Submitted for review and approval.
Name: Hugo Underburrow
Race: Hobbit
Culture: Hobbit of the Shire
Calling: Scholar
Vital Stats: Small, 3’2” with scruffy brown hair and eyes. He has noticeably large hands and feet for so small a frame. His is fit, but portly (having not missed many meals!).
Standard of Living: Prosperous - Hugo comes from a well-to-do family and his dress and travelling gear are of quality craftsmanship.
Standing:
Traits: Cooking, Smoking, Rhymes of Lore, Small
Character Sheet
Character Image
Hugo Underburrow was born on the 8th of Afterlithe (July) in the Shire Reckoning year 1320 (TA 2920) and hails from very sensible and respectable Hobbit families. He is the son of Hobo and Amelia (Underhill) Underburrow of 11 Brocks Lane, Bucklebury Village, Buckland, East Farthing, The Shire.
Hugo’s father is the second Librarian of Brandy Hall, after his father and its founder, the renowned Mr. Hamfast Underburrow, Esq. Originally from Staddle, Amelia met Hobo during his frequent travels to Bree-Land in search of new materials to house at Brandy Hall. Her father, Post-Master Greggo Underhill, reluctantly blessed Hobo’s proposal knowing that it would remove his dear daughter across the Water to the Shire.
Hugo’s early childhood was indeed very Hobbit like, apart from being a Bucklander prone to such dreadful activities such as swimming and boating! He was never one to cause much mischief. As a young lad he happily assisted his father in maintaining the Library and became an avid reader. He devoured tales of ancient peoples, heroic adventures, and the many wars fought throughout the centuries. He took a particular liking to maps, and soon began map-making as a hobby. Indeed, many maps now displayed in the Library are of his hand!
In his tweens, Hugo began an apprenticeship under his father. He learned the meticulousness of managing the many administrative duties associated with the Library. He accompanied Hobo on several journeys to Bree-Land as part of his official duties as Librarian. Hugo loved this time with his father and appeared to be well on the way to becoming the the third Librarian of Brandy Hall.
It was in his early twenties where things would change. One morning, the Master of Buckland visited with Hobo at the Library. The Master brought a curious fellow with him, a Mr. Bilbo Baggins of Hobbiton who carried a large, red, leather-bound book of his own. The three sat in private for several hours, occasionally directing Hugo to fetch an old book or scroll from the shelves. About super, the three emerged from the smokey room, famished from their meeting. The Master and Hobo set off to prepare a meal, leaving Hugo with Mr. Baggins.
Bilbo browsed the many shelves and came to one of Hugo’s maps of Buckland. Admiring the craftsmanship and detail, it didn’t take long for Bilbo to produce his own map; only it was not of The Shire! It was of a far off place called Wilderland. Soon a tale of Dwarves, Elves, mountains, Goblins, riddles, spiders, barrels, Men, Dragons, Wizards, and War filled Hugo’s ears! He was transported, his mind exploding with the images of far off lands. Here, before him, was a Hero from ancient days only in Hobbit form! This brief encounter would become the defining moment of young Hugo’s life.
Not long after Hugo fell into a funk. To this point in his life, the adventures he read about seemed the stuff of fantasy, unreal and impossible. Upon meeting Mr. Baggins those same adventures now appeared to be achievable! The walls of the Library seemed to close in on him, the roads of Buckland worn. In an effort to settle the restlessness growing inside, he took on a job of Postman (much to his mother’s liking!). Afterall, his younger brother Harry had now come into apprenticeship at the Library as well, leaving not enough work for too many hands.
For roughly the next decade Hugo found peace as he travelled throughout the Shire. He delivered post to all four Farthings, often volunteering for the longest and most strenuous deliveries. He often travelled to Bree-Land on deliveries and became familiar to those areas and known in Staddle, Combe, and Archet.
To this point his wanderlust had been successfully satisfied. It was at the Prancing Pony where the dormant flame of adventure would be rekindled. Strangely dressed wanderers, who spoke with thick accents, told tales of gold flowing down rivers, rainbow colored streets, and wondrous items pouring out of lonely mountains! It was as if a sudden gust of breath struck smouldering coals, and Hugo’s restlessness was reignited!
At age 33, Hugo announced he was abandoning his home and country for the life of adventure in the wild! Within a short while, he closed his affairs, gathered his belongings, and joined a group of Dwarves headed east on the Great Road! His parents hardly had time to say good-bye, so sudden was Hugo’s departure!
By age 37, he had accompanied Bree-Men and Rangers to destroy an Old Troll plaguing the South Downs, and assisted in patrolling the Great Road as far east as the Forsaken Inn. But perhaps his most heroic effort was in assisting the Rangers with safeguarding his beloved Shire from encroaching evils out of the north. Upon returning home for a respite, he was rewarded by the Master of Buckland for his efforts in defending the Shire, and given an heirloom to guard against harm. Being now rested, Hugo has decided to set out east along the Great Road once again.
