"Ah, friends! New faces, and not gnawing on bones—what a delight! Now then, might I interest you in a fine kettle, or perhaps a bottle of something stronger than despair?"

Gourad Littlebottom is a halfling trader who makes regular trips to Billingston and the surrounding settlements, bringing with him carts of essentials, oddities, and local news. Known for his good humour and knack for negotiation, he is well liked among villagers and generally trusted. Though not a local, he’s been stopping in Billingston long enough to know the names and habits of its people. He may serve as a source of information for the players, especially regarding recent changes or whispers about the mine. Gourad is a pragmatist: he doesn’t meddle in local politics, but he listens carefully, and remembers what others would rather forget.

Physical Description

Gourad is a round-faced halfling with curly auburn hair, an ever-smiling mouth, and hands stained with ink and oil. He wears a patched but sturdy waistcoat over a shirt that might have been white once, and heavy boots too large for his feet, clearly modified for halfling wear. His wagon is a mismatched thing of repairs and additions, draped with blankets, cages, crates, and more. He smells faintly of spice, dust, and pipe tobacco. His eyes, a dark and lively brown, miss very little, and he speaks with a rolling country lilt.

Traits and Motivations

Gourad is an opportunist, but not a cruel one. His primary concern is survival: his own, and that of his business. He is cheerful, adaptable, and not easily frightened, having seen all manner of troubles on the road. While he rarely pushes past polite inquiries, he has a trader’s ear for secrets and a strong memory for deals. Gourad has no deep loyalties to Billingston, but he is fond of its people and prefers to see his regular customers alive and unbitten. He may provide helpful leads, cryptic observations, or goods of questionable legality, especially if the price is right.