Agar headed to the inn along with the others, answering the question as they walked. "I am - was - on my way to Waterdeep, but that can and will wait." With a mind-flayer around, he couldn't just leave. Not that he could do much about such a creature if it chose violence... unless the shadows aided him. "I enjoy music, as much as anyone. At its proper time, of course." And if properly performed, he thought.

No time like the present to begin to get a sense of their abilities. "You all seem quite talented, not ordinary swords for hire such as myself. Me, all I can do is swing my blade and clock with my shield." If they could go ahead and accept that, that would be great. "So, I would take point in any fighting. What sort of skills do you have exactly?"

The ilithid gives the pale warrior an inscrutable look with it's unblinking eyes. Did the warrior intend to face giants with a blade and shield? The mindflayer couldn't decide if the human was brave or foolhardy, in the language of the ilithids they were synonyms anyway. If the pale warrior indeed could best giants in melee he was an impressive asset indeed. "This one have neither sword nor shield, but it has considerable psionic powers and expects the minds of giants to be at least somehwat susceptible telepathic manipulations and suggestions." The others can hear the mindflayer explain. It then glances over at the hell spawn and the half-breed, half expecting them to offer up their cooking and musical talents for the fight against giantkind, but there was likely more to them than met the eye, much more.

Meroki sheepishly chuckles and humbly says, "I’m afraid I’m not creative enough to have a name picked out yet, Loralai." He pauses, a thoughtful look crossing his golden eyes. "Maybe I'll have a name picked out by the time this whole mess with the giants is resolved." He glances at her with a warm smile. "Perhaps you could help me figure out a homey name that inspires people to stay, relax, and enjoy a good meal and drinks?"

Meroki stands with a calm and composed demeanor as Agars asks about their capabilities. He begins to explain plainly, "I am trained in both martial arts and spiritual arts. I have the ability to defend myself with or without any weapons." He pauses, his golden eyes steady as he continues, "I can manifest aspects of my spiritual body to aid me in battle. At the moment, I'm capable of summoning an extra set of spectral arms that pack a mean punch, among other benefits." He finishes with a slight nod, ensuring his explanation is clear and concise.

The ilithid turns to gaze at the devil spawned chef, it's tentacles twitching slightly with excitement. What the winged tiefling referred to as spiritual was likely a connection to the astral plane, a vastness of space that it's kin travelled in search for even more races to subjugate. There was indeed more to it's new associates than met the eye. "This one is impressed. Who taught Meroki to tap into the astral plane?" The others can hear the raspy message from the maindflayer as it curiously studies the tiefling.

Meroki looked a bit surprised that Arcaelothryx'x was able to deduce the true essence of his "spiritual arts," but it was a welcomed surprise. His golden eyes lit up with sincere admiration as he responded.

"It's impressive how quickly you grasped the true nature of my abilities, Arcaelothryx'x. My father, Euseb, taught me to tap into the power of the astral plane. He's the head of a monastery in Waterdeep dedicated to our monastic tradition. Although, there are very few with the capacity to do the same as my father and I."

Meroki paused for a moment, a thoughtful expression on his face. "And I must admit, it's rare to find someone who so easily deduces what I truly mean to convey. It has become easier for me to explain to others that my ability is merely a manifestation of my spirit, but in reality, it's more akin to summoning my 'astral self'. This astral self has the capacity to be a force of order or disorder. So my father has trained me to use this power to protect the weak."

He then added, with a determined glint in his eyes, "Even though I will never turn my back on those weaker than myself when in need, I still have my own goals I want to achieve."

The ilithid ponders the implication of what the winged tiefling had said, summoning his astral self, this was perhaps the most intriguing thing the ilithid had learned since ascending to the lands of the surface folks, and it would definitely need to know more. "Even though this one might no be able to fully grasp what your mentor have taught you friend Meroki, I would much appreciate if you told me more about this connection to the astral and how you harness it. But first, why would you protect the weak? They are typically not able to reward you in any significant way. Wouldn't protecting the wealthy be more lucrative, particularly if you are dreaming about owning several taverns across the realms of the surface lands." The others hear the ilithid message, the telepathic tone being one of sincere curiosity rather than malignant.

