Background

Character Details

Slurry Shankmaw - aka "Cricket"

Name:         Slurry Shankmaw
Alias:        Cricket
Race:         Goblin
Class:        Bard
Level:        1st
Alignment:    Chaotic Neutral 

Age:          6 years old
Height:       2'11"
Weight:       35 lbs
Hair:         Bald
Eyes:         Red
Homeland:     Bushwick
Language:     Common
Language:     Goblin 

Experience:       0 xp
Next Level:   2,000 xp
To Level:     2,000 xp

Hit Dice:       1d8
Hit Points:       9 hp
Currently:        9 hp

Background Details

Plegma - Mother

Slurry was raised by a mother, Phlegma, and his father, Rerch. Slurry was the youngest of 15 children, and the runt of the family. Rerch, was a miner, passing along his underground skills and his knowledge of dungeoneering.

Rerch - Father

Growing up in such a large family, Slurry always had to fight to get enough food. As he reached adulthood, it became clear that years of undernourishment stunted some of his physical development, and he can now carry about a third less than his brothers. In addition, Slurry has always been a sneezer. Anytime that it rains or snows, he becomes susceptible to a cold.

Slurry's goblin heritage did give him a significant advantage to hearing, however, giving him the ability to briefly listen to nearly anything within sight.

When it was time to leave home, Slurry set out with his share of the inheritance, a great fortune of 220 gold pieces. When he arrived in town, however, a catfolk street vendor who spoke of himself in the third person, offered him a chance to double his money playing a shell game. His name was Raki Redcoat.

Raki the Reasonable - Rival and Jerkface Thief-Liar

His gullibility cost him half his wealth, and now he has a tendency to counsel others so as to help them avoid chronic addictive habits or gullibility. When Slurry tried to caution the townsfolk against Raki's schemes, the charlatan used another man from the town to demonstrate his sincerity and now Slurry is a considered a known liar. The town's hirelings laughed him away when he tried to purchase passage to the next town. Eventually, the guards began to harass him, an experience that has left him sorely distrustful of soldiers and guards, which usually causes him to antagonize them.

During one of the many run ins he had with the guards, Slurry noticed that a tomcat was hissing and making all manner of racket. After investigating, he discovered that the cat had cornered and injured a poor rat. When he chased off the cat, the victim was left in tatters. Slurry decided that this was an appropriate name and he began to nurse the rat back to health.

With his only companion, Slurry decided to leave the foul town behind and make the perilous journey through the wilds himself. After spending a week sleeping in the wilderness, he remembered how rejuvenating it felt, and even Tatters had begun to recover.

But the road was not without dangers, and when he was ambushed by fifteen giant attackers and their colossal beast, he swiftly drew his rapier in the vain hope of defending himself. The attackers used some sort of bright flash that near his eyes, leaving him sensitive to sudden changes in light. As a last resort, Slurry scurried up a tree using pole climbing skilled he'd learned as a child.

Fifteen Giant Attackers and their Colossal Beast

The following day, while sniffling and sneezing in the rain, a traveler with a tent, another goblin named Zowg the Bonebard, came upon him and offered to join him the rest of the way. Zowg sang throughout the journey, inspiring Slurry. After the third day, Slurry asked Zowg to begin teaching him the songs.

Zowg the Bonebard - Mentor & Inspiration

After one particular night's performance, Slurry came upon a drunken Sylph sitting at the bar in the tavern sucking back ale and teetering precariously upon his stool. Slurry introduced himself and quickly proceeded to expound upon the virtues of moderation and the dangers of the devil's drink and other temptations. After he'd spent the better part of the night counseling his new friend, Eydan, the Sylph turned and asked if the "Cricket" was still chirping. Ever since, he and Eydan have been fast friends, despite a significantly differing opinion on the virtues and vices of life.

Connections

PCs:
Eydan, Sylph Wizard: Friend and companion.

NPCs:
Zowg the Bonebard, Goblin: Bardic mentor and inspiration.
Raki the Reasonable, Catfolk: Rival and Jerkface Thief-Liar.

Location:
Shankmaw Cavern