Vurnvazir
⚠️ PROTOCOL: BOUNDARY RESTRICTION
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History & Truths
Athonu created this construct in order to monitor his vast collection and to protect his physical form, a unique entity he called Vurnvazir.
He is made of animated gold coins and relics, fused into a twelve foot tall humanoid body. Athonu poured a tiny sliver of his consciousness into its creation so that he can maintain a constant, passive link to it while he slumbers. Vurnvazir operates autonomously on basic protocols, but should the link be broken, the dragon immediately rouses to investigate or confront a threat.
He has access to a number of defensive protocols, including a variety of traps within the vault that he can activate should it come under threat, but most of the time he simply wanders the vault admiring the collection and keeping watch.
Vurnvazir does not speak, at least not as mortals would consider it speaking. When he communicates, the sound of hundreds of gold coins clattering together echoes through the vault, yet through a clever bit of magic, those who hear it understand the message perfectly in their native language. Should anyone enter the vault but make no attempt to steal or harm anything, Vurnvazir will attempt to escort the interlopers from the premises. Should they present something his dragon master finds valuable, such as an ancient relic, he will instead tap into his link with Athonu to allow them a momentary conversation.
Encounter Mechanics
Phase 1: The Vault’s Wrath
When the characters enter the vault with hostile intent, Athonu does not awaken immediately. He functions as a massive piece of terrain. Instead, the party must contend with Vurnvazir and the Vault defenses.
The Sleeping Titan: Athonu is protected by a shimmering stasis field fueled by the Astral Well, granting him total cover. The field has a Damage Threshold of 30 (any single attack or effect that deals less than 30 damage is harmlessly absorbed by the field).
Vurnvazir’s Protocols: On Initiative Count 20 (losing initiative ties), Vurnvazir activates one of the vault’s defensive traps or environmental hazards. (See Vurnvazir’s stat block.)
The Trigger: Athonu awakens and enters the turn order at the start of the next round if either of the following conditions are met:
- Vurnvazir is destroyed.
- The players bypass or break the stasis field by dealing a cumulative 150 points of damage of attacks that deal 30 or more points of damage.
Phase 2: The Slumber Ends
When the stasis field shatters or Vurnvazir falls, the cavern violently trembles as Athonu’s eyes snap open. Jarred from his stasis, the dragon begins the fight groggy but furious. He utilizes his standard actions, legendary resistances, and breath weapon.
- If Vurnvazir is still alive: The construct continues to activate vault defense protocols on Initiative Count 20 (losing initiative ties).
Phase 3: The Astral Overclock
When Athonu is reduced to 0 hit points, his fate depends entirely on whether his guardian construct is alive to protect him:
- If Vurnvazir is still alive: When Athonu falls, Vurnvazir safely absorbs the excess feedback from the Astral Well. Athonu dies and the encounter ends.
- If Vurnvazir has been destroyed: The raw, cosmic energy of the Astral Well floods directly into Athonu’s falling body. His Mythic Trait immediately triggers.
Vurnvazir
Armor Class 20 (natural armor, forged hoard)
Hit Points 230 (20d12 + 100)
Speed 30 ft.
STR
24 (+7)
DEX
10 (+0)
CON
20 (+5)
INT
10 (+0)
WIS
14 (+2)
CHA
11 (+0)
Saving Throws Str +12, Con +10, Wis +7
Skills Perception +7, History +5
Damage Resistances Radiant; Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities Poison, Psychic
Condition Immunities Charmed, Exhaustion, Frightened, Paralyzed, Petrified, Poisoned
Senses Blindsight 60 ft. (blind beyond this radius), Passive Perception 17
Languages Understands Common, Draconic, and Celestial but cannot speak normally (see Vurnvazir's Echo)
Challenge 14 (11,500 XP)
Vurnvazir’s Echo. Vurnvazir does not speak with words. When communicating intentionally, the sound of hundreds of gold coins clattering and shifting echoes from his body. Through a passive magical aura, any creature that hears this sound understands Vurnvazir’s exact intent and words perfectly in their native language.
