It’s getting Grimm again on Mythological Figures as we look to the protagonist of one of the world’s best known fairy tales: Snow White!
This story by the Brothers Grimm is one of the most popular fairy tales in Western folklore: the stepdaughter of a jealous queen is lured into the forest to be killed because of her superior beauty, and instead escapes to live with dwarves. The queen discovers this treachery via her truth-telling mirror and tries to kill Snow White again and again—first with a bodice cinched too tightly, then again with a poisoned comb, and once more with a poisoned apple—and each time she is thwarted by the girl’s dwarven friends, and in the latter case a prince as well. After her last attempt her murderous ways are revealed and the wicked queen is made to dance in hot iron shoes until she dies.
Design Notes: With her superlative beauty there was the most sensible choice for Snow White is sorcerer. Sure she could just be a good looking rogue or a surprisingly knowledgeable bard but with Subtle Spell and the right selection of spells, her being an inspiring figure that lends strength to others through her sublime appearance carries more water. Especially when she can pick from the cleric spell list! What we end up with at the end of the day is a character that still functions within the narrative of the fairy tale and also a great support spellcasting NPC that can really lend some serious aid to a group of adventurers. Due to popular demand by the dignified members of the EN World forums, she’s also got a bard level to net that animal buddy goodness of singing bird friends and adoring critters. Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in low this time at 4.333, the Blog of Holding at a less conservative 6.041, and together they average out comfortably past 5.
Armor Class 14 (padded)
Hit Points 41 (8d6+1d8+9)
Speed 30 ft.
Saving Throws Con +5, Cha +9
Skills History +5, Insight +5, Performance +9, Persuasion +9, Religion +5
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Background: Noble. Due to her position as a princess, Snow White is treated with a measure of respect wherever she goes. She is treated as royalty (or as closely as possible) by most peasants and traders, and as an equal when meeting other authority figures (who make time in their schedule to see her if requested to do so).
Bardic Inspiration 1d6 (5/Long Rest). As a bonus action on her turn, Snow White can choose one other creature within 60 feet who can hear her. That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die, a d6. Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the GM says whether the roll succeeds or fails.
Divine Favor (1/Short Rest). Snow White adds 2d4 to a failed saving throw or missed attack roll, making the saving throw or hitting if the new result beats the DC or AC.
Holy Magic. Snow White’s sorcerer spells come from the cleric spell list as well as the sorcerer spell list, and she has cure wounds as a bonus spell known.
Sorcery Points (8/Long Rest). As a bonus action on her turn, Snow White can expend one spell slot and either gain a number of sorcerer points equal to the slot’s level or create a spell slot by expending sorcery points (1st-level—2 points, 2nd-level—3 points, 3rd-level—5 points, 4th-level—6 points).
Spellcasting. Snow White is a 9th level spellcaster that uses Charisma as her spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17). She knows the following sorcerer spells:
ACTIONS
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing damage.
This story by the Brothers Grimm is one of the most popular fairy tales in Western folklore: the stepdaughter of a jealous queen is lured into the forest to be killed because of her superior beauty, and instead escapes to live with dwarves. The queen discovers this treachery via her truth-telling mirror and tries to kill Snow White again and again—first with a bodice cinched too tightly, then again with a poisoned comb, and once more with a poisoned apple—and each time she is thwarted by the girl’s dwarven friends, and in the latter case a prince as well. After her last attempt her murderous ways are revealed and the wicked queen is made to dance in hot iron shoes until she dies.
Design Notes: With her superlative beauty there was the most sensible choice for Snow White is sorcerer. Sure she could just be a good looking rogue or a surprisingly knowledgeable bard but with Subtle Spell and the right selection of spells, her being an inspiring figure that lends strength to others through her sublime appearance carries more water. Especially when she can pick from the cleric spell list! What we end up with at the end of the day is a character that still functions within the narrative of the fairy tale and also a great support spellcasting NPC that can really lend some serious aid to a group of adventurers. Due to popular demand by the dignified members of the EN World forums, she’s also got a bard level to net that animal buddy goodness of singing bird friends and adoring critters. Let’s do the numbers! The DMG came in low this time at 4.333, the Blog of Holding at a less conservative 6.041, and together they average out comfortably past 5.
Snow White
Medium humanoid (human), neutral good sorcerer (divine soul) 8/bard 1Armor Class 14 (padded)
Hit Points 41 (8d6+1d8+9)
Speed 30 ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
9 (–1) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 12 (+1) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) |
Skills History +5, Insight +5, Performance +9, Persuasion +9, Religion +5
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages Common
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Background: Noble. Due to her position as a princess, Snow White is treated with a measure of respect wherever she goes. She is treated as royalty (or as closely as possible) by most peasants and traders, and as an equal when meeting other authority figures (who make time in their schedule to see her if requested to do so).
Bardic Inspiration 1d6 (5/Long Rest). As a bonus action on her turn, Snow White can choose one other creature within 60 feet who can hear her. That creature gains one Bardic Inspiration die, a d6. Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the Bardic Inspiration die, but must decide before the GM says whether the roll succeeds or fails.
Divine Favor (1/Short Rest). Snow White adds 2d4 to a failed saving throw or missed attack roll, making the saving throw or hitting if the new result beats the DC or AC.
Holy Magic. Snow White’s sorcerer spells come from the cleric spell list as well as the sorcerer spell list, and she has cure wounds as a bonus spell known.
Sorcery Points (8/Long Rest). As a bonus action on her turn, Snow White can expend one spell slot and either gain a number of sorcerer points equal to the slot’s level or create a spell slot by expending sorcery points (1st-level—2 points, 2nd-level—3 points, 3rd-level—5 points, 4th-level—6 points).
Metamagic: Extended Spell. When Snow White casts a spell with a duration of 1 minute or longer, she can spend 1 sorcery point to double its duration, to a maximum duration of 24 hours.
Metamagic: Subtle Spell. When Snow White casts a spell, she can spend 1 sorcery point to cast it without any somatic or verbal components.
Powerful Healing (1/Turn). As long as she’s not incapacitated, Snow White can spend 1 sorcery point to reroll any number of dice from a spell that restores hit points to herself or an ally within 5 feet.
Spellcasting. Snow White is a 9th level spellcaster that uses Charisma as her spellcasting ability (spell save DC 17). She knows the following sorcerer spells:
Cantrips: guidance, mending, resistance, spare the dying, true strike
1st-level (4 slots): charm person, cure wounds, expeditious retreat, sanctuary
2nd-level (3 slots): calm emotions, enhance ability, suggestion
3rd-level (3 slots): remove curse, revivify
4th-level (3 slots): death ward
5th-level (1 slot): —
In addition, Snow White knows the following bard spells.Cantrips: mending, prestidigitation
1st-level: animal friendship, healing word, longstrider, speak with animals
ACTIONS
Dagger. Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing damage.
