Bladewolf - Inspired by Sif from Dark Souls, 2 variants on the statblock (Patreon)

Hey everyone,

I created two stat-blocks for blade-wolves, one of CR3, and the Arctic version of CR6.
Inspired by Dark Souls, these beasts are fearsome when they fight in pack and cut through their foes with ease.
How they acquire their weapons ? No one knows for sure, but it is thought that it from the bodies of adventurers that they killed.

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A swift strike, a scream of pain, blood stains in the forest. Bladewolves show no mercy to their prey, no matter how big, the ogre realises this too late. He swings again, missing, retaliation, another cut appears on his chest, next to him his dead companion, fallen under the blows of the pack. He fights to no avail. He lost his lifelong companion, and soon after, his life.

Appearance. Bigger than an average wolf, bladewolves always carry around a sword with them, using it in their hunts. Two kind are known to exist, the forest dwelling bladewolf, and the artic bladewolf, bigger and fiercer, hardened by the unforgiving cold environment. When the two meet, the arctic predator usually comes out on top, and becomes the new leader of the pack.

Cunning Beasts. Pack hunters at their very core, they will stealth through forest hunting for their prey, striking at the opportune moment. They surround their prey, leaving no room for escape, and begin the slaughter.

If they see the situation slipping away from their control, they will retreat with their incredibly swift speed, coming back to hunt another day.

Adepts of the sword. How do they acquire their weapons ? No one knows for sure, but it is thought that they come from the bodies of adventurers that they have killed. Another theory is that the weapons are given by the parents.

There has been sighting of a form of training between members of a pack. This could explain why they handle their weapon with an ease similar to that of a fine swordsman. Unsurprisingly their existence puzzles many sages in search of answers.

Frost Bladewolves often wield magical weapons inciting many adventurers to hunt them for the precious loot, few of these brave souls ever come back.

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Optional rule: the weapon held by a Frost Bladewolf is a +1 Frost Greatsword that deals 2d6 slashing damage + 1d8 cold damage. So your players could loot that weapon afterwards.