8. Gebli's Cobbler Shop
Gebli's Cobbler is a modest home-based business located in Nulb, distinguished from its neighbors by its dual-construction of crude logs and a mud brick side addition. The establishment is marked not by a sign but by an old pair of leather shoes hanging from a pole, signaling to locals and travelers alike where they can find expertly crafted footwear. Despite the welcoming symbol of the trade, the atmosphere around the shop is tainted by the proprietor's less-than-charming personality.
Gebli, glancing up from his workbench with a wary eye, nods to the adventurers as they enter the cluttered cobbler's shop. He wipes his hands on a dirty cloth before speaking, his voice gutteral lip smacking, gruff and somewhat dismissive. "Well, what brings you to a cobbler’s humble abode? Don’t look like you’re here for repairs. But if it’s sturdy boots for the road or silent soles for the shadows you need, you’ve come to the right place. Have a look around, just don’t touch anything you’re not planning on buying."
Gebli: The Cobbler of Nulb
Gebli is a short man standing about 5 feet tall with a distinctively crooked back, which adds a visual testament to his gruff personality. His appearance is as uninviting as his demeanor, marked by a cruel sense of humor.- Background: Arriving in Nulb last fall, Gebli quickly took over the cobbler business through an arranged marriage to the previous cobbler's daughter, following the mysterious and timely death of her father.
- Skills and Craftsmanship: Despite his unpopularity, Gebli's skill as a cobbler cannot be denied. He is known for producing exceptionally fine boots and shoes, a craft that keeps him begrudgingly respected in the community.
Personality Traits
- Gebli possesses a sharp, often biting wit that tends to alienate others.
- He is seen as untrustworthy, a sentiment that has only grown since the suspicious circumstances surrounding his inheritance of the cobbler shop.
Mandy: The Unwilling Bride
- Appearance and Current State: Mandy is described as plain-looking, with a demeanor that reflects her deep unhappiness and the burden of her responsibilities.
- Family and Responsibilities: As the oldest sibling in her family, Mandy has taken on a maternal role for her younger brother, Drake, and sister, Honey, especially after the death of her father and her subsequent forced marriage to Gebli.
- Faith and Beliefs: In stark contrast to her husband, Mandy quietly follows The Old Faith, finding some solace in its teachings and practices, which is often her only escape from the dreariness of her daily life.
Family Dynamics and Daily Life
- Gebli's Role: As the head of the household and business, Gebli dictates the daily operations within the shop, pushing his family to their limits to ensure the business thrives despite his lack of popularity.
- Mandy's Role: Mandy's life revolves around managing the household, caring for her siblings, and supporting the business, all while coping with her own misery and the community's disdain for Gebli.
- Siblings' Involvement: Both Drake and Honey assist in the shop, albeit reluctantly, under the stern supervision of Gebli. They share a close bond with Mandy, who has become their primary caregiver and emotional support.
Community Perception and Relations
- Local Reputation: The family is generally regarded with a mixture of pity and disdain—pity for Mandy and her siblings due to their unfortunate family circumstances, and disdain for Gebli due to his personality and dubious ascent to his current role.
- Economic Role: Despite the personal conflicts and the owner's notoriety, the cobbler shop plays a crucial role in Nulb. It serves a vital economic function, repairing and creating footwear for the town’s residents and visitors, which secures its place in the local market.
"Trust the shoe, not the hand that crafts it."
Personal Ambitions and Future Aspirations
- Mandy's Escape: Deep down, Mandy dreams of escaping Nulb to start anew, possibly in a place like Verbobonc where her husband’s reputation does not precede her, and where her children can grow up free from the shadow of Gebli's influence.
- Gebli's Grip: Conversely, Gebli is determined to hold onto his acquired position and elevate the business to new heights, seeing it as his legacy and ticket to greater social standing within Nulb, despite his poor reputation.
DMonly Section
Gebli Family Treasure
Show spoiler
Despite the humble surroundings and modest living of Gebli's family in Nulb, they have managed to accumulate a few valuable items, mostly through the foresight and frugality of Mandy.
Mandy's Savings
- Amount: 11 silver pieces
- Location: Hidden within a mug on a high shelf, safeguarded from casual discovery and the reach of children.
Gebli's Alchemical Set
An elaborate set of alchemical tools and distilling equipment, used primarily for concocting various poisons.- Estimated Value: Approximately 1,500 gold pieces.
- Usage: Although its primary purpose under Gebli has been for poison-making, the set is a highly valuable collection of alchemical instruments that could be used for a wide range of chemical and magical concoctions.
