Soul-Hunter
Soul-Hunters are adept practicioners of Seiðr magic, descended from the ancient race of Centaurs that once inhabbited the realm. As such, they have the upper body of a human, with the lower half of a horse. Soul-Hunters prey on all sentient life, including those of humans, which they use to fuel their dark rituals. They utilize simple weapons such as bows and spears, alongside powerful spells. Most Soul-Hunters are female.
Soul-Hunter CR: 5
Large monstrosity, chaotic evil
Armor Class: 14
Hit Points: 97
Speed:
50 ft
STR
18 +4
DEX
17 +3
CON
14 +2
INT
9 -1
WIS
16 +3
CHA
11 +0
Skills: Athletics +6, Perception +6, Survival +6
Senses: passive Perception (16)
Languages: Elvish, Sylvan
Challenge Rating: 5
( 1800 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +3
The Soul-Hunter is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 16, +6 to hit with spell attacks). The Soul-Hunter has the following spells prepared: Cantrips (at will): Gust, Poison Spray, Thorn Whip 1st level (4 slots): Entangle, Ice Knife, Thunderwave 2nd level (3 slots): Barkskin, Hold Person, Moonbeam 3rd level (2 slots): Call Lightning, Flame Arrows
Charge. If the Soul-Hunter moves at least 30 ft. straight toward a target and then hits it with a pike attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 10 (3d6) piercing damage. Seiðr Caster. When the Soul-Hunter kills a creature with an attack or spell, the Soul-Hunter regains spells slots. The sum of the spell slots' levels must be equivalent to the level or CR of the creature killed. (ex. if the creature is level 3, the Soul-Hunter regains 3 1st level slots, 1 1st and 1 2nd level slots, or 1 3rd level slot.)
Actions
Multiattack. The Soul-Hunter makes two attacks: one with its pike and one with its hooves or two with its longbow. Pike. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage. Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (4d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (2d8 + 3) piercing damage.
A descendant of the long-forgotten centaurs, twisted and corrupted by centuries of Seiðr magic. Soul-Hunters prowl the forests of the realm, searching for wayward souls they can use for their twisted rituals.
Suggested Environments
Forests, Mountains
Basic Information
Anatomy
Soul-Hunters have the upper-half of a human (typically female), with the lower-half of a horse. A mature Hunter has deer-like antlers protruding from their temples. They possess mamary glands, although they are purely vestigial.
Genetics and Reproduction
Soul-Hunters reproduce sexually. This typically occurs when a male and female have overlapping territory, which is rare. The male and female have been observed to fight to keep their territory. Whomever wins, that victor will consumate their victory by engaging in intercourse with the losing party. Females are known to typically win these egagements, and they are known to claim the souls of their male mate following fertilization.
Growth Rate & Stages
An infant Soul-Hunter is known as a foal, which appears as a human of roughly 6-7 years with the lower-half of a horse of age 3-6 months. During this time, the mother Hunter teaches their child to speak the Elvish tongue, as well as introduces them to the basics of Seiðr magic.
The foal grows in size and apparent age at a faster rate than that of humans: A Soul-Hunter might appear as a 20-year old human by age 5. At age 7, the Soul-Hunter reaches maturity and is considered an adult. The apparent age of a Soul-Hunter remains mostly constant for much of their life. By age 120, they will finally appear as though they are 45 years of age. Their body then begins to decompose from within, as decades of aging finally overpower their life-sustaining magic.
Ecology and Habitats
Soul-Hunters thrive in environments where they have ample access to animals to hunt. This is typically forested areas, although they have been found in mountainous environments as well.
Soul-Hunters are territorial creatures, with their territory often being as wide as 6 miles in diameter. They mark this territory by inscribing Seiðr runes into trees and rocks on the perimiter of the area. A hunter will patrol this territory by either stalking the perimiter or moving in wide arcs from the epicenter of the territory. At the epicenter of a Soul-Hunter's territory is their den, which is almost always a densely forested area with various simple appliances (such as tanning racks and storage crates), a summoning circle, and a shelter built from interwoven trees in a triangular formation.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Soul-Hunters have evolved a symbiotic relationship with Seiðr magic. By hunting, killing, and claiming the souls of creatures, a Soul-Hunter prolongs its life and achieves access to powerful magic. Without access to this magic, a Soul-Hunter withers and dies within 10 days. Soul-Hunters also require traditional nutrition, and are typically carnivores.
After killing their quary, Soul-Hunters will store the soul of the creature in a small rune-carved stone called a Lodestone. They often carry multiple of these stones as once within leather or fur pouches on their hip.
Soul-Hunters are capable of crafting simple weapons, such as bows, arrows, and spears, which they use in hunting their quary.
Biological Cycle
In the winter months, a Soul-Hunter will primarily hunt creatures with thick fur pelts, with which they craft cloaks, blankets, and other thick clothing to maintain warmth. They store or dispose of these pelts when spring breaks.
Behaviour
Soul-Hunters are incredibly hostile to all creatures, as they view every sentient creature as a source of food. They view the act of pursuing their victims as a hunter pursuing their prey, and thus view everything that is not a Soul-Hunter as merely an animal. There have been few instances where humans have made peaceful contact with Soul-Hunters. During these encounters, it is evident that the Soul-Hunter is manipulating the situation to achieve their desired outcome.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Soul-Hunters crave solitude, claiming their own territory in dense wilderness to have ample access to the souls of animals. On rare occassions, they form packs or tribes, though only in times of desperation. It's not uncommon for Soul-Hunters to have a following of Seiðr practicioners, who learn from the Soul-Hunter as if they were a sage or teacher.
Facial characteristics
Pointed ears, blank eyes, sharp features, deer-like antlers
Average Intelligence
High
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Common Male Names:
- Na'kal (Night-Stalker)
- Th'orgal (Death-Eater)
- Qui'ren (Bone-Collector)
- Ve'thaka (Flesh-Skinner)
- Xa'laya (Sharp-Draw)
- Ta'veira (Father-Killer)
History
During the Great Judgement, the race of centaurs were facing casualties that threatened their extinction. To survive, many fled into the woods of the realm, learning dark magic from the Seiðr Witches who lived there. Over centuries, prolonged use of this magic corrupted their form, resulting in the growth of antlers and a dependence on the magic to live. They have lived in Kindevion's woodlands for countless centuries, and have always been a threat to local human populations.
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