Krusk Bensly

Artwork by Hazmi Thariq

**Krusk Bensly** is a player character in the *Forgotten Realms Campaign* of Nat19. He is a half-orc bard from the town of Phandalin who was inspired by the exploits of the gladiator O'bahd Baxter. With the aid of a mysterious feeling drawing him to spellcasters and fellow bards he was able to gain and hone his bardic abilities. He is portrayed by *Spencer Downs*.

## Role in Plot

Krusk arrived in the Dragon Heist Party's lives just in time to die with most of them when Dazzan and his turncoat brother Torrin attacked its members. He was brought back to life relatively quickly, and expressed that he had traveled all the way from Phandalin in search of O'bahd Baxter, in the hopes of using his music to spread Baxter's legend.

When Alyf's resurrection failed and the diamond necessary to revive her was destroyed, Krusk sought the assistance of his rather wealthy admirer, Oriana Derune. He convinced her that he was in desperate need of a diamond, and she eagerly provided him with one. Before long, however, Oriana's father returned home, leading Krusk to sneak his way out of the Derune household.

## Relationships & Affiliations

### O'bahd Baxter

Krusk is an avid fan of Baxter, so much so that he is willing to put his life at risk to aid him despite having never properly met him.

### Mordai

Mordai was one of Krusk's many teachers, and instructed him in the ways of magic. The two have a friendly relationship, and a similar proclivity for intense gut feelings that guide their actions.

## Abilities

### Half-Orc Abilities

* Darkvision *(60ft)*
* Menacing
* Relentless Endurance
* Savage Attacks

### Bard Abilities

* Bard College: College of Glamour
	+ Enthralling Performance
	+ Mantle of Inspiration
	+ Mantle of Majesty
* Bardic Inspiration *(d8)*
* Bardic Versatility
* Countercharm
* Font of Inspiration
* Jack of All Trades
* Magical Inspiration
* Song of Rest *(d6)*
* Spellcasting *(Charisma-based ability)*

### Spells

##### Level 2 Spells

* Heat Metal
* Pyrotechnics

##### Level 3 Spells

* Major Image
* Sending
* Slow

## Special Equipment

### Weapons

* **2 Wands of Magic Missiles**: A magical wand that has 7 charges. While holding it, the wielder can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast the Magic Missile spell from it. For 1 charge, they cast the 1st-level version of the spell. They can increase the spell slot level by one for each additional charge they expend. The wand regains 1d6+1 expended charges daily at dawn. If they expend the wand's last charge, they must roll a d20. On a 1, the wand crumbles into ashes and is destroyed. The first was taken from the corpse of the necromancer Oreioth, while the second was looted from a chest in the Temple of Black Earth.

### Clothing

* **Amulet of Health**: A magical amulet that boosts the attuned wearer's Constitution score to 19 if it is not already higher. This was given to Krusk by Maxine, who had originally received it from Renwick Caradoon.
* **Glamoured Studded Leather**: A set of magical armor that grants its wearer a +1 bonus to AC. They can also use a bonus action to speak the armor's command word and cause it to assume the appearance of a normal set of clothing or some other kind of armor. They decide what it looks like, including color, style, and accessories, but the armor retains its normal bulk and weight. The illusory appearance lasts until they use this property again or remove the armor.
* **Lost Crown of Besilmer**

### Other

* **Canaith Mandolin**: An Instrument of the Bards.

## Trivia

* Krusk has the current record for fastest player character death in Nat19. He was introduced during a combat encounter and died during said encounter.

## Gallery

Krusk Bensly
(Artwork by Hazmi Thariq)