Workbenchling
Appearance
The Workbenchling looks almost identical to a standard crafting table, but if you look closely, you'll notice four small wooden legs hidden beneath its base, which it uses to scuttle around. When stationary, these legs retract, giving it the perfect disguise. Occasionally, its "face" (made up of a subtle arrangement of knots and grain on the surface) may blink, adding a tiny element of surprise for observant players.
Spawning Behaviour
Workbenchlings only spawn in areas where humans are present, such as villages, camps, or anywhere players have established a dwelling. They are drawn to human activity, as if they enjoy being part of the crafting process—even if they're a bit shy about it.
Movement and Behaviour
The Workbenchling only moves when no players are looking directly at it. When it senses a player's gaze, it immediately freezes, blending perfectly into its surroundings. This creates a lot of opportunities for fun interactions, as players might swear that their crafting table wasn’t where they left it.
If a player tries to use the Workbenchling thinking it’s a regular crafting table, it will let out a comically high-pitched scream and dash away at surprising speed. It makes a beeline for the nearest forest or cluster of trees, its little legs flailing, leaving players both startled and amused.
After running away, the Workbenchling will slowly make its way back to the village or player camp once it feels safe again. It likes being part of the action but doesn’t want to be caught.
Interactions
The Workbenchling is perfect for pranks, especially in multiplayer. Players can trick their friends by placing real crafting tables alongside a Workbenchling, leading to hilarious confusion as one of them suddenly bolts when interacted with. This can create an "inception" effect where players are left questioning which crafting tables are real.
Occasionally, if left alone for long enough, the Workbenchling might perform minor actions like slowly rotating in place or emitting a faint creaking sound, almost like it's "stretching." This adds a layer of eerie charm to its disguise.
Sounds
When moving, the Workbenchling makes creaky, wooden sounds, similar to the sound of an old rocking chair. When hit or startled, it makes a louder, more exaggerated wood-squeaking noise.
Its scream when a player tries to use it is cartoonish, somewhere between a squeaky door and a frightened animal. This sound is distinctive and designed to be funny rather than scary.
Stats
The Workbenchling has 20 HP, making it fairly durable.
When defeated, it drops wooden planks (2-4) and occasionally a single crafting table. This makes players think twice before attacking it, as it's more useful alive for the entertainment value.
Additional Ideas
Very rarely, if a Workbenchling is comfortable enough around a player (perhaps if it has been left undisturbed for a long time), it might "help" by dropping a random low-tier crafting ingredient, like a stick or a piece of flint. This would make players consider letting it stay around instead of scaring it off.
If multiple Workbenchlings are present, they may occasionally "play" with each other when no players are watching, engaging in a slow, awkward game of tag. This could add more depth to their behavior and make them feel like part of a hidden world that players don’t always see.
The Workbenchling is all about adding a touch of whimsy and unpredictability to the game world. Its harmless yet mischievous nature makes it a memorable encounter, and its prank potential is perfect for spicing up multiplayer sessions.
