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Download this NPC in a ready-to-print character sheet. Possessions: Masterwork greatsword, belt pouch (containing 6 smooth throwing rocks*), 2 belt pouches containing random “neat-oh” stuff (feathers, bolt from a wagon wheel, bird claw, piece of wire, etc.), peasant’s clothes, signet ring, fish hooks, fishing line. * Kepper is proficient with his smooth throwing rocks, a simple thrown weapon dealing 1d3/x2 damage, or 1d4/x2 if sized for a Medium character. Height: Short, even for his age Background: Kepper was orphaned when his father, Harker Mandkin, left him to battle an impending Troll onslaught. His mother had died shortly after giving birth to him. Kepper's father, a paladin stationed at a small citadel near an elven city, raised him lovingly and in the best way he knew how after Kepper’s mother had passed away. A few short years passed as they grew close – always remembering with honor the dearly departed wife and mother. Not enough years passed to allow Kepper to fully mature before all the knights of the citadel were slain when they tried desperately to stall an impending horde of vile, corrupted trolls. Kepper, along with all the other children in the citadel became orphans within a few short hours. The paladins' desperate assault on the troll horde worked well enough for the nearby elven city to raise their troops to drive back and finally obliterate the vile beasts. The elven warlords returned to their home, but not before checking on the orphans of the citadel. Notoriously free-thinking, the elves decided to leave the human orphans to their own devices. The eldest orphan, a strong-spirited teenager named Rudder, was officially recognized by the elven warlords as being responsible for his younger compatriots. Leaving what supplies they had on them and the equipment they had found on the knights' bodies, the elven warlords rode the remaining half-day's ride to their home - vowing to return at need with the blow of the signal horn mounted atop the upper tower of the citadel. Rudder soon elected several of the older orphans to be his "Commanders" - and it would be Kepper that would challenge each and every one, saying that because his dad was a company commander, that he deserved to be a "Commander" more than anyone else there. Kepper's plea was mostly met with laughs, until the strongest of the newly elected Commanders, a largish boy by the name of Doogan, came forward and laid his sword at Kepper's feet vowing to support his claim and station. Doogan’s father had served under the command of Harker Mandkin and after seeing the young Kepper’s unbreakable spirit as he challenged each new Commander, he was moved to give his undying loyalty to the small youth (just as his father had often told of his own pledge of loyalty to Commander Harker). Kepper, literally dragging his father's favorite greatsword (returned to him by the elven warlords), stepped forward amid a few snickers and laughs - that were quickly quelled by the stern stare of his new friend, Doogan - to accept his signet ring representing his new station as garrison commander. Doogan backs Kepper’s every decision when he is there - not very often really, since Kepper loves to swim, climb, run-around and practice with his father's greatsword. Although Kepper has acquired the name Short Sword, it is not because he practices so much, but because he is constantly dragging the sword everywhere he goes. He has, good-naturedly, adopted this new name with pride knowing that 'someday' he will be able to use this sword to exact revenge on those that took his father from him. Short Sword always makes sure that he is there at the gate when visitors arrive (especially the elves - whom he has learned to converse with). Personality: Surprisingly single-minded for a child of his age, he is rarely further than an arms length away from his father's sword (he can be caught holding onto it like another child might hold onto a security blanket). His moods are sometimes random though, struck with periods of malaise or tearful remembrances, nearly as much as they are chipper and excited by new things—but this is not to say that he is scattered all the time. He is just a kid that sometimes misses his daddy (usually when he stops or becomes quiet for any length of time). Use as an NPC: Short Sword can be used to tug at the 'knightly' PCs’ heartstrings, or to amuse those that expect a somewhat different "guard captain” as Kepper, dragging a sword on the ground that is nearly twice his height, comes walking out to challenge the PCs’ identity before allowing them an audience with the 'head commander.' Since he enjoys spending so much time with the elves when they visit, he obviously can be a source of info for local legends and happenings. Kepper is easily a fantastic NPC for any campaign that runs for years of in-game time. He can mature into several different directions - becoming more LG and following his father's footsteps as a paladin, or staying more revenge-oriented to become a ranger with trolls as favored enemies—even seeing him become a standard fighter specializing with a greatsword is a viable option. |
