What do you mean, a smiling dwarf?!
It was about two decades ago when Strondin came to town. He was bloody and beaten, and refused to tell anyone about what happened to him. Without a copper to his name, he was given treatment by Zayep of the Brotherhood of Olios.
A few weeks later, and Strondin was getting by doing odd jobs around town for whatever folks would pay. A year later, and he purchased a tavern that was in rough shape and started work on it. Now, known as The Red Fern, his place and its owner are doing great.
Strondin Greyspine
Medium humanoid (Dwarf Bartender), Neutral Good
- Armor Class 13 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 32 (4d8+12)
- Speed 25
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
- Saving Throws Str +4, Con +4
- Skills Insight +6, Intimidation +4, Investigation +4
- Damage Resistances Poison
- Senses darkvision 60', Passive Perception 12
- Languages Common, Dwarven
- Challenge 4 (1,100 XP)
Barkeep Resilience. Strondin has advantage on saving throws against poison, spells, and illusions, as well as to resist being charmed or paralyzed.
Actions
Multiattack. Strondin Greyspine makes two attacks with a beer stein in each of his massive hands.
Improvised Weapon. Attack Style: Dual beer steins Reach/Range: one target. Hit: +2 to hit (str) Damage Type 1d6+2 ea.
Leadership (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). For 1 minute, Strondin can utter a special command or warning whenever a nonhostile creature that it can see within 30' of it makes an attack roll or a saving throw. The creature can add a d8 to its roll provided it can hear and understand Strondin. A creature can benefit from only one Leadership die at a time. This effect ends if Strondin Greyspine is incapacitated.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). Strondin Greyspine deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage when he hits a target within 5' of an ally that isn't incapacitated and Strondin doesn't have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Roleplaying
Strondin likes his own product just a little too much. Generally a light hearted and friendly soul, Strondin will only get grumpy if someone presses him about his past.
As the evening (and drinks) wear on, he's been known to take his shirt off to "properly enjoy the night!" and show people his tattoos.
When people ask about his time before the bar, he will drop all friendliness from his demeanor and simply reply with "Let the past stay there." unless pressed further.
If anyone pushes further, he will immediately stop socializing with the offending party and try to engage another group in discussion to get his mind off it.
If the offending party still pursues the issue, Strondin will attempt to bodily remove them from his bar.
A Tale of Woe
It really is difficult to uncover the true history of the man known as Strondin, but not impossible. If someone manages to uncover it by whatever means, his story essentially boils down to this: He was a member of a grand adventuring party that was killed off when one of their own betrayed them at the worst possible moment. One of the dead was a woman he loved. Strondin once read a book about the idea that red ferns grow where heroes fall, and this is where the name of the tavern was born (though he never tells people that).
