By A J Hooper
FREQUENCY: Unique
ORGANISATION: Leader
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ACTIVITY CYCLE: Day/Night
DIET: Omnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Supra-genius (20)
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TREASURE: M (I)
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Neutral
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NO. APPEARING: 1
ARMOUR CLASS: 4 (10)
MOVEMENT: 24 (12)
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HIT DICE: 20 (7)
THAC0: 5
No. OF ATTACKS: 2
HIT POINTS: 169 (37)
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DAMAGE/ATTACK: 3d8 + 16 (staff)
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Hurl rocks,Magic
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
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MAGIC RESISTANCE: Nil
G (40') or M (5'10")
MORALE: Champion (16-17)
XP VALUE: 12,500
PSIONICS SUMMARY:
In Giant form - Zagash is not capable of employing psionic powers due to his huge brain mass and is resistant to all forms of psionics.
In Human form -
#AT 1; MTHAC0 17; MAC 4;
ATT - EW/MT/PsC; DEF - IF/TS/TW;
WILD TALENT - SUMMON PLANAR CREATURE; PSP's - 108
HUMAN FORM STATISTICS -
STR: 15 CON: 13 WIS: 18
DEX: 10 INT: 20 CHR: 12
AC 10; MV 12; HD 7; hp 37.
Zagash is a member of a space traveling race of Giants that came to Athas approxamently 10 years ago seeking exotic plant life. As soon as they obtained a 'Tree of Life" his people returned to the stars leaving behind Zagash as an observer. In his giant form Zagash looks exactly the same as his human form, only 40' tall instead of 5'10". He has dark green hair (often windblown) and appears in his early 20's (he refuses to reveal his true age). When in human form, Zagash often wears a hat or turban so as to hide his hair. Another of his distinguishing features is a scar that runs across the top of his left cheek.
As he appears to be human (in this form) he can pass easily through any inhabited areas but tends to favour the city states of Tyr, Urik and Balic as well as any small towns or villages found in between.
COMBAT: Zagash is not often drawn into direct conflict, but when this does occur - woe to his opponents, for his strength is not his muscle, but his tactical mind. In a defensive battle, Zagash will order other giants (whom he calls his "Athasian brothers") to circle his opponents whilst throwing rocks at them. Zagash will then use his staff of desolation to destroy his enemy; or if in the Sea of Silt, he will attempt to "drown" his opponents by destroying whatever is keeping them above the sea. This tactic has proven rather successful causing silt skimmer captains to charge far greater rates whenever they hear the green haired giant is in the area.
When caught off-guard he will stomp (2d10 damage), use his staff as a club (3d8 + 16 damage), cast any spells he has available (as he can cast spells in both forms) - whatever it takes to beat his opposition. He is no fool and won't sacrifice his life in some stupid gesture. As of yet Zagash has never attacked without provocation, unfortunately, he is very easily provoked and employs his magic and staff to full effect.
As a giant, he has a Strength score of 25 (+7 to attack/+14 to damage), this has not been taken into account above.
When in human form Zagash attacks as a normal 7th level wizard, although if possible, he will use the same tactics as above. He casts spells as a preserver wizard as the very thought of destroying plant life to power magic makes him feel sick.
HABITAT/SOCIETY: When Zagash first came to Athas (as a human), he was ordered to obtain a 'Tree of Life' from Kalak, the Sorcerer-King of Tyr, no matter the cost. He soon discovered that Kalak was only interested in completing some building that would transform him into a dragon or something, and was invited to the witness the ceremony. Zagash watched in horror as Kalak was killed.
Soon after he discovered what Kalak was doing and thanked Tithian greatly, although he kept his origins secret. It was Tithian who gave Zagash the Tree and in doing so, earned the respect and gratitude of not just Zagash but also his people as well.
Zagash was ordered by his Lord to stay on Athas as observer, and to some extent, as a body-guard for Tithian. Some time afterwards, he discovered an Invistian plot to take over the Tyr region which Zagash quickly put an end to by using his newly developed wild talent. His first debt was repayed.
Although his people employ magics to power their craft through space, using a principle called spell-jamming, Zagash's people do not have wizards like other races and so he was fascinated by the use of magic on Athas. The veiled alliance heard rumours of his desire to become a mage and offered Zagash an apprenticeship. As his basic understanding of magic was quite impressive, he quickly developed into a skilled preserver.
Tithian eventually disappeared from the public eye and Zagash from Tyr altogether. It is rumoured that they sought various artefacts for an unknown purpose or purposes. It is known that they went their separate ways well before the dragon was killed, why is unknown.
Zagash made his 'Chamber of Size Alteration' (see later) on the Island of Mytinene. Soon thereafter, he attracted the attention of a local tribe of giants. The defeat of their champion/leader at the hands of Zagash (as a giant) caused the tribe to make him their leader. Since then the tribe has become one of the richest and well-fed in the region. This in turn has attracted more giants (including Beast-headed) to flock to the island, providing Zagash a base of operations, and the means to defend it.
