The final chapter states that if the Mask of the Dragon Queen is claimed or destroyed before Tiamat appears, the ritual to summon her fails. The final chapter later states that meeting that same condition imposes a penalty on Tiamat. So if I understand correctly, claiming or destroying the mask ends the ritual if it hasn't succeeded, but if it has succeeded, the mask can still be taken from the sanctuary or destroyed to at least put an additional penalty on Tiamat?
And that also begs another question. How does one destroy the Mask of the Dragon Queen? This item is explicitly an artifact, which means it can only be destroyed by a special means noted in its description, but the description fails to mention how to destroy the mask (Draakhorn also lacks this clause), which is therefore impervious to all damage. That being said, the mask is composed of a bunch of smaller masks that are "only" legendary items, so if the Queen Mask could be disassembled, the individual masks could be destroyed. Is there a way to disassemble the mask once it's already assembled? Is it just an interaction to pull the smaller masks apart? Does it have something to do with the stand in Severin's quarters?
The final chapter states that if the Mask of the Dragon Queen is claimed or destroyed before Tiamat appears, the ritual to summon her fails.
It allows for the ritual to fail, but uses the word *might*
"The mask, the sacrifices, and the ritual can all be targeted by the characters. Doing so effectively might actually end the ritual and prevent the appearance of Tiamat. Even if the heroes cannot manage to end the threat before it begins, however, disrupting any part of the ritual process weakens the Dragon Queen."
The final chapter later states that meeting that same condition imposes a penalty on Tiamat.
Meaning that if you remove the mask from Severin before the ritual is complete and/or dissassemble or remove the mask from the temple, the ritual might fail and Tiamat might not be summoned. Should you choose to allow her to be summoned at a lower threat rating to allow the party to fight and "kill" her to make for a more dramatic climax, this is the suggested mechanic.
So if I understand correctly, claiming or destroying the mask ends the ritual if it hasn't succeeded, but if it has succeeded, the mask can still be taken from the sanctuary or destroyed to at least put an additional penalty on Tiamat?
Definitely a way to run it. Also, how I view it.
And that also begs another question. How does one destroy the Mask of the Dragon Queen? This item is explicitly an artifact, which means it can only be destroyed by a special means noted in its description, but the description fails to mention how to destroy the mask (Draakhorn also lacks this clause), which is therefore impervious to all damage. That being said, the mask is composed of a bunch of smaller masks that are "only" legendary items, so if the Queen Mask could be disassembled, the individual masks could be destroyed. Is there a way to disassemble the mask once it's already assembled? Is it just an interaction to pull the smaller masks apart? Does it have something to do with the stand in Severin's quarters?
Assembled, it is an artifact, to "destroy" it might mean that you have to dissassemble it and then do some nifty quest mechanic to destroy the pieces. Up to you as the DM to determine if you decide it can be destroyed, or if there is another force that might want to prevent that from happening. Dissassembly is left open for the DM to interpret, just like the requirement to destroy an artifact, or any magical item really. There isn't a definition so that each play-through can end the way the story allows for an ending. There isn't a wrong answer to any of your questions. It's up to you and the players to decide how you will finish this epic tale.
The options are open for the summoning ritual to be stopped well before the Well of the Dragons, as there is a possibility that the party get ahold of the Black Dragon Mask in HotDQ. Or for the Zhents to have stolen the White Dragon Mask.
"At least one Black Network mission is carried out regardless of payment. Without the knowledge of anyone outside the Zhentarim, one of their agents has infiltrated the cult and gets close enough to Wyrmspeaker Varram to steal..."
But if the cult wants it bad enough, and they do, they might well kill the party to get it, via Chapter 13. If your party throws themselves into pulling more power into the fight than is outlined, will they stop the sacrifices? If your party, with the help of the Arcane Brotherhood, manages to kill 7 of the Red Wizards in the Temple, there aren't enough left to complete the ritual. [Edit] Crashing Skyreach into the Temple might be enough to destroy the Temple. Also there is a possibility for the party to get ahold of a Scroll of Earthquake which could be used to destroy the temple without the party confronting the Red Wizards or Severin...[/Edit] There are numerous ways built into this for the party to win the day. My only suggestion is to maybe focus on how far the cult will go to accomplish their goals, and allow the party to decide how to react to those inputs. As for the item interactions, maybe go for an option that gets the most mileage for the story.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad
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The final chapter states that if the Mask of the Dragon Queen is claimed or destroyed before Tiamat appears, the ritual to summon her fails. The final chapter later states that meeting that same condition imposes a penalty on Tiamat. So if I understand correctly, claiming or destroying the mask ends the ritual if it hasn't succeeded, but if it has succeeded, the mask can still be taken from the sanctuary or destroyed to at least put an additional penalty on Tiamat?
And that also begs another question. How does one destroy the Mask of the Dragon Queen? This item is explicitly an artifact, which means it can only be destroyed by a special means noted in its description, but the description fails to mention how to destroy the mask (Draakhorn also lacks this clause), which is therefore impervious to all damage. That being said, the mask is composed of a bunch of smaller masks that are "only" legendary items, so if the Queen Mask could be disassembled, the individual masks could be destroyed. Is there a way to disassemble the mask once it's already assembled? Is it just an interaction to pull the smaller masks apart? Does it have something to do with the stand in Severin's quarters?
It allows for the ritual to fail, but uses the word *might*
"The mask, the sacrifices, and the ritual can all be targeted by the characters. Doing so effectively might actually end the ritual and prevent the appearance of Tiamat. Even if the heroes cannot manage to end the threat before it begins, however, disrupting any part of the ritual process weakens the Dragon Queen."
Meaning that if you remove the mask from Severin before the ritual is complete and/or dissassemble or remove the mask from the temple, the ritual might fail and Tiamat might not be summoned. Should you choose to allow her to be summoned at a lower threat rating to allow the party to fight and "kill" her to make for a more dramatic climax, this is the suggested mechanic.
Definitely a way to run it. Also, how I view it.
Assembled, it is an artifact, to "destroy" it might mean that you have to dissassemble it and then do some nifty quest mechanic to destroy the pieces. Up to you as the DM to determine if you decide it can be destroyed, or if there is another force that might want to prevent that from happening. Dissassembly is left open for the DM to interpret, just like the requirement to destroy an artifact, or any magical item really. There isn't a definition so that each play-through can end the way the story allows for an ending. There isn't a wrong answer to any of your questions. It's up to you and the players to decide how you will finish this epic tale.
The options are open for the summoning ritual to be stopped well before the Well of the Dragons, as there is a possibility that the party get ahold of the Black Dragon Mask in HotDQ. Or for the Zhents to have stolen the White Dragon Mask.
But if the cult wants it bad enough, and they do, they might well kill the party to get it, via Chapter 13. If your party throws themselves into pulling more power into the fight than is outlined, will they stop the sacrifices? If your party, with the help of the Arcane Brotherhood, manages to kill 7 of the Red Wizards in the Temple, there aren't enough left to complete the ritual. [Edit] Crashing Skyreach into the Temple might be enough to destroy the Temple. Also there is a possibility for the party to get ahold of a Scroll of Earthquake which could be used to destroy the temple without the party confronting the Red Wizards or Severin...[/Edit] There are numerous ways built into this for the party to win the day. My only suggestion is to maybe focus on how far the cult will go to accomplish their goals, and allow the party to decide how to react to those inputs. As for the item interactions, maybe go for an option that gets the most mileage for the story.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.” - Mark Twain - Innocents Abroad