"Now, everyone, I'd like you to meet my, uh, young squire." Bjorn steps aside to reveal a tiny, cloaked figure with oddly square shoulders, no more than two feet tall. "He's got a rare bone disease or something. Magic's his only hope of surviving in this tall, mean world, so you could say I'm doing a humanitarian effort here. Tomas, why don't you say hello to the crew."
Sparhawk looks at Zaal, showing no disappointment, but his eyes show some annoyance. “I do not know of what you speak Zaal, of my actions placing others in danger. If this was the case, I assure you I would not have done the ritual. I fear there is more to this than we understand. There is a stong malevolent presence that I keep seeing, its influence is growing so now, perhaps it can even make honorable tasks turn sour.
“As to our work here my friend, I invite you to travel with us for our next task here, gaining equal portion of pay and treasure as I have arranged with the Baron. After that, you are free to go on your way, no strings attached. And take this as payment for the nights work, grab yourself some supplies if needed.” (20gp)
Zaal gives a slow nod, "As I said, I did not know if you were aware of what would happen, so I cannot judge you for what happened. And since it seems you had no reason to suspect what might happen, I apologize if it seemed I implied you did. I simply want to make known that, though I have taken on some less than agreeable jobs in the past, I do not approve of putting bystanders in danger. That is all." He pauses for a long moment, contemplating this 'malevolent presence' Sparhawk mentioned, "Perhaps there was more to your ritual than I had assumed. Another reason for me not to judge. I will not question you about it, as that is not my way. Your business is your own, so long as I can complete my duties without knowing it."
He eyes the pouch for a moment before pushing away from the wall and taking it from the table. He opens up the pouch, glances inside, then tucks it away. Either he is very fast at counting, or he didn't really count it at all--which is the more likely option as he didn't empty and separate the coins. "Very well. It seems we are in agreement."
"Now, everyone, I'd like you to meet my, uh, young squire." Bjorn steps aside to reveal a tiny, cloaked figure with oddly square shoulders, no more than two feet tall. "He's got a rare bone disease or something. Magic's his only hope of surviving in this tall, mean world, so you could say I'm doing a humanitarian effort here. Tomas, why don't you say hello to the crew."
At first you hear way off in the distance a small horn being blown and after a few minutes the familiar bells of general muster/ alarm begin to ring across the city again.
Sparhawk looks at the group. A smile on his face, like a child excited to give out presents at a special occasion.
"You probably have been wondering what I was up to. Well, it has been long since I have had people I would call friends. And...I count each of you as my friend. (He also looks at Zaal in making this statement). I have been given the blessing of Marduk and my Goddess, Ariel. As long as you are near me, you will have my protection to aid you. (Aura of protection, +3 all saving throws).
He grabs the small chest. "Now, I'm sure some of you are curious as to what is inside. I have thought long and hard as to how to show you how much your friendship means to me, and through some consultation with an artificer and a powerful paladin, Sir Dod, I came to this."
He opens the chest. Inside are 5 amulets. Each looks like a golden Kraken, with green glowing eyes. "It would be my honor if each of you would wear this, as a sign of our friendship Necklace style for now). "I was thinking of our time in the tank, the ship and the attack. How we originally met...how we almost died while losing our friends, and here it is."
He hands one to each (except Lir).
"Zaal, it would be my honor if you would wear this as a sign of my debt to you. Please, do not shame me by not accepting it. This is my way." He smiles, genuinely, showing only love and well meaning by the gesture.
"Right, put these on, let's go see if we can help with the call." (Sparhawk rises and adjusts his weapons. Sparhawk also wears the Amulet, but his is slightly different (non magical).
Zaal spares a glance at the strange book creature, blinking once before ultimately looking away, seemingly unfazed as he turns his attention back to Sparhawk.
He eyes the amulet before slowly accepting it without a word. He stares at it for a moment, contemplating whether or not putting the thing on would get in the way of his fighting style, before sighing, "There is no debt between us. You offered me a job and paid me for it, now it is done." He loops the amulet over his head and tucks it into his shirt--where hopefully it will be out of the way.
He nods, and follows them out to answer the alarm call. When they exit, he pulls the thin fabric of his headband over his eyes--creating a blindfold of sorts to help block out the sunlight.
"Better not be more skeletons... Oh, I guess you wouldn't know since you were doing your ritual," Bjorn explains as they head out the door, "a bunch of skeletons showed up during your thing the other night. The timing was suspicious, at the least. Maybe they were trying to stop you."
He puts on the amulet without hesitation, and calls up his hammer (which was evidently hiding behind a couch) in preparation for trouble.
