Marls

Acolyte Marls is an Acolyte of the Absolute at Moonrise Towers, located on the Docks at X: -78 Y: -186.

“

W-worms. Worms in their heads. Worms all over!

„

— Marls

Involvement

Act Two

When speaking with Marls, the interacting party member can ask him about the crates being shipped. If they discover that there are crates filled with a thousand tadpoles, they can use Illithid Persuasion to break down a mental wall Marls put up to block his own knowledge of the contents of the crates. Then, the interacting party member can either convince him to jump off the docks to his death, or rebuild the mental wall:

• You had best wash them off.
• [WISDOM] Guard duty's boring. You're letting your imagination run away with you. (DC 14)
• Leave.

Telling him to wash off the tadpoles causes him to jump off the dock to his death, which grants ⁠Swimming with the Shadows inspiration for the  Dark Urge. All options except the second option cause non-Vengeance paladins to break their oath.

Defending Moonrise Towers

If the  Nightsong is freed and the Harpers launch their assault on Moonrise Towers, Marls (if alive) is part of the remaining forces defending it. Marls then moves to the rafters above the ground floor's main hall, where he can harass the party and their allies.

His combat dialogue varies, depending on if the party previously tore down his mental defences.

Combat

Attacks and actions

 Bless ( + )

Bless up to 3 creatures. They gain a +1d4 bonus to  Attack rolls and  Saving throws.

 Range: 9 m (30 ft)

 Branding Smite (Melee) ( + + )

Damage: 2~12

Normal weapon damage

+ 2d6⁠Radiant

Your melee weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike and possibly mark your targets with light, preventing it from turning  Invisible.

 Range: Normal weapon range

 Cure Wounds ( + )

Healing: 1~8 + modifiers

1d8 + Spellcasting modifier⁠Healing

Heal a creature you can touch.

 Melee: 1.5 m (5 ft)

 Lay on Hands: Greater Healing ( + 2 )

Healing

4 × (Paladin level)⁠Healing

Imbue your hands with divine power to heal an ally.

 Melee: 1.5 m (5 ft)

 Lay on Hands: Lesser Healing ( + )

Healing

2 × (Paladin level)⁠Healing

Imbue your hands with divine power to heal an ally.

 Melee: 1.5 m (5 ft)

 Piercing Shot ()   –  Light Crossbow

Damage: 1~8

1d8⁠Piercing

Deal regular damage and possibly inflict  Gaping Wounds which cause extra damage on attacks.

Undead and constructs can't receive Gaping Wounds.

 CON Save

 Range: Normal weapon range

 Recharge: Short rest

 Ranged Attack ()   –  Light Crossbow

Damage: 1~8

1d8⁠Piercing

Make a ranged attack with your equipped weapon.

 Range: 18 m (60 ft)

 Sacred Flame ()

Damage: 1~8

1d8⁠Radiant

Engulf a target in a flame-like radiance.

 DEX Save

 Range: 18 m (60 ft)

 Thunderous Smite ( + + )

Damage: 2~12

Normal weapon damage

+ 2d6⁠Thunder

Your melee weapon rings with thunder as you strike, pushing your target 3 m (10 ft) away and possibly knocking them  Prone.

 STR Save

 Range: Normal weapon range

Loot

• Arrow of Ice (if unused)
• Leather Armour
• Light Crossbow