Omari casts a harsh glance over the liberated slaver, and then turns away to Ohrmizd: "No, we are not done here yet my friend. The elementals we found in the caves below. They do not really belong here. The horned god is somewhat friendly with such and he will allow me to send them home. Also, although the gnoll priests of The Destoyer have fled, I think we should still slay the giant insects in this ruin if we can. They are the Rough Beast's tools as well. There is the centipede in it's pit, and the thing in the central nave upstairs." Turning to the party as a whole, he continues, "Which of these tasks should we undertake first? The centipede is closest..."
"Ok, let's go expel those elementals if you think it is important and possible" Ohrmizd agrees "As for the centipede and other monsters left around... do we need to? I mean, we are not taking the temple for us, and once we leave, the power vacuum left will call for new beasts. So why to make the effort to slay a few more critters that are no danger for our people? Our goal was to defeat the Carrion King and disperse the gnolls, and that is apparently done. Is our time not better spent in Kelmerane?" the Keleshite smiles "I know Garavel is not exactly the kindest of companies, but there is nothing better in this pile of dusty rocks"
"You have seen those things with your own eyes Ohrmizd; you cannot deny they are unnatural monstrosities. In this place, they are surely tools in the Destroyer's hands. Neither Erastil's nor Sarenrae's doctrines would suggest mercy for those."
Omari insists to not leave such dangers for the next to come in. Be they clueless victims, or more worshipers of the Rough Beast, or Lamashtu, or whatever. With a little preparation the beasts are brought to an end. The giant vermin in the carrion pit is at a big disadvantage anyway, as it can not leave. The strong ranged magic abilities of Heshan supported with some ranged attacks and summoned monsters bring the beast to an end without even getting a scratch.
The venomous giant scorpion is a bigger problem, as it can easily get out of its prison, once the door is opened. But nothing that can't be solved with the right preparation. Some castings of delay poison allow for the melee fighters to engage without fear of poisoning, and without that, it is just an oversized vermin, that gets beaten into a splat.
What annoys Ohrmizd the most is the time it takes Omari to send back the fire salamanders. They all agree to Omari's offer to send them back with dismissal, despite the risk. There are eight of them, and even leaving the fire snakes behind, it takes four days for Omari to send all of them back.
One unlucky salamander ends up on the plane of negative energy and dies within a minute.
With all open issues closed, the group travels back to Kelmarane. The two day trip is tedious, but uneventful. There are not many creatures powerful or stupid enough to attack a group of adventurers, and none of them cross their path.
Kelmarane is still the bustling place you left a few weeks ago. As you arrive the news quickly spreads through town and people come to greet you. And of course Garavel is amonst those and requests that you visit him and the princess soon, to give an update of events.
Ohrmizd patiently passes the days doing watches while Omari dismisses the salamanders. One of the days though, before all the salamanders are done, he pays a visit to his troglodyte friends, and if possible to visit Gurdmoch, he informs him the Carrion King has fallen and they can recover the temple to avoid a power vacuum, advising him against Rokova who seems to have escaped the fate the party reserved for him.
Back to Kelmarane, first thing Ohrmizd does is looking for a long drink of fresh water in the canteen, where he asks for Haleen. The man is eager to reunite with his old friend "We made it! This time was definitive, the temple is clear of gnolls! You have nothing to fear my friend, there will be no war!"
After his visit with Haleen, which might include a few more heavy drinks, depending on her demeanor, Ohrmizd will present himself in front of Garavel, and perhaps the Princess, to report their success "Last time was not that chatty boss, sorry for that, but I start to feel more like a person myself now. The Carrion King is no more, and the gnolls have been expelled from the Temple of Rovagug. Omari made sure the salamanders living below were properly expelled. And we found some kind of vault of Rovagug below the temple, we properly... conquered... finding powerful magic items and this strange scroll we need help to identify. Could we bring it to Father Zastoran?"
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"Good to have you back. That sounds promising." Haleen replies.
As the drinking starts, she toasts "To the good times that lie ahead of us and Kelmarane."
A meeting is scheduled and as the group arrives in the Princess' room, Almah sits at the head of the table with Garavel to her right and Zastoran to her left.
Ohrmizd retells what has happened at the House of the Beast and presents the mysterious magic scroll.
"What do you know about it, and where exactly have you found it?" Father Zastoran inquires.
"To the good times!" Ohrmizd toasts with Haleen "How are things going with your fighting ring? I am sure you have missed me" he smiles cocky.
