The Children of Varstaryinax

The home of the Children of Varstaryinax lies deep in the Vast. Like many areas of that untamed land, it is virtually inaccessible except by air. The dominion lords shun this territory, both for the dark magic still operating here and out of revulsion for Varstaryinax’s name and his descendants’ reputation as fiend worshipers. However, a party seeking the children of Varstaryinax must pass through a half-dozen other dominions first—none of which typically welcome visitors.

Terrain Features

The territory claimed by the descendants of Varstaryinax is an arid waste of mountains shattered to rubble by the battles of dragons and fiends. Weather and the hazards of mountainous terrain (DMG 89) are a constant threat to travelers. More dangerous, however, are the widespread pockets of fiendish magic that erupt without warning when approached. Treat these as living spells (ECS 293) of 9th level or higher, but increase spell resistance to 15, increase damage reduction to 10/—, and add the evil descriptor.

The Shadowland: Even before Varstaryinax was hunted down and slain by the Eyes of Chronepsis, his betrayal of his duty shamed the immediate members of his flight into exile in the Vast. There, they occupied an empty land of shattered peaks and rubble-filled valleys uninhabited since the Age of Demons. The Shadowland now stands as a buffer zone around the fortress that Varstaryinax’s heirs have raised for themselves. Young adult black dragons (MM 72 or Dr 202) constantly patrol the area in groups of six or more. They brook no intrusion into their lands, attacking without provocation or warning. Unsubtle opponents, they rely more on direct combat (preferably from the air) than spellcasting. However, the patrols have an exacting knowledge of the locations of the fiendish living spells that dot the area, and they attempt to herd intruders toward them.

The Burning Tower: In the center of the Shadowland, a smooth-walled tower of black obsidian rises nearly a thousand feet from a rocky island set within a steaming lake of acid. In the long centuries after their self-imposed exile, the descendants of Varstaryinax built this place—some say in response to orders given by Varstaryinax’s own spirit.

When the tower was near completion, a group of warrior dragons undertook a century-long flight across the Vast to reclaim the bones of Varstaryinax where the Eyes of Chronepsis had scattered them. When the black dragon’s remains were laid to rest in the glacial lake surrounding the island, its water turned to a potent acid that now boils ceaselessly. The area around the tower is a nightmare zone of acidic rain and noxious fumes. Creatures not immune to acid who approach by air or ground within 500 feet of the tower take 2d10 points of acid damage per round, and each must succeed on a DC 23 Fortitude save each round or take 1d4 points of Constitution damage. Creatures coming into contact with the dripping walls of the tower take 10d10 points of acid damage per round, while creatures who enter the acid lake take 20d10 points of acid damage per round.

The Burning Tower is guarded by a flight of ten adult black dragons (Dr 203). Unlike their younger siblings who patrol the Shadowland, these guardians rely on spell power to neutralize intruders before they get anywhere near the tower itself.

The Warrens: Within the Burning Tower, multiple levels of living space open up around a central flight core that rises to the very top of the fortress. The lingering effect of the atmosphere outside means that creatures within must succeed on DC 13 Fortitude saves or take 1 point of Constitution damage. All such creatures must succeed on a second save 1 minute later or take another 1d4 points of Constitution damage.

Unlike the tower’s harsh exterior, the interior is clean and spare, consisting mostly of nesting space, temples, and draconic libraries with works etched on acid-resistant stone slabs. Characters who explore the interior of the tower can note evidence hinting that the residents of this place tend to neutral and good, not evil. Signs can be found that the descendants of Varstaryinax worship Chronepsis, Io, and Tamara exclusively.

None of this knowledge helps improve the mood of the dragons when they discover that their sanctum has been defiled, however, and the residents of the Burning Tower fight to the death against any intrusion. More than a hundred black dragons lair here, including thirty juvenile and younger dragons that fight as ferociously as their elders.

Varstaryinax’s Secret: At the top of the Burning Tower lairs the leader of Varstaryinax’s children. Arvaslanax is the great wyrm matriarch (Dr 207) of the extended flight, and she alone knows the full truth of her line—Varstaryinax’s time in the Pit of Five Sorrows gave him unique insight into the plans of the Lords of Dust in Argonnessen. Over long centuries, his children have expanded on Varstaryinax’s dead knowledge, studying and researching the Prophecy and the lore of the Lords of Dust in complete isolation from the rest of dragonkind. Today, the lore found in the cavernous lair of Varstaryinax’s descendants offers great insight to PCs fighting those who would see the rakshasa rajahs restored to power.

In recent years, Arvaslanax has discovered that the Eyes of Chronepsis knew what Varstaryinax had discovered in the Pit of Five Sorrows even before he was hunted down and slain. She knows now that the Eyes of Chronepsis are watching the children of Varstaryinax, hoping that their research bears fruit but afraid that it might lead others to seek dangerous knowledge within Tiamat’s tomb.