Buddy Crallsen

Buddy Crallsen is a dwarven Ranger, who first appeared in Out of the Abyss (mid-2019) and was later played in all of Justin's campaigns until his eventual retirement after the events of The Lost Citizens of Wakefield (mid-2020). He would then on be an NPC appearing in the adventures where Justin would DM, quite popular among players.

Appearance
Buddy is an able-bodied dwarven male with short, combed, auburn hair and a slightly scruffy beard that is at neck-length. He has blue eyes and fair skin, however with a slight tan from the days he spent in the sun through his daily busking in moderate light. Despite his dwarven heritage, the build of his body lacks muscle, therefore his flexibility and acrobatics may serve as a surprise to some this way, mostly due to his rather plumper figure.

Buddy has a presentable sense of fashion, often wearing clothes of black and grey leather and quality fabrics. He wears a black leather vest with the zipper and buckles down the left-centre, frilly shoulder pads and belt. He wears brown gloves and buckled boots, also made of leather. At times, when attending events, Buddy tends to wear a fedora that holds a small branch of rosemary on one side. On his person on days he is not actively adventuring or fighting, he tends to carry his lute on his back.

In later days during his retirement and on-and-off patrols in Phandalin, Buddy would be seen to have his beard grown out to chest-length and braided. There are small hints of grey hairs growing, however his lack of stress and happy-go-lucky attitude prevent these hairs from growing prominent.

Personality
"'I'm the active one, I usually perform throughout journeys to entertain my friends.'"Buddy's talents have benefitted him greatly throughout his journeys alone, with his brother Gregg, and with multiple adventuring parties throughout the Forgotten Realms. He was known to be the singing spirit constantly finding ways to see art and poetry everywhere. At off-days and off-nights, Buddy would be seen entertaining either his surrounding companions or the locals with his acts he used to present in Neverwinter. "'I want to make people laugh, it's my best thing to do.'"Aside from providing spectacular acts for his friends and admirers, Buddy at times would not need to stretch far to break a smile from some of the more serious faces... most of the time. Buddy was perceived greatly as the comic relief to his parties, whilst serving as a calming friend to those who were tense or upset. "'Conversation is key. I am relatively friendly, and wouldn't mind talking to anyone. When I'm drunk, everyone is my best friend.'"Buddy never shyed away from conversation, especially if nobody builds up the courage to speak to an intimidating presence. He is always the one to spark a diplomatic conversation rather than encouraging a brawl. Some would even say that he is the reason why not many bar fights happen in Phandalin. Even intoxicated or at the worst of spirits, Buddy is open to a nice chat or icebreaker. "'I hate getting close targets.'"As a ranger, Buddy was always a man or precision and distance. It can be evident through his strength that he never liked close-range combat due to his inability to pack enough power when handling melee weapons. During battles, he is often obscured behind large objects that would be hidden from his enemies' line of sight.

It Runs In The Family
Born to entertainers, Benjamin and Geena Crallsen, in a small mining village west of Phandalin, Budleigh "Buddy" Crallsen always had a reputation for talent and skills in the arts, not only for his own capabilities to draw in a crowd, but due to his well-renowned family's history. The Crallsens were known for their charismatic achievements within the entertainment industry of Neverwinter. Through generations, their natural talents in musical, acting and athleticism were made prominent names across the Sword Coast North.

From a young age, Buddy and his older brother Gregg were encouraged by their parents to pick up the vocal pipes, bow and arrow - mostly for the sake of impressing crowds on the streets, mostly outside local taverns as they were much too young to make a name within the buildings. However, their glowing personalities in comparison to the usual stone-faced dwarves around Neverwinter allowed them to hold shows for the adults of town. This took them far into the arts come later years, Gregg and Buddy finding stage companions well into their adulthood.

The Knights of Feathers
Reaching their young adult years, Gregg and Buddy moved into the inner city of Neverwinter to further pursue their talents. This time, they were able to perform in taverns, bars and pubs as they wished. They specifically favoured 'The Roaring Petal' after fancying a certain barmaid. It was only a matter of time until Gregg and Buddy stopped being only a duo act and branch towards a larger ensemble for their intriguing acts. In their usual quadrant of Neverwinter, performing on the regular was not easy for them, as most artists within their schedule were only mere travelers, mere visitors. The Crallsen Brothers kept their eyes and ears watching and listening through the streets, until realising that they were the only long-term acts on the road.

