Barley Flatcakes

Barley by G McDermott.

**Barley Flatcakes** is a firbolg hexblade warlock, played by Liz Drake, Barley was one of the protagonists of The Lonely House of Neverwinter.

## Biography

Barley came to Neverwinter following the mysterious voice, heading out of the Neverwinter Wood for the very first time to do so. She seems convinced, at first, that she's the only one who can hear the voice.

#### Backstory

Barley Flatcakes was once a protector of the forest. Living alone, she was content. An innocent soul in a calm world. Normally, the forest was a place of balance, but this balance was in peril - the corruption (of Szass Tam, and those who followed) threatened everything Barley held dear. The trees she communed so often with, and the creatures that slept by her door, even the fish in the creeks, and even the creeks themselves all started to perish and fade away. One by one they fell, or withered to nothing. Barley knew the source of this corruption, but had no way of fighting back.

Desperate and without hope, Barley set out, leaving the forest in search of someone, or something that could help rid the forest of this evil. Amongst the now skeletal bare trees, covered in parasitic vines, she saw a rotting tree stump, covered in moss, There was a blade stuck in the centre. A green wisp of energy seemed to dance as she approached. It sensed her. Hearing a voice in her mind, 'retrieve the blade and power to vanquish those who oppose you will be yours,' Without hesitation, she pulled the blade form the stump. This last beacon of nature in a dying forest. The stump creaked as the blade came free. A chunk of the mossy bark fell to the ground, the back of this bark was polished, and there were straps to wield it as a shield. Where the bark was previously, a hollow had been scraped into the stump, and within, tightly bound and tied with a black ribbon, was a scroll, with a small label 'For emergencies'

As Barley collected these items, the voice in her mind began to laugh, a small laugh at first, but it began to echo through the copse around her. Black tar began to ooze from where the blade was, and the green energy became black. 'It begins' the voice said, almost mockingly. Power surged through her veins and the blade glowed a feint green and black in time with her heartbeat. Moss covered her fur in strange markings and eyes had changed.

She fought and put a stop many of the undead which roamed the forest, some of them were friends who had perished not long ago, returned in a twisted form of existence.

The voice in her mind was always there, whispering like the wind that rushes through leaves. Power always came a cost, she knew, and power had already changed her, for good, but also.. she had changed, physically, and she knew her heart was no longer full of joy and song. It only surged with the constant knowledge that a debt must be repaid. But for now, she was rebuilding and planting and helping the few creatures who had come back. Her task was almost done, the forest almost fully restored. And as she patted down the soil, she heard a new voice, 'Please come find me, I can't get out'. She slowly got to her feet, untrusting at first. Then the voice came through once more. It replaced the other voice in her mind. She no longer heard the constant whispering . Smiling and packing dome seeds into her pocket, she followed this new voice, finding herself looking at the city of Neverwinter.

## In-game characteristics

Barley is currently level 6. As a warlock, she frequently casts *eldritch blast*. She also has one level of fighter. She uses her Coiling Grasp Tattoo often in fighting, to prevent any enemy from hurting her new found friends.

## Trivia

* Barley has moss growing on her face in stylised patterns that look much like tattoos.
* Barley has **very** good abs.
* Barley appears to hear another voice as well, and said she would be asking the rest of the party from The Lonely House of Neverwinter for help.

## Media

Barley from the poster for The Lonely House of Neverwinter.Barley miniature from Hero Forge for The Lonely House of Neverwinter.
## External links

* Character sheet for Barley (level 5)
* Character sheet for Barley (level 6)