Arthur a Bland — The Merry Tanner of Sherwood

Arthur a Bland — the brawny, wisecracking tanner of Sherwood who can trade quarterstaff blows with Robin Hood and still laugh over an ale.

• Alias(es): The Merry Tanner, Staffmaster of Sherwood
• Gender: Male
• Race/Species: Human
• Occupation/Role: Tanner by trade; outlaw quarterstaff champion; mediator among the Merry Men
• Religion/Belief System: Folk Christianity with strong reverence for the Greenwood and common law traditions
• Key Allies: Robin Hood, Little John, Will Scarlet, Friar Tuck, various Sherwood villagers and craftsmen
• Primary Enemies or Rivals: The Sheriff of Nottingham, corrupt reeves, predatory merchants, abusive tax collectors
• Abode / Base of Operations: Sherwood Forest, often near a tanner’s camp or woodland clearing
• Nationality / Cultural Background: English (Medieval, 12th–13th century outlaw tradition)
• Languages Spoken: Middle English (vernacular), basic Norman French (for trade disputes)
• Moral Alignment: Neutral Good — values fairness and protection of the common folk, willing to defy unjust authority
• Affiliations / Factions: The Merry Men of Sherwood
• Significant Others / Romantic Ties: Varies by telling — sometimes portrayed as unattached, in others with a sweetheart among Sherwood’s craftsfolk

Origins and Early Life

Most tales grant Arthur humble beginnings. He is a tanner by trade—a profession of strong backs, steady hands, and unsentimental mornings. The vats teach patience; the hides teach toughness; the markets teach wit. From this world he brings practical skills to Sherwood: knowledge of the countryside, bargaining savvy, and an instinct for reading people before they read him. In some tellings he has kin among the forest folk, in others he is a wanderer drawn toward the green hush of outlaw freedom. Either way, he enters legend already grounded—feet in mud, eyes on fairness.

First Crossing of Staves: Meeting Robin Hood

The defining scene arrives on a path raked with oak leaves. Robin blocks the way; Arthur answers by planting his staff like a banner. Boasts are traded, blows follow, and the rhythm of wood on wood becomes the rhythm of mutual respect. When Robin tastes defeat—or at least a bruising draw—he does not sulk; he laughs. Arthur laughs back. That’s the hinge of his story: he wins a fight and gains a family. The quarrel ends in ale, and ale ends in allegiance.

Life Among the Merry Men

Once in the band, Arthur’s role is clear. He is the reliable middle: the one who can carry a plan on his shoulders after the cleverest scheme goes sideways. He spars with Little John for sport, bargains with merchants so no poor villager pays a cheat’s price, and serves as the camp’s unofficial quartermaster—mending straps, truing staves, keeping gear honest. When the Sheriff’s riders thunder past, Arthur is the first to step out and the last to step back, a wall between danger and the timid. He is not the poet of the camp, nor its priest, nor its prince—he’s the backbone, and everyone knows it.

Major Events and Exploits

• The Quarterstaff Bout in the Greenwood: Arthur’s famed first encounter with Robin—equal parts contest and courtship of comradeship—cements his place among the Merry Men.
• The Market-Day Ruse: Disguised as an ordinary tanner, Arthur lures corrupt reeves into overcharging him, then flips the ledger—funds returned to the poor, pride docked from the pompous.
• The Bridge Stand-Off: When a narrow crossing pits him against hired swords, Arthur holds the center, turns the blades with his staff, and buys the minutes Robin needs to spirit villagers to safety.
• The Tanners’ Pact: He negotiates quiet support from craftsfolk—leather, thread, and boots at fair cost—creating a supply line that outlasts any single raid.

Key Achievements

• Elevating Craft as Honor: Arthur proves skilled labor is not merely background; it’s a virtue that powers justice.
• Champion of Fair Dealing: He becomes the band’s arbiter in disputes over price, tax, and rightful due, ensuring “rob from the rich” never becomes “cheat the foolish.”
• Master of the Quarterstaff: Not just strength—timing, stance, and mercy. He knows when to bruise a knuckle and when to spare a jaw.
• Keeper of Morale: His humor unclenches fists and steadies nerves; he turns fear into focus with a well-placed jest.

