Natives of snow-capped peaks and primordial lands of unending winter, frost giants consider themselves the rightful inheritors of the world's cold places. They raid, conquer, and take slaves with wanton brutality. Lesser races who shiver and hide from the chilling winds exist only to serve them—as labor, as sport, and sometimes as meat.
Frost giants are among the larger giants, with males standing 15 feet tall and weighing roughly 2,800 pounds, and females being only slightly smaller. Most frost giants have pale blue skin the color of glacial ice, though shades can vary from deep blue to the white of fresh snow. Their hair grows in pale shades of blue, white, or dirty yellow; it is typically worn long and tied in braids, including beards. A frost giant's eyes typically match its hair, though with much more vivid colors. Frost giants' glacial coloration helps them camouflage themselves in the frigid lands they call home, and they often raid during ice storms to further capitalize on this fact.
Frost giants bear nearly the same proportions as humans, if more muscle-bound and broad-shouldered on average. Like other humanoids, they are warm-blooded, but their bodies have adapted to emit only infinitesimal amounts of heat via their skin and breath, and their blood cannot freeze, rendering them impervious to even the most frigid cold. However, their blood boils easily, and they become uncomfortably hot in more moderate climes.
A creature as massive as a frost giant requires a great deal of food to keep going, which the giants supply mostly by hunting and raiding. Caribou, elk, and other megafauna of the frozen reaches make up the bulk of their diet. The skins and hides of these creatures are put to use as clothing, bedding, and tents. Frost giants see no reason to engage in agriculture, mining, or raising livestock, given that their immense strength makes it far easier to raid for what they need. Most goods among the giants are stolen or created by enslaved members of smaller races. Cheese and butter are particularly prized.
About half of all frost giant tribes are seminomadic, migrating between campsites and temporary settlements whenever the local supply of game or plunder begins to run out. The other half take up permanent residence in captured castles or in fortresses carved from stone or ice. The giants' refusal to practice agriculture, however, means that those who settle in one place require relatively large subject populations to raid from, and may even rely on subordinate frost giant tribes that range farther afield and supply them with tribute.
Frost giants' love of raiding is legendary, and rightly feared among mountain towns the world over. They have so perfected the art of raiding that they leave enough residents of a town alive that the town can be rebuilt, allowing them to sack it again later once it's amassed enough loot to be worthwhile. In general, frost giants enjoy combat for its own sake, and prefer a quick plundering to holding territory. They particularly enjoy the thrill of fighting smaller humanoids, as it allows them to sate their bloodlust in relative safety.
Because they value strength over all, frost giants are sometimes brought under the command of yet greater evils. In these cases, they are usually glorified mercenaries, who cooperate as long as they're kept supplied with food, weapons, and riches, be it by pay or by pillage. Yet non-giant individuals capable of cowing a tribe are rare—even white dragons can end up as thralls of powerful frost giant tribes.
The ruler of a frost giant tribe typically assumes the title of jarl. This title is never claimed by means of democracy or heredity, but rather belongs to any with the strength to take it via personal challenge. When two jarls meet, one or the other must cede her title and become a mere "chieftain" or "warlord," an issue usually decided by swift and brutal combat. In this way, a strong jarl can command many subordinate tribes, though these arrangements inevitably prove to be temporary, for frost giants rankle at servitude. Most chieftains are continually second-guessing the jarl's leadership and looking for opportunities to break away or take power for themselves.
As frost giants prefer the glory of combat over the tedium of work, they keep slaves (called thralls) to assist with tasks like preparing food or tanning hides. The giants make poor masters, often killing these thralls through exhaustion or petty cruelty. The giants are also not above eating thralls in lean times, or when the slaves have outlived their usefulness. More successful frost giant tribes sometimes capture hardier creatures such as ice trolls or ogres as thralls—these fare somewhat better, serving as shock troops in the giants' war bands.
One of the few labors the giants take pride in is crafting weapons and armor. They manufacture excellent chain armor, which they prefer to plate, as plate makes noise and has joints that can freeze. For weaponry, they favor enormous greataxes, sometimes hafted with whole trees.
Frost giants enjoy the company of creatures as brutal as themselves, and so take in other tundra creatures as exotic "pets." They favor winter wolves, but frost worms, mammoths, polar bears, svathurims, and yetis are not unknown.
