Crotchrod Worldtree

Crotchrod Worldtree, better known by the way he he introduced himself to others, "C. R. Worldtree," was an Elven Fighter in Planescape: GTFO. He was played by Tropingenie.

## Backstory

Though Worldtree claimed to have been enslaved as a gladiator for the past few hundred years, the truth is far more sinister. His longevity--420 years of age at the time of Planescape: GTFO--also meant that he came from a more troubled time, back when human kingdoms were strong enough to begin incursions on Elven land and hunt his kind.

Indeed, Worldtree and his clan were captured by Human hunters, and sold at auction in a kingdom long collapsed. The females, as Worldtree recalled, sold at high prices for their beauty, though the males were less sought after and often disposed of rather than brought to auction alongside the females. Worldtree was a young elf at the time of his capture, around one century old, and considered himself at least somewhat lucky to have been captured by a large enough raiding party that the men were spared.

Being one of the more able-bodied elves, used to fighting beasts and monsters in unfavourable conditions from the then-nomadic Elven lifestyle brought on by the aftermath of the short-lived Eragon regime, Worldtree was bought by a local gladiator manager. It was here he received his first taste of true, no-holds-barred battle, fighting day after day as a gladiator to survive.

It ashamed him to say that, despite maintaining his elven traditions such as a meat-free diet, he revelled in the killing. For each death put coin in his pocket, coin he could use to buy his freedom... Or women, or wine. Perhaps it was to maintain his sanity that he developed a strong respect for his opponents, no matter who they be.

At first, Worldtree only focused on winning, like the gladiator brethren his senior. His natural skill, and bittersweet luck, meant that he was able to handle almost anything the gladiator master had in store for him. As he grew more capable, Worldtree's theatrics began to grow, as he both had the leeway to act in such a manner, and the wisdom to realize those theatrics would net him greater income and chance of survival as the crowd threw gifts. It was at this same time that Wordltree developed his code, realizing that an even fight was far more entertaining than a one-sided slaughter, and that "honour among warriors" was very marketable in the pits.

So, rather than focusing on buying his freedom, Worldtree instead honed himself. Though slaves, gladiators were still paid depending on how they performed, and Worldtree's performance was impeccable. Better still, he spent time getting to know the bards of the city, who were more than willing to spread his epics for a few coins.

So, when the kingdom fell, Worldtree was prepared to move on. His equipment was his own, and he had honed his hereditary and racial skills to a strong degree that he was confident he could fight the invading army if necessary.

As it turned out, it wasn't necessary. Under the conquerer's laws, slavery was illegal, and thus Worldtree was freed rather than opposed by. His master was let off with only minor consequences, as even the invading kingdom understood the cutthroat world of the mercantile industry. Having been freed, Worldtree was finally allowed to make his own way in the world.

It wasn't long before Worldtree found himself in another tavern, drinking away what remained of his coin. A bard was providing entertainment that day, telling grandiose tales of battles gone by and honourable duels. He spoke of an Elf, who shirked from neither man nor beast in gladiatorial combat, whose golden locks and vestments flashed in an elegant dance of death, a fighting style that focused on mobility, reminiscent of the Ninja arts of Varisia. Golden locks, an Eastern chain sickle as his weapon, and a code of honour that would be useless in battle, but was widely respected in the arena. Every eye on the tavern turned to Worldtre by the time the bard's chant was finished.

*Maybe this way of life isn't so bad, after all.* That was what Worldtree thought at the time as the bartender voided his tab and pointed him to the local arena.

It was hundreds of years before he began to wonder if there was another way to live. As a gladiator, he had long-since plateaued, and began honing his skills in other fields. He picked up music and chanting from the bards he often interacted with, allowing him some ability to entertain outside of battle. He could regale others of his grandest battles now at no extra cost, and he did so often. His musical ability was rather limited, but he also began learning how to play the bagpipes.

Branching out into art was almost sacred to Worldtree. Much like John Wick's dog, his bagpipes represented a day when he could live without constant killing and battle. And, yet, that was taken with him. Perhaps over a long-held grudge, or just to stop the horrendous sound of Worldtree's sub-par bagpipe performance, he was attacked from behind. His arm was cut off, and his bagpipes stolen.

