Gregory recently found out that fellow Poetic Justice member Shiryum, a warlock-paladin, has a pact with The Raven Queen. A bit wary of what this might mean, but wanting to support his friend, Gregory did a bit of reading on this death goddess to learn more about her. Unfortunately, there's not much certain about her to know. She seems neither aligned to good or evil. Rather she seems to have her own goals and she gathers souls for her own, inscrutable purposes. After reading Shadowfell lore late into the night, Gregory slept fitfully and awoke in the morning with this song in his head. He's sure he's never heard it before. Perhaps his sleeping mind wrote it, or perhaps it's a musical message sent from the Queen herself. Like many things about the Raven Queen, it's likely he'll never know. 

The Raven Queen

Am		Dm    Am
Raven calling in the trees
Dm         Am.            B7		E7
Shadow mist rising in the breeze
Am			       Dm	       Am
Soul take flight, leave this life behind
Dm	       Am	         E7         Am
Along your path    , who knows who you’ll find
[Chorus]
                  Am         E7         Am                E7
At the gate of death, she sits on her throne
                  Am               E7             Am         E7 
She may change your fate, her aims are her own
                   Am             			Dm                  Am 
She’s the fabled Raven Queen. Your soul is hers to take
Dm                         Am         
When you fly by, if you catch her eye,
          E7                    Am
She gives and she takes
E7             Am
Gives and takes

Am		Dm    Am
Share with her life’s memories
Dm         Am.            B7		E7
She builds her fortress with each of these
Am		                      Dm	Am
Love you’ve lost and pain you’ve seen
Dm	       Am	         E7.          Am
Relinquish all to the Shader-Kai Queen

[Chorus]

(Melody adapted from Lullaby of Woe from the Witcher soundtrack)

The Raven Queen

Poetic Justice found an unusual magical "treasure" while exploring the Dungeon of the Mad Mage. When their warlock, Shiryum, tried to attune to the item to see what it did, things... did not go so well. Gregory wrote this song from Shiryum's perspective and made it especially catchy so as to drive home the lesson of this misadventure.

Dm
Deep inside a dudgeon
Hidden well away
A7
A wizard set a deadly trap
Dm
And I thought I could play
 
Dm
He left it like a treasure
Something I could keep
A7
But when I went to cash it in
The price was much too steep
 
Dm 
I’ve got this strange heart
Strange heart
A7  
It made me want it and covet and
Keep it myself
Dm
Want it to keep it myself
[X2]
 
The next thing that I knew, yeah
I was dead for sure
It was just an instant death
For this there was no cure
 
The heart was what had killed me
In my chest if found a home
Cause when I went to make it mine
I gave away my own
 
[chorus]

My friends were in a panic
They dragged me to a priest
To resurrect my cold dead heart
A thousand gold at least
 
Meanwhile I faced my goddess
Oh and she was none to pleased
I asked her if she’d send me back
I begged her on my knees
 
[Chorus]
 
[bridge]
Gm/D
Your friends they need you
Dm
So you’ll return
A7
But learn your lesson
Dm
Sheriyum learn
 
You must protect them
From what they face
Just keep your heart, dear
In the right place
[/bridge]

When I woke up among them
my friends cried in relief
I said that I was sorry
For cause all that grief
 
To them I’m now committed
Even stronger than before
If I know they need me there
I’ll walk through death’s own door
 
I got my   /Still got this strange heart
Strange heart
For friends I’m living and loving and giving myself
Living and giving myself
[x4]

[Adapted from Strange Heart by Kate Earl]

Strange Heart

Amicus tells Gregory of a vision sent to him by Dispator. Deeply moved by his friend's vision, Gregory wrote this haunting dirge. 

 The Reticent Man

Chords – Dm/G

The reticent man hides all his secrets. So many. 
They are dormant like an avalanche waits. So heavy.
The lies cover lies, cover lies, cover lies, co-ver lies.
Til nothing can hold back the terrible truths, A plenty

Oh, oh, ooooooh.

