Varox’s Skull
A talking dragon skull.
Mechanics & Inner Workings
Varox is capable of seeing multiple potential futures when he is asked a suitable question by someone else. He can then choose which of these futures he wishes to come to pass. Whatever future he chooses Varox is compelled to share his knowledge of what will happen, though he can attempt to mislead the person who asked the question. The process of viewing the future is draining and even if Varox is initially inclined to choose a pleasant future for the asker, repeated questions are likely to make him cranky and lead to him choosing less pleasant ones.
Varox is limited in what he can see as his visions of the future only relate to the question. If the question is too broad then Varox may be overwhelmed with choices and simply choose one at random. If the question is very focused then the wider consequences might not be seen (which has occassionally led Varox to inadvertently do good).
History
Varox was a dragon cursed with doomsight. This form of foresight allowed Varox to see many possible futures and choose which of them would come to pass, though he could only do this in response to a question.
Varox took great pains to hide the true nature of his power, passing it off as a more common form of foresight. Even as a wyrmling with only two centuries of life he was far more cunning than others of his kind. After arranging for a king to hear about Varox's willingness to use his foresight in exchange for treasure, Varox made a deal with the king whereby his lair would be protected by the kingdom. In exchange Varox provided his insights, choosing futures that benefitted the kingdom.
Unfortunately for Varox he chose the wrong future for the lich Oliver. Not realising the power the undead commanded and seeing only the puny creature's arrogance, Varox chose and unpleasant future for the lich. Not fully trusting prophecy Oliver typically cross checked with other seers and sources and uncovered what Varox had done when some of the other foretellings changed. The vengeful lich returned to raze the kingdom, slew Varox and took the dragon's accumulated wealth. He then bound Varox’s soul and power into the dragon’s skull so that Varox could fully experience the loss of his horde.
The skull was traded to a human kingdom in southern Kaara which had irritated Oliver by holding out for a higher price for a scroll he was interested in. The kingdom fell apart as a result of competing factions trusting in Varox's foretellings and the skull went on to cause more problems with it's accurate, but at times unpleasant predictions. Eventually the nature of the skull's powers was uncovered and it was sealed away in the Vault of the Successor.
Varox's fame spread and he settled into a pattern of choosing better futures for those that could help him, and worse ones for those that couldn't (charging both a fortune in treasure). In time though, Varox faced the greatest of enemies - boredom. The ruler whose warriors protected Varox's lair also provided a steady supply of food, so there was little for Varox to do. Varox considered going out to wreak some havoc, but centuries of being sheltered had left Varox uncertain of his own ability to protext himself. His solution was to start coming up with rhymes and riddles he could use to trick those he didn't like to make them think they had caused their own poor futures.
Other dragons viewed Varox with a mixture of contempt, envy, and confusion. He didn't behave like a true dragon (by chromatic standards at least), yet he was steadily growing his hoard while being protected by creatures who normally attack dragons.
Varox's skull is about 4ft wide and 8ft long. The jaw was discarded when Varox's soul was being bound as it was too much hassle to attach and animate it. The eye sockets are filled with blue flames which change shape and intensity in line with Varox's mood.
Varox's voice emerges as a deep rumble, and he continues his habit of using rhymes and misleading statements to fool those who speak with him.
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