In spite of his deep tan, you can see that Zahir is visibly blushing. While Zahir's crush on Ororana is well-known, few in Santekh would say no to an advance from Sera of Dawnbound. And the flattering way that her new armor clings to her body leaves little to the imagination. It takes a long moment of being flustered (and a quick adjustment of his pants) to build up the courage to flirt back, before he sees Sera's embarrassment and discomfort. Respectfully, he clears his throat and re-focuses on the task at hand, assuming the moment has passed. "Ahem... of course, Mistress Sera. In this isolated region, everyone gets a bit lonely. As for rebuilding the temple, that's quite an undertaking. It's why we left it alone for so long. Before you, a druid of a former guild attempted the same task, but was frustrated by vandals, and eventually left. I assume those vandals were from the Cult of Sargonnas. So now that is no longer an issue. What is an issue, is cost and time. Please, come to my office." He gestures towards a much smaller building. Small, but cozy, and guides you through the residential district towards it. Outside, it's a fairly standard, drab structure made of clay and stone. But inside, you discover bright colors, soft pillows, and scented candles that adorn the surprisingly cool room. You discover that little figurines, enchanted with cold magic, are tastefully placed throughout the home, emanating a soft, cool radiance. He seems to have a taste for softer things: silks, cottons, and gauzian (brightly colored) drapes. If you didn't know any better, you'd think it was the home of a courtesan. Now that water is available in town, he washes his hands and face, them dries himself with a thick, cotton towel. Then offers a fresh one for you while he brews some coffee. As the coffee percolates, he smiles and puts on a robe before sitting at his desk.

"Plans were drawn up about a month ago for the restoration of the cemetary and holy grounds. But the cost was thought to be too steep, as was the labor demand. The council prioritized housing and a medical station above it... to which I don't disagree. But now, we have housing and a medical building. The walls are sturdy, and our defenses are strong. Everything we need to survive is in place. But I think it's just as important to have what we need to honor the dead and worship... so that we remember why we continue to resist."

He finds the plans he was looking for and places them on his desk. Then gets up to pour you and himself some coffee. As he does, he continues talking.

"Sera, I admire you deeply. What Dawnbound has done for Santekh... I think we would not have survived without your efforts." The coffee smells amazing... with a nutty hint to it, and he offers you a cup. "I would love to rebuild and sanctify the holy grounds with you." He blushes again and shuffles his feet. "For Santekh, of course." He clinks his cup to yours and takes a sip.

The plans detail a variety of build ideas and costs. "To tear down the whole site, consecrate the grounds, and rebuild would cost 50,000 Steel and take over a year to build. But I believe that we can restore the structure for half the cost, and with my workers, it could be done in two months. But there are three setbacks."

He holds up a finger, indicating one. "The ground still needs to be consecrated. That can only be done by Priests, Clerics, or a very powerful Paladin. They would have to work round the clock in shifts, warding or fighting off evil spirits at all major points of the grounds. The task will take an unknowable amount of time. It depends on how... haunted? the grounds are. And the most powerful holy servants in Santekh besides yourself are merely Acolytes. Those with the blessings of a Priest are currently under arrest, because their god of choice was Sargonnas. Of course, Priests can be summoned from Ak-Tubal, but rumor has it, they're under seige. It's unlikely they'll spare their healers in such dire times to help a small outpost restore holy grounds. Another option would be to recover holy artifacts from other desolated sanctoms scattered throughout the desert and Khalkist Mountains. It's possible Piruz or Buckeran would know where to find them. But it's no guarantee that you'll find one that isn't desecrated. Buckeran insists that this land is cursed with magic poisoning. If that's the case, a cursed artifact could do more harm than good."

He holds up a second finger, indicating two. "Many of my workers were Hachakee, or honorary Hachakee, adopted by the tribe. Due to recent events, they have left Santekh, which has greatly reduced my workforce. News of your exploits are starting to spread, and that's raised awareness of our 'trading port' so to speak. It's possible new workers will arrive to aid our cause, but they'd have to cross a treacherous path through the desert that is crawling with monsters and dragon army soldiers to get here. At best, it will take some time. At worst, they will perish on the trail. Hachakee used to escort refugees to safety here in Santekh, but I don't know if they'll do that anymore. Their will has always been their own.  But with tensions high, they may seek different allies. The council needs to make peace with the Hachakee. Find a solution that will bring them back to our aid. Previously, that role fell to Rhyanna. Piruz is no negotiator. Amelista might be able to do it, but the Hachakee remember her as a mad doomsday prophet. Her credibility outside of Santekh is questionable at this point. Buckeran is a likeable fellow. If you could get him to arrange a peace summit with the Hachakee, we could get our workers back."

He holds up a third finger. "And third, we've received news that there may be a terrible monster lurking in the cemetary. Amelista has a bounty available for its capture or destruction. Even if we had Priests to ward off evil spirits, they're no real match for enemies of flesh and blood. And my workers would be terrified to build there. Before it can be sanctified, it needs to be cleared of all physical dangers."

