Daniel Dancer, The Miserly Hermit

“The Eccentric Life and Mysterious Ways of Daniel Dancer: The Frugal English Farmer Who Baffled All!”

• Alias: None known
• Gender: Male
• Race: Human
• Occupation: Notable English miser and landowner
• Religion: Not specified
• Allies: His only sister, Lady Tempest
• Enemies: None mentioned
• Abode/ Base of operations: Lived in seclusion in a rundown house in Pinner, Middlesex, England
• Nationality: English
• Languages: Likely spoke English
• Alignment: Neutral, with tendencies towards extreme frugality
• Affiliation(s): Lived a reclusive life with minimal social connections
• Significant others: His sister and Lady Tempest (both in different capacities)

Step into the intriguing world of Daniel Dancer, a man whose life unfolds with a uniqueness that captures the imagination. Born in the tranquil English countryside of Pinner, Dancer’s story is one of eccentricity, seclusion, and an unswerving dedication to thriftiness.

Dancer’s early years offer glimpses of an unconventional path. He inherits a sizable estate of eighty acres of fertile meadowland and an adjacent farm when his father passed away. This inheritance molds his future and sets the stage for a life marked by extraordinary choices.

Dancer’s journey into peculiarity begins when he embraces a life of isolation, accompanied only by his sister, a kindred spirit who shares his unique inclinations. Together, they embark on an existence characterized by stringent frugality and social detachment.

In a landscape of plenty, Dancer makes a curious decision. The fields that once flourished under his family’s care are left untended, a conscious choice to avoid the costs of cultivation. His daily sustenance consists of modest portions of baked meat and hard-boiled dumplings, prepared ahead of time to stretch his meager resources.

As the years pass, Dancer’s appearance mirrors his ascetic lifestyle. His attire is crafted mainly from hay bands, reflecting his commitment to parsimony. Once a year, he indulges in a solitary new shirt, a rare extravagance in his otherwise minimalistic existence.

Following his sister’s passing in 1766, Dancer’s eccentricity takes an unexpected turn. He uses a portion of her inheritance to acquire a pair of second-hand black stockings, a sentimental gesture that stands out against his otherwise austere choices.

Amidst his eccentricity, Dancer forms an unlikely bond with Lady Tempest, a widow whose kindness defies his isolated life. She stands by his side in his final moments, a testament to the connections formed despite his unconventional ways.

Dancer’s motivations are driven by an unquenchable desire to challenge societal norms, molding his life into a testament of individuality. Daniel Dancer’s legacy serves as a reminder that extraordinary stories can emerge from the most ordinary of lives, leaving an indelible mark on history’s canvas.

Daniel Dancer, The Miserly Hermit

Medium humanoid (human), neutral

Armor Class 11 (ragged clothes) Hit Points 55 (10d8 + 10) Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	12 (+1)	12 (+1)	14 (+2)	16 (+3)	8 (-1)

Saving Throws Int +4, Wis +5 Skills Investigation +4, Perception +5 Senses Passive Perception 15 Languages Common Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Actions

Frayed Staff. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage.

Miser’s Insight. Daniel Dancer can use his reaction to analyze the situation and give one creature within 30 feet of him advantage on a saving throw, ability check, or attack roll. He can use this ability once, regaining the ability to do so after completing a short or long rest.

Miserly Maneuvers. Daniel Dancer’s obsession with thriftiness grants him unique tactics in combat:

• Count Your Coins (Recharge 5-6). Daniel Dancer takes a moment to count his coins, granting himself temporary hit points equal to 2d6 + his Wisdom modifier (minimum 1).
• Penny Pincher. If a creature misses Daniel Dancer with a melee attack, he can use his reaction to attempt to grapple the creature, using his frayed staff as a makeshift hook. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw against a DC of 12 or be grappled.

Reaction

Paranoid Evasion. When Daniel Dancer is targeted by an attack, he can use his reaction to dodge behind his tattered clothes, granting him half cover (+2 AC) until the start of his next turn.

Lair Actions

On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), Daniel Dancer can take a lair action to cause one of the following effects:

• Scrooge’s Appraisal. Daniel Dancer scrutinizes the area, making an Investigation check contested by the Stealth check of any hidden creatures within 60 feet. If he succeeds, he knows the exact location of hidden creatures.
• Thrift’s Blessing. Daniel Dancer channels his frugal energy to grant one creature within 30 feet temporary hit points equal to his Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). The creature gains advantage on the next saving throw it makes.

Equipment

Daniel Dancer wears ragged clothes and wields a frayed staff. He carries a tattered ledger with meticulous entries of his expenses and savings. His most treasured possession is a tarnished silver coin, which he guards obsessively.

Roleplaying Notes

Daniel Dancer is an eccentric hermit consumed by his obsession with thriftiness. He lives in a dilapidated hut filled with stacks of old newspapers, rusty items, and various oddities he believes might be useful someday. He’s constantly muttering about the price of everything and is wary of anyone who gets too close to his belongings. Dancer’s fear of losing his meager possessions drives his actions and he will go to great lengths to protect what little he has. His ultimate goal is to amass wealth, even if it means leading a life of solitude and isolation.

Currently in World

Daniel Dancer is a man of slight build, with a weathered face that speaks of a life spent in isolation. His graying hair is unkempt and falls unevenly over his forehead. His eyes, though sharp and observant, carry a distant look, hinting at a mind preoccupied with matters of thrift and frugality. His attire is as ragged as his reputation, with clothing made from hay bands and other unconventional materials, a testament to his extreme miserliness.

Currently, Daniel is seated in his dilapidated house, surrounded by piles of logs of wood, scraps of iron, and sheep’s dung that he’s collected over time. The room is dimly lit, with the light filtering in through small, grimy windows. The air is heavy with the musty scent of old wood and unwashed clothes. Despite the gloominess of his surroundings, Daniel’s mood seems focused and determined. He’s meticulously examining a tattered ledger, his bony fingers tracing the entries that detail his meager expenses and holdings.

As he works, Daniel’s demeanor remains stoic, almost detached, reflecting a life devoted to the accumulation of wealth. He’s unfazed by the threadbare condition of his surroundings; in fact, they seem to mirror his own outlook on life—minimalistic, austere, and devoid of unnecessary indulgences. His current task is likely related to his ongoing efforts to minimize his expenses even further, a perpetual mission to ensure that not a single coin is spent without careful consideration.