Bruffle - The Thrembear

“Bruffle once tackled a bandit for me. I told everyone it was because he’s protective. He later informed me it was because the bandit had a sausage roll. I still call it heroism.”

— Udolf Jin - The Bad Bard.

Bruffle is no ordinary Thrembear, (a thick-furred, sapient bear species known for their large, expressive eyes, huff-grumbles, and astounding ability to pout).

Born in the Menagerie of Veyther's Hollow created by Mad Mother Mirielda in the woods of Amarexael, Bruffle was raised amidst whispers and mushrooms, nurtured by the forest’s oddest matron. But Bruffle was no recluse. No. Bruffle had dreams. Big ones. Bright ones. Round ones.

He left the Hollow with a satchel of pickled cucumbers, (Mirielda’s parting gift), and wandered into the world, eventually crossing paths with a travelling bard known across six villages (for all the wrong reasons) - Udolf Jin - The Bad Bard .

Bruffle doesn't like Udolf. No one really does. The bard's singing sounds like an injured goose in a windstorm. Whenever Udolf breaks into song, Bruffle immediately slumps down, plants his massive paws over his ears, and lets out a low, miserable moan like a dying bagpipe. Still… Udolf feeds him. Especially round things. Potato cakes. Cheese wheels. Fruit dumplings. Stuffed breads. Pickled eggs. Pancakes. Pies. Buns. Sausages curled in spirals. If it’s round, Bruffle is down. So, he tolerates Udolf. Barely.

In truth, Udolf’s continued survival can be entirely attributed to Bruffle. Innkeepers allow him to stay only because the Thrembear draws in crowds. Audiences arrive for the bear, not the bard. In fact, many patrons ask for “a silent performance - just the bear, thanks.”

Bruffle has become a travelling folk legend and the subject of painted woodcuts, shrine carvings, and one ill-advised musical revue called “Thrice the Snacks: A Bruffle Ballad.” Ladies adore him.

They queue in droves to scratch his belly and coo over his squishable ears. Children bring him gifts (round, of course), and elderly widows call him “handsome for a bear.” Bruffle accepts their admiration with a majestic huff and a slow, regal blink. But woe betide anyone who offers only one or two gifts.

Bruffle follows the sacred rule of Three Offerings - a superstition picked up from Mirielda’s teachings. The first gift is inspected. The second is sniffed. But only after the third will he nod solemnly, take the offerings, and let out his trademark “Hrrrumph of Gratitude.” Sometimes, he counts the offerings with his paws. “One. Two. Tree!” (Close enough.)

"When I play the lute, Bruffle listens. And by listens, I mean he groans and lies on his back with his paws over his ears. He’s just shy about his emotions, that’s all."

— Udolf Jin - The Bad Bard

To say Bruffle is food-oriented is a gross understatement. His daily intake includes:

• Breakfast – Hot porridge with honey and baked apples. Or toasted bread with marmalade,
• Second Breakfast – Fried mushrooms, bacons, sausage and egg rounds, and oatcakes.
• Snack – Usually whatever someone else is eating.
• Brunch – Not to be confused with breakfast OR lunch Brunch is separate and meal of it own! Often pickled fish, bread rounds and herb scones.
• Lunch – Hearty stew, crusty rolls, and berry mead.
• Afternoon Snack – Candied nuts, root crisps, a turnip cake if lucky.
• Afternoon Tea – Spiced tea with sweet buns and jam.
• 6pm Cheese-Platter Snack – Always includes cheese, pickles and crisps or else he sulks.
• Dinner – A full meal. Must include gravy or some sort of sauce.
• Pudding – A final, sweet finale. Preferably round, preferably warm. Maybe ice-cream,

Udolf complains. He whines. But he cooks. Because a well-fed Bruffle is a protective Bruffle, and a protective Bruffle keeps angry villagers from throwing Udolf into a ravine.

Bruffle has tried - gods know he’s tried - to help Udolf with the ladies. He’s done everything from presenting them with flowers (stolen from temple gardens) to nudging Udolf into conversation by physically pushing him. Once, he even performed a little “happy dance,” hoping to soften a noblewoman’s heart. But Udolf always ruins it. He fumbles words, sings awkward songs, or makes bad puns. More than once,

Bruffle has had to put his face in his paws and groan: “Hrrrrrrrrmmmmmrgh. So stupid.” And yet… they journey on.