Grand Line Adventures

Howitzer

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Howitzer (Beast of the Land - Wolf)

Type: Beast Companion | Size: Large | Owner: Llewyn Kels Tidebringer Species: Wolf | Bond: Primal Bond (Marksman feature)

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Overview

Howitzer is Llewyn Kels Tidebringer’s loyal wolf companion—a massive beast bonded through the Marksman’s Beast of the Land feature. More than just an animal ally, Howitzer represents Llewyn’s need for pack and family after losing The Squad to a Marine bombardment. The wolf serves as protector, hunting partner, and emotional anchor for the cautious sniper, embodying the loyalty and trust Llewyn struggles to extend to humanoids after his trauma.

Bond: Primal connection between hunter and beast (Marksman class feature)

Physical Description

Appearance

  • Form: Large wolf (comparable to dire wolf or horse-sized canine)
  • Size: Large (5-6 feet at shoulder, 8-10 feet long)
  • Fur: Gray-black with lighter underbelly
  • Features:
    • Piercing yellow eyes (keen hunter’s gaze)
    • Powerful jaws and sharp teeth
    • Muscular build (built for speed and power)
    • Battle scars (veteran of combat)
    • Well-groomed despite rugged appearance

Distinctive Elements

  • Size: Unnaturally large for typical wolf (Large category)
  • Intelligence: More aware than normal beast (INT 8, understands complex commands)
  • Presence: Intimidating but controlled (responds instantly to Llewyn’s signals)
  • Equipment: Sometimes wears saddlebags or light barding

Abilities & Statistics

Combat Statistics (Level 3)

From Llewyn’s character sheet:

Armor Class: 15 (13 base + 2 Proficiency Bonus) Hit Points: 24 (6 base + 18 from Llewyn’s Marksman levels) Hit Dice: 3d10 Speed: 40 ft, climb 40 ft

Ability Scores:

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
16 (+3)14 (+2)15 (+2)8 (-1)14 (+2)11 (+0)

Saves: All saves gain +2 Proficiency Bonus (Primal Bond) Skills: All skill checks gain +2 Proficiency Bonus (Primal Bond) Senses: Darkvision 60 ft, Passive Perception 14 (12 + 2 WIS) Languages: Understands commands (cannot speak)

Special Abilities

Pack Tactics (Passive)

  • Advantage on attack rolls against creature if ally within 5 ft of target
  • Encourages tactical positioning with Llewyn or party
  • Represents wolf’s natural pack hunting instincts
  • Synergizes with flanking and coordinated strikes

Charge (Action Feature)

  • Requirement: Move 20 ft straight toward target before hitting
  • Damage Bonus: Extra 1d6 slashing damage
  • Save: Target must make STR save (DC = Llewyn’s Tactic DC 13) or be knocked prone
  • Tactical Use: Mobility attack, control enemy positioning
  • Frequency: Can be used with any Maul attack that meets movement requirement

Primal Bond (Passive)

  • Add Proficiency Bonus (+2 at level 3) to ALL ability checks and saving throws
  • Represents deep connection to Llewyn
  • Makes Howitzer more resilient and capable than typical beast
  • Scales with Llewyn’s progression

Obedience (Passive)

  • Follows Llewyn’s commands instantly
  • Can understand complex tactics and strategies
  • Acts on Llewyn’s turn (initiative tied together)
  • No action required by Llewyn to command

Actions

Maul (Attack)

  • Attack Bonus: +5 to hit (STR +3 + Prof +2)
  • Reach: 5 ft
  • Damage: 1d12+5 slashing damage (1d12 + STR 3 + Prof 2)
  • Type: Physical slashing (bite and claw combo)
  • Description: Powerful bite attack, tearing into enemies with massive jaws

Charge Maul (Attack + Movement)

  • Requirements: Move 20 ft straight, then hit with Maul
  • Attack Bonus: +5 to hit
  • Damage: 1d12+5 + 1d6 slashing (average 15 damage)
  • Effect: Target makes DC 13 STR save or knocked prone
  • Tactical: Opens vulnerability for Llewyn’s ranged attacks

