Lumpin Croop's Fighting Cocks

The race of Halflings is mostly thought of as peaceable, well meaning, honest and sociable. This, at least, is the common view, and it is a view readily encouraged by the sight of rosy cheeked, well-fed Halfling faces and broad Halfling smiles. Such are Nature's gifts to that race. However, even amongst  this tolerant and easy-going people there is the odd proverbial rotten apple that spoils an otherwise toothsome batch. In this case the rotten apple goes by the name of Lumpin Croop and the batch in question is known as Lumpin Croop's Fighting Cocks.

Lumpin Croop was born in the northern Moot, in a backwater village, on the wrong side of the river. His mother was the blacksmith's daughter and his father an itinerant carrot salesmen. Unfortunately, Lumpin's father chocked to death on a horseshoe sometime before he was born. The Halfling's childhood was not a happy one. His grandparents resented and disliked him, and could never forgive their daughter for her unwise liaison. Lumpin's bright orange hair was a painful reminder of his parentage Young Lumpin was forced to work long hours in the family forge. His grandfather set him to arduous and demeaning tasks such ass poking the fire and straightening horseshoes. His mother suffered greatly from the unremitting disapproval of her parents. She became distraught and took to the bottle. Not surprisingly Lumpin ran away from home as soon as he could. By this time he had already fallen into a life of pick pocketing and bunko-artistry. These were talents doubtlessly inherited from his father along with his passion for root vegetables.

Lumpin Croop became a poacher. His extraordinarily acute night vision proved a great advantage on dark moonless evenings. Lumpin soon learned to support him self from the surrounding farms and estates. This was an annoyance to the many gamekeepers who found their game stocks and reputations plummeting fast.

One day Lumpin happened to visit the Old Pig and Bucket, a shady hostelry in the otherwise attractive village of Beggar's End. The inn's landlord, Raggo Barrelgut, had been an eager buyer of poached rabbit in the past. On this occasion, however, rabbit pie was noticeably absent from the menu. Instead, the snug was brimming with angry gamekeepers led by the notoriously crazed Ned Hamfist. The gamekeepers were all armed with cudgels. Raggo was hiding in the corner looking embarrassed and a bit frightened. Anticipating a sound beating, Lumpin immediately launched in to a long and complicated story. Once he had begun he soon found himself spinning a yarn of excitement, treasure and vast banquets waiting to be had in the lands over the mountains. The gamekeepers were taken aback by the young poacher's tirade and soon put all thoughts of vengeance aside. Eagerly they found themselves signing up to join Lumpin in his bright and exciting quest to the land of Tilea. Ned Hamfist bought drinks to toast their bold venture and some bright spark came up with a name for their band - Lumpin Croop's Fighting Cocks.

From that day to this, Lumpin has tried very hard to give the Fighting Cocks the slip. However, the gamekeepers are even better trackers then Lumpin and always manage to find him and insist that he takes them along on his adventure. Lumpin's regular attempts to escape are thought to be 'training exercises' by his admirers. Similarly, his efforts to misdirect the Fighting Cocks away from Tilea and any chance of fighting are considered to be ' initiative tests'. Unfortunately for Lumpin, the Fighting Cocks are extraordinarily good at direction finding, being experts at navigating their way around quietly in the dark. Their faith in Lumpin and their belief in his adventure is unshaken.

The truth is that the Fighting Cocks are really rather good. All of the 'training exercises' and 'initiative tests' have honed their natural skills to a point where they are expert trackers and woodsmen. Their marksmanship is, as you would expect, second to none. Their woodsman's clothing and pelt-caps adorned with feathers are memorable to say the least.

Thanks to several remarkable battles, the Fighting Cocks have acquired a well-deserved reputation, and their services are now in great demand. On one occasion Lumpin was credited with saving an entire army. An enemy force had worked its way behind the army's lines and was preparing to launch a devastating attack. At the same moment Lumpin happened to be leading the Fighting Cocks directly away from the sound of the fighting. Unknown to him, his route was taking the Halflings straight towards the encircling enemy. In the ensuing clash the Fighting Cocks fought with great enthusiasm and the enemy was soon scattered. Everyone was very impressed by Lumpin's foresight; not least Lumpin himself, and the Fighting Cocks were showered with offers of employment.

Indeed, money has started to flow into the band's coffers, and Lumpin's impromptu tale of fame and riches is staring to come true. His troops believe in him utterly and take great pride in their leader's growing reputation. Lumpin himself is learning to live with his sudden change of fortune. He is becoming unexpectedly fond of the Fighting Cocks. Such is his dedication that even on the eve of battle he can be found in his tent working hard at devising new training exercises.

Source

 * Warhammer: Regiments of Renown