Thistle ‘The Steep’ Moonflower, a Moon Elf High Elf Ranger — D&D 5e NPC portrait
#0313

Thistle ‘The Steep’ Moonflower

"The Steep"

Non-binary (She/They) · Young Adult (124 years)

Ability Scores

STR
10
+0
DEX
16
+3
CON
14
+2
INT
14
+2
WIS
18
+4
CHA
16
+3

Combat

Armor Class
15
Studded Leather
Hit Points
53
Hit Dice: 7d10
Initiative
+3
Speed
35 ft.
Proficiency
+3
Passive Perception
17

Attacks

Shortbow of the Feywild+61d6+3 piercing + 1d4 psychic
Botanist’s Sickle+61d4+3 slashing

Personality

Personality

Refers to herself as 'The Steep' or 'Thistle.' She moves with a bird-like tilt of the head and frequently pauses mid-sentence to smell the air or taste a nearby leaf. She hums in three-part harmony with herself.

Ideal

Sensory Peace. 'Thistle believes that no one can stay angry while their tongue is busy dancing with the flavor of starlight.'

Bond

Her sentient silver kettle, 'Boiler,' which she insists has better political opinions than most kings.

Flaw

She cannot perceive 'danger' in the traditional sense; she sees a Red Dragon's breath only as a potentially efficient way to boil water.

Backstory

In the sterile, silver-etched halls of Silverymoon’s botanical conservatory, Thistle was once known as Thistledown Elanil, a prodigy of rigid classification and taxonomic order. Her life was a series of glass vials and Latin labels until the day a translucent, prismatic butterfly fluttered across her parchment. She followed it through a hedge that shouldn't have been there, stepping out of the Material Plane and into the neon-drenched delirium of the Feywild. She didn't get lost; she got found. The crushing weight of elven expectations evaporated, replaced by the humming vibration of the universe's many flavors.

When she returned to the world years later, her professors didn't recognize her. The 'Thistledown' who cared for lineage and posture had stayed behind in a mushroom circle. Reborn as 'The Steep,' she now views reality as a grand infusion waiting to happen. She traverses the most lethal corners of the Abyss and the Hells not for glory, but because the 'Obsidian Peppercorns' found there make a tea that tastes like a forgotten childhood memory. She speaks of herself in the third person because she views her soul as a guest in a very interesting house—one that happens to be an expert with a longbow and a tea strainer.

Abilities & Actions

Aggressive Foraging (3/Day)

As a bonus action, Thistle can forage in her immediate surroundings (even in stone dungeons) to find a rare botanical catalyst. She can either throw it at a creature within 30ft, forcing a DC 15 Constitution save against being Blinded by spores for 1 minute, or crush it into a tea that grants an ally 2d6 temporary hit points.

The Verdant Steep (Signature Item)

Thistle carries a silver tea kettle that never runs dry. As an action, she can spray a 15-foot cone of scalding, peppermint-infused steam. Each creature in that area must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. Creatures that fail are also 'Minty Fresh,' granting the next attack against them advantage as their scent betrays their position.

Otherworldly Unfurling

Because Thistle’s mind is partially unanchored from reality, she has advantage on saving throws against being Charmed or Frightened. Additionally, when she hits a creature with a weapon attack, she deals an extra 1d4 psychic damage as the target briefly glimpses the terrifying whimsy of her mind.

Misty Step (2/Day)

Thistle dissolves into a cloud of lavender-scented vapor and reappears up to 30 feet away in an unoccupied space she can see.

DM Notes

Thistle should never be played as 'annoying.' Her whimsy is genuine and deeply serene. Sample dialogue: 'Thistle thinks your sword is very shiny, but has it ever been used to stir a pot of Oozing Honey-Root? No? What a waste of steel.' She reacts to threats by offering a cup of tea first, and only draws her bow when it becomes clear the enemy is 'unpleasantly bitter.' Her signature gesture is pulling a random, glowing ingredient from her hair.