WHY THE NAME?

Josef Bugman was possibly the most famous Dwarf master brewer of all time. The brewing community of Bugman's Brewery, in fact a small town, had been founded in ages past by the great Samuel Bugman, Josef's long-dead grandfather. By the time of the Goblin Wars Josef was a prosperous and wealthy brewing merchant, and a reasonably passive and contented Dwarf. His small community lay well off the beaten track, away from the worst excesses of the fighting, and Josef felt no inclination to meddle in what seemed to him to be a domestic quarrel. After all 'Brass was Brass', and Bugman's Bitter sold well to Goblins and Dwarfs alike.

Josef found himself unexpectedly involved in the war when a convoy transporting Bugman's Best Bitter into the Troll Country was attacked by a rampaging Goblin band. Every last Dwarf was slain, including Samuel's only son Bono. The news came as a terrible blow to the old Dwarf, who instantly swore uncompromising revenge upon the Goblins for this foul deed of theft and murder. Without hesitation Josef took up his sword and his armour and gathered a small band of his workers - all of whom had lost relatives or friends in the massacre.

The band disappeared into the Badlands, and little was heard from them during the following years. Rumours from the south told of the ravages of Bugman's Rangers, of cunning ambushes, of deadly nocturnal raids and the consternation of the Goblins.

Eventually, wounded and deathly exhausted, Bugman and his now pitifully small band returned to their homes, only to fight their last battle defending Bugman's Brewery from the advancing armies of the Goblins. Josef Bugman's body was never found, it is generally assumed that he died along with every other member of his regiment and their families.

BATTLE-CRY

'Mhinz Abeir' - shouted by half the company, to which the rest reply - 'Z'yor Rond' - Dwarvish, translation unknown.

DEEDS

Bugman's greatest deeds must go forever unrecorded, all memory of them dying along with the Dwarf and his troops. His later life and struggle against the Goblins is itself a source of popular speculation and myth making. The invention of Troll Brew is considered by many to be his greatest achievement, however.

Next: Bugman's Merchandise.