In about 2 arcs from now (so the distant future) a classic "cult summons their god" situation will happen. Maybe, it's dnd and we all know how players are, but that's the plan. And I'm trying to figure out a boss to use since I don't want the actual god to come about. Party will be maybe level 10 by then, but they aren't meant to really fight this thing.
Further details. A cult of Tharizdun (with homebrew changes that make him the father of demons but otherwise a very similar concept) is going to initiate plan Free the Chained One. The cult has been collecting "energy" from nobodies and using those of magical potential as either amplifiers for their own magic rites or additionally magic power. At this point, they will have (or are about to have) a magic mcguffin that allows them to tie directly to the very fabric of realities. In other words, they get to do whatever they please in a narrative respect (except actually free their god).
My goal is a tarrasque level threat (narratively) that goes throughout the world and spreads the influence of it's god until the amount of energy it somehow gathers grants the god the power to escape himself. This is a failure condition, and thus not plot relevant. Rather, I want a side threat to the main unrelated threat that causes massive shifts in the world. Thus, very strong.
I am more than happy taking homebrew ideas, homebrewing other entities and using their stats as a framework for a more relevant beast, or just anywhere in between. I just want to give the party a threat that feels dnd. Astral Dreadknaught, Tarrasque, those big elemental cataclysm guys, that level of threat and dnd star power. Of course, not mandatory, just what Id like to aim for.
I had thought about the blob, but A) I'm being stubborn about 2025 rules, and B) an actually good reason, Jubllex has an actual stake in the lore and story, and might come up later. Thus, if I do use the blob I should probably save it for him
And yeah, the elemental guys was something I was considering pretty heavily since I kept a lot of inspiration for tharizdun from his elemental escapades. If I do, I might homebrew it to be like, all 4 in one to show the immense chaos angle. That's probably the one I'll end up with.
And yeah, the elemental guys was something I was considering pretty heavily since I kept a lot of inspiration for tharizdun from his elemental escapades. If I do, I might homebrew it to be like, all 4 in one to show the immense chaos angle. That's probably the one I'll end up with.
If it's Tharizdun, you (as previously mentioned) want to look at elementals. Elemental Cataclysm, as mentioned, but also the four big elementals from Mordenkainens, The Elder Tempest, The Zaratan, The Leviathan, and The Phoenix are high-level threats that can easily be linked to the Elder Elemental Eye. The Elder Tempest in particular is good, being the highest CR of the bunch and the storm raging around it can easily be reskinned as just swirling elemental chaos. The Scions of the giant gods in Bigby's Glory of the Giants are also worth a look for your creature.
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DM: He doesn't have much besides the skin on his bones.
Me: I'll take the skin on his bones, then.
Also, this is for Redwall nerds: Eeeeeuuuuulllllllaaaaaaaalllllllliiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you very much, the tempest idea is actually pretty good, and I could really see just adding a handful of abilities to it to make it have that chaotic edge. I could even do something like make it a Zaratan with an elder tempest around it, so it both has the flavor of the tempest and the more tangible effects of the Zaratan. Thank you again
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So, context.
In about 2 arcs from now (so the distant future) a classic "cult summons their god" situation will happen. Maybe, it's dnd and we all know how players are, but that's the plan. And I'm trying to figure out a boss to use since I don't want the actual god to come about. Party will be maybe level 10 by then, but they aren't meant to really fight this thing.
Further details. A cult of Tharizdun (with homebrew changes that make him the father of demons but otherwise a very similar concept) is going to initiate plan Free the Chained One. The cult has been collecting "energy" from nobodies and using those of magical potential as either amplifiers for their own magic rites or additionally magic power. At this point, they will have (or are about to have) a magic mcguffin that allows them to tie directly to the very fabric of realities. In other words, they get to do whatever they please in a narrative respect (except actually free their god).
My goal is a tarrasque level threat (narratively) that goes throughout the world and spreads the influence of it's god until the amount of energy it somehow gathers grants the god the power to escape himself. This is a failure condition, and thus not plot relevant. Rather, I want a side threat to the main unrelated threat that causes massive shifts in the world. Thus, very strong.
I am more than happy taking homebrew ideas, homebrewing other entities and using their stats as a framework for a more relevant beast, or just anywhere in between. I just want to give the party a threat that feels dnd. Astral Dreadknaught, Tarrasque, those big elemental cataclysm guys, that level of threat and dnd star power. Of course, not mandatory, just what Id like to aim for.
I would use a Blob of Annihilation from the 2025 Monster Manual. It has the advantage of being a brand new monster, also.
Well, if it's Tharizdun in his guise of the Elder Elemental Eye, an Elemental Cataclysm is in theme. You may want to buff it a bit.
I had thought about the blob, but A) I'm being stubborn about 2025 rules, and B) an actually good reason, Jubllex has an actual stake in the lore and story, and might come up later. Thus, if I do use the blob I should probably save it for him
And yeah, the elemental guys was something I was considering pretty heavily since I kept a lot of inspiration for tharizdun from his elemental escapades. If I do, I might homebrew it to be like, all 4 in one to show the immense chaos angle. That's probably the one I'll end up with.
Elemental cataclysm is already all four elements.
If it's Tharizdun, you (as previously mentioned) want to look at elementals. Elemental Cataclysm, as mentioned, but also the four big elementals from Mordenkainens, The Elder Tempest, The Zaratan, The Leviathan, and The Phoenix are high-level threats that can easily be linked to the Elder Elemental Eye. The Elder Tempest in particular is good, being the highest CR of the bunch and the storm raging around it can easily be reskinned as just swirling elemental chaos. The Scions of the giant gods in Bigby's Glory of the Giants are also worth a look for your creature.
DM: He doesn't have much besides the skin on his bones.
Me: I'll take the skin on his bones, then.
Also, this is for Redwall nerds: Eeeeeuuuuulllllllaaaaaaaalllllllliiiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you very much, the tempest idea is actually pretty good, and I could really see just adding a handful of abilities to it to make it have that chaotic edge. I could even do something like make it a Zaratan with an elder tempest around it, so it both has the flavor of the tempest and the more tangible effects of the Zaratan. Thank you again