Archives of Nethys
All Creatures
Abilities | Monsters | NPCs
All | Families | Templates
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Spawn of Rovagug
Source Monster Core 2 pg. 298Though the destroyer god Rovagug lies trapped in the core of the planet like a fly trapped in amber, imprisoned since the Age of Creation by a coalition of deities, his cage has weakened with the passing of time, allowing his influence to seep forth and take form as living calamities known as the Spawn of Rovagug. These massive creatures have plagued Golarion for eons, their rampages responsible for shattered mountains, blasted deserts, and oceans that now fill craters in the earth, and their regenerative abilities ensure they're an eternal threat, never fully killed. That these creatures of utter destruction hold such a inextinguishable grip on life is a paradox scholars struggle to resolve. Some believe that each Spawn possesses the smallest fragment of their divine parent's blessings; others posit that their immortality comes from the destruction they cause, gaining an eternal future for every one stolen from their victims.
Accounts of the Spawns' attacks throughout history have an odd through line: each attack is followed by a notable, if brief, golden age for the region. While most attribute this to the cooperation required to fend off or at the very least survive a Spawn's depredations, some see this is a twisted sign that the creatures are bringers of “true” peace. These believers often lead cults intent on calling forth or reviving any recently slain Spawn.
Though many of the Spawn haven't been seen in years, the death of the god Gorum—one of the original architects of the Dead Vault—has weakened the seal once more, sending a ripple of Rovagug's will throughout Golarion. As if in answer, many of his Spawn have begun to reemerge, alarming Golarion's leaders, scholars, and warriors. After all, if a single Spawn is a generation-defining disaster, requiring the sacrifice of armies merely to minimize the damage it can cause, what unimaginable destruction would occur if all of them were to awaken at once?
Spawn Of Rovagug Abilities
Spawn of Rovagug are diverse in shape and destructive capabilities, but all have the following abilities.Absolute Regeneration This functions as regeneration, though it requires very specific actions to be deactivated. A Spawn of Rovagug's regeneration is powerful enough to revive it even if slain by a death effect. If the Spawn fails a save against an effect that would kill it instantly, it rises from death 3 rounds later with 1 Hit Point. A Spawn can still be banished, imprisoned, or transported away as a means to save a region or kept in a state of dying by an effect that deals constant damage.
Slumbering Armageddon Spawn of Rovagug can sleep for centuries in a regenerative hibernation. While slumbering, a Spawn doesn't need to eat, drink, or even breathe, and its resistances double in value. It can't be located by detection, revelation, or scrying effects, and for any saving throw, it uses the outcome one degree of success better than the result. With no outlet while the Spawn slumbers, its massive destructive energies turn outward and infect its surroundings, causing natural disasters of a type matching the Spawn to occur more frequently and with greater severity in a 1-mile emanation from the Spawn's resting place, increasing in radius by roughly a mile every decade the Spawn slumbers.
Members
Kothogaz, Dance Of Disharmony (Creature 21), Sorvuth-Ka (Creature 24), Tarrasque (Creature 25), Verex-That-Was (Creature 24), Volnagur (Creature 22), Xotani (Creature 20)
Lesser Spawn of Rovagug
The history of Golarion includes stories of massive creatures that, while not conclusively Spawn of Rovagug, have earned the title of “lesser Spawn” due to their ferocity and similar regenerative abilities. Legends say that Old-Mage Jatembe, Azure Leopard, and more than 100 Tempest-Sun Mages trapped the insectile Agohbindi, the Splintering Child, in a forest of twisting roots near the Vanji River before liquefying the creature’s body. Cultists of Rovagug unleashed a thundering behemoth called Djakobu against the early Shory Empire; the magic invented for its defeat brought an age of prosperity to the empire. The manyheaded, crab-like Gray-Stag-Devourer terrorized the area that would become Irrisen and was driven off by the Grim White Stag, herald of Erastil. Other Spawn
Tales and myths detail other Spawn of Rovagug that have appeared on Golarion. Chemnosit, the Monarch Worm, is feared throughout the Darklands. Kothogaz, the Dance of Disharmony, reportedly slew a million Vudrani in Casmaron before being defeated by a potent psychic. After the titanic beetle Ulunat, the Unholy First, was finally thwarted, ancient Osirians formed the city of Sothis around its carapace. Xotani the Firebleeder's corpse lies deep within Pale Mountain in Katapesh, seemingly still infused with the faintest spark of life.
Spawn in Your Campaigns
Defeating (or even just surviving) a Spawn of Rovagug should be an important event in any campaign. It might even be the culmination of several adventures as the characters research ways to prevent the Spawn from rising immediately after it’s been slain and gather necessary allies for the fight. Along the way, the PCs might also have to deal with natural disasters precipitated by the Spawn’s approach and priests of Rovagug who believe the Spawn’s rampage will free their god.
Verex-That-Was
Not even gods are immune to Rovagug’s fell influence. While searching for means of greater power, the orc god Verex the Despoiler was caught by the Dead Vault’s corrupting energies and was nearly destroyed in his escape. However, when a drop of Gorum’s blood fell on his broken body, he was transformed into a horrible, twisted Spawn of Rovagug. Read more about this mythic threat in Pathfinder War of Immortals.
Shelyn's Corner
×Classic Feel
Classic Feel
Classic Feel
The classic look for the Archives of Nethys.
| Table |
| Data |
| More Data |
Book Feel
Book Feel
Book Feel
An alternative feel, based on the Rulebooks.
| Table |
| Data |
| More Data |
Round Feel
Round Feel
Round Feel
A rounded, modern look for the archives.
| Table |
| Data |
| More Data |
Slim Feel
Slim Feel
Slim Feel
A variant of the Round feel, more compact.
| Table |
| Data |
| More Data |