As you get to the door, you can see towns guard heading towards the golden domed build that sits at the ports highest port. It’s a temple, but also the towns financial hub. Apparently some devilish thing has attacked it.
Eberk watches the goings on, sipping his morning ale. Saving his questions, he nods in agreement as Zaal and Sparhawk come to an agreement and gives an odd look to Tomas. “Welcome to the crew, Zaal and Tomas.” He finishes the last gulp of ale. “But it seems we have work to do.”
He thanks Sparhawk for the gift and puts on the amulet.
He heads to the door, stopping Zaal before passing through. “May Selûne guide your steps in the night, and bring them to the new dawn.”
Ooc: Granting Zaal Vigilant Blessing. Advantage on Initiative.
Zaal pauses a moment after putting the amulet on, as if just now registering that it is actually a magic item. He gives a brief look to Sparhawk, likely wondering why the knight would be so willing to give this to a total stranger. Then, Eberk stops him at the door to welcome him and offer a 'blessing', to which he almost says something but reconsiders and simply nods.
He eyes the golden domed building from behind his blindfold, calculating a way inside and also trying to devise a plan of attack. Yet he doesn't say anything, as he is more used to planning for himself and not having to take others into account. So he waits to see what the Captain plans before taking action.
( assuming you all follow the guards to the golden temple, you are approximately 200 feet away from the action)
as you approach the temple you can see one of the priests directing guards and soldiers. You can see the soldiers are covered in a swarm of insects, four of the soldiers are out on the ground. A green cloud of gas erupts over the guards and priest and you can see the priest raise his face and hands to the sky in supplication as he casts a spell at a difficult to see, devilsh figure nearby
Sparhawk, rejuvenated and happy that his crew will benefit from his sacrifice, runs forward. As he runs, he wonders where the always-odd Lir is, as he thinks of the swarm of insects.
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Frangipani thrust her hand up, " I'm not.....honourable I mean."
" But I am trustworthy. I always keep my word.", she grinned a saw toothed grin.
"Smart lad."
"Now, everyone, I'd like you to meet my, uh, young squire." Bjorn steps aside to reveal a tiny, cloaked figure with oddly square shoulders, no more than two feet tall. "He's got a rare bone disease or something. Magic's his only hope of surviving in this tall, mean world, so you could say I'm doing a humanitarian effort here. Tomas, why don't you say hello to the crew."
Frangipani turned to regard Thomas thinking that things would be so much more convenient if everyone came in snack-sized portions.
Sparhawk looks at Zaal, showing no disappointment, but his eyes show some annoyance.
“I do not know of what you speak Zaal, of my actions placing others in danger. If this was the case, I assure you I would not have done the ritual. I fear there is more to this than we understand. There is a stong malevolent presence that I keep seeing, its influence is growing so now, perhaps it can even make honorable tasks turn sour.
“As to our work here my friend, I invite you to travel with us for our next task here, gaining equal portion of pay and treasure as I have arranged with the Baron. After that, you are free to go on your way, no strings attached. And take this as payment for the nights work, grab yourself some supplies if needed.” (20gp)
Zaal gives a slow nod, "As I said, I did not know if you were aware of what would happen, so I cannot judge you for what happened. And since it seems you had no reason to suspect what might happen, I apologize if it seemed I implied you did. I simply want to make known that, though I have taken on some less than agreeable jobs in the past, I do not approve of putting bystanders in danger. That is all." He pauses for a long moment, contemplating this 'malevolent presence' Sparhawk mentioned, "Perhaps there was more to your ritual than I had assumed. Another reason for me not to judge. I will not question you about it, as that is not my way. Your business is your own, so long as I can complete my duties without knowing it."
He eyes the pouch for a moment before pushing away from the wall and taking it from the table. He opens up the pouch, glances inside, then tucks it away. Either he is very fast at counting, or he didn't really count it at all--which is the more likely option as he didn't empty and separate the coins. "Very well. It seems we are in agreement."
"I am prepared to leave whenever you are."
Here is “ Thomas” Bjorns magic tutor
At first you hear way off in the distance a small horn being blown and after a few minutes the familiar bells of general muster/ alarm begin to ring across the city again.
Sparhawk looks at the group. A smile on his face, like a child excited to give out presents at a special occasion.
"You probably have been wondering what I was up to. Well, it has been long since I have had people I would call friends. And...I count each of you as my friend. (He also looks at Zaal in making this statement). I have been given the blessing of Marduk and my Goddess, Ariel. As long as you are near me, you will have my protection to aid you. (Aura of protection, +3 all saving throws).