- Owner's Awareness: Gebli is unaware of the set's true value, having owned it for many years and never considering its potential worth beyond its utility in his craft.
Secret Life of Gebli the Cobbler
Show spoiler
Hidden Identity
Gebli, the seemingly mundane cobbler of Nulb, harbors a dark and extraordinary secret that stretches beyond the ordinary boundaries of human deceit. In reality, he is a goblin witch, utilizing dark magic and deception to blend into the human world.Traumatic Past and Motivation
Gebli's backstory is marked by tragedy and vengeance. His tribe, residing in the ancient ruins of Qalnossk, was brutally decimated by human mercenaries, among them Naelin of The Hangmen. Gebli escaped the slaughter, carrying deep-seated resentment and a thirst for revenge against humanity, particularly Naelin.Current Deception
Using a scroll of charm person, Gebli charmed the old cobbler of Nulb, married his daughter Mandy, and assumed control of the cobbler shop after surreptitiously ending the old man's life. His disguise and magical aids have allowed him to adopt a new life, reveling in human comforts and conveniences previously unknown to him.Potential Discovery and Consequences
- Mandy's Discovery: Should Mandy ever uncover Gebli's true nature, the revelation would not only threaten his new-found status but could also lead to violent repercussions.
- Goblin Witch: As a goblin witch, Gebli's presence in Nulb is a ticking time bomb, with his true identity capable of upending the precarious balance of his daily life and the broader community.
Current Activities
- Living as a Cobbler: Gebli enjoys the simple pleasures of a human craftsman, delighting particularly in the ease of earning and the command over his family.
- Cautious about the Temple: Aware of the increasing influence and danger of the Temple of Elemental Evil in Nulb, Gebli is considering his positions—whether to flee, join, or fight against the emerging threats.
Virulent poison
If given the opportunity, Gebli will coat his short sword in a virulent poison he extracts from snakes he finds in the swamp. He puts the extracted poison through a distilling process until he feels it is sufficiently deadly, leaving him with a type B insinuative poison (onset 1-3/dmg 0 & 25). This hidden life of Gebli, characterized by survival and subterfuge, paints a picture of a character deeply entwined in personal and communal conflicts, making him a complex figure in the tapestry of Nulb's dark underbelly.
Gebli cobbler's shop by 3orcs
"The best lies are worn, like a pair of well-fitted boots."
Gebli (28)
- Hit Points (HP): 17
- Role: Cobbler, owner of the shop
- Weapons: leather, shortsword
Gebli Class, Spells and equipment
Show spoiler
Cleric Level: 5
Magic-User Level: 4
Armor Class (AC): 6
Health: 17 hit points (HP)
Attack: Wields a shortsword with typical damage of 1d6
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Cleric Spells
- First Level: Cure Light Wounds, Cause Light Wounds, Protection from Good
- Second Level: Augury, Snake Charm, Speak with Animals
- Third Level: Cause Disease
Magic-User Spells
- First Level: Affect Normal Fires, Push, Shield
- Second Level: Audible Glamer, Levitate
Powerful Magical Items in Possession
- Hat of Disguise: Allows Gebli to alter his appearance significantly, enabling him to live among humans unnoticed.
- Ring of Invisibility: Grants Gebli the ability to become invisible at will, further aiding his deceit and espionage.
Mandy (22)
- Hit Points (HP): 5
- Role: Wife of Gebli, caretaker of her siblings, helps in the shop
Drake (19)
- Hit Points (HP): 3
- Role: Mandy’s brother, assists in the shop
Honey (17)
- Hit Points (HP): 2
- Role: Mandy’s sister, helps around the shop and home
- Basic Shoe Repair: 15 cp
- Boot Resoling: 2 sp 5 cp
- Custom Shoe Making: 2 gp 5 sp
- Waterproofing: 2 sp
Gebli the Cobbler by 3orcs
Gebli on Bandits in Nulb
As the conversation continues and the topic shifts to the more precarious elements of Nulb, Gebli’s tone becomes edged with caution and a tinge of fear."Bandits, huh? Nulb’s got no shortage of those. Most are just passing through, looking to offload stolen goods or hide out from the law. They’re bad for business, scare off decent folk. But that lot... the Hangedmen? They're another breed. Their leader, Naelin, he’s the sort you don’t want to cross. They don’t just pass through; they linger like a bad stench." Gebli (lowering his voice): "Keep your dealings light around here, and your pockets lighter. Never can tell when those Hangedmen are watching. It’s said that Naelin’s got eyes in every shadow. And if they see you’re worth something... well, best not to think on it too long. Just watch your backs, eh?"
Comments