An elderly couple herein are master and <Renton>
mistress; the boy is a servant. These folks
have nothing to trade. The elders say that
their son Elmo would be interested in talking
with strangers—he's at the inn having a
jack of ale. Their other son, Otis (they sadly
shake their heads), took service with some
gentlemen and is away seeking his fortune.
Elmo is strong, but not too quick, and is
overfond of brew.

The elderly farmer is a retired fighter still
somewhat in practice, equivalent to level 4.
He owns a suit of scale mail, a shield, longsword,
and a light crossbow, all kept in a
chest in the front room. He is, in fact, captain
of the local militia, though he will say
nothing of it.

<Gygax>
Farmer: AC 5 (if prepared); Hero (F4);
hp 16; #AT 1; D 1-8 (sword) or 1-4
(crossbow, ranges 6"/12"/18"); XP 214;
S 15 I 12 W 16 D 12 Co 16 Ch 11
Crossbow specialist.
<sober>

<Carr>
Servant: AC 9 (shield); Level 0; hp 4; #AT 1;
D 1-6 (club); XP 14
<trusting>

Underneath some rusty nails in a keg in the
back shed are 172 ep, 51 gp, and 20 pp. A
cupboard in the house holds a silver service
worth 1, 300 gp.

Elmo may (50% chance) return while the
party is here, and may otherwise (25%) be
encountered on the road after the characters
depart. He will otherwise be encountered at
the Inn.

Elmo will reveal his status (man-at-arms)
to any who ask. While in town 'carousing',
he is unarmored but carries (as always) his
dagger +2. If asked about it, he proudly
proclaims "My brudder Otis gave it to me!"
Elmo's speech is slow and halting. He
often appears tipsy and jovial, frequenting
the Inn of the Welcome Wench much of the
time. He will state his interest—money
(obviously to be used for ale purchases) —
and will work as a hireling, gladly accompanying
any who ask providing they furnish
him with "chain armor and a BIG axe. "
Elmo only pretends his inebriation; he is a
Courser (R4), and an agent of the Viscount
of Verbobonc. His town visits are for the purpose
of observing newcomers, to insinuate
himself in their expeditions. If employed, he
dons his own mail (see below) in place of that
given (or under a lighter type), and uses his
own magical battle axe as well.

    Elmo's chest (weight) +

    Elmo's valuables are hidden in a leadlined
    oaken <large> chest buried in the dirt floor of
    the barn: chain mail +1, <large> shield +2, battle
    axe +1, 100 sp, 50 gp, 10 pp, and small
    pearls worth 100 gp each. 

    The lead will foil
    all attempts at magical detection. He also
    owns a longbow with two score arrows,
    half of them silver-tipped, though he does
    not bring this weapon on adventures.

Elmo: AC 1 (equipped) or 8; Courser (R4)
(HD 5); hp 41; #AT 1;
D 5-12 <d8+7> (battle axe +2)
or 6-9 <d4+3> (dagger +2)
each including magic and strength bonuses);
XP 375
S 18/43 (135 | 170 | 205 | 240) I 15 W 16 D 16 Co 17 Ch 11
Proficiencies: Battle Axe Specialist, Dagger, Long Bow.
THACO 13 with battle axe (17 -1 -1 -2 = 13).
THACO 14 with dagger (17 -1 -2 = 14).

If anything untoward befalls Elmo, his
brother Otis will eventually hear of it and
seek redress. See area 2 in the Nulb
encounter key for details.

<ELMO:
5th level
THACO: 12 (battle axe: d8+7), 13 (dagger: d4+5)
THACO (2 weapon): 13 (battle axe: d8+7), 15 (dagger: d4+5)
#AT: 3/2 with battle axe
AC: 1
HP: 49
SAVES: 11.12.13.13.14
Suggested proficiencies: battleaxe (specialist), longbow, dagger, longsword, local history, agriculture, drinking, hunting, cooking
Suggested proficiencies, 1e: battleaxe (specialist), dagger, hunting, weather sense, animal lore
Kindly. Extrovert: forceful, sensitive, dull, forgiving, covetous, liar, foolhardy, wastrel, lustful, pious, interest: nature>

Elmo's chest (weight) +

Hommlet +
>>3. COTTAGE>>