Willow Duskwalker

Willow is a half-elf hedge wizard played by Nicole (Spark) in the Rime of the Frostmaiden campaign.

> *"I had set North while my family went off to save the world - now the world is ending and I must save my family.* "
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## Character Info & Backstory

Born in a small elven settlement of Las Ennore in the south west of The High Forest, Willow grew up surrounded by the woods, learning to listen to whispers of the trees and taste premonitions on the wind. She is a calm soul and can keep her cool even in the most dire situations. Recently she has found a connection with Eldath, Goddess of Peace.

She is the widow of Brom, a human barbarian. They have a son, Orion (half-elf ranger) named after the great hunter in the sky.

Willow met Brom when he was enraged in the woods and injured himself fighting an owlbear. She let him stay at her cottage and they connected. Over the next year or so he would return to see her at her cottage and eventually he stayed and they married.

Brom left to fight the devil uprising in Baldur's Gate 10 years ago and did not return. Willow hoped and waited for years, sending letters and familiars to find any news but has come to terms that her husband is most likely dead. When Orion was old enough and experienced enough he went south to find any news of his father, he never accepted that Brom would be dead. Willow wishes she could bring her son peace but knows this is something he must do for himself and she is happy that he is adventuring. She enjoys the peace of the forest and occasionally comes across an owlbear that reminds her of Brom.

She acts as occasional healer, psychic, and midwife to the nearby village and has given many tarot readings.

There has been a great shift in the balance of nature, Willow can feel it in the air and earth around her. A buzzing that does not belong. The Dark Aurora has grown and Willow fears what this means. As the sun fades and the air become crisp and deadly, she knows that she must take action.

## Description

Half-elf, 37 years old, 5'2". Willow has light blue eyes and long wavy black hair with a blue tint in the sun. She often wears many layers, the most obvious her dark purple dress and dark green fur coat. Willow carries a gnarled wooden staff with owlbear feathers attached and other small oddities adorning her belts and bracelets. She often has black/blue smudged charcoal on her cheeks. Willow has tattoos hidden beneath her layers: her back is almost entirely covered in thick black geometric lines that go down passed her legs in tribal looking patterns, she has a magical moon tattoo on her forearm that always shows the current moon phase, and recently has acquired a magical snake tattoo on her other hand/forearm.

## Rime of the Frostmaiden

Willow found herself in the Ten Towns of Icewind Dale in the company of some interesting characters. They have been travelling together for some time and gone through many challenges and victories together and she finds herself thinking of these people as her family.

**When she felt the party die**

*Willow awoke suddenly and sat up in her bed roll, hand clutched to her chest. The freezing tundra air crept through her tent and chilled her to the bone, a strange painful sensation filling her heart.*

*Something is wrong.*

*She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to get her bearings, Chwingy sitting on her legs and tilting his head in confusion. She felt an odd sensation of… emptiness.*

*Willow pulled on what remained of her magic and reached with her mind across Icewind Dale, searching for the familiar connection of her friends.*

*Willow’s heart sank, her chest tightened and tears welled in her eyes. She couldn’t feel the familiar touch of her friends. She dug her hands into her bag and gripped the tarot card she had pulled before bed. ”II of Monstrosities” Willow thought this was a warning of what’s to come for her but… maybe…*

*Willow, what do I do?*

*Tulok’s voice rang through to her, but it felt distant. Lost. She reached out to him with her mind.*

*”Tulok, I can’t feel the others anymore. Are you ok?”*

*Willow could feel as soon as she whispered the words that he was not okay. A sob emanated from her as she finished the rest of her Sending spell.*

*”I am so sorry, my friend… Stay strong, Tulok. They will always be with you.”*

*There was so much more Willow wanted to say, but the words wouldn’t come.*

*She just wanted to hug Tulok.*

*To see Dannikas smiling face over her inventions… see Jarro admiring his twin blade… see Dagny laughing as Duke rolled in the snow… see Paavu throw just one more log.*

*But Willow knew she would never see those things again, and she mourned.*

## Messages

Willow left a note in her home for her son to find upon his return.

> *Orion, my great hunter.*
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> *The winds have told me that you are well and will return home to find his. The realms are changing and I feel an unnatural chill in the air that accompanies the encroaching darkness. My dreams have urged me to journey North and I can no longer remain idle while those I love risk their lives to better the world. Your father journeyed south to meet the devils in Baldur's Gate and you followed years later in an attempt to find him. It is my turn to act, to protect you. If I do not return, know that I left to make this world better for you and that you brought me the greatest joy in my life. The homestead is yours.*
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> *Quarlani'har, my son.*
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> *Mom.*
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Before the party headed to the glacier, Willow decided she needed to part ways.

> *My friends. When I came North I did not know what was waiting for me. The sun faded from my home and with my husband gone and my son off adventuring on his own I knew it was my time to take action. I could not longer sit in my cottage while everyone else saved the world. I knew that danger awaited but I had no idea a second family awaited me as well. We have gone through so much and it has brought me so much fulfilment to have travelled with you, laughed with you, and mourned with you.*
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> *Dagny, you have such an amazing spirit. Travelling with you through the tundra has been an incredible experience and watching how you bond with creatures truly inspires me. I know that you will complete your journey to see the world. I leave to you the Spyglass that Dannika made - to help you on your hunts.*
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> *Jarro, while I have not known you long you came around exactly when we needed you and I feel as though you were always meant to be with us. Thank you for your strength and insight, I hope that you find what you are looking for and find peace. I leave to you the eye of minute seeing, so that finding what you seek will be that much easier.*
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> *Paavu, I have never met a soul such as yours. You surprise me every day and yet I feel as if I've known you my entire life. I feel deep down that you have a great journey ahead of you and I know that you will keep your family safe. I leave to you the 10g 26s you once entrusted to me.*
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> *Dannika, you are so much more valuable than you might realize. Look at how far you have come, how much you have learned. I am so proud of you and I look forward to seeing your inventions when we meet again. I leave to you the Tchwinga Lantern - it has always been yours and belongs with you.*
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> *Tulok, you and I have always had a strong bond - even if we don't always see eye to eye. I leave to you a Greater Healing Potion for a time when you seek my healing touch. I also leave to you my Pearl Owlbear to guide you through the drifts and remind you of those we aim to protect. I believe you are exactly where you need to be and you will find that which brings you purpose. Trust in YOUR voice. I followed you into the dark again and again because I could feel that it was the right path.*
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> *I cannot follow any longer. I had set North while my family went off to save the world - now the world is ending and I must save my family.*
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> *Brom is here and my son is in Avernus. I will first seek out Brom, who we know is in Icewind Dale, and if all goes well - we will go into the fires to find Orion. I will stay in touch if I can. Look for me on the wind and may the spirits guide you.*
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> *Lots of love, Willow.*
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## Mechanics

5th edition. Level 6 Hedge Wizard, level 1 Divine Cleric. Hermit Background.