"Who'd have thought it! There we were, happily plundering the baggage trains while the two armies fought - dead simple - when we run into a group of Halflings marching away from the battle. Easy pickings I thought. That was my first mistake..."
- —Bandit Chief Red Ricco, after his capture at the battle for the village of Dunroamin[1a]
Lumpin Croop's Fighting Cocks are a famous band of mercenary scouts that hail from the peaceful and agricultural farmlands of the Moot, the homeland of the Halfling race. Known to command high prices, they are thought lucky rather than highly competent and are as famed for their entertaining banter as for their skill with a bow.[3a]
History[]
"Ye World Renown. HALFLING FIGHTING COCKS. Expert Marksmen, Trackers & Woodsmen. Baggage Train guarding a speciality. Ask for Lumpin at the sign of the Fat Pig. No job too small!"
- —An employment sign for Lumpin Croop's Fighting Cocks.[2a]
The race of Halflings is mostly thought of as peaceable, well-meaning, honest and sociable. This, at least, is the common view, and it is a view readily encouraged by the sight of rosy cheeked, well-fed Halfling faces and broad Halfling smiles. Such are Nature's gifts to that race. However, even amongst this tolerant and easy-going people there is the odd proverbial rotten apple that spoils an otherwise toothsome batch. In this case, the rotten apple goes by the name of Lumpin Croop and the batch in question is known as Lumpin Croop's Fighting Cocks.[1a]
Lumpin Croop was born in the northern Moot, in a backwater village, on the wrong side of the river. His mother was the blacksmith's daughter and his father an itinerant carrot salesman. Unfortunately, Lumpin's father choked to death on a horseshoe sometime before he was born. The Halfling's childhood was not a happy one. His grandparents resented and disliked him, and could never forgive their daughter for her unwise liaison. Lumpin's bright orange hair was a painful reminder of his parentage.[1a]
Young Lumpin was forced to work long hours in the family forge. His grandfather set him to arduous and demeaning tasks such as poking the fire and straightening horseshoes. His mother suffered greatly from the unremitting disapproval of her parents. She became distraught and took to the bottle. Not surprisingly, Lumpin ran away from home as soon as he could. By this time he had already fallen into a life of pick-pocketing and bunko-artistry. These were talents doubtlessly inherited from his father along with his passion for root vegetables.[1a]
Lumpin Croop became a poacher. His extraordinarily acute night vision proved a great advantage on dark moonless evenings. Lumpin soon learned to support himself from the surrounding farms and estates. This was an annoyance to the many gamekeepers who found their game stocks and reputations plummeting fast.[1a]
One day, Lumpin happened to visit the Old Pig and Bucket, a shady hostelry in the otherwise attractive village of Beggar's End. The inn's landlord, Raggo Barrelgut, had been an eager buyer of poached rabbit in the past. On this occasion, however, rabbit pie was noticeably absent from the menu. Instead, the snug was brimming with a mob of angry gamekeepers led by the notoriously crazed Ned Hamfist. The gamekeepers were all armed with cudgels. Raggo was hiding in a corner looking embarrassed and a bit frightened.[1a]
Anticipating a sound beating, Lumpin immediately launched into a long and complicated story. Once he had begun, he soon found himself spinning a yarn of excitement, treasure and vast banquets waiting to be had in the lands over the mountains. The gamekeepers were taken aback by the young poacher's tale and soon put all thoughts of vengeance aside. Eagerly, they found themselves signing up to join Lumpin in his bright and exciting quest to the land of Tilea. Ned Hamfist bought drinks to toast their bold venture and some bright spark came up with a name for their band - Lumpin Croop's Fighting Cocks.[1a]
From that day to this, Lumpin has tried very hard to give the Fighting Cocks the slip. However, the gamekeepers are even better trackers then even Lumpin and always manage to find him and insist that he takes them along on his adventure. Lumpin's regular attempts to escape are thought to be 'training exercises' by his admirers. Similarly, his efforts to misdirect the Fighting Cocks away from Tilea and any chance of fighting are considered to be 'initiative tests'. Unfortunately for Lumpin, the Fighting Cocks are extraordinarily good at direction finding, being experts at navigating their way around quietly in the dark. Their faith in Lumpin and their belief in his adventure is unshaken.[1a]
The truth is that the Fighting Cocks are really rather good. All of the 'training exercises' and 'initiative tests' have honed their natural skills to a point where they are expert trackers and woodsmen. Their marksmanship is, as you would expect, second to none. Their woodsman's clothing and pelt-caps adorned with feathers are memorable to say the least.[1a]