The vast majority of frost giants worship ancient giant deities of blood, ice, and war. The giants dedicate their battles to these gods out of respect, and appease them with sacrifices of slaves and treasure out of fear. More recently, some tribes have turned to the worship of demon lords of brutality, vengeance, and the deadly cold. This has caused something of a schism: the traditionalists accuse the demon-worshipers of turning their backs on their progenitors and becoming thralls to undeserving masters. Yet in truth, most frost giants will worship any god who caters to their desires.
Full statistics for frost giants can be found in their Bestiary entry.
New Rules
Many of frost giants' abilities are inspired by their adaptations to the severe cold of their homelands. Others have created versions of existing spells and tactics that take advantage of their incredible size.
Frost Giant Feats
Frost giants have access to the following feats.
Ancestral Enmity (Combat)
You can counter the special defensive training the stouter races have against your kind.
Prerequisite: Giant subtype.
Benefits: You gain a +2 bonus on melee attack rolls against dwarves and gnomes.
Special: You may select this feat twice. Its effects stack.
Awesome Charge (Combat)
When you charge, you can send your opponent flying.
Prerequisites: Str 25, Awesome Blow, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack.
Benefit: When you hit your opponent with a charge attack, you can attempt an awesome blow combat maneuver against that opponent as a free action.
Born of Frost
You exude a chill that can harm other creatures.
Prerequisite: Frost giant.
Benefit: Your natural weapons and unarmed strikes deal an additional 1d6 points of cold damage. Creatures that strike you with natural weapons or unarmed strikes take 1 point of cold damage.
Chilled Rock
You can transfer the cold of your body to the rocks you throw.
Prerequisites: Born of Frost, frost giant.
Benefit: Any items you throw with your rock throwing ability are chilled by your touch, dealing an additional 1d6 points of cold damage.
Cleaving Sweep (Combat)
You can sweep multiple foes to the ground with a single blow of your axe.
Prerequisites: Str 15, Cleave, Improved Trip, Weapon Focus (greataxe), base attack bonus +11.
Benefit: When using a full-attack action with a two-handed weapon, you can give up your regular attacks and instead attempt a trip combat maneuver at your highest base attack bonus against each opponent within reach. You must attempt a separate combat maneuver check against each opponent.
Icy Stare
Your eyes burn like ice, allowing you to freeze and weaken foes with a glance.
Prerequisite: Born of Frost, frost giant.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can direct your icy stare against a single creature or object within 10 feet. Targeted creatures must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC = 10 + 1/2 your Hit Dice + your Charisma modifier) or take 1d6 points of cold damage. Unattended objects cannot attempt a saving throw. Creatures damaged by the spell must succeed at a Fortitude save or take 1 point of Strength damage.
This feat doesn't grant an actual gaze attack—foes and allies are not in danger simply by meeting your gaze.
Sure on Ice
You move on ice and snow as if it were dry ground.
Prerequisite: Frost giant.
Benefit: You can move across icy and snowy surfaces without penalty, and don't need to attempt Acrobatics checks to run or charge on ice. You gain a +4 bonus on Climb checks to climb ice.
Frost Giant Spells
Frost giants developed the following spells to help them hunt and raid in their icy homes.
Ice Slick
School evocation [cold]; Level druid 2, magus 2, ranger 2, sorcerer/wizard 2, witch 2
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Area 5-ft.-radius burst
Duration instantaneous (see text)
Save Reflex partial (see text); SR see text
You create a blast of intense cold, coating all solid surfaces in the area with a thin coating of ice. Any creature in the area when the spell is cast takes 1d6 points of cold damage + 1 point per caster level (maximum +10) and falls prone; creatures that succeed at a Reflex save take half damage and don't fall prone. Spell resistance applies to this initial effect.
A creature can walk within or through the area of ice at half its normal speed with a successful DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure by 4 or less means the creature can't move that round (and must succeed at a Reflex save or fall); failure by 5 or more means it falls. Creatures that do not move on their turn do not need to attempt this check.
