Valkyrie (5e Race)
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Valkyrie
“ | Come with me, brave warrior of chosen wyrd, to the everlasting glory beyond. | ” |
Physical Description
“The Dises” by Dorothy Hardy (1909) |
Valkyries look like valiant, shining human females, usually with a noble appearance and features. They are maidens mirroring the strongest and bravest mortals, and are only female. They usually wear armor with the motif of wings. These hint at their nature as swans, which is the form Valkyries take when walking among mortals usually. Reflecting the variance of humans, valkyries can appear in a variety of shapes and forms of women, from petit to tall and from blonde to brunette.
History
Born in Midgard, valkyries are believed to be the souls of dead shieldmaidens. They are chosen by Odin because of their exceptional skill or strength to become his servants, and they report directly to Freya. They are known to hover over battlefields and pick out the fallen who are to enter Valhalla as their reward for bravery. Thus, their name valkyrie means "chooser of battlefield corpses."
Society
Valkyries live in Valhalla. When they are not busy ferrying brave souls, they can often be found serving the Einherjar food and any other of their needs. Outside these two roles of playing ferryman and servant, valkyrie are not allowed to be intimate among others. They are held strictly to their laws to be an inspirational force that can hold their own in battle. While they are allowed to roam among mortals, they will often do so under the guise of a white swan. According to legend, Odin gave them this form so that they might tread unnoticed through the earthly realm. If they were seen without this guise by a mortal, they would be cursed to become mortals themselves.
Valkyrie Names
Usually, Valkyrie names were simply Norse words linked to their personality or a noun which resonated with their task.
Names: Þrúðr ("power"), Hlökk ("noise", or "battle"), Herfjötur ("host-fetter"), Göll ("tumult")
Valkyrie Traits
Winged female spirits that take the spirits of the dead to Valhalla.
Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2, and either your Strength or Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age. Valkyries do not age nor die of age, as they are essentially immortal.
Alignment. Valkyries are the servants of Odin and Freya, so they are mostly of the good or at least lawful alignments. But it is possible for them to change gods, in which case they can have other alignments.
Size. Valkyries tend to be similar in build to humans. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Inspiring Choice. You choose the most valiant and grant them strength in their darkest hour. When a creature friendly to you that you can see is reduced to 0 hit points within 10 feet of you, you may expend your reaction to grant them quick recourse. The creature drops to 1 hit point instead. You can use this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, regaining use after you finish a long rest.
Wings To Valhalla. You have a pair of white, swan-like wings that grow stronger with your experience in the world. As a bonus action, you can sprout or dismiss these wings, which appear ethereal, like light. While these wings are out, you have a flying speed of 30 feet, but you cannot fly higher than 10 feet off the ground. You also cannot use your wings while wearing heavy armor. Starting at level 5, your wings have gained sufficient strength to take to the skies and you are able to fly over 10 feet off the ground with your wings.
Guiding Horn. You know the guidance cantrip.
Languages. You can read, write, and speak both Common and Celestial.
Random Height and Weight
Base Height |
Height Modifier* |
Base Weight |
Weight Modifier** |
---|---|---|---|
6′ 0'' | +2d10 | 100 lb. | × (2d4) lb. |
*Height = base height + height modifier |
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