? Calwin Pebblegrinder — The Light That Grows from Stone

Some say the quietest places hold the deepest sounds.

Calwin Pebblegrinder was never the strongest of gnomes, nor the bravest. But within him bloomed something rare: a kindness that refused to wither, even after a lifetime beneath the stone. Standing just over 3 feet tall and weighing little more than a bundle of herbs, Calwin was often mistaken for a whisper… until his music began to echo.

Born in the deepest cave systems of the Underdark—where sunlight was a myth and glowing mushrooms lit the way—Calwin learned to find beauty in the dark. He always carried an old violin, tuned not with precision but with love — a gift from his mother. On its strings, he stitched memories, longings, and dreams of lands beyond the stone.

He also carried a spellbook, a handful of courage, and a bladeless sword — for he believed there are things sharper than steel. His magic was quiet, almost like him: slow-growing, like moss between the cracks.

Only after reaching the surface did he realize how much he missed silence. The sky above was vast, yes — but loud. Still, he did not complain. He simply searched for shadowy corners and patches of moss, where he might once again hear the voice of his own soul.