In Irish mythology, Morrigan is an aspect of the fearsome war goddess Badb. In Atlas Games'Penumbra Fantasy Bestiary, morrigans are a race of shapeshifting giantesses, clearly inspired by the Irish figure. Below we update morrigans to 3.5 D&D and also create a Savage Species style monster class for playing a morrigan as a character. The following text is Open Game Content:
A gaunt, pale giantess approximately ten feet tall approaches. Her long hair is jet black, as is her studded leather armor, and she carries a great longspear.
Morrigan, Woman Form
Often CN Large giant (shapechanger)
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Listen +3, Spot +3
Languages Giant, Common
AC 15 , touch 9, flat-footed 15
(-1 size, +3 studded leather, +3 natural)
hp 30 (4 HD)
Fort +7, Ref +1, Will +3
Spd 40 ft. (8 squares)
Melee longspear +8 (2d6+7/x3)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft. (15 ft. with longspear)
Base Atk +3; Grp +12
Abilities Str 20, Dex 11, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 20
SQ alternate form
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (longspear)
Skills Bluff +10, Disguise +6 (+8 when acting), Handle Animal +8, Hide -4, Intimidate +14, Knowledge (nature) +4, Listen +3, Move Silently +0, Spot +3, Survival +5
Environment temperate forests, hills, or plains
Organization solitary, flight (2-4), or flock (2-12)
Treasure standard
Advancement by character class; Favored Class fighter
Level Adjustment +4
Alternate Form (Su) At will, a morrigan can assume the form of a Small raven. As with a druid's wildshape ability, any gear worn or carried by the morrigan melds into the new form and becomes nonfunctional. When the morrigan reverts to her true form, any objects previously melded into the raven form reappear in the same location on her body that they previously occupied and are once again functional. Any new items worn in raven form fall off and land at the morrigan's feet. This transformation is a standard action and doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity.
Morrigan, Raven Form
Often CN Small giant (shapechanger)
Init +7; Senses low-light vision; Listen +3, Spot +3
Languages Giant, Common
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 14
(+1 size, +3 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 30 (4 HD)
Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +3
Spd 10 ft. (2 squares), fly 60 ft. (average)
Melee 2 claws +2 (1d3-2) and beak -3 (1d4-2)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Base Atk +3; Grp -3
Abilities Str 7, Dex 17, Con 16, Int 12, Wis 14, Cha 20
SQ alternate form
Feats Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (longspear)
Skills Bluff +10, Disguise +6 (+8 when acting), Handle Animal +8, Hide +8, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (nature) +4, Listen +3, Move Silently +4, Spot +3, Survival +5
Morrigans are a fierce race of giant, shapechanging women warriors, able to take the form of ravens. They are bloodthirsty and take delight in battle.
Morrigan characters possess the following racial traits.
The following table details morrigans as a monster class. Morrigans are giants with the shapechanger subtype; they have starting ability adjustments of +2 Str, +2 Cha. Morrigan begin with Medium size, a base land speed of 30 ft. and low-light vision. Their class skills are Bluff, Disguise, Handle Animal, Hide, Intimidate, Knowledge (nature), Listen, Move Silently, Spot, and Survival.
| Level | Hit Dice | Base Attack Bonus | Fort Save | Ref Save | Will Save | Skill Points | CR | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1d8 | +0 | +2 | +0 | +0 | (2 + Int mod) x 4 | 1 | Feat, alternate form (1/day) |
| 2nd | 1d8 | +0 | +2 | +0 | +0 | - | 1 | +2 Str, +2 Cha, alternate form (2/day) |
| 3rd | 2d8 | +1 | +3 | +0 | +0 | 2 + Int mod | 2 | +2 Con, +2 Wis, +1 natural armor |
| 4th | 2d8 | +1 | +3 | +0 | +0 | - | 2 | +2 Str, +2 Cha, alternate form (3/day) |
| 5th | 2d8 | +1 | +3 | +0 | +0 | - | 2 | +2 Con, +2 Int, alternate form (4/day), +2 natural armor |
| 6th | 3d8 | +2 | +3 | +1 | +1 | 2 + Int mod | 2 | Feat, +2 Str, +2 Cha, Large size, reach 10 ft. |
| 7th | 3d8 | +2 | +3 | +1 | +1 | - | 3 | +2 Con, +2 Wis, alternate form (5/day), +3 natural armor |
| 8th | 4d8 | +3 | +4 | +1 | +1 | 2 + Int mod | 3 | +2 Str, +2 Cha, alternate form (at will) |