Hera — Queen of Olympus, Goddess of Marriage and Sovereignty

Hera, Greater Deity — Medium Celestial, Lawful Neutral; suggested CR 33.

Saving Throws Con +19, Int +18, Wis +19, Cha +19. Damage Resistances psychic, radiant. Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing and slashing from nonmagical attacks. Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned. Senses truesight 300 ft., passive Perception 29. Languages all languages she chooses, telepathy 300 ft.

Legendary Resistance (5/Day). If Hera fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Queen’s Authority. Allies of Hera within 120 feet have advantage on saving throws against being Charmed or Frightened. A creature that willingly swears an oath before Hera cannot knowingly break it without Hera immediately becoming aware of the breach.

Guardian of the Bond. Creatures of Hera’s choice within 120 feet cannot be magically compelled to betray a spouse, sworn household or lawful dependent unless the effect comes from a deity of equal or greater power.

Multiattack. Hera makes three Sceptre of the Queen attacks: +19 to hit, reach 15 ft.; 31 (4d10 + 9) bludgeoning plus 22 (4d10) radiant damage.

Royal Edict (Recharge 5–6). Hera issues a command heard by creatures of her choice within 120 feet. Hostile creatures make a DC 27 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, Hera chooses one: the creature falls Prone, drops one held object, cannot take reactions until the end of its next turn, or must move up to its Speed away from a creature Hera names.

Veil of the Queen (1/Day). For 1 minute, Hera and allies within 60 feet gain resistance to all damage from spells and cannot be Charmed, Frightened or magically put to sleep.

Mythic Trait — Olympus Answers the Queen. The first time Hera is reduced to 0 hit points, she instead regains 345 hit points. A radiant peacock-feathered storm fills a 120-foot radius for 1 minute; enemies treat the area as difficult terrain and take 18 (4d8) radiant damage when they begin their turn there.

Hera, Queen of Olympus

Medium celestial (deity), lawful neutral

Armor Class 27 (divine protection) · Hit Points 725 (50d8 + 500) · Speed 50 ft., fly 120 ft. (hover)

Saving Throws Dex +17, Con +20, Wis +20, Cha +20. Skills Insight +20, Perception +20, Persuasion +20. Damage Resistances psychic, radiant. Damage Immunities poison; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks. Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, poisoned. Senses truesight 300 ft., passive Perception 30. Languages all; telepathy 300 ft. Challenge 33 (deity-scale, custom). Proficiency Bonus +10.

Traits

Divine Nature. Hera does not need to eat, drink, breathe, or sleep. Effects that would permanently banish or destroy her require power comparable to that of a deity or artifact.

Legendary Resistance (5/Day). If Hera fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Magic Resistance. Hera has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Queen of Oaths. Hera knows when a creature within 10 miles knowingly breaks a marriage vow or coronation oath formally sworn in her name. Allies of her choice within 120 feet have advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

Innate Spellcasting. Hera’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 28, +20 to hit with spell attacks). She needs no material components. At will: command, detect magic, sanctuary, zone of truth. 3/day each: dispel magic, geas, greater restoration, wall of force. 1/day each: foresight, mass heal, plane shift.

Actions

Multiattack. Hera makes three Sceptre of the Queen attacks.

Sceptre of the Queen. Melee Weapon Attack: +19 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d10 + 8) bludgeoning damage plus 22 (4d10) radiant damage.

Royal Edict (Recharge 5–6). Up to six creatures Hera can see within 120 feet must make a DC 28 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature drops one held item, falls prone, or cannot take reactions until the end of its next turn (Hera’s choice).

Veil of the Queen (1/Day). For 1 minute, Hera and allies of her choice within 60 feet have resistance to damage from spells and cannot be charmed, frightened, or magically put to sleep.

Legendary Actions

Hera can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. Hera regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

Queen’s Step. Hera moves up to half her speed without provoking opportunity attacks. Sceptre (Costs 2 Actions). Hera makes one Sceptre of the Queen attack. Pronounce Judgment (Costs 3 Actions). One creature within 120 feet must succeed on a DC 28 Wisdom saving throw or be restrained by radiant bonds until the end of its next turn.