Personality & Behavior

Characteristics

  • Loyal: Follows Llewyn unfailingly (never leaves his side)
  • Protective: Prioritizes Llewyn’s safety above all
  • Aggressive: Fierce in combat, intimidating to enemies
  • Calm: Surprisingly gentle when not fighting
  • Pack-Minded: Treats party as extended pack (protective of allies)

Communication

  • Non-Verbal: Cannot speak (barks, growls, whines)
  • Responsive: Understands complex commands and tactics
  • Expressive: Body language conveys emotions (tail, ears, posture)
  • Alert: Constantly scanning surroundings (high Perception)

Llewyn’s Treatment

  • Companion: More partner than pet
  • Family: Replaces lost Squad members emotionally
  • Respect: Treats as equal, not servant
  • Care: Ensures Howitzer is fed, rested, healthy

Tactical Role

Combat Applications

Frontline Bruiser:

  • AC 15: Moderate survivability
  • HP 24: Can absorb some damage
  • Large Size: Controls 10x10 ft space (battlefield presence)

Damage Dealer:

  • High Damage: 1d12+5 (average 11.5) or 1d12+1d6+5 with Charge (average 15)
  • Reliable Accuracy: +5 to hit
  • Pack Tactics: Advantage when flanking (increases hit rate significantly)

Battlefield Control:

  • 40 ft Speed: High mobility (climb speed adds versatility)
  • Charge Knockdown: Prone enemies easier to hit
  • Large Size: Blocks enemy movement
  • Intimidation: Enemies may target wolf instead of Llewyn

Synergy with Llewyn

Marksman Tactics:

  • Positioning: Howitzer engages melee while Llewyn snipes from distance
  • Pack Tactics Setup: Howitzer flanks, grants advantage to Llewyn if in melee
  • Target Focus: Both attack same enemy (Llewyn’s Called Shot + Howitzer’s Maul)
  • Distraction: Howitzer draws attention, protects Llewyn’s sniping position

Bomu Bomu no Mi Integration:

  • Explosive Collar: Llewyn could create explosive traps around Howitzer’s territory
  • Bomb Delivery: Howitzer could carry explosive packages to enemies (risky)
  • Escape: Llewyn detonates bombs to cover Howitzer’s retreat

Emotional Support:

  • Trauma Processing: Howitzer helps Llewyn cope with Squad’s loss
  • Trust: Only being Llewyn fully trusts after betrayal/loss
  • Grounding: Prevents Llewyn from over-analyzing (brings him to present)

Lore & Significance

Origin & Bonding

How They Met:

  • Unknown exact circumstances (Marksman feature grants companion)
  • Possibilities:
    • Found injured after Squad’s death (mutual survivors)
    • Rescued from hunters or Marines
    • Wild wolf approached Llewyn (sensed kindred spirit)
    • Bred specifically for Marksman companions

Bonding Process:

  • Primal Bond (magical/class feature connection)
  • Deep emotional attachment (replaces lost comrades)
  • Mutual survival dependence
  • Named “Howitzer” (artillery term, fits Llewyn’s theme)

Symbolic Meaning

Replacement Family:

  • Squad died, Howitzer fills void
  • Unconditional loyalty (unlike humans who can betray)
  • Pack structure (Howitzer + Llewyn = new squad)
  • Safe emotional attachment (beast can’t abandon like humans)

Trust Issues:

  • Llewyn trusts Howitzer more than party members
  • Wolf represents reliability in chaotic world
  • Non-judgmental companion (no politics, betrayal, complexity)
  • Simpler relationship than human bonds

Protection Vow:

  • Llewyn vowed to protect new crew (party)
  • Howitzer is first “crew member” he successfully protects
  • Success with Howitzer proves he can keep vow
  • Practice for protecting humanoid allies

Combat Tactics & Examples

Standard Engagement

Turn 1: Charge

  • Howitzer moves 40 ft (20+ straight line toward enemy)
  • Maul attack: +5 to hit, 1d12+1d6+5 damage
  • On hit: Target DC 13 STR save or knocked prone
  • Result: 15 average damage + potential prone

Turn 2+: Pack Tactics

  • Position adjacent to prone enemy (or flanking with ally)
  • Maul with advantage: +5 to hit (advantage), 1d12+5 damage
  • Result: 11.5 average damage, higher hit chance

Combined Tactics with Llewyn

Sniper-Wolf Pincer:

