Aether-Witch Vael

Vael is a rogue and highly dangerous Muridae shaman who was exiled from the Mist-Weaver Coven for her experimentation with "Dark Aether"—a corrupted form of magical energy found in the necrotic pockets of the forest. She currently resides in a hidden, swampy grotto on the outskirts of The Shrouded Boughs, where she is surrounded by a group of loyal, shadow-warped Mist-Stalkers.

Vael believes that the Coven is too weak to protect the forest and that the only way to ensure the Muridae’s survival is to weaponize the mist against the "Tall Races." She has developed several dark rituals that allow her to drain the life-force from the mangrove roots and use it to empower her own sorcery. Her fur is matted and stained black, and her eyes glow with a sickly violet light.

She is a figure of terror among both the Briar-Kin and the Mist-Whiskers, who whisper her name as a warning to children who wander too far into the fog.

Secret Motivation: Vael is secretly in contact with a member of the Shadow Council. She is providing them with aetheric essence from the Boughs in exchange for knowledge on how to fully corrupt the Mother-Tree, believing that a "Blighted Forest" would be an impenetrable fortress that no outsider could ever conquer.

Adventure Hook: A group of Acorn Guard rangers has gone missing near Vael’s grotto. Grand Warden Hekka hires the party to find the rangers and, if necessary, end Vael’s threat once and for all.