Months had gone by since young Nalos Marsk left his home in the seas to see what the land had to offer. Like most other tritons, he was born and raised in the sea, but at seventeen years of age, he grew curious at what the land dwellers had to offer. With only the clothes on his back and the training from his old druidic circle, he left his old home to explore a new world. It was a breathtaking experience as he met all sorts of different people while taking part in odd jobs to make coin. He lived the life of the adventurer, and so far, he loved what the land had to offer.
Nalos' travels had brought him towards a town called Phlan, near the region known as the Moonsea. Unfortunately for him, work was hard to come by for him. He was thankful enough that Madame Freona, the halfing provietor of a tea shop, allowed him to stay at her place of business. He had to share his lodging with other adventurers who came and go, but it was an acceptable deal. The halfling most likely intended to draw customers in with a triton, and it worked. While drinking tea, he had the chance to meet all sorts of adventurers and hear their battles and legends. It made him more eager to continue on with his adventure soon enough.
Nalos was young for a triton and had yet to enter his twenties. His youth was clear to see on his face and was usually seen grinning. He had bright yellow eyes, light blue skin, and greenish hair that fell down to his shoulders. He wore leather armor with a scimitar and club holstered at his hips. Overall, given his unnatural appearance, many of the commonfolk grew interested in his identity, which drew them over to him.
Once more, night fell over Phlan, and Nalos was getting ready for sleep. He had walked into the common bunkroom, earning the brief attention of a few of the new adventurers as they have never seen one of his kind before. The triton grinned at them and made his way over to his bunk, ready to doff his leather armor and get some shut eye. A quiet knock came from the door as a familiar head poked into the room. Reece, the eldest of Madame Freona's daughters, with red curly hair, poked her head through the door when it was opened.
"Pardon my interruption, but is Nalos still here?" She asked.
"Over here!" Nalos waved his hand towards Reece. "Need anything."
"A chap came into the common room downstairs and asked me to fetch you," she told him, two fingers playing with her hair nervously. "He was wearing a hood, so I don't know who he was, but he said that it was quick coin for an easy job."
"Looks like my name is starting to spread," Nalos grinned. "Quick coin. Easy job. My kind of work. Let's see what this man has to say."
Reece disappeared as quickly as she came, leaving Nalos to head down to the common room. This was the first job he was able to find in weeks, and he certainly was not going to let it go when it was so close. Maybe it was a little bit shady but it would not be the first kind of job like that, and most of the times, they were not all terrible. It was time to get back into action.
Nalos left the bunk room and head straight down the stairs. During the day, the tables of the common room were crowded while light conversation took place. Now that it was night, it was empty with the servers gone and the lanterns on the tables dimly lit. Towards the active fireplace, a man sat on a cushioned chair, hands clasped together as he looked as the fire. Like Reece described, the triton was unable to make out any details about the stranger because of the hood that covered his face. He took a seat at the chair next to him, coughing into his arm.
"So, who are you?" Nalos asked, arms crossed.
"No names, please," the stranger insisted, taking a brief glance towards him "All you need to know is that I'm a Harper."
"What's a Harper?" Nalos continued his questioning.
"I should have saw that coming," the man sighed, and showed the harp-shaped pin on his tunic. "To make it short, the Harpers are out to protect the world from evil. Sounds fair?"
"Sounds fair," Nalos nodded. "So, Mr. Harper, what do you need my help with?"
"We don't have a lot of time, so I'll skip right to the chase," the Harper explained. "Recently, we have captured a black market merchant a few days ago. He planned on purchasing a red dragon egg, which is illegal."
"That isn't any good at all," Nalos commented. "I've heard stories of how dragons razed down entire villages."
"We planned on having someone take the merchant's place so we can get our hands on the egg, but there was one problem," the Harper continued. "The merchant was a triton."
"That's why you need me," Nalos grinned. "I know. I really am special like that. How much will I be paid? Oh, and before you change your mind about anything, I know for a fact that I'm the only triton in town."