Character Analysis

Strengths

• Pragmatic Courage: Arthur doesn’t seek danger, but he refuses to step aside from it. He acts where others argue.
• Craftsperson’s Mind: He thinks in sequences—soak, scrape, stretch—translating the cadence of work into the cadence of strategy.
• Loyalty Without Blindness: He follows Robin because Robin earns it daily; if a plan smells wrong, Arthur says so.

Flaws and Vulnerabilities

• Stubborn Pride: Insults to his craft or his friends hit hard; he will take a challenge too far rather than leave a slight unanswered.
• Impatience with Pretension: Courtiers, heralds, and paper laws fray his temper; subtle politics can slip past him while he’s busy calling a sham a sham.
• Quiet Burden-Bearing: He absorbs others’ worries, mending problems in silence—until the weight shows in the set of his shoulders.

Fears

• Becoming the Bully He Fights: Power corrupts most when it looks like “help.” Arthur watches himself closely to keep his strength from turning into swagger.
• Letting the Band Down: His deepest dread is failing at the simple, vital task—hold the line, keep the promise.
• Vanishing into a Jest: As the tales grow, he fears being remembered only as “the big tanner with jokes,” not as the conscience who kept the scales balanced.

Motivations

• Fairness in the Small Things: Grand speeches mean little if a widow is still overcharged for a belt. He fights for the receipts, not the rhetoric.
• Dignity of Work: He wants a world where honest labor stands taller than inherited privilege.
• Chosen Family: The Merry Men are more than comrades; they’re the proof that justice can be lived, not merely claimed.

Ultimate Goals

• A Lasting Balance: Not the end of lords, but the end of lording it over—customs and markets that treat common folk squarely.
• A Story That Teaches Straight: If children copy him, let it be in fairness and restraint, not just in staff-swinging bravado.
• A Quiet Return: In some endings he imagines laying down the staff, running a simple shop, and pricing every strap so fairly that no Sheriff’s man can find purchase.

Legacy and Significance

Arthur a Bland stands out because he centers the craftsman within the outlaw myth. He refocuses Robin Hood from a legend of daring nobles and trickster priests to a coalition where skilled hands and honest trades anchor the cause. His presence reminds us that justice isn’t only won in castles or on bridges—it’s also measured at the stall, the workbench, and the handshake. In a chorus of famous names, Arthur provides the harmony line: steady, humane, indispensable.

Suggested Timeline (Traditional Tellings)

1. Early Life as a Tanner: Learns the trade, the markets, and the measure of men.
2. Sherwood Encounter: Duels Robin Hood; earns friendship through grit and good humor.
3. Service in the Band: Mediates prices, leads defenses, and keeps the gear—and the morale—sound.
4. Quiet Heroics: Market justice, bridge stands, and rescuing the overlooked.
5. Enduring Folklore: Remembered as the emblem of working-class honor within the Greenwood.

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Why he matters: Arthur a Bland shows that the strength to strike and the wisdom to stop are two halves of the same virtue—and that the fairest champions of freedom may wear aprons as often as armor.

Plot Hooks

• The Tanner’s Tale: A tanner in a nearby village recognizes the party’s association with Arthur a Bland and begs for their assistance. He reveals that Arthur once saved his life from a gang of bandits, and now the tanner’s daughter has gone missing. The party must investigate the disappearance and uncover a plot that threatens to unravel the peace Arthur and his Merry Men fought so hard to achieve.
• The Fabled Bow of Sherwood: Rumors abound of a mythical bow crafted by Arthur a Bland himself, said to possess extraordinary power. The party receives a cryptic message leading them on a quest to recover this legendary weapon, with Arthur providing guidance and advice along the way. However, they soon discover that they are not the only ones seeking the bow, and a race against time ensues to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.
• The Sheriff’s Conspiracy: A trusted informant within Nottingham Castle reveals a sinister plot orchestrated by the Sheriff of Nottingham to frame Arthur a Bland for a series of crimes he did not commit. The party must gather evidence, expose the truth, and clear Arthur’s name, all while evading the relentless pursuit of the Sheriff’s guards and facing deadly challenges set by his henchmen.
• The Lost Lore of Sherwood: A forgotten tome containing valuable knowledge about the history and secrets of Sherwood Forest has resurfaced, attracting the attention of scholars and collectors alike. Arthur enlists the party’s help to retrieve the book, as it contains vital information that could ensure the safety and prosperity of his people. However, they must navigate a labyrinthine library guarded by magical traps and puzzles to claim the lost lore.
• The Ranger’s Test: Arthur challenges a ranger within the party to a series of trials and tests of skill, designed to prove their worth and dedication to the cause of protecting Sherwood Forest. If the ranger succeeds, Arthur offers them an honorary place among his Merry Men and the chance to learn the secrets of their legendary archery.
• The Ghost of Little John: Disturbing reports emerge of a ghostly figure resembling Little John, one of Arthur’s closest companions, haunting the outskirts of Sherwood Forest. The party investigates and discovers a powerful enchantment tied to the restless spirit. They must uncover the truth behind Little John’s lingering presence and find a way to release his soul, bringing peace to both the Merry Men and the forest itself.

