Slaine: Earth Tribe Cathbad and the Cauldron of Blood.
Let’s talk about a guy who bathes in moonlight, carries a stick, and commands a giant magical soup pot that brings the dead back to life. No, this isn’t your weird uncle at Beltane—this is Cathbad the Druid, one of the most mystical, beardy allies in Sláine’s fight to save Tir Nan Og from total magical annihilation.
Who’s Cathbad
Cathbad is High Druid to Sláine’s tribe—which is basically like being the spiritual coach, shamanic life advisor, and magical HR rep all rolled into one. He’s powerful, wise, and just eccentric enough to make you wonder if he talks to his staff when no one’s around (spoiler: he probably does).
On the tabletop, he’s not a front-line brawler, but don’t underestimate him. He’s got Earth magic bursting out of every mossy pore. His main trick? Drawing two Boon cards and choosing the best one—because why settle for less when the Goddess is on your side?
Weapon of Choice: A Fancy Stick (which looks like a knife)
Cathbad rolls into battle with a staff—nothing fancy at first glance, until you realise it’s got Versatile written all over it. With one swing, it can be a defensive lifesaver, and with the next, it turns into a double-handed thwack machine.
The Cauldron of Blood (aka Magical Undead Soup Pot)
Now here’s where things get deliciously weird. The Cauldron of Blood is one of the Earth Goddess Danu’s greatest gifts—and a massive game-changer. It's a symbol of life, death, and leftovers—because this thing not only feeds you endlessly, but can also reanimate the fallen. Yep, nothing says divine power like undead warriors rising out of your cookware.
It’s also tanky as all get-out. With a Resist of 8, it’s tougher than a drunken Slough Feg on a bad hair day. The Cauldron’s Blood Point Pool works like a personal battery of supernatural energy, which you can charge up and spend later to resurrect corpses, power up abilities, or just generally annoy the Drunes.
The Cauldron Reborn – Your Very Own Corpse Crew
These guys are the zombie interns of the Earth Tribes. They show up in squads of up to six, freshly summoned and smelling faintly of peat and regret. While they’re not tactical geniuses (Cool 0 says it all), they don’t feel pain, are ready to fight the moment you sneeze near them, and make excellent bodyguards for squishy druids.
Don’t expect them to win a duel with Sláine, but if you need to clog a corridor, hold an objective, or creep out your opponent, they’re your meat shields. Literally.
Weapons of the Dead
Clawed hands, splintered blades, the occasional femur—nothing glamorous, but all deadly in the hands of the Cauldron Reborn. They're not here to look good. They're here to stab people and fall over repeatedly while doing so.
Final Thoughts
Suppose you’re a fan of playing smart support characters, love magical shenanigans, and can’t resist an undead swarm spilling out of mystical Tupperware. In that case, Cathbad and the Cauldron of Blood might be your new favourite addition to Sláine: The Miniatures Game.
So grab your staff, say a prayer to Danu, and maybe don’t look too closely at what’s bubbling in that pot...
For Earth and Life!