A 5-foot square of ice has hardness 0 and 3 hit points. The ice is an instantaneous effect, but persists as nonmagical ice. Under temperate conditions, the ice lasts 1 minute per level. In tropical environments, it might last only half as long. In cold environments where ice and snow persist without melting, it could last indefinitely.
Magic Boulder
School transmutation [earth]; Level cleric 2, druid 2
Target up to three boulders touched
This spell works like magic stone, except you transmute as many as three boulders (rocks up to two size categories smaller than yourself) to use with the rock throwing ability or as siege engine ammunition. The boulder's damage increases by one step, and the boulder gains a +1 enhancement bonus on attack and damage rolls.
Frost Giant Magic Items
Frost giants are reputed to have created the first of these magic items, and most specimens still remain in the hands of their kind. Many a bold hero has sought to infiltrate frost giant strongholds in pursuit of such magical treasures, making dangerous climbs into crag-top castles and glacial palaces. Some of the most successful ones even manage to return home with all of their limbs.
Fog-Cutting Lenses
Price 8,000 gp; Slot face; CL 5th; Weight 1 lb.; Aura faint transmutation
These goggles are made of polished rock crystal, with frames of polished brass and a simple leather strap and buckle sized for a giant's head (but easily adjustable for smaller wearers). The goggles allow the wearer to see through magical and normal fogs, mists, and similar obscurement. They do not confer darkvision or low-light vision. Further, the goggles distort and skew vision strangely, imposing a –4 penalty on Perception checks.
Construction Requirements
Cost 4,000 gp
Craft Wondrous Item, darkvision, fog cloud
Frostblood Axe
Price 40,310 gp; Slot none; CL 10th; Weight 6 lbs.; Aura moderate necromancy [evil]
This +1 frost wounding battleaxe sacrifices the souls of those it kills to the foul gods of the frost giants. Whenever it kills a creature with at least 1 Hit Die (including creatures killed by its bleed damage), as an immediate action the wielder can activate either divine favor on himself or bless on himself and his allies.
Construction Requirements
Cost 20,310 gp
Craft Wondrous Item, bleed, bless, chill metal, death knell, divine favor
Irongrip Gauntlets
Price 4,000 gp; Slot hands; CL 3rd; Weight 2 lbs.; Aura faint transmutation
These gloves are made of goatskin reinforced with heavy iron strips. They provide a sure, strengthened grip on large or awkwardly shaped items. When the wearer wields an improvised melee weapon or inappropriately sized weapon, reduce the penalty for doing so by 2 (minimum 0). The gloves don't change the number of hands required to wield such a weapon.
Construction Requirements
Cost 2,000 gp
Craft Wondrous Item, bull's strength, enlarge person
Winter Wolf Runetooth
Price 2,500 gp; Slot none; CL 10th; Weight —; Aura moderate conjuration
When this canine fang is crushed or broken as a full-round action, it summons a winter wolf. The wolf is under the control of the creature that broke the fang. The wolf remains for 1 minute or until slain.
Construction Requirements
Cost 1,250 gp
Craft Wondrous Item, summon nature's ally V
Example Frost Giants
Frost Giant Raider
Frost giant raiders are the terror of the north, racing out of the snow to rend and slaughter for the sheer joy of battle and conquest.
Frost Giant Raider CR 11
XP 12,800
Frost giant barbarian 2
CE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init +0; Senses low-light vision; Perception +22
Defense
AC 23, touch 8, flat-footed 23 (+5 armor, +1 deflection, +10 natural, –2 rage, –1 size)
hp 227 (16 HD; 14d8+2d12+146)
Fort +22, Ref +5, Will +10.
Defensive Abilities rock catching, uncanny dodge; Immune cold
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
Offense
Speed 50 ft.
Melee +1 greataxe +27/+22/+17 (3d6+22/×3)
Ranged rock +11 (1d8+21)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks rage (13 rounds/day), rage powers (knockback), rock throwing (120 ft.)
Tactics
During Combat The raider begins combat with Dazzling Display, then uses Shatter Defenses to keep her intimidated targets on the defensive.
Base Statistics When she's not raging, the barbarian's statistics are AC 25, touch 10, flat-footed 25; hp 195; Fort +20, Will +8; +1 greataxe +25/+20/+15 (3d6+19/×3); rock +11 (1d8+18); Str 35, Con 24; CMB +25, CMD 36; Skills Climb +18, Intimidate +30.
