Samuel sets up shop for creating the forgery. He lights his pipe and sips whiskey from the coffee cup. Before he begins his work he says "A forgery will come in handy regardless of the path we choose. Perhaps we should concentrate on the need at hand. My understanding is that we now head to Katapesh to have a certain individual inspect the scroll. Being new to your group there is a good chance I may move about unmolested. I could get you transport into town and to your destination hidden within said vehicle." Samuel continues his thoughts on this while enjoying his pipe and whiskey. His attention is drawn back to Radi and the gnoll prisoner from time to time.
"Anything that helps arrival into Katapesh is well welcomed. Also, about the forgery. Well, it seems there is not much we lose on trying. But I am fine if you just prefer to abandon these ones here and keep advancing." Ohrmizd takes a slice of goat cheese and savors it.
Samuel thoughtfully exhales smoke from the pipe. "I see no reason to leave the gnoll caster of Rovagug alive after your inquisition. The less of its type out here, the better. Radi...perhaps when we get closer to Katapesh so I can time the scrying with his arrival. Perhaps more than one forgery will be needed. I will prepare that." The wizard begins work on the forgery. His photograhic memory of the original will suffice. In all honesty, it need not even look like the real thing he surmises.
..."So you have a better plan, do you? Please do share."
Omari is quite grim as he replies "A better plan, well I think these things are best kept simple. Kill the spy rather than let him report. Disappear into the deep desert so we cannot be observed, and come to Katapesh city from an unexpected direction and in disguise... When in the city, contact Princess Almah's friend Rayhan only after making sure we are not observed, and perhaps use some ruse to make our visit seem someone other than us to any who inquire... "
"I see no reason to leave the gnoll caster of Rovagug alive after your inquisition. The less of its type out here, the better. Radi...perhaps when we get closer to Katapesh so I can time the scrying with his arrival. Perhaps more than one forgery will be needed. I will prepare that."
"I agree with you about the Rovagugite, get what information we can and then one less gnoll. The world will thank us. But as to what information we want, the first question Ohrmizd needs to ask is: how did they come to be here in our path to ambush us?"
"I like your plan, Omari. Killing the spy will protect me from being identified when I scry on him. I always suspected little if any information from that. I am with you on this approach. Good plan, sir."
Samuel completes the forgery, furls it and places it in a scroll tube. After a couple hours of rest he prepares a pot of coffee and his daily spells. He removes the scroll from the tube, casts explosive runes on it and puts it back in the tube. The entire party and Radi are unable to set them off. He hands the tube to Ohrmizd. "If we are approached, we believe this is a forgery and not worth fighting over. Sell it to them and stand back a ways." Samuel smiles at the inquisitor.
Ohrmizd hears in shock about killing prisoners without remorse "Not even them were that cruel. They enslaved me and sold me, and even if I still not know what has been of my family or whether if they are still alive, Sarenrae wanted me to have a second chance."
Nevertheless, and for the sake to keep things moving, he will adhere to any plan on the go "I am used to disguise when needed, and we can do a reasonable one around a group of merchants or a wizard" the Keleshite looks at Jafar at this point "and assistants interested to buy magical texts"
When the gnoll leader wakes up, and making sure he is still bound, Ohrmizd will proceed with the interrogation "How did you come to be here in our path to ambush us?"
"Hehe, that you'd like to know, wouldn't you? You think it would go unnoticed when you kill the Carrion King and then parade around Kelmarane as heroes? There will always be a gnoll laying in an ambush to make you pay."
Heshan ponders what to say next before starting. "Any chance that the person that tipped you wasn't a gnoll?
"You mean a furless fleshbag like you? Who'd need that. Any gnoll from around Pale Mountain can smell you from a mile away."
Samuel sips his coffee while watching the interactions. He feels for Ohrmizd and his ethics but personally has no problem doing what needs to be done in order to not be killed by "them". At Shiz's comment Samuel downs the coffee. He walks over to Shiz. "You are extremely disrespectful for someone whose life is in the balance. A moment ago I was considering as quick and painless as possible. At this point I look forward to...Give me one reason we should allow you to live or die painlessly, Rovagug." He says to Red
Red snarls as he approaches the gnoll. When he gets within 10 feet he raises his stingered tail above the thing and stops.
