Wulfgar (Forgotten Realms)

Did You Know?

• Wulfgar appears in the Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn computer role-playing game as a minor NPC.
• He will appear in Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance as one of four playable characters.
• He appears as a Legendary Creature card in the 2021 Magic: The Gathering expansion set Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms.

Appearance

Wulfgar is described in almost medical terms as roughly built, blond-haired and blue-eyed, common among his barbarian tribe. He developed his awesomely muscled physique during five years of servitude to the dwarf Bruenor Battlehammer, working alongside tireless dwarves. He is broad-shouldered and thick-chested with a wiry waist, and his arms have been likened to a fat dwarf's thighs. Despite his bulk, he is moderately graceful and has a boyish face, eventually growing a beard. His incredible strength is demonstrated by feats such as pulling a ship's prow from the water, lifting a three-hundred-pound man with one arm and throwing him through a tavern, crushing King Heafstaag's head like a melon with his bare hands, using a large camel as a projectile weapon, and tearing off the head of a flesh golem named Bok while being bear-hugged.

Biography

As a youth, Wulfgar served as flag bearer for King Heafstaag of the Elk Tribe and participated in the barbarian invasion of Ten-Towns. Bruenor Battlehammer knocked him unconscious and spared his life, sentencing him to five years and a day of service. Wulfgar took to the forge and came to view Bruenor as a father. Bruenor forged the warhammer Aegis-fang for him and asked Drizzt Do'Urden to teach Wulfgar to fight. To gain credibility and lead his tribe, Wulfgar killed the white dragon Icingdeath with Drizzt's help, earning the title Dragonsbane. This deed allowed him to challenge and defeat King Heafstaag for leadership of the tribes, after which he led the tribes to aid Ten-Towns. He also fell in love with Catti-brie, Bruenor's adopted human daughter.

Aegis-fang

Aegis-fang, a massive war hammer, serves as Wulfgar’s signature weapon. Bruenor Battlehammer, his adoptive father, forged it and deemed it his greatest work. The hammer’s head consists of pure mithril, coated with diamond through magical means during the forging, and its shaft is adamantite. Engraved upon the head are battle inscriptions dedicated to Clangeddin, the dwarven god of war, alongside symbols of Moradin, the dwarven god of creation, which overlay the mark of Dumathoin. This perfectly balanced Dwarven war hammer is a +5 weapon. When hurled at any giant or giant-class foe, it slays them instantly, though the frost giant Biggrin once endured the blow, suffering a deep gash and being knocked to the ground. Wielding it properly requires a person over six feet five inches tall with great strength, though its balance is evident even to weaker users. Magically linked to Wulfgar, it returns to his hand on command. He employed it against the shadow dragon Shimmergloom, the white dragon Icingdeath, and the balor Errtu, winning each battle.

Reception

Rob Bricken of Io9 noted that after capturing Wulfgar, Bruenor placed him in indentured servitude for five years, by the end of which Wulfgar became essentially his adopted son, and Bruenor made him a magic hammer that returns when thrown. Bricken also observed that Drizzt and Wulfgar beat 25 giants by themselves. Aidan-Paul Canavan described Wulfgar as exemplifying the strong, honest, hot-headed young warrior hero type common to adventure stories, similar to Conan. Tanja Monique Bruske-Guth analyzed Wulfgar's development regarding violence: after his barbarian upbringing he takes violence for granted, but his years of service with Bruenor shape him physically and allow him to reflect and change his outlook, deciding to use violence against evil. This character development is facilitated by receiving the named weapon Aegis-fang, following a trope where the hero receives a magical item granting sovereign power and a test of character.