Small Stature, Big Heart - Pipp the Halfling Bard

News travelled fast about the attack on Greenest. The people of Berdusk  were afraid they would be next in line to be set upon by these evil Cultists. Larger than Greenest, as a proper city, it was easier for them to make preparations but could they survive the onslaught of a Dragon?

More alarmingly, the members of the Bardic College was even more worried as one of their own, Jemnes Hedare was one of the captured hostages. Luckily though he had been rescued and rumours were growing that it was thanks to three brave Adventurers who just happened to arrive with a trade caravan as the attack was underway. Details were uncertain but many believed that Jemnes owed his life to these brave Heroes.

Pipp studied at the College under the Master Bard and she had a fondness for him - he was a very good teacher and much loved by all his students. Under his flamboyant façade was a man who inspired those around him to do the right thing. So she was relieved to hear the good news that he was safe and well and she was more excited at the news that he had plans to return soon to Berdusk having finished his countryside holiday at his family's ranch in Greenest. She was most interested in hearing every little detail about his ordeal as well as the details of those that saved him.

Growing up on one of the farmsteads near Berdusk, Pipp had a certain feeling that she wanted more out of life. Unlike most other Halflings who were content to happily work the fields, merrily singing away while they toiled the Earth, she craved adventure. She wanted to see more, and do more. But she could not deny her Halfling nature as she also felt at home singing a song or tapping out a rhythm as music was in her blood.

As she got older, she would accompany her parents as they carted their crops to Berdusk to be sold at Market. Pipp loved the thrill each time they came close to the brides that would cross the river into the city - she had never seen such a large place! She wondered what Baldur's Gate must look like in comparison - she couldn't imagine it!

She loved seeing the different musicians and performers on the streets of Berdusk entertaining passers-by. And the pull of the sound of merriment as it poured out of the different taverns they passed on their way to the Market.

Pipp pleaded with her parents to let her watch them to which they reluctantly agreed as long as she would stay safe and meet them at the Market. She followed their instructions and would scurry away to look for the largest crowds of people to see what they were watching. As a Halfling, it was easy for her to nimbly squirm to the front of the crowds to get the best look at one musician or another acrobat or someone doing a dance routine. She loved it! And she always had a few spare copper pieces tucked away to offer to the performers for she though that a Bard lives their lives from one moment to the next and she wanted to help contribute to this, plus she thought it must be difficult to study at the Bardic College so every little piece could help. And of course, the gift of music always deserved to be rewarded.

It was on one of these occasions when the sweet melodies drew her into the Flourished Flagon that she met the Master Bard Jemnes Hedare. He was performing there and she found his performance absolutely captivating. He was singing crowd favourites and everyone was singing along and tapping their feet. This was the best!

When his performance was finished, she wanted to meet the Master Bard to learn more - perhaps he would give at least one piece of advice or wisdom that would help her. So she rushed up to him, dodging the different revellers who were trying to get him to play at least one more song which he graciously had to apologise for as he said his throat was getting rather dry which resulted in not one mug of Ale which he happily accepted (this certainly must be one of the perks of being a Master Bard Pipp thought to herself!).

He met her with a warm smile and Jemnes happily engaged Pipp in conversation. To her delight, he shared more than just one nugget of wisdom. She was entranced by the different stories of bravery and adventure he had to tell. And in turn he had asked about Pipp's background and if it was true that Halflings had a naturel talent for music. Pipp confirmed it and Jemnes asked her to give a brief sampling as he had never heard a proper Halfling song.

Pipp was overjoyed and equally nervous to perform for Jemnes. She didn't have her instruments on her but she was quick witted and so she managed to grab a plate and a spoon from the table and she played the beat of one of the songs her family sang while working in the field. It was a melancholic song about love and sadness and redemption. 

She was so caught up in the moment that she didn't notice that she was no longer singing for just Jemnes but there was a small crowd around her forming, enjoying her ballad. And they all started to clap along. Once she finished and put her improvised musical instrument down, Pipp became shocked to hear the crowd asking for another one. This time though, the Master Bard gave her his fiddle, asking if she could play it. She eagerly took it and said, yes of course, and played another tune, a faster song which they played during evening celebrations after the harvest - it was about giving thanks for the bounty of the many wonderful meals that everyone would be enjoying thanks to the good crop. 

This continued for a few more songs, the crowds getting bigger and bigger. She lost total lack of time as she kept playing and singing and dancing. She didn't realise that her parents became worried and were looking everywhere for her. Luckily they recognised her voice and could see their daughter performing for the large crowd in the Tavern. They knew enough about her daughter that her future was not meant to work the fields. She had siblings who would gladly do that instead, No, for Pipp, life had bigger plans.

So when finished, Jemnes and Pipp left the Flourishing Flagon and Pipp met her parent's eyes, embarrassed that she had lost such track of time. Her parents were just glad that she was safe and they were happy to see her so engaged and it was joyous to watch her peform.

Jemnes greeted Pipp's parents and said that she has real natural talent and that he would be happy to finance a place for her at the Bardic college. Pipp couldn't believe her ears. Her parents could tell their daughter was about to burst so before she could ask, they already announced to Pipp that they would fully support her in this endeavour. 

And this was how she became enrolled into the Bardic College of Berdusk and began her studies a few years ago. Since then, she had chances to refine her skills, learn new instruments (the flute and dulcimer add to her skills of hand drum and fiddle) and also learning new dances from so many different regions and races. She loved performing and she earned good coin performing at the different inns and taverns in Berdusk all while pursuing her studies. 

And Pipp had opportunities to learn from Jemnes and she loved hearing his stories of danger and adventure. 

So she was eagerly waiting for his return to hear the latest adventure and to learn about 3 new Heroes - the Heroes of Greenest. 

She would very much like to meet them she thought to herself. And she would really like to have big adventures of her own. She was worried about these Cultists and wanted to do her part to try to save those around her. 

Hopefully soon!

---