---
Later, at the bosses room, Ohrmizd smiles sheepishly at the Princess while others fill in the details of their trip, until Garavel and Father Zastoran reclaim his attention. At that point he picks up the the scroll and puts it on Zastoran's hands. He let's the man tinker with the scroll for a second before warning him "No one among us was able to find out what the scroll is about, but it must be something of relevance because we found it in the tomb of a Rovagug's priest down below the temple, and Heshan tell us its magic is so powerful that it becomes blindingly stunning" Ohrmizd bites his lip waiting to laugh if the Father uses detect magic at it.
"But I am sure Heshie or Man can explain better"
"Although that may be because casting a scroll that already had magic felt redundant enough to cause a backlash," Heshan added sheepishly. He then brought out the scroll and unwrapped it for all to see.
"Whoever made the scroll had to be powerful. It unleashed an aura unlike anything I have ever seen. Yet as far as I know, it does not allow you to cast any spells."
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Father Zastoran looks at the scroll carefully. He can't resist to cast detect magic and is stunned, just like Heshan was.
Once he starts moving again he flows over with excitement. "The scroll is not a typical magic scroll—it does not contain spells. The rune on the scroll itself is not a character from any known alphabet, but it nonetheless bears a resemblance to runes of power utilized in the workings of arcanists from the southern nation of Nex."
"In fact the strange rune on the scroll is one that is often associated with the mysterious wizard-king Nex, although this association is primarily with periods early in Nex’s rule, from a time after he had achieved great power but before his war with Geb reached its height. Runes like these were often used to mask the true contents of a page, and often one gifted in magic could pierce the obscuring rune with spells, by observing the map in a reflected surface or under certain kinds of light, while under the effects of mind-altering substances, or after waking from particularly vivid dreams. The rune itself is an obscure Nexian rune that symbolizes a mysterious realm called Kakishon."
"In conclusion this might actually be the scroll of Kakishon, a legendary artifact thought lost for a long time."
Ohrmizd chuckles, secretly amused as the Father is stunned by the powerful artifact.
"The Scroll of Kakishon?" Ohrmizd rises an eyebrow and looks at the others "You haven't been drinking more of that rum, have you Father Zastoran?"
"What is that legendary scroll supposed to serve for?" the Keleshite scratches his head and crosses his eyes in an effort to see through the concealed text "And how do we discover what is the method to see the contents of this particular rune of Nex?"
"I'd be damned if I know* what it's for." Zastoran replies. "Well, you try it out."
"It seems to me that we need to perform more research on the matter," Heshan adds. "Perhaps someone else in another city may know how to operate the scroll."
"Maybe Heshan. Perhaps we can try to look for help once we decide to sell the equipment we took from the gnolls and buy new supplies for our future missions" then turning to Father Zastoran "Do you know who might know more about this Kakishon and the Nexian runes?"
Afterwards, Ohrmizd turns to Garavel "Now that we have averted the war with the gnolls and defeated the Carrion King, are there any events that require us to put our attention on boss?"
"I know an expert on this kind of lore in Katapesh. This is an important find and you need to acquire the knowledge what it is, what it can do and how."
"There is an old family friend, a man named Rayhan, who has made a comfortable life for himself as a merchant, a scholar of note, and a wizard. I have visited with Rayhan several times in the past, usually when seeking his advice on mercantile matters involving the arcane and bizarre, and particularly with matters involving Katapesh’s neighbor to the south—Nex."
"I specifically recall one visit when Rayhan had been researching numerous
legendary and mythical realms supposedly conquered by Nex during the Age of Destiny. A place called Kakishon was said to be the most beautiful and valuable of these conquests, but no modern map of the world indicates
where such a place may be, or even may once have been. This may change now."
Roryx’s first stop in Kelmarane is with the guards - he feels at ease when around the men and women tasked with the protection of the settlement. He will make sure to to check in with Gisborne and Gwen, and confirm if everything is working properly, or if his intervention is required on any matter.
—————
At the meeting he remains silent for the most part, as usual, then voices his opinion - ”If our presence is not required here, then we should go meet with this man Rayhan”
When Princess Almah speaks, Ohrmizd kneels and listens attentively with his head looking down. Once Roryx determines the group should visit the man, Ohrmizd nods in agreement "Indeed, if Princess Almah considers important to know more about this scroll, then I will make sure the ancient piece reaches the hands of her scholarly friend"
"How can we find this Rayhan?" Ohrmizd never heard of that man and fears it could be difficult to find him in such a large metropolis as Katapesh.
"Garavel will give you directions."
"Sure, Princess" Ohrmizd vows and leaving Almah to rest in her room, he addresses Garavel "What do you know about this Rayhan?"
