Hag, Gullveig

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.