the guard. There might arise the need for a second in command once we reach the numbers you suggest."
"But right now, we need to compromise a bit, as we neither have the people to fill the ranks, nor the steady income to pay that many."
"The natural place to set up the city guard is the guard tower. I agree with you, that it is not perfect to monitor traffic to and from town, which will be at the bridge. But I'd rather not lose such a place like the former slave market with the ring of buildings around as a marketplace to put garrison. There is this dock building next to the bridge, how about placing some guards there?"
"And until we have Kelmarane populated and most of the buildings restored, I fear you will have to manage with about ten guards, maybe a dozen, because of the budget limitations."
Roryx listened carefully, then nodded with a smile - "We have an agreement then , as long as it is understood limited resources produce limited results, I can work with that" - he replied - "I still think we need at least one or two scouts to patrol the areas around Kelmaranes - so I will try to squeeze some in the budget" - the half-orc added.
"What method will we use to announce the open positions? The town board?"
"Sounds like a plan. Please set up a board at the bridge. But the details of the recruitment I leave to you."
"A delegation I think; yourself, the heads of the homesteading families and I. But first to get you settled. Are there other homesteaders on the road?"
Omari will lead them off to B7. "I am sure you will want to establish your own homes, but for now, this was inhabited, so the roof should be OK for the night. It is, however, still a mess..."
After setting the homesteaders, he will lead Gabina off for a quick confer : "You are quicker off the mark than I expected. It is good to see you so enthusiastic. With hard work, we can build a community here. The princess I am planning to suggest to the princess a system of long, narrow lots, extending from the river , so that all the farms will have access to the river for water."
Ohrmizd discusses with Soraya how to better take care of Sarenrae's heritage. Finding a lot of coin will be necessary, they decide to start with the restoration of the monastery and to achieve it they contact with a group of monks to let them know the place is available if they are up to send stone and stone workers to fix the place. While the different contacts work, they two clean carefully the place, selling the rotted furniture and cutting the overgrown vegetation. They also make a well and a vegetable patch in the cloisters.
Looking for coin and to close up with Haleen, Ohrmizd also works closely with the woman to laid control and administer the slave market. They send letters about a grand competition, hopping that will generate some initial commerce in the place.
Likewise he maintains an ear tuned to any need Almah and Garavel might have.
On his free time Ohrmizd spends time reading with Manuun and Heshan in their new manor, and twice a week he visits Rombard, feeds and plays with the goat cleaning the place for him.
Heshan is at least interested in what Ohrmizd is reading to them although he remains neutral on whether to join the faith or not.
As for his own business, he spent much of his time convincing passerbys to try out the various stores as well as educate them on the locations.
On his free time Ohrmizd spends time reading with Manuun and Heshan in their new manor, and twice a week he visits Rombard, feeds and plays with the goat cleaning the place for him.
"Sounds like a plan. Please set up a board at the bridge. But the details of the recruitment I leave to you."
Roryx nods and stands up - "I will see to that"
-----
Over the next few days, Roryx will set up a bulletin board at the market, with the announcement that they are looking for able bodied men and women to be a part of the Kelmaranes guard - applicants are informed to look for Roryx at the guard tower.
If and when they start getting interested ones, Roryx organizes them into groups, and enlists Ohrmizd's and Manuum's assistance in scrutinizing the candidates .
-----
When not on official duties, the Magus spends time relaxing at their mansion, welcoming the opportunity to continue his arcane studies. Otherwise he can be seen at the market, curious about whatever new wares arrive, or having a drink with his companions, exchanging a word or three with the gnoll barkeep.
There are a few days however when he is more seclusive, rushing out the door one morning at the break of dawn and informing you he is heading out into the desert, or at sundown on another occasion... After this happening a few times, one day he returns wounded and carrying a barely breathing wild she-dog.
"Her pack and offspring are all dead" - Roryx growled as his companions gathered, spitting blood - "I tried, but could barely drag her and myself out of it. Omari... Can you do something?" - he asked, holding the animal before the cleric.
A few days later a delegation of three Sarenites comes to Kelmarane with the next caravan of settlers. Not as impressive as the delegation of Erastil, but they only have to clean up their existing temple and not build a new one. As they learn of Ohrmizd and his commitment to the faith, they invite him for dinner for introductions. They are thrilled to hear of his and Soraya's enthusiasm to bring the places of Sarenrae's worship back to their former glory.
Within an hour of putting up the board with the job offer Roryx has two dozen of people lining up for the job in the guard.
