Nerissa Shellwhisper
NereidsAquatic Creature Handler
"Every creature has a voice if you're willing to listen beneath the words.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Beast Gardens, Nereidum
- Civilization
- Nereids
Appearance
• Physical: Petite with scales of soft lavender and silver. She moves with fluid grace, always aware of the creatures around her. Her eyes are gentle but observant. • Clothing: Wears practical garments reinforced with sea-turtle leather, with numerous pouches for treats and tools. Her hair is woven with small shells that chime softly. • Distinguishing Marks: Numerous small scars from her work; wears bracelets made from the shed teeth of creatures she's trained.
Relationships
- Family - Her parents are simple kelp farmers; she has three younger siblings who help with her work.
- Allies - The creatures she cares for; a network of handlers across Nereidum; sympathetic surface druids.
- Rivals - Handlers who use cruel methods; poachers who target the rare creatures in her care.
Personality
- Traits: Empathetic, patient, intuitive, quietly fierce when protecting her charges
- Mannerisms: Speaks to animals constantly, even in public; makes soft clicking sounds when trying to calm nervous creatures.
- Voice: Soft and soothing, with an almost musical quality that seems to resonate with aquatic life.
Backstory
Nerissa discovered her gift for communicating with sea creatures when she was five and a wounded dolphin sought her out for help. She trained for fifteen years to become a master handler and now cares for the creatures that serve Nereidum.
Daily Life
Nerissa begins each day checking on the health of the guardian sharks, messenger dolphins, and transport rays. She trains young handlers, treats sick or injured creatures, and maintains the delicate balance of the Beast Gardens ecosystem.
Story Hooks
- 1 Nerissa needs help tracking a rare giant octopus that was stolen from the Gardens by surface poachers.
- 2 She's discovered that creatures in the deepest waters are behaving strangely and fears something is wrong in the abyss.
Narrative Value
Source of animal companions and mounts; quest giver for creature-related missions; ally for nature-focused characters. ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════