D&D Character: Zippim, Gnome Monk

 "There is no try, there is only do or not do... Are you expecting me to say that with a straight face?"

Background: Zippim was born in the south, in a small village at the edge of the Dragontooth Mountains. His family were loving, hard-working Gnomes, but they had a large family and worked the land. When a Monk, Skylar, passed through their village, expressing admiration for Zippim's poise and athleticism, and offered to train him in the arts of his order, Zippim's parents were taken aback. They deliberated and asked their son what he wanted to do. This led to the young Gnome seeking the Monk out and conducting a long conversation with her. By the time they'd finished speaking, he was convinced he wanted to join her, while Skylar was impressed not only by Zippim's dexterity but also his wisdom.

The next day, he bade farewell to his family and set out on the road with his new mentor. They travelled the road for several months, and Zippim learned that there was another reality to the life he'd chosen, one that was footsore and sometimes hungry. When he complained his feet hurt, Skylar would suggest he walk on his hands, and when he said he was hungry she would gesture around and say he could eat whatever he wanted. His complaints were met with gentle patience, to this day Zippim has never seen Skylar angry or known her to be cruel. Looking back, he can see she was training him for the hardships ahead, trying to explain things in a way a child would understand. 

Their journey took several months to complete, and the pair found two more candidates for the Order. A blue Dragonborn called Zarrzuya and a human woman called Allain showed promise and Skylar would have them do acrobatics at every village and town - even in the city. Eventually, though, she led them into the mountains. 

The Dancing Dragon monastery sat high above Red Stone Pass, almost entirely hidden from sight by the cliff face that jutted out slightly. Reached by secretive ways, it took three days of climbing to reach the monastery. By the time they arrived, all three initiates were tired and in need of a break - which they wouldn't get. Formally inducted into the order, they were set to work doing chores and taking classes. While it wouldn't be entirely correct to say they didn't have adventures - the monastery was vast and ancient, it was almost impossible not to get into trouble of some kind - the three spent more time on their studies than they did making mischief. 

Throughout it all, Skylar watched over them, helping when they needed it though as they grew more accomplished, the more her help became cryptic comments or an introduction to koans. By the time they were ready to graduate to being Monks, she had become responsible for the initiates' instruction and had a whole lot more young people to aggravate with vague answers.

That summer Zippim was summoned to the Abbot's office to take tea. As they drank, the old man asked if Zippim had ever heard of the Dragon Scale Mirror. Admitting that he'd only read about it in old scrolls, Zippim fell silent. By this point, he knew the elderly Abbot would only have raised the matter if he had a purpose and that asking what that was would only lead to repudiation. Eventually, the old man said that he wanted Zippim to go and find the Mirror and return it to the monastery. The young Monk agreed, and the next morning set out, with only his friends gathering to see him off. He travelled to the Pass below and headed southeast, towards the coast and Maksha, an immense port city.

There, he made enquiries and learned that the Mirror had been taken north, some five hundred years before. Booking passage on a ship - as a crewman - he sailed north, only for his ship to be wrecked off the Haggard Coast. He washed up on a small island and encountered a Half-Elf Ranger - Taaka Sipsmith. Together they plotted a course off the island and eventually made their way to Gallanburgh where they joined the Bright Blades. 

Zippim is still devoted to his quest,  but being out in the world has made him realise how difficult finding the Mirror will be, let alone returning it to the monastery. As a consequence, he's profoundly grateful for his companions and does whatever he can to aid them.

Appearance: Zippim is a standard-sized Gnome, with a shaved head and short beard. He is dressed in green and grey clothes and carries a quarterstaff. 

You can find his character sheet here, so please feel free to play him or use him as an NPC.