Divine Estate: Olympus

On initiative count 20 (losing ties), when Hera fights within her divine estate on Mount Olympus, she can either close a passage in her court, extend sanctuary to three willing creatures she can see, or summon one attendant who can answer but is not compelled to obey. She cannot repeat the same estate effect on consecutive rounds.

Cleric Domains and Spells

Suggested 2014 cleric domains: Life and War, with Order where that domain is permitted. Domain-style spell gifts: 1st command, sanctuary; 3rd aid, zone of truth; 5th beacon of hope, dispel magic; 7th death ward, guardian of faith; 9th geas, greater restoration.

Hera, Queen of Olympus CR 32/MR 10

XP original divine-scale encounter; LN Medium outsider (extraplanar, lawful, mythic). Her CR and mythic rank are campaign extensions, not an official published monster.

Init +11; Senses true seeing 300 ft., darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +53; Aura Royal Household (60 ft.).

Defense

AC 45, touch 27, flat-footed 38 (+7 Dex, +18 natural, +10 deflection); hp 620 (40d10+400); Fort +34, Ref +31, Will +34; DR 20/epic; Immune poison, fear; Resist electricity 20, fire 20, sonic 20; SR 43.

Offense

Speed 50 ft., fly 120 ft. (perfect); Melee +5 royal sceptre +53/+48/+43/+38 (1d6+13 bludgeoning plus 4d8 force); Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.; Special Attacks royal edict, queen of oaths, spell-like abilities.

Spell-Like Abilities CL 32nd, concentration +42; Charisma-based save DC 20 + spell level. At will—command, detect thoughts, sanctuary, zone of truth; 3/day—dispel magic, geas/quest, greater restoration, wall of force; 1/day—foresight, mass heal, miracle.

Statistics

Str 26, Dex 24, Con 30, Int 28, Wis 30, Cha 30; Base Atk +40; CMB +48; CMD 65; Feats Alertness, Combat Casting, Extend Spell, Great Fortitude, Greater Spell Focus (enchantment), Greater Spell Penetration, Improved Counterspell, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Leadership, Lightning Reflexes, Persistent Spell, Quicken Spell, Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Skill Focus (Knowledge [nobility]), Skill Focus (Perception), Skill Focus (Sense Motive), Spell Focus (enchantment), Spell Penetration, Toughness; Skills Diplomacy +53, Knowledge (nobility) +52, Knowledge (religion) +52, Perception +53, Sense Motive +53, Spellcraft +52; Languages all; SQ divine manifestation, mythic power 10/day (surge +1d12).

Special Abilities

Royal Household (Su). Allies within 60 feet gain a +4 sacred bonus on saving throws against charm, compulsion and fear effects; an ally adjacent to another affected ally cannot be flanked.

Queen of Oaths (Su). Hera knows when a formal oath sworn in her name within 10 miles is broken. Three times per day, she can place a curse on the oathbreaker (as bestow curse, CL 32nd, Will DC 40 negates); restitution, remove curse or Hera’s consent can end it. The DC is Charisma-based.

Royal Edict (Su; Recharge 1d4 Rounds). Up to six creatures within 120 feet must succeed on a DC 40 Will save or be unable to take attacks of opportunity and suffer a –4 penalty on attack rolls for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting compulsion effect.

Majesty of Olympus (Su). A creature attempting to attack Hera for the first time in an encounter must succeed on a DC 40 Will save or lose that attack. The effect cannot prevent a creature from defending itself or allies against an immediate threat on subsequent turns.

Cleric Domains and Domain Spells

Domains: Community, Law, Nobility, Protection. Protection domain spells (levels 1–9): sanctuary, shield other, protection from energy, spell immunity, spell resistance, antimagic field, repulsion, mind blank, prismatic sphere. Domain spells are available to her clerics and are separate from Hera’s spell-like abilities.

Divine Realm and Regional Effects

In Hera’s own courts of Olympus, a marriage oath formally witnessed at her altar cannot be concealed from her by mundane means. Royal thresholds may refuse entry to perjurers, and peacocks announce the arrival of a legitimate guest. These effects do not extend to every site in Arborea.

