WFRP: The Easter Bunny

The Pflugzeit Hare and Éostre, Goddess of the Spring

I am a massive fan of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and so it makes sense, in my mind at least, that the things I do tend to revolve around WFRP; and so it was one chocolate fuelled Easter Sunday evening I decided to compile a very quick creature for WFRP 4th Edition to capture the essence of the Easter Bunny, The Pflugzeit Hare. The following year, after another chocolate fuelled Easter, I revisited this work editing where necessary. When I was revising The Pflugzeit Hare, I couldn't just leave it out there on it's own as there had to be a reason for the Hare to be about in the Spring, so I created a new god for WFRP, Éostre, Goddess of the Spring to tie in to the Spring festival.

For those of you who are curious as to how I came up with Éostre the following basic research put me on the correct path - Easter is the English form of Éostre. Éostre is derived from the Proto-Germanic goddess of the Dawn, Austró. Éostre has recently found a new lease of life in Neo-Paganism with the veneration of Ostara at the Spring Equinox. There is more detail in the research and if I ever update either of these in the future I will list it all here.

The Pflugzeit Hare

Stories of the Pflugzeit Hare are common across the Empire. Everyone has heard the stories of the springtime spirit who rewards good children on the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (9th Pflugzeit). When children leave out brightly coloured and decorated hats or baskets on the night of the full moon, the Pflugzeit Hare, fills the hats and baskets with eggs of those children who have been good.

Few have seen the Pflugzeit Hare, but those that have seen it have described it as a monstrously large hare, who walks on its hind legs standing about 7ft tall, with mottled grey fur and yellow eyes. Some say it also glows with a magical light, although no-one has been brave enough to hang about long enough to confirm any of these details.

Traits: Bite (2), Bounce, Clever, Dark Vision, Fast, Fear (2), Magical, Size (Enormous), Tough,
Ward (9+)
Optional: Arboreal, Stride, Hardy, Magic Resistance (2)

Éostre – A Provincial God

Whilst the goddess Éostre may not be actively worshipped, and indeed may be long forgotten by name, she is still well known in most rural areas across the Old World through her sphere of influence. She is said to be the goddess of the Spring and of the Dawn. Éostra may be a remnant or an aspect of the Old Faith which has been handed down across generations. When Éostre is said to travel the world, she is accompanied with her companion or familiar, the Pflugzeit Hare.

Notes: There is no formal cult nor any shrines to Éostre, although she is praised by those who believe in her giving their thanks for the dawn.

Éostre's Feast

The night of first full moon after the Spring Equinox (9th Pflugzeit) is known as Éostre's feast. Although the use of the name may have slipped out of fashion in the last century or so, bonfires are still lit all over the countryside, and folk gather to feast, make merry and worship the goddess of the Spring. It is during this feast, when Éostre is being venerated, that her companion stalks the land.

I have used the following material to help me generate Éostre and her festival: Imperial Calendar by Dave Graffam, In Search of the Old Faith by Alfred Nunez Jr, Carnivals and Festivals by Jackdays, Realm of Divine Magic by Ken Rolston, WFRP 1st Edition Rulebook, WFRP 2nd Edition Rulebook, WFRP 3rd Edition Tome of Blessings, WFRP 4th Edition Rulebook.

I may decide to update both of these again in the future (probably on another chocolate fuelled Easter weekend!)

J