1.18
The halflings of Merrin were short humanoids; sometimes shorter than gnomes, they had large hands and feet, and monkey tails.
The first halflings were fruit from the Elder Tree, an ancient beacon of nature on a far-off continent. Many halflings believed if the Elder Tree were to ever die, halflings would cease to exist.
Not known for their physical might, all halflings had at least a small connection with the forces of nature, and many became powerful druids.
Halfling societies tended to be focused within forests and jungles, where they felt their connection with nature was at its strongest.
Among most halfling communities, lived giant, deadly spiders known as araknos. Halflings loved to use their deadly poison.
Sharampf and Fenrick made a beeline toward Glayda who was standing behind the counter making up a fresh batch of drinks.
Sharampf and Fenrick made a beeline toward Glayda.
“Think we’ve got enough money to pay what we owe, for now.”
“For this morning, that’s three silver and fifty copper.” Glayda handed out the latest batch of drinks and put out her hand for Fenrick. Fenrick handed her two gold coins, as did Sharampf. Glayda raised an eyebrow.
“Advanced payment. I don’t think he’ll drink it all dry tonight, but make sure you chase him down for further payment tomorrow if he does,” said Sharampf. Sharampf and Fenrick ordered a meal each and waited at a table for Glayda.
With the burden of Hank and his cronies gone, The Cracked Cauldron was the busiest it had been in ages.
Bodwyn grabbed someone else’s mug as he walked over to the other two. It was empty by the time he sat down. He flung his arm around the halfling’s shoulders.
Fenrick kept an eye out for Mamzo and Eleanore but had no luck.
After close to twenty minutes, a tired looking Glayda brought Sharampf and Fenrick their meals. She looked over to Bodwyn and the others and shook her head.
“Who are they?” Fenrick asked.
“Dunno, not locals. I think they’re like you, adventurers. There was another with them, but she’s already gone to bed. Very stern compared to these two. Think she was one of them paladins. She was an orc.”
“Did they say where they came from or where they were going?” Sharampf asked.
Glayda furrowed her brow for a moment. “They said they were just passing through. Going to Vahness I think. The orc had to do some training there or something.”
Vahness was a mountain village filled with artists and artisans. Down in the surrounding fields were farmers, who were respected just as much as the rest of the citizens of Vahness. It was a peaceful town sought out by many people throughout the entire world of Merrin.
High in the mountaintops above Vahness was a sacred temple that housed paladins from around the world. The paladins oversaw the protection of Vahness, and Vahness left them alone.
During the war, the paladins of Vahness had remained neutral until their temple was attacked by undead monstrosities led by a powerful lich.
“Did you happen to get their names?” Sharampf asked.
“Yeah. The human there, her name is Rysa. The halfling’s name is Hoff and the orc was Shezob. Those two have been splashing quite a bit of money around. Buying drinks and gambling at Thrice Dice. They’ve barely won anything, but they enjoy it.”
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Glayda returned to the kitchen as Sharampf and Fenrick continued to watch the wild trio.
“Hmm, do you think maybe we should get to know them?” Sharampf asked.
“They could be potential rivals for jobs here. Sure, why not?” Fenrick grinned. The two of them moseyed over to Bodwyn and his new companions.
“Ah, Fenrick, Sharampf, I want you to meet these two.” Bodwyn clapped his hands around their necks and pulled them in close. “These are my friends, Sharampf and Fenrick.”
“Hoff.” The halfling somehow managed the slur a single word.
“Rysa.” The tall human woman looked the other two over and gave her hand to shake. As she shook Fenrick’s hand, he refused to let go for a moment.
“Can you be so kind and return our friend Bodwyn’s ring?” Rysa snatched her hand away as if offended but then broke into a smile and plucked a ring off her finger and handed it back to Bodwyn.
“Your friend there is quite perceptive. I would’ve given it back if you had noticed.” Bodwyn took the ring back and flashed a smile at Rysa.
