4AM WHISPERS: RHODOBON THE TRAVELING TROUBADOUR
The Star-Born Sentinel of the Thrivaldi Alliance
By the Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin
In the cold, pre-dawn silence of the Shreveport Cabin, the oil in my lamp burns low, and the ink on my parchment seems to shimmer with a faint, lunar glow that wasn't there an hour ago. Tonight, the whispers in the pines are louder than usual, and they speak of a name that many in the North fear and even more respect: Rhodobon.
He is not merely a soldier, nor is he simply a musician. Rhodobon is a Moon Elf (Teu-tel-quessir), an ancient being whose lineage does not begin in the soil of Zimrala, but amongst the currents between the stars. His ancestors navigated the silver void before settling on Zimrala's largest moon, Harshavar. When the Shadowfrost began its slow, icy crawl across our world—threatening the very existence of the Evergreen—Rhodobon descended from the celestial heights of Luna’s Landing. He came not as a conqueror, but as a Sentinel to join the Thrivaldi Alliance, bringing with him the cold, precise magic of the moon.
Rhodobon is a nomad, a poet, and a deadly skirmisher. He sees the world in the infinite shades of grey that exist only under a moonlit sky, and he carries the weight of centuries in every chord he strikes on his lute and every bolt he looses from his bow.
I. THE NATURE & LORE OF THE MOON ELF
To understand Rhodobon, one must understand the Moon Elves of Zimrala. They are a "wilder" kindred than their sun-drenched cousins. Their skin is the color of the twilight sky—deep blues and shimmering purples—and they possess an almost obsessive, physical lust for magic.
The Tribal Bond of 144: Moon Elves do not dwell in sprawling cities. They live in tight-knit groups of exactly 144 individuals. They dwell in tall, slender towers that are perpetually cloaked in powerful glamors, making them appear to the uninitiated as nothing more than ancient, gnarled trees.
The Ancient Grudge: Despite his role in the Thrivaldi Alliance, Rhodobon carries the ancient, bitter disdain his people hold for the Dwon (Dwarves). In the taverns of the Shreveport Cabin, he is known to sing songs that remind his allies that "the only good dwarf is a dead dwarf." He tolerates the Were-Bear Dwarf tribes only because the Shadowfrost is a greater threat to the sanctity of the forest.
The Artistry of War: To Rhodobon, combat is a performance. His movements are flowing and musical. Whether he is whispering to a nature spirit or manifesting a bolt of moonlight, he does so with the grace of a master artisan.
Polyglot of the Wilds: He speaks the tongues of the hidden world: Elvish, Gnome, Fairy, Dryad, and the trade tongue of Egyptos (Common).
II. THE HEDGES CHARACTER SHEET (T&T / M!M! 2.7)
Calculated using the Hedges Explosive Base (rolling 3D6 and continuing to add and roll as long as 1s, 2s, or matching doubles appear). All final totals utilize the Hedges Rounding Rule (.75+ rounds up).
| Attribute | Explosive Base | Kindred/Class Multiplier | FINAL TOTAL | Saving Roll (SR) Skill/Ability | Archetype Level |
| STRENGTH | 45 | x2.66 | 120 | Tracking / Nature Lore | 5 |
| CONSTITUTION | 43 | x1.32 | 57 | Sylvan Resilience | 5 |
| DEXTERITY | 71 | x4.0 | 284 | Archery / Agility / Stealth | 5 |
| SPEED | 35 | x1.5 | 53 | Fey Step | 5 |
| INTELLIGENCE | 39 | x1.5 | 59 | Spirit Whisperer | 5 |
| WIZARDRY | 37 | x2.25 | 83 | Elven Magic / Nature’s Wrath | 5 |
| CHARISMA | 46 | x3.0 | 138 | Music / Charm / Starlight Aura | 5 |
| LUCK | 51 | x3.0 | 153 | Moonlight Veil | 5 |
Universal Deadliness Rating (UDR): NN (2/10)
Monster Rating (MR): 70 (8D6+35)
Average Combat Total (ACT): 90 (Melee) / 120 (Missile)
Saving Roll Formula: Attribute + 2D6 + Archetype Level (5).
III. SPECIAL ELVEN ABILITIES & ANCIENT SKILLS
Because Moon Elves are exceptionally long-lived, Rhodobon’s skills are not mere "levels" to be gained; they are a permanent mastery of his heritage.
Innate Elven Abilities (The Moon-Gift)
Fey Step (DEX): Rhodobon can teleport short distances through the Feywild, moving with a grace that defies explanation. He is here, then he is thirty paces away, his bow already drawn.
Moonlight Veil (LUCK): He can shroud himself in a cloak of pure moonlight, becoming completely invisible in moonlit environments. He is the ghost that the Shadowfrost never sees coming.
Charm (CHR): He beguiles others with the irresistible allure of Harshavar. In combat, he can paralyze a hostile being for 5 combat turns (equal to his Archetype Level).
Sylvan Resilience (CON): His elven physiology grants him enhanced resistance to poisons, diseases, and the extreme temperatures of the frost-lands.
