wildhunt
In Welsh folklore, the Wild Hunt takes the form of the Cŵn Annwn
Encounter Setup
The stillness of night is shattered by the blare of hunting horns and the thunder of unseen hooves. From the treeline bursts a glowing stag, its antlers tangled with starlight, pursued by a host of ghostly riders. Their forms are half-shadow, half-armour, cloaked in tatters of mist, their mounts charging across the ground without stirring a blade of grass. The air chills as the spectral host surges past your camp, the hunt sweeping through the mortal world as if the land itself were a hunting ground.
Running the Wild Hunt
The Wild Hunt works as a flexible, drop-in encounter. Unless challenged, the riders thunder past in pursuit of the stag. Interference, however, draws their wrath.
Difficulty by Enemy Type
Easy (Levels 1–4): A handful of Ghostly Foot Soldiers
Sword-wraiths: Use Specter or Wraith stats reflavored as armored undead with spectral blades.
Crossbowmen: Use Wight or Skeleton Archer stats reflavored as ghostly bowmen whose bolts deal necrotic damage.
Medium–Hard (Levels 5–10): Add Mounted Spectral Riders
Use Wights on ghostly steeds (reflavored Warhorse Skeletons or Nightmares) with advantage on charges.
Boss/Difficult (Levels 10+): Include the Hunt Captain
A commander figure with the stats of a Wight Knight or toned-down Death Knight. He carries an aura of dread or issues commands that empower nearby riders.
The Nighthaunt minis by Warhammer are an excellent fit for the riders and soldiers of the Wild Hunt.
Background & Inspirations
Welsh Folklore (The Wild Hunt)
In Welsh tradition, the Wild Hunt is a spectral procession through the night, led by figures like Gwyn ap Nudd. The riders, often accompanied by ghostly hounds, chase after souls or unlucky mortals. Witnessing the Hunt is a sign of looming doom — death, supernatural disruption, or fate incarnate.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (CD Projekt Red)
In The Witcher 3, the Wild Hunt are relentless, otherworldly pursuers pursuing Ciri, serving as an unstoppable force. This could also be an interesting take where they are hunting someone dear to the players.
The Bright Sword (Lev Grossman)
Grossman’s retelling gives the Wild Hunt a more transactional, tragic edge: one of the heroes must ride with the Hunt to appease it, surrendering their freedom for the greater good. This concept fuels the idea that mortals are compelled—or tempted—to join the cavalcade. While the players may not be asked to sacrifice themselves, they may meet others who have: individuals lost to the Hunt, their faces hidden behind storm and shadow, their voices swallowed by the horns.