Statistics
Str 39, Dex 11, Con 28, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8
Base Atk +12; CMB +27 (+29 bull rush); CMD 36 (38 vs. bull rush)
Feats Cleave, Dazzling Display, Great Cleave, Improved Bull Rush, Intimidating Prowess, Power Attack, Shatter Defenses, Weapon Focus (greataxe)
Skills Climb +20, Intimidate +32, Perception +22, Stealth –5 (–1 in snow); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in snow
Languages Common, Giant
SQ fast movement
Combat Gear potions of cure serious wounds (2), potion of displacement, potion of protection from arrows, potion of protection from energy (fire), alchemist's fire (5); Other Gear +1 chain shirt, +1 greataxe, amulet of natural armor +1, belt of giant strength +2, cloak of resistance +1, ring of protection +1, 380 gp
Raiders are the shock troops of frost giant tribes, usually consisting of the tribe's toughest, most intimidating warriors. On raids, they exult in the fear that their mighty appearance causes, often breaking enemy lines with the sheer sight of their howling charge. Unlike frost giant rangers, frost giant raiders are less concerned with stealth or tactics than with impressing each other via dramatic feats, and wiser jarls know when to rein in their troops lest frost giant bravado and a desire for bragging rights lose them a battle—or, more often, result in unnecessary destruction of valuable slaves and plunder.
While larger tribes are usually ruled by a jarl or another powerful figure, in smaller tribes a raider might serve as a leader. Some raiders could even be chieftains who pledge fealty to a mighty jarl's larger clan. Since a frost giant tribe ruled by a mere raider is likely to be easy pickings for a more fearsome tribe looking to increase its holdings, raider-led tribes often find it safer to move out of their traditional homelands and into softer country, and thus they often come into conflict with smaller humanoids.
Frost Giant Rangers
Frost giant rangers hunt big game to feed their tribes, and take point on raids.
Frost Giant Hunter CR 11
XP 12,800
Frost giant ranger 2
CE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +22
Defense
AC 27, touch 12, flat-footed 25 (+5 armor, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +10 natural, –1 size)
hp 170 (16 HD; 14d8+2d10+96)
Fort +18, Ref +9, Will +9
Defensive Abilities rock catching; Immune cold
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee +1 spear +23/+18/+13 (2d6+17/×3)
Ranged rock +13 (1d8+16.5)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks combat style (archery), favored enemy (animals +2), rock throwing (120 ft.)
Statistics
Str 32, Dex 15, Con 23, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8
Base Atk +12; CMB +24; CMD 37
Feats Deadly Aim, Far Shot, Iron Will, Point-Blank Shot, Power Attack, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Skill Focus (Stealth)
Skills Perception +22, Stealth +22 (+26 in snow), Survival +16
Languages Common, Giant
SQ track +1, wild empathy +1
Gear +1 chain shirt, +1 spear, amulet of natural armor +1, belt of incredible dexterity +2, boots of the winterlands, ring of protection +1, 2,298 gp
Frost Giant Elite Scout CR 13
XP 25,600
Frost giant ranger 4
CE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +30
Defense
AC 30, touch 14, flat-footed 26 (+6 armor, +1 deflection, +3 Dex, +1 dodge, +10 natural, –1 size)
hp 197 (18 HD; 14d8+4d10+112)
Fort +19, Ref +11, Will +10
Defensive Abilities rock catching
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee +1 spear +24/+19/+14 (2d6+16/×3)
Ranged rock +16 (1d8+15)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks combat style (archery), favored enemy (humans +2), rock throwing (120 ft.)
Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +4)
1st—longstrider
Statistics
Str 31, Dex 16, Con 22, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 8
Base Atk +14; CMB +25; CMD 40
Feats Dodge, Endurance, Iron Will, Mobility, Point-Blank Shot, Power Attack, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Skill Focus (Perception), Skill Focus (Stealth), Spring Attack
Skills Acrobatics +11 (+15 when jumping), Climb +21, Handle Animal +11, Knowledge (local) +9, Knowledge (nature) +14, Perception +30, Stealth +30 (+34 in snow), Survival +15
Languages Common, Giant
SQ favored terrain (cold +2), hunter's bond (companions), track +2, wild empathy +3
Gear +2 chain shirt, +1 spear, amulet of natural armor +1, belt of physical might +2 (Dex, Con), boots of the winterlands, ring of protection +1, 3,773 gp
Frost Giant Ice Mage
Frost giant sorcerers excel in harnessing the power of the elements and bolstering raiders in combat.
