Gullveig Hag

Medium Fey, Chaotic Evil

Armor Class: 16 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points: 180 (19d8 + 95)
Speed: 30 ft.

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STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)

Saving Throws: Dex +8, Con +10, Wis +8, Cha +10
Skills: Arcana +9, Deception +10, Insight +8, Perception +8
Damage Resistances: Fire; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities: Poison
Condition Immunities: Charmed, Frightened, Poisoned
Senses: Darkvision 120 ft., Passive Perception 18
Languages: Common, Infernal, Sylvan
Challenge: 13 (10,000 XP)

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Lore

Born from the ashes of the first witch burned by the Æsir, the Gullveig Hags are a race of fire-and-gold witches steeped in ancient seiðr magic. Veined with molten gold and perpetually reborn from flame, they embody greed, prophecy, and divine wrath. Legends say that their first mother, Gullveig, was stabbed and burned three times yet rose each time, leaving behind a lineage of witches who inherit her indestructible essence.

Gullveig Hags are known to seduce mortals with visions of wealth and forbidden knowledge, manipulating them to sow chaos or extract their souls. Their lairs—often volcanic ruins, scorched temples, or gold-rich caverns—are imbued with cursed treasure, ash, and lingering molten smoke. Tales whisper that those who gaze too long into their golden veins risk being consumed by avidity and obsession, forever drawn into the hags’ schemes.

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Traits

Molten Veins. Melee attackers take 5 (1d10) fire damage from contact with the Gullveig Hag’s molten-gold veins.

Ashen Rebirth (1/Day). When reduced to 0 hit points, the Gullveig Hag explodes in molten ash. At the start of its next turn, it reforms in an unoccupied space within 30 ft., regaining 75 hit points. Creatures within 10 ft. must succeed on a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw or take 21 (6d6) fire damage.

Innate Spellcasting. Charisma is the Gullveig Hag’s spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18, +10 to hit). They can innately cast the following, requiring no material components:

• At will: Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion
• 3/day each: Fireball (3rd), Counterspell (3rd), Hold Person (2nd)
• 1/day each: Wall of Fire (4th), Greater Invisibility (4th)

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Actions

Multiattack. The Gullveig Hag makes two Molten Claws attacks.

Molten Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage plus 7 (2d6) fire damage.

Cursed Bargain (Recharge 5–6). Offers a target within 60 ft. a vision of wealth or power. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or become cursed for 1 minute: they have disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks and take 10 (3d6) psychic damage at the start of each of their turns. The curse ends if the hag is destroyed.

Golden Illusions (Recharge 5–6). Conjures up to 3 shimmering duplicates in a 30-ft. radius. Each duplicate has 1 HP and disappears if struck. They mimic the hag’s movements, imposing disadvantage on attack rolls against the Gullveig Hag until destroyed.

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Legendary Actions (3 per Round)

The Gullveig Hag can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.

• Molten Swipe. Makes one Molten Claws attack.
• Firestep. Teleports up to 30 ft. to an unoccupied space in fire or molten terrain.
• Whisper of Greed (Costs 2 Actions). Targets one creature within 60 ft. The target must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn.

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Tactics

Gullveig Hags are patient, manipulative, and cunning. They start combat by luring mortals with visions of gold or promises of power, using Cursed Bargain and Golden Illusions to isolate and control targets. They prefer ranged spell attacks but strike with claws if cornered. Upon critical injury, they trigger Ashen Rebirth to escape and reform, often repositioning to continue manipulating the battlefield. Legendary Actions allow them to maintain control, frighten opponents, and teleport strategically, turning encounters into deadly, high-stakes games of wits and greed.

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Environment & Lair

Gullveig Hags favor volcanic ruins, scorched temples, and gold-rich caverns, where ash drifts through molten veins and cursed treasures tempt intruders. Their lairs are living traps, often incorporating collapsing structures, lava hazards, and magical fire to protect themselves and punish the greedy.

Gullveig Hag

Medium Fey, Chaotic Evil

CR: 13 | XP: 12,800

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Defense

AC: 28, touch 14, flat-footed 25 (+3 Dex, +14 natural, +1 deflection)
HP: 195 (17d8 + 119)
Saves: Fort +13, Ref +12, Will +12
Defensive Abilities: Ashen Rebirth (1/day), Molten Veins (fire damage), DR 10/magic, SR 24
Immune/Resist: Poison, disease; Fire 10

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Offense

Speed: 30 ft.
Melee: Molten Claw +18 (2d8+5 plus 2d6 fire)
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 13th, Charisma-based, DC 18): At will: Detect Magic, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion; 3/day: Fireball (3rd, 6d6), Hold Person (2nd), Counterspell (3rd); 1/day: Wall of Fire (4th), Greater Invisibility (4th)
Special Attacks: Cursed Bargain, Golden Illusions

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Statistics

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)	18 (+4)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)

Base Attack/Grapple: +14/+16
Feats: Combat Casting, Improved Initiative, Spell Focus (Evocation), Weapon Finesse
Skills: Arcana +17, Bluff +20, Diplomacy +15, Perception +14, Sense Motive +14, Stealth +12
Languages: Common, Infernal, Sylvan

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Special Abilities

Molten Veins (Ex): Melee attackers take 1d10 fire damage.
Ashen Rebirth (Su, 1/day): On 0 HP, the hag explodes in molten ash (6d6 fire, 10-ft. radius, DC 18 Reflex half), then reforms within 30 ft. with 75 HP.
Cursed Bargain (Su, Recharge 5–6): Offers a target visions of wealth; failed DC 18 Will save results in 3d6 psychic damage per round and –2 penalty to attacks/skills for 1 minute. Ends if the hag is destroyed.
Golden Illusions (Su, Recharge 5–6): Creates up to 3 illusions (1 HP each) in 30 ft., mimicking the hag and imposing –2 penalty to attacks against her.