Agar was not surprised by the illithid's answer, of course, that sort of thing is just what the creatures were notorious for, but raised an eyebrow at the monk. "Very interesting. How far would these astral arms reach." He smiled briefly. "Hopefully not into next week. But if you can reach your opponent and he can't reach you, you have the advantage. That's why people use polearms." He'd need to remember to keep close to this monk, anyway, to be able to deflect any blows coming his way with his shield.

Were there any healers in the group? He could do it, but that would give away one of his secrets. He looked inquisitively at the others, waiting for their answers. A rough plan of formation and party roles began to take shape in his mind. He would take point, of course, but the monk would be up front as well, and the psion at the very back.

"Well, I'm sure we'll have at least a few worthwhile titles by the end of our journey!" Easy confidence rang in the half-elf's statement, along with a hint of approval in the look she granted the illithid. "Don't be so modest, Arcael. There's so much to be gained from exposing yourself to all manner of different people, and you're wise to see it."

Waterdeep? A brow lofted curiously towards Agar, but Loralai tucked further questions on the soldier's journey's for later. After a few drinks, likely. "A bit of a dabbler in this and that, myself. I've a feeling you two would handily beat me in a fair fight-" A thoughtful, discerning look took in their tentacled compatriot before she continued with a sly smile, "... All three, if I'm honest. Hence why I work to make sure most fights aren't so. If you'll forgive me for keeping your sword, shield, tentacles, and summoned astral appendages between me and whatever we find ourselves confronting, I'll keep you standing and our enemies on the backfoot."

"Arcaelothryx'x," Meroki began, his voice calm and sincere, "I understand your point about the lack of immediate coin in protecting those with scarce resources. However, there is value beyond wealth. By earning the respect of these people and spreading word of our heroics, we gain something just as valuable: fame and a lasting legacy."

He paused, making sure his words were clear and understood. "And don't misunderstand me. I never said I wouldn't protect wealthy people. They deserve safety just as much as anyone else. But what I don't want is to be tied down as a bodyguard, bound to the whims of a single patron. My freedom is something I value greatly."

Meroki's eyes shone with determination. "I believe that by helping those in need, regardless of their wealth, we can create a reputation that will bring us both respect and opportunities. And in doing so, we stay true to our own paths, free to make our own choices."

Meroki turned to Agars, ready to explain the nature of his unique abilities. "My Astral Arms indeed have a considerable reach. I can extend them about 10 feet before they dissipate. This range allows me to strike at enemies who might think they're safe at a distance, like you said."

He paused briefly, his golden eyes reflecting a hint of pride. "Couple that with my ability to fly, and I have a significant advantage in hand-to-hand combat. Being able to maneuver through the air and attack from unexpected angles can catch opponents off guard and give me a strategic edge."

Meroki demonstrated with a swift, fluid motion, his Astral Arms briefly flickering into existence and stretching outwards before vanishing. 

Meroki smiled slyly as Loralai explained her preference for making battles unfair for her opponents. "You won't hear me complain about unfair advantages," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "That's is something I quite enjoy as well, though I'm curious as to what you mean by that, in your case."

His expression softened as he continued. "And you can rest assured that I'll do my best to keep enemies away from you. Having a healer in our party is crucial, and your skills will be invaluable to keep us all in fighting shape."

The ilithid gives the half-breed an inscrutable glance with it's pale unblinking eyes. Of course it was wise, it was an ilithid. It pondered briefly what she meant by a fair fight. what would be a fair fight against a giant? It didn't seem relevant, but then again it had yet a lot to understand about the surface dwellers and their complex and quite intricate rules of behaviour towards each other. It didn't quite understand the part about keeping the others standing and keeping the giants on their backfoot but it grew more curious to see how it's three new associates would behave themselves when they eventually faced giants.

The ilithid then listens to the hell-spawned chef's elaborative answer, pondering what use respect was in these lands. Would they offer up their brains freely without the need for mental suggestions? And opportunities sounded quite vague, but it would wait and study the possible benefits of helping those who had no reward to offer. The ilithid's eyes goes briefly wide as the winged tiefling presents his spectral arms, seemingly being able to manifest his astral self on the prime material plane. Fascinating, it wondered if consuming his brain would grant it deeper knowledge into this mystery.

