Black Hawk — Sauk War Leader of Saukenuk

Painted interpretation. Original image attribution.

Black Hawk, or Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak, rose to prominence as a Sauk war leader through experience and the confidence of his followers. His home was Saukenuk, near the meeting of the Rock and Mississippi rivers. At the centre of his struggle is a concrete question: who has the right to farm, travel and live on the land after a disputed treaty? He opposes removal, while Keokuk argues for a different course. Neither man speaks for every Sauk family.

At a Glance

Also known as: Black Sparrow Hawk (Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak)
People: Sauk (Othâkîwaki), human
Role: War leader, not hereditary civil chief
Home: Saukenuk, on the Rock and Mississippi rivers
Political counterpart: Keokuk, whose strategy differs
Immediate concern: Safeguard families, farmland and river crossings
Opposition: Armed settlers and officials enforcing disputed cessions
Beliefs: Sauk spiritual traditions
Languages: Sauk; may need interpreters across communities
Alignment: Lawful Good (campaign portrayal)

His authority is practical rather than royal. At a river camp he asks how many canoes are serviceable, where the scouts crossed and whether the village has grain enough for another week. He has no reason to gamble families on a dramatic last stand merely to impress strangers. An envoy who offers safe passage and credible witnesses will get a hearing; one who demands hostages will not.

As the land dispute sharpens, Black Hawk must decide when to confront an armed occupation and when to move people out of danger. Followers who favour resistance do not all agree on its price; elders, traders, neighbouring communities and Keokuk have choices of their own. His ceremonial responsibilities are important to him, but should not be turned into generic magical powers or loot.

What is he doing now? Black Hawk is gathering testimony about a disputed river crossing while his scouts watch the road to Saukenuk. He needs messengers who can reach rival camps without provoking a fight. Adventurers might secure boats for a withdrawal, expose forged terms in a land bargain or negotiate safe harvest access. Success saves lives as well as ground.

Relationships. Keokuk is a serious political counterpart, not an automatic villain or subordinate. The Sauk and Meskwaki are distinct peoples with overlapping alliances and differing interests. Black Hawk cannot command everyone who shares his objections to the land cession. Even supporters may argue about safe passage, food and what peace would cost.

Historical grounding. The historical Black Hawk (c. 1767–1838) opposed a disputed land cession and led followers in the 1832 conflict. He was not the civil chief of every Sauk community. In this setting, a disagreement over Saukenuk creates hard choices for the people caught between armed resistance and negotiated removal. The adventure situations and game statistics are fictional. Sources: University of Iowa biography; Smithsonian catalogue of Black Hawk’s autobiography.

Game Statistics

Black Hawk directs his followers through river crossings, wooded approaches and contested ground. He uses scouting, experience and the confidence of his warriors rather than supernatural powers.

5.5e / 20245e / 2014Pathfinder 1eD&D 3.5e

Black Hawk — 2024

Medium Humanoid (Human), Lawful Good

AC 16 (reinforced leather); Initiative +4 (14); HP 104 (16d8 + 32); Speed 30 ft.

STR14(+2)

DEX18(+4)

CON14(+2)

INT12(+1)

WIS16(+3)

CHA16(+3)

Saves Dex +7, Wis +6; Skills Athletics +5, Insight +6, Perception +9, Persuasion +6, Survival +9; Senses Passive Perception 19; Languages Sauk and regional trade speech; CR 6 (2,300 XP; PB +3).

Gear longbow, arrows, handaxe, knife, field provisions, reinforced leather coat.

Traits

River Scout. Black Hawk has Advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to interpret tracks, broken reeds or evidence of boat traffic along a riverbank.

Actions

Multiattack. Black Hawk makes two Longbow or Handaxe attacks in any combination.

Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 150/600 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) Piercing damage.

Handaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) Slashing damage.

Bonus Actions

Order the Retreat (Recharge 5–6). One ally within 30 feet who hears Black Hawk may use its Reaction to move up to half its Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks from one enemy Black Hawk can see.

