Who is Fartbuckle? The tragic story that makes TikTok cry, explained

While celebrities like Joe Manganiello and Chris Pine have encouraged everyone to play Dungeons & Dragons, TikTok may be the platform that finally sells the role-playing game to the masses. For that, we have Fartbuckle to thank, a goblin whose exploits have made him an internet sensation—and made people cry.

As documented by TikTok user @Senpapi.Gabe, Fartbuckle's backstory is shrouded in mystery, but we do know that the goblin likes ladybugs, as they have a connection to his mysterious homeworld. Unfortunately, Fartbuckle may not get the chance to share more about his background, as he sacrificed his own life to save a D&D party from a deadly crystal while uttering the words “Fartbuckle saves friends. Fartbuckle is happy.” That seems to be the end of the tears.

The heartwarming story of friendship, bravery, and sacrifice is enough to touch anyone, and Fartbuckle's exploits will no doubt be immortalized in the realm of fantasy role-playing games for generations to come. However, Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover's mention of the goblin also helped to make his heroic story more widely known.

After the story of Fartbuckle's exploits captured the hearts and imaginations of TikTokers worldwide, a user named @tumbleweed2319 created an animated video telling the leprechaun's story, set to the tune of Childish Gambino's heartbreaking rock ballad “Lithonia.” The video has been viewed over nine million times at the time of writing, and inspired Donald Glover to make his own short clip.

@donaldglover

he fought until the end. #fartbuckle #dnd

♬ Lithonia – Childish Gambino

Glover's eight-second video, posted to his TikTok account, features a simple drawing of a man sitting and looking sad while “Lithonia” plays. The accompanying caption reads “he fought to the end,” alluding to Fartbuckle's heartbreaking death. Needless to say, the musician seems happy to have his song inspire a viral “Dungeons & Dragons” trend.

Now that Fartbuckle is a widespread success story, it would be interesting to see him in the Dungeon & Dragons movie sequel, which, if the stars align, could still happen. However, if his only legacy is being a TikTok sensation who makes people cry, that's cool too.

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