How Filibert Hopesinger Prevented a War

The tale of How Filibert Hopesinger Averted a War relates the story of a time when the Humans of the FIrst Kingdom and the Dwarves of the Ironhills Delve nearly came to blows - in fact allout war - over access rights to the iron ores in the mountains that lie between them. Filibert, a Halfling bard who was most definitely a lover and not a fighter, was able to prevent this war. He relied not only on his skills of persuasion, but also on the magical abilities of an item he had come to possess some time earlier.

This item appeared to be nothing more than a simple flagon of the type used to serve large quantities of ale, mead, or wine. In addition to having magical properties that allowed it to pour basically endless quantities of any of these materials, the refreshments themselves which poured forth from flagon were imbued with enchantment magic that affected the imbiber's attitude toward the server and any idea that the server set forth.

It was via these suggestions that Filibert got the leaders of the opposing sides to sit at a feasting table together. He soon had them laughing with each other and retelling adventures as if they were old friends. It was then that Filibert made a few suggestions about how the Humans could obtain the iron they needed, and the Dwarves could retain the sovereignty of their Delve and its mines. Instead of a war, the gathering resulted in a firm Alliance - a pact that remained in force right up to the Great Strife. Furthermore, it was pointed out as an example of how the different Folk could band together - it thus formed the backbone of the Great Alliance that was instrumental in securing the ultimate victory at the end of the Great Strife.

The near war between the First Kingdom Humans and Ironhills Dwarves is an historical fact. The existence of a noted Halfling bard named Filibert Hopesinger is also assumed to be historical fact. Whether or not Filibert actually prevented the war is not quite so universally accepted. Sages of the First Kingdom attribute the prevention of the war to King Kalric - the monarch at the time, while the sages of the Dwarves are convinced that it was the Master of the Ironhills Delve, Goladram Shieldbreaker whose wisdom averted catastrophe.

But everybody else, including most sages away from either the First Kingdom or the Ironhills Delve, and especially every Halfling that has ever told a tale, will swear that the legend is true.

Probably because of the assertions of the human and dwarven sages mentioned earlier, this legend is not often heard in either the First Kingdom or the Ironhills Delve - unless it is being told by a Halfling. Halflings the world over are familiar with with the story since they revere Filibert as one of the few true Heroes of their race.

The tale is a favorite of Bards of all races - the hero was, after all, a bard. It is often recounted in taverns among all of the Folk in regions beyond the FIrst Kingdom and the Ironhill Mountains, as it is a cheerful enough story that, in most tellings, involves a lot of drinking.

The major aspects of the tale appear to be consistent in the retelling all across Cartyrion and among all of the Folk. This consistency is one of factors that strongly suggests the tale is true - at least that it recounts an event that actually happened. The details of the story, however, such as the exact terms of agreement between Human and Dwarves have been known to vary in the retelling. A common set of variations also revolve around whether the Human King was drinking wine or mead; all versions agree that Dwarves drink ale... and lots of it.

Among the Humans of the First Kingdom and the Dwarves of the Ironhills Delve, the focus of this tale is more upon their respective leaders, and the ongoing importance of their agreement. The alliance that was formed is still strong, and the tale serves to all of the importance of that alliance.

Among the Halflings and among Bards, wherever on Cartyrion they might be, this tale tells of the cunning and wisdom of one of their own. It tells how a diminutive Halfling could, by the power of persuasion, a gift of eloquence, and a convenient magical item, prevent two massive armies from clashing. This is a tale Halfling parents tell their children in the hopes that they will want to grow up to be like Filibert.