Background: Forestal (Guide)
ASIs: Dex, Con, Wis
Two proficiencies (Survival, Stealth)
One tool (Herbalist Kit)
Feat: Magic Initiate (Druid)
Appearance:
Caer Droea has skin the color of alabaster. Long fine hair the color of an egret's feathers frames his face, and his pupil-less eyes are the inky black of squid's ink. His face is severe, with no presence of the tell-tale lines that betray a history of worry, or of smiling. While his body is almost always covered fully in an omnipresent robe and his head is covered in a cowl, his arms, legs, and torso have several small intricate black tattoos. Both of his long ears have multiple piercings filled with fire-hardened thorns shaped into bars and hoops.
Caer has a slender build and moves gracefully and effortlessly, but whenever he walks, the shadows around him seem to move on their own accord. In one hand, he usually holds a black and gnarled staff from a felled branch of the Raven's Blackwood. Caer has carved small runes that can only be seen on close examination into the staff. In the other hand Caer holds a shield; if examined closely, the "ribs" of the shield can be identified as humanoid bones, and the remainder of the shield is a living hardwood that is still growing and attracts mosses, holly plants, and other evergreen airplants.
Backstory:
From a young age, Caer was trained to be a Forestal, a guardian of the forest. But Caer was never quite like the other Forestals; he always knew deep down that the rest of them sacrificed their duties for the small pleasures of so-called civilization. When he was sent to his first protectorate, it was the Droea Bosk, and he took the Forestal name Caer Droea.
A few years into protecting the Droea Bosk, Caer found that some farmers had come in to the area. He told the yeomen that the Bosk was under his protection, but less than a fortnight later, a farmer had clear cut several of the trees. That night, Caer ended the threat that the farmers posed to the Bosk. Permanently. When the other elves learned of Caer's actions, they did not understand, and to keep the peace, exiled Caer to the Garroting Deep... the deepest, farthest, and oldest reach of trees that was farthest removed from all people. So removed from everything was the Garroting Deep that no Forestal had been placed there in Elvish memory, as none had been needed.
Caer went to the Garroting Deep, and over time ventured leagues and leagues into it where none had ventured in memory. Eventually, Caer found a massive Blackwood tree filled with Ravens in a place where the shadows did not follow the light. This is where Caer made his home; living off the land, forsaking the metal and the trappings of civilization, and remaining ever-vigilant against anyone that might disturb it. Over time, Caer began to understand the Ravens and noticed that the shadows seemed to be part of him, as he would tattoo himself with symbols. Was his skin always this pale? His hair bright white? Caer wasn't sure anymore.
One day, one month, one year, Caer couldn't remember, the Ravens asked him ... Do you serve her completely? Are you the scourge of those who would destroy nature? Of course! Then why are you here? We are protected. You must go forth and spread the news. The civilized world is a rat, and you are Her owl.
Caer gave a small smile for the first time in years as he prepared to leave Garroting Deep. Yes, it's time to spread the good news.