“So what brings you to Cobbleson?” Fenrick asked.
“Travelling to Vahness with a friend,” said Rysa.
“I’ve always wanted to see that place,” said Bodwyn.
“You could always come with us, if you’re strong enough,” Hoff interrupted. He sized the trio up and gave a smug look before downing more beer.
“Maybe in our own time. For now, we’re making some money here.” explained Sharampf.
“We’ve got loads of it,” bragged Rysa.
“Oh yeah?” Bodwyn asked.
“We fought a dangerous beast in a cave. It had loads of loot. Failed adventurers before us. We got to keep it, of course.” A coin flipped across Rysa’s knuckles.
“Look at this new axe I got.” Hoff slammed his axe on the table and Fenrick noticed the runes that adorned the axe head.
“That’s gremlin magic,” said Fenrick.
“Yup. Gremlin weapon too.” Hoff puffed his chest.
Gremlins were an underground dwelling race. They had long muscular arms and short legs, they walked by putting out their long arms and swinging the rest of their body in line with their arms. Their skin was a deep purple that was cool to the touch.
They were obsessed with anything to do with rocks and precious gems and thought that work with metal changed what was “natural” about the earth. Through their rune magic, the stone weapons were as durable as the finest metal.
The spiritual leaders of the gremlin tribes were known as Stone Shepherds. They could move the earth and shape it to their will.
The Stone Shepherds also raised earth elementals, rearing them from babies into powerful tools and weapons.
During the war, Fenrick had seen their elite troops in battle. Known as Worm Riders, these gremlins had formed a telepathic bond with colossal, ancient worms that burrowed through the earth at immense speed. With razor-sharp toothy maws and skin tougher than any armour, they were incredibly dangerous.
“What makes it so special?” Bodwyn had to ask.
“Well, the enchantments on it may seem basic, but they’re useful,” explained Hoff. “It will never break. There are also two command words in the gremlin tongue. One turns solid stone into mud. The other summons a small earth elemental that will follow my every command." Hoff raised his axe like a trophy.
“Can you turn it back to solid stone?” Bodwyn asked.
“No.” Hoff put his axe back on the table.
“What was the monster you defeated?” Fenrick’s curiosity had gotten the better of him.
“A manticore,” it was Rysa who swelled with pride now.
“Wow, really? Have you ever fought one of those before Fenrick?” Bodwyn asked.
“Not directly, no. But I’ve seen one or two. I saw a knight riding one into battle once. It was a frightening sight to behold. Some are said to be almost as powerful as dragons. You’re lucky to still be alive.” Fenrick felt a respect for them start to grow.
“There was only a nest of two baby manticores, the mother was out hunting.” A voice boomed and the whole room fell into silence.
Standing in the doorway was a tall and burly female orc. She had a dark greyish green skin. Her tusks were much more pronounced than Sharampf’s. She wore baggy pants and a simple vest. Half her head was shaved, with the other half long, red, and pulled back into a tail.
The whole room burst into laughter as Rysa’s and Hoff’s faces turned red with embarrassment.
“We’ll go slay a ferocious beast!” Bodwyn proclaimed. He was eager to take the attention away from the new group. “Are there any troublesome beasts not too far from here that we can hunt?”
The room stayed silent for a few moments before someone in the corner of the room spoke up. Nobody had noticed the patron before. They wore a thick green leather coat over a black leather jerkin. A hood covered their head and their brown leather boots were caked in mud.
“I’ve been tracking an ogre the last couple of days. As you know, they are much too dangerous for one person to take on. I’d be willing to split the pay if you were to help me slay the beast.”
“Done.” Bodwyn made sure his agreeance could be heard by all.
“Good. I’ll meet you on the edge of town tomorrow morning at the crack of dawn.” With that, the cloaked figure walked upstairs. The tavern resumed to its rowdy partying, having forgotten the bragging lies told by Rysa and Hoff.