Frost Giant Ice Mage CR 12
XP 19,200
Frost giant sorcerer 6
CE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +25
Defense
AC 26, touch 10, flat-footed 26 (+2 armor, +1 deflection, +10 natural, +4 shield, –1 size)
hp 204 (20 HD; 14d8+6d6+120)
Fort +17, Ref +8, Will +11
Defensive Abilities rock catching; Immune cold
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee mwk morningstar +21/+16/+11 (2d6+12) or 2 slams +20 (1d8+8 plus 1d6 cold)
Ranged rock +12 (1d8+12 plus 1d6 cold)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks rock throwing (120 ft.)
Bloodline Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th; concentration +9)
7/day—cold steel (grant weapon or 50 ammunition frost weapon special ability for 3 rounds)
Sorcerer Spells Known (CL 6th; concentration +9)
3rd (4/day)—dispel magic
2nd (6/day)—frigid touch, ice slick, rage (DC 16)
1st (7/day)—enlarge person, expeditious retreat, obscuring mist, shield, true strike
0 (at will)—detect magic, ghost sound (DC 13), flare (DC 13), mage hand, message, ray of frost, touch of fatigue (DC 13)
Bloodline boreal
Tactics
Before Combat A frost giant ice mage casts shield and expeditious retreat .
During Combat A frost giant ice mage uses his wand of solid fog to trap opponents, then blasts them at range with his wand of ice storm or wand of lightning bolt . He casts ice slick and uses his icewalker bloodline ability to outmaneuver his opponents in icy and snowy areas.
Statistics
Str 26, Dex 11, Con 22, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 16
Base Atk +13; CMB +22; CMD 33
Feats Arcane Strike, Born of Frost*, Chilled Rock*, Combat Casting, Eschew Materials, Extend Spell, Improved Initiative, Improved Lightning Reflexes, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Stealth)
Skills Bluff +12, Climb +21, Craft (alchemy) +15, Intimidate +16, Knowledge (arcana) +15, Perception +25, Spellcraft +15, Stealth +12 (+16 in snow); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in snow
Languages Abyssal, Auran, Common, Giant
SQ icewalker
Combat Gear potions of cure serious wounds (2), potion of invisibility, potion of protection from energy (fire), wand of ice storm (10 charges), wand of lightning bolt (10 charges), wand of solid fog (5 charges), alchemist's fire (4); Other Gear mwk morningstar, amulet of natural armor +1, bracers of armor +2, ring of protection +1, 362 gp
Ice mages inherit the magic of the icy north. While some are tricksters and manipulators—perhaps using enlarge person to grow to Huge size and trick travelers into thinking they're cloud giants—many act as support and artillery for their tribe's raiders, killing at a distance with the power of a storm or increasing their allies' size and ferocity. As powerful as sorcerers may be, frost giant society still places more value in physical strength and melee prowess, meaning sorcerers are usually advisors rather than leaders.
Frost Giant Battle Priest
Frost giant priests are as scheming as they are violent, controlling others through fear and tradition.
Frost Giant Battle Priest CR 13
XP 25,600
Frost giant cleric 8
CE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init –1; Senses low-light vision; Perception +30
Defense
AC 27, touch 9, flat-footed 27 (+8 armor, +1 deflection, –1 Dex, +10 natural, –1 size)
hp 195 (22d8+96)
Fort +19, Ref +7, Will +16.