Omari puts in his 2 copper pieces : "I am loath to leave the community we have built here; before we go a travelling, I would finish restoring Ohrmizd's health. Also there are several avenues for magical investigation available to us here, especially if the good father and I work together... So let us rest a for a few days before we go charging off."
"I'd love to make some observations with this scroll and the given possibilities."
"Then it is settled." Heshan clapped his hands together. "We head out as soon as our inquisitor friend is back to full health..." He stopped to couple a few times.
"...and also myself."
|
On the way back to Kelmarane Manuun discusses the scroll Heshan found in length with the Sorcerer and the others. When Father Zastoran mentions a Scroll of Kakishon he tries to remember where he heard that name before.
Well Manuuns would still have his his daily roll in Bardic Knowledge giving him 29 in History or 33 in Planes. Fell free to decide whether there is anything the party should know beforehand.
When the talk turns towards returning to Katapesh, Manuun is turning very silent. Later that evening he approaches Ohrmizd: "I believe our ways need to seperate here old friend. You remember when we first met? I was running from Katapesh that day. There was an very unfortunate accident with Uncle Terlo in Katapesh and I could not stay behind to explain why it was all an accident. I was hoping the sand would blow over it with time but when I wrote to my contacts in the capital last summer while setting up the business, they have warned me that I am still looked for by Terlos old friends there. I fear all our success in helping Kelmarane might have even been my undoing. My local contacts have been warning me about some traveller asking about me. Its probably best, if I take my spoils while I still can and continue on my way to Ossirion like I originally planned."
Manuun with his vast knowledge can add even more lore to what Father Zastoran told already.
The realm of Kakishon is said to have been either conquered or created by Nex and used by the wizard-king as a secret hideout or retreat for pleasure and private researches. Properly translated, the rune is said to transform into a map of the realm of Kakishon and to point out the way to reach it. Legend holds that a weapon of great power, something called the “Firebleeder” (thought by most to be a fiery falchion and by others to be a magical spell that allows total control over the element of fire), was hidden in a vault in Kakishon, along with a mind-boggling horde of other treasures as well, including a number of Nex’s own creations.
"So Nex created Kakishon? Is that not the wizard who fought for centuries with the undead wizard Geb leaving behind the territory of the Mana Wastes?" Ohrmizd's eyes go wide as Manuun explains about the innumerable treasures Kakishon holds "The Firebleeder? Total control over fire? Sarenrae would be proud that eternal flame is put to good use. I would not mind looking for it if there is nothing more pressing to do"
Later, as Manuun explains himself and gives his farewell, the Keleshite taps his arm and smiles wide with certain point of sadness in his eyes "How can they thing bad of you. Since I met you I only have good words to say about you, Man" Ohrmizd gives the Sylph a strong hug before he goes "I still remember the old days of pugwampi dirt. For as annoying as it was, it somehow was also a good time together."
"Once you are settled, or if you need any help, do not hesitate to send note. If you cannot find me, send a letter to Garavel in Kelmerane, he should know where to find us." he takes his holy symbol around his neck and places it on Manuun's hands "Let the Dawnflower light your path wherever you go my friend..."
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Heshan placed a hand on his chin. "That would be something that could be powerful enough to stun anyone merely gazing at the scroll."
He then turned towards Ohrmizd. "Better have it by her side than any other crazy wizard who might turn it on anything."
When Manuun spoke, he tilted his head in the hopes that it may be a joke. But when it seemed to be a true, he smiled sadly as he gave Manuun a hug as soon as Ohrmizd had finished his own hug. "Be sure to send an address so we can keep in touch. And do not worry. We will keep that daredevil alive." He gestured to the inquisitor.
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"The travel to Katapesh is long and if you can manage to unveil the secret of the scroll with the resources we have here this would be even better." Almah replies to Omari's suggestion.
As Manuun, out of the blue, announces his leave Almah is visibly moved. "It is a sad day, when one of the heroes of Katapesh has to leave. I would like to help, but I trust your assessment as you decided the situation can't be helped."
"Whatever it was that came back to haunt you, I can assure you that I, and Kelmarane will remember for the great deeds you have done here and you are always welcome to return if fate allows."
As all is said about the way forward to investigate the scroll, the meeting is closed shortly after.
Ohrmizd smiles as Heshan refers to him, and nods in agreement with Almah's farewell words to Manuun.
