Alton

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Alton (阿尔顿)
Species/Race	Lightfoot Halfling 55
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Xia Nan's companion; accompanies the Oath of Vengeance Blades during the Twin Ocean and Moon Tide Feast expeditions 453 455 531
Occupation/Role	Adventurer; aspiring Bard and musical support combatant 59
Status	Active; survives into the Moon Tide Feast Secret Realm crisis 570
First Appearance	Chapter 55

Background / History

Alton first travels with Xia Nan as a companion on a merchant-caravan guard mission bound for Kalanfu'er. During the journey, he makes a distinctive radish, honey, and pepper stew, openly shares his beliefs, and befriends nearly everyone in the caravan through relentless curiosity and conversation 55.

In Kalanfu'er, he performs an all-in gambling ritual at the Full Money Bag tavern: he wins continuously for two hours before losing everything except his Lucky Coin in one round. He treats the outcome as part of his understanding of fortune rather than a loss worth mourning 61. He later helps confront the town's dangers, fighting skeletons with miniature curved sabers during the graveyard incident 74.

After the Kalanfu'er conspiracy, Alton gives Xia Nan the Fate Coin when they part ways. He resumes travelling rather than remaining in one place, consistent with his Lightfoot Halfling nature 400.

More than a year later, Alton reunites with Xia Nan in Barracuda Bay. His impossible casino winning streak and carefree decision to lose all of his winnings again draw attention from both gamblers and the casino management, who suspect a connection between him and the legendary gambler Arlene 400.

Appearance

Alton is a waist-high Lightfoot Halfling with human-like proportions, fair skin, and a rosy complexion. His adventurer's clothing is practical but conspicuously colorful and carefully decorated 55.

• Short, curly brown hair and light-brown eyes 55
• Soft pointed cap decorated with feathers 55
• Bright adventuring clothes with small ornamental details 55
• Shoes embroidered with clover patterns 55
• Less bodily down than a Strongheart Halfling; his legs are the notably furry part of his body 55

Personality

Alton is easygoing, open, and intensely curious. He eagerly tries unfamiliar work, food, travel experiences, and local customs, whether that means driving a carriage, learning trap-setting, studying furniture, or watching seabirds for an afternoon 55 402 406. His enthusiasm is sincere rather than calculated, and he is exceptionally easy to please with a compliment 55 59.

He is superstitious but not rigidly solemn. Alton casually honors several Halfling gods, yet his devotion to Tymora is genuine and deeply personal. His faith shapes his tolerance for risk, money, and coincidence; he can lose a fortune, be swindled, or be threatened by criminals without losing his relaxed demeanor 55 61 487 531.

Despite his talkative nature, Alton knows not to pry into sensitive subjects such as another adventurer's Combat Skills or weapons 59. In danger, his carefree image gives way to focus, practical caution, and dependable support for his companions 423 480.

Abilities & Skills

Bardic Music

Alton uses an exquisite lute to bolster allies and interfere with enemies from the rear of a formation 59.

• His music noticeably improves Xia Nan's combat performance 59.
• He can precisely alter a melody's effect to improve Xia Nan's clarity of thought and mobility during battle 422.
• His lute music helps Aken and Sasha break free from the Deformed Shark Beast's mental control 474.
• A harsh musical attack disrupts and immobilizes a Shark Beast long enough for Hain's spell to take effect 478.
• His preferred role is back-line support; before gaining a Profession Level, a Bard generally cannot sustain a full battle through an instrument alone 59 74.

Agile Skirmishing

Though primarily a support combatant, Alton can fight effectively at close range.

• He uses two exquisite miniature curved sabers against skeletons, weaving beneath their attacks and severing their leg bones before they can react 74.
• His Halfling agility lets him redirect the force of a pickpocket's collision, catch the thief, and expose the attempted theft 62.
• Against a Four-Armed Elite Shahua Merman Guard, he evades between its legs and wounds it with a short dagger until it exposes an opening 527.
• His small stature and nimble movement make him difficult for larger, slower opponents to strike 74 527.

Divine Fortune

Alton is a devoted believer of Tymora, the Lady of Smiles and Goddess of Fortune. Xia Nan eventually recognizes him as someone blessed by the goddess rather than an ordinary believer 55 82.