"We already knew that, which is why we will pay you two hundred gold," the Harper told him.
"Deal!" Nalos exclaimed.
Through the odd jobs Nalos completed earned him coin to get by during his travels, it did not pay too much. After paying for expenses and entertainment, he was left with little coin. Over the months, he had managed to save a total a ten gold. Now, this Harper, whoever he was, wanted to pay for a job that only a triton could do. He would be set for life once he completed the job, so it was an easy offer to take.
The Harper reached into his satchel and pulled out a small bag and another silver pin. He handed the two objects over to Nalos, who inspected them closely. He could sense a small amount of magic coming from the pin, which was no surprise to the triton. He took a peek inside the bag and gasped at the sight of the diamonds. If this was the payment for the red dragon egg, then he might just skip town with his newfound prize.
"Your job is to exchange these fake diamonds over to the seller for the egg, and bring it back to me," the Harper instructed, earning a disappointed frown from Nalos. "I will be behind the stables at the Tea Kettle."
"Where's this all happening?" Nalos sighed out.
"At a barn on the northern outskirts of town," the Harper answered. "A few things to know about the deal. No names will be exchanged: you are the buyer and the seller is the seller. You must place the pin on the seller so we can track them down. As such, you are not to confront the buyer violently. Now, the deal was suppose to happen five minutes ago, so get going."
Nalos did not respond to the Harper when he was told the time of the meeting. He got up from the chair and burst out into the sprint, out of the tea shop within seconds. While running, he made sure to pocket the bag of fake diamonds and hid the pin up his sleeve. Two hundred gold was at stake and he was not going to fail on his new quest. This was going to be how he makes it to the next stage of his life as an adventurer. One day, the whole world was going to know the name of Nalos Marsk.
It took Nalos a good twenty minute walk to get to the barn, which had its doors open. He stepped inside, noticing many different hay bills and farming equipment spread throughout the dusty ground. A ladder led up to the loft, which, unlike the ground floor, was lit up with lanterns. That was where the seller was waiting, especially with this level of the barn being empty. Without hesitation, the triton started to climb up the ladder, soon arriving to the loft.
Sure enough, like Nalos expected, the seller was there. The seller was a female elf with a slim build, gray clothing, and long brown hair. Behind her were three men, who looked impatient and had their hands on the hilts of their weapons. Of course the seller would have brought guards. Given how lucrative this deal was, she needed some protection in case anything went wrong. The triton wished he brought some guards with him if only to put up a better act. Now, he seemed like a nobody, which might raise some flags.
"I told you he would come," the seller grinned, taking a glance towards the impatient guards. "A dragon egg is much too valuable to pass up."
"Indeed it is," Nalos took a few steps forward, causing the guards to raise their weapons.
"That'll be far enough," the seller warned, turning to face him. "Let's do this quickly," she motions to her backpack. "Here is what you asked for. You throw the payment over and we will leave the egg here. We will exit the barn, and then, you can leave after five minutes have passed. No fuss, no muss."
"Of course, but I do have one thing I have to ask of you," Nalos told her, extending his right hand forward. "It is customary of my people to shake hands when making a deal."
"Hold on, something isn't right," the seller frowned. "My sources told me that you would be left handed."
"From your perspective, this is my left hand," Nalos remarked with a grin. "Also, I found that people are more inclined to shake with their right hands. I believe that is more polite. What isn't polite is for you to disrespect the culture of my people, the magnificent tritons, by not following this simple custom. Perhaps I would be better off take my business elsewhere."
Nalos grinned, believing that he got the seller right where he wanted her. If she was going to make a sell tonight, she would have to take him up on his handshake, during which he would be able to put the pin on her sleeve. He doubt that she would turn him down. If she did so, it would mean that she skips out on the payment for the egg now. To empathize on his point, he used his left hand to grab the bag, giving it a little shake to tempt the seller.
