Karoxfang, First Ruler of Stor-gris

Karoxfang by Tim Vargason

Karoxfang the Vile was a being born from a violent act between violent races: a union of evil. Karoxfang's mother was an orc woman of Rothnog, a slave and member of the harem of a once-powerful warlord. The fabled general's father was a hideous demon summoned by the priests of Vornoth. The orc mother was an offering of lust to the demon in return for dark secrets the warlord wanted.

The orc woman's pregnancy was yet another violent act, as Karoxfang burst forth from the female's body, splitting her fully in two. The child was the epitome of evil, even at a young age. Soon enough, even the mighty generals of Rothnog found him hard to control.

Though the half-fiend's rage was immense, he found a home of sorts among the evil forces of the orc-nation devoted to Vornoth. The Dark Walker's will became Karoxfang's own, and the creature found a focus through which to harness his incredible anger. His physical strength grew faster than anyone else's, and other, different powers began to develop.

With his powerful genetics, Karoxfang quickly worked his way through the ranks of the dark folk military. Though part of the half-fiend was mostly immortal, he still wasted no time in his endeavors, as he hungered for more power. Before many of his childhood competition had passed adolescence, Karoxfang was legendary. He was known as an undefeatable fighter and a cunning tactician. None dared cross him, for his rages were also legendary. The half-fiend became general of the armies of Eastern Rothnog just before Lechig IV rose up with a rebellion in the west.

Karoxfang chiseled his name in stone after putting down the rebellion in Rothnog. He masterminded the assault against the poweful Lechig and his forces of Eastern Rothnogians, slaying the orc warlord in personal combat, but he had to flee into exile when the kingdom of Rothnog was destroyed and his army was crushed by the dwarves at the Battle of Thunder Pass.

This was just the beginning for the half-fiend's fame, however, as Karoxfang went on to found the dark and mighty fortress of Stor-gris, and forces flocked to his banner. With his flaming falchion never far from his side, General Karoxfang the Vile reigned for centuries upon the throne of mighty Stor-gris, bringing forth dark times for the goodly folk of Siriand (the continent later known as Farland).

His reign ended just as violently as his birth, as Karoxfang was duped into a trap by agents within his very own fortress. He died fighting in the year 9770 E.R., and dwarven historians claim that more than a hundred stalwart warriors were personally slain by the half-fiend in his final battle.

Karoxfang

Medium fiend, neutral evil



Armor Class   19 (natural armor)
Hit Points   228 (24d8+120)
Speed   30 ft., fly 30 ft.



STR  18 (+4)   DEX  17 (+3)   CON  20 (+5)   INT  16 (+3)   WIS  14 (+1)   CHR  18 (+5)



Saving Throws   Str +10, Con +11, Wis +7, Cha +10
Damage Resistances   cold, fire, lightning; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Skills   Athletics +10, Deception +10, History +8, Intimidation +10, Perception +7, Persuasion +10
Senses   dark visison 60 ft, passive Perception 16
Languages   Dark Speech, Elven
Challenge   17 (18,000 XP)



Magic Resistance. Karoxfang has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Magic Weapons. Karoxfang's weapon attacks are magical.

Dark Might of Stor-gris. Karoxfang exudes dark might. Any enemy that begins its turn within 30 feet of Karoxfang must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn. Once an enemy has made its saving throw or recovered from being stunned, it cannot be stunned by Dark Might of Stor-gris until the next day.

Innate Spellcasting: Karoxfang’s spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell save DC 18). Karoxfang can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components:
At will: shocking grasp, detect magic, prestidigitation, fire bolt
3/day: fire ball, hold monster

Actions



Multiattack. Karoxfang makes four flaming falchion attacks.

Flaming Falchion. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 11 (2d6+4) slashing damage plus 14 (4d6) fire damage .

Reactions



Parry. Karoxfang adds 5 to his AC against one melee attack that would hit him. To do so, he must see the attacker and be wielding a melee weapon.

Legendary Actions



Karoxfang can take three 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. Karoxfang regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn. Karoxfang can't use the same legendary action two turns in a row.

Flaming Falchion Attack (costs 2 actions).Karoxfang makes a flaming falchion attack.

At will spell. Karoxfang uses an at-will spell.

Move. Karoxfang moves or flies up to his speed.