Heigel

Heigel is an eccentric wood gnome from the forest in the north of Mer-Rein. He lives alone with his pet squirrel, Philip, and wields a small quarterstaff for protection. His defining feature is a ridiculously over-sized hat that completely obscures his vision unless he uses a spare hand to lift the brim. The gnome has a joyful yet brash personality, and though some might call him rude, Heigel would reply that

Physical description
The first thing most people will notice about Heigel when they first meet him is the fact that he is wearing a massive hat, often changing from day to day as he always has multiple hats with him so that he can swap hats as and when he gets frustrated with a hat. Each of these hats are far too large for the Gnome often frustrating him as they obscure his vision and slip down onto his nose moments after he pushes it up to see. Beneath the hat Heigel is bolding and his hair has started to grey, even though it is early for this to be happening, his nose is often red from having his large hat striking it or resting on it, this sometimes makes people think that he could be drunk.

History
After finding a wounded deer while in the forest one day, Heigel assumed that it was the result of an incompetent hunter not caring about the impact of their actions. He set out for Oakentear where he began to rant at random people about they should care more about their effect on the environment. Most people in Oakentear were elves who fully believed that they were far superior than most other races and countries when it comes to this area, and also slightly more importantly very few people could really understand what he was arguing against. Eventually the town guard convinced Heigel that he would have a greater effect and reach more people with his message if he were to travel to Lanryin though this was more just an attempt to move him on.

Having never seen a large city or even a High Elf settlement before he was shocked to see that they had chosen to clear land rather than build around and within the trees like is common within Wood Elf societies.

Party interaction
Heigel met Markku Tovainen after Markku broke into his house, in the forest outside Oakentear after staying for lunch Heigel assists Marrku to regroup with his family.