That day, Worldtree vowed for revenge, yet realized his weakness. Even with the magic items he had amassed at great monetary cost, he would still be vulnerable to stronger adventurers and monsters. So what better path than to become an adventurer? Since then, Worldtree has ventured into ancient forges and had his arm replaced. He has honed his Fey powers further, in order to fight stronger monsters. And, now, lured by the rumor of great wealth, Worldtree has offered his services to an adventuring party in need of a stronger frontline.

## Campaign

### Planescape: GTFO

#### Session 1

Upon meeting the intrepid group he was to entrust his life to for the next few months, Worldtree left a rather sour impression. Despite his physical beauty, this was a man who had grown with little need for a silver tongue. But upon arriving in the outer plane of Ysgard, he proved himself a serious combatant. There was some conflict between him and Krotan, and his advances on Kier Cainherst probably began to strain their relationship, but overall they all knew they would have to cooperate to return to the mortal plane.

Having met, and nearly attacked, a helping hand in Ysgard, Worldtree learned that they were shockingly close to Yggdrasil, a sacred tree to his people and his namesake. Though Krotan wanted to use Yggdrasil to travel the planes, their guide's warning that the Lower Planes were home to powerful enemies made Worldtree wonder if, perhaps, spending some time training in Ysgard would allow him to finally push past the plateau in strength he had been sitting at for years now. He also preferred the idea of using Yggdrasil as a medium to get to the River Styx, and hiring one of the ferrymen there as a guide rather than trying to navigate the Outer Planes alone.

"If I was to go into a cave or a mine, I would follow a dwarf. This is no different."

The cost and trustworthiness of the ferryman had Krotan concerned, but Worldtree was confident he could fend for himself, at least. He also figured they could spend a year or two training to fight the threats in the Outer Planes, but that was wishful thinking on his part.

#### Session 3

The party ventured to the Mead Hall. Once there, upon revealing the name Worldtree, the denizens of the hall pestered him to "perform." Intuiting that there was no specific performance the crowd desired, Worldtree fell back to his usual performance: A bardic tale of his violent exploits. While puffing his pipe, he recounted the tale of his capture, lamenting his bittersweet luck and telling the tale of the first three he killed. The first was nothing more than sheer luck, slipping his blade into a human assailant. The second was assisted; an elf jumped the second man who attacked Worldtree. And the third was that very elf who saved him.

The crowd was somewhat shocked by the graphic tale, and magically generated imagery that accompanied. "What can I say? I may be a Worldtree, but I didn't grow up here. But it's good to be back."

Later that day, while totally not trying to sneak into Kier's room, Worldtree ran into Liam, who warned them that flying ships were about to invade. As the party deduced that their guide (whose name nobody remembered) was likely suspicious--the map he had drawn had a "flying bathtub" that the party deduced was a flying pirate ship--they realized that perhaps the destroyed mercenary camp he had told them about was somewhere he didn't want them to go to.

So, they set out to visit the mercenary village.

#### Session 4

Upon reading the village Kier and Worldtree used their abilities to scout, since there were clearly hunted animal corpses on the approach. Seeing a room with eight hobgoblins and a pile of gold, Worldtree asked the rest of the party for a bomb. Krotan placed a bag of the spiciest peppers he could summon in Worldtree's hand. Worldtree then swapped with his clone, effectively teleporting into the room with the hobgoblins. The gold his target, he was unfortunately stopped in his tracks as a tougher looking hobgoblin tackled him.

Though he was confident he could grab the gold and escape by focusing on teleporting and defense, the rest of the party were quick to burst into the room. The dwarves in particular were literally flying. They mopped up the hobgoblins relatively quickly, and, seeing a opportunity, Worldtree jumped onto the table to shovel gold into his backpack while his echo finished off the other strong looking hobgoblin with rapier stabs so fast it appeared as if there were two strikes at the same time.

With the combat over, Worldtree frantically gathered the rest of the gold coins, some of which had spilt off the table. With precision and skill, he quickly gathered all the coins by bouncing coins off the ground such that they returned into his hand, much like a football marching band drum major bounces a baton.