WHEEZE...... wheeze...... WHEEZE...... wheeze ...
“Hey, Eric, knock it off! I’m trying to read over here, you git!” said Thomkin, his nose planted in a rather thick book.
A little halfling in a chain shirt and full helm raised his visor. “So what. I’m trying to get a drink over here. If I’m not having any luck, then neither should you.”
“Do you realize how ridiculous you look. What happened to the plate that went with the helm?” Thomkin asked as he peered over his book.
“I couldn’t move, that’s what happened to it. So can I get served already?” said Eric, impatiently kneeling on a stool and drumming his hands on the bar.
“Just a moment my precioussssss, let me get to the end of this page,”
“Your what!?!?!? What’s the matter with you, you old coot. You going all strange in your old age?”
“No I’m not going strange in my MIDDLE age,” said Thom pointedly. “I’m broadening my horizons. You should read this thing. It’s really good. All about our folk, it is, and about rings and wizards and dark riders. Very interesting. I must say the book is quite different from the movie Erica showed me. And now she says there’s another version she wants me to see. I can’t wait. I’m glad the tall folk are finally seeing the value of a good halfling tale. Or hobbits, as we’re called here.”
“Movie? What in the bloody blazes is a movie?”
“Oh, you should show up on Tuesday nights. Then you’d see what a movie is. Quite good, they are. Like a play, only the people aren’t actually in the room. You could do with a bit of relaxation, you know. You’re too tense.”
“I don’t have time for such frivolous things. And neither do you. Have you thought any more about my offer.”
“Not any more since the last time I said no. I don’t want to be part of the damn halfling militia, Eric. I’m a tavern owner, not a fighter,” Thomkin said as he got up to go and poured Eric a drink.
“A tavern owner with skills we need. It’s your duty to your people, Thom. We need to protect ourselves. We can’t always leave it to the big people. They start trouble as often as they stop it. Don’t you care? There’s trouble brewing, I tell you, and no one to look out for halfling interests except the halflings. You want to see black riders? Well, they’re out there. Your preciousssss tavern will go down in flames unless we get to work. Mark my words.”
“My tavern in flames? That’s nothing new,” said Thom from behind the bar. “Aw, what the hell are you talking about trouble for anyway. You’re paranoid -- you and your friends. There may be a bit more orc activity than normal, but that’s no reason to be up in arms. Besides, we already have a militia, and they’ve given us no cause to doubt them.”
“So you’re content to leave everything in the hands of the tall folk?”
“Yep.”
“Then you can keep your rancid beer!” shouted Eric as he shoved the pint at Thom and then turned and walked quickly out of the tavern.
Thomkin looked after him and then sighed as he looked down at the mess in front of him. “Alcohol abuse,” he muttered as he reached for a bar towel to clean up the puddle. That done, he then went back to his chair and his book. “That boy is wound just a little bit too tightly, if you ask me,” he said as he put his feet up on the table. “Damn kid.”
Eric Stoutfellow
Neutral Good, 8th level warrior
Halfling Male, 30 years old
3’1”, 32 lbs.
Str 14 Int 10 Dex 16 Wis 10 Con 14 Cha 10 AC 19 Hp 50
Initiative: 7
Base Attack: 8/3 (9/4 if using longsword)
Saving Throws:
| Fortitude | 8 |
| Reflex | 7 |
| Will | 2 |
Weapon Proficiencies: Longsword, Light Flail, Throwing axe
Armor: Chain shirt, helm, buckler
Skills and modifiers:
| Climb | 6 |
| Craft | 6 |
| Jump | 6 |
| Listen | 4 |
| Move Silenty | 2 |
| Ride | 4 |
| Swim | 5 |
Feats: Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (longsword), Combat Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Quick Draw, Power Attack, Cleave, Greater Cleave
Languages: Halfling, Common, Orc
Equipment: Chain shirt, Helm, Longsword, Light Flail, Throwing Axe, Buckler, backpack, 2 Halfling Militia uniforms (blue tunic and black breeches), high black hard boots, belt, 2 small belt pouches, money pouch with 10 gold, water skin, iron rations, flint and steel, bullseye lantern, 2 flasks of oil, 50’ hemp rope, riding pony, saddle, small saddle bags, saddle blanket.
Background: Eric is not your typical halfling. He’s more intense, angrier, and more paranoid than you’d ever expect a halfling to be. He has a desire to protect and look after his people, but is frustrated at the lack of serious interest in his goal. Thomkin’s attitude typifies the reaction that Eric’s been getting to his plans for a Halfling Militia, which is why Eric took out his frustration on him.
As Thomkin mentioned, most people in Guardian’s Grove, be they halfling, elf, dwarf or human, are content to let the regular militia take care of things. The attitude of the villagers in part comes from the fact that the town is fairly well integrated with several races living together. And indeed the militia has done a decent job so far. So why worry until there’s something to worry about, they figure.
But Eric came from a another village which is made up entirely of halflings, a village that is close to a forest that has increasingly been filled with orcs. This probably explains his special hatred of the creatures. He and his people have been through hard times, and he is used to relying on himself and his fellow village halflings, and few others. He really doesn’t understand the attitude of the villagers toward what he sees as a dire situation: increased orc activity in the area.
Also, he resents that his people didn’t receive more help against the orcs near his village. Frankly, the other villages in the neighborhood couldn’t figure out why these halflings stayed put when the orcs moved into their area and started causing trouble. However, these halfings are uncommonly stubborn. Surprisingly, the halflings in his village did better than one would have expected, but eventually they had to flee their village, which is another reason Eric is a bit “grumpy.” Of the refugees, several have come to Guardian’s Grove, while others headed for other villages in the area. The halflings from Eric’s village who came with him are the only ones so far in his militia.
Perhaps in time Eric will learn to trust these “big folk” who he feels let his people down, or perhaps he will end up deciding to move on with his people. Then again, perhaps the people of Guardian’s Grove will find out that they should have taken Eric’s concerns seriously and beefed up their defenses. Time will soon tell.
(c) 2002 by Erica Woollums