Vaettr, Skogvaettir

Family: Vaettir

Medium fey (shapechanger), neutral

Armor Class 11 (16 with barkskin)
Hit Points 22 (5d8)
Speed 30 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
20 (+5) 12 (+1) 11 (+0) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 20 (+5)

Skills Animal Handling +4, Nature +4, Perception +4, Performance +6, Persuasion +6, Stealth +3, Survival +4
Condition Immunities charmed
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages Elvish, Sylvan
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Special Traits

  • Innate Spellcasting. The skogvaettr’s innate spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 15). The skogvaettr can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
  • Magic Resistance. The skogvaettr has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
  • Speak with Beasts and Plants. The skogvaettr can communicate with beasts and plants as if they shared a language.

Actions

  • Cow Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) bludgeoning and the target must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or be deafened for 1 minute. The target can make a Constitution save at the end of each of its turns to end the effect.
  • Draining Kiss. The skogvaettr kisses a creature charmed by it or a willing creature. The target must make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw against this magic, taking 32 (5d10 + 5) psychic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The target’s hit point maximum is reduced by an amount equal to the damage taken. This reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest. The target dies if this effect reduces its hit point maximum to 0.
  • Fey Charm. The skogvaettr targets one humanoid that she can see within 30 feet of her. If the target can see the skogvaettr, it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be magically charmed. The charmed creature regards the skogvaettr as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although the target isn’t under the skogvaettr’s control, it takes the skogvaettr’s requests or actions in the most favorable way it can. Each time the skogvaettr or its allies do anything harmful to the target, it can repeat the saving throw, ending the effect on itself on a success. Otherwise, the effect lasts 24 hours or until the skogvaettr dies, is on a different plane of existence from the target, or ends the effect as a bonus action. If a target’s saving throw is successful, the target is immune to the skogvaettr’s Fey Charm for the next 24 hours. The skogvaettr can have no more than one humanoid and up to three beasts charmed at a time.
  • Illusory Appearance. The skogvaettr covers herself and anything she is wearing or carrying with a magical illusion that makes her look like a beautiful creature of her general size and humanoid shape. The effect ends if the skogvaettr takes a bonus action to end it or if she dies. The changes wrought by this effect fail to hold up to physical inspection. For example, the skogvaettr could appear to have no claws, but someone touching her hand might feel the claws. Otherwise, a creature must take an action to visually inspect the illusion and succeed on a DC 16 Intelligence (Investigation) check to discern that the skogvaettr is disguised.

About

Skogvaettir are beautiful to a fault, with one exception, they have a cow tail. Most hide these traits under skirts or other clothing, although it’s not impossible for them to be spotted by astute observers. Even then, skogvaettir are benevolent protectors for those who show them the appropriate deference, and terrible to cross; skogvaettir are strong enough to bend horseshoes with their bare hands.

Skogvaettir have an insatiable lust for companionship and are known to kidnap those who catch their fancy.

As forest spirits, skogvaettir have difficulty hiding their true natures. Anyone who pays careful attention will note that she appears as a hollowed-out log from behind (should her illusion fail her).

Section 15: Copyright Notice

5E RPG: Viking Adventures. Copyright 2020, Mal and Tal, LLC; Author Michael Tresca.

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