Truths that crush all those who lie within uncaged whispers, 
Leaves a wasteland worth nothing, unending burning winters.
The chaos destroys, it ruins all homes and all lives. 
It crushes all hope, it fails us in turn, living death for those who survive

But behold! We are the protectorates 
Behold! We shield from disaster
Behold! Behold! Behold! Behold!
With fire we forge, from the minds of the weak
From secrets and mysteries, from lies and deceits

Oh, oh, ooooooh.

Enigmatic games with no clear rules, we are the caretakers 
Of the cosmos. Go put on a suit. Buy ‘em and wield’ em, Kingmakers.
They do wrong, but we bid them to wake 
Opportunity seized, but gently, oh gently, we take

Behold! We are the protectorates 
Behold! We shield from disaster
But Behold! Behold! Behold! Behold!
With fire we forge, from the minds of the weak
From secrets and mysteries, from lies and deceits

Oh, oh, ooooooh.

The most dangerous man is a man who has failed, his secrets set on the loose
These men they shake mountains, they crumble them down, these men have nothing to lose
So gather your chips, count them and keep them in close
The reticent man, leave one for he, the rest you will gather then bring them to me.

Behold! We are the protectorates 
Behold! We shield from disaster
Behold! Behold! Behold! Behold!
With fire we forge, from the minds of the weak
From secrets and mysteries, from lies and deceits
The reticent man can crumble it down
If left with no secrets so leave one if found
Behold 
Behold
Behold 
Behold
But gentle

The Reticent Man

Gregory and Shiryum went drinking one night and woke 4 miles into a forest snuggling a baby bear. This is the story of how they got there.

D			A
Last night I survived an epic quest
	C		G		D
Well I think I did, to be quite frank my memories a mess
D				A
I hit the town, took off with my good friend
	C		G		D
But little did we know just how the evening would end
D			A
He shouted as he took me by the arm,
C				A
“We’ve ales to drink and leggy elves to charm!”

           G			D
When Shiryum and I went Carousing
          A			D
When Shiryum and I went Carousing
G
I can only half recall 
D
but I’m sure we had a ball
A			D	GD
When Shiryum and I went Carousing

A drink at Dripping Dagger sounded nice
It revealed some rowdy rogues in a rip-roaring round of dice
They claimed that you could never con a con
Shiryum and I just knew we had to prove them wrong
We slapped on hooks, eye patches, scarves and sword
And went to trick some pirates in dock ward

[Chorus]

Well, it turns out that pirates can’t be tricked
But the good news is that they are a riot to drink with
With salty dogs the trick to get along
Is to sing the racy, raucous truly, raunchy pirate songs
Our new friends so loved the way I wail
They offered to teach us how to sail

[Chorus]

On the boat one rude pirate began to scoff
Shiryum challenged him to a walk-the-plank dance off
At first my friend was winning easily
But then he tried to do a flip and fell into the sea
I quickly tossed good Shiryum a boon
But in my drunkin state I fell in too
    
[Chorus]

	G		D
When Shiryam and I float on the sea
	A			D
The stars above our heads are shining down so peacefully
	G				D
We talk and laugh and splash and drink some more
A
When along came a boat of Naga who kindly towed us toward the shore

When finally the shoreline was in reach
We find a tribe of leggy druids dancing naked on the beach
When they spotted Shiryum and me
They claimed we were a gift for them, sent there by the sea
They slathered us in oil from head to toe 
And we were not about to tell them no

[Chorus]


Sadly, it wasn’t what we thought,
The ritual was meant to help a bear whose paw was caught
A mama bear protective of her cub
But with magic the druids got her in a healing hug
Once they got the mama bear alone
The druids asked the babe to walk us home

[Chorus]

The next morn we did not wake in our beds
But rather snuggling with the baby bear, a pounding in our heads
Looking back upon our reckless night
It’s honestly a shock we made it through it all alright
I have to admit that that’s not all, 
it’s just the half of it that I recall

[Chorus]

