Almah Roveshki's page

"Jhavhul is working far beneath the Pale Mountain. It is unbearably hot there. We were kept prisoners in something that might be a mage's mansion - a very comfortable place. But fleeing is impossible as leaving it brings you into the caves which have lava flowing in them. Not that the door was open."

"I can't tell you what paths there are, as we didn't see anything, but it felt like we were led through a labyrinth of caves to the place where we were imprisoned."

Princess Almah appears in your midst. Her clothes are torn in some places and she has some superficial bruises that are not fresh. Otherwise she looks ok.

"What, where?" she looks around recognizes you and the confusion leaves her face and gets replaced with first relief and then with uncontrollable sobbing.

Once the party is sober again, they return to Kelmarane.

The new findings make the topic even more interesting and Princess Almah insists on visiting her Friend Rayhan in Katapesh. She writes a letter of introduction that she hands to the group.

"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.

"Garavel will give you directions."

"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."

"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."

Almah corrects herself. "Maybe it is a little more urgent than I thought. Please keep it a secret that you have this."

"No hurry. When it fits." Almah replies. "It is for sure an interesting thing, but nothing with urgency."

"This action Zayifid lured us into might have earned us new enemies. But also a reputation of being a force to reckon with. Overall I'd say it is a win for us and that parchment is a really nice bonus." Almah concludes.

"Our debriefing is done, but whoever is interested to talk the magical artifact some more is welcome to stay."

Once she braces herself, Almah joins the conversation again. "I know a man, a man named Rayhan, who has made a comfortable life for himself as a merchant, a scholar of note, and a wizard. I ahve 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."

Almah gawks at the parchment, with her mouth open. "That's, that's..."

"Therefore, ..." Almah repeats glaring at Zastoran "Father Zastoran will provide a scroll to raise Ohrmizd from the dead."

"Of course there will be a subsidy from the treasury for the scroll. I'm not aware what the price of such things is, we'll clarify that later. Anything else we need to talk about?"

"I'd say that settles it. There is no time to lose, and you need to return to the house of the beast immediately. There is no time for long travels to Katapesh or wherever you planned to find someone to bring Ohrmizd back. Therefore..."

"So the beast may have had more than one head, and at least one is left. We don't know where they get giant gnolls, how many they have and how fast they can get more. About the motives or the actual planning against Kelmarane we still know nothing beyond the rumors the visitor told us."

"Is that a correct assessment of the situation?"

"Then please elaborate why you see it different." Almah addresses Roryx.

"So you're saying, that there is no current threat and no urgency to go back there?" Almah inquires further.

"How much of an army where there?" Almah inquires.

Once all are ready and assembled at the Princess' table Almah joins the meeting. To her right and left are as always Garavel and Zastoran.

"Greetings. It is good to have you back and sad, that Ohrmizd didn't make it. My condolences."

"Garavel has told me what you told him. It is great to see such loyality that goes beyond death and I support your endeavor to bring Ohrmizd back. My advisors and I are not yet on the same page as to what exactly that support should be though." Almah explains with a glance to Father Zastoran.

"To finally decide on that, I'd like to know in more detail what threat the House of the Beast actually was to Kelmarane, and what is left of this threat."

After formal dismissal of Zayifid Almah turns to her knights. "I assume this issue is in good hands. Please keep Garavel updated on what you find out and what you plan."

Then the princess retreats to her room.

Almah follows the conversation and lets the Knight Protectors lead the conversation. Once it becomes clear that no more information will come from the strange visitor, she tells "You have my gratitude and that of Kelmarane for bringing this threat to our attention."

"We will take a closer look into the issue and then decide about the necessary steps. How long do you plan to stay in Kelmarane?"

As Almah is informed, she suggests inviting the man to her meeting room.

As all arrive on the third floor they are greeted by two of Almah's special guards. They nod at the knights, but stop Zayifid and pat him down.

In the meeting room, there is a seat for everyone invited and tea and coffee is prepared. Princess Almah sits at the head of the table, Garavel to her right, Zastoran to her left and two more guards stand behind her.

Zayifid gets seated at the opposite end, the Knights of Kelmarane along the sides.

"I am Princess Almah Roveshki, sovereign over Kelmarane by order of the Pactmasters of Katapesh. And these are the Knight Protectors of Kelmarane. You wanted to speak to us. What is so important that this is necessary."

The 'this is better worth my time or else' is only thinly veiled under the words.