Defensive Abilities rock catching; Immune cold
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 battleaxe +28/+23/+18/+13 (2d6+13/×3)
Ranged rock +14 (1d8+18)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks channel negative energy 5/day (DC 16, 4d6), might of the gods (+8, 8 rounds/day), rock throwing (120 ft.), weapon master (8 rounds/day)
Domain Spell-Like Abilities (CL 8th; concentration +14)
9/day—strength surge (+4)
9/day—battle rage (+4)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 8th; concentration +14)
4th—blessing of fervor, communal protection from energy, divine power D, unholy blight (DC 20)
3rd—enter image, invisibility purge, magic vestment D, protection from energy, sacred bon d
2nd—align weapon, death knell (DC 18), hold person (DC 18), magic boulder *, spiritual weapon D, weapon of awe
1st—bane (DC 17), bless, command (DC 17), cure light wounds, divine favor, enlarge person D (DC 17), shield of faith
0 (at will)—detect magic, guidance, mending, read magic
D domain spell; Domains Strength, War
Tactics
Before Combat A battle priest casts bull's strength, magic vestment, and protection from energy (fire) before combat, and sacred bond if her jarl is present.
During Combat The battle priest opens combat by casting divine power, then uses spells like blessing of fervor to support allies and unholy blight to harm opponents.
Statistics
Str 34, Dex 8, Con 18, Int 13, Wis 23, Cha 14
Base Atk +16; CMB +29 (+31 sunder); CMD 39 (41 vs. sunder)
Feats Brew Potion, Cleave, Combat Casting, Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Wand, Great Cleave, Improved Sunder, Lightning Reflexes, Martial Weapon Proficiency (battleaxe), Power Attack, Vital Strike
Skills Climb +17, Craft (armor) +10, Intimidate +15, Knowledge (religion) +14, Perception +30, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +1 (+5 in snow); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in snow
Languages Abyssal, Common, Giant
SQ icicle 9/day (1d6+3)
Combat Gear potions of bull's strength (2), potions of cure serious wounds (4), potions of protection from energy (2), potion of water breathing, wand of cure critical wounds (15 charges), wand of cure moderate wounds (15 charges); Other Gear mwk chainmail, +1 battleaxe, amulet of natural armor +1, boots of the winterlands, headband of inspired wisdom +2, ring of protection +1, ring of sustenance, golden bracelets for sacred bond (2), silver unholy symbol, spell component pouch, 4,410 gp
A frost giant battle priest uses her powers seeking out those who would undercut her authority or that of the chief, through spying on, manipulating, and threatening the rest of the tribe. When needed, she's not averse to taking up her battleaxe and splitting a few heads.
Frost Giant Houndmaster
Frost giants often use subjugated predators like wolves to help them chase down their quarry.
Frost Giant Houndmaster CR 14
XP 38,400
Frost giant druid (arctic druid) 10
NE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision, snowcaster; Perception +29
Defense
AC 28, touch 10, flat-footed 28 (+7 armor, +1 deflection, +11 natural, –1 size)
hp 262 (24d8+154)
Fort +22, Ref +10, Will +18
Defensive Abilities rock catching; Immune cold, dazzled
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
Offense
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 greataxe +27/+22/+17/+12 (3d6+14/×3)
Ranged rock +16 (1d8+13)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks rock throwing (120 ft.), snowcaster, wild shape 3/day
Druid Spells Prepared (CL 10th; concentration +16)
5th—animal growth (DC 21), cure critical wounds, transmute rock to mud (DC 21)
4th—cure serious wounds, flame strike (DC 21), ice storm, spike stones (DC 20)
3rd—call lightning (DC 20), dominate animal (DC 19), protection from energy, sleet storm
2nd—animal trance (DC 18), barkskin, bull's strength, chill metal, delay poison, hold animal (DC 18)
1st—charm animal (DC 17), entangle (DC 17), frostbite, obscuring mist, speak with animals (2)
0 (at will)—create water, detect magic, light, purify food and drink
Tactics
Before Combat The houndmaster casts protection from energy (fire) on herself, casts animal growth, barkskin, and bull's strength on her animal companion, and then casts call lightning .
During Combat The houndmaster fights with axe and magic together, directing lightning bolts from call lightning and miring opponents with entangle, sleet storm, and transmute rock to mud .
