ArgentEra

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.”

((How do you respond?))
"A story? That I can do!" the halfling replies, tugging on the strap of his lute to pull from his back as he takes a seat across from the haggish woman. "Mine, my dear, is a tale of lost love."
The halfling speaks with his entire body, as some would say, each phrase emphasized by some flourish of the hand, which, given his diminutive stature, was almost comical. "I travel far and wide to find the one who has stolen my heart, and, of course, to bring her stories of my adventures once we finally meet again."

The bard fumbled with the strings as he tuned his instrument, "Thus far - I will admit, my stories are... lacking in substance," he said, "However! I intend to change that. To learn of all the amazing places the world has to offer, to write songs and tell stories of their splendor. That is assuming I don't ... get killed first."

He paused a moment, as if something finally clicked in his mind, "Wait, you've heard of me?" A grin spreads across his face, "Where did you hear about me? I would love to know where people know me from."
"Oh I merely knew some colorful stranger would come passing through," the woman replied, "Nothing so specific as names."
Seeing how confused the woman looked, he sighed dramatically, "Ah... read that wrong did I? Well, it's bound to happen. Apologies, I had hoped someone might have heard of my works. Not so easy to get your start these days as a musician."

"Even so, knowing a stranger's story tells me more than any rumor could," she said with a smile, "So continue, if you wish."
Alden nodded, taking the cue. "Well... I grew up in a traveler's life. My ma and da were traders, owned a small wagon and a couple of donkeys. We camped out every night, staying in inns when in towns." The musician said, shifting in his seat, ankle on knee,  "My ma is a brilliant woman, one heck of a temper though, and she was passionate for her work. She and da would buy ingredients from halfling villages when we stopped by them, and sell them to the folks who didn't live in the villages proper. Gave them a taste of home, she would always say. Not a fancy life, but one I appreciated." He chuckled, setting his lute to the side, seeming to give up on a song-filled performance. "She's still around, mind ye, she and da retired to one o' them, and she is very proud of her garden. Writes me letters sometimes."
Alden leaned back in his seat, gazing wistfully up at the ceiling, "I grew up around more humans than halflings, and picked up on their voice, much to my da's chagrin. Immersion it was, I think, helped me fit in. I decided to become a musician because of one o' them actually. Older fellow, played the flute and told the most wild stories. Not sure where he is now, but he was what inspired me.... Still think I'm not quite to that level yet. Every word he spoke he drew attention, as if people clung to his every word. I aim to be that good one day." he cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, "Not that I'm not good now, but... room for improvement, yeh know?"
"Tell me more about this... girl of yours. She seems important to you," the woman said with a crooked smile.
"Ah, well... Truth be told, I don't remember her face. I remember her laugh though, her smarts. She was quick fingered too, taking my wallet, and later my horse... which I didn't find out until morning," he said with a fond smile, leaning on his palms. "I met her at a tavern one night, had one too many, saw a lass sitting alone. I don't know why I fell for her... I think it was the challenge maybe. Eh, either way, I fell. A girl like her deserves someone that can keep her smilin' I think. And I've been told I can spin a yarn pretty nicely. So, I'm going to gather enough of them to share them for the rest of my life."
He cleared his throat, seeming to snap back to reality, "Ah - sorry. I tend to ramble when ye let me. What about yourself?"



OOC: Where would he start?
In truth, I am not entirely sure, and am more than open to suggestions. I thought perhaps a fun starting route would be to have him visit halfling settlements and try to connect to his roots more, given he has been on the road for so long. Alternatively, I might have him head toward more population-heavy cities, hoping to find fame.
I like the idea of him being a wanderer sort, moving from town to town every few weeks, gathering stories, writing poetry, and making connections around the world.