Earl Flatbroke (Empath stories)

Earl Flatbroke is a character who is part of the EMPATH: The Luckiest Smurf story series, appearing mostly in a flashback story about how Sir Johan and Peewit first met the Smurfs. Originally born and known as Lord Mumford, he is a greedy official who was very wasteful with his money and taxed the peasants to pay for his lifestyle, which earned him the odious name of Earl Flatbroke.

He was an associate of the thief Matthew McCreep, and during his latest encounter with him saw that McCreep had gained enough stolen wealth so that he could use it to buy mercenaries to take over King Audric's kingdom. The Smurfs who were looking for the magic flute that was now in McCreep's possession informed Sir Johan and Peewit of McCreep's and Flatbroke's plans, so Johan sent a letter to Flatbroke that supposedly came from McCreep to meet him on the island off the port city of Terminac. Flatbroke then boarded a ship headed to the island, with Johan and Peewit on board disguised as sailors to follow him once they reached the island. As the two adventurers eventually ran into McCreep and Flatbroke, McCreep and Peewit pulled out their magic flutes and got into a musical duel with each other while Flatbroke and Johan passed out.

By the time Flatbroke came around, he and McCreep were captured and brought into the custody of King Audric to be put into the dungeon. The stolen valuables were returned to their rightful owners, and the magic flutes were returned to the Smurfs.