The Woman

“A great sign appeared in the heavens: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet.”
-Revelation 12:1

Apocalyptic Enigma. The “Woman” is an enigma of ancient and eternal importance. She is faith made manifest, a symbol of rebirth, and a beacon of hope for those who are on the verge of despair. Although she is one of the most powerful forces in the universe, she is also a servant of God’s ultimate plan. Thus, where and when she chooses to appear is a mystery. Even the Cherubim, who pride themselves as being the most intelligent of the created beings in the universe, do not know her true identity, or even how the Woman fits into the divine plan. Some creatures are too vast, ancient, and inscrutable to be comprehended by mortal minds, and among these beings, the Woman is preeminent.

But who is she, really?

“The Woman” who appears in Revelation 12 is never named, other than to be referred to by her title, “The Woman.” Her identity is then left up to the interpretation of the reader (and who she is in your game is up to the GM) but the following interpretations are the most common, and all are valid for the plot of this adventure:

Eve. The title of “The Woman” is first given to Eve, the mother of the human race in the book of Genesis. Genesis also prophesies that the Woman and the Serpent will eternally be at war with one another (Gn. 3:15). Could The Woman be the final form of Eve as she attempts to correct her wrongdoing in Eden by finally slaying the final form of her mortal enemy?

Mary. The only other person in the Bible who is called by the honorific title of “The Woman” is Mary, the mother of Jesus (Jn 2:4). Furthermore, The Woman is first introduced as a scared, pregnant, young girl, which should immediately remind us of Mary. This epic combat between the Woman and the Dragon then becomes a symbolic manifestation of the battle between good and evil on the Material Plane, with Mary giving birth to the savior of humankind.

Israel. The Woman is crowned with twelve stars, clothed with the sun, and standing on top of a moon. This and other imagery all parallels the dreams of Joseph (Gn 37:9) with the stars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. In this interpretation, The Woman is the embodiment of the nation of Israel itself, as it is from the line of Israel that a messiah would be born.

The Church. Another possible interpretation is that The Woman represents the Christian Church on earth (the twelve stars symbolizing the apostles spreading the Gospel). In this interpretation, the child being born symbolizes those who will remain faithful to God, even through the hardship to come.

All of the Above? Sometimes we, as simple mortal beings, are too quick to want answers and definitions to things we don’t immediately understand. Perhaps the most appropriate interpretation of the Woman is also the most confusing: she is all of the above and more. Giving The Woman just one, single identity from this list puts her in a box that she doesn’t deserve to be put in. She is a powerful symbol of hope that bookends the darker earlier chapters of the Bible; she is the antithesis and glorified reflection of Lady Babylon. She is Eve, but she is also Mary. She is Israel, but she is also the Church. She is an ancient and powerful force that defies definition by mortal minds; a manifestation of everything true and good in creation, and the eternal enemy of The Dragon.

The Woman

Gargantuan Enigma, Lawful Good

Armor Class: 16 (natural armor)

Hit Points: 238 (25d8 + 125)

Speed: 40 ft., Hover 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
22 (+6)	25 (+7)	20 (+5)	20 (+5)	30 (+10)	27 (+8)

Saving Throws: Wis +15, Cha +16

Skills: Animal Handling +18, History +13, Persuasion +16

Damage Resistances: bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks

Damage Immunities: radiant

Senses: truesight 120 ft., passive perception 20.

Languages: telepathy 120 ft. (all languages)

Challenge: 25 (20,000 XP) Proficiency: +8

Features

Armor of the Faithful: If at least one creature within 120 feet of the Woman maintains concentration on a prayer to God (as though concentrating on a spell), the Woman has Resistance to all forms of damage.

Eternal Presence: The Woman is immune to any spell or effect that would alter her form or change her location, such as polymorph, banishment, or gate.

Legendary Resistance (5/Day): If the Woman fails a saving throw, she can choose to succeed instead.

Limited Magical Immunity: Unless she wishes to be affected, the Woman is immune to spells of 6th level or lower. She has advantage on saving throws against all other spells and magical effects.

Preeminent Passage: The Woman can open and close portals to any location, on any Plane of Existence, in any Realm, at will.

Spellcasting: The Woman is a 20th-level spellcaster. Her spellcasting ability is Wisdom (+18 to hit, DC 26), and she has the following spells prepared.

At will: guidance, light, mending, spare the dying

1st level (4 slots): bless†, healing word, magnificat†

2nd level (3 slots): calm emotions*, lesser restoration

3rd level (3 slots): mass healing word, remove curse

4th level (3 slots): banishment*, guardian of faith

greater restoration, paraclete†

5th level (3 slots):

6th level (2 slots): heal, pillar of cloud*†

7th level (2 slots): resurrection, transubstantiation†

8th level (1 slot): holy aura*

9th level (1 slot): mass heal

*This spell requires concentration †This spell is described in the Adventurer’s Guide to the Bible

Actions

Suppress Power: A wave of tranquility washes out from the Woman a 240-foot-sphere. Each creature of her choice in this area is unable to use features or abilities that contain the word “legendary” (including its Legendary Resistances and Legendary Actions) until the start of the Woman’s next turn.

Restore Faith (1/Day): The Woman whispers to a willing creature that can hear her. The words of her message are imbued with magical energy, and take the form of an encouraging phrase or affirmation that is exactly what the target needed to hear in this moment. The target permanently gains one of the following effects (chosen by the GM). A creature may only benefit from this ability once in its lifetime.

One of its flaws is reduced or removed.
One of its ability scores increases by 1.
It gains a new proficiency.
It gains a random Boon or Blessing

Change Shape: The Woman magically polymorphs into a medium humanoid, or back into her true form. In her new form, the Woman’s radiance fades, and she appears as a simple, teenage girl in commoner’s clothing. The Woman’s stats are unaffected by her new form.

Legendary Actions

The Woman can take 3 Legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Woman regains spent legendary actions at the start of her turn.

Bolster

Fortitude: The Woman speaks words of encouragement to a creature she can see within 60 feet, granting it a +5 bonus to its next Saving Throw.

Crown of Stars (Costs 2 Actions): Ranged Spell Attack: +18 to hit, range 120 ft., one target. Hit: 26 (4d12) radiant damage.

Spell (Costs 2 Actions): The Woman casts a spell of 5th level or lower.

“Let it be done.” (Costs 3 Actions): The Woman breathes words of complete surrender to God’s plan. Until the start of her next turn, each creature of her choice within 60 feet gain advantage on all attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.

Azrael's Guide to the Apocalypse, printed pages 225, 226.