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Combat

Gullveig Hags manipulate battlefield and mind, opening with Cursed Bargain and Golden Illusions. They rely on spell attacks to weaken foes and strike with claws when necessary. Critically injured hags use Ashen Rebirth to reposition, continuing to exploit molten terrain, illusions, and cursed treasure to control combat.

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Ecology & Role

Environment: Volcanic ruins, scorched temples, gold-laden caverns
Organization: Solitary or covens of 2–4
Treasure: Cursed gold, magical trinkets, molten artifacts
Role: Battlefield manipulator, tempter, magical controller, high-level adversary

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Lore

Gullveig Hags descend from Gullveig, the first witch burned by the Æsir and reborn thrice. They embody greed, fire, and seiðr magic, luring mortals into molten lairs with visions of gold and forbidden knowledge. Legends say they scar the land with ash and molten veins, their rebirth ensuring their schemes persist for centuries.

Gullveig Hag

This is a hunched old woman, too unsightly to be human. Her yellowish skin is tinged with dark spots; her nearly skeletal frame is crowned by a bloated hump. She looks at you cunningly and produces a bag of gold and jewellery.

Monster Encyclopaedia II: The Dark Bestiary
Author J. C. Alvarez
Series Monster Encyclopaedia
Publisher Mongoose Publishing
Publish date 2005

The gullveigi, also called gold hags, are a race of cunning creatures with a vast knowledge of the hearts and weaknesses of mortals. They love to sow discord and chaos by giving gold or magic items (usually cursed, but not always) to greedy humans and let them hurt and destroy each other. A gold hag appears as a Medium monstrous crone, with an old, hunched and deformed body. It dresses in dirty rags that appear as having been a coloured dress once, complemented by golden jewellery and ornaments.

Gold hags speak Common and Giant.

Gullveig (Gold Hag)
Medium monstrous humanoid
Hit Dice	4d8+4 (22 hp)
Initiative	+2
Speed	30 ft. (6 squares)
AC	16 (+2 Dexterity, +4 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 14
Base Attack/Grapple	+4/+7
Attack	Claw +7 melee (1d3+3)
Full Attack	2 claws +7 melee (1d3+3)
Space/Reach	5 ft. /5 ft.
Special Attacks	Gold gaze, sneak attack +2d6, spell-like abilities
Special Qualities	Damage reduction 10/magic, Darkvision 60 ft., immunity to cold and fire, regeneration 7, Spell Resistance 16
Saves	Fort +2, Ref +6, Will +8
Abilities	Strength 17, Dexterity 14, Constitution 12, Intelligence 14, Wisdom 14, Charisma 14
Skills	Appraise +9, Bluff +8, Craft (any one) +5, Listen +5, Sense Motive +5, Sleight of Hand +15, Spot +5
Feats	Ability Focus (greed gaze), Iron Will
Environment	Any
Organisation	Solitary or covey (3 hags of any kind plus 1-8 Trolls and 1-4 evil giants)
Challenge Rating	4
Treasure	Triple standard
Alignment	Usually neutral evil
Advancement	By character class
Level Adjustment	—

Combat

Gold hags are no friends of combat, preferring to use guile and magic to deal with any problem. They enjoy seeing others fight amongst themselves and try to provoke it at every opportunity.

Gold Gaze (Su): As a move action, a gold hag can use a special gaze attack on an intelligent, living humanoid within 60 feet. The target must succeed at a Will save (DC 16, Charisma based) or be overcome by an overwhelming desire for gold, with the same effects as a sympathy spell, for one hour. The affected creature will be capable of doing anything; stealing, murdering, whatever – even if it goes against its alignment – to get money.

This sympathy effect also extends to other precious metals, gems and jewellery. If the gullveig so desires, it can use its gold gaze ability to provoke the opposite effect, causing the target to feel antipathy for all gold and riches if it fails the save. The gullveig often uses this second mode of its gold gaze to convince other creatures of giving it their treasure. Both effects last no more than one hour. A gullveig can use its gold gaze a maximum of four times per day.

Sneak Attack (Ex): A gullveig has a sneak attack exactly as if it was a 4th level rogue.

Spell-Like Abilities: 

• At will–detect magic, Disguise Self, magic aura, mending;
• 3/day–glitterdust (DC 14), locate object, major image (DC 15), rage, suggestion (DC 15);
• 1/day–lesser geas (DC 16), minor creation. Caster level 7th. Save DCs are Charisma based.

Skills: A gold hag gains a +4 racial bonus on all Appraise and Sleight of Hand checks.