Jarl GnargorakClad in mithral and furs and armed with a glowing sword made of ice, this towering, blue-skinned humanoid has a regal presence.Jarl Gnargorak CR 25/MR 8Source Mythic Realms pg. 52
XP 1,638,400
Male frost giant ranger 12/marshal 8 (Pathfinder RPG Mythic Adventures 38)
CE Large humanoid (cold, giant)
Init +19; Senses low-light vision; Perception +33DefenseAC 43, touch 19, flat-footed 38 (+10 armor, +5 deflection, +5 Dex, +14 natural, –1 size)
hp 485 (26 HD; 14d8+12d10+356)
Fort +34, Ref +26, Will +19; +2 vs. fire-based effects
Defensive Abilities evasion, hard to kill, mythic saving throws, rock catching, unstoppable; Resist electricity 20, fire 30OffenseSpeed 30 ft.
Melee Winter’s Heart +41/+36/+31/+26 (2d8+25/17–20 plus 1d6 cold)
Ranged +5 seeking composite longbow +33/+28/+23/+18 (2d6+18/19–20/×3) or rock +28 (1d8+19)
Space 10 ft., Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks favored enemy (animals +4, evil outsiders +2, humans +4), fight on, inspiring assault, marshal’s order (advance, decisive strike), menacing presence, mythic bond, mythic presence, press the advantage, rock throwing (120 ft.)
Ranger Spells Prepared (CL 9th; concentration +13)
3rd—fickle windsUM, water walk
2nd—barkskin (already cast), versatile weaponAPG, wind wall
1st—horn of pursuitUM, pass without trace, resist energy (already cast)StatisticsStr 37, Dex 24, Con 34, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 18
Base Atk +22; CMB +36 (+38 bull rush); CMD 58 (60 vs. bull rush)
Feats Awesome Blow, Deadly AimM, Endurance, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (bastard sword), Improved Bull Rush, Improved CriticalM (bastard sword), Improved Critical (composite longbow), Improved Initiative, Improved Precise Shot, Iron Will, Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Pinpoint Targeting, Point-Blank Shot, Power AttackM, Precise Shot, Rapid ShotM
Skills Intimidate +33, Knowledge (geography, nature) +13, Perception +33, Sense Motive +14, Stealth +25 (+29 in snow), Survival +33; Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in snow
Languages Common, Giant, Hallit
SQ additional order, amazing initiative, camouflage, evasion, exceptional wealth, favored terrain (cold +4, mountain +2), hunter’s bond (companions), pierce the darkness, quarry, recuperation, swift tracker, track +6, wild empathy +16, woodland stride
Combat Gear boots of speed, +1 brilliant energy arrows (10), potions of cure serious wounds (4), +1 demon bane arrows (10), +1 dragon bane arrows (10), +1 flaming burst arrows (10), +1 human bane arrows (20), efficient quiver, glove of storing, greater horn of blasting, staff of journeysUE (50 charges); Other Gear +4 improved shadow mithral breastplate, +5 seeking composite longbow (+14 Str) with 30 arrows, Winter’s Heart (see below), amulet of natural armor +5, belt of physical perfection +6, cloak of resistance +5, greater bracers of archery, greater ring of fire resistance, headband of mental prowess +4 (Wis, Cha), portable hole, ring of protection +5, stormlord’s helm, spell component pouch, platinum and sapphire necklace (worth 12,500 gp), platinum symbol of Thremyr (worth 500 gp), sapphires (10, worth 5,000 gp each)Special AbilitiesExceptional Wealth (Ex) Jarl Gnargorak has the wealth of a 20th-level PC, rather than an NPC. This increases his CR by 1.DescriptionThe ambitious Gnargorak always hungered for power and status, but he didn’t aspire to be Jarl of all Jarls until Winter’s Heart came into his grasp. The sword whispered dreams of greatness to Gnargorak, of lordship over all frost giants. The first obstacle to establishing his regime was the ancient silver dragon Lanargix, long a thorn in the side of frost giants throughout the Tusk Mountains. Jarl Gnargorak filled her hide with a dozen arrows before meeting her in melee, sword to claw. With the dead dragon’s horns adorning his staff, Gnargorak proclaimed himself the chosen of Thremyr and high jarl of all frost giants, in the Tusk Mountains and beyond. Now, a full score of Tusk Mountain jarls openly swear fealty to Gnargorak. Others placate him, lest they draw his wrath. Only the jarl’s lack of focus and unceasing need to conquer keeps him from uniting the remaining giants of the Tusks under one banner.
The skulls of those who dared dispute his sovereignty line the path to his mountain fortress of Bos-Phargrumm (see page 33). He rarely sets foot in this ice castle, as raiding the hated Mammoth Lords brings him far more pleasure than consolidating his rule. The towering citadel that reaches into the clouds stays busy even without its ostensible owner sitting upon its massive, ornate throne. Jarl Gnargorak’s cloud giant harem lives there, serving as his advisors, maintaining the treasuries, collecting taxes from lands Gnargorak has claimed, and negotiating with the tribes on the jarl’s behalf. They grow tired of this work, as the jarl is far more interested in conquering new territory than in ruling over that which he holds.
Winter’s Heart also grows weary of Gnargorak’s lack of dedication to building a true empire. Of late, the sword has denied the jarl its greater powers except in times of dire need. It constantly searches for another potential leader to bear it and use it to impose rule over the north. Of course, the jarl never lets Winter’s Heart leave his presence, so the sword’s options are limited. The artifact is unattended only while the jarl is in his personal chambers, where he feels he’s safe. But one of his harem has communicated with the sword and sympathizes with its goals. She watches for the best candidates, and invites them to Bos-Phargrumm on false pretenses so she can weigh their acumen. She and Winter’s Heart haven’t found a suitable leader among the frost giants; there’s no shortage of ambition among their kind, but no tribal leader has half the experience or cunning Gnargorak does.
Though other frost giants admire and fear Jarl Gnargorak’s prowess in battle, they view his harem of cloud giants with private derision and a touch of envy. Even given the jarl’s imposing 16-foot stature, his brides all stand noticeably taller than he. Gnargorak prizes his exotic harem, and eagerly anticipates the birth of a son surely destined to be the mightiest frost giant in all the Tusks. Yet despite his many brides, the jarl’s seed has yet to bear fruit. His displeasure over this continued lack of an heir drives him to ever more brutal raids against the Mammoth Lords so that he can at least leave a legacy of conquest and make a mark for all to see in the histories of the north—even if there would be no one of his own blood to take over his domain.
Jarl Gnargorak leads a veritable army, but because he started out as a hunter, not a soldier, he uses his forces in unconventional ways that suit the tactics he learned in the wild. Rather than simply leading an overwhelming force directly into battle against the Mammoth Lords, he draws the warriors’ attention away from the safety of their followings and into his snares and ambushes. Only when a group is weakened does he sweep in to destroy them.Winter's HeartThe details for the Winter's Heart artifact can be found here.
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