When Shiryum and I went Carousing
When Shiryum and I went Carousing
The pirates can’t be tricked
But at least I’m not sea sick
The sultry druid dance
And I’m taking off my pants
We’ve got a healing touch
They say thank thee beary much   
When Shiryum and I went Carousing

When Shiryum And I Went Carousing

On the day that Selka received her beloved Pinnikin seal coat, there was a huge ceremony. As is the Pinnikin tradition, Selka's friends wrote the toast song - Mother Ocean's Gifts

Gregory:
Every time the tide turns
May it turn your way, and more
When Mother Ocean sends her gifts
May they land upon your shore

Everyone:
Every time the tide turns
May it turn your way, and more
When Mother Ocean sends her gifts
May they land upon your shore

Gregory: 
Let’s raise a glass to Selka 
[Everyone: Cheer!]
A rogue, a mage, a friend
Today you’ve made your family proud
A model Pinnikin

Gregory: You finally have your seal coat
Gregory: With whiskers, fur and fins
Gregory: But one thing hasn’t changed much
Shiryum: You’ve always been thick skinned

Amicus: You’re the first one that I think of
Amicus: When we need to case a joint
Shiryum: You’re stealthy, smart, and in a fight
Chatter: Your cross bow is on point
[Everyone: chuckle]


Everyone:
Every time the tide turns
May it turn your way, and more
When Mother Ocean sends her gifts
May they land upon your shore

Oh, every time the tide turns
May it turn your way, and more
When Mother Ocean sends her gifts
May they land upon your shore
 
Gregory: 
Let’s raise a glass to Selka 
[Everyone: Cheer!]
Who this whole song’s about
Let’s raise a glass to Mirah too
The Amazing Sonic Scout
[Everyone: Cheer for Mirah]

Chatter: Selka claims the high ground
Shiryum: with levitating boots
Amicus: And with that sneaky mage hand
Gregory: She also claims more loot

Amicus: Oh we love our friend Selka
Chatter: You can bet we always will
Gregory: You’re the best friend that we every had
Shiryum: Even when you steal our kills!!
[Everyone: Big laugh!]


Everyone:
Every time the tide turns
May it turn your way, and more
When Mother Ocean sends her gifts
May they land upon your shore

Oh, every time the tide turns
May it turn your way, and more
When Mother Ocean sends her gifts
May they land upon your shore

Oh, every time the tide turns
May it turn your way, and more
When Mother Ocean sends her gifts
May they land, 
may they land, 
may they land, 
may they land
upon your shore

Mother Oceans Gifts - Selka's Song

Poetic Justice has asked Gregory's mom, Lily Greenthorn, to help them find the three kids they rescued from Troll Skull Manor. Lily takes the kiddos under her wing, teaching them music, bard skills and...spy craft. She turns these three street urchins into full on Harpers. Though Gregory never sings this song in taverns since he wouldn't want to blow the kids' covers, he plays it for his mother and his friends every now and then. 

Fly Little Birds

On the streets of Waterdeep
Three lonely children, they try to sleep
But danger lurks for them ‘round every corner
 
While certain dangers they’ve learned to best
These little birds can never get a rest
To fly and spread their wings they need something warmer
The kids need a nest
  
Fly, fly little birds
Fly, Fly little birds
 
Upon the wind the kids hear a song
They’re toes they tap, they’re spirits long…
To rise on the happy wings of the melody
 
The song is played by a lady who
Is not afraid to share her tune
They raise their voices in song so joyfully
It’s long overdue
 
Fly, fly little birds
Fly, Fly little birds
 
There’s more to learn than a melody
The children are taught to hear and see…
the secrets that other try to hide around them
 
Wielding their songs and this special sight
They bring dark secrets to the light
The Order of the Larks has now been founded
Their dreams all take flight
 
Fly, fly little birds
Fly, Fly little birds
 
They hear it 
They see it
They know it
They keep it
They learn
Fly little birds
X2
 
 
 
The Larks have earned their cosy nest
They snuggle down for a rest
The songs they’ve learned have made them a little bit wiser
They finished their quest

Fly Little Birds

The Bard Gregory Greenthorn wrote this song about an incident his poor friend Amicus, a Paladin of Dispater went through when the party entered Myth Dronor. It's tough when everyone in your party fails the wisdom saving throw but you.

