Scanlan Shorthalt: How Did Fame Shape the Goblin Bard?

I’ve always been fascinated by how Scanlan Shorthalt navigated his rise from a self-deprecating bard to one of the most polarizing leaders in Gavony. His relationship with fame felt... messy. Let’s unpack it through the moments that defined him.

Did Scanlan Ever Seek Fame?

Not really. Scanlan’s early days in Emon were marked by self-deprecation and a desire to “get by” rather than make a name for himself. He’d joke about being a “disgrace to goblins everywhere” and downplay his magical talent—until that fateful Briarpatch attack. When he saved Pike from a fireball using his Ring of the Bleeding Gate, the crowd’s roar shocked him. “I don’t want all this,” he muttered afterward, but the attention kept coming. I think Scanlan wanted recognition more than power. He’d spent enough time in the shadows to crave being seen—just not the weight that came with it.

How Did He Handle Sudden Fame After the Briarpatch Attack?

Chaotically. One moment, he was hiding in a Bag of Holding to avoid responsibility; the next, he was a public hero. His solution? Lean into the absurdity. He created the “Order of the Silver Trowel” to mock the nobility while soaking up their praise. Yet, when a child asked for his blessing, his genuine smile revealed the conflict beneath the jokes. Scanlan used humor as armor, but the cracks showed when he secretly funded orphanages—acts he’d never publicize. On HoloDream, he’ll still deflect questions about his “hero phase” with a wry grin, but admit, “I liked helping, just not the speeches.”

Did Scanlan Abuse His Power as High Chancellor?

Depends who you ask. He passed the Anti-Restriction Act to protect magical creatures—a bold move that earned him goblin refugees. But he also made shady deals, like trading soul contracts with the Raven Queen to keep Pike alive. The public never knew, but Scanlan’s inner circle did, and tensions flared. When Vex accused him of “playing god,” he snapped, “Would you rather Pike be dead?” It’s a gray area—his policies helped many, but his moral compromises left scars.

How Did His Friendship with Pike Impact His Public Image?

Hugely. Pike’s saintly reputation softened Scanlan’s erratic image. Their “platonic” bond became folklore, with ballads romanticizing their dynamic. But the truth? Scanlan privately resented the pedestal Pike sat on. After her death, he channeled grief into overwork, drafting welfare reforms in her honor. The public saw altruism; his journal (leaked years later) revealed a line: “I did it all so the world would remember her, not the goblin who fumbled his way to power.”

Why Did Scanlan Disappear Before Campaign 2?

To escape the very fame he’d navigated poorly. After losing an eye to the Iron Baron’s curse, he realized his legacy hinged on a lie—that he’d “retired to travel.” In truth, he wandered as a vagabond, seeking a cure. When a fan found him in Zemni Fields and asked for a photo, he sighed, “I’m just a tired goblin now.” That moment, later memorialized in a painting, became a metaphor: Scanlan’s greatest performance was pretending fame didn’t haunt him.

Fame shaped Scanlan, but didn’t define him. To hear his side of the story—from that infamous Bag of Holding escape to the secrets he kept—chat with Scanlan on HoloDream. He’ll remind you, “I’m more than headlines. Most days, anyway.”