Rocco (Brute Companion) & Benny (Bomb Maker)

Rocco and Benny are best friends, rarely, if ever, separated. The format is different than previous drop-in NPC posts as a result.

Traveling throughout the lands, Rocco and Benny are inseparable. You'll rarely find Benny riding in his custom-made saddle atop Rocco, usually only dismounting when they enter a town or city. That rarely happens, as both enjoy the wide open spaces the world offers, from the golden wheat fields to the densest forests. At night, you can find the pair sleeping under the stars, with Rocco engrossed in Benny's words as he spins fantastic stories of adventure and romance.

Physical Description

Rocco
Rocco is an imposing figure, standing almost 10 feet tall, his muscled body criss-crossed scars. He wears worn leather boots, a giant plaid kilt that falls to his knees, and two steel spiked vambrances. A custom-made saddle is fashioned to his back by leather straps, two over his shoulder and under his arms, and another around his waist. The saddle is a permanent fixture on his back, taking it off only to sleep.

Benny
Benny is of an unknown lineage, even to Benny himself. Only 3 feet in stature, he has the facial features of a goblin except for the horns that sprout from the top of his head, much like those of a kobold. He has dark brown scales that run down his neck and back, standing out against his gray-green skin. Rather than explain his appearance to curious individuals, Benny is forever in his custom-tailored leather armor.

Backstory

Rocco
Rocco was cast out from his tribe at an early age. Birthed by his hill giant chief mother, Bulra Rocco was the result of a night of passion between Bulra and a warrior ogre father. Neither ogres nor hill giants want to have anything to do with Rocco, chasing him off whenever he tries to approach them or be accepted into a tribe.

Rocco wandered the land, enthralled by the snow of the mountains, the colors of the dusk sky, and the calming feel of the dew on the grass when he slept under the stars. Rocco often hummed softly to himself, and while he was not lonely, he often wondered what it would be like to have a traveling companion or friend.

If asked, Rocco will tell the story of how he found Benny running through the forest, exhausted and covered in cuts from the forest's brambles. Begging for help, Rocco easily dispatched Benny's pursuers; after that, the two were inseparable.

Benny
One known as the mad alchemist, Benny was admired for the unique design and potential of explosive liquids and gunpowder. From goblin to giff, individuals would hunt Benny down to purchase his concoctions, while others sought to be the ones to slay the mad alchemist. Some called him a terrorist since his bombs were used to commit heinous crimes. Others thought him a genius as his unique creations saved their lives from those who sought to slaughter them and their people.

Benny claims to have found Rocco in a forest grove, humming to himself as he sat by a campfire, staring at the night sky. Worried the ogre would be killed by some 'friends' following Benny after an unfortunate misunderstanding, Benny used one of his bombs to chase them off. Rocco was eternally grateful, and the two became best friends.

Quick Reference Traits

Benny

Personality Traits. Benny's fascination with explosives knows no bounds.
Ideals. Independence.
Bonds. Protective of Rocco and willing to sacrifice himself to keep him safe.
Flaws. Hunted by the giff.

Rocco

Personality Traits. Enjoys the beauty of the world around him.
Ideals. Independence.
Bonds. Loyal to Benny and willing to sacrifice himself to keep Benny safe.
Flaws. Despised by both ogres and hill giants.

Adventure Hooks

1. Benny is being hunted down by a village mob who claim he is responsible for blowing up their city hall. They are looking for help explaining they are mistaken, as the mob is too big to handle alone.

2. A clan of hill giants wants to kill Rocco as they view him as unpure and an insult to their race. Benny is deeply concerned for his best friend, imploring the adventurers to help with this problem.

3. Benny and Rocco are searching for a rare ingredient to help cure a disease ravaging a nearby town. Benny sees it as a form of penance for his past deeds, and the two need their assistance acquiring it since it involves finding and killing a deadly creature in a distant land.

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Art Credit - Dota 2