Before claiming the swamps near the Keep of the Mages as their territory, varags were initially no different than common trolls. But centuries ago, the heavy use of magic in this region corrupted and twisted them into the dreadful Varag.
The Varag is brutal and aggressive, finding great pleasure in killing. Unlike the common troll, varags don’t need to eat as often, yet they will still kill just as often, just for the sport of it. Taller and leaner than their cousins, varags can grow to 17 feet and a weight of 900 lbs. Patches of their skin often peel away from their bodies as the corrosive magic that has warped them continues to eat away at their flesh, but their regeneration power keeps them alive.
When traveling through territory claimed by a varag, a keen eye might detect patches of death and decay abound. Oddly circular spots of withered plants, black soil, or pools of darkened water filled with dead fish usually indicate that a varag’s defiling presence is nearby. By the time a traveler realizes this, however, it is usually too late.
—Shon Averett, Endamas Zoology
Varag
| Characteristics | CV | 5 | |||
| Stat | Score | % | Speed | 30’ | |
| STR | 22 | 110 | HPA measure of the relative health of your character, represen... More | 63 | |
| CON | 22 | 110 | Dmg Mod | +2d6 | |
| SIZSize defines height, weight, and bulk. There is no SIZ-assoc... More | 22 | 110 | AVThe numeric value representing how much damage armor absorbs... More | 5 | |
| INT | 6 | 30 | Class | Monster | |
| ACU | 9 | 45 | Type | Giant | |
| DEX | 11 | 55 | Horror An optional system where your character’s mental health is ... More | 2/2d6+1 | |
| SOC | 6 | 30 | Treasure | Average | |
- Attack: (2) Claw 85% 1d6+5+dm and Bite 80% 1d8+5+dm
- Skills: Athletics 85%, Dodge 70%, Grapple 85%, Hide 65%, Listen 75%, Spot 75%, Stealth 65%, Survival 70%
- SpecialA special success if the roll is equal to or less than 1/5 t... More: Raking Grip, Regeneration 5, Ravaging Regeneration, Hold Breath, Dark VisionNo characters can see in truly pitch black environments, but... More 60’
- Weaknesses: Acid, Fire
- Habitat: Forests and marshes
- Encounter: Solitary or Gang (2–3)
SIZSize defines height, weight, and bulk. There is no SIZ-assoc... More Note
Large (SIZSize defines height, weight, and bulk. There is no SIZ-assoc... More 22) = -10% to Hide, Stealth, and Dodge (already applied).
Raking Grip
A varag’s claws are made for seizing prey and dragging it into its powerful grasp.
When a varag successfully hits the same target with both Claw attacks during its turn, it may immediately attempt to Grapple the target as a Free Action. The varag and target make an opposed Heroic Action. If the varag wins, the target is grappled.
At the beginning of each subsequent turn in which the varag still has the creature grappled, it may rake its claws through its victim as a Standard Action. The target suffers 2d6+dm damage without requiring an attack roll. The victim may attempt an opposed Heroic Action during its turn to break free normally.
Regeneration
A varag’s flesh repairs itself with horrifying speed. At the beginning of each of its turns, it regains 5 HPA measure of the relative health of your character, represen... More. Damage caused by acid or fire cannot be regenerated. A varag reduced to 0 HPA measure of the relative health of your character, represen... More is incapacitated but is not necessarily dead. If its regeneration remains active, it continues healing and may eventually recover. A helpless varag can be killed normally with acid or fire. Varags can slowly regrow lost portions of their bodies and can reattach severed limbs if the severed part is held against the wound. Detached flesh that is not reattached eventually withers and dies.
Ravaging Regeneration
When threatened, a varag can draw additional vitality from the living world around it. As a Move Action, the varag begins Ravaging. While Ravaging, its Regeneration increases from 5 to 10 HPA measure of the relative health of your character, represen... More per round. The effect extends 10’ around the varag. Vegetation within the area blackens and dies, insects and other tiny creatures perish, and the ground becomes visibly barren. Once the immediate plant and animal life has been consumed, the ravaging energy begins feeding upon larger living creatures within the area. At the beginning of each of the varag’s turns, creatures other than the varag within 10’ collectively suffer 5 damage, divided as evenly as possible among them. Ravaging continues without requiring further actions as long as there is living energy available for the varag to consume.
Hold Breath
Varags frequently hide beneath the surface of marshes, lakes, and slow-moving rivers while waiting for prey.
A varag can hold its breath for half an hour before it begins to risk suffocation.
Dark VisionNo characters can see in truly pitch black environments, but... More
Varags can see using only the faintest light source, extending their vision to three times the distance of the light source, up to 60’.
Reagents & Remnants
Varag Regenerative Tissue (Reagent)
Pale strands of fibrous tissue harvested from deep beneath a varag’s hide continue twitching and attempting to knit themselves together long after being removed. Alchemists prize the tissue for healing and regenerative mixtures.
Value: 150 gp
Harvesting Difficulty: DifficultYour skill is halved when a task is harder than average, whi... More
Defiled Heart (Reagent)
The oversized heart of a varag is streaked with dark channels through which stolen life energy flows. Even after death, nearby leaves wilt when placed against the organ.
Value: 250 gp
Harvesting Difficulty: Very DifficultYour skill is halved when a task is harder than average, whi... More
Varag Claw (Remnant)
A varag’s heavy hooked claws are remarkably durable and are sometimes fashioned into brutal weapons or used in magical items associated with strength and destruction.
Value: 50 gp each
Harvesting Difficulty: Average