Numbtongue

Character from The Wandering Inn by pirateaba

A Hobgoblin [Soulbard] who carries the ghosts of his dead brothers in his guitar — the last of the Redfang Five to stay at the Inn, playing music that makes even Drakes weep.

Numbtongue speaks rarely and plays constantly. His guitar is not a hobby — it is how he communicates, grieves, fights, and connects with a world that considers his species monsters. He was one of the Redfang Five, elite Goblin warriors sent to kill Erin Solstice, who instead chose to live at her Inn. The others died. Numbtongue survived, and he carries their memories — literally, through his [Soulbard] Class, which lets him channel the skills and spirits of the dead. He is quiet, dangerous, and unexpectedly gentle. He plays songs that make hardened adventurers cry. He fights with a sword in one hand and music in the other. He fell in love with Maviola El, a human [Lady] who burned bright and died young, and that loss sits in his music like a minor chord that never resolves. The Inn is his home. He guards it, maintains it, and occasionally terrifies guests who forget that the musician in the corner is a Hobgoblin warrior who has killed more monsters than most Silver-rank teams.

Appearance

Hobgoblin — green skin, red eyes, sharp teeth, taller and more muscular than regular Goblins. Carries a guitar everywhere. Wears mismatched armor over casual clothes. Has the brooding look of a musician who has seen too much war and processes it through power chords.

Also known as: Numbtongue, The Goblin Bard

What They Know

• [Bard]/[Soulbard] dual Class — can channel the spirits and Skills of dead Goblins through his music, including his fallen Redfang brothers
• One of the Redfang Five — elite Redfang warriors who were sent to kill Erin but chose to befriend her instead; the others died defending the Inn
• His guitar playing has magical properties — [The Ballad of the Brave] inspires courage, other songs can cause fear, sadness, or rage in listeners
• Carries Pyrite's memories and mining knowledge through his [Soulbard] abilities — can access a dead Goblin [Chieftain]'s tactical genius
• Fell in love with Maviola El, a human [Lady Firestarter] who used a rejuvenation potion — she died and he carries that grief
• Skilled warrior independent of his Bard Class — Redfang training makes him dangerous in melee combat with sword and shield
• Lives at The Wandering Inn as its resident musician and unofficial guardian — one of the few Goblins openly living in a Drake city's territory
• His existence at the Inn challenges Izril's deep-seated anti-Goblin prejudice — people come to hear him play and forget he is a Goblin

Connections

• friend_of — erin
• lover_of — maviola
• friend_of — mrsha
• friend_of — lyonette
• ally_of — rabbiteater
• located_at — the_wandering_inn
• ally_of — rags

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