Astari

In a shadowy nook of the VelvetEmerald Forest, where the trees twist and turn and whisper secrets to one another, stands the rocky, canting WhimsySpell Cottage. 

Veiled in mystery and mist, this is the dwelling of Astari the Whimsical Witch whose presence is as enchanting as the forest that cradles her. Magic glows within her heart and her spirit is as boundless as the night sky.

Legend has it that Astari was born beneath a lucky star, but it was really a radiant comet that blazed through the heavens at the exact moment of her birth. It rained a trail of shimmering, silver stardust that is said to have blessed her with gifts both rare and wondrous. She often wears a vial of this precious stardust around her long, slender neck, a keepsake that she treasures above all else. 

Many a dawn, when the world is still sleeping under a blanket of soft mist, Astari slips into the forest, her violet cloak billowing behind her. Wisps of lavender fog curl around her ankles as she searches for the day’s magical ingredients. Her deep caramel skin catches the first hints of morning light, giving her an almost otherworldly glow. Usually barefoot, she moves with a quiet reverence, collecting that which the VelvetEmerald Forest graciously offers—tender orange mushrooms glistening with morning dew, peculiar stones that hum beneath her touch, wild herbs adorned with delicate flowers. Her hands are gentle, knowing the secrets of each root and leaf, as she gathers each essence.

Astari’s favorite color is a deep, royal violet—that special shade of twilight as it melts into night. Most of her clothes are woven in this bewitching hue. With silver thread she spins herself, she nimbly stitches protective stars across her garments. Sometimes, she even embroiders charms into her thick long hair that she wears twisted into locs. As she moves, she positively twinkles in the light.        

Each evening, as dusk settles over the forest, she climbs to her rooftop perch, casting her gaze to the sky. This is a time for her to commune with the very stars that watched over her birth. She studies constellations with a knowing eye, tracing their ancient patterns and reading tales that only she can hear.

While she has a hot temper, it is kindness that rules Astari’s heart. She is known to craft potions for many a woodland creature and errant traveler who stumbles upon WhimsySpell Cottage. They leave with remedies for ailments and charms for protection, touched by the compassion in her moss-green eyes and the warmth in her voice. Yet, despite her generosity, there remains a mystery about her—some say she is older than the forest itself, while others claim her lucky star keeps her ageless.

Astari is content in her quiet life, devising new spells and concocting potions, her heart as wild as the VelvetEmerald Forest and curiosity as endless as the stars above.