**Grundwulf – Warfather of the North** --- ## Overview Grundwulf is the chieftain-king of the **[[Cuthwulf]] Clan**, a towering warrior whose legend is etched into the blood-soaked sands of the **Bone Desert**. Revered and feared in equal measure, he commands absolute loyalty from most of his clan, ruling with iron strength, ancestral honor, and brutal clarity. His deep disdain for diplomacy and southern weakness makes him a symbol of old northern power—but that legacy is now challenged by the rise of his own children. --- ## Titles - Warfather of the North - King of the [[Cuthwulf]] Clan - The Iron Howl of the Bone Desert --- ## Appearance Grundwulf is a mountain of a man, standing over 6’7” with a frame chiseled by decades of war. His skin is weathered and scarred, and his gray-black hair is braided into war-knots. His beard, streaked with ash, hangs thick over his bare chest. Tattoos of the **Old Blood** wrap around his arms and back, telling the saga of his lineage. He wears only beast pelts and ritual trophies—never armor. --- ## Personality - **Dominant and Decisive**: Never hesitates; believes hesitation is death. - **Cunning Strategist**: Underestimates none, especially southern generals. - **Wary of Magic**: Views sorcery as a threat unless wielded by divine will. - **Prideful and Unyielding**: Cannot forgive perceived weakness. - **Harsh but Honest Father**: Loves his children fiercely, though rarely shows it with warmth. --- ## History and Legacy Grundwulf rose to power through victory after victory, uniting the scattered [[Cuthwulf]] warbands into a single, formidable clan. His most infamous act—kidnapping **Princess [[Araminta]] of [[Easterstar]]** at age 14 and forcing her to march nude in chains across the desert, as the barbarians themselves do—was a calculated humiliation designed to shatter the pride of the southern kingdoms. The display sent shockwaves through Brensistria and marked him forever in the history of the Free Kingdoms. Despite this, his daughter has become a rising symbol of hope, and his son, **[[Bjorn]] Mountainseeker**, seeks peace through unity. Grundwulf remains both a source of strength and a looming obstacle to change. --- ## Stat Block (Barbarian 5 / Fighter (Champion) 15) **Race:** Human **Alignment:** Neutral **HP:** 210 **AC:** 18 (Unarmored + Dual Wield) **Speed:** 40 ft **STR** 19 | **DEX** 19 | **CON** 19 | **INT** 13 | **WIS** 20 | **CHA** 13 **Saving Throws:** STR +10, CON +10 **Skills:** Athletics +13, Perception +11, Survival +10, Intimidation +7 ### Combat Features - Rage (3/day): Resist bludgeoning, piercing, slashing - Totem of the Bear: Resist all damage except psychic - Extra Attack (3 attacks per Attack action) - Action Surge (1/rest) - Brutal Critical, Superior Critical (Crit on 18–20) - Indomitable (2/day) - Relentless Rage (Stay at 1 HP if successful CON save) - Dual Wield Mastery (Off-hand attacks deal full damage) - War Flurry (Bonus off-hand attack per round) - Mage Slayer feat **Magic Items:** - _Battleaxe of Warning_ - _+2 Battleaxe_ - _Ring of the Old Flame_ --- ## Allies & Enemies - **Enemies:** [[Askaria]] Empire, Free Kingdoms (especially Brensistria), mages, southern nobles - **Allies:** Conservative barbarian factions, elder warbands, desert survival cults - **Rivals:** His own children ([[Bjorn]] and his daughter), [[Queen Cyrill]], any outsider offering diplomacy --- ## Role in Campaign Grundwulf is a **living monument to the old ways**—a relic of the past fighting to shape the future by force. As both an ally and a threat, he can: - Serve as a brutal opponent in tribal politics or duels - Offer ancient wisdom or powerful warrior support - Stand as a final obstacle in uniting the barbarian clans - Provide dramatic father-son or father-daughter conflict arcs