The Loss of a Halfling!

[Larry Shortoak 297]

~*~

Larry spent days and days inside his burrow, the smell of pipeweed and ale escaping through the chimney, door, and windows. Sometimes a knock could be heard, however, Larry had never gotten to his feet quick enough to see who was there. The now ninety-one-year-old Halfling decided to contemplate his life and his decisions he had made for the Halflings and himself. As he thought, the often cheery Halfling frowned, sighing quite loudly as he realised how terrible he began to be towards the later years of his life. As he thought, he decided to write each member of his life that he believed had a major impact on him, even though his mind had begun to fade, he had never forgotten these individuals.

 

As Larry wrote, he smiled, yawned, smoked, drank and occasionally rose to his feet to fetch supplies. After he finished each letter, he tied them up into small rolls to leave on his messy desk, now covered in pieces of scrunched up parchment along with splashes of ink. Larry then rose to his large, hairy feet, stretching quite over-dramatically as he hobbled outside of his burrow. He looked around before reaching for his pipe only to feel his empty pocket. As he rushed back inside to retrieve it he realized what he wanted, and with this, he lit his pipe on the lit fireplace before he hobbled away from the village, waving goodbye to his friends and family.

 

“See’ye ‘round every’un! I’ll be seein’ ye soon!” he yelled from the path.

 

On Larry’s long walk, through Sutica, across vast oceans on different ships he continued hobbling through the Wood Elven city. The Halfling continued walking, determined to make it to his destination, his gaze drifted upwards to the many different buildings, however, he continued to hobble on his way to the Druid Grove. After a long walk, beads of sweat forming on his forehead the small man made it to the grove. Larry knew what he wanted, however, he hadn’t the faintest idea on where to find his good friend and Archdruid, Toren.

 

As he walked around the grove he spoke with many different druids, dedicants, and others before finally finding Toren to discuss his ideas. Although both members were cautious of the plan, Toren agreed to help him. He explained the risks and the small Halfling remained strong, although shaken he collected what Toren had asked for.

 

A couple of days later, Larry met up with Toren again, this time, Toren was accompanied by Muildir. They had a small conversation before setting off in the same direction Larry had come from. The group heading straight for the Halfling village, talking and discussing plans as they walked. Larry lighting his pipe to keep himself calm as he walked, getting more and more nervous with each step.

 

Upon reaching the Halfling village, the trio took a deep breath of the smell of fresh wheat, beetroot and most importantly, pumpkins! The rustle and bustle of the village had seemed to be quieter after the entertainment the shogging tournament had brought days earlier. As they stopped in a small patch of land by the village the trio sat, talking about life, decisions, and certainty.

 

Larry said to the pair before he started, “If anythin’ ‘appens te me, go inte me burrow an’ sen’ the no’es on the desk. Don’ read the ones tha’ aren’ addressed te ye, or else I will come ou’ o’ me grave an’ smack the pair o’ ye!”. He almost shouted at the pair, and with that, Toren and Muildir rose to their feet, turned on their heels and walked inside of the small burrow.

 

While Toren and Muildir were collecting the notes, silence surrounded the burrow and the village, the two crouching around the burrow as they searched for his desk. As the nosy pair looked around the burrow, loud muffled noises could be heard from the direction Larry had been. Due to the height of the burrow, the two dropped the notes they were carrying as they slowly made their way out of the burrow before rushing over towards the muffled noises.

 

As the two approached cautiously, they noticed Larry’s pipe resting on the ground, something that never left Larry’s side. The two were worried for their small friend, they quickly scoured the area for any signs of the Halfling with no luck. Their friend had vanished, the loud scared and pained noises they had heard had turned into an eerie silence.

 

Before leaving, each would pray to the Aspects regarding Larry’s well-being whether alive or dead. Toren remaining rather silent as he bent down to pick up the small pipe before sliding it into his pocket before turning on his heels to follow Muildir back to the burrow, this time waiting outside for him to exit with the handful of notes. Muildir would take out his own letter, handing another to Toren before setting off with a sigh.