It was not until another duo started making appearances in Neverwinter. A two-man band, The Duskreek Boys, who came to Neverwinter from Phandalin, inspired by the works of the Crallsens. Struggling to hold their instruments attached to their person as they played, the two dwarves, Harold and Richard "Dicky" had the talent, gathering curiosity from the Crallsen Brothers - especially after noting their similarities. The brothers approached the two dwarven players with a match of music, thoroughly impressed by their skill. Quickly, the Crallsen Brothers offered their signage at The Roaring Petal to perform back to back sets. It didn't take long at all before The Duskreek Boys made their time beside The Crallsen Brothers.

After a number of weekly sets, both duos received some rather thought-provoking feedback, surprised by how they did not originally see this through upon meeting. There was much confusion among regulars at The Roaring Petal as to why both pairs have not performed together, mostly due to the misconception that they were all siblings. After both acts one dusk, the four dwarves sat at a booth and discussed the matter. The Crallsens mentioned their acknowledgement of similarities with style, dynamic and structure. The Duskreeks expressed their difficulties playing the handful of instruments alone as the weeks go on. The conversation ended with a clear and happy negotiation to merge into one act, to substitute the two-act one-hour runtime over the night. From that point on, they were named 'The Knights Of Feathers'.

The introduction to the new 'Knights Of Feathers' sparked much attention around the city, as followers and fans of both former groups were excited by the combination, very eager to see what they were to show. Frankly, they were not disappointed. For many years The Knights of Feathers, Gregg, Buddy, Harold and Dicky were one of Neverwinter's favourite groups, singing songs familiar and new, playing instruments, making trickshots and showcasing acrobatics. Travelers, locals and enthusiasts of the arts alike all traveled no matter the distance to see these four talented men thrive every Tenthday.

Hearts on Fire
The Knights Of Feathers held their name up for almost five years. At this point, the four dwarves, Buddy, Gregg, Harold and Dicky were at the peaks of their careers. They managed to perform twice a week at their main stage in The Roaring Petal but very soon managed to hold live sets at many town squares throughout Sword Coast North. Songs were also published as a group, some of which would be sung by the citizens daily for years ahead such as "Seraphim", "Cobbled Stones", and "I'm A Chimney Puffer".

However, the reach towards five years was immediately cut short when word went around that Phandalin was to be raided. The four dwarves immediately put a hold to their shows and returned to Phandalin, enlisting in the town's military to help provide service for the people there and any family members who needed to be evacuated. Eventually, chaos struck as expected, destruction shot across town as the Krognut Clan of Orcs made their attempts of conquest against Phandalin, but the town fought back without hesitation. Buddy and Gregg put up a fight at respective distances, their archery skills finally put into combat use after years. Harold and Dicky were at the centre of the battlefield, whilst simulataneously escorting civilians out of town.

Unfortunately after a day and a half of fighting, the four were separated after the battle drawn out to many parts of town and outside. Gregg disappeared into battle, protecting and aiding nearby hostages. The conquest was not brought forward as planned, and the orcs retreated - however with a small number of hostages, including Dicky who would later serve as the Krognut clan's jester. Harold immediately followed after determined to save his brother. Eventually, Phandalin was in ruins. Buddy, believing there was nothing left, his brother and best friends gone, fled from the ruins never looking back. Little did he know what held in front of him - and what would soon wait for him behind.

The Universal Heroes
(they are called the Universal Heroes as they come from many parts of the world, and other planets (Flip and Sleeve are from Eberron) )

Introduction to Group Dynamics
a large yule-type festival celebrating all happens in the city buddy flees to. it is a set up for the mind flayer to gather many people in one place. moonchild - with the emerald enclave, troy and vrino are there. (troy and vrino knew each other at that point probably?) multiple ppl affected, mind flayer shows. they all fight. town celebrates further and they are all titled as the city guardians - which they are happy with. at first they are the flayer slayers

Power Outage
guy tries to open up a dimension of demons and monsters, group aim to retrieve and destroy the staff to forever close the dimension

Chase Among Worlds
sleeve and flip chase an evil entity from their world.

The Alliance
finally decide that they are a new family, new name - universal heroes

Lord Hashaki
the story you did

Meeting Aseir
STAND IN TEXT: ok ok so - buddy and aseir are admiring a similar sword but they shove each other out of the way, but quickly become fond of each other as none of them draw weapons out or anything. aseir brings buddy along with him to fight some drow intel planning to conquer the land. success, so they celebrate by drinking. but while drunk they are knocked out, kidnapped and that's where out of the abyss happens.