Hera, Queen of Olympus

Lawful Neutral Medium Outsider (extraplanar, lawful); Divine Rank 16 (greater deity); Portfolio marriage, queenship, legitimate succession, dynastic oaths, royal protection; Domains Law, Protection, Strength; Favored Weapon quarterstaff. Original epic manifestation for D&D 3.5e.

Combat Statistics

Hit Dice: 20d8 outsider + 20d8 cleric + 400 (720 hp; divine maximum per die). Initiative: +11 (+7 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative). Speed: 60 ft. Armor Class: 72 (+7 Dex, +29 natural, +10 deflection, +16 divine), touch 43, flat-footed 65. Base Attack/Grapple: +20 base, +10 epic attack / +54 grapple. Attack: +5 divine quarterstaff +59 melee (1d6+29 bludgeoning). Full Attack: +5 divine quarterstaff +59/+54/+49/+44 melee. Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.

Special Attacks: cleric spells, turn undead 13/day, Queen of Oaths, Royal Command, salient divine abilities. Special Qualities: Divine Rank 16, divine aura, immortality, portfolio sense, remote sensing, divine realm, DR 30/epic, SR 48, immunity to poison, disease, death effects, energy drain, ability damage, mind-affecting effects, paralysis, polymorphing and petrification. Saves: Fort +50, Ref +47, Will +50 (base outsider save +12, epic save +10, ability modifier, +16 divine rank and relevant +2 save feats). Abilities: Str 26, Dex 24, Con 30, Int 28, Wis 30, Cha 30.

Skills: Diplomacy +69, Knowledge (nobility and royalty) +68, Knowledge (religion) +68, Listen +69, Sense Motive +69, Spot +69 (43 ranks, ability modifier and +16 divine bonus for class skills); Feats: Combat Casting, Extend Spell, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Quicken Spell, Skill Focus (Diplomacy), Spell Focus (enchantment), Spell Penetration, Toughness, plus suitable epic feats; Languages: all.

Spells and Divine Abilities

Cleric Spells Prepared: CL 20th; spell save DC 20 + spell level (Wisdom); example preparation: 0—detect magic, guidance, light, resistance; 1st—bless, command, sanctuary; 2nd—aid, consecrate, shield other; 3rd—dispel magic, magic circle against chaos, prayer; 4th—death ward, divination, restoration; 5th—greater command, raise dead, spell resistance; 6th—greater dispel magic, heal, heroes’ feast; 7th—greater restoration, resurrection, repulsion; 8th—holy aura, mass cure critical wounds, shield of law; 9th—gate, miracle, mass heal. She prepares remaining spells as a 20th-level cleric with Wisdom 30.

Protection Domain Spells (levels 1–9): sanctuary, shield other, protection from energy, spell immunity, spell resistance, antimagic field, repulsion, mind blank, prismatic sphere. These domain spells are part of her clerics’ spell preparation, not additional spell-like abilities.

Salient Divine Abilities: Alter Reality, Divine Shield, Extra Domain and Mass Divine Blast. Queen of Oaths (Su): Hera knows when a witnessed marriage vow, coronation oath or formal household compact sworn in her name is broken within her divine aura; non-divine disguises or wards do not hide the violation. Royal Command (Su; 3/Day): one creature within 120 feet must succeed on a DC 36 Will save or be subject to a one-round command chosen by Hera. An equal or greater divine power can contest the command.

Greater Deity (Ex): For attack rolls, saving throws, damage rolls and checks, Hera receives the greatest possible result under the 3.5e greater-deity rules; a d20 is still rolled to check whether a critical threat occurs. Hera’s divine rank grants a +16 divine bonus to attacks, saves and checks as applicable.

Godly Realm

Within her own Olympian estate, Hera controls an outer-planar realm up to 100 miles in radius. She may change permitted environmental or planar traits under the normal divine-realm rules. Sealed royal halls, sworn hospitality and consecrated household protection express her authority here, without overriding Zeus or any other deity in a separate estate.