Crimson Worlds

Huldra

4 min read

columns: 2
forcecolumns: true
layout: Basic Pathfinder 2e Layout
source: "Pathfinder Bestiary 3"
name: "Huldra"
level: "Creature 4"
rare_03: [[Uncommon]]
alignment: ""
size: "Medium"
trait_01: [[chaotic]]
trait_02: [[fey]]
modifier: 13
perception:
  - name: "Perception"
    desc: "+13; Darkvision, Scent (Imprecise) 60 Feet"
languages: "Common, Fey"
skills:
  - name: "Skills"
    desc: "Athletics: +11, Deception: +13, Diplomacy: +13, Intimidation: +11, Nature: +10"
abilityMods: [5, 4, 1, 1, 3, 5]
speed: 30 feet
sourcebook: "_Pathfinder Bestiary 3_"
ac: 21
armorclass:
  - name: AC
    desc: "21; __Fort__ +9, __Ref__ +14, __Will__ +11"
hp: 70
health:
  - name: ""
  - name: HP
    desc: "70, regeneration 5 (deactivated by acid or fire); __Weaknesses__ cold iron 5, fire 5"
abilities_top:
  - name: ""
 
abilities_mid:
  - name: ""
  - name: "[[Bestiary Ability Glossary/Regeneration|Regeneration 5 (Deactivated by Acid or Fire)]]"
    desc: "  This monster regains the listed number of Hit Points each round at the beginning of its turn. Its [[Conditions/Dying|Dying]] condition never increases beyond Dying 3 as long as its regeneration is active. However, if it takes damage of a type listed in the regeneration entry, its regeneration deactivates until the end of its next turn. Deactivate the regeneration before applying any damage of a listed type, since that damage might kill the monster by bringing it to Dying 4."
 
attacks:
  - name: ""
 
  - name: "**Melee** `pf2:1` Fist"
    desc: "+14 ()\n__Damage__  2d6 + 7 bludgeoning"
 
  - name: "**Melee** `pf2:1` Tail"
    desc: "+14 (agile, backswing)\n__Damage__  2d4 + 7 bludgeoning plus befuddling-lash"
 
  - name: "Befuddling Lash"
    desc: " (curse,mental) When the huldra damages a creature with their tail, a wave of befuddlement clouds the target's thoughts. The creature must succeed at a DC 19 Will check save or become [[Conditions/Stupefied|Stupefied 1]] ([[Conditions/Stupefied|Stupefied 2]] on a critical failure) for 1 minute."
 
  - name: "Manipulate Luck"
    desc: "`pf2:1` (curse,primal) **Frequency** once per day\n* * *\n\n**Effect** The huldra touches another creature to manipulate the creature's luck. The creature must attempt a DC 21 Will check save.\n\nOn a failure, the huldra chooses good luck or bad luck. If the huldra chooses good luck, the affected creature can roll twice on one d20 roll within the next minute and use the higher result; this is a fortune effect. If the huldra chooses bad luck, the creature must roll twice and use the lower result on its next d20 roll; this is a misfortune effect.\n\n[[Bestiary Effects/Effect_ Manipulate Luck (Good)|Effect: Manipulate Luck (Good)]]\n\n[[Bestiary Effects/Effect_ Manipulate Luck (Bad)|Effect: Manipulate Luck (Bad)]]"
 
name: Huldra
creatures:
  - 1: Huldra

At first glance, a huldra seems a simple creature-a human in plain robes or peasant dress, sporting long, unbound hair. These tresses and full skirts in fact disguise the huldra’s supernatural features: a hollow wooden back, a long bovine tail, and incredible strength.

Folk legends from the lands of the north describe huldras as the creations of troll witches, intended to lure potential meals to the slaughter. Indeed, a huldra’s regeneration is so similar to a troll’s that a link between the two creatures seems entirely possible, but huldras despise trolls and resent tales suggesting any connection between them. Rather, huldras are wardens of the woodlands they occupy. Grown from saplings by powerful forest-dwelling fey as a response to humanoid encroachment, huldras protect and parley for the forest itself. Woodland creatures adore huldras, and sometimes approach humans or elves thinking they’re huldras. This illusion is shattered if the animal sees the humanoid’s back is made of flesh or that they’re lacking a tail, at which point the animal recoils and runs away.

Huldras respond well to travelers who show respect and deference for the forest, bestowing those they favor with supernatural luck and fortune. Those who scorn or attack a huldra, or those who mock their distinctive, bovine tails, find themselves plagued by poor decisions and even worse luck. Huldras commonly carry a bad reputation as sirens of the deep forest-cunning monsters who seek to lure woodcutters and unwary adventurers to uncertain ends. These stories largely come from miscreants foolish enough to have treated a huldra rudely and later complain about how they were unjustly persecuted. Even woodcutters and hunters can stay in the good graces of huldras provided they plant few trees to replace what they’ve taken and don’t kill any creatures they don’t eat.

Though huldras choose to appear unassuming, the attention they put into disguising the supernatural parts of their bodies is sometimes lacking when it comes to their strength. They often perform feats of strength, like bending horseshoes straight or lifting heavy objects, without realizing they’re breaking their carefully crafted facade.

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