Malin Matsdotter

“Meet Malin Matsdotter, the Fearless Witch Executed by Burning – Her Courage Will Astonish You!”

• Alias: Rumpare-Malin
• Gender: Female
• Race: Human
• Occupation: Maid, midwife (possibly)
• Religion: Not specified
• Allies: Unknown
• Enemies: Accusers during the witch trial
• Abode/Base of operations: Mariaberget, Stockholm, Sweden
• Nationality: Swedish
• Languages: Swedish, Finnish (her native language)
• Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
• Affiliation(s): None specified
• Significant others: Erik Nilsson (first husband, executed), Anders Arendtsson (second husband)

Malin Matsdotter, also known as Rumpare-Malin, life was marked by controversy, tragedy, and accusations of witchcraft. Born in Österbotten, Finland, she moved to Stockholm as a young woman to work as a maidservant. Married to Erik Nilsson, a nail manufacturer, Malin faced heart-wrenching turmoil when her husband was executed for a shocking crime. This event, along with her subsequent remarriage to Anders Arendtsson, would set the stage for a dramatic and harrowing journey.

Malin’s character is a complex blend of resilience, mystery, and defiance. Little is known about her early life and profession, but fragments of her story emerged during her trial. She was described as poor, yet she managed to own her own house in Stockholm’s Mariaberget neighborhood. Her limited education and language difficulties made her an easy target for suspicion in a society where literacy was a requirement for all citizens.

Caught in the midst of Sweden’s notorious witch hunt, Malin’s fate took a dark turn when her own daughters, Maria and Anna, accused her of practicing witchcraft. The courtroom became a battleground, with testimonies pitting family members against each other. Malin’s steadfast denial of the accusations, combined with her lack of religious knowledge, only intensified the court’s belief in her guilt.

Throughout the trial, Malin’s courage shone brightly, as she confronted the priests, maintained her innocence, and refused to confess. Her indomitable spirit and refusal to bow to societal expectations made her a compelling figure. Despite facing the prospect of a horrific execution, Malin stood her ground, defying the court and even delivering a chilling curse upon her own daughter.

In the end, Malin’s fate was sealed. The unanimous court declared her guilty, and she became the sole individual to be executed by burning during the infamous witch hunt. Her steadfastness, dignity, and silent acceptance of her fate created a lasting impression on those who witnessed her execution.

Malin Matsdotter’s story, though tragic, serves as a reminder of the human capacity for resilience and defiance in the face of adversity. Her desire to maintain her innocence and protect her reputation propelled her to challenge societal norms and fight against the accusations that ultimately led to her demise. In a time of darkness and fear, Malin Matsdotter’s unwavering spirit stands as a testament to the enduring power of the human will.

Malin Matsdotter

Medium humanoid (human), chaotic neutral

Armor Class: 13 (leather armor) Hit Points: 71 (13d8 + 13) Speed: 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10 (+0)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)	10 (+0)	14 (+2)	12 (+1)

Saving Throws: Wis +4, Cha +3 Skills: Deception +3, Insight +4, Medicine +4, Persuasion +3 Senses: Passive Perception 12 Languages: Common, Finnish Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP)

Actions

• Knife Slash: Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
• Hexing Words: Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit, range 60 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d8) necrotic damage. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or have disadvantage on the next saving throw it makes within the next minute.
• Blackened Curse (Recharge 5-6): Malin targets one creature she can see within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become cursed. While cursed, the target’s Wisdom score is reduced by 1d4. The curse lasts until the target completes a long rest or receives a remove curse spell.
• Summon Familiar: Malin summons a raven familiar that obeys her commands. The raven has the statistics of a standard familiar.
• Fearful Hex (Recharge 6): Malin casts a fear spell centered on herself. Each creature within a 30-foot radius must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. Affected creatures can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of their turns, ending the effect on a success.

Reactions

• Witch’s Hex: When Malin is hit by an attack, she can use her reaction to place a hex on the attacker. The attacker must make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or suffer disadvantage on their next attack roll within the next minute.