Statistics
Str 28, Dex 10, Con 20, Int 13, Wis 23, Cha 14
Base Atk +17; CMB +27; CMD 38
Feats Cleave, Great Cleave, Improved Natural Armor, Intimidating Prowess, Lightning Reflexes, Martial Weapon Proficiency (greataxe), Natural Spell, Power Attack, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (evocation), Toughness, Weapon Focus (greataxe)
Skills Bluff +9, Handle Animal +20, Heal +14, Intimidate +29, Knowledge (geography) +9 (+14 in cold or icy terrain), Knowledge (nature) +16, Perception +29 (+34 in cold or icy terrain), Stealth –6 (+3 in cold or icy terrain), Survival +21 (+26 in cold or icy terrain), Swim +15; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in snow
Languages Common, Druidic, Giant, Sylvan
SQ arctic native, icewalking, nature bond (animal companion), nature sense, wild empathy +12
Combat Gear pearl of power (2nd), scrolls of cure serious wounds (2), antitoxin (2); Other Gear +3 hide armor, +1 greataxe, amulet of natural armor +1, belt of mighty constitution +2, cloak of resistance +1, headband of inspired wisdom +2, manacles of cooperation (2), ring of protection +1, 1,465 gp
A houndmaster is responsible for the care of the tribe's pets, frequently polar bears, wolves, and winter wolves. She is fond of pitting her charges against each other, allowing the packs to establish a functional hierarchy and ensuring that only the strongest survive to breed. Some houndmasters choose these pack leaders as animal companions.
Frost Giant Jarl
Brutal lords of the frost giant tribes, jarls brook no argument from those beneath them.
Frost Giant Jarl CR 18
XP 153,600
Frost giant ranger 9
CE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +24
Defense
AC 35, touch 15, flat-footed 31 (+9 armor, +2 deflection, +4 Dex, +11 natural, –1 size)
hp 328 (23 HD; 14d8+9d10+216)
Fort +26, Ref +17, Will +13.
Defensive Abilities evasion, rock catching; Immune cold
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee +1 warhammer +27/+22/+17/+12 (2d6+12/×3), +1 warhammer +27/+22/+17 (2d6+12/×3)
Ranged rock +22 (1d8+16) or +1 warhammer +24/+19 (2d6+1/×3)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks combat style (two-weapon), favored enemy (giants +2, humans +4), rock throwing (120 ft.)
Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 6th; concentration +7)
2nd—communal returning weapon
1st—call animal, charm animal (DC 12), lead blades
Tactics
Before Combat The jarl casts communal returning weapon on his warhammers.
During Combat The jarl makes full attacks with his warhammers against targets at any range.
Statistics
Str 32, Dex 19, Con 27, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +19; CMB +31; CMD 47
Feats Double Slice, Dreadful Carnage, Endurance, Furious Focus, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Iron Will, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Iron Will, Point-Blank Shot, Power Attack, Precise Shot, Toughness, Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Rend, Weapon Focus (warhammer)
Skills Acrobatics +8 (+12 when jumping), Climb +23, Diplomacy +5, Heal +9, Intimidate +23, Perception +24, Perform (sing) +5, Sense Motive +11, Stealth +17 (+21 in snow), Survival +14; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics when jumping, +4 Stealth in snow
Languages Common, Giant
SQ favored terrain (cold +4, forest +2), hunter's bond (companions), swift tracker, track +4, wild empathy +9, woodland stride
Combat Gear potions of cure serious wounds (3), potion of protection from energy (fire), alchemist's fire (2); Other Gear +4 chain shirt, +1 warhammer (2), amulet of natural armor +2, belt of physical might +4 (Dex, Con), boots of the winterlands, cloak of resistance +3, ring of protection +2, stone of alarm, 1,886 gp
Jarls rule their tribes and subordinates with an iron fist—or a hammer to the skull. Jarls take and hold their positions through force. While many might wish to see their stations pass on to their progeny, heredity carries little weight in frost giant society, and jarls understand that their children can assume power only by violently seizing it. As a result, frost giant jarls are hard on their children, encouraging sibling rivalries in hopes that one child will eventually prove strong enough to rule.
Svathurim
This hulking creature has the lower half of an eight-legged stallion and the upper half of a horned frost giant.
Svathurim CR 11
XP 12,800
CE Huge monstrous humanoid (cold)
Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +19
Defense
AC 26, touch 11, flat-footed 23 (+4 armor, +3 Dex, +10 natural, +1 shield, –2 size)
hp 147 (14d10+70)
Fort +11, Ref +12, Will +11
Immune cold
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
Offense
Speed 50 ft.
