"Mes amis, I am, as I am sure you know, the Old World’s greatest detective. You ’ave ’eard of Alphonse, no?"
- —Alphonse Hercules de Gasgoigne to a group of adventurers[1b]
Alphonse Hercules de Gasgoigne
Alphonse Hercules de Gasgoigne appears to be a Halfling of indeterminate age (he's actually 96, and a Gnome), with slicked black hair and a large waxed moustache. His green eyes glitter with amusement and an enviably vigorous intellect. Standing a minuscule 3'7", it is impossible to take this funny little soul seriously, which is precisely the mistake so many criminals have made.[1a]
The truth is Alphonse is a brilliant, inventive, observant, and generally incomparable private detective. Multi-skilled and supremely self-confident, he comes and goes as he pleases, never misses a clue, and thus far has yet to let his quarry escape. His sharp eyes and attention to detail allow him to learn an incredible amount in a short time. These abilities allow him to do a lot of direct investigation, though when necessary Alphonse is not too proud to don a disguise and employ his considerable thieving talents to score more sensitive information.[1a]
He has spent much time in Altdorf, Middenheim, Salzenmund, and Marienburg. And, of course, Bretonnia. Despite being a master of disguise, his build and odd looks mean he usually operates overtly, and as such is respected by quite a few high placed individuals who have had cause to hire him. With a reputation second to none, Alphonse is in great demand as an investigator, especially by people in high society who value discretion as much as ability. He isn't greedy — he accepts or rejects cases on the basis of their merit — and he doesn't betray the confidence of his employers.[1a]
Ring of Subduction[]
"This must remind you of your time with ze Duke in Tilea, oui? You must tell me ze full histoire when we are done!"
- —Alphonse Hercules de Gasgoigne to a group of adventurers[1b]
Believed to have been made by the College of Light on the command of Magnus the Pious, this magical ring was given to Witch Hunter Helmuth Klausner as a gift to aid him in his perilous work. The ring was lost during service and has been sought after by the Temple of Sigmar ever since. Quite how it came into Alphonse's possession is something of a mystery, though what the Temple of Sigmar would do to him if they found out is far less obscure.[1a]
The ring is tuned to react to objects and people who attract or bend the Winds of Magic. Whenever the wearer is within 3 yards of a magic item, magical creature, or a spellcaster, the wearer feels a slight tingle in their hand. This does not tell them who or what in the vicinity is magical, only that something nearby is. The ring is exquisitely and ingeniously made, and functions even in the raging torrents of Ghur that wash over Middenheim. Its value is difficult to calculate, but it is surely worth several hundred crowns to the right person.[1a]
Trivia[]
"Mes amis, I am, as I am sure you know, the Old World’s greatest detective. You ’ave ’eard of Alphonse, no?"
- —Alphonse Hercules de Gasgoigne to a group of adventurers[1b]
Alphonse Hercules de Gasgoigne older drawing.
Likely based on Agatha Christie's fictional detective Hercule Poirot, the Bretonnian Gnome Alphonse Hercules de Gascoigne appeared in Carl Sargent's adventure "With a Little Help from my Friends," which was published in White Dwarf 105 (September 1988).
This NPC is named after Marc Gascoigne, known for his long stint running Black Library, or for being an editor of the Fighting Fantasy series of books.
While he is not the only Gnome NPC to appear in a Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay adventure, he is by far the best-loved. So when he appeared as a Halfling in an adventure's 4th edition update in The Horned Rat Companion, there was a storm of protest from Gnome fans. The hashtag #SaveAlphonse was used in passionate appeals on Twitter and elsewhere.