An ominous power flows from the Skrags' den, necrotic energy seeping into the ground. The Skrags surrounding it twitch and snarl, their eyes glowing as the dark force riles them into a frenzied state.
Skrag Spellbound
The Skrag Spellbound is the self-proclaimed leader of the Skrags. Other Skrags unwillingly obey it, bringing tributes of shiny trinkets daily to avoid its wrath. When facing danger, the Skrag Spellbound unleashes its mystical knowledge and power to protect its hoard and secure its dominance.
Arrogance of a Self-Proclaimed Leader
The Skrag Spellbound is larger and more imposing than other Skrags. Its fur is darker and somewhat better groomed, though still matted in places. It wears a makeshift robe adorned with various baubles and talismans, each one humming with arcane energy. Its eyes glow with a sinister light, and its claws crackle with dark magic.
Role and Behavior
The Skrag Spellbound rules through fear and displays of power. It demands tributes from other Skrags, punishing those who fail to deliver with swift and brutal retribution. In combat, the Skrag Spellbound uses its magical abilities to devastating effect, casting spells to protect itself and annihilate its enemies.
Environments:
Skrags are humanoid rat-men, a grotesque blend of human and rodent features. Standing between four and six feet tall, their bodies are covered in patchy, matted fur of varying shades of brown and gray. Their elongated snouts, sharp teeth, and beady eyes give them a perpetually hungry and cunning look. With wiry, nimble limbs ending in clawed hands and feet, Skrags are well-suited for climbing and scavenging. A long, hairless tail trails behind them, often used for balance and manipulation of objects.
Once a noble race of Ratfolk, the Skrags have devolved into their current state due to their addiction to a mysterious drug called "Warp.
" This substance has not only altered their minds but also their bodies, transforming them into diseased and twisted parodies of their former selves. Prolonged exposure to Warp has granted them a peculiar resistance to necrotic energies but left them vulnerable to holy or radiant powers.
Scavengers of the Desolate
Skrags are drawn to places of death and decay, such as graveyards, fallen battlefields, and abandoned barracks. These locations offer ample opportunities for scavenging shiny objects and remnants of value. Their obsession with anything that glimmers drives them to steal from even the most dangerous foes, including orcs, ogres, and occasionally, dragon hoards.
Nomadic Tunnels
Skrags inhabit complex tunnel systems and underground warrens, which they constantly expand and fiercely defend. These labyrinthine homes allow them to move swiftly and unseen, making it difficult for enemies to track or catch them.
Wealth Equals Power
In Skrag society, the accumulation of shiny objects is the primary measure of status. The individual with the most wealth is considered the King of the Skrags.
However, this position is often short-lived, as other Skrags will stop at nothing—including theft and murder—to increase their own wealth and usurp the throne.
Anarchy and Competition
Skrag society is chaotic and cutthroat. Alliances are temporary and based solely on mutual benefit. The constant competition for wealth and power keeps the Skrags in a state of perpetual tension, where betrayal and backstabbing are commonplace.