Valkyr

Source: The Gods Are Bastards - Web Serial
Type: Powerful Fae Entity
Sentience: Yes

Physical Description

Valkyr (also called Valkyries in some contexts) are powerful warrior spirits typically appearing as tall, imposing humanoid figures, often with wings or an aura of otherworldly power. They may appear in armor or battle dress, with weapons that seem to be extensions of their will. Their eyes often reflect an otherworldly judgment, and their presence carries the weight of fate and death.

Some valkyr may appear as beautiful winged warriors, while others might have a more spectral or ethereal appearance. Their forms often shift between material and spiritual states, reflecting their connection to death and the afterlife. They carry an air of authority and judgment, making their nature as arbiters of fate evident in their appearance.

Personality

Valkyr are serious, duty-bound spirits associated with death and judgment. They were created by Naiya to balance the kitsune's playfulness and deceit, and as such they embody order, judgment, and fate. Valkyr are typically stern, focused, and unwavering in their purpose.

They value justice, honor, and the proper order of things. While they may not be cruel, they are often unyielding in their judgments and unemotional in their duties. They serve as counterbalances to the chaotic nature of kitsune and other wild fae, bringing structure and consequence to the natural world.

Location

Valkyr do not actually exist on the material plane. They solely occupy the plane of the dead and can only be interacted with at locations of significant death where the barrier between the material plane and the plane of the dead is thin enough to permit contact.

They may be encountered: - At battlefields where great numbers have died - At sites of mass death or great tragedy - In places where death rituals are performed at locations of significant loss - Where the weight of death and judgment has left a permanent mark on reality - During or immediately after events of catastrophic loss or conflict

Valkyr cannot be casually encountered—they require specific circumstances where the plane of the dead overlaps with the material world, and even then, contact is rare and often requires elaborate rituals or desperate circumstances.

Bond Tiers and Rewards

As a Druid's bond with a Valkyrie strengthens, they gain cumulative abilities and spells. Valkyries grant powers of battle, death, and judgment.

Tier 1: Initial Bond (Minimum Level 10)

Special Ability: Battle Trance Once per short rest, as a bonus action, enter a battle trance for 1 minute. Gain advantage on attack rolls and +2 to damage rolls.

Granted Spells: Heroism, Shield of Faith

Tier 2: Growing Bond

Special Ability: Death Sight You can see invisible and ethereal creatures within 30 feet. You have advantage on Insight checks and can sense when a creature within 30 feet is below half its maximum HP.

Granted Spells: Spiritual Weapon, Aid

Tier 3: Strong Bond

Special Ability: Valkyrie's Judgment Once per day, you can mark a target you can see within 60 feet. For 1 minute, attacks against that creature have advantage and deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage.

Granted Spells: Spirit Guardians, Revivify

Tier 4: Deep Bond

Special Ability: Warrior's Resurrection Once per week, you can cast Raise Dead without expending a spell slot or material components. The target returns with temporary HP equal to your Druid level.

Granted Spells: Death Ward, Banishment

Spell Slot Bonuses

In addition to granted spells and special abilities, your Valkyrie patron grants bonus spell slots based on bond strength:

Tier 1: No bonus (baseline)
Tier 2: +1 spell slot at highest available level
Tier 3: +2 spell slots distributed across levels
Tier 4: +3 spell slots distributed across levels