The seller sighed, shook her head, then slowly approached Nalos. Seeing her come, he made sure to subtlety pull the pin to the palm of his hand, keeping it angled at a way she would not see it. The elf extended her hand and the two shook upon the deal. Before their hands met, he flicked the pin towards her sleeve, and his grin grew wider when it pierced her clothing without her knowledge. Afterwards, he handed the bag of diamonds over to her, and she signalled for her men to follow her down the loft.
Nalos stood on the loft, watching the guards follow the seller down the ladder one by one. Once they were gone, he grabbed the backpack the seller left behind and took a glance inside. Just as the seller promised, there was a large, red egg resting in it. The triton closed the backpack and slung it over one shoulder before climbing down the ladder. He was told to wait five minutes, and to be on the safe side, he would wait that time.
When a brutish half-orc entered the barn, brandishing his mace, Nalos realized that he would have to leave early now.
"The toll for out of this barn is that egg," the orc threatened. "I'm sure you will hand it over peacefully so I don't have to take your lives instead."
"Big talk coming from a big guy," Nalos smirked. "You'll find that I'm not that easy to kill, especially when there's only one of you."
The half-orc grinned, snapping his fingers four times. Behind him, two men wielding scimitars came inside the barn, taking their places next to the thuggish leader. Nalos heard footsteps from above the loft and took a brief glance upwards. Much to his surprise, there were two more men up there, each holding out a net. Whoever these criminals were, they had been preparing for this deal. The triton was heavily outnumbered, but he did not come this far to lose now. He was going to leave the barn with the egg intact, and he had a few tricks up his sleeve to deal with his newfound foes.
Nalos muttered an incantation in Primordial while the three bandits approached. With the incantation finished, a cloud of fog centered on himself quickly formed and spread throughout the barn, acting as concealment from the thugs. He quickly dashed to the side, hearing the two from above throw their nets down. Given how he did not feel any nets, they must have missed. He crouched down, and waited patiently.
"Damn it!" the half-orc grunted. "You two, get down here! Everyone else, with me!"
Nalos heard footsteps, meaning that they were now heading into the fog. He grinned that they have fallen right into his trap. They would not be able to see within the fog, giving him the element of surprise. Granted, the triton could not see anything but white fog as well, but he had a few more tricks up his sleeve. He muttered another incantation in Primordial, and brought his hands to his chest. With ease, he swung his fists out and sent out a booming Thunderwave towards the leader and his two lackies. The trio screamed as they were shocked, followed by a large thud as they slammed against the ground outside the fog.
"I got him, boss!" a bandit screamed out, swinging his scimitar.
"Too slow!" Nalos taunted while ducking under the blade.
"Everyone, into the fog!" the half-orc ordered.
Nalos was fortunate enough that at least two of the bandits were blasted away, giving him time to handle the one who held his ground. He pulled out the scimitar and club sheathed at his hip and took a combat stance. The triton was a capable fighter in his own right. He might have focused on spellcasting, but asides from his cantrips, he only had the stamina left for one more spell. He needed to save it for when the rest of the bandits gathered up.
With his weapons out, Nalos dashed towards where the bandit swung his blade out previously. With a slash of his scimitar, he cut across the bandit's chest. He quickly followed up with a club swing, but only cut through fog. The triton took a step back from the bandit's own strike, panting out. The last Thunderwave cleared out some of the fog, allowing for Nalos to get a brief outline of the half-orc and his remaining men approaching. He was surrounded, and he could not be even more happier.
Once more, Nalos brought his hands over his chest, careful not to cut himself with his scimitar. He chanted, more loudly, in Primordial, and brought his hands out to unleash his final Thunderwave. It was more powerful than the previous one, clearing the fog completely and blasting all of the bandits down to the ground. Two of them laid unmoving while the half-orc and the other two groaned. The way to the door was clear with no one able to stop him.
"This was fun, but I have places to be," Nalos told them with a grin. "See you later!"
"After him!" the half-orc growled from the ground.
While the bandits were getting up from the ground, Nalos sprinted out of the barn, and sidestepped to hide behind one of the doors. Maybe he could have outran the bandits, but if they tracked him down, the Harper may not be too pleased. It was best to handle the problem now before it escalated even further. He was out of spells but that did not make him any less of a cunning foe.