Hoard Born. Vurnvazir is composed of thousands of magical gold coins and fused historical relics. When he takes damage, coins scatter across the floor but immediately slide back into his form. He is immune to any effect that would alter his form against his will.
Slumbering Tether. Vurnvazir shares a subconscious, passive link with the sleeping dragon Athonu. If Vurnvazir is destroyed, this link snaps violently, instantly awakening Athonu and entering Phase 2 of the encounter. If Vurnvazir is alive when Athonu is reduced to 0 hit points, Vurnvazir acts as a lightning rod, safely absorbing the lethal feedback from the Astral Well and destroying himself to save his master from entering his Mythic Phase.
Multiattack. Vurnvazir makes two Slam attacks.
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage plus 7 (2d6) radiant damage.
Resonant Cascade (Recharge 5–6). Vurnvazir strikes his own chest, causing a deafening, harmonic chime to reverberate from his coin-built body. Each creature within 30 feet of Vurnvazir must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 36 (8d8) thunder damage and is Stunned until the end of its next turn. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and isn’t stunned.
On Initiative Count 20 (losing initiative ties), Vurnvazir can activate one of the following vault defense protocols. He cannot use the same protocol two rounds in a row.
Protocol 1: Relic Avalanche. Vurnvazir commands the towering shelves and pedestals of the vault to tip. Massive, non-magical stone chests and heavy iron relics rain down in a 20-foot-radius cylinder centered on a point Vurnvazir can see within 90 feet. Each creature in that area must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) bludgeoning damage and being knocked Prone on a failed save, or taking half as much damage on a successful one. The area becomes difficult terrain.
Protocol 2: Currency Swarm. A massive wave of gold coins detaches from Vurnvazir’s body or the surrounding floor, swirling violently in a 15-foot-radius sphere centered on a point within 60 feet of him. The swarm lasts until the next initiative count 20. Any creature that starts its turn in the swarm or enters it for the first time on a turn must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or be Blinded by the glittering cloud until the start of their next turn. The area within the swarm is heavily obscured, and counts as difficult terrain.
Protocol 3: Astral Flare Sync. Vurnvazir channels a pulse from the Astral Well beneath Athonu. A beam of blinding starlight shoots out from the well in a 5-foot-wide, 60-foot-long line. Each creature in that line must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 28 (8d6) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
Roleplaying Guide
Appearance & Mannerisms
Appearance: Vurnvazir is a towering, twelve-foot-tall humanoid composed entirely of thousands of glittering gold pieces, ancient chalices, ornate jewelry, and historical relics that have been fused together. Where a head should be, a polished featureless golden upside down cauldron sits.
Traits: When he moves, a distinct clinking of gold echoes through the cavern. He frequently pauses to gently adjust a loose coin or re-seat a sliding relic back into his own body, displaying an almost obsessive need to keep the things perfectly curated.
Character Roleplay
Vurnvazir is not a mindless golem. His link to his master acts as an extension of the dragon’s passive mind. He possesses an archival intellect mixed with the unyielding duty of a royal bodyguard. He views the vault as a sacred library and museum where order must be perfectly maintained.
When Speaking: The DM should describe the sound of Vurnvazir’s Echo, but speak the dialogue normally. Magic ensures listeners hear the words in their native tongue. Speak with absolute finality, using archaic verbiage. You speak not as a servant, but as the voice of the vault itself.
Courtesy: Treat all uninvited guests with the politeness of a museum curator speaking to children. Refer to intruders by their perceived historical insignificance, using terms like: “Transient mortals,” “Fleeting sparks,” or “Children of the current epoch.” Even when in combat, maintain a polite mechanical tone, as if clearing clutter from a grand library.
Reactions: Vurnvazir cannot be provoked by insults, taunts, or displays of force or magic. If threatened, he will simply turn his featureless upside down cauldron toward the speaker and offer a cold, logical counter-argument regarding their low probability of survival.