 

A number of days later, the notes would be sent out, by a bird, by mammal or hand delivery.

~*~

[!]

The following notes are all nicely written with Larry’s signature on the bottom of each parchment, each note beginning the same way.

If this note has been delivered, then most likely the news of my death will travel with it. I attempted something that I cannot go into much detail about and I have probably perished because of this process.

~*~

The Halflings

Spoiler

 

To all Halflings, I am sorry this has happened, I hope all I have done over the years has managed to make a life for you as easy as it could be. If you received this letter then that means the Elder position is vacant and I am sorry to do this to you. I hope everything turns out well for you all because I cared for each of you like you were family and as such I attempted to help all of you whenever I could. I gave my life to assist you, I was Mayor, Elder, Sheriff and a nobody when I first arrived in Goodborough. Thank you, everyone, for all you have done, you made for great times and I hope you continue to drink and party long after I am gone. Until we all meet again.

I’ll see all of you around, I’ll have the kegs ready.

A list of Halflings have been named at the bottom for an honorable mention:

- Berilac Overhill

- Rupert and Milo Herbwallow

- The Willowbottoms

- All Peregrins

- All Shortoaks

 

 

 

 

 

~*~

To Naffog

Spoiler

 

Naffog, you were one of my closest friends, more so a brother rather than a friend. From the days of Goodborough to this day I have always looked up to you. . . Sorry, that was a bad joke. The first time we met I was surprised you weren’t ready to eat me and since we became friends on that day, you have always helped me from the death of my wife to my son and I have never forgotten that. I apologise for the few visits and talks we have had in the past and I wish I could change that. I hope while I am gone you will reach out to the Halflings to regain the Edict’s strong connection with them once again. Don’t mourn me like I know you will, I am sure we will meet again, until then Naff.

I’ll see you around.

 

 

 

 

 

~*~

The Edict

Spoiler

The Edict, I never would have thought that we would ever get so close, from the days of Goodborough to the recent times when we couldn’t be more spread apart. I am sorry I didn’t visit enough, the cold weather was always difficult for my leg and I am sorry we never got to spend more time together. I cared for all of you after all the ways you looked after me and the Halflings, I don't think I will be able to repay you for that.

 

 

~*~

Muildir Tarbis

Spoiler

Muildir, friends for a long time now. I am glad we met and became close, you have helped me greatly and we had many great times. I miss the days of the Edict when we were always joking, however, it seems that the days have become a little more serious in recent times. I hope you lighten up and open up like you once did. Release your inner Halfling my friend.

I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.

1

 

 

 

~*~

Toren Tarbis

Spoiler

Toren. You stubborn idiot, we were great friends even though you hate everyone. This is where I would laugh or wink at you, but since I can’t I will write it so you know I am joking, I know you struggle with those. Don’t work yourself too hard, and don’t miss me too much, just imagine I was shorter than before and you just can’t see me. Shouldn’t be too difficult.

I’ll miss you friend.

Also! Place some railings around the grove! I don’t want you using those vines to push people off like you did me!

 

~*~

Aiden

Spoiler

Aiden, we weren’t friends long, but they were good times, from the first few days we met all the way up to the final time we spoke on the snowy mountain watching the phoenix rebirth. Don't go changing again, should be easier this time, but I hope we see each other soon. We had good times and you were always fun to talk with, I’ll see you soon friend, even though you never came to visit.

 

 

 

 

~*~

The Druids

Spoiler

To the Druids, I know we weren’t together too long but you welcomed me, even when sometimes you didn't notice I was there, sorry about the height joke, but, from the shuffling of guides to teachers, all because this little Halfling wasn’t too lucky when it came to those. I hope I brought some form of happiness and joy around the groves as it seemed like something bad was always around the corner.