His role as observer for his people forces him to convert to human form so as to spy on the population of Athas without being noticed. This is a role that he relishes, as he loves contact with both human and elven cultures. It is even rumoured that he has a child to an Elven woman, if this is true it remains to be seen. Of his other role, Zagash say's very little. It is known that he takes a keen interest in Tyr-storms whenever they pass the area.
ECOLOGY: Zagash usually eats meals as a human so as to conserve food. His diet consists of sheep, erdlu, and dried fruits. To provide for himself and his tribe, he often engages in commerce- selling giant hair and their herd animals. In his human form he is known as a hired mercenary with some big friends (although he is rather expensive).
The STAFF OF DESOLATION This artefact is 30' long, making it much too big for a human to use. It is hollow yet weights a 1000 pounds. When Zagash uses it, he places the staff on his shoulder and points the end with writings on it at his intended target. When he shouts "fire" a ball of flame 40' across erupts that causes 4d10 damage (save vs. Breath weapon for 1/4) additional damage occurs for the next three rounds (3d10; 2d10; d10 - save vs. Breath weapon for 1/2) unless the fire is put out. The staff of desolation can be used like this 3 time a day. The staff's range is 50 yards to 250 yards. Within this range no penalties apply to THAC0, however, outside the range it is impossible to hit the target. The Staff can also be used as a melee weapon causing 3d8 + 16 damage + STR bonus (14 damage). Any being man sized or smaller must save vs. paralysis or be knocked off their feet and fly 1 yard per point of damage inflicted.
NEW SPELLS (Alteration)
The following spells were created by Zagash using principles in magic that he learnt from the veiled alliance as well as sciences from his own people.
FIRST LEVEL
Activate Chamber of Size Alteration
Range: 0
Components: V,S,M
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 2
Area of Effect: Chamber (creature within)
Save throw: None
When this spell is cast, it causes the water and earth elements within the chamber to combine into a whirlpool of mud in which the material components are added. The recipient then enters the chamber and emerges a day later either as a 40' giant if they were man sized or as a man sized creature if they were a giant. Physical appearance is not altered. The recipient of the change is "protected" from dispel magic's of any nature as the chamber rewrites the recipient as if the change was their natural state.
The material components of this spell are a lit torch, which represents fire and the casters breath which represents air. Note that the caster and recipient can be the one and the same.
FOURTH LEVEL
Create Chamber of Size Alteration
Range: 0
Components: V,S,M
Duration: Permanent
Casting Time: 2
Area of Effect: Chamber
Save throw: None
This spell turns a metal coffin of at least 42' long, 8' wide and 5' deep into a Chamber of Size Alteration (see later). When this is activated, it causes the size of one living humanoid entity to change.
The material components of this spell are the metal coffin, a glass lid, enough water to almost fill the coffin, earth and a green leaf.
CHAMBER OF SIZE ALTERATION
The Chamber of Size Alteration appears as a metal coffin of at least 42' long, 8' wide and 5' deep. It has a glass lid that sits on the top and inside can be seen water with a bed of dirt at the bottom. A closer inspection reveals that the water swirls in a clockwise direction and the earth at the bottom moves the opposite way. If one were to touch the glass they would discover that they could put their hand (as well as the rest of their body) right through the lid, as if the glass did not exist at all.
When the activation spell is cast the water and earth elements within the chamber combine into a whirlpool of mud in which a lit torch, which represents fire and the casters breath which represents air (the material components of the activation spell) are placed through the lid and added to the mud. The whirlpool begins to glow bright green which indicates that the chamber is fully activated.
When activated, it causes the size of one living humanoid entity to change completely, as if the new size were the recipients natural state, therefore they are immune to dispel magics of any kind. The recipient enters the chamber through the glass and emerges a day later either as a 40' giant if they were man sized or as a man sized humanoid if they were a giant. Physical appearance is not altered by the chamber.
The only way this process can be reversed, short of a wish, is for the recipient to enter the chamber again.
ZAGASH'S SPELL BOOK
First level
Activate Chamber of Size Alteration, Affect Normal fires, Burning Hands, Cantrip, Enlarge, Feather Fall.
Second level
Alter self, Continual light, Deep pockets, Fog cloud, Levitate, Magic mouth.
Third level
Blink, Explosive runes, Fly, Tongues, Wraith form.
Fourth level
Create Chamber of Size Alteration, Dimension Door, Polymorph other, Polymorph self, Rainbow pattern.
HIS GOALS
"Could my people have missed our origins, the races of Athas, the giants, the humans, the elves, are so much like my own, I have to uncover the truth!"
Zagash is believes that he has found the birth-world of his people. To this end, he is set to prove it. He has two sons and a daughter each to an Elf, Human and a Dwarf. If they survive the transformation in the Chamber of Size Alteration when they reach 10, he will present them to his people as proof of his theory. The mothers of his children are unaware of Zagash's plans, or even that he is a space-faring giant. If he discovers the Nature-Masters of old then he will be convinced that he is right.
Zagash has also been studying the Tyr-storms recently and has discovered what has occurred to Tithian. Because he feels that he owes a personal debt, he has been researching for a means of freeing Tithian from his prison. Zagash has been trying to contact an old ally called Malestic to assist him with his research but has been unable to find him.
Note that,