  1. Llewyn positions at 150+ ft range (sniper rifle)
  2. Howitzer charges enemy from opposite angle
  3. Enemy prone from Charge knockdown
  4. Llewyn attacks prone target (advantage if within 30 ft, disadvantage if beyond)
  5. Howitzer maintains pressure in melee

Focus Fire:

  1. Llewyn uses Called Shot (bonus action) on target
  2. Attacks with disadvantage, enemy marked
  3. Howitzer attacks marked target with Pack Tactics advantage
  4. Both prioritize eliminating single threat quickly

Explosive Retreat:

  1. Howitzer engaged in melee, outnumbered
  2. Llewyn throws Bomb Ball (8d6 fire, 20 ft radius)
  3. Howitzer uses 40 ft speed to escape blast radius
  4. Enemies damaged/destroyed, Howitzer safe

Progression & Growth

Current Level (3)

  • AC 15, HP 24, +5 to hit, 1d12+5 damage
  • Pack Tactics, Charge, Primal Bond
  • 40 ft speed, climb 40 ft

Higher Levels (Marksman Scaling)

Level 5:

  • HP increases to 36 (6 + 30)
  • AC increases to 16 (13 + 3 Prof)
  • Attack bonus +6, damage 1d12+6
  • Llewyn gains Extra Attack (Howitzer may too)

Level 9:

  • HP increases to 60 (6 + 54)
  • AC increases to 17 (13 + 4 Prof)
  • Attack bonus +7, damage 1d12+7
  • Possible additional features from Marksman class

Level 15+:

  • HP increases to 96 (6 + 90)
  • AC increases to 19 (13 + 6 Prof)
  • Attack bonus +9, damage 1d12+9
  • Llewyn’s Bomu Bomu Awakening synergy

Potential Modifications

Equipment:

  • Barding: Increase AC (+1 to +3)
  • Saddlebags: Carry supplies or bombs
  • Collar: Identification, magical enhancements

Training:

  • Stealth: Train to move silently (assist Llewyn’s ambushes)
  • Tracking: Enhance hunting capabilities
  • Bomb Handling: Safely carry Llewyn’s explosives

Mysteries & Secrets

Unusual Size

  • Why So Large? Normal wolves aren’t Large category
  • Magical Enhancement? Primal Bond caused growth?
  • Dire Wolf Heritage? Descended from prehistoric wolves?
  • Bomu Bomu Exposure? Explosive proximity mutated him?

Intelligence

  • INT 8: Smart for animal (child-level intelligence)
  • Understanding: Grasps complex tactics
  • Communication: Can’t speak but clearly comprehends
  • Could He Learn? Magical training to gain speech?

Connection to Squad

  • Timing: When did Llewyn meet Howitzer?
  • Before or After? Did Squad know Howitzer?
  • Survival: Was Howitzer present during bombardment?
  • Replacement: Does Howitzer sense he’s filling void?

Name Significance

  • “Howitzer”: Artillery weapon (fits Llewyn’s explosive theme)
  • Irony: Peaceful wolf named for weapon
  • Memorial: Named after fallen Squad member’s nickname?
  • Llewyn’s Humor: Darkly ironic name for gentle beast?

Story Hooks

Howitzer-Centric Quests

Wolf in Danger:

  • Howitzer captured by enemies
  • Llewyn must rescue companion
  • Emotional stakes (Llewyn’s last family)
  • Reveals depth of bond

Beast Hunters:

  • Bounty placed on Large wolf
  • Howitzer targeted for size/pelt
  • Llewyn must protect companion
  • Moral dilemma: kill hunters or spare?

Illness or Poison:

  • Howitzer falls ill/poisoned
  • Llewyn desperate to save him
  • Quest for rare cure
  • Shows Llewyn’s vulnerability

Pack Reunion:

  • Howitzer’s original pack found
  • Wild wolves call to him
  • Must choose: Llewyn or wild freedom
  • Test of bond’s strength

Sentience Emerges:

  • Howitzer shows signs of growing intelligence
  • Could he become fully sentient?
  • Ethical questions about companion vs. person
  • Llewyn must adapt relationship

companion beast wolf marksman llewyn-backstory

Last Updated: 2025-11-03

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