The Keleshite also agrees with Almah's reading of the situation "Indeed, if Manuun is right about the rune, then we need to decipher the map that lays within. Maybe the ragged library in the temple still has some books that might help. And we can ask Haleen to spread the word of a reward for any scholar that might bring information about Kakishon and how to access its entrance. Maybe it can call the attention of people abroad that can help"
As the meeting comes to an end, Ohrmizd decides to bring Manuun for a last lunch of Hadrah's infamous stew, and to remember old times playing with Rombard before he leaves.
"Good luck to you Manuun" - Roryx offered somberly, as their companion announced his intention to leave - "You could stay with us. We have been through too much, and you know we would defend you against... Well, whatever" - he smiled - "But your decision is your own my friend. Safe travels!" - then bid farewell to his friend.
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Once Manuun is gone, Ohrmizd gets himself in the mindset of full work torrent in order to avoid thinking on what is lost. He helps with the goats, he helps with the temple, he helps with the fighting ring, he helps with Omari's divinations, he eats and eats.
Eventually, the nostalgia gets over him and he decides to come back to the monastery of the Templars of the Five Winds where their adventures all but begun. He walks through the empty chambers, remembering the early days, touching the pews where Manuun showed his good aim slaughtering the hiding pugwampis while he stupidly ran around the stone chairs catching none, the same place where he fell from the ceiling crashing his face on the ground after the archer Sylph had advised him to be careful with the rotten wooden beams; the Keleshite walks through the corner of the temple and touches the statue behind which they found Heshan curled up and shaking; he walks through the catacombs picking up the glasses there and remembering the green goo ooze that wrapped around him for his uncaring and how Manuun and Heshan saved him again from dying suffocated; he makes it up and remembers the chambers where Kardswann ambushed them during their sleep; then walks to the courtyard garden where Manuun's aim and Heshan's colors saved his life once more from the evil vulture beast hanging around there... yes, it was no more than two years ago, but for the Sarenrite it feels exactly like another life.
With his last steps, he directs himself to the library where Almah made her stay. Putting straight a fallen beam, Ohrmizd breathes, then patiently starts to check book after book "Well... if there is anything in Kalmerane about this Kakishon, Nex and the Five Wind Templars, then, that must be here. Be patient Ohrmizd, be patient, Manuun is not here anymore to do this worms-work, you will have to patiently read all this stuff... even if it take days..." after checking one book, he throws it to a pile of read ones "or months... or decades..."
Ohrmizd quickly realizes that the pile of rotten paper that Almah had cleared out of the room, for her to dwell in, was indeed just that: A pile of rotten paper. The only thing that was still good was the one book Manuun found with his trained eye.
Heshan walked by to see Ohrmizd gazing what looked to be trash. Once the book was found, he would pat the inquisitor on the shoulder.
"Perhaps someone with more of the arcane eye can help." He would then take a look at the book to see if there was anything regarding the scroll that could help shed light on the object.
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Omari has much to do after the return to Kelmarane
He joins Ohrmizd and Haleen for a celebratory brew, but for him, the event (for him) is tinged with sadness. No longer the lost, escaped young slave in Katapesh, he sees more of Haleen’s faults clearly now… He quested to find the leader of their youthful and rescue her if she needed, but clearly, she is happy enough where she is. Still, he has his brothers from another mother (Ohrmizd and Roryx) still to cherish.
***
He will attend the meeting with Princess Almah, Garavel and Father Zastoran, of course.
***
He makes sure to go see Haidar (the cursed were-leopard). When he finds the time, Omari will try Remove Curse again .
***
He also has shopping to do, needing to replace Khedron’s tusk blades and barding. There may also be more spending, depending on the loot split.
***
To investigate the scroll, he will propose that we take a trip to the abandoned temple of Nethys where we caught Haidar. Hopefully the fumes there can be used in place of the incense component for the spell Visualization of the Mind. As this is dangerous territory, he will ask Heshan, Orhmizd and Roryx along for company. He will also ask Father Zastoran if he is interested in seeing the temple and participating in the investigation as well…
***
He will say goodbye to Manuun, who has been a good and faithful travelling companion ”I am sorry to see you go Manuun. But remember, home is where they have to take you in. There will be room for you here in Kelmarane if you ever need it.”
***
However, before we head off to the abandoned temple of Nethys, Omari’s priority is finding some diamond dust .
