Hessa Brookhand

Hessa is a sturdy halfling woman in her early thirties, with curly brown hair often tied back with a red ribbon. Her bright hazel eyes miss little, and her hands are always busy—either fidgeting with a small carved token, or making notes in a well-worn ledger. She wears practical leather armor softened with patches of wool, and carries a short sword that looks far too big for her but is balanced perfectly for her size.

Personality

• Cheerful but Sharp: Friendly, approachable, and quick with a smile or a joke, but never a fool.
• Practical: Believes in common sense over tradition or dogma.
• Observant: Listens more than she speaks, and is rarely caught off guard.
• Fair-Minded: Goes out of her way to mediate disputes and keep the peace without favoritism.

Motives

• Maintain order within Xandarin without allowing fear or division to take hold.
• Prevent the ward’s secrecy from being undermined by careless talk or treachery.
• Protect the village’s children and the vulnerable, whom she sees as her responsibility.
• Ensure the Watchmaster’s office is respected so that when she passes it on, it remains a trusted role.

History

• Ranger’s Daughter: Born to a halfling scout who married into the village after the Pale Wars.
• Early Years: Served as an assistant to the previous Watchmaster, learning mediation and law.
• Current Role: Took up the Watchmaster’s mantle a year ago and quickly proved herself capable, using wit and honesty as much as authority.

Languages

• Common, Halfling, and Elvish.
• Speaks bits of Dwarvish picked up from smithy gossip, though poorly.

Features & Traits

• Quick Judge of Character: Advantage on Insight checks to determine honesty.
• Mediator: Can calm disputes, granting allies advantage on Persuasion checks during negotiations.
• Keen Observer: Rarely surprised; often one step ahead in spotting trouble.
• Unassuming: Many underestimate her because of her cheerful nature and size—always to their regret.

Quirks

• Hums quietly when deep in thought, usually old halfling marching tunes.
• Collects small carved charms and tokens from people she helps, stringing them on a cord she wears under her shirt.
• Has a fondness for spicy food, especially pickled peppers she makes herself.
• Always carries a second pair of boots—claims “you never know when you’ll need them.”

Specialized Equipment

• Ledger of Disputes: A small book where she records every crime, quarrel, and judgment. Serves as both history and tool for fairness.
• Balanced Shortsword: A masterwork blade designed for her stature, etched with a family crest.
• Signal Whistle: A carved bone whistle used to summon help from the Watch or militia.
• Token Cord: A hidden necklace of charms representing the people she has aided—serves as her personal reminder of duty.

Speech Patterns

• Warm and conversational, even when delivering judgments.
• Often calls people “love,” “dear,” or “duck,” even in serious moments.
• Uses short, sharp proverbs in disputes (“A lie’s got short legs,” “A closed hand can’t share bread”).
• Laughs easily, but her tone hardens instantly when order is threatened.

Example Phrases:

• “Now, now, no need for sharp words. Sit, breathe, and we’ll sort it fair.”
• “You think the ward keeps us safe? It’s people keeping to their word that does it.”
• “A thief here steals from family. And I don’t take kindly to family squabbles.”

GM Roleplaying Notes

• Hessa is the face of justice inside Xandarin. She represents order, fairness, and accountability.
• Use her as a mediator NPC when party choices risk dividing the town, or as an ally NPC if law and order are threatened.
• Her cheerful nature makes her approachable, but she has steel beneath it—PCs who test her authority will quickly see her sharp side.