He grabs the small chest. "Now, I'm sure some of you are curious as to what is inside. I have thought long and hard as to how to show you how much your friendship means to me, and through some consultation with an artificer and a powerful paladin, Sir Dod, I came to this."
He opens the chest. Inside are 5 amulets. Each looks like a golden Kraken, with green glowing eyes. "It would be my honor if each of you would wear this, as a sign of our friendship Necklace style for now). "I was thinking of our time in the tank, the ship and the attack. How we originally met...how we almost died while losing our friends, and here it is."
He hands one to each (except Lir).
"Zaal, it would be my honor if you would wear this as a sign of my debt to you. Please, do not shame me by not accepting it. This is my way." He smiles, genuinely, showing only love and well meaning by the gesture.
"Right, put these on, let's go see if we can help with the call." (Sparhawk rises and adjusts his weapons. Sparhawk also wears the Amulet, but his is slightly different (non magical).
He grabs the extra amulet (clearly for Lir).
Zaal spares a glance at the strange book creature, blinking once before ultimately looking away, seemingly unfazed as he turns his attention back to Sparhawk.
He eyes the amulet before slowly accepting it without a word. He stares at it for a moment, contemplating whether or not putting the thing on would get in the way of his fighting style, before sighing, "There is no debt between us. You offered me a job and paid me for it, now it is done." He loops the amulet over his head and tucks it into his shirt--where hopefully it will be out of the way.
He nods, and follows them out to answer the alarm call. When they exit, he pulls the thin fabric of his headband over his eyes--creating a blindfold of sorts to help block out the sunlight.
"Better not be more skeletons... Oh, I guess you wouldn't know since you were doing your ritual," Bjorn explains as they head out the door, "a bunch of skeletons showed up during your thing the other night. The timing was suspicious, at the least. Maybe they were trying to stop you."
He puts on the amulet without hesitation, and calls up his hammer (which was evidently hiding behind a couch) in preparation for trouble.
To Bjorn, "Yes Bjorn, that actually may make sense, and....I like your new squire. Did I inadvertently harm him earlier?"
To Zaal, "Thank you." He smiles, then to Zaals request, Sparhawk says,"Of course." (in a voice with no conviction).
Here is the link to the amulet https://www.dndbeyond.com/magic-items/7551001-kraken-amulet-of-last-chances
Frangipani is wondering if the tiny creature tastes more like flesh or paper.
She takes the amulet from Sparhawk and puts it around her neck, " This is very pretty and will bring much attention to my breasts area."
" Alarm? More dead people to smash?", she shot up with glee and ran to the door.
As you get to the door, you can see towns guard heading towards the golden domed build that sits at the ports highest port. It’s a temple, but also the towns financial hub. Apparently some devilish thing has attacked it.
Eberk watches the goings on, sipping his morning ale. Saving his questions, he nods in agreement as Zaal and Sparhawk come to an agreement and gives an odd look to Tomas. “Welcome to the crew, Zaal and Tomas.” He finishes the last gulp of ale. “But it seems we have work to do.”
He thanks Sparhawk for the gift and puts on the amulet.
He heads to the door, stopping Zaal before passing through. “May Selûne guide your steps in the night, and bring them to the new dawn.”
Ooc: Granting Zaal Vigilant Blessing. Advantage on Initiative.
Zaal pauses a moment after putting the amulet on, as if just now registering that it is actually a magic item. He gives a brief look to Sparhawk, likely wondering why the knight would be so willing to give this to a total stranger. Then, Eberk stops him at the door to welcome him and offer a 'blessing', to which he almost says something but reconsiders and simply nods.
He eyes the golden domed building from behind his blindfold, calculating a way inside and also trying to devise a plan of attack. Yet he doesn't say anything, as he is more used to planning for himself and not having to take others into account. So he waits to see what the Captain plans before taking action.
( assuming you all follow the guards to the golden temple, you are approximately 200 feet away from the action)
as you approach the temple you can see one of the priests directing guards and soldiers. You can see the soldiers are covered in a swarm of insects, four of the soldiers are out on the ground. A green cloud of gas erupts over the guards and priest and you can see the priest raise his face and hands to the sky in supplication as he casts a spell at a difficult to see, devilsh figure nearby
Frangipani Wildshapes into her new favourite stegosaur and charges towards the fiendish form.
Sparhawk, rejuvenated and happy that his crew will benefit from his sacrifice, runs forward. As he runs, he wonders where the always-odd Lir is, as he thinks of the swarm of insects.