Most of them are from Katapesh - the city - only one guy hails from Osirion but has arrived from Katapesh too. About half of them have at least on weapon that would fit a guard. The reason they want to join is the pay. For some, because they are muscle for hire, others want some steady income while trying to establish some business of their own or finding a job more fitting to them.
There are a few exceptions. On the negative there ate two roguish characters who seem to seek a position of power to extort the citizens.
On the positive there is Gisborne - the guy from Osirion - who knows his way with the scimitar and the longbow. He worked long years as a personal guard. Now that his protege died of old age he travels the world. And there is Gwen, from the group of Omari's new friends. She applies as she sees it as an important service to the community. She is good with the bow and can defend herself with a staff. She is also the only one you'd deem of pure heart AND law abiding - as this combination is rare in all of Katapesh.
Roryx sets himself to work distributing the guards duties once they have gone through the selection process.
He does make some specific decisions - if he is interested, one of the 'roguish' applicants is taken in and given a job as 'border patrol' - he will spend most of his days outside Kelmaranes and scouting/patrolling the surrounding areas, then coming in to report to himself, Gisborne or Gwen.
Gisborne and Gwen will be appointed shift leaders, so we can guarantee one is always available, and with specific requests to keep an eye on the 'roguish' guy when he is in Kelmaranes. As for individual duties, Roryx would like them to assist in organizaing the shifts, and splitting their attention personally between the guard tower (should afford a nice all around view), and the dock building next to the bridge.
The rest are distributed on regular watches as agreed previously with Garavel.
Ohrmizd assists the faith dinner with Soraya and engages into meeting the three new arrived Sarenrites "We had to clear the place from a couple of demons, but found a few relics of use. How do you think you can help on the reconstruction?"
The Keleshite is happy to help Soraya direct the new comers into tasks of looking for stone and artisans to rebuild the place, as well as support them on finding faith books to make the usual rites.
---
Ohrmizd is also happy to help Roryx on his recruitment duties. He will give advise "Skip this one, is bland as butter. That one is a full liar bro. Pick the girl"
"I think we need to make sure that we don't end up with a thieves guild," Heshan admitted once he took a look at the list as well.
"If you see anyone with knowledge of any ruins in the area, you can bring them to me. I could use the experience in my group."
... After this happening a few times, one day he returns wounded and carrying a barely breathing wild she-dog.
"Her pack and offspring are all dead" - Roryx growled as his companions gathered, spitting blood - "I tried, but could barely drag her and myself out of it. Omari... Can you do something?" - he asked, holding the animal before the cleric.rmer glory.
"I'm more worried about you, given you're spitting blood; but you are both the Stag Lords children, so accept his blessing."
"I expect to see both of you at the morning services from now on. I'll make a respectable church goer out of you yet Roryx."
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Omari will take Gaabina and family heads to meet Princess Almah, and see if we can come to some sort of agreement regarding land grants, taxes, and so forth...
In the weeks that follow the structures that the community will rest upon become visible. The followers of Erastil get the area between the manor and the inn on one side and the slave market on the other side to build a small district with an open side towards the field for agriculture. About taxes Princess Almah closes a deal with with them, for payment in kind - 10% of the harvest. The wooden skeleton of the community hall is raised in an astounding speed and then it is filled with masonry using the stones from the ruined buildings in the area. The 'attic' of the building designed as a storage for grain. To make it most useful for the community as it is tradition with temples of Erastil.
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The Sarenites clean up the temple and the graveyard and finally also the crypt. The walking paths between the graves are cleaned and marked. The gravestones cleared from dirt, to make the inscriptions readable again. The remains of the faithful, still lying around in the temple from the fight decades ago are buried with a small ceremony. The scorch marks are removed. The dead in the crypt are put properly to rest again and all signs of the foul demons presence are removed. Finally a large celebration is held with everyone invited, to consecrate the temple to Sarenrae again. Princess Almah, Garavel and Father Zastoran attend the ceremony as well as most of the inhabitants of Kelmarane.
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Manuun starts his little business and finds support from an unsuspected, but obvious side. Besides his contact from Katapesh who gladly provides the starting inventory for a alchemist's shop - for cash in advance - Father Zastoran provides a lot of stuff on commission. Or helps to create stuff on request. Father Zastoran loves to dabble in the magic and potions, but hates the business administration stuff. He even becomes one of the regular customers of the shop when it comes to ingredients. The shop's best selling items though are oils and salves for the ladies who like to take special care of their skin in this harsh environment.
