Droop Vanmere

## Droop's Hole:A Coming of Age Story

Droop had it rough his whole life. The youngest and the smallest of 18, his parents often overlooked him.

Everything he ever owned was pre-owned by his older brothers. Even his teaches would judge him by their behaviours.

He didn't have his own hobbies or likes because if he enjoyed reading a certain book, it was Plink's first, doing puzzles? That was Zeep's thing.

And because he was the smallest  he was the butt of all their jokes and pranks. He grew up anxious, always on edge, waiting for one of them to jump out and scare him.

In his teens he attended Goblin High and with three days until he'll have to go back home for the winter, Droop decided to go out in search of himself instead.

Not quite an adult but wanting to grow up and experience the world, lose his virginity and taste Aubergine for the first time, he packed Tevlik's bag and left the school grounds in the dead of night for a place called Phandelin. Where the goblin women are said to be the most beautiful.

However, with 1000,s of miles ahead of him, his way was fought with danger. Not even one mile from the school, he was set upon by some homeless dwarves who robbed him of everything including Zeep's shoes.

That's when his adventure truly began. With no trace of his older brothers left, he saw the mishap as an opportunity to become his own person. To truly become Droop Vanmere.

His next stop took him on a taxi cart to Central Elmingwood. With no money and a below average frame, he stowed away undetected.

"Don't fink I ditent see you there lad". Droop looked up to see on old grey haired stow away staring at him. "Wer you off to then?"  The human said smoothing down his frizzy long hair and beard. Trying to find his words Droop replied apprehensively. "To Phandelin". The skinny man laughed and Droop could see his bony limbs poking through his rough spun tunic. "You got miles to go for that ma boy, ere, av a sip o this". He handed Droop a bottle of something that smelled like it could be used to thin paint.

And that's how Droop first got drunk. He didn't remember much of the landscape as they journeyed but he never forgot the strange human who showed him kindness. His name was Trevor, a "squatter of the world". No fixed address, he lived off the land and the cities, taking what he could and giving nothing back. He did however give Droop some worldly advice, an outfit that he'd obtained with his five finger discount and a few coppers.

Climbing down from the taxi cart, Trevor left Droop with some parting advice "Never forget, grown ups lie and deceive. Always watch your back, you hear me boi". He slapped Droop on the back so hard that the small goblin almost fell forward into a puddle. This seemed to delight Trevor and he went on his way humming a cheery tune.

Months passed and Droop not only tried Aubergine, he even tried a delicacy called cauliflower wings. Life was good, he met person after person, learning new things and slowly finding his way. He fed himself by entering inns and eating from abandoned plates, just as Trevor had told him. No one pays attention when you don't draw it to yourself. The key is to act like you're supposed to be there. He slept wherever he could, barns, inns and anywhere a stranger showed kindness.

Droop considered being a squatter of the world's himself. His five finger discount never failed and his anxiety had almost vanished. Life was good for once.

It was in Phandelin that everything changed. He'd made it. His next step was to get a job and somewhere to call his own. Sat in the local pub with a pint he'd paid for, he wasn't going to be know as a thief in his new home, he overhead some goblins talking about a job that came up in Tresendar Manor and he knew it was a sign. Free food and board so long as you did your job was all he needed.

The interview went swimmingly, Mosk, the boss seemed to take a liking to him instantly and he was hired in the spot. Droop couldn't believe his luck. That was until the all too familiar anxiety started to creep back as Mosk would raise a hand, feigning a slap or the other goblins would put spider eggs in his lunch. Suddenly he was boyhood Droop again.

Not long into the contract he would never be able to break, Mosk thought it would be amusing to shove Droop into a cell with the strange Dwarf named Varding. A harmless, yet peculiar man who would instsit on removing is clothes and standing inappropriately too close while Droop was eating.

Droop dreamed of his days as a free goblin, eating in inns and travelling the land. Remembering the days fondly, he vowed that if he ever escaped Mosk and his living nightmare, he would open up Droop's Hole for all to enter. And for anyone short on money, there would be a sign in the window. "Sometimes life is hard, sometimes it's unfair. Fear not weary traveller, there's always room in Droop's Hole for another mouth. Ask for Droop at the bar and he'll see you fed and watered." Leaning back on his bunk, he smiled as he penned the sign in his imagination.

When a band of adventurers rescued him he almost died of joy and actually fainted. His anxiety was at a peak by this point and he wasn't sure he would have lasted much longer under Mosk. So when the dashing human, Vergel invited him to join them in defeating the rest of the goblins, Droop didn't need to be asked twice.