This site has been gathering dust for a few months now. Being a hospital chaplain during an on-going pandemic makes for little time or energy. Oh, and since it has been on my heart and mind lately, if you have not gotten vaccinated AND you do not have a legitimate medical exemption or a truly sincere religious belief to exempt you (truly sincere, not some BS you pulled from the internet to get around the issue) then let me say this: #@*%$#!! #####EDITED OUT RAGE TO KEEP FROM GETTING FIRED#####

I know it’s your decision. No doubt. My decision is to take a moment and express my rage. My decision has been to spend the last two years with patients dying from COVID, along with their families. It’s tragic, and I’m tired of seeing the same situation over and over again. It’s like some twisted Groundhog day scenario.

Sigh. Moving on. I’ve been a little burned out if I’m being honest. Hell, the only reason I’m even making a post now is that I’m home sick with sick kids that bestowed the gift of projectile vomit on me last night…the chucky kind. That’s love. Anyway, I’m home today and everyone is finally sleeping peacefully (for now). What follows is a draft for one of the non-human options in my Long Night campaign set in 6th-century “England.” I now present the Hægtesse.

The Hægtesse

Shield yourself now if you wish to survive this strife. You doubt me as a woman, but I am more than a woman; I am that untamed force you fear most. I am loud, and it is my mail that is oiled in blood, not my moon-rag. I leave burial mounds in my wake as I ride fiercely across the land. I am not here to bear you children, but to bear you to Woden’s Halls.

An Unknown Hægtesse
  • Allow Classes: Warrior
  • Requirements: Minuimum CHA 9

Hægtessan (plural of hægtesse) are martial supernatural females that are terrible to behold in battle. The battle fury that drives them is said to spread to others like the wind, causing men to go mad with a bloodthirsty battle frenzy. The grand stories of the scops say that a hægtesse’s thirst for battle is both a blessing and a curse.

Much feared for their perceived transgressive roles in a society dominated by men, the hægtessan are believed to be witches by some (“hags”) since they are rumored to be responsible for bringing about fevers, madness, and other maladies. Their reappearance with the coming of the Long Night is whispered to be a bad omen.

Combat

Battle Frenzy: Inevitably, a hægtesse that enters battle will be gripped by an inner fury that sends her into a bloodthirsty battle frenzy.

After three combat rounds, the player must make a saving throw. Failure results in the hægtesse being “gripped” by the bloodlust that brings about a battle frenzy. A battle-frenzied hægtesse gains +2 to all attack rolls and must continue offensively fighting until all enemies are killed, fled, or the hægtesse has been slain. A successful saving throw only delays the battle frenzy. Unless the battle has ended, a new saving throw must be made each of the following combat rounds with a cumulative -1 penalty.

*Note: A player may opt to automatically “fail” the saving throw. This represents the hægtesse surrendering the inner fury that drives her.

Incite: The intensity and fearless courage of a battle-frenzied hægtesse incites allies to fight in earnest by her side.

All friendly NPCs and players actively participating in the same battle with a battle-frenzied hægtesse gain +1 morale and +1 to all attack rolls.

Fury’s Kiss: As a heroic hægtesse gripped with a battle frenzy begins ripping apart her opponents, her allies begin to be gripped by the same bloodthirsty battle lust.

At 4th level and above, every time a hægtesse kills an opponent, a random ally in battle with her (this may include other player characters) must make a saving throw. Failure results in a battle frenzy as outlined above. A successful saving throw also follows the same guidelines outlined above.

Fury’s Strength: The departed lifeforce of a male victim infuses a legendary hægtesse with avenging power that makes her more terrible and unstoppable in battle.

At 8th level and above, every male opponent slain by the hægtesse grants cumulative +2 HP and +1 damage bonuses. These bonuses dissipate after one day.

Warband

Instead of becoming a Lord at 9th level as other warriors, a hægtesse will attract a warband at 9th level consisting of 2d6 1st level female warriors, 1d6 1st level hægtessan, and 1d3 4th level hægtessan.

Hægtesse Exceptional Talents & Traits

Instead of selecting from the warrior list of talents & traits, the hægtesse player may opt for one of the following:

  • Terrifying Warrior: With terrible war cries, all enemies suffer a -1 morale when encountering the hægtesse
  • Skyclad Warrior: Use CHA bonus as an AC bonus when fighting naked
  • Sacrificing Feint: May sacrifice/convert up to 3 HP for an equivalent attack bonus
  • Looks Can be Deceiving: Add CHA bonus to an attack during the first round of combat with male opponents
  • Reckless Charger: +2 to attack and damage every time an opponent is engaged in melee with a charge (first round of melee only). The player must then make a saving throw (apply any DEX modifier); failure results in the hægtesse being knocked to the ground.
  • Iron Heart & Mind: +4 to saving throws involving charm-based attacks
  • Ignore Pain: Ignore the first 3 points of damage inflicted in combat. Only works if the hægtesse has full hit points at the time of damage.
  • Inspirational: +2 to Reaction checks involving women
  • Queen of the Meadhall: Immune to the effects of mead
  • Stench of Men: Can never be surprised by a man