For this, he goes searching in Kelmarane’s markets. The dust is not a common thing to have available, not in such quantities. The local merchants cannot help him, but lamenting his fortune in the bar, the gnoll bartender, Kurellak (always looking to curry favors), is able to help him ”You’re a lucky fellow Omari, you might try that fellow drinking in the corner over there. He was b@@*~ing about how the boys weren’t willing to pay him a fair price for his diamond dust… ”. Taking a second mug of ale with him, Omari approaches the traveller, eyeing him up…
A man of average height and build approaches your party. He has no visible weapons other than a quarterstaff attached to his backpack and wears no armor. He eyes each of you as he moves to Omari. "I am Samuel Jafar of the city of Katapesh. I seek a man named Omari. You fit the description I was given."
Ohrmizd accepts accompanying Omari to the ruined Temple of Nethys looking for the inspiration required to unveil the secrets of the scroll "We are sure not becoming too attached to those fumes, eh?"
And when the group looks after the diamond dust and heals the persistent coldness his passage left, the Keleshite cannot be other than thankful "I will look to sell those things we got in the temple so we can pay for all this and more my friend"
---
When on the seventh moon of the seventh month arrives another man promising wisdom, Ohrmizd cannot be other than suspicious after their recent foray with the gnolls "Be careful Omari. For all we know this can be just another of the tricks of our enemies..."
He does though greet the man "Salute Samuel Jafar of the city of Katapesh. Forgive us if we do not receive foreigners with a great welcome. A man called Zayifid did approach us not very differently than you a while ago, and his word did bring nothing but ill news to our community" pointing to the cleric of Erastil, he adds "This here is Omari. I am Ohrmizd, Sarenrae's arm in Kelmenare. What is it that brings you to our humble town?"
"Well met, Ohrmizd. Your caution is expected and wise. Ruining one's day is certainly within my skill set, but that is not why I seek your friend. I seek to aid him. It appears he has one too many ales in hand. I could begin by helping him with that. Ah, I was passing nearby and decided to see what had become of this place since I saw it last. It is also an opportunity to earn some coin. I scribe scrolls and craft wands. Are you in need of such?"
Omari passes Samuel one of the two ales he is carrying. After taking a swig from the other, he replies.
"Well met Samuel. I am Omari. I have no need of wands or scrolls. Rather, I am looking to purchase a significant quantity of diamond dust. I have had no success in finding such with the local merchants, but Kurrelak the bartender there suggests that perhaps you could help me."
Samuel thanks Omari for the ale and takes a swig. He quickly glances at Ohrmizd and Omari looking for holy symbols or anything else that may let him know if his wares might be used for good or evil purpose. "Just how significant is your need, Omari? It is possible that I could satisfy that. I also peddle the knowledge I have acquired over the years and often do complicated research for fees as well."
Heshan happily accepts Omari's invitation to the abandoned temple to see what's out there.
------
He nodded as he offered a hand for Samuel to shake. "You can call me Heshan and we hope you can aid us in our studies."
Samuel shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you, Heshan. What are these studies you refer to? Studies are one of my favorite activities."
"Well met" - Roryx greeted the man, and joined the others at the table without much ceremony, bringing already a pitcher of ale in one hand, and a bowl of raw, fresh meat in the other.
He placed the bowl on the floor for Swiper to eat from, and the pitcher on the table - "This one is on me" - he nodded at his companions.
"Well met. How many more of you are there?"
"Knowledge... do you know anything about Nex?" Ohrmizd is a tanned man of wavy black hair clad in a breastplate. A mithral shield with the Angelic ankh holy symbol of Sarenrae hangs from his left arm. The man is definitely not a pretty face, with scars that speak of more than one fight, but there is something fearsome on his ways and still when he talks he sounds as someone educated who knows how to behave "About the plane of Kakishon he created long time ago?"
Samuel thanks Omari for the ale and takes a swig. He quickly glances at Ohrmizd and Omari looking for holy symbols or anything else that may let him know if his wares might be used for good or evil purpose. "Just how significant is your need, Omari? It is possible that I could satisfy that. I also peddle the knowledge I have acquired over the years and often do complicated research for fees as well."
Omari is wearing a visible holy symbol of Erastil.
"My need is significant; one who has stood in Pharasma's shadow needs to regain his full strength. With Erastil's blessing, I can accomplish this, but I will need 20 grains of diamond dust. What do you have and what is your price?"
"Pharasma's shadow. Seems you play a dangerous game. Your need can be satisfied. Typically I would sell that for 2,200 gold in the Nightstalls but we are not in the Nightstalls. 2,000 gold for you, Omari."
Omari looks at the others, and then at Samuel, and then back to the others "I think that's as good a deal as we are going to find." He turns to Samuel "20 grains of diamond dust for 2000 gold; we have a deal Samuel."
Samuel reaches into his cloak, produces two small pouches and discretely gets them to the cleric.