Path of the Valkyrie (2024)

Based on original path by Buff_Blondee, modified and updated to 2024 rules with fully implemented class features. Avatar image in the public domain. National Museum Norway artwork ID: NG.M.00259

For some Barbarians, rage is a form of power. A power that is to be used to help those who are not strong enough. The Path of the Valkyrie is lined with the bodies of your enemies, which in turn, has allowed you to make sure your allies are still standing. The Valkyrie's weapons and armor are inscribed with runes that represent cures and wishes, allowing Valkyries to transfer those that have fallen to Valhalla.

Inscribe Runes

Starting when you chose this path at 3rd level, you can magically carve runes into your weapons. For 10 minutes, as part of a long rest, you may choose one simple or martial weapon in your possession and bond it to you by inscribing runes of healing onto it. You may have any number of weapons such inscribed up to your proficiency bonus. If you inscribe an additional weapon beyond this limit you must choose one weapon previously inscribed to lose its runes. The runes stay inscribed when separated from you, even if on another plane of existence, though the weapon must be in your possession for the runes to be used.

A Valkyrie may bond to a weapon already inscribed by another Valkyrie. Doing so will replace the runes with her own and the previous Valkyrie will be unable to use the runes unless she re-inscribes her own on it.

Runes are used by this class's various features. Runes can only become charged when you are raging and all active charges are lost when the rage ends. You may have a maximum of 6 runes charged at any one time, across all weapons. Any charges gained that would put you over this maximum are lost. This increases to 8 runes at 6th level, 10 at 10th level, and 12 at 14th level.

The effect of these runes and the max number that can be charged at a time increases as the Valkyrie gains levels in barbarian.

BARBARIAN LEVEL	RUNE DIE	MAX RUNE CHARGES
3	1d4	6
6	1d6	8
10	1d10	10
14	1d12	12

Valkyrja

You go into a trance while raging. While in this trace like state, when you hit a creature with an attack made by one of your inscribed weapons you charge one healing rune. This increases to two runes charged at a time when you reach Barbarian level 10. Critical hits with your inscribed weapons charge a number of runes equal to your Proficiency bonus instead of the usual amount, even if the target is otherwise immune to critical hits.

All active rune charges are lost when your trance ends.

As a bonus action, you may expend one of these runes to heal yourself or another creature of your choosing within 30 feet of you. The healing amount is equal to your Rune Die + your Constitution Modifier + your Proficiency Bonus. When healing using this feature, you may expend additional rune charges up to the maximum dictated by your Barbarian level as specified below; for each additional rune charge expended, roll another Rune Die and add the result to the amount healed. Using a bonus action to heal a creature with this feature also extends your rage until the end of your next turn.

BARBARIAN LEVEL	MAX RUNES PER USE
3	1
6	2
10	3
14	4

Óski

Beginning at 6th level, once per turn when you take damage while raging you charge one healing rune. Then, before the start of your next turn you may, as a reaction, expend healing runes to heal yourself or another creature of your choosing within 30 feet of you as per the Valkyrja feature.

At Barbarian level 14, you charge two healing runes with a single use of this feature.

Dísir

Beginning at 10th level,  you have advantage on death saves.

In addition, if a creature was at 0 hit points when healed by a use of your healing runes, the creature is shrouded in Valhalla’s light until the beginning of your next turn. While shrouded, any attack roll made against this creature are made with disadvantage.

Valhalla’s Calling

Beginning at 14th level,  you sprout two angelic like wings from your back while raging. These wings give you a Fly Speed equal to your Walking Speed and can hover. If you are still airborne when your rage ends you will fall.