Reactions

Cover the Retreat. When an enemy Black Hawk can see attacks an ally within 30 feet, he can impose a −2 penalty on the attack roll before its result is known. He must be holding his bow.

Black Hawk — 5e / 2014

Medium humanoid (human), lawful good. AC 16; HP 78 (12d8 + 24); Speed 30 ft.

STR 14 (+2), DEX 18 (+4), CON 14 (+2), INT 12 (+1), WIS 16 (+3), CHA 16 (+3); Saves Dex +7, Wis +6; Skills Perception +9, Survival +9, Insight +6; Senses passive Perception 19; Languages Sauk, trade speech; CR 5 (1,800 XP, proficiency bonus +3).

River Scout. Advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to track travellers beside waterways.

Actions

Multiattack. Black Hawk makes two longbow or handaxe attacks.

Longbow. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 150/600 ft.; Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.

Handaxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.; Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.

Bonus Actions

Fallback Order (1/Short Rest). An ally within 30 feet that hears him may use its reaction to move 15 feet without provoking opportunity attacks from one creature Black Hawk specifies.

Reactions

Watchful Commander. When an ally within 30 feet attempts a Dexterity saving throw against a visible danger, Black Hawk adds +2 to its roll before the outcome is announced.

Black Hawk — Pathfinder 1e

CR 7 (3,200 XP); human fighter 8; LG Medium humanoid (human); Init +8 (Dex and Improved Initiative); Senses Perception +13.

Defense

AC 18, touch 15, flat-footed 13 (studded leather +3, Dex +4, Dodge +1); hp 64 (8d10 + 16, first PC-class die maximum); Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +7 (with Iron Will).

Offense

Speed 30 ft.; Ranged composite longbow (+2 Str rating) +14/+9 (1d8+5/×3); with Rapid Shot +12/+12/+7; Melee handaxe +10/+5 (1d6+2/×3). Fighter Weapon Training (bows +1) included in bow attack and damage.

Statistics

Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16; BAB +8; CMB +10; CMD 25.

Feats Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow), Weapon Specialization (longbow), Improved Initiative, Dodge, Mobility, Iron Will, Alertness.

Skills Ride +15, Climb +13, Perception +13, Survival +11 (32 ranks allocated); Languages Sauk, regional trade language; Gear studded leather, composite longbow +2, handaxe, canoe and field supplies as appropriate.

Class features Armor Training 2; Weapon Training (bows +1). PF fighter level progression and PC-class first-hit-die rule apply, not the NPC-class average.

Black Hawk — D&D 3.5e

CR 8; male human fighter 8; Lawful Good Medium humanoid (human).

Hit Dice	8d10+16 (64 hp; elite first die maximized)
Initiative	+8 (Dex +4 and Improved Initiative +4)
Speed	30 ft.
Armor Class	18; touch 15; flat-footed 13 (+3 studded leather, +4 Dex, +1 Dodge)
Base Attack/Grapple	+8/+10
Attack	Composite longbow (+2 Str) +13 ranged (1d8+4/×3)
Full Attack	Composite longbow +13/+8 ranged (1d8+4/×3); Rapid Shot +11/+11/+6
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Qualities	Human bonus feat and skills; no inherent magic or lair powers
Saving Throws	Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +7 (with Iron Will)
Abilities	Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 16, Cha 16
Skills	Ride +15, Handle Animal +14, Climb +12, Jump +12 (44 class-skill ranks)
Feats	Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow), Weapon Specialization (longbow), Improved Initiative, Dodge, Mobility, Iron Will
Challenge Rating	8

Gear Composite longbow, studded leather, handaxe and practical river equipment. Use the edition’s combat manoeuvres and terrain rather than invented legendary resistances.

Second painted interpretation of the Sauk war leader Black Hawk — Original image credit.

Rules and image credits. These stat blocks are newly written campaign material, not reproductions of an official Black Hawk character. 2024 statistics use conventions from D&D SRD 5.2.1 (CC BY 4.0); the Pathfinder 1e and 3.5e sections use original calculations and edition terminology, with feat and class references linked above. Existing original illustration credits are retained.