Equipment

• Leather armor, knife, witch’s broom, small pouch of hexing herbs.

Magic Items

• Amulet of the Witch’s Sight: This amulet allows Malin to see through magical darkness as if it were dim light. Additionally, she has advantage on saving throws against spells cast by witches or warlocks.
• Cauldron of Healing Brews: This magical cauldron, once per day, allows Malin to brew a healing potion that restores 2d4 + 2 hit points when consumed.

Idiosyncrasies

• Malin Matsdotter has an aura of mysteriousness, with her dark eyes and a subtle hint of smoky incense around her.
• Her familiar, the raven, perches on her shoulder, watching vigilantly.
• When she casts spells, her incantations are whispered in Finnish, creating an eerie and otherworldly atmosphere.
• The hexing herbs in her possession emit a faint, otherworldly glow, giving off an unsettling vibe.
• Her witch’s broom is intricately carved and adorned with symbols of ancient power, enhancing her air of enchantment and mystique.

Lair Actions

• Curse of Shadows: Malin obscures the area in magical darkness, creating an area of effect that functions as the darkness spell. This darkness lasts until Malin is incapacitated or killed.
• Witch’s Interference: Malin targets a spellcaster within 60 feet, forcing them to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the spellcaster’s spell fails and they suffer disadvantage on their next concentration check.

Legendary Actions Malin Matsdotter can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. She regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

• Hexed Curse: Malin targets one creature she can see within 60 feet. The target must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become cursed. While cursed, the target’s Wisdom score is reduced by 1d6. The curse lasts until the target completes a long rest or receives a remove curse spell.
• Bewitching Spell: Malin casts a spell of her choice from her spell list, expending the appropriate spell slot.
• Hexed Ward: Malin wards herself with dark magic, gaining resistance to all damage until the start of her next turn.