LYRICS
(So here’s the deal…)
C				E7
My friends and I, we entered Myth Dronor
Am						F
We had a quest to find a key- Can’t really tell you more
C				E7
There’s this fog, we may have breathed a bit
Am						F
It didn’t bother me, but my friends had a coughing fit

C				E7
I should have known, when they were acting strange 
Am						F
But let’s be honest here with them that’s really not a change
C				E7
But this was odd, beyond the norm I mean
Am						F
When they all looked at me with hatred

(Hold up now guys)
C				E7
What the hell is going on
Am						F
I think my friends all rolled their wisdom checks wrong
C				E7
They can’t seem to stop their tomfoolery,
Am						F
And the worst part is now they’ve turned on me 

C				E7
Even though we started strong
Am						F
I think my friends all rolled their wisdom checks wrong
C				E7
Dispater knows, we may not survive,
Am						F
Might have to smite them all to keep us all alive

Greg a mess, he’s like a mother hen
He treats us all like we’re in kindergarten once again
Selkas freaked, she’s like a nervous colt
At the slight sound I’m pretty sure she’s gonna bolt

Shiryum, now there’s a site, I’ve never seen him quite so eager for a deadly fight 
But worst of all, is Chatter… hey, has anyone seen Chatter lately? No?

(Shit)
What the hell is going on
I think my friends all rolled their wisdom checks wrong
They can’t seem to stop their tomfoolery,
And the worst part is now they’ve turned on me 

Even though we started strong
I think my friends all rolled their wisdom checks wrong
Dispater knows, we may not survive,
Am										   
Might have to smite my frieeeeeeds 
F                          C
To keep us allllll allive
(Don’t make me do it, guys)

To the tune of Fictional Men by PEGGY

Failed Wisdom Check

The trip into Myth Drannor was tough for Poetic Justice, Gregory especially was heavily affected by the shadowsworn's influence and may have gotten a little carried away trying to keep his friend's safe.

Am                         E7
  In a dark, deadly dungeon, a shadowsworn lair
G                      D
The tension is running so thick, you could cut right through the air
F                          C
  My friends are exhausted, battered from the fight
Dm
   their heads grow heavy and their sight grows dim
E7
  We have to stop for the night
 
Am                               E7
  As I cast our protection, I made a tweak to the spell
G
  we’re all in this together now
              D
This could be heaven or this could be hell
F                          C
And still those voices are calling from far away 
Dm
As we all settle in for the night
E7
    I thought I heard them say

 
[Chorus]
F                          C
  Welcome to Gregory’s tiny hut
       E7                                         Am
Such a lovely place (such a lovely place), it will keep you safe
F                               C
Snuggling in at Gregory’s tiny hut
    Dm                                       E7
There’s no need to leave, I have all you need
 

[Verse]
Am                        E7
   Second watch has started, into dreams I glide
G                                D
  They each hear a trusted voice saying, “stay inside”
F                              C
  When they wake in the morning, I cook them all a feast
Dm
 But their need to leave the hut is
E7
Rising like a beast
 
Am                             E7
   Next thing that I know, Amicus is running for the door
G                                       D
  The force of my protection spell sends him crashing to the floor 
F                                   C
  "Relax" I say calmly, I am sorry to deceive
Dm
  I promise I will keep you safe, 
E7
 But you can never leave...

[Chorus x2]

Gregory's Tiny Hut

This is a "love" letter from Shiryum to Chatter. While it can be handy to have a rogue in the group, they can really pull down your kill count.