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Roryx - despite in a position to delegate such work - takes it on himself to scout the surroundings of Kelmarane. In ever growing circles he scours the land in search of gnoll to purge from it. The plain where Kelmarane lies has a few gnalls here and there, but the big tribes all live in the Pale Mountains. Too far away and too little of a threat to Kelmarane it seems to justify a large military intervention. And large it would have to be, as the Kullids tribe which was defeated in Kelmarane was nothing compared to the large tribes in the mountains. The knowledgte gathered over time from travellers or captured gnolls is the following.
There are some more lesser gnoll tribes about which there is not much to find out. What is unsettling though is the fact that all of those seem to have a connection to the Carrion King. A legendary gnoll the size of a giant whose influence - however perpetuated - reaches all gnoll tribes in the area. Despite the gnoll nature which would lead to infighting between the tribes. If this Carrion King could indeed command all those gnolls into battle, that would be hundreds of gnolls.
But there is another thing that draws Roryx attention. On the other side of the river about a mile east of Kalmerane among the badlands of the Brazen Peaks stand some ruins of impressive size. Nothing special, but maybe of interest for Heshan's planned club of tomb raiders. But over time there are also reports of large predators like desert lions, jackals and giant spiders in the area that worried some of the travellers to and from Kelmarane.
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One time, when all are gathered at the bar in the Battle Market, Father Zastoran hurries over. Full of excitement he tells of his findings. "These ruins - I found out what they are!"
"Hundreds of years ago reclusive priests of Nethys, built a monastery in the nearby hills where they could study forgotten and dangerous magics. The shrine has been abandoned and ruined for centuries. This refuge of the All-Seeing Eye was built in a remote location so the priests of Nethys could study the dualistic nature of magic. The upper floor of the monastery was devoted to magic’s protective and creative aspects, while a hidden lower floor protected secrets of destructive magic."
"You have to go there and find out what secrets it holds. I need to know!"
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When Father Zastoran enters the Battle Market Manuun starts getting out his newest addition from Katapesh, before seeing that the Priest is going to talk with Heshand and Roryx instead. When he overhears the discussion turning towards that strange ruin Roryx found he leavesi his shop with his assistent for a few minutes and joins the others at the bar.
"Hey Kurellak, bring us a round of breath refresher."
Then he turns to Father Zastoran. "A monastery of Nethys you say. Sounds very interesting, and slightly dangerous. will you be coming with us?"
On hearing the name, Manuun can confirm what Father Zastoran told.
Ohrmizd devotes to help cleaning the temple, but it is clear he enjoys the most the moment of the celebration. He takes part in the Burning Blades ritual, dipping ceremonial scimitars in flammable pitch, and dancing with the burning brands in hand. He looks to impress Haleen, Almah and Garavel.
---
Ohrmizd arches an eyebrow after hearing about powerful magics within "This Refuge of the All-Seeing Eye seems promising. What do you think friends, shall we pay a visit to that ancient site? I got tired of tomb mopping and would enjoy some genuinely good exercise"
"I will come, if only to keep you adventurous fools alive..."
Heshan's face beamed at the news. "His loss is our gain then." He clapped his hands together.
"We could use some fresh air."
Ohrmizd arches an eyebrow "Uncle Terlan? For whatever reason I am surprised to heard you have a large family Manuun. In my head you were just happened to exist in the world out of air" the man pads Manuun's back friendly.
"I'm more worried about you, given you're spitting blood; but you are both the Stag Lords children, so accept his blessing."
"I expect to see both of you at the morning services from now on. I'll make a respectable church goer out of you yet Roryx."
"Thank you brother" - Roryx nods at Omari - "I will do my best to be present, at least once in a while"
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"I think Uncle Terlan once told me of this place. He once meet a trader in Bronze Hook. The man had found the place on his travels. When he came near this place he had a vision of Nethys. He was driven off by the mad images and didn't dare to go much nearer but he saw the ruins from afar."
"Well, I did not investigate much into it - only what could be gathered from afar" - the half-orc adds to the conversation while he feeds some dried beef to Swiper, which has recovered wonderfully over the past weeks. The she-dog is still a bit skittish around others, and sticks close to Roryx.
"But we did manage to see enough - for some reason several different kinds of large predators seem to be congregating around the place, and since it is very close to Kelmaranes it can soon become a problem" - he adds.
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Ohrmizd arches an eyebrow "Uncle Terlan? For whatever reason I am surprised to heard you have a large family Manuun. In my head you were just happened to exist in the world out of air" the man pads Manuun's back friendly.
