Crimes in Progress

Crimes in Progress

Crimes in Progress, or Crimes, is like any other kobold in the world. Just ask him. The reality is not quite what it seems. But really, is it ever?

— Stefanos Vel-Barboza, Seskyalii alchemist

Crimes in Progress is a kobold that hails from the Gristle Lake and Dublinshire region. Specifically, the Gristlegum Marsh. Deep inside KaraKorum, his people keep a safe distance from the orcs, humans, and all that live there. Instead, they prefer the company of the ancient marsh hag, Olga Gristlefingers, the Cryptbender, who calls Gristlegum Marsh her home. In turn, she's taken it on herself to help the tribe's education. As a result, most of them, like Crimes, are sharper and less brutish than your typical kobold.

Crimes was given his name, like any from the Gristlegum tribe, through his naming ceremony. Where the tribe's shaman takes young kobolds into a sweat lodge to 'sweat out' their true name. Misdemeanor and Aiding Abetting were so proud of their hatchling when he was dubbed 'Crimes in Progress'. It carried on their longstanding family tradition.

In truth, Crimes earned his name by slipping out of the sweat lodge, stealing a water jug, then slipping back into the sweat lodge before anyone noticed. At least, so he thought.

The shaman noticed. Both on the way in and on the way out. But it was a clear sign to the spiritual leader that the gods had spoken. So he dubbed the hatchling, 'Crimes in Progress'.

Taking the Trade

Part of the work by the Cryptbender with the Gristlegum Tribe is teaching them a trade. Crimes was no different. Like his six siblings, Crimes took to the usual crafting, lockpicking, and artificer trade right away. But showed ample skill in teamster work, brewing, and even woodland craft. Rutabega brewing was his particular favorite. But his natural talent was in the physical arts and in the mysterious way of Chi.

Crimes studied the mysterious arts from a series of scrolls, and books Olga Gristlefingers owned. She had studied many ancient disciplines from around the world, most had been lost for thousands of years. Despite her usual cranky, if not lethal, disposition, she enjoyed Crimes' enthusiasm. Olga took him on as a student, teaching him the Way of the Cryptbender. Years passed, and Crimes was a dedicated student. Over time, the young Crimes learned his skills in the Way. Once more advanced, Olga would send him out on errands or other tasks.

Current Location

Troll Hills

Species

Kobold

Ethnicity

Gristlegum Tribe

Other Ethnicities/Cultures

• Orisnuc

Sex

male

Gender

male

Presentation

male

Eyes

brown

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

yellow-green scales

Height

3 feet

Weight

40 pounds (he's muscular for a kobold)

A Slip of the Tongue

Conversation with him is a bit challenging at first. But you get used to it. I mean, it's how anyone from the Gristlegum Tribe talk.

— Stefanos Vel-Barboza, Seskyalii alchemist

One of the more unusual aspects to Crimes, beyond his love of brewing different vegetables and fruits, is his speech pattern. To him it's perfectly normal as that's how the rest of his tribe talks. But he's well aware the world is different, and in many ways he feels some sympathy that others outside the tribe just don't express themselves very well. Crimes hopes one day they can learn to do better.

Like any from Gristlegum, Crimes speaks in the third person. This would be about himself by saying 'a kobold' or those he's talking to such as 'a lanky elf' or 'a cranky halfling'. He believes, as would any from Gristlegum, that this is much more accurate than speech elsewhere.