Cribben Hayduke

An Elf Druid who was one of the original members of the adventuring party. Cribben’s fate took a dark turn when the Night Hag’s curse affected him differently than the others, transforming him into a toad. He hopped off into Whisperwood Forest and was never seen again.

Background

Cribben joined the party at the very beginning of their adventure in Phandalin, answering Townmaster Riglid’s call to investigate the raids and kidnappings plaguing the town’s supply lines.

Abilities

As a druid, Cribben demonstrated:

• Thorn Whip — Used to incapacitate enemies and give the party tactical advantages
• Wild Shape — Could transform into animals (ironically, his final transformation was involuntary)
• Nature Magic — Connection to the natural world

Key Moments

Session 3 - The Ulfandor Mines

During the battle in the skeletal ossuary, Cribben initially transformed into a rat but then used his Thorn Whip to incapacitate enemies and allow the party to gain the upper hand.

Session 4 - The Night Hag’s Curse

When the Night Hag cursed the party in Whisperwood Forest, the curse affected Cribben differently than the others. While the rest of the party suffered wisdom penalties that the Dryad Erinthin later lifted, Cribben was unwillingly transmuted into a toad and hopped off into the forest, never to be seen again.

Current Status

Cribben’s fate remains unknown. Whether he still lives somewhere in Whisperwood as a toad, eventually broke free of the curse, or met some other end is a mystery. The Dryad Erinthin lifted the curse on the remaining party members, but Cribben had already disappeared into the forest by that time.

Legacy

Cribben’s sudden disappearance serves as a stark reminder of the Night Hag’s cruelty and the dangerous, unpredictable nature of Whisperwood Forest. His empty place at the party’s campfire is a wound that has never fully healed.