• Carries a coin bearing Tymora's image and uses it in his personal rituals 55 61.
• Can communicate with a god in dreams, according to Xia Nan's understanding of his status 82.
• His extraordinary gambling streaks are associated with Tymora's favor, though he deliberately risks and loses his winnings as part of his ritual practice 61 400.
• Identifies the timing of Tymora's favor as necessary for recharging the Fate Coin's power 403.
• His fortune is not a substitute for judgment; he attributes his success in the Moon Tide Feast's stone-collection round to simply asking for the demonstration stone 537.

Cooking and Travel Skills

Alton is an accomplished field cook who eagerly learns recipes during his travels.

• His radish, honey, and secret-pepper stew earns Xia Nan's praise as nearly tavern-quality food 55.
• He later prepares meals aboard ship, including butter-roasted chicken, that rival tavern cooking despite rough presentation 406.
• He actively seeks culinary knowledge, such as asking tavern chefs about regional Cream Mushroom Soup recipes 402.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Exquisite lute — primary instrument for combat support and disruptive musical attacks 59 474.
• Miniature curved sabers — twin close-range weapons used during the Kalanfu'er graveyard battle 74.
• Short dagger — used while skirmishing against Shahua Mermen 527.
• Lucky Coin — retained after losing all other gambling winnings in Kalanfu'er 61.
• Fate Coin — a fortune-related item Alton gave to Xia Nan after their first journey together 400.

Relationships

• Xia Nan — trusted friend and recurring travelling companion; Alton gives him the Fate Coin, reunites with him in Barracuda Bay, and fights beside him with exceptional unspoken coordination 400 422.
• Tymora — the Lady of Smiles and Alton's chosen goddess; her favor is central to his rituals, outlook, and unusual luck 55 61 403.
• Sheila Peryroal — Halfling goddess of agriculture and climate; Alton pays respect to her while travelling 55.
• Alvulin — Halfling god of vigilance and war; Alton salutes him after witnessing a Night Owl 59.
• Hain — fellow Oath of Vengeance Blades expedition member; their combined music and druidic magic restrain the Deformed Shark Beast 474 478.
• Sasha — companion during the Moon Tide Feast intelligence mission and event; Sasha is protective of Alton despite his outwardly aloof manner 531 537.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Kalanfu'er Caravan and Conspiracy

• Travels with Xia Nan's caravan party, introducing Halfling customs, cooking, and his devotion to Tymora 55.
• Uses bardic music to support the party in combat and earns Xia Nan's respect 59.
• Performs his gambling ritual at Full Money Bag, then helps deal with the aftermath of Kalanfu'er's criminal and undead incidents 61 74.
• Gives Xia Nan the Fate Coin following their separation 400.

Barracuda Bay Reunion

• Reunites with Xia Nan at the Golden Cod casino after more than a year apart 400.
• Again wins improbably at gambling before casually risking and losing everything in one final round 400.
• Explains that the Fate Coin can be recharged through Tymora's favor when the appropriate timing arrives 403.

Black Gull Escort

• Joins Xia Nan aboard the Black Gull as part of the cargo escort 405.
• Supports Xia Nan against the mutated Shark Beast and Shahua Mermen, then declines a share of the spoils 423.
• Demonstrates reliable battlefield awareness by urging Xia Nan to clean up quickly before the blood scent attracts further monsters 423.

Oath of Vengeance Blades and Moon Tide Feast

• Accompanies Xia Nan on the Oath of Vengeance Blades' Twin Ocean mission, serving as a back-line musical support combatant 453 455.
• Helps the team resist the Deformed Shark Beast's mind control through lute music 474.
• Joins Xia Nan and Sasha in gathering intelligence at the Moon Tide Feast 531.
• Becomes the first participant to advance in the Deep Sea Resonance Stone event by obtaining the organizer's demonstration stone 537.
• Remains one of the final surviving participants in the Secret Realm, where he comes into contact with Algae Scale Dodd before Xia Nan's group moves to support him 570.

Notable Quotes

“The Lady of Smiles watches over the brave, and also over those who work hard to live.”

59

“Just good luck, hehe.”

537

Trivia

• Alton's footwear bears clover designs, matching his association with luck and Tymora 55.
• He is repeatedly mistaken for an easy target because of his size, youthful appearance, and cheerful manner 62 487.
• He has little attachment to money despite his exceptional gambling luck, treating wealth spent or lost in his rituals as an offering to fortune 61 400 531.