An epiphany came with the burning of Archet, at least for this out of the ordinary hobbit.

A hobbit historian will spend most of his time in libraries and books, not outside the safety of the Shire.  Apart from Bilbo Baggins, not many hobbits are known for penning other than their own memoirs or a tome on gardening taters. History is mostly a tale scribed by Men and Elves. And if Hobbits adventured more, there would be more of history told through their eyes.

The few Hobbits who live outside the Shire have no representation, Shirriff-wise or otherwise. I call this the Hobbit Diaspora. Who among us could stand up to the Dark Riders with a stout club or dagger, and who can deliver the Quick Post to other parts of Middle Earth? After Archet, I decided to be that Hobbit!

This will require becoming acquainted, if not well known, not just with the Mathom Society, but with the societies of all Free Peoples. Hobbits of the Diaspora must learn that they have a voice and they have a friend...

After Archet, I vowed to take the skills learned in a young hobbit life and perfect them for this task. A love of bronze casting trinkets was turned into a Thorin's Hall apprenticeship for weapons forging.  It was there I met the Lore Master Gladnagl, a kindred spirit in research, and Hamskald, a great teller of tall tales and my forging mentor. Being a natural packrat, it made sense to specialize in the stealth arts in order to reclaim lost antiquities unjustly stolen, as well as develop fighting skills in the role of a Bounder.

Some ask about the name "Gerbil". I was told as a child it is the Goblin word for "mouse" in the Lone-Lands dialect. It suits me fine; a creature who can survive on scant little, tunnel through the earth undiscovered, but still connected to community. As a name I would choose no better.