Pocket Full of NPCs for 5E D&D — The Way Guardian

Salutations, nerds! Do you ever need to make a quick jaunt through the deep dark woods more interesting and yet still go smoothly enough to get to your destination in the same session? The last pocket NPC for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons I presented was the Lingering Spirit and today I’ve got a new one for you.

Friend of the forest for 5E D&D

Here’s the game: I’m going to give you a name, list what stat block you should be using plus an extra feature or two to make things feel more mechanically unique. Then we’ll touch base on what this person wants, how to make them a nuisance to the party, how to make them an ally and finally a concept for a side quest they can offer.

“Scouts are skilled hunters and trackers who offer their services for a fee. Most hunt wild game, but a few work as bounty hunters, serve as guides, or provide military reconnaissance.” — from the 5E D&D Basic Rules

Leven Greil

It isn’t at all uncommon to see a human caked in road dirt with an unkempt beard. At a glance Leven is not an unusual sight as far as travelers go. He exists in a perpetual state of grime, wearing a forest green cloak with the hood pulled up around his face. What is notable are the four wisps circling around him, lighting the path ahead where he walks.

Mechanically

Use the stat block for the scout from the free 5E D&D Basic Rules. Add the following feature:

Guide the Path. As a bonus action Leven may place one of his wisps at any point in a 90 foot radius of himself. The wisp sheds bright light in a 15 foot radius of itself, dispelling magical darkness and eliminating difficult terrain.

Add the following action:

Pulse of Light (Recharge 5-6). One of Leven’s wisps lets out a ripple of energy, dealing 3d6 radiant damage to anything in its glow. Because the wisps are a manifestation of Leven’s will they share a recharge.

Raise his challenge rating to 2.

What Drives Him

It isn’t an uncommon story for a little human boy to get lost in the woods. It isn’t their home after all, not like it is for the elves and gnomes or any of the creatures who live there.

It would have been reasonable to feel afraid but magic strikes in strange ways sometimes and Leven’s manifested to guide him through the wilds. So enamored was he of the forests he didn’t return home for weeks, instead foraging for food and getting to know the creatures around him.

When he finally returned his family was relieved and astounded — he had been assumed dead days before. This wouldn’t be the last time he delved into the woods and spent weeks off by himself learning its secrets.

Now Leven considers those secrets as much his own as anything else’s. Leven is a creature of the forest and will do anything to protect it but as much as he claims this to be true he is also a creature of man and he understands not everyone is so lucky as he. Because of this he offers his services to guide travelers through the woods, both for their own sake and for the sake of mitigating the damage often done by merchants wanting to take shortcuts.

Leven As an Enemy

Although a good party is unlikely to earn Leven’s enmity he has no love of bandits and brigands. Tormenting the townsfolk at the edge of the wood can easily earn Leven’s ire and he is not above hunting someone through the deep dark of the forest where his own heart dwells.

Leven As an Ally

Leven has served as a way guardian to many and will do so for many more before his days have finished. All one needs to do to secure his help is ask.

Leven will be happy to guide a party through the woods and help them find food if they need. He speaks fondly of the forest even knowing the dangerous place it can be and though he can seem gruff at first it takes barely scratching the surface to find the kind man underneath.

A Potential Side Quest

A child wandered into the forest and the family is worried for her safety. Leven knows well what dangers and perils exist beyond the tree line and is going to go looking no matter what. After all his gift is a very rare one and the longer she is lost out there the less likely she is to come home.

While Leven has excellent tracking skills hen is aware of his own haggard appearance and worries he might frighten the girl if he finds her alone. A group of kind adventurers would both be able to handle themselves in the deep woods and talk the child down.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about this way guardian. I hope he gives you ideas. If you decide to use him please tell me all about it in the comments below and as always, stay nerdy!

*Featured image — The Axebane Guardian from Magic: The Gathering’s Return to Ravnica expansion captures that dirty, smelly vibe of someone who lives in the woods pretty well, don’t you think? [Art by Slawomir Maniak]

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