Hmm...interesting. I spoke to the guards and they told me about the laundry. Before and after the quest though, they said what you said, but during the quest I got the laundry suggestion. Interesting. As for the final battle, I agree, with 1 exception. Fighting the balance elemental, I needed food. Fighting the 2 tortured demons however, I never needed anything. They could barely make a dent in my boosted LPs. Definitely need to stay close to the stone spot, but other than that...I didn't use prayer, food or anything. I had on full black d-hide, rune crossbow, steel bolts, and a dragon scimmy. So I say, bank for food to fight the balance elemental, but don't even worry about the tortured demons.