Plot Hooks

• The Daughter’s Burden: Malin’s surviving daughter, Anna, approaches the party with a plea for help. She reveals that her family’s ancestral heirloom, a mystical amulet said to hold protective powers, was confiscated during the witch trials and has been kept in a hidden vault. Anna believes that reclaiming the amulet will bring closure to her mother’s tragic story. The party must investigate the secure location, facing traps and guardians, and retrieve the artifact while dealing with Anna’s conflicted emotions and the potential for dark forces to be drawn to its power.
• The Forgotten Midwife: In a village plagued by a mysterious illness that resists conventional treatments, the party encounters an elderly woman named Elsbeth. She reveals herself to be Malin’s former apprentice and believes the illness is a result of a forgotten curse placed upon the village by a vengeful spirit wronged during the witch trials. The party must delve into the village’s history, interacting with the locals and investigating ancient records, to uncover the truth. They will need to perform a complex ritual involving symbolic objects and ancient incantations to confront the spirit and lift the curse.
• The Witches’ Sabbath: Rumors circulate about a secret gathering of witches that allegedly continues the infamous Blockula ceremonies, where Malin was accused of taking part. The party is unexpectedly invited to attend the clandestine event, held deep within an ancient forest. They must navigate a dangerous web of political intrigue, occult rituals, and potential betrayals while seeking to uncover the truth behind Malin’s involvement. The party’s actions and decisions can sway the balance of power among the covens and shape the fate of the witches’ clandestine world.
• The Lost Manuscript: A rare manuscript believed to contain Malin’s personal account of the witch trials resurfaces after centuries of being hidden away. Scholars, collectors, and cultists are all desperate to acquire it for their own purposes. The party is tasked with safeguarding the manuscript and ensuring it falls into the right hands. They must protect it from nefarious thieves, navigate treacherous negotiations with interested parties, and uncover the hidden secrets within its pages, which may hold clues to long-lost magic or reveal a hidden threat that could reignite dark forces.
• The Cursed Bloodline: Descendants of Malin Matsdotter’s accusers begin to suffer from a mysterious ailment that threatens to wipe out their bloodline. The party is approached by one of the afflicted, seeking their help to break the curse that has haunted their family for generations. To find a solution, they must delve into the history of the witch trials, uncover forgotten rituals, confront vengeful spirits seeking retribution, and make difficult moral choices. Success could save the bloodline, while failure might unleash a devastating curse upon the entire region.
• The Trial Revisited: The party encounters a mysterious artifact that grants them the ability to travel back in time to the height of the witch trials. They find themselves witnessing the injustices inflicted upon Malin Matsdotter firsthand. To alter the course of history, the party must navigate the courtrooms, gather evidence, and try to sway the outcome of her trial, all while ensuring they don’t create unintended consequences in the timeline. Their efforts could determine whether justice can be served in the past or if their actions are doomed to fail.
• The Spirit’s Vengeance: Malin’s restless spirit seeks revenge on those who wronged her during the witch trials. The party is approached by her ghostly apparition, tasked with tracking down and confronting the descendants of the judges who presided over her trial. They must investigate the lives of these descendants, uncover their darkest secrets, and decide whether to help Malin find peace or stop her vengeful rampage before innocent lives are lost. The choices they make will determine the ultimate fate of Malin’s spirit and the descendants’ redemption.
• The Forgotten Remains: During an archaeological excavation, the party uncovers a hidden burial site where the remains of accused witches, including Malin Matsdotter, were laid to rest. This discovery sparks interest from grave robbers, dark cults, and scholars alike. The party must protect the site from those seeking to exploit the power within the graves, while also unraveling the mystery behind the disappearance of the accused witches’ bodies. They may uncover forgotten relics, ancient curses, and a hidden plot that could have far-reaching consequences.
• The Witch’s Salvation: A powerful artifact capable of resurrecting the dead surfaces, and a group of misguided cultists seeks to bring Malin Matsdotter back to life, believing her to be a martyr for their cause. The party is tasked with racing against time to retrieve the artifact before the cult can succeed. Along the way, they must gather allies, confront the cult’s leaders, and ultimately decide whether to help the cultists achieve their goal or prevent the resurrection, understanding the potential ramifications of bringing back a powerful witch who was wronged by the world.
• The Witch’s Final Spell: Legends speak of a hidden spellbook that belonged to Malin Matsdotter, said to contain dark and forbidden magic. The party becomes entangled in a web of intrigue as scholars, sorcerers, and even malicious entities vie to possess the spellbook’s knowledge. They are approached by a morally ambiguous figure who promises them great power if they retrieve the spellbook. The party must navigate treacherous alliances, confront their own desires for power, and decide the fate of Malin’s dangerous legacy. They will face temptations, moral dilemmas, and the risk of unleashing forbidden magic upon the world.

Currently in the World

Malin Matsdotter, a woman in her early 60s, stands with a commanding presence. Her weathered face bears the marks of a life filled with hardship and perseverance. Deep lines crease her forehead, testament to the trials she has endured. Her steel-gray eyes, filled with determination, hold a flicker of defiance. Her silver-gray hair, streaked with strands of black, is loosely tied back, framing her face.

Dressed in a simple, worn gown, Malin is surrounded by the stark walls of her humble home in Mariaberget, Stockholm. The room is dimly lit by the flickering flames of a small fire in the hearth. The air is heavy with the scent of smoke and remnants of burnt herbs, remnants of her practice as a midwife or perhaps as a way to ward off evil spirits. The wooden furniture, though sparse, shows signs of care and a touch of rustic charm.

In this moment, Malin is deep in thought, her expression a mix of weariness and resolve. She clutches a small book tightly in her hands, pages worn from years of use. The book, a collection of prayers and spells, serves as a reminder of her ongoing struggle against the accusations of witchcraft that have plagued her life. Her mind is occupied with memories of the trial, the testimonies, and the weight of her impending fate.

Despite the challenges she faces, there is an undeniable strength in Malin’s demeanor. She stands tall, refusing to yield to the injustices imposed upon her. Her spirit remains unbroken, and her determination to prove her innocence burns as brightly as the fire in her hearth.