Major Characters & Secrets
Hires the party to find and stop the Thornwraith. Off-the-books mission. Has leverage over party (blackmail or necessity).
Dying of Ashlung. Weeks to live. Desperate for solution. Doesn't care about methods.
"I find people. I stop problems. You're either useful or disposable."
Commander of Ironhold garrison in Briarcrest. Honorable soldier caught in unjust war. Growing sympathy for Verdanya.
Dying of Ashlung. Daughter (12 years old, back in Ironhold) also sick. Will do anything to save her.
"I thought we were saving people. Instead, we damned two nations."
Needs 3 Mourning Roses for daughter. Willing to share intel or look the other way in exchange.
Ancient Fungril druid. Village leader. Maintains living thorn wall with daily rituals (exhausting). Hates occupation but needs soldiers to fight Verdant Curse.
"The thorns remember every drop of blood spilled here."
Needs Moonbloom petals to strengthen failing barrier. Wall has 2 weeks before collapse.
Lost family to Ironhold invasion. Became Verdant-Born while saving refugees (thorns grew through body to shield them). Now leads rebellion from Highroot.
End Verdant Curse at ANY cost. Plans to steal Sylora's Spring Eye to trigger endless winter. Doesn't care about starvation consequence.
"We're already in hell. Let's try a different hell."
Beautiful and terrifying. Living thorns weave through skin and armor. Flowers bloom from shoulders. Silver eyes. Voice like rustling leaves.
Second-in-command. The "antlered thief" from Fort Ashvale supply raid. Suspicious and ruthless. Tests party's loyalty.
Will demand proof party isn't Ironhold spies. Combat test or dangerous mission before allowing access to Thornwraith.
Runs bakery in Briarcrest. Varen says she's his informant. REALITY: She's the Thornwraith's intelligence officer, evaluating party for recruitment.
Gives 70% truth, 30% misdirection. Friendly and helpful. Plants false leads. Reports party movements to rebels.
"Best honeycakes in Verdanya!"
Bakery has secret tunnel to basement cache (rebel supplies, message drops). Hidden door behind flour sacks.
Former Ironhold soldier. Squad died to Verdant Wolves. Deserted. Partially transformed (moss on skin, one arm turning to bark). Saved by rebels, now hiding in old Wickling temple ruins.
Small shrine keeper in Briarcrest. Worships Briartongue (thorn deity). Offers blessings and ominous warnings.
"The thorns grow where blood was spilled. They remember. They hunger."
Witnessed recent supply theft. Saw Drakona with antlers (Briar) steal climbing gear. Suspects inside help.