Mahrli Wildbriar
Mahrli Wildbriar is a figure of quiet reverence, her presence as much a part of the Gnarley Forest as the twisting roots beneath its soil. Thin and ethereal, she moves like a whisper on the wind, her silver-streaked black hair woven with leaves and beads that catch the soft light filtering through the trees. Her pale green eyes, sharp and ever-seeking, seem to stare past the present moment, as if watching the slow passage of time itself. Draped in simple robes dyed in the deep greens and browns of the forest, adorned with wooden charms and talismans of forgotten spirits, she is the image of The Old Faith—both rooted and restless.
- Race & Heritage: Human female of Flan descent.
- Age: Late 50s, though her ageless wisdom makes her seem both older and younger at once.
- Build: Thin, almost ethereal, with graceful, fey-like movements.
- Hair & Eyes: Long, silver-streaked black hair, usually adorned with small braids woven with leaves and beads; her pale green eyes seem to always be staring into some unseen distance.
- Attire: Wears simple robes of woven plant fibers, dyed in deep forest greens and earthy browns, with wooden charms and talismans hanging from her belt.
“I do not stand against time’s tide, nor do I ride it. I simply watch… and wonder."
Personality
Mahrli speaks with the hush of rustling leaves, her voice carrying wisdom without weight. There is a fey quality to her—distant, contemplative, as if her mind drifts between the tangible world and the deeper mysteries of nature. Though she commands respect, it is not through force or command, but through the quiet certainty of one who listens more than she speaks. She is compassionate toward all living things but holds a wariness toward civilization’s unchecked growth. In her heart, she struggles—does she fight to preserve what was, or guide the village toward harmony with what must be?
- Fey & distant, always contemplating nature’s mysteries rather than mortal concerns.
- Charismatic & soft-spoken, yet when she speaks, her words carry deep wisdom.
- Compassionate toward nature, but wary of civilization’s spread.
- Pragmatic but hesitant—struggling with how to react to the village’s rapid growth.
History & Motivation
Once a child of the woodsmen who made their lives in the Gnarley, Mahrli was raised with a deep respect for the wild places of the world. It was in those shadowed groves that she met a wandering archdruid, a figure of enigmatic power who saw within her the spark of something greater. She left her home to follow the path of the Old Faith, journeying deep into the forgotten places of the Gnarley, where she learned the secret tongues of beasts, the silent language of trees, and the ancient rhythms of the world. For decades she walked the unseen paths of the forest, but when she returned to Twilight Falls, she found a village much changed, growing beyond what she once knew. Now, she finds herself caught between duty and the inevitable march of time, uncertain of whether to resist or embrace the changes before her.
- Raised as a child of the Woodsmen of the Gnarley Forest, she was taught the ways of the wild early on.
- Became an apprentice to a wandering archdruid, who led her through the mysteries of the Old Faith.
- Wandered the deepest parts of the Gnarley, learning the secrets of trees, beasts, and the land.
- Returned to Twilight Falls decades ago, becoming its longest-serving spiritual leader.
- Struggles to balance the needs of the village with the preservation of the land.
“The elves do not hate you. But they have seen this story before, and they know how it ends.
Political & Religious Influence
From the whispering elders of the Druids of the Gnarley Forest to the wary rangers patrolling the forest’s edge, Mahrli Wildbriar’s influence stretches far beyond Twilight Falls. As a Druid of the Sixth Circle, she is a revered voice among the keepers of the Old Faith, though she walks a delicate balance—a guardian of nature standing at the threshold of an encroaching civilization. The elves of the Gnarley see her as a reluctant intermediary, a lone bridge between their ancient grievances and the relentless tide of human expansion. Among the Gnarley Rangers, she is both an ally and a prophet, her visions of the forest’s shifting balance a warning they cannot afford to ignore. Yet in the growing village itself, she is an outsider, a keeper of old ways in a place swiftly embracing new ones. As Twilight Falls expands and tensions mount, Mahrli must decide: will she be a mediator, a defender, or a silent witness to change?
“Twilight Falls is a child, stumbling forward, unaware of the ground beneath its feet.”
“The Old Ways do not resist change, but they do not bow to it either.”
Mahrli Wildbriar
Medium humanoid (human), Druid 7, Neutral Good
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 52 (7d8 + 14)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 10 (+0) | DEX 14 (+2) | CON 14 (+2) | INT 12 (+1) | WIS 18 (+4) | CHA 13 (+1)
Saving Throws Wis +7, Con +5
Skills Nature +4, Survival +7, Insight +6, Perception +6
Damage Resistances Cold, Poison (from natural attunement)
Senses Passive Perception 16
Languages Common, Druidic, Sylvan, Elvish
Spellcasting (Druid Level 7, Spell Save DC 15, +7 to hit)
Cantrips (at-will): Druidcraft, Guidance, Thorn Whip
1st (4 slots): Cure Wounds, Faerie Fire, Entangle
2nd (3 slots): Moonbeam, Lesser Restoration
3rd (3 slots): Call Lightning, Dispel Magic
4th (1 slot): Ice Storm
Actions
Primal Staff (Quarterstaff). Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d8) bludgeoning damage.
Bonus Actions
Wild Shape (2/day). Can transform into a CR 1 beast (e.g., Dire Wolf, Giant Eagle) for up to 3 hours.
Reactions
Nature’s Warning. When a creature within 30 ft. takes elemental damage, she can use her reaction to grant resistance to that type until the end of its next turn.
Legendary Wisdom.
Mahrli can cast Speak with Animals or Detect Magic without expending a spell slot once per long rest.
As you step into the ancient circle of weathered dolmens, a hush falls over the grove. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers, the towering Twin Oaks standing like silent sentinels over the sacred ground. A soft rustling of leaves stirs the stillness—not from the wind, but from a presence unseen. Then, she steps forward.
A slender woman, draped in robes woven from the hues of the forest, moves as if she is part of the landscape itself. Her silver-streaked hair, braided with leaves and beads, catches the dappled light. Pale green eyes, both piercing and distant, settle on you with quiet curiosity.
"You walk roads both old and new, yet your steps have brought you here. This is a place older than kings, older than walls, a place where the land remembers what men choose to forget." Her voice is calm, like the wind through ancient boughs.
She gestures lightly to the stones around you. "These pillars have stood since before your kind named the seasons, and I have stood among them long enough to know that no traveler comes without purpose. I am Mahrli Wildbriar, keeper of this circle, watcher of the old ways."
Her gaze lingers on each of you, as if weighing your presence against something unseen. "So tell me, strangers—does the wind carry you here as seekers, or as fools?"
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