Biographical informationFal'Addas257Falwood (Far east edge of the forest, near Alliria)Physical descriptionElfFemale5'11"120lbsPlatinum BlondeBluePalePolitical informationNoneDruidOut-of-character informationfirelightx3/25/2019https://www.deviantart.com/clintcearley/art/Druid-258851748
Rumors & Folktales Your Character May Have Heard
If your character has passed through the villages just west of Alliria, near the forests, they may have overheard stories or rumors from the locals and gossips about an elf in the woods. Feel free to embellish or exaggerate any of these details - you know how quickly tall tales get taller when the locals get bored. Here are some of the stories:
The stories disagree on many parts. Some tell of an elf who has lived in the woods as long as any living human can remember. Others suggest a more sinister origin - a creature of some sort, seeking revenge for reasons long forgotten, that takes the form of an elf to lure men to their deaths. All of them seem to agree on what's important though - she can appear out of nowhere, deep in the forest, to carry out her will.
Many of the stories tell of her heroic efforts - saving a weary merchant in their time of greatest need. Mending a hunter's broken bone after a bad encounter with a wolf. Fighting off bandits preying on the travelers on the nearby roads. Some have seen her shapeshift into animals of the forest - they tell of how the bandits were fended off by a large wolf, or how they watched her shapeshift into a crow and fly away.
Only the most raving spinsters claim to have spoken to her. Some claim to have even received a kiss from the fair lady. But more stories admit they never even saw her face. She just came, like a guardian angel, and saved them from certain death... and then was gone. Just like that.
The stories tell of a hooded figure with big, glowing eyes staring at you from underneath the shadows. No wait, they tell of a crow's beak, poking out from underneath the hood. Or a creature with arms that end in savage claws. Others still weave a tale of the fairest maiden in all the lands, with her gentle touch and her soft smile.
In reality, none of the stories quite get it right. Nola is an elf, through and through - taller than most, perhaps, but every bit as lithe and graceful in appearance. She is pretty, that much is true; bright blue eyes and soft features, with long, pointed ears. Platinum blonde hair that would reach the small of her back if she let it out of it's braids. But the one thing all the stories tend to get right is that her hood was up, masking her face almost entirely so that few have ever actually gotten a good look at her.
Her attire is simple - animal hides fashioned into a long skirt, furs around the edges for both accent and warmth. A leather top that bares her midriff. Long gloves wrapped with furs. Occasionally a cloak, specifically colored to help her blend into the forest and remain hidden when she wishes not to be seen. And of course the large hood she keeps pulled over her head.
Skills and Abilities
Shapeshifting
Nola has the ability to take the form of several different animals - wolves, lions, birds, spiders, bears, and other things often found in the forests. The animal forms she can take seem to be limited to animals that she has studied at great length. Only once she's gained a full understanding of the creature can she turn herself into one.
In combat, she uses this ability to great effect, rapidly shifting from one animal to the next as the needs of the battle require. One moment she'll be a giant hawk, dodging attacks and keeping out of range. A moment later she'll land on the ground as a lion, all teeth and claws at their back.
Healing Magic
While not a particularly proficient healer, Nola has developed some druidic skill over mending wounds and providing strength to the weak or hungry. It's a skill best used when no danger is near, as it requires a great deal of focus for her to guide nature's life force.
Communing with Animals
Nola can attempt to bond with wildlife, communicate with them and garner their aid. This is not a form of control, though, merely a form of communication - the animal must be open to begin communicated with, and she must then find a way to convince them to help her. As such, animals that are already distrustful or openly aggressive will be nearly impossible for her to pacify. But if she can earn their trust and support, she will gain a very powerful, if temporary, ally.
Her Staff
Nola's staff is relatively unremarkable - a long, smooth shaft that ends in a small blue orb held in place by twisting branches. While she is an accomplished fighter just with this staff alone, the orb allows her to channel her magical ability into a small variety of druidic attacks and spells.
Personality
Unsurprisingly, Nola is rather lacking in people skills. She can be standoffish, doesn't always play nicely with others. In many ways, her habits resemble those of the animals she frequently shifts into. She finds manners tiresome and has little patience for civilized life with all of it's rules and requirements. She is slow to trust... but once you've earned her trust, you will be hard pressed to find a more ferocious protector.
