Born into the service of a noble house, his father was a musician and his mother a maid-servant. As a child, Benni was a favourite of the noble children, especially the girls who would dress him up like a living doll. Benni just enjoyed the attention. His mother died when he was quite young of a chest infection brought on by long hours in cold quarters provided to the halfling staff of the house.
Benni charmed his way into lessons given to the noble children and picked up some basics of magic. He also watched his father, Romo, perform for nobles at parties and banquets. Romo became renowned for his lyrical tributes to local noble figures and became somewhat celebrated himself. Although he privately despised the ruling class and the servitude his family lived in, Benni's father continued to perform to provide a moderate level of material comfort and security to his son.
As Benni grew up, he was put to work in the kitchens. His silver tongue and winning charm meant he was often sent to the markets to purchase goods. Benni made a great many friends and shady contact through this and was in the habit of smuggling food out of the kitchens to street-children, especially other halflings.
This relatively comfortable life was interrupted when a drunken wedding celebration erupted into a brawl. Benni's father Romo was hit by a flying jug, fell from the stage and died. Benni's expeditions into the markets took on a more sinister purpose as in a blind rage he began to collect weapons and prepared to call in favours from underworld figures. Before he could even form a proper plan for revenge though, his patrons disappeared.
No one has ever explained it to Benni's complete satisfaction but the consensus seems to be that his noble house was on the wrong end of some political scheming and was forced to flee in the middle of the night. This left a house full of servants without masters. Many melted into the streets but Benni and the other halflings stayed. Benni has since taken over providing for them by running errands in the market-place and selling off the few valuables the nobles left behind. He and another twelve halfings live in the abandoned mansion - hiding whenever creditors come to collect debts owed by the house. He knows it is only a matter of time before they are thrown out on the street but for now it's still home.
