The Son of Pohjola
The Old School Holiday Adventure bundle is still available for you to stuff into someone’s virtual stocking. For $11, you get 16 OSR-compatible products.
It’s been a while since I tackled another 5E D&D conversion of material from the AD&D Deities & Demigods. Today, I offer the Son of Pohjola, Louhi’s savage offspring. I once used the Son of Pohjola as the main villain in an adventure oh-so-many years ago. The heroes had trouble navigating the Son’s illusory maze while fighting off his minions (based on Warhammer 40K genestealers because I had the miniatures for them).
(Nota Bene: The Deities & Demigods link above is an affiliate link.)
This son of Louhi was a leader of the people of Pohjola and a savage enemy to Lemminkainen and the other good heroes of Kalevala. (Deities & Demigods, page 61)
Son of Pohjola
Medium humanoid (human), lawful evil
Armor Class 16 (studded leather)
Hit Points 170 (20d8+80)
Speed 40 ft.
Ability Scores STR 22 (+6), DEX 19 (+4), CON 19 (+4), INT 15 (+2), WIS 15 (+2), CHA 17 (+3)
Saving Throws DEX +9, CON +9, INT +7, WIS +7, CHA +8
Skills Athletics +11, Insight +7, Intimidation +8, Perception +12, Stealth +14, Survival +7
Senses passive Perception 22
Languages Common, Giant, Infernal
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Action Surge (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). On his turn, the Son of Pohjola can take one additional action on top of his regular action and a possible bonus action.
Assassinate. During his first turn, the Son of Pohjola has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn. Any hit the Son of Pohjola scores against a surprised creature is a critical hit.
Expertise. The Son of Pohjola’s proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check made with Perception and Stealth.
Legendary Resistance (3/Day). If the Son of Pohjola fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Master of Wolves. The Son of Pohjola can speak with animals with wolves and dire wolves. Any wolf or dire wolf that ends its turn within 30 feet of the Son of Pohjola must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed for 24 hours (as animal friendship). Once per day, the Son of Pohjola can call 15 (6d4) wolves or 5 (2d4) dire wolves. The called creatures arrive in 1d4 rounds, acting as allies of the Son of Pohjola and obeying his spoken commands. The beasts remain for 1 hour, until the Son of Pohjola dies, or until he dismisses them as a bonus action.
Second Wind (Recharges after a Short or Long Rest). The Son of Pohjola can use a bonus action on his turn to regain 17 (1d10+12) hit points.
Sneak Attack (1/Turn). The Son of Pohjola deals an extra 14 (4d6) damage when it hits a target with a weapon attack and has advantage on the attack roll, or when the target is within 5 feet of an ally of the Son that isn’t incapacitated and the Son doesn’t have disadvantage on the attack roll.
Spellcasting. The Son of Pohjola is a 10th-level spellcaster. His spellcasting ability is Charisma (save DC 16, +8 to hit with spell attacks). He prepares spells from the bard (up to 3rd-level spells), druid (up to 3rd-level spells), and wizard (up to 5th-level spells) lists. He has the following spells prepared:
Cantrips (at will): acid splash, chill touch, dancing lights, fire bolt, guidance, light, mage hand, minor illusion, produce flame, thorn whip, true strike
1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, disguise self, witch bolt
2nd level (3 slots): heat metal, mirror image, see invisibility
3rd level (3 slots): clairvoyance, haste, protection from energy
4th level (3 slots): dimension door, greater invisibility
5th level (2 slots): dominate person, wall of force
War Magic. When the Son of Pohjola uses his action to cast a cantrip, he can make one weapon attack as a bonus action.
Actions
Multiattack. The Son of Pohjola makes two attacks.
+3 Greatsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d6+9) slashing damage.
Legendary Actions
The Son of Pohjola can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Son of Pohjola regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
Cantrip. The Son of Pohjola casts a cantrip.
Cunning Action. The Son of Pohjola takes the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action.
Detect. The Son of Pohjola makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
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