I wonder if that foreshadows the requirements the future guards need to fulfil, you rather susceptible Chancellor.

"Of course, no need to prolong that meeting." Almah replies "though you are welcome to stay and enjoy what's served." she adds to the others.

"And of course you have time to consider the offers and discuss details with Garavel later. Just know that letters will be sent soon and people will flock to Kelmarane and right now, you have a headstart on them."

"This isn't about my needs or Kelmarane's needs. You paved the way for what to come. This is about you taking the opportunity you earned, to make your dreams come true. If you dream of a safe employment behind a desk, to hand out permits and collect taxes, so be it. But I can find someone else for this job if none of you want it." Almah clarifies.

"The guard is a different thing, I appreciate to have one of you for that."

"A shop for magic weapons! That will do the reputation of Kelmarane a great good." Almah comments.

"The monastery isn't really my concern, as it is too far out of Kelmarane to have a direct influence here. But of course you're free to pursue this goal." Almah answers Tariq's request.

To Yasmeena she replies "So you want to join the administration of Kelmarane, with Garavel in the lead? Or are you applying for the entertainment part, which will be subcontracted to a creative entrepreneur?"
"The peace and comfort for those seeking the guiding light of the Dawnflower will be offered in the temple, once it is restored. I expect the church to send a delegation to reopen it soon, but it hasn't to wait, til then, if you" She exchanges eye contact with Tariq and Yasmeena [/b]"want to take that into your hands."[/b]

An hour later the group meets with Princess Almah, Garavel and Father Zastoran in Almah's conference room. A long table is prepared for all the visitors. Coffee and tea is served with baklava, small baked goods that are very sweet.

After a short introduction about the purpose of the meeting by Garavel, Aithaloessa gives an extensive report on what was found in the crypt and the demon that was slain. Tariq complements that with the plans to clean and consecrate the place again.

Then princess Almah takes over. "It is splendid, that the take over of Kelmarane worked that smoothly. Of course we assumed that it would be a success in the end, but you made it look easy. Your role in this and your service for me is invaluable."

"In this new era many positions are open to be taken by the courageous. Positions in the administration, or guard that has to be founded. Or the stalls in the battle market that need to be filled with stores again. Whatever you set your ming to do, if it adds to the good of getting Kelmarane back to its former glory or beyond, you have my support."

"We don't know for sure. The hopes are that the evil isn't as strong anymore as it was when locked away. But from what you told, we auapect that the now dead leader of the gnoll tribe fell under the spell of that evil. You'd have to prepare for that and take precautions against that."

"If you need advice or help with that, you can involve Father Zastoran into the preparations. But there is a risk that something bad happens. This is true."

The next day Princess Almah invites the group to an audience in her new chambers.

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 welcomes the group and after everyone is seated Princess Almah joins and takes the seat at the head of the Table. Hadrah serves strong hot coffee in fine china.

"It is a great success that you achieved here in Kelmarane. Without further support you took over the place and that without any casualities on our side. With all of us moved here, we have now a footing directly in Kelmarane."

"But as you already heard, there is one more thing to do, before the town is fully under our control again." She puts an intricate key on the table. "Under the temple of Sarenrae resides an evil that led to the abandonment of the city. It was sealed there, in the crypt with the seal you have seen. This key opens the seal. But once opened, the evil has to be destroyed, or it could roam free and start its destructive work again."

"Two decades ago this evil led to murder and cruelty among the people. To make sure that such fate doesn't befall Kelmarane again this evil has to be dealt with."

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."

Almah smiles to herself as Omari recounts Erastil's priorities backwards. "All faiths that don't interfere with trade are welcome. Those who advance trade, even more."

"I'd be really impressed though if you'd get the farming aspect to work here. That might be a business worth pursuing as prices for food are high this far from the coast."

"I assume you put that temple in the Manor?" she inquires, wondering if the request was more than just asking for permission.

As I understand, a temple of Erastil is a multi-purpose room that is used for religious gatherings on occasion, but for everyday activities otherwise. So putting an antler, or a bow up on the wall and consecrating the place would make it a temple of Erastil.

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."

"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.

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.

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."

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."

"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."

"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.

"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.

"Garavel will deal with details." Princess Almah tells and retreats in her room again.