He takes another sip of his coffee and sits back, studying your reaction to this information. "As for getting the plans approved... leave that to me. I believe I can sway Amelista and Buckeran. With three on the council, two votes is all I need to make it happen."

Buckeran listens to Merkas's concerns while tapping a finely manicured nail to his teeth. "My boy, I think we need to add stables to the guild hall.  That will cost an extra 1,000 Stl to build one with Barkly's specific needs in mind, and you'll need to hire someone to maintain it. But at 2 Stl per week, I could hire the best! And if the other members wish to purchase mounts, they can remain in the stables as well. What do you think about that, my lad?"

Merkas pulls up his new bag and starts pulling things from it, starting with the gems he collected during the Letni Inhelk trip and other things he had collected: Black Saphire, Blue Saphire, Yellow Saphire, Star Saphire, Jacinth, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, 7 - 5lb bags of coins, 5 - 1lb gem pouches, The Book of Demonology, 100lb of Misc. Foodstuff, 50lb of Medical Supplies, String necklace of small pink pearls, a jeweled anklet. 
As the pile grows the kender, almost up to his waste inside the bag of holding, says, “Ah, here they are!” Pulling himself out he holds out two yellow chocolate eggs, one solid chocolate the other filled with caramel. “Which one you want, I like both just as much”

After Buckeran selects one Merkas sits back on one of the crates he just offloaded, unwrapping the egg and taking a bite, before speaking again. “Got most of this stuff from the cult underground, some from the trip to the Letni Inhelk, and the necklace, anklet, and these chocolates from a strange rabbit that showed up in the graveyard that night….a different strange rabbit from Mr. Nare.” Patting the crate he’s sitting on and gesturing to the rest of the food and medical supplies. “I want this all to go to the town, free of charge, as for the gems, coin bags, jewelry and stuff, sell it all and use what you need for the guild hall and stables, the rest can help recover your costs and to help the town. Dawnbound has some other things they want to do so maybe clear with them on what they want to use the funds for, pretty sure Sera was looking at helping with the Temple and stuff, Hastos I think might be involved with the garrison or something, he’s been pretty quiet though, oh and setting some aside for training new members would be nice.” 
Finishing his egg he thinks for a bit, talking through a mouthful of chocolate, nearly spitting the candy out in his excitement. “Hey! You think that we could get a magic map table that pinpoints all the message board quests on it, that way people could pick a couple that are in the same direction, or plan a route to catch more than one at a time. Or we could send recruits through a series of small quests in a sorta training tour based on whats available at the time?!” 

Buckeran chuckles merrily as he watches loot pile up around you! A kender after his own heart!

"I'll make certain the food and medical supplies are taken to the hospital. As for the gems, coin bags, and jewelry, I know a gem cutter in town. Well... I knew one. Amber, Tekel's sister, runs Amber's Gallery. She's been adopted by the Hachakee Tribe, and followed them into the desert. But the shop is still open and run by her employees." He waves a three-fingered hand, "No offense intended towards humans, but without a kender running that shop, they're helpless at haggling compared to us. I can't think of a better time to sell those treasures."

He licks his lips and perks up after finishing the chocolate. Merkas feels more perked as well, like the chocolate candy has restored their hope.

Merkas has Heroic Inspiration from eating the chocolate.
Buckeran collects: 

• 1 Black Sapphire (5,000 Stl)
• 1 Blue Sapphire (1,000 Stl)
• 1 Yellow Sapphire (1,000 Stl)
• 1 Star Sapphire (1,000 Stl)
• 1 Jacinth (5,000 Stl)
• 1 Garnet (500 Stl)
• 1 Lapis Lazuli (10 Stl)
• 7 (5lbs) Bag of Coins: 175 Coins, averaged as Silver coins (175 SP)
• 5 (1lbs) Bag of Gems: 200 Gems, averaged value 50 Stl per gem (10,000 Stl)
• Demonomicon (Legendary Artifact): 500,000 Stl
• Total Value: 23,522.75 Stl (Santekh cannot afford to purchase the Demonomicon.)

Buckeran puts on a jewlers loop and carefully assesses the value of everything he looks through, and quotes you prices for each item. The process takes several hours. But when he gets to the Demonomican, he lets out a low whistle. "Do you know what you have found? How? Wha- Piruz would..." He removes his jewler's loop and puts on his magic monacle. But staring at it more than a few moments makes him clutch his head in pain, and he removes the monacle. His eyes are buldging out of his skull with surprise, and he wipes his sweat-beaded brow with a soft cloth. "It's real... it's... it's authentic! Oh, my head!" He rubs his temples, then carefuly places the book in an anti-magic chest. "Merkas! Where did you find Demonomicon of Iggwilv?!"

For the first time, he seems truly shaken. Not even Ibahalii Vriwhulth had him rattled. But this book truly frightens him.