 

 

 

 

 

~*~

Everyone else who wasn't mentioned

Spoiler

The last notice is sent around to anyone else that was on a small list not mentioned personally that had an impact on Larry, it read: To everyone who didn’t get a personal message, I apologise for leaving you out. I appreciate all you have done for me, but my hand was starting to hurt and I have somewhere to be. I hope I see you all again soon.

 

 

 

 

 

~*~

[Jygg 330]

Za'Kabar sits at his desk, humming softly to himself as he lightly sips from a glass bottle. He glances over the numerous piles of paper and books on his desk, shrugging his shoulders. "Work lawter, drink fawr na'ow." He leans back into his chair, sipping from the bottle once again. Suddenly, a loud caw reaches the druid's ears. A raven flies into the office, landing on the druid's shoulder. The raven bops its head from left to right, cawing loudly and frantically. Za's eyes go wide as he listens to the raven, his grip tightening around the bottle. "Bullshwite... Shortoak cawn't be dead..." The raven continues to caw frantically before it proceeds to quickly fly out of the office. Za lets out a roar of anger, throwing the bottle against the wall of the room, causing it to shatter into many pieces. His chest rises and falls heavily as he grips the end of the table, shaking his head slowly. "It's... Jawst da natural cycle..." He soon falls silent, sinking back into his seat.

[DahStalker 3692]

Somewhere within the Isles of Axios stands a  lithe woman. Upon hearing the drastic news she'd release a gentle exhale, boney digits coiling about the stem of a chalice, supporting the bowl by the tips of her fingers. "Ah, yet again thy Aspects have chosen another and cut the string of their life into yet mere

threads. Mm, forgive me for the agony I've caused you to obtain during your short lifetime. You didn't even have the damned curtesy to put your true initials." With a brief shrug the woman hefted the chalice of wine upwards before tilting the rim against her thin lips to down the contents, leaving it behind atop a smooth surface before trudging away with the faintest tinge of remorse and sadness.

[Sentis 39]

A somber smile crosses Sentis' face as he hears the news via the letter addressed to the Edict. Finding a small cliff to sit on in the Dwarven mountains, he carefully puffs at his own pipe, reminiscing as the sweet smoke curls around his head. As he loses himself in his many happy memories with the Halflings since Goodborough, he looks to the sky. 

 

"May the Aspects guide you in the next life, llir. You have earned your rest a thousand times over."

[Ardelenia 2]

After hearing the news of his former soon-to-be neighbor, Halder Tarnley would begin mentioning to other halflings around the village that perhaps a road should be named in memory of Larry.

[Starfelt 1437]

Aiden would sit quietly by the shore of the druid grove. The gentle recurring noise of the oceans waves. He'd slowly begin to open the note, his fingers tracing over the words as he read them. "N-no" He'd murmur as he reaches the end of the note "Larry..." He'd mumble again. Slowly tears would begin to well in the corners of his eyes. "I should have come visited you.." He'd say as he gently folds the note back up, moving to place it in his pocket. "I'm sorry..." He'd murmur again. Tears beginning to slowly roll down his cheeks. Aiden would slowly get up, wandering around the grove, his eyes puffy and red. He'd stop at every druid, telling them of Larry's passing. Slowly he'd make it up to where he last saw Larry. A top the mountain, beside the cherry tree. "G-goodbye brother.." He'd murmur lightly "May the aspects guide you, beaver druid" He'd say as he removed his staff from his back and slowly raised it into the air, his eyes slowly glowing a vibrant golden color, the color seeming to seep down into his tattoo's. Within a few moments a small sprout would begin to grow out of the earth, slowly but surely it'd continue to grow, raising into the air, after a small amount of time, a beautiful cherry tree would be grown there, right beside the previous one "Farewell Larry" He'd murmur, before moving to curl up beside the roots of the trees.

[MangoArt 399]

A grief stricken halfling stays in his home, looking over the letter addressed to all halflings. Merry took a long sip of Applebrook brew and sobbed softly.

 

 

Petyr is re-united for a short period with the old Sheriff, both of them being deceased.