"You lot attacked the House of the Beast for no reason and killed all gnolls you could find. Give me a dagger and I kill myself. I don't believe a single word of your empty promises."
"We made what we made to stop the gnolls war against Kalmerane. And we barely killed a few gnolls that offered resistance, most of our kills were monsters and the Carrion King whose influence was spoiling everything and endangering our people. The rest of the gnolls just ran away cowardly afterwards" Ohrmizd looks down at Shiz "It is clear by your words you were one of those cowards."
"Now, if you want to ease things a bit for you, you could tell us for example about Rokova"
"Why are you interested in the advisor of the Carrion King? Didn't you kill him?"
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"While that is a good point, the rest of us are not keen on becoming a part of your slaving raids." Heshan replied deadpanned.
At the caster's response to Rokova, Heshan chuckled. "That's one more evidence that your group are cowards. He couldn't even bother to regroup."
Samuel turns his back on the well dressed Rovagug. He addresses Heshan saying "Do you have any problem killing the likes of these? As harsh as it may sound, I believe Omari's suggestion is that which will give us the better odds of surviving."
"No, we did not kill Rokova. He avoided us like the coward he is. I won't be surprised to discover he is plotting against us from afar. But I wish the gods give us one day the chance to see ourselves eye to eye" Ohrmizd replies sure of himself.
Then turning to Jafar "What are we, monsters? Let's just left them here abandoned to the mercy of the gods. We will reach Katapesh many days before they can become any menace to us if they are not clever enough to profit their second chance."
Omari interjects himself into the interrogation, asking Shiz "So the gnolls have no word of Rokova either. So he has disappeared. That fits with what we were told, and I will not say by whom: that Rokova had been replaced by an infiltrator. Presumably to bring the tribes to war against Kelmarane. Were you familiar with Rokova? If so, had you seen a change in his behavior?"
He turns to the party, and continues "We can discuss what happens with the gnoll and the spy afterwards - this is about what information the gnoll can provide."
"No."
Samuel chuckles at the gnoll's response. "And there you have your answer."
"Tell me, Dumpz. Do you like to kill humans? Do they taste good? Are the young ones tastier?"
Heshan slowly tilted his head towards Samuel in disbelief. "I am a fan of befriending people, but you have some kind of casual behavior even I question."
With that said, he turned back towards the gnoll. "We may have had our differences, but surely you have to wonder if your crusade against us may have been manipulated by someone else."
"Ewww. We're no goblins." Shiz is disgusted by Samuel's question. "Killing you would have fun though."
Turning her head to Heshan she chuckles. "Nice try. I can see here the five fleshbags that decided for whatever reason to start a war with the gnolls. Who else would I need to 'manipulate' me into this?"
"We did not decide to start this war. The gnolls begun with their movements and decisions. When this information reached us, we were forced to intervene." Ohrmizd replies Shiz "You actually do not understand the gravity of your position. You are here in the middle of the desert. How much will you endure if we decide to leave you there in the middle of the sand. Do you prefer the mercy of a quick death?" Ohrmizd shows his scimitar "Or will you tell us where Rokova is, how did you find out where will be walking in and where are the rest of the gnolls? That might be the difference on the mercy of remaining alive here in the oasis."
"Oh, please leave me here in the middle of the sand." Shiz requests. "I don't know where Rokova is. I don't know of any other gnolls in pursuit of you. There are like three ways you can take to get to Katapesh, which is obviously your target."
7 rank +3 Trained+4 Wis
Ohrmizd leaves Shiz be "Ok, I do not think we will get anything else of utility here. Let's move on"
When the next day comes, Ohrmizd will pack up things and start guiding the group again through the desert, leaving the gnoll at the oasis.
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With the forged scroll ready, a little theater is played for Radi at the next camping ground. Samuel tells Ohrmizd to look after his bag during the watch in earshot of Radi.
Radi manages to wriggle out of his not so well checked fetters and as Ohrmizd pretends to fall asleep during the watch, Radi sneaks over to the bag, grabs the one item that looks interesting and runs.