Spirit Whisperer (INT): He communes directly with the spirits of nature, gaining insight and guidance from ancient beings and elemental forces.
Starlight Aura (CHR): He radiates a calming aura that soothes the minds of his allies, bringing peace even in the heat of a cosmic apocalypse.
Nature’s Wrath (WIZ): When pushed, he can channel the fury of the elements to summon localized storms or tremors to protect the land.
Mastered Elven Skills
Archery: Proficiency honed over centuries. He does not "aim"—he simply knows where the moonlight must strike.
Nature Lore: A deep, cellular understanding of the plants, animals, and ecosystems of Zimrala.
Agility: Swift and graceful movement that makes him nearly impossible to hit (AC: 1-2).
Tracking: He can follow the faintest scent or sign left by a Shadowfrost demon, even across barren stone.
Music: He composes melodies that evoke the harmony of the spheres, using his lute as a focus for his enchantments.
IV. LEGENDARY ARTIFACTS & ARMAMENT
(Official Published Material by Earl C. Hedges Jr. & Jason Youngdale)
1. The Moonbow of Harshavar
This is a magical composite moon-elf longbow forged of pure moon crystal. The bow is unstrung and seemingly useless to a human, but in the hands of a Moon Elf, it manifests energy bolts of pure moonlight.
Enchanted Strikes: Every shot mimics the drawing of an arrow, doing 8D6 + 4 hits of magical damage.
The Bane of Shadowfrost: Damage is Doubled against all Evil, Demons, Undead, and creatures of the Shadowfrost.
The Crystal Shards: The bow’s construction doubles its range from the standard 150 yards to a staggering 300 yards.
The Quiver: He carries 24 physical arrows tipped with shards of moonstone. These are valuable artifacts in their own right, worth 50 gp each on the open market.
2. Elven Moon Blades (Twin Short Swords)
These twin blades are used when the enemy manages to close the gap. They are swift, light, and provide +1D6 damage over any standard elven short sword.
Damage: 3D6 + 1 per blade.
3. The Sentinel Broadsword
A heavy, rune-etched broadsword of the North. It is his "last resort" steel, used when the magic runs thin and the fight becomes a brutal grind.
Damage: 3D6 + 4.
4. Moon Elf Cloak of Shadows (Hooded)
A dark, mysterious cloak with intricate shadows woven directly into the fabric.
A) Invisibility: Can cast Invisibility on himself for 1 hour when the hood is raised. (Daylight hours only).
B) Shadow: After sunset, the cloak wraps him in supernatural shadow for 2 hours, providing Advantage on all Dexterity SRs against sight-based creatures.
Note: The cloak must be stored in total darkness (like a lead box or closet) when not in use, or its powers fade after a day spent in the light.
5. Elven Chainmail
Magic-forged Ring Mail that offers incredible protection without the weight of human steel.
Protection: -15 hits.
V. TACTICAL NARRATIVE: HOW TO PLAY RHODOBON
In the Monsters! Monsters! or Tunnels & Trolls setting, Rhodobon is the ultimate skirmisher. He is not a "tank" meant to soak up damage. Instead, he uses his 284 DEX and Elven Grace to avoid being hit entirely.
Ranged Dominance: Keep him at the 300-yard mark. Use Eagle Eye (+1 damage/accuracy) to pick off enemy casters and leaders.
The Ghost in the Trees: Use Forest Walker to move through difficult terrain at full speed, flanking the enemy while staying invisible via the Cloak of Shadows or Moonlight Veil.
Crowd Control: When the Shadowfrost swarm approaches, use Charm to paralyze the strongest foe for 5 turns, giving the Were-Bear Dwarves time to move into melee.
The Escape: If cornered, use Fey Step to teleport to safety, then resume the rhythmic slaughter with the Moonbow.
PRODUCT IDENTITY & LEGAL
The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The world of Zimrala, the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, the Were-Bear Dwarf Tribe of Zimrala, Rhodobon the Bard, the Moonbow of Harshavar, the Elven Moon Blades, the Moon Elf Cloak of Shadows, and the "Tiger Force Shadow Saga."
Monsters! Monsters! and Humans, Humans (1st Edition) are trademarks of Ken St. Andre and Troll Godfather Press and are used with permission. The monster stats provided here are compatible fan content and not an official product. © 2025 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc ("Wizards"). All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: ... (e) "Product Identity" means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks... stories, storylines, plots, thematic elements... special abilities; places, locations, environments, creatures, equipment... The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr.: The world of Zimrala, the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, Rhodobon the Bard, the Elven Moon Blades, the Moon Elf Cloak of Shadows, and the Moonbow of Harshavar. ...
[Full sections 2-14 fully included in official post]
15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
Deluxe Tunnels & Trolls Copyright 2015, Flying Buffalo Inc.
Monsters! Monsters! 2.7 Copyright 2021, Troll Godfather Press.
The world of Zimrala, Rhodobon the Bard, and the Moonbow of Harshavar Copyright 2025, Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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