Be wary, you are dealing with a saint here! Turns aorund and strips said saint naked for personal gain. :P
Also it's Princess Almah, or short Princess, not Almah.

retcon of Princess Almah's speech:
"About twenty years ago, Kelmarane’s priests of Sarenrae fell under the sway of something… foul from the Great Beyond. The creature took control of the high priest and eventually turned the people of Kelmarane to madness. Soldiers of the Pactmasters pacified the town and left it in ruin, but they were never able to root out the evil, and instead locked it in the crypt of the village church. Now, after all these years, that evil must have waned, and you should be able to defeat it once and for all. I’ve been provided with an interdict key that will get you through the seal. With the final defeat of the fiend within, Kelmarane will truly be free."

"Under the order of the pactmasters they sealed in there whatever evil presence came over Kelmarane a long time ago. I have no details about what it is. But I got the key and the order that it has to be taken care of, before Kelmarane can become once more a prosperous trade post." Princess Almah reveals.

"My lover, the current Kulldis chieftain, a genie named Kardswann, slew the old chief about 2 months ago." She comes closer to Manuun and traces his cheek with a talon-like fingernail, getting close to seductively smell his scent.

"He walked through the magic-sealed door leading to the ruined church crypt, after which he was clearly under the control of some evil entity. He is cruel to me." she says, batting her crusty eyelids. "I want you to kill him."

Princess Almah comes out of her room and looks around. Garavel follows her. Quickly counting through the people present she looks pleased. "That didn't go as expected, but it went much better than the circumstances would suggest." she states. "You fought heroically and gained a glorious victory." Almah praises the work of all the combatants.

She then turns to Ohrmizd. "If you want to save this 'saint', then the solution is probably found in the crypt of Kelmarane's temple."

"Then you need to take care of whatever evil was improsoned there long ago. Here is the key for the seal." Alma tells and holds out the key, fo rOhrmizd to take.

With the help of the mercenaries the library is quickly emptied and the remains are salvaged as fuel for fire in the nave. As it is cleared, Princess Alma moves in and two of her personal guards take position at the door.

"I need the secretary there, my bed over there, and the curtain put along this line." she tells, pointing from wall to wall.

"The table and the pillows go there. The wall carpets there and there."

The mercenaries carry the furniture from the cart to the entrance, while Almah's personal guards carrry it inside. First they place the pillows and the table, so Princess Almah can rest.

Then the rest of the room is quickly changed into a nice home with all due comfort.

Once the library is cleaned, Princess Almah moves into the room. She orders where to put up her furniture and carpets to make it a comfortable home. Then she takes a walk around the manastery with two of her guards to get an impression of the building.

Princess Almah is not amused as Garavel tells her that there is a delay. She and her guards move to the side beneath a tree to wait.

"That settles it for me. Well done." Almah states.

She looks past you out into the night, pondering the situation. "There must be more of the creatures living nearby. The Sultan’s Claw is obviously too exposed a location. I know that a monastery to Sarenrae stood near the village of Kelmarane. It is probably a ruin nownut that building would probably still make a much better base of operations for the coming battle for the gnoll-held village."

"Your next task is to go there and prepare for the whole caravan to move there. Garavel, you provide them with details."

"You got that 'pugwampi'" Almah inquires.

Almah doesn't bother herself with micromanagement. "You are dismissed."

As the group approaches the tent, they are held back by the impressive guards that watch over Almah all the time.

Princess Almah waves the group in, and the guards let them pass. "I hear you have solved the case of the fire? Tell me, what have you found?"

"That settles it for me. Well done." Almah states.

She looks past you out into the night, pondering the situation. "There must be more of the creatures living nearby. The Sultan’s Claw is obviously too exposed a location. I know that a monastery to Sarenrae stood near the village of Kelmarane. It is probably a ruin nownut that building would probably still make a much better base of operations for the coming battle for the gnoll-held village."

"Your next task is to go there and prepare for the whole caravan to move there. Garavel, you provide them with details."

"Sounds like my gnoll expert knows what he's talking about. But does it prove, that no one else had their fingers in it? It looks like you have proven, it stole a goat. But that could just be free riding on the chaos the fire caused." Almah concludes, denying a simple closure of the case.

"Show me the critter." Almah demands.

"If my expert is correct," Alma says, "the hills around here should be crawling with these pugwampis, or at least some sign of their passage. If what Dashki says is true, it should be easy for him to find one and bring it back to me."

The merchant princess turns to the new mercenaries. "As he is, however, also a suspect in this affair, it would not do to send him out into the darkness alone. I’m afraid that your investigation is not yet at and end. Go out into the desert with Dashki and find me one of these pugwampis."

"What would they be jealous of?" Amlah inquires, visible confusion on her face.