After half an hour a bright ball of fire is seen in the dark to the east and the distant sound of an explosion follows a moment later.
"You lot attacked the House of the Beast for no reason and killed all gnolls you could find. Give me a dagger and I kill myself. I don't believe a single word of your empty promises."
After the interrogation is over, Omari gives Shiz a dagger taken from one of the mercenaries and says "Let's see if your word's good" and waits...
Red remains 10 feet away, stinger at the ready.
The evening before the group ensures, that the gnoll is dead.
The rest of the night after the explosion is peaceful. A clear night with a sky full of stars.
The next day starts with a quick sunrise that changes lighting from dark to bright day within minutes.
Ohrmizd observes the fire explosion in awe "Well, I guess our little friend could not resist having a look at what he got." the man pads their new wizard friend in the back "It would had been excellent had he reached back his lair. But I guess he made his own tomb with his actions. Thanks Jafar."
As the day comes back, Ohrmizd fills his waterskin with the transparent liquid of the Oasis and stretches his muscles "This is going to be a long day of walk. Better be prepared."
Having himself the best covered from the Sun as possible, the Keleshite leads the small party through the desert and towards the capital.
"I can say that it's at least convenient..." With a shrug, he packed his bag and got ready along with the rest of them.
After a few more days of travel without unwelcome interruptions the silhouette of the metropolis comes into sight, with the sea in the background.
The sight places Ohrmizd at a very good mood "Katapesh at last!" Despite all the hardness endured on its streets this is the closest the man can call home, and it is reflected on his eyes as he looks forward.
"We are probably entering through the northern gate" Ohrmizd comments pointing at the walls in the distance "If we want to pass unnoticed it is perhaps better than we avoid our old contacts Omari and just look to rent rooms in an inn."
"Do you still like the idea of disguising ourselves as researchers interested on ancient magical texts? As Jafar is a recent addition to our group, I guess we can disguise as his assistants" Ohrmizd proposes but remains opens to other cover identities ideas.
"I suggest circling wide around the city and coming in from a direction where any watchers will not be expecting us. Let us camp for the evening and do a proper job of disguising ourselves. We need to figure out something to do for Khedron, he is easily recognized due to his noble bearing... well, that and being a giant elk."
"Invisibility."
Omari looks incredulously at Samuel and asks "How long does your spell last, and how do we keep people from trying to swarm into an elk sized 'empty' space in the crowded streets of Katapesh? Perhaps some sort of illusion that he's a horse or a camel instead?"
"Ok, let's do that, it will take us a few extra hours but is certainly safer." Ohrmizd directs the group south of the walls.
"As about Khedron, is there no magic to carry companions with ease?" comments the Keleshite while banging his armor "I have also heard of some rangers that hostel their animals in their armors while they visit civilization."
"We'd still have to get past the guards without getting noticed, and even the gnolls managed to find us."
With that he stretched out his arms. "I can wait a few more hours before we reach the city."
Jafar laughs when Omari corrects him on the invisibility. "It is best when one thinks before they speak. Do you recall when I mentioned a vehicle? To flesh that out a little more, I could go into town and hire a covered wagon to leave one gate, get you, and return through another. Invisibility might coma in handy if we were searched, but I should be able to find a driver the guards know and trust."
"Ok, let's do that, it will take us a few extra hours but is certainly safer." Ohrmizd directs the group south of the walls.
"As about Khedron, is there no magic to carry companions with ease?" comments the Keleshite while banging his armor "I have also heard of some rangers that hostel their animals in their armors while they visit civilization."
Once Samuel Jafar manages the carry companion spell on Khedron, Ohrmizd starts to work on helping the others disguise, changing their skin tone with powders and using false beards and wigs all with the intention of letting them pass for a different person, all researcher assistants interested on ancient books and scrolls.
"Let's not lose more time and go visit our contact" once everyone is ready, Ohrmizd will lead to the city gates and beyond.
Samuel casts carry companion on Khedron. He hands the figurine to Omari. "Just set it on the ground and speak his name when you want him back."
Detect scrying continues to remain active as does mage armor. He will not disguise himself but inconspicuously follow the group at a short distance.
Samuel says his goodbyes to Red and dismisses him.