Valika is a land of ice and snow with a long and storied history. The climate, terrain, and heroes of the past all offer valuable lessons to those willing to learn. Valikans carry these lessons with them wherever their lives take them. Learning how to survive in harsh conditions is a necessity, but learning how to thrive in them is something unique to the people who make Valika their home.

Musher The snowy terrain of Valika can be treacherous, but you have learned to traverse it with speed and grace using animal-drawn sleds and sleighs. The most common animals are dogs and reindeer. You have learned to care for, raise, and train these animals to draw such vehicles, as well as how to maintain and repair the vehicles themselves. As a musher, you might find work as a courier, delivering bulk goods, or transporting people from one isolated community to another. Even in the most inclement weather, you can drive your team long distances to finish the job.

Pack Master When you spend at least an hour with up to 10 domesticated or herbivore animals and succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom (Animal Handling) check, the animals become friendly towards you. They remain friendly to you until you or your companions do something to harm them or you are away from them for 8 hours or more. If the beast is familiar with commands, or can be trained to understand commands, it obeys your commands to the best of its ability while it is friendly to you, unless doing so would cause it harm, put it in danger, or overtly harm another creature it is friendly towards.

Rank 1 – Beast Keeper Although you know how to drive a sled, your primary responsibilities are caring for the dogs and reindeers of more experienced mushers. Although less exciting than carving through the ice and snow, caring for the animals is a responsibility of vital importance. These animals must be kept healthy, in shape, and well trained if they are going to successfully pull passengers and cargo across Valika. Holdings: • A snow vehicle big enough for one person and 200 pounds of cargo • A small pack of dogs • Reins and harnesses Progression: You progress when your master promotes you or when no one else is available to make an important delivery and you must step up to do it yourself.

Rank 2 – Dog Sledder You have gained sufficient experience dog sledding that it is now your primary responsibility. You may dog sled competitively as entertainment for others but more likely you are involved in the delivery of parcels from your own community to nearby settlements. On rare occasions, especially when time is of the essence, you may transport a client or participate in a search and rescue. Holdings: • A snow vehicle big enough for two people or one person and 400 pounds of cargo 82 Grim Hollow | The Raider's Guide to Valika • A large pack of well-trained and well-fed dogs • A cabin to live and work out of with an attached kennel for the dogs Progression: Win a dog sledding competition, rescue someone who would have died of exposure otherwise, reliably deliver parcels and packages between surrounding settlements for a year or more.

Rank 3 – Sleigh Driver You’ve proven yourself as a dog sledder and have now taken on the more expensive, and lucrative, responsibilities as a sled driver. If you live in an isolated settlement, you are one of the most important members of the community as your sleigh is the most reliable and safest method for getting people and resources in and out. If you live in a large settlement, you may work with apprentice dog sledders who move smaller hauls while you move cargo in bulk or transport the wealthy who wish to travel in style. Holdings: • A snow vehicle big enough for four people or one person and up to 1,200 pounds of cargo • A few reindeer • A small farmstead where you can raise, feed, and care for reindeer Progression: Fight off a deadly wild animal or monster to protect your cargo or passengers, escort a noble or other person of influence a long distance safely, successfully drive a sled or sleigh on a route famously believed to be too dangerous for travel.

Rank 4 – Tundra Trailblazer Your name is synonymous with dog sledding and sleigh driving throughout Valika. When you aren’t finding new routes across the snow-covered region, you’re training future dog sledders and sleigh drivers. The wealthy and powerful ask for you by name when they need to travel by sleigh. Holdings: • A snow vehicle big enough for eight people or one person and up to 2,500 pounds of cargo • A herd of reindeer • A large farmstead

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Animal Handling

Tool Proficiencies: Snow Vehicles

Languages: Valiki or Primordial

Equipment: You gain the following items: Travelers Clothes, Animal Pelt Cloak, Tinderbox, Pouch, Backpack, Flask, Mess Kit, 10 Rations, Signal Whistle, Tent, Pouch, 5 GP;