The two bandits quickly stormed out of the barn, trying to look for their prey. Nalos quickly emerged from the door and swung his scimitar across the neck of the closest bandit. It cut across his throat with ease and ended his life. The other bandit turned to face the triton only to be dispatched with a club strike to his head, landing on the ground unmoving. The triton turned to face inside the barn, seeing the thug standing up and holding onto his mace in anger.
"You know, after a lot of thought, maybe I should have over that egg," Nalos remarked.
"I'm gonna kill you!" The half-orc roared out.
"You're gonna have to catch me first!" Nalos winked.
Nalos quickly pivoted around to face away from the barn and ran away. The half-orc fell to his taunting and chased after him furiously. For him, this was personal, and he was not going to give up until one of them was dead. While running, the triton muttered in Primordial, using Shillelagh to imbue his club with nature's power. Such a simple cantrip would be enough to give him an edge in the upcoming round of battle.
Now prepared to finish the battle once and for all, Nalos turned back to face the charging half-orc. The half-orc roared out loudly, his anger blinding him. When the thug grew nearer, the triton quickly stepped to the side, and slashed his scimitar across his opponent's chest. The half-orc ran past him, giving the druid time to pivot around to face his exposed back. Not giving him time to react, he slammed his club on the back of his opponent's back. There was a sickening crack and the leader fell face first into the ground, down for the count.
Nalos panted after the battle was over, exhausted from the brief chase and duel. He was not use to such physical exertion, but in the end, he prevailed over the mysterious criminals. He started to make his way back to Madame Freona's Tea Kettle, ready to put this job behind him. With no further opposition left, all he had to do was deliver the egg to the Harper and accept his payment. Maybe by telling his employer about the trouble he had to face, he might get a little extra coin.
Just like he claimed, the Harper was waiting for Nalos back at the stables behind the Tea Kettle. He unslung the backpack from over his shoulder and handed it over to his employer. He opened it and carefully pulled the red egg out from inside, giving it a thorough inspection. He tapped on the egg shell gently and finally sighed in disappointment. The hooded man put the egg back inside the backpack, then looked Nalos right in his eyes.
"It's a fake," the Harper informed him. "I am sorry to have put you through all that work."
"If it's a fake, I should have gave it up to the armed men I fought," Nalos chuckled. "On the bright side, I pinned the tracking pin to the seller."
"Good work on that," the Harper complimented. "The group that attacked you was most likely the Welcomer's, Phlan's thieves guild. I'm surprised that you escaped without a single scratch."
"I am a man of many surprises," Nalos grinned. "Now, about my payment."
"Of course," the Harper handed over two bags. "The first bag has the promised two hundred gold. The second is a potion of health, a consolation for the effort you had to go through."
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Harper," Nalos nodded.
"Keep your eyes and ears open," the Harper advised. "The Harpers have seen an increased interest in all things related to dragons. We have also heard of more dragon sightings in the Moonsea region and elsewhere. Stay alert for more information on dragons. It might just save your life."
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," Nalos yawned while walking away. "But unless a dragon attacks tonight, I'm more worried about getting some sleep."
With a grin, Nalos made his way back into the Tea Kettle, putting the two bags onto his belt. The payment was enough to make a living in Phlan for the time being. And if the Harper's warning was true, there was bound to be even more jobs for him. Dragons were a big a deal, and if there were more sighted in the region, then someone needed to deal with them. That would be a fight for another day. For now, after all he went through, he needed rest.
A/N: Yet another story? You know it.
For now, this will be the last DnD story I'll post for the Tyranny of Dragons arc. This will be more of an introduction to the characters that will be adventuring in Phlan. A series of one-shots focusing on a single character. I'm pretty confident that it will develop into a series with the characters meeting up soon enough. For the timeline, the events that take place in this story take place BEFORE the events of Defense of Greenest and Corruption in Kryptgarden respectively.
Until next time.