"I am sure I told you about him already. He is not really my uncle, more like my master. Not that I would ever call him that when Uncle seemed to enrage him just fine. He used to travel through these lands looking for lost treasure and he bought Me when I was on that slave market, to have someone to do the actual trap triggerig and running from undead for him."
"I wonder why there are so many of them?" Heshan asked. "Could they be having a great feast? Or is someone controling them?"
"So Uncle Terlan bought you? He must be a rich man" Ohrmizd laughs again friendly as a reply.
"About the gnolls and the ruins I guess we can only do but check it out by ourselves"
Ohrmizd will dedicate a day to finish current tasks and prepare food and his adventuring equipment for the exploration of the ruins. Once ready he will gather with the others "We should depart after breakfast"
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After a tiring shopping tour, a restful night and a hearty breakfast the group leaves in the direction of the ruins. Harsh winds whisper through the badlands, their cruel touch withering all but the hardiest of desert life. Dust and bits of debris dance across the ground, carried by the scorching breezes. Ahead, the ruins of ancient walls sprawl along the eroded bed of a long-dried wash. Two towering statues rise from the scree, their features sand-blasted into anonymity.
Crumbling after centuries of neglect, the ancient monastery’s walls loom 20 feet high. Elaborate friezes once covered the battered limestone, but scouring winds have destroyed many of the ancient carvings. West of the temple, mostly buried ruins sprawl for hundreds of yards, mute testimonies to what once must have been impressive structures.
Beyond the outer ruins, a wide doorway leads into a forest of stone pillars: the roofless, colonnaded hall of a temple interior. The breeze here carries a pungent stench of decay. Two rectangular depressions run across the pillared hall’s rubble-strewn floor, perhaps once filled with water, but now choked with thorny desert weeds. Tiny amounts of water still trickle into the pools from worn fountainheads at the outside edges of both basins.
There are spiders sitting at the wall, near the ceiling. The spiders are the size of a donkey.
4 ranks +2 wis +2 racial
Omari brings Kheldron to a dead stop and points "Spiders, BIG goddamn spiders! ". Out comes his bow, as he asks "Make them come to us?
Ohrmizd cleans his front from the abundant sweat that covers it after the long walk through the desert. Contemplating the stone landscape in front he readies himself casting heightened awareness "It is humbling to witness how fast the work of men crumbles to nature. Those statues are colossal and already unrecognizable..."
"Tsk! Omari is right, better to get ready" Ohrmizd straps his shield into the left arm, casts light on it and then draws his scimitar "If you have a way to make them come, I would say let's try it. Otherwise, let's hope they are not violent and ignore us..."
If none has an idea of how to do it, Ohrmizd just moves forward, approaching the basins to further examine them, but without losing sight of the spiders.
Ohrmizd observes the arrow flying over the spiders and the arachnids responding by climbing down the ceiling "Ting tong! It seems we got the prize of an enemy. Get ready"
The Kellid holds his magical scimitar with strength, attentive and readied to step an attack on any spider that comes at 10 feet away from him.
Manuun wounds the spider who hisses back at him. The spider directly over the entrance shoots webs at Ohrmizd, entangling him.
"Allow me." Heshan steps through the half-orc before letting loose a spray of colors at the spider.
A very lucky spider ignores the spell effect.
Roryx zaps his wand for an added layer of protection, and steps in front of Omari to protect his companion.
Swiper follows suit on his heals, snarling ferociously at the spider.
The spider shot by Manuun loses interes an disappears behind the wall. The other spiders come closer, walking on top of the wall.
Omari takes a 5' step to get his angles right, and lets his bow sing... Seeing Ohrmzid enmeshed, Omari shoots the spider closest to him.
Also, I am assuming that I got the oppotunity to get a +2 str composite longbow during the downtime.
+2 BAB +3 Dex +1 PBS no penalty for firing into melee from precise shot -2 rapid shot
+2 Str +1 PBS
Edit: Potential Crit on A
+2 Str +1 PBS multiplied by 2 because of a X3 crit modifier
"Ah! Thanks my friend!" with no spiders at hand, Ohrmizd attempts to burst free of the web strands entangling him.
"If they do not come to bite us we are safe" the Keleshite points to the spiders "Keep shooting at them, and we will be fine!"
"Let us hope this works out better this time around."
Heshan turns around and focuses on the one next to Ohrmizd.
Roryx stands his ground, and launches a magical spell at the spider closest to him.