2nd Level: Augury, Bless, Delay Poison, Holy Chant, Resist Fire, Reveal Charm, Silence 15' Radius, Spiritual Weapon (appearing as the wælcyrgie wielding it), Shatter*
3rd Level: Continual Light, Cure Disease, Cure Serious Wounds, Glyph of Warding, Speak with Dead, Striking, Call Lightning (D), Explosive Runes*, Haste*, Protection from Normal Missiles*
4th Level: Create Food and Water, Enchant Arms* (they do gain an actual +1 bonus to hit and to damage), Gust of Wind*, Teleport* (requires being in midair to travel to a place of the same)
5th Level: Blade Barrier (appearing as the wælcyrgie wielding them), Commune, Cure Critical Wounds, Dispel Evil, Quest,, Control Winds (D)
6th Level: Find the Path, Heal, Plane Shift, Word of Recall (as Teleport*, above)
7th Level: Holy Word, Restoration, Summon Spirit (wælcyrgie, see below), Wind Walk
Background: Entering a windswept clearing, whether outdoors or even in large cave, a strange voice challenges them. It sounds somewhat high pitched, though it could be the winds distorting it.
If they don't turn back, a random, lucky party member is charged by a mounted Anglo-Saxon noble, Anslan, armed and armored for battle. He is quite young though (thus the girlish voice) and will likely lose the contest. The main threat is his shield-maiden protector- one faithful in Hretha (and in Anslan to a much lesser extent).
The winds blow from the northwest throughout the encounter, causing all ranged attacks pointed at or near that direction to suffer a -1d4 to hit.
Main Event: Shield-woman Wendhilda, nicknamed 'Wendy', will resolutely engage any party members who attack Anslan. Others who intervene will also be met with her wrath.
Considerations: If Wendhild is obviously outmatched, add 1 or more other shieldmaidens to assist her. and keep the winds at her back. None of them need to save to fight- once battle has been joined with Anslan, they aren't technically initiating the combat.
If she slays the offending party member(s), then she (and any other shield-maidens who might be there) will carry off Anslan, laughing in a satisfied manner.
If she herself is defeated, then male characters must save vs. spell/ make a Will save DC 15 or wish to spare her- for she may be useful. She is quite fetching, and would prove a very potent consort. Still, such courtship will likely not end well, for it would mostly be (roll 1d4): [1] stormy, [2] tempestuous, [3] howling, or [4] a breeze.
Connections: Anslan is the son of one of the thanes in the Dinner with Long Knives encounter (link). Wendhild has a cordial rivalry with Aelfhea.
Anslan, Young Anglo-Saxon Noble
Align: N, MV: 80’ (mounted), AC: 3, HD: 1, Atk: 1 (lance or seax), Dmg: 1d8 or 1d5, SP: enjoys the protection of Wendhild, amongst other perks, SV: F1, Mor: 7, Items: chainmail, helm, lance, seax, horse, 5d20 gold pieces.
Align: N, MV: 35’, AC: 2, HD: 3, Atk: 1 (long seax), Dmg: 1d7+2, SP: quite fetching, spells known/ prepared (1st: Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Evil; 2nd: Spiritual Weapon (appearing as the wælcyrgie wielding it), SV: F3, Mor: 11, Items: chainmail, large shield, helm, long seax, 2d20 gold pieces
Next week: our series on Anglo-Saxon divinities continues with Ing!