So the half-breed was a healer. Was that what she meant by keeping them standing. It would have to protect the half-breed then, a healer would indeed be crucial, if there was anything left to heal after the giants were ready with them that was. It itself did not intend to fight the giants in the sense the surface folks meant. Like it's kin had always preferred it would find those that could be convinced to do the fighting for it, like the giants themselves.

"Do any of you know anything of significance about the giants and their plans for these lands?" The others can hear in their heads as they near the local tavern. 

Agar was impressed by the monk's abilities and didn't mind showing it. All of them, in fact, were quite remarkable in various ways. A pattern of speech came to him then, one he'd employed before when leading novices for the Order. It would bolster them, give confidence and focus and just a bit of extra resilience. He almost opened his mouth to speak accordingly, when something strange interrupted him. A sensation unlike any he'd ever felt before. Something was wrong, and he couldn't quite figure out what at first. After a while though, he began to make sense of it.

Where were the other sounds? His companions spoke and he heard them clearly, but what about the world around them? Bird songs, dog barks, the sounds generated by the ebb and flow of human life all around them - he couldn't hear any of them. His head snapped away from the illithid he'd been looking at. The buildings and the people, of the town were all there but somehow... flat. And motionless. It's as if they stood in front of a flat screen on which some scenery was painted, and then left unattended. He looked back at the Lord Protector. She was there, but still as a statue. A set piece which played her role, such as it was, and was forgotten. It seemed they were the only people here.

Was all this just a dream? His dreams have never been like this before, though. In his old nightmares, he walked the streets of his town which were very much alive and filled with bustle - but every person and object had no color, just shades of gray. Did someone cast an illusion on him? For what reason? Was this a reaction of some sort to the mind flayer's presence? He fervently prayed that whatever this was, he could snap out of it and resume the story he involved himself in. But there was more to a story than the actors, and their interactions. It required an active storyteller to give it shape and meaning. Without that, it was a lifeless thing.

Quote from ikarbino >>

Agar was impressed by the monk's abilities and didn't mind showing it. All of them, in fact, were quite remarkable in various ways. A pattern of speech came to him then, one he'd employed before when leading novices for the Order. It would bolster them, give confidence and focus and just a bit of extra resilience. He almost opened his mouth to speak accordingly, when something strange interrupted him. A sensation unlike any he'd ever felt before. Something was wrong, and he couldn't quite figure out what at first. After a while though, he began to make sense of it.

Where were the other sounds? His companions spoke and he heard them clearly, but what about the world around them? Bird songs, dog barks, the sounds generated by the ebb and flow of human life all around them - he couldn't hear any of them. His head snapped away from the illithid he'd been looking at. The buildings and the people, of the town were all there but somehow... flat. And motionless. It's as if they stood in front of a flat screen on which some scenery was painted, and then left unattended. He looked back at the Lord Protector. She was there, but still as a statue. A set piece which played her role, such as it was, and was forgotten. It seemed they were the only people here.

Was all this just a dream? His dreams have never been like this before, though. In his old nightmares, he walked the streets of his town which were very much alive and filled with bustle - but every person and object had no color, just shades of gray. Did someone cast an illusion on him? For what reason? Was this a reaction of some sort to the mind flayer's presence? He fervently prayed that whatever this was, he could snap out of it and resume the story he involved himself in. But there was more to a story than the actors, and their interactions. It required an active storyteller to give it shape and meaning. Without that, it was a lifeless thing.

 Inspiration for that one!

The world around you slowly began to move. Slowly at first, people resumed their speech. It seemed strange. The rats and critters resumed before the humans, and last of all, the Lord protector turned to you. "If I might ask you guys a question? I've been here for a long time, and our militia is strong enough, but... you guys seem like warriors, at least a few of you. I might ask you later to speak with our militia, train them a little, give them some help. Anyway..." she waves goodbye, and turns around, followed by the twelve. As she walks away, a wiry little man runs up behind you and snatches Lorelai's coin purse, running off into the crowd.