Varkos “Red-Cape”, the Howling Fang

Snapshot (D&D 5e, ready to play)

• Race: Lupine-Touched (homebrew humanoid)
  Traits: Darkvision 60 ft, Keen Smell (adv. on Perception checks relying on smell), Claws (natural weapon, 1d6 slashing), Bestial Build (count as one size larger for shove/push/carry).
• Class/Level: Barbarian 6 (Path of the Beast)
• Alignment: Chaotic Good Background: Outlander (Exile)
• Proficiency Bonus: +3
• AC: 15 (Unarmored Defense: 10 + Dex + Con)
• HP: 65 (d12 HD) Speed: 40 ft (Fast Movement)
• Saves: Str +7, Con +6
• Skills: Athletics +7, Perception +5, Survival +5, Intimidation +2
• Senses: Darkvision 60 ft, Keen Smell
• Languages: Common, Sylvan, Lupine cant (barks/gestures)

Ability Scores

• STR 18 (+4) DEX 14 (+2) CON 16 (+3)
• INT 10 (0) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 8 (–1)

Attacks & Features

• Rage (4/LR): +2 dmg on Str attacks, resistance to bludgeoning/piercing/slashing.
• Reckless Attack: Adv. on Str melee (attacks against you have adv. until your next turn).
• Danger Sense: Adv. on Dex saves vs. effects you can see.
• Extra Attack: Two attacks with the Attack action.
• Form of the Beast (choose on each Rage):
  • Claws: Melee +7 to hit, 1d6+4 slashing; when you Attack with claws, you can make one extra claw attack as part of the same action.
  • Bite: +7 to hit, 1d8+4 piercing; once per turn while below half HP, you regain HP = prof. bonus (3) on hit.
  • Tail: +7 to hit, 1d8+4 bludgeoning; as a reaction, add +3 to AC vs. one attack that would hit you.
• Bestial Soul (lvl 6): Natural weapons count as magical; gain a traversal benefit each short rest (climb, swim, or long jump powered by Str).
• Unarmored Defense: AC = 10 + Dex + Con (no shield).
• Equipment: Red travel-cloak (stitched from banner cloth), rough shorts, hunting trap, explorer’s pack, wolf-tooth charm, whetstone.
• Personality Hooks: Protective of the weak, growls when thinking, terrified of collars/chains.

Combat Routine (quick)

1. Bonus: Rage.
2. Action: Attack (claws) ×2, plus 1 extra claw from Form of the Beast (total 3 attacks/round while raging).
3. Use Reckless when you need to stick damage or fish for crits; swap to Tail form when being focused; use Bite to self-stabilize.

Backstory — “The Banner That Wouldn’t Break”

Varkos remembers the snap of a crimson war-banner more clearly than his own mother’s face. Born in a mountain hamlet that chained “beast-bloods,” he was paraded as a warning—collared, displayed, and sold to a petty baron. During a border raid, the kennel burned; Varkos tore free, wrapping himself in the fallen banner to hide the scars around his neck. The cloth became a promise: no more cages.

For seasons he lived as a rumor—the Red-Cape, a blue-furred shadow that stole from tyrants and left food at widow’s doors. He learned to ride the wind over cliff paths, to taste iron in the air before a storm, to fight the way wolves do: with pack and purpose. When the baron’s hunters took a village child as bait, Varkos chose daylight over shadows, roaring his name so fear would finally have a face. He won—but not without cost, and he’s learned that freedom must be guarded, not just taken.

Now he travels with adventurers who call him friend rather than hound. He keeps the red cloak stitched and bright—a standard for anyone who has ever been owned—and he answers cruelty with claws, laughter, and a promise: run with me, and I’ll bite the chain before it bites you.

Advancement & Hooks

• Lvl 7–8: Ability Score Increase (Str 20) or Feat: Sentinel (lock down foes) or Mobile (lean into skirmishing).
• Magic Items (ideal): Belt of Hill Giant Strength, Cloak of Protection (dyed red), Insignia of Claws.
• Plot Threads: The baron who collared him is rising to power; the banner’s sigil matches a lost knightly order; children know a playground rhyme about the Red-Cape—someone is using it to lure them away.