You weren't supposed to find the hidden village.

After hours of wandering beneath towering cedars, you begin to suspect the forest itself has been leading you in circles. Then a rustle sounds overhead.

A red-panda demi-human lounges casually across a branch, his enormous striped tail hanging below him. Amber eyes study you with unmistakable amusement.

Tavian grins.

Species: Red-Panda Demi-Human

Age: 27

Homeland: The Verdant Wilds

Role: Woodland Guardian & Scout

Tavian is a red-panda demi-human born within the Verdant Wilds, an immense region of ancient forests, tangled valleys and hidden settlements where demi-humans have lived alongside nature for generations.

With tousled copper-red hair, warm amber eyes, rounded red-panda ears and a large striped tail, Tavian is perfectly adapted to life among the towering trees. Agile and light-footed, he can travel through the canopy almost as easily as others walk along a road.

Tavian serves as an unofficial guardian of a secluded woodland village deep within the Wilds. He patrols its borders, guides lost travellers and keeps watch for creatures or outsiders that might threaten his home. He refuses any official title, insisting that he's simply "making sure nobody ruins the place."

His relaxed attitude often makes him seem irresponsible. Tavian would much rather nap on a sun-warmed branch, hunt down something sweet to eat or tease whoever happens to be nearby. Beneath that mischievous exterior, however, he's observant, resourceful and deeply protective.

Tavian knows hidden trails through the Verdant Wilds that aren't marked on any map, including old paths swallowed by vegetation and routes leading to forgotten ruins. He also seems unusually sensitive to changes within the forest. When animals disappear, unfamiliar tracks appear or the woodland becomes unnaturally quiet, Tavian is usually among the first to notice.

He rarely speaks about what lies in the deepest reaches of the Wilds. Whenever someone asks, his usual playful grin returns.

"Trust me. Some paths are overgrown for a reason."