OLD MAN WILLOW
FeyStoryteller and Historian
"I remember when the mountains were young. I remember when the first elf opened her eyes. I remember... I remember... what was I saying? Oh yes. I remember everything. Except what I had for breakfast. Did I have breakfast?""
Identity
- Residence
- The Ancient Grove, a forest that remembers everything
- Civilization
- Fey
Appearance
• Physical: A massive tree with a face formed from bark and knots, eyes that glow with soft green light. His branches creak when he moves, and leaves fall from him when he's sad. His roots extend for miles beneath the ground. • Clothing: He wears moss like a beard and lichen like a cloak. Birds nest in his branches, and squirrels store nuts in his hollows. • Distinguishing Marks: A lightning scar down his trunk from a storm a thousand years ago. He considers it his best feature.
Relationships
- Family - The forest itself, which he considers his children
- Allies - A circle of druids who tend to his needs and record his wisdom
- Rivals - Time itself, which he fights to remember
Personality
- Traits: Patient to a fault, surprisingly forgetful of recent events, deeply wise, terrified of fire
- Mannerisms: Speaks very slowly, pauses for long periods, rustles his leaves when thinking
- Voice: Deep and creaking, like branches in wind, with an odd echo from his hollow trunk
Backstory
Old Man Willow is one of the oldest beings in the Feywild. He's seen civilizations rise and fall, gods born and die, the Feywild itself change and grow. He remembers everything—except what happened yesterday. He's become the Feywild's living history book, consulted by scholars and rulers seeking knowledge of the past.
Daily Life
He spends his days in contemplation, his roots drinking in the memories of the earth, his leaves catching whispers from the wind. He receives visitors seeking his wisdom, though he often falls asleep mid-conversation. He hasn't moved in three centuries—he's forgotten how.
Story Hooks
- 1 He has vital information the PCs need, but it's buried deep in his memory—they'll need to help him remember
- 2 Something is causing the forest to forget, and Old Man Willow needs help finding out what and stopping it
Narrative Value
Source of ancient knowledge, quest giver, tragic figure facing the loss of self, connection to the Feywild's deep history ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════