Warlock’s Apprentice: Wotan’s Warriors

“Forth from craggy peaks they strode,

Their blades bright-shined and razor-honed.

Before them lay a dangerous road,

With enemies both far and near.

With sword and shield, with axe and spear,

They fought with valor and gained song-fame.

It was wisdom they sought, knowledge earned dear,

A raven’s whisper in the All Father’s ear.

Though no one knows from whence they came,

The tale is told from fane to fane,

Of Warriors who honor Wotan’s name.”

—from the Scrolls of the Raven Father

Wotan’s Warriors are a small band of dwarven reavers who came together to form a highly mobile, elite squad in the name of Wotan, the All Father. Rumors of the squad’s purpose are many and varied—some say that Wotan’s Warriors were assembled to gather information on the Mother of Madness and her worshippers while others swear that their sole purpose is to quietly dispatch enemies of Wotan with deadly force. Whatever their assignments, they are known throughout the Northlands as skilled fighters, clever strategists, and connoisseurs of fine ale.

Wotan’s Warriors report directly to Brökk Kolisen, the high priest of Wotan. However, there are whispers among Wotan’s faithful that they may have gone rogue, breaking ties with the official organization of warpriests. Brökk Kolisen is a human, though raised among dwarves and generally considered a dwarf by bond if not blood, so rumormongers speculate that the Warriors resented being commanded by a non-dwarf and refused to take orders from Brökk.

The Warriors were last seen near the Gloaming Crag, where they are reportedly hunting a mighty frost giant known as Coldmaw.

Torven the Runekeeper

Unusually for a dwarf, Torven uses no family or clan name, though he is clearly a native of the Northlands. Before the Warriors were assembled, Torven was a priest at Wotan’s shrine in Stannasgard, and he is often called the Runekeeper for his mastery of rune magic. Torven is the unofficial leader of Wotan’s Warriors, and his grey-streaked hair and watchful eyes give him the appearance of a stern but kindly father.

Torven is slow to anger and slow to forgive. Those who inspire his wrath are sure to feel the full might of Wotan’s Warriors, an experience that few have survived. He values loyalty, fairness, and justice and abhors petty tyranny, cowardice, and greed.

Relationships. Torven and Greta are the most experienced members of the group, and he follows Greta’s lead in matters of battle strategy and tactics. He privately thinks of Almaro and Bronwyn as the children he never had. Torven trusts Gunther, but it bothers him that Gunther won’t share the details of his past—if Gunther has old enemies, then the group should be prepared for whatever might come their way.

Torven the Runekeeper

Medium humanoid (dwarf), lawful neutral

Armor Class 18 (plate)

Hit Points 117 (18d8 + 36)

Speed 25 ft.

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 14 (+2) 11 (+0) 18 (+4) 11 (+0)

Saving Throws Wis +7, Cha +3

Skills History +3, Insight +7, Religion +3

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14

Languages Common, Dwarvish

Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)

Dwarven Resilience. Torven has advantage on saving throws against poison and resistance to poison damage.

Runekeeper’s Blessing. Torven knows the runes dagaz, gebu, ingwaz, and mannaz (see Midgard Heroes Handbook). The blessing of Wotan allows him to trace the ingwaz rune using one action, rather than the usual 2 rounds.

Spellcasting. Torven is an 8th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 15, +7 to hit with spell attacks). He has the following cleric spells prepared:

Cantrips (at will): bless the dead*, guidance, mending, sacred flame

1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, deep breath*, guiding bolt, longstrider, shield of faith

2nd level (3 slots): blade of wrath*, lesser restoration, see invisibility, spiritual weapon

3rd level (3 slots): call lightning, fear, glyph of warding, revivify

4th level (2 slots): divination, faithful hound, inspiring speech*

Actions

Multiattack. Torven makes two attacks with his spear.

Divine Spear. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage and 7 (2d6) radiant damage.

Ingwaz. Torven traces the ingwaz rune upon the face of a willing creature. That creature gains the benefits of a barbarian’s Rage feature as though it were an 8th-level barbarian…

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