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Cranky was christened Perrywinkle McGillicutty. His family was originally from Luiren, the center of Halfling culture. During the Spellplague, the city was inundated and now is considered the bay of Luiren. Cranky does not remember much of the disaster and subsequent wondering, as he was only a wee lad when the disaster struck. His family finally settled in Amn, one family of many refugees, attempting to make a new life for themselves in an unfamiliar land.
Family and friends began to call Perrywinkle “Cranky” when he was just seven years old. Usually a mild mannered, inquisitive child, when angered, he becomes cantankerous, usually taking a belligerent stand, often causing harm on his opponent. An encounter with a Human bully when he was thirteen years of age cemented his name for all time and began his reputation as a war slinger. There was a Human bully that used to pick on the Halfling children in the neighborhood in which he lived. One day, the bully decided to extort a few coppers from Cranky. At first laughing off the attempt, Cranky reverted to his namesake, spitting out expletives as he grabbed his sling. The bully, thinking the diminutive Halfling easy pickings, swung at the Cranky, who easily dodged the lumbering brutes attack and then slashed him across the eyes with his empty sling. Confused at the first Halfling with the temerity to defend himself, he backed a few paces, looking around himself for support from his friends. This gave Cranky a chance to put stone to leather and a few seconds later, the oaf was laying upon the hard packed dirt, his hands between his legs, begging for mercy. Needless to say, nobody ever accosted Cranky again.
One day Cranky was reading about the different Halfling Gods, never before thinking about the subject, always relying on himself for life's achievements. However, as he came to a page concerning Brandobaris, he instantly took a liking to the roguish figure. I seemed to call out to his chaotic and devil may care attitude. For a period, starting about age nine, he read incessantly any books with a mere mention of the God. In some cases, Cranky tried to emulate the God's adventures and for a time, became a sneak thief, until he was caught by a kindly Human woman who put the fear of the law in him, but never turned him in. Of course, his family was aghast at the prospect of a Stoutheart Halfling worshiping Brandobaris, but true to his nature, Cranky did not care, only sticking even more closely to his chosen deity.
Cranky soon became famous amongst his kin, winning many awards and even helping the local militia fend off bandits along the main caravan route linking Amn with Calimshan and Baldur’s Gate. When Cranky celebrated his 17th birthday, he decided to take an offered position as a mercenary caravan guard for a fat merchant by the name of Quarth. He soon rose to the rank of Sergeant, supporting the captain of a mercenary company. He traveled from Amn, to Maztica, Calimshan, Baldur’s Gate, Moonshaes, and even Chult, all the while using his sling in defense of the goods of Quarth. In the five years he worked for the fat merchant, the mercenary company never lost an ounce of goods.
Growing bored with the routine duty of guarding caravans, Cranky decided he needed a change. He told Quarth and the mercenary Captain that he would only guard one more caravan, that heading towards a little known city called Sundren. Once he arrived at the gates, he knew that he was home, at least for the moment. He quickly made the acquaintance of the Sergeant of the Blackwood Mercenary Company, Julia Averson, the Brigadier, Thuld, and a new recruit, Pebbles. Pebbles were also a war slinger and they fought many a battle. Pebbles at last succumbed to a dagger thrust in the midst of the Duergar tunnels.
Cranky is now a Footsoldier in the Blackwood Company and is training a new war slinger by the name of Paddy.
Family and friends began to call Perrywinkle “Cranky” when he was just seven years old. Usually a mild mannered, inquisitive child, when angered, he becomes cantankerous, usually taking a belligerent stand, often causing harm on his opponent. An encounter with a Human bully when he was thirteen years of age cemented his name for all time and began his reputation as a war slinger. There was a Human bully that used to pick on the Halfling children in the neighborhood in which he lived. One day, the bully decided to extort a few coppers from Cranky. At first laughing off the attempt, Cranky reverted to his namesake, spitting out expletives as he grabbed his sling. The bully, thinking the diminutive Halfling easy pickings, swung at the Cranky, who easily dodged the lumbering brutes attack and then slashed him across the eyes with his empty sling. Confused at the first Halfling with the temerity to defend himself, he backed a few paces, looking around himself for support from his friends. This gave Cranky a chance to put stone to leather and a few seconds later, the oaf was laying upon the hard packed dirt, his hands between his legs, begging for mercy. Needless to say, nobody ever accosted Cranky again.
One day Cranky was reading about the different Halfling Gods, never before thinking about the subject, always relying on himself for life's achievements. However, as he came to a page concerning Brandobaris, he instantly took a liking to the roguish figure. I seemed to call out to his chaotic and devil may care attitude. For a period, starting about age nine, he read incessantly any books with a mere mention of the God. In some cases, Cranky tried to emulate the God's adventures and for a time, became a sneak thief, until he was caught by a kindly Human woman who put the fear of the law in him, but never turned him in. Of course, his family was aghast at the prospect of a Stoutheart Halfling worshiping Brandobaris, but true to his nature, Cranky did not care, only sticking even more closely to his chosen deity.
Cranky soon became famous amongst his kin, winning many awards and even helping the local militia fend off bandits along the main caravan route linking Amn with Calimshan and Baldur’s Gate. When Cranky celebrated his 17th birthday, he decided to take an offered position as a mercenary caravan guard for a fat merchant by the name of Quarth. He soon rose to the rank of Sergeant, supporting the captain of a mercenary company. He traveled from Amn, to Maztica, Calimshan, Baldur’s Gate, Moonshaes, and even Chult, all the while using his sling in defense of the goods of Quarth. In the five years he worked for the fat merchant, the mercenary company never lost an ounce of goods.
Growing bored with the routine duty of guarding caravans, Cranky decided he needed a change. He told Quarth and the mercenary Captain that he would only guard one more caravan, that heading towards a little known city called Sundren. Once he arrived at the gates, he knew that he was home, at least for the moment. He quickly made the acquaintance of the Sergeant of the Blackwood Mercenary Company, Julia Averson, the Brigadier, Thuld, and a new recruit, Pebbles. Pebbles were also a war slinger and they fought many a battle. Pebbles at last succumbed to a dagger thrust in the midst of the Duergar tunnels.
Cranky is now a Footsoldier in the Blackwood Company and is training a new war slinger by the name of Paddy.