Qelline Alderleaf — Halfling Farmer
Wise, pragmatic halfling farmer who runs Alderleaf Farm on the southern edge of Phandalin. Mother of Carp Alderleaf. Possibly the most genuinely competent person in town.
At a Glance
- Race / Profession: Halfling, mid-forties, farmer.
- Where to find her: Alderleaf Farm, a tidy holding south of the town square.
- Family: Her son Carp (ten years old, fearless to a fault).
Personality
Qelline is steady. She has lived through more than she lets on. She watched two Phandalins burn — once as a child when Lord Tresendar’s manor was sacked, again as a young woman when the Sword Mountains orcs came down on Conyberry and the survivors fled here. She has buried a husband and one child. Her remaining son Carp is the center of her world.
She does not panic. She does not exaggerate. When she says something is wrong, it is wrong.
What She Wants
Qelline is genuinely worried about her boy.
Readaloud
“Carp told me he found a tunnel in the woods east of the orchard. He says he heard mean voices coming out of it. He’s eight. He’s going to go back there with or without me — that’s the kind of boy he is. I’d very much rather he goes back with people who can keep him alive.”
The ask: Take Carp with you, have him lead you to the tunnel, and either confirm it’s nothing or confirm it’s something. Either way, do not let him go down into it.
Reward: Free room and board at Alderleaf Farm for as long as the party wants. A hot meal every night. Carp’s hero-worship.
What She Knows
- The hills and woods around Phandalin better than anyone. She can name every game trail, every standing stone, every old grave.
- The Old Owl Well shepherd who fled the “walking corpses” came to her farm for water on his way back to town. She heard his story before Daran did.
- She is offering her hayloft as a free bunkroom for the party if they need it. She is not doing this out of charity — she wants competent armed people sleeping near her farm.
Connections
- Family: Carp Alderleaf (son)
- Location: Alderleaf Farm, Phandalin
- Friends with: Daran Edermath (shares produce for cider), Toblen Stonehill’s wife Trilena
- Quietly suspicious of: Anyone who treats Carp as a tool rather than a child