Currently in the World

Arthur a Bland is a tall and sturdy man with a rugged appearance. His weathered face bears the marks of a life spent in the wild, with a strong jawline and piercing blue eyes that reflect his determination. He has a head of unruly dark brown hair that falls just above his shoulders. Arthur’s physique is built for endurance, showcasing well-defined muscles and a broad frame.

Currently, Arthur is standing amidst the ancient trees of Sherwood Forest, his home and sanctuary. The dappled sunlight filters through the leaves, casting a gentle glow on his surroundings. He wears a forest-green tunic and brown leather pants, practical attire that allows him to move swiftly and silently through the dense undergrowth. A quiver of arrows is slung over his back, while a well-crafted longbow is held firmly in his calloused hands.

Arthur’s expression carries a mix of determination and a hint of mischief. He is focused on the task at hand, tracking the movements of a group of oppressive nobles who have been exploiting the common folk. His current mission is to ensure that justice prevails and the downtrodden are protected. The weight of his responsibilities is evident, but there is also a spark of excitement in his eyes, knowing that he and his band of Merry Men can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

As Arthur takes a moment to survey his surroundings, the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves fill the air, creating a serene backdrop to his thoughts. He inhales deeply, drawing in the scent of the forest, feeling a sense of belonging and purpose. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, Arthur’s resolve remains unwavering, ready to stand against injustice and fight for a better future for all.

Recommended Encounter: The Ambush at Nottingham Bridge

Encounter Level: Medium Environment: Forested area near a bridge

Description: The party is traveling through Sherwood Forest when they come across a seemingly abandoned bridge. Unbeknownst to them, the Sheriff of Nottingham has set up an ambush to capture or eliminate Arthur a Bland and his Merry Men. The encounter takes place in a dense forest, with the bridge serving as the focal point.

Enemies:

• Sheriff’s Guards (x4): Medium humanoid (human), equipped with swords and shields. They are trained soldiers under the command of the Sheriff, skilled in close combat.
• Sheriff’s Archer (x2): Medium humanoid (human), armed with longbows and arrows. They are highly skilled archers and excel at ranged attacks.
• Sheriff’s Lieutenant: Medium humanoid (human), a seasoned warrior who serves as the leader of the group. Equipped with heavy armor, a longsword, and a shield, they are a formidable opponent.

Terrain:

• Forested Area: The encounter takes place in a dense forest with thick undergrowth, providing ample cover for both the party and the enemies.
• Bridge: The bridge spans a small river, creating a bottleneck and forcing the party to cross through a narrow passage. It serves as a strategic point for the enemies to set up an ambush.

Tactics:

• The Sheriff’s Guards engage the party in melee combat, attempting to overwhelm them with their numbers and coordinated attacks.
• The Sheriff’s Archers position themselves strategically to gain a clear line of sight and rain arrows down on the party from a distance.
• The Sheriff’s Lieutenant takes a defensive stance, using their shield to protect against incoming attacks and leading the guards in combat.

Additional Features:

• Surprise Element: The enemies initiate the encounter by springing the ambush, catching the party off guard. The element of surprise gives the enemies an advantage in the early stages of the battle.
• Reinforcements: If the encounter proves too easy, additional Sheriff’s Guards or Archers can be introduced from the surrounding forest, making the fight more challenging.

Objective:

• The party’s objective is to either defeat the Sheriff’s forces or drive them off, ensuring the safety of Arthur a Bland and the Merry Men. This encounter can serve as a crucial moment in the campaign, further establishing the ongoing conflict between the outlaws and the Sheriff of Nottingham.