===== Oriole Pelleus =====
Appearance:Tall, thick, yet still nimble for a Hin. This aging jack-of-all-trades / master of none does not fit the general halfling concept. Well-kept and surprisingly fair hair for a Strongheart, he has stood out like a sore thumb amongst most of his kin for his entire life. Oriole favors heavier armors, a broad shield, and a shortsword over his peers' slings, daggers, and leather armors. Among his fun-loving kin, he appears sullen by contrast - as he generally maintains a straightforward and serious demeanor.
Speech:
Well-spoken and clearly educated beyond his original station. He speaks Common, Gnome, and Elven fluently. His speech is direct, his words are spoken passionately, and his words can cut to the marrow though he prefers to use such wording sparsely.
History:
Born in the rural areas of Tethyr, he is one of the many non-land-owning individuals in the kingdom. Working his hands to the bone as courier, smith, and guardian for his people, has expectantly brought little gold. As the small folk in Tethyr are not generally allowed to own land, and land ownership is what gives one a voice in the kingdom, he has had little recourse for the poor hand his family was dealt.
Oriole is a diligent servant of Avoreen and has always preferred the religious and martial life, intertwining both intentionally. There was a time in his life where he was frivolous and would rather joke, like much of his kin... but he could see, even then, the dark days of the future. The kingdom has long been overdue for a new heir and he knew he would see the days when Tethyr was again at war with itself. He has prepared his entire life for that day... those years... which have finally arrived.
There is talk of land reform...
There is talk of a just heir... an heir outside the royal family...
There is talk of liberty and he drinks this idea in. Oriole intends to accomplish what he can to see that it happens, whatever small part he may play in it. For the time now, there is a band of like-minded small folk gathering up and cooperating with each other. Gnomes and Halflings patrol the surrounding areas, protecting their respective kin. Rarity of wealth has brought with it poorly-equipped troops and the momentary influx of wealth from the raided Tethyr coffers will be short-lived. As always, they have been neglected and overlooked by the region's tall-folk. Oriole can see this problem developing and intends to get his fellow small folk the materials they need for defense. He does not know if the war will last months or years, but he knows that the small folk on the outlying portions of the cities are not prepared adequately. This good-hearted soldier-diplomat seeks to change this.
He learns of wealth and great knightly organizations in the Baldur's Gate area. He brings what refugees he can afford to ship with him, lands in the port, and seeks to accomplish his mission for the kin back home. As is his nature, he helps those he can along the way.