Melee mwk lance +22/+17/+12 (3d6+13/×3), gore +21 (2d6+9), 2 hooves +16 (1d8+4)
Ranged mwk composite longbow +16/+11/+6 (3d6+9/×3)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft. (20 ft. with lance)
Special Attacks natural jouster, thunderous trample, trample (1d8+13, DC 26)
Statistics
Str 29, Dex 17, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 11
Base Atk +14; CMB +25 (+27 bull rush, +29 overrun); CMD 38 (40 vs. bull rush, 40 vs. overrun, 50 vs. trip)
Feats Charge Through, Great Fortitude, Greater Overrun, Improved Bull Rush, Improved Overrun, Intimidating Prowess, Power Attack
Skills Acrobatics +12 (+20 when jumping), Climb +12, Intimidate +25, Perception +19, Survival +14, Swim +20; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics when jumping
Languages Common, Giant
SQ skyrunner, undersized weapons
Ecology
Environment cold hills, mountains, or plains
Organization solitary, pair, war band (3–6), or clan (1–4 svathurim plus 2–12 frost giants)
Treasure standard (mwk chain shirt, mwk light steel shield, mwk composite longbow with 40 arrows, mwk lance, other treasure)
Special Abilities
Natural Jouster (Ex) A svathurim can wield a lance one-handed as if it were mounted, and it deals double damage with a lance while charging.
Skyrunner (Su) When charging, running, or taking a double move, a svathurim can stride across open air as if it were using air walk . This movement is very taxing; a svathurim must succeed at a DC 14 Constitution check at the end of each round it uses this ability or become fatigued for 1 minute. This DC increases by 2 for each round after the first. Returning to the ground resets the DC to 14, but doesn't negate any ongoing fatigue or exhaustion. A svathurim cannot trample when using this ability.
Thunderous Trample (Su) Any creature damaged by a svathurim's trample attack must succeed at a DC 22 Fortitude save or be deafened for 1 minute. The save DC is Constitution-based.
Svathurims and frost giants consider each other allies and distant kin. The hindquarters of an adult svathurim are up to 10 feet tall and 16 feet long, while its giant trunk and head reach up to 18 feet in height. They typically weigh more than 5 tons and may live up to 500 years. Svathurims dwell in arctic regions, galloping along the shores of polar seas or between high mountain peaks, with individuals organized into clans headed by the strongest hunters.
Encounters
Given frost giants' love of raiding, most frost giant encounters are with giants seeking food, loot, or slaves.
Raiding Party (CR 14)
This is a common force that a tribe of frost giants might send to exact tribute from a nearby human settlement, where little serious resistance is expected.
Frost Giant Raiders (2) CR 11
XP 12,800 each
hp 227 each
Frost Giants (2) CR 9
XP 6,400 each
hp 133 each
Slave Caravan (CR 15)
A houndmaster often travels with a pack, and could be guarding a shipment of slaves, tracking down runaways, or overseeing the trade of thralls between two tribes.
Frost Giant Houndmaster CR 14
XP 38,400
hp 262
Winter Wolves (8) CR 5
XP 1,600 each
hp 57 each
Reconnaissance Patrol (CR 16)
These scouts can be used as patrols keeping tabs on the tribe's enemies, or as scouts reconnoitering a new area ripe for raiding and plundering.
Frost Giant Battle Priest CR 13
XP 25,600
hp 195
Frost Giant Elite Scouts (2) CR 13
XP 25,600 each
hp 197 each
War Band (CR 17)
This war band could be called together by a local jarl to solve a specific, difficult problem—such as evicting monsters from a disused fortress, or stopping a party of adventurers who have been disrupting the tribe's attempts to terrorize nearby settlements. The frost giants' usual forces are bolstered by svathurims recruited to strike thunderous fear into foes.
Frost Giant Houndmaster CR 14
XP 38,400
hp 262
Frost Giant Ice Mage CR 12
XP 19,200
hp 204
Frost Giant Raiders (2) CR 11
XP 12,800 each
hp 227 each
Svathurims (2) CR 11
XP 12,800 each
hp 147 each
Winter Wolves (2) CR 5
XP 1,600 each
hp 57 each
