Squawk's Ballad

A ballad penned by the tiefling bard Kirby in honor of the brave kenku Liang Squawk. It reads as follows: 

On a deck stood a crow
A legend only few would know!
He stood when other wouldn't
He stood when others couldn't
As a ghosts reared its ugly maw
He stood proud without a caw!
He slashed and stabbed through ghostly visage
Until one came through, and sought to pillage!
The hero Sqawk we call him, a crow noble and true
He lay dead on the deck, proud but blue
He saved our lives with his bravery
And saved our souls from pirate slavery!

Historical Details

Background

In the fall of the year 900 the adventuring group Rakka's Heroes were contracted to hunt down a ghost ship haunting Rakkan shipping vessels in the Arrayas Ocean. The group recruited a band of kenku pirates under the Silver Beak banner to sail them near the ghost ship, taking aboard a couple of the pirates to help them in the fight against. When it seemed as though the party would be overwhelmed by specters, Squawk the kenku pirate fought off four specters at a time while Rakka's Heroes focused their attacks on the wraith. Squawk's life force was drained away by the undead abominations, but his sacrifice ensured the party's survival and success against the wraith.

Legacy

The ballad became a popular tavern song for sailors in the Arrayas Ocean, especially among the region's kenku population. Before long the song became a rallying cry from Pescaliat's kenkus, holding up Squawk's sacrifice as emblematic of the kenku fighting spirit.

Type

Manuscript, Artistic

Medium

Oral Tradition / Word of Mouth

Authoring Date

900, 4th Cycle

Authors

• Kirby