[A to Z April] V is for Varra Turnskull (npc)

Next to Shosh, the Goddess of Wrath and Forests, Varra Turnskull reveres her parents. In fact, it is safe to say that she idolizes her parents. She carries with her a miniature painting of the two of them. Of late, it has been a time of sadness for Varra: her mother is critically ill, suffering from an as-yet incurable case of Pit Canker.

Unfortunately for all involved, it has been some time since Varra has spoken with her family. She has spied on them to ensure their safety and welfare, but has been made to feel unwelcome by her older brother who has appointed himself guardian and caretaker over their parents and the family home. To make matters worse, she must be careful about the attention she draws to her parents, as they fled their ancestral home in Warntell Dale when Varra was still a baby. She has never been told the full story about their pre-dawn flight from Warntell Dale beyond the fact that they did so with the constable and a posse hot on their tales. She vaguely remembers the frantic, meandering travels from the Dale to Quickvale where they now reside.

The persecution did not stop with their arrival in Quickvale, however. Even though they have long resided in Quickvale and have established a beautiful homestead, most of the community of Quickvale shun and avoid them. Through her work and associations, Varra has cultivated a relationship with a small thieves’ guild who has a small degree of influence within Quickvale. This guild cares for, watches over, and provides for her family -- including protection and groceries -- in her absence.

As a teenager, she found herself in a situation where her older brother and some of his cohorts had her cornered. She had nothing but love for her older brother; she looked up to him as a role model and a hero. As teenagers will do, however, he fell into the trap of peer pressure and he found himself joining with his friends as they mocked and ridiculed Varra for her looks, among other things, and did so without mercy. The harassment continued until Varra could take no more; lashing out she struck one of her brother’s friends in the head with a rock, killing him instantly. Her temper took over control of her mind and body and she thoroughly thrashed everyone near her, including her brother. Since that day her brother has rarely spoken to her, both afraid of what she could do when provoked and angry at himself for being part of the problem. Because of this event, Varra keeps a tight rein on her emotions, controlling and drowning her anger as much as possible. Every so often, however, her control may slip and she gives in to her reckless anger.

She is fiercely loyal and is known for her integrity. She is also known for her pride. In fact, her pride drives her to extremes: she has been known to sneak into estates during fancy parties just so that she can be near people of means and “breeding.” At the same time, she will place wagers on nearly anything, even though she has little patience for those who she believes are devoted to lost causes. She is devoted to Shosh and those deities with whom Shosh associates.

Varra has never been called attractive, even among others of her mixed-race lineage. Her stringy black hair is typically pulled back into pigtails and long braids. She is of average height and build. It is difficult to say what color her eyes might be, as they change with her surroundings. Her dire rat, Reaskeln, is devoted to her mistress and would die for Varra. The two are rarely seen apart.

Varra Turnskull CR 4
Half-Orc Ranger 4
CN Medium Humanoid
Init: +3
Senses: Listen +7, Spot +6
Languages: Common, Orc
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AC 16 (+3 Dex, +3 Studded leather), Touch 13, Flat-footed 13
hp 23
Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +3
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Speed: 30
Melee: +7 Battleaxe (1d8+3 / 20 / x3) or
Ranged: +8 Dart (1d4+3 / 20 / x2) (range 20)
Full Attack: +7 Battleaxe (1d8+3 / 20 / x3) or +8 Dart (1d4+3 / 20 / x2) (range 20)
Space/Reach: 5/5
Base Atk 4; Grp 6
Atk Options: Favored Enemy (elementals): +2 damage
Combat Gear: Battleaxe +1, Studded Leather
Spells Known: (CL 4)
1st — (DC 13) entangle
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Abilities: Str 15, Dex 16, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 7
SQ: Animal Companion -- dire rat (Reaskeln), Wild Empathy
Feats: Armour prof light, Endurance, Martial Weap Prof, Quick Draw, Rapid Shot, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Track
Skills: Concentration 2, Hide 9, Jump 3, Know dungeon 7, Listen 7, Move Silently 9, Search 2, Spot 6, Survival 9, Swim 4, Use Rope 3,
Possessions: Combat gear plus Potion of Cure Light Wounds (x4); Potion of Endure Elements; Potion of Protection from Energy; Potion of Resist Energy

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Reaskeln CR 1
Dire Rat Animal Companion CR 1
Neutral Small Animal (Animal)
Init +3
Senses: Low-light Vision, Scent; Listen +4; Spot +4
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AC 15 (+3 Dex, +1 Natural, +1 size), Touch 14, Flat-footed 12
hp 10
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +3
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Speed: 40, swim 20ft., climb 20ft.
Melee: +4 Bite (1d4+1)
Space/Reach: 5/5
Base Atk 0; Grp -3
Atk Options: Disease Filth fever
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Abilities: Str 13, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 3, Wis 12, Chr 4
SQ: Bonus Trick, Link, Handle Animal, Share Spells
Feats: Alertness. Weapon Finesse
Skills: Climb 11, Hide 8, Listen 4, Move Silently 4, Spot 4, Swim 11
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SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease Filth Fever (Ex): DC(12) Filth fever DC Fort incubation 1d3 days
Evasion (Ex): If subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw.
Link (Ex): Ranger gains a +4 bonus on Wild Empathy and Handle Animal checks made on animal companion
Share Spells (Ex): Ranger may have any spell casts on self also affect animal companion

**Many thanks to WotC's "PC Portraits" Archive for the image.


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Previous "V"s:
2012: V is for Vapor Dwindle (spell)
2011: V is for Vesseth (npc)