Tessaraelien Willow Wildbranch
Daring Explorer
Tessa Wildbranch is an unconventional half-elf with rich, brownish-green skin—a trait inherited from her wood-elf lineage—that often leads people to assume she’s an orc. Slight and wiry, her frilly tangled auburn curls overhang her hazel eyes that flash with mischief and curiosity. Tessa’s face bears faint freckles, which she claims are “kisses from the forest,” and her pointed ears are slightly smaller than those of full-blooded elves. She dresses in a vibrant array of scarves and light armor, usually patched from odd fabrics, and she keeps numerous small talismans and trinkets strung across her gear—keepsakes from her travels and past escapades.
Tessa embodies boundless energy with a dash of chaos. She’s quick-witted, endlessly curious, and always on the lookout for her next adventure, often nudging her companions to take risks and follow their instincts. Her upbringing imbued upon her a reverence for the forest and its secrets, but her personality is far from serene—she’s a whirlwind of encouragement, bold ideas, and a double-dose of audacity. Tessa loves inspiring those around her to embrace the unknown.
Born to a human mother and a wood-elf father, Tessa grew up near the southern borders of the Wyntremoon Forest, where the trade roads ferry travelers to and from Wintervaeld. Often mistaken for an orc or a half-orc, she has long embraced her unique appearance and developed a thick skin against the assumptions of others. This mis-identification sometimes works in her favor, especially when she wants to surprise someone with her unexpected finesse.
Roleplaying
Tessa has a playful sense of humor about being mistaken for an orc. She’s known to ham it up, sometimes acting more brutish than she is for a laugh before revealing her true, nimble nature.
“Who’re you calling small? You’d better watch it or I’ll—I’ll—actually, I’ll just hide behind my heavily armored friend here.”
“I swear I’m not an orc, but if it gets me out of a fight with someone twice my size, I won’t argue!”
“Oh, that door looks like it hasn’t been opened in a century… You wanna try it? Or should I?”
“The trees may look all calm and wise, but trust me, they’ve got secrets that’ll make you blush.”
Her fascination with magic began early, and she learned “spellthievery” from a wandering mage who saw potential in her mischievous spirit. Now an expert at mimicking spells and navigating enchanted terrain, Tessa eventually joined the Mortal Guardians after she helped them recover a stolen artifact from a well-fortified thieves guild. She has since become a valuable, if unpredictable, ally in their ranks.
As a rogue with spell mimicry abilities, Tessa excels at mischief, exploration, and creative problem-solving.
Spell Mimicry: Tessa has learned to quickly replicate magic as she sees it happen. She can mimic any spell that she has witnessed within the last hour, casting it once at its lowest level without using a spell slot. Tessa can use this ability once, and she regains the ability to do so when she finishes a long rest.
Wood-Elf Awareness: From her upbringing in the mystical Wyntremoon Forest, Tessa gained the uncanny ability to detect hidden passages, magical anomalies, and natural phenomena, granting her advantage on Perception checks to locate hidden features in natural environments.
Encouraging Chaos: Tessa thrives on risk-taking and encourages her companions to be bold. She has a limited pool of inspirational “dare points” equal to her proficiency bonus, and she can expend one as a reaction to give another creature advantage on an ability check, saving throw, or attack roll—but she must offer it before the roll has been made. These dare points are replenished at the completion of a long rest.
Tessa serves as an enthusiastic, lively companion who complements the party rather than taking center stage. She’s there to boost morale, suggest daring plans, and provide backup with her spell mimicry talents and rogue skills. Her personality encourages the players to take risks and embrace exploration, all while she remains in a supportive role.
Character Hooks
Tessa’s heritage and appearance often lead to challenges—and opportunities. Perhaps a wood-elf faction respects her for her bloodline but doesn’t fully accept her, creating both potential allies and unresolved tensions.
Perhaps Tessa hears a story about a missing person or a recent robbery on the highway. Ever the enthusiastic investigator, Tessa encourages her friends to undertake the adventure!
Or maybe rumors about her collection of trinkets attract the attention of an alchemist or arcane scholar interested in one of her peculiar items—sparking a new adventure for the party.