Saint Nicholan
(a.k.a. Winter’s Sentinel, the Herald of Hope, and the Frostbound Giver)
Saint Nicolan the Frostbound is a legendary figure who traverses wintry landscapes to bring hope, aid, and comfort to those in need. Equal parts charitable patron and formidable warrior, he combines the righteous strength of a paladin with the mystical insight of an oracle touched by winter’s breath. He appears when the nights are longest and coldest, forging warmth and compassion amid ice and suffering.
Though Nicolan once walked the mortal world as a valiant warrior-priest, his deeds elevated him to a more celestial role. He now easily moves between the planes, answering prayers in times of dire need—often during the deepest snows and most desperate plights. To the virtuous, he is a kindly benefactor who delivers small miracles; to those who would prey upon the weak, he is a relentless judge whose blade cuts through cruelty like fresh-driven snow.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Clad in ornate, crimson-and-silver full plate, Saint Nicolan stands head and shoulders above most mortal men. Frost crystals glitter in his braided white beard, and a gentle, comforting aura surrounds him—even as the air crackles with cold. His eyes, wise and warm, reflect both stern judgment and boundless mercy. He carries Yulebrand, a runed greatsword etched with ancient symbols of protection and holy light. When drawn, its radiance chases away darkness and reveals hidden evils lurking in the shadows.
Special abilities
- Gift of Grace (Su): Once per day, grants nearby allies bonus saves, fear immunity, and temporary HP.
- Winter’s Judgment (Ex): A once-per-day smiting wave of cold and holy energy that punishes evil within a broad radius and bolsters allies.
- Bag of Generosity: Functions as a Bag of Holding IV, but once per week can produce a bespoke gift—anything from a powerful potion to a protective wonder—tailored to an ally’s greatest need.
- Righteous Sleigh (Su): Summons a flying, wolf-drawn sleigh for swift travel, rescuing allies from remote hazards.
Specialized Equipment
- Yulebrand (Greatsword): A +3 Frost Holy blade dealing extra cold and radiant damage. Its glow banishes darkness and invisibility.
- Frostmail (Armor): +2 Mithral Full Plate granting cold resistance 30 and comforting warmth to allies.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Long ago, Nicolan was a mortal warrior-priest from a humble northern village. Winters in that land were cruel, and many suffered from hunger, disease, and marauding frost giants. Undeterred by the bitter cold, Nicolan spent his youth hauling carts of supplies through perilous snowdrifts to isolated settlements. Under siege by giants or oppressive tyrants, these villages would often have given up hope—if not for Nicolan’s timely interventions.
He earned his sainthood by defending the downtrodden in a particularly brutal winter, one when marauders and monsters descended upon desperate towns like vultures on carrion. Nicolan rallied defenders, confronted villains, and at times brokered peace where swords could be stilled. His selfless acts drew the attention of a divine power embodying winter’s gentler side. In death, he was reborn as an aasimar-like herald of kindness and justice, a being who could cross great distances in a single night to answer heartfelt prayers.
In the centuries since, tales of Saint Nicolan have spread across continents. He is invoked as a guardian spirit during the cruelest months; his name whispered over hearthfires and in children’s bedtime prayers. The wicked know him as the Winter’s Sentinel and fear the crunch of snow that might herald his arrival. To the virtuous, he is the Herald of Hope—the unseen protector who might appear when all seems lost.
Morality & Philosophy
Saint Nicolan embodies kindness, patience, and generosity. He delights in lively conversation, hearty meals, and honest, skillful craftsmanship. He treasures the laughter of children and goes out of his way to protect them—nothing stirs his righteous anger more than seeing a child threatened.
While patient with fools and those led astray, he is uncompromising when dealing with the truly wicked. Bad-tempered bullies and agents of cruelty find no mercy under his stern gaze.
Nicolan’s generosity is not limited to healing and protection. He often gives small tokens of goodwill—trinkets, minor magical charms, or protective wards—to goodhearted folk in need. He employs animal friendship to calm local wildlife, sometimes even bestowing sentience upon pets (via awaken) so they can secretly watch over vulnerable children, ensuring their safety long after he’s gone.
Personality Characteristics
Representation & Legacy
Though he steps lightly between worlds, Saint Nicolan leaves a lasting impression. Songs are sung of his timely rescues, and hearthside stories remind travelers that winter’s chill need not conquer the human heart. In his name, mortals practice acts of kindness during the harshest seasons. And while he often remains unseen, the gentle hum of sleigh bells on a cold night may herald his passing, offering assurance that hope endures even in the bleakest storms.
Social
Contacts & Relations
- Hoovale & the Snow Globe Portal: Nicolan’s domain touches upon an enchanted village known as Hoovale, accessible through a magical snow globe once owned by Kadrus Stormblade. Through this portal, Nicolan can enter the mortal plane at will, answering pleas for aid. He resides nearby in a cozy hall built of frosted timbers, where laughter, feasts, and the scent of pine resin fill the air.
- The Saviors of Sandpoint: In one recorded instance, during a dire encounter, the hero Kumiko had her desperate prayer answered by Saint Nicolan. Emerging from the snow globe portal, he channeled holy energy—declaring “The Power of Christmas Compels You!”—healing the wounded and vanishing just as swiftly after ensuring their survival. This act solidified his reputation as a benevolent responder to good deeds and innocent pleas.
