NPC

Old Varla

N female human witch 4

Appearance: Ninety years old if she's a day, with a face like a walnut and eyes like polished obsidian. She lives in a hut at the edge of Thornwick's woods, surrounded by goat skulls and dried herbs. The villagers fear her but come to her for love potions and curse removals.

Personality: Crotchety, profane, and surprisingly kind. Varla has been "hearing the dead" since she was a girl — a minor psychic gift that the veil-tear has amplified to painful levels. She hasn't slept in weeks because the dead won't stop talking.

What she knows: Varla knows that the tear was caused by "something planted" — she saw a figure in silver place the shard three weeks ago. She knows the ossuary is next. She knows Brother Alms from before his fall (they were lovers, decades ago). She will share this for a price: the party must promise to bring her a lock of the Veilbreaker's hair, which she believes will cure her psychic sensitivity.

Main

Goals: Stop the voices, survive, get revenge on the Veilbreaker for making her gift a curse.

Secrets: Varla and Brother Alms were lovers before he took his vows. She still has his letters. She will not share this unless the party earns her absolute trust.

Utility: Varla can craft minor potions and identify curses. She has no combat ability but can provide crucial information.