## Overview **Lessa Fernlight** is Brighthoof’s skilled herbalist, midwife, and guardian of local healing lore. A devoted follower of **[[Laurel]]**, the elven goddess of renewal and wisdom, Lessa has long been the village’s source of both physical care and emotional grounding. With the arrival of the undead crisis, her role has become even more vital—as healer, herbal guardian, and silent protector of the weak. - **Name:** Lessa Fernlight - **Race:** Human - **Age:** 39 - **Class/Role:** Herbalist, Spiritual Healer, Midwife (Wisdom-based NPC) - **Deity:** [[Laurel]] ([[Laurel]]) - **Current Location:** Brighthoof --- ## Role in the Campaign Lessa acts as the emotional and medicinal heart of Brighthoof. She helps stabilize survivors both physically and mentally, treats wounds the party cannot, and may offer rare plant-based poultices and insight into regional magical flora. - **Function:** Healer, wise woman, survival resource - **Party Connection:** Offers salves, rare herbs, and occasional divinely-inspired guidance --- ## Personality - **Disposition:** Warm, careful, matter-of-fact - **Speech Style:** Simple, but firm. Offers truth gently—but never sugarcoats danger. - **Beliefs:** Healing comes from balance; [[Laurel]] teaches that every root has its purpose, and every wound its lesson - **Flaws:** Overextends herself easily; distrusts arrogant mages or warriors who belittle nature --- ## Affiliations - Closest confidante of **[[Elder Merel]] “Moonwake” Tathwyn** - Well respected by **[[Yarrow Halbrook]]**, often arguing that mercy must match preparation - Has traded remedies with **Ashcliff nomads**, particularly Neralin “Roottongue” - Trusted by mothers, elders, and children throughout the Talon Grasslands --- ## Skills and Practices - Maintains an extensive **garden of medicinal herbs**, spiritual roots, and lunar-grown flowers - Can craft: - Antitoxins - Poultices (restores 1d4+1 HP, once per short rest) - Restful teas (advantage on saving throws vs fear for 1 hour) - May brew **moonwater elixirs** during celestial events - Knows sacred herbal wards against necrotic influence (used to shield homes and graves) --- ## Lore and Spiritual Knowledge - Holds deep knowledge of **[[Laurel]]’s teachings**, especially around loss, resilience, and the cycles of life and decay - May recognize plants tied to divine ley lines or undead taint - Can interpret certain **dreams, signs, or sacred omens** (especially if guided by [[Perserphina]] or [[Laurel]]) --- ## Campaign Relevance - Offers rare non-magical solutions to magical problems - Could identify a plant-based counteragent to necrotic plagues or rituals - May guide players to hidden glades or overgrown shrines deep in the grasslands - Could become a steward of sacred ground or relics if the undead crisis worsens --- ## Future Development - May fall ill due to exhaustion, forcing others to rise in her place - Could awaken to divine inspiration and become a **cleric or druid of [[Laurel]]** later in the campaign - Might request the party retrieve an extinct or endangered plant from a dangerous ruin --- ## Quotes - _“I’ve seen more life in grave dirt than in some men’s hearts.”_ - _“The gods don’t always answer in light. Sometimes they answer with roots.”_ - _“If you listen, the leaves will tell you what’s wrong long before your bones do.”_