Em     G (x3)
 
[Verse]
 
Em                          D            C           A 
You fade into the shadows, let me take the blows
 Em                    D            C            A 
I hack and slash the monsters, their death is so close
    Em    D. C                       A           B		A
Then from out of the darkness, with a blade that glows with pale moon light
      Em     	D             A                 B.         
Just before I can finish, you land the blow that concludes the fight
 
[Chorus]
 
Em                                          
You're a kill stealer 
G
Death dealer
A
Deal sealer
                B  A    B
Always claiming victory

Em                                          
You're a kill stealer 
G
Death dealer
A
Deal sealer
                B  C    B
Don’t you take my victory

No! No! No!
 
 
[Instrumental]
 
Em     G (x2)
 
[Verse]
 Em                          D            C           A 
This fight is a bad one, we may not survive
Em                    D            C            A
You’ve taken a beating, your barely alive
Em       	          D.          A           B		A
But I’m gonna save you, gone tear this deadly fiend apart
      Em     	D             A                 B
But before I can take it, you wake just in time to stab the heart 

[Bridge]           
I don’t mean to be ungrateful
But can’t you just be less hateful?
This one’s mine. This one’s mine. This one’s mine. This one’s mine!

When it comes the villains
You’ve dispatched more than I’ve ever seen
You count kills in the millions
So for once cant’ you leave one for me???

[Chorus x2]

Kill Stealer

This is actually a song, not from Gregory, but from Koemi Starrix, the bard who is in charge of training for the Cellarers' and Plumbers' Guild in Waterdeep. This song was performed by Koemi for the C&PG apprentices shortly after Poetic Justice returned triumphant from their Dragon Heist.

D
Apprentices of the Cellars and Plumbers guild
D		A	D 
Your training’s not complete
A
Until you learn the dangers
A		G	   A
That dwell below these streets

A
According to Selka Two Shot
	        D
You should know thyn enemy
A
So she’s carefully documented
A		G	   A
The scum of the city (down)

A
She found a hundred of things to kill you
D
And a thousand ways to die
A
But today you’ll receive
The knowledge you need
A		G	   A
If you want to survive (up)

D
Your plumbers and Cellers
A					G
You’re strong, with tools as sharp as blades
A
So when you meet a monster
A
Raise your hammers high
A
You gird your loins and look them in the eye…

 

D
Then Run Away, Run Away 
G			A
If you’re wise, turn tail and hide 
G		A
And fight another day

A					D
A gruesome death awaits you if you’re trying to be brave
A
If you’re friends are slow
A
Then they should know
A
Their lives just won’t be saved

D
Run Away, Run Away
A
If you want to live just
G	      A		D
Run Away, Run Away, Run Away.

[spoken: Now Selka says…]
There’s black puddings and grey oozes
And, while neither she condones, 
You’ll feel foolish if you mix them up
As their acid eats your bones

Vampires can be bribed
And the were-rats aren’t so bad
But they’ll both eat your intestines
If you ever make them mad

You’ll be skewered and then eaten 
If you meet a manticore
You’ll be blown away
And fried Flambe 
If you find a Beholder

You’re plumbers and cellers, 
to survive down there you must do as we say
And there’s another lesson
You should know before you start
Listen close it’s a secret we’ll impart

[Chorus]
 
 Bm
Now it’s true that our guild
Boasts a grim survival rate
A
But when you work below the ground
That often is your fate

Bm
Some may call us cowards
When we leave a man behind
A
But bleeding out beside your friend
Is hardly seen as kind

D
Now the city needs its water
SLIDE UP FRETS
And a place to store its things
Your work is truly vital
Though no glory does it bring

Until we find some magic
To keep evil things at bay
Just listen young apprentices
Cause Selka’s here to say

[Chorus]

Run Away

Gregory Greenthorn is a member of Poetic Justice, an adventuring group based out of the beautiful city of Waterdeep, along the Sword Coast of Faerun. Gregory is a talented gardener and potions master and as the group's bard he combines the magic of music, tinctures and plants to keep his group alive and fighting their best. Gregory is co-owner of the Troll Skull Manor and can be found playing for Waterdeep's elite there many nights when he is not off adventuring. Gregory is a prolific songwriter and his ever growing playlist often celebrates the heroic adventures of Poetic Justice.

Tales of Poetic Justice

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