Thanks to several remarkable battles, the Fighting Cocks have acquired a well-deserved reputation, and their services are now in great demand. On one occasion Lumpin was credited with saving an entire army. An enemy force had worked its way behind the army's lines and was preparing to launch a devastating attack. At the same moment Lumpin happened to be leading the Fighting Cocks directly away from the sound of fighting. Unknown to him, his route was taking the Halflings straight towards the encircling enemy. In the ensuing clash the Fighting Cocks fought with great enthusiasm and the enemy was soon scattered. Everyone was very impressed by Lumpin's foresight, not least Lumpin himself, and soon the Fighting Cocks were showered with offers of employment.[1a]
Indeed, money has started to flow into the band's coffers, and Lumpin's impromptu tale of fame and riches is starting to come true. His troops believe in him utterly and take great pride in their leader's growing reputation. Lumpin himself is learning to live with his sudden change of fortune. He is becoming unexpectedly fond of the Fighting Cocks. Such is his dedication that even on the eve of battle, he can be found in his tent working hard at devising new training exercises.[1a]
Halfling Rebellion[]
The Halfling Rebellion was a war that occurred between the forces of Elector Count Marius Leitdorf and the Halflings of the Moot, that threatened to spill into all-out barbarism in 2502 IC. Of all the frantic messengers that were sent out as the fighting began, most met an unpleasant end. Fortunately for the besieged Halflings, one of these made it to Altdorf where he encountered Lumpin Croop. Outraged at the attack on the Moot, he mustered his Fighting Cocks and joined the battle, which put an end to the genocidal assault of the maddened Elector Count of Averland, Marius Leitdorf , upon the Halflings of the Moot.[5a]
The Fighting Cocks[]
Lumpin Croop, captain of the Fighting Cocks.
"They say us archers are no good in a one-on-one fight but I could defeat the greatest pit fighter in Altdorf, as long as we started far enough apart"
- —Ned Hamfist, Lumpin Croop’s Fighting Cocks[3a]
Lumpin Croop goes to battle with 5-19 Halflings, including Ned Hamfist (the standard bearer) and a horn blower.[2a] Each of them carry a sword and a bow, wear light armoured jackets and carry shields.[1a]
They are all well used to sneaking about in woods and amongst the gorse. They use bird whistles and animal calls to coordinate their movements in the dark and amongst dense woodland. Lumpin Croop's lads are also sufficiently expert woodsmen that they can pick their way around even Wood Elf Waywatcher traps with ease.[1a]
Their battle-cry is "Hurray! Hurray! The Moot! The Moot!". This stems from an occasion in a particularly nasty battle when Lumpin Croop attempted to give his troops new orders. What he actually shouted was, "Run away! Run away... to the Moot... to the Moot!", but his words were lost upon the wind and his lads charged ferociously upon the enemy, screaming their now instantly recognisable battle-cry.[1a]
Breakfast is sacred to the gang and the captain himself checks that the chef does a great job even a few minutes before a battle. But the captain's professionalism knows no bounds, if an enemy were to attack during one of the meals the gang would be put in line instantly to face the threat and to earn their pay.[4a]
This occurred at the siege of Flintmar, where a flock of birds controlled by a Strigany sorcerer attacked his men, just as delicious honey porridge was being served.[4a]
Known members[]
- Lumpin Croop - Captain.[1a]
- Ned (properly Neddly) Hamfist - Standard bearer.[1a]
Appearance[]
Lumpin Croop and his band wear the time-honoured costume of Halfling poachers and gamekeepers. This consists of leather coat and trousers, decorated with plumes and furs. They also have distinctive fur caps made of fox-skin, beaver, or the pelt of some other wild creature, with the tail dangling down the back.[1a]
The Halflings carry packs, flasks and satchels full of provisions. They wear various tokens of their trade as decoration, such as bird-skulls suspended on leather thongs and beads made of bears' teeth.[1a]
They also wear light, armoured jackets either beneath or over their leather coats and carry a shield, often strapped to their back to leave both hands free for shooting. Lumpin's own shield has all the appearance of having once been the dartboard in the Old Pig and Bucket.[1a]
Sources[]
- 1: White Dwarf 230
- 1a: pp. 82-83
- 2: Warhammer Chronicles 2004 (6th Edition)
- 2a: pp. 65
- 3: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4th Edition: Up in Arms
- 3a: pp. 10
- 4: Ancient Blood (Novel) by Robert Earl
- 4a: Ch. 15
- 5: White Dwarf 314
- 5a: pp. 90-93
Miniatures[]
-Warhammer-Fantasy-%D1%84%D1%8D%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BC%D1%8B-Dogs-of-War-5440512.jpeg "Halflings-(Wh-FB)-Warhammer-Fantasy-фэндомы-Dogs-of-War-5440512.jpeg (70 KB)")