**Race:** Human **Age:** 47 **Occupation:** Priest of Eshaul **Alignment:** Neutral Good **Location:** Oakrest Village, Church of the Green Circle --- ## Appearance Weathered man with sun-darkened skin, gray-streaked beard, and calloused hands. Wears simple earth-toned robes with a fresh leaf wreath around his neck (replaced daily). His right palm bears a **branded tree symbol**—the mark of Eshaul from his ordination. When casting spells, it glows with faint green light. Carries a gnarled oak staff wrapped in living vines that bloom with the seasons. Speaks slowly and deliberately, often pausing to observe nature. --- ## Personality - Patient and observant - Speaks slowly with nature metaphors - Pragmatic about Oakrest's need for timber but insists on gratitude rituals before logging - Quietly judges those who waste or hunt for sport - Deeply troubled by the Deadwood's spreading corruption—believes it must be **destroyed, not saved** (disagrees with Sister [[Sister Malwen|Malwen]]) - Tired and pessimistic after 12 years of study with no solutions --- ## Background Trained at a druidic enclave near Roststream. Came to Oakrest 12 years ago to help the frontier settlement maintain balance between civilization and nature. Built the **Church of the Green Circle** around an ancient oak tree (the "Heart Oak") on Oakrest's eastern edge. Has spent years studying the Deadwood corruption, collecting samples in a hidden cellar beneath the church, and sending reports to his order—but receiving little useful guidance in return. --- ## Role in Oakrest - Blesses logging operations and ensures sustainable harvesting - Healer and herbalist (provides medical care free of charge) - Counsels families whose children have nightmares about the Deadwood - Maintains the Church of the Green Circle - Studies the Deadwood corruption in secret **Services:** Healing, weather prediction, survival training, mediation of resource disputes, seasonal blessing ceremonies --- ## Relationships **Mayor [[Mayer Harlon Deyne|Harlon Deyne]]:** Works together well. Monthly meetings to discuss threats. **Sister [[Sister Malwen|Malwen]]:** Weekly tea meetings. Share information but fundamentally disagree on the Deadwood (she wants to save it; he wants to destroy it). Genuine friendship despite tension. **[[Garrick Thresh]]:** His logging crews won't work without Thoren's blessing rituals. Mutual respect. **Mira Bellringer:** Takes meals at the Gallows Rest regularly. She provides gossip; he provides spiritual perspective. **The Heart Oak:** Spends hours in communion with the ancient tree. Considers it family. --- ## Current Concerns - Deadwood corruption spreading faster (60 feet in 6 months vs. usual 50 feet/year) - Children's nightmares worsening; three sleepwalking toward the Glade - His corrupted specimen is orienting toward the Deadwood—suggests intelligence - The Heart Oak is afraid; he can feel its dread - Exhausted after 12 years with no solutions --- ## Adventure Hooks ### Investigation Request Thoren's corrupted sapling specimen is pulsing with light at midnight. He needs the party to enter the Deadwood and locate the source of the signal. ### Ritual Violation Loggers cut trees without Thoren's blessing. That night, three are found rooted to their beds, slowly transforming into trees. He needs help performing emergency counter-rituals. ### The Silent Grove Thoren's sacred medicinal grove has fallen completely silent—no birds, insects, or wind. He's afraid to investigate alone. ### Sample Escort He needs to travel to Roststream to request help in person. Either escort him or stay in Oakrest performing his duties while he's gone. ### Knowledge Exchange If the party earns his trust, he reveals his hidden research cellar and shares 12 years of documentation about the corruption. --- ## Combat Statistics **Brother Thoren Rootwalker** – Cleric 6 (Nature Domain) **AC** 16 (hide armor + shield) | **HP** 45 | **Speed** 30 ft. **STR** 12 (+1) | **DEX** 13 (+1) | **CON** 14 (+2) **INT** 14 (+2) | **WIS** 18 (+4) | **CHA** 10 (+0) **Skills:** Animal Handling +7, Insight +7, Medicine +7, Nature +5, Perception +7, Survival +7 **Languages:** Common, Druidic, Sylvan ### Special Abilities **Eshaul's Brand:** His branded palm serves as holy symbol. Spell save DC 15, +7 to hit. **Channel Divinity (1/rest):** - Charm Animals and Plants (DC 15 WIS save) - Dampen Elements (reaction, grant resistance to acid/cold/fire/lightning/thunder) ### Spells Prepared **Cantrips:** Guidance, Thorn Whip, Resistance **1st Level (4 slots):** Cure Wounds, Entangle, Goodberry, Healing Word **2nd Level (3 slots):** Barkskin, Lesser Restoration, Spike Growth **3rd Level (3 slots):** Call Lightning, Plant Growth, Speak with Plants **Tactics:** Battlefield control (Entangle, Spike Growth), healing support, protects allies rather than dealing damage. --- ## Key Quotes > "The Circle turns, whether we will it or not. Our choice is only whether we turn with it or are broken beneath it." > "The Deadwood isn't cursed—curses are accidents. What festers there is deliberate, hungry, patient. That's far worse." > "[[Sister Malwen]] believes the Glade can be saved. I hope she's right. But hope without preparation is just wishful thinking wearing faith's clothing." **When blessing a tree:** > "Root to soil, soil to root. Branch to sky, sky to branch. We take your life to sustain ours. We honor your sacrifice. Thank you. Forgive us." --- ## DM Notes ### What Thoren Knows About the Deadwood - Corruption spreads ~50 ft/year (recently accelerating to 60 ft in 6 months) - Plants **invert**: roots grow up, leaves burrow down, trees weep black sap - Animals that enter return "wrong"—move correctly but feel like puppets - Normal purification methods don't work (holy water, fire, rituals fail) - Believes corruption has intelligent source, feeding on life energy - Has documented everything in hidden cellar beneath church ### Using Thoren Effectively - Information source on Deadwood corruption and nature lore - Healer and support (doesn't overshadow combat) - Provides adventure hooks naturally through his concerns - Philosophical contrast to [[Sister Malwen]] (destroy vs. save) - Emotional anchor through Heart Oak relationship - Can become dedicated ally if party earns trust