As the three powerful beings via for Sparhawks attention, he realizes that their choices are all flawed. The best choice, for him and Kos to represent themselves, their world and that of companions lost along the way. Sparhawks will and stubborn refusal to bow to these women’s threats and pleasing. In his heart, he knows that his choice is the right one. He drinks from the goblet, and for once, instead of blood dripping from his still broken nose, a constant reminder of his once broken oath, the blood of a once ancient foe fills him with strength and vigor.

”Let’s get this over with, we choose ourselves and our people. We will restore our world and heal the rift that divides.”

with that he draws the powerful maul, “Kos my brother, I fight for you, our friends, and our world!”

((initiative: 14, , heal 26 as drink from chalice)

Kos' Initiative: 14 (DEX is +1 for tie-breaker)

(On Initiative 22:) Iggwilv takes to the air, hovering above the dais, robes trailing abyssal fire.

The sanctum convulses as Iggwilv rises into the air, hovering above the dais, robes trailing abyssal fire, her voice splitting into syllables not meant for mortal tongues. The sound claws at your minds—courage falters, stomachs knot, and even the stone seems to flinch.  

(Each of you must make a DC 20 Wisdom save. On a failure, you are Frightened until the end of your next turn.)

Iggwilv gestures at Sparhawk and a lattice of invisible walls slams into place. A perfect, seamless cage of force locks him in, cutting him off from the others. The air inside hums with abyssal resonance, a prison without bars. 

From where Drelnza lies unconscious, her black blade, Heretic stirs, its voice curling across the chamber like smoke:  “How fitting. The vessel caged, the daughter broken, the mother ascendant. Look at you now—champion, savior, lock and key. And still, a rat in a box. Some vessel you make.”  

Iggwilv’s eyes blaze with triumph as she hovers above the dais.  “You chose to stand apart. That means you stand against me. And against me, there is only ruin.” 

Kos' WIS: 6

Sparhawk save 21 with potion of heroism. (Ooc I assume misty step can get him out, of Kos can go gaseous u til he gets out, that could help a bit)

It's forcecage, so Cha save to use Misty Step out.  Let's call it a DC 24. 

(Charisma save 34 with heroism bless added). Sparhawk will play at being trapped, then use (Surprise when he attacks on his initiative).
(OOC: Kos has known the stalwart and stubborn paladin for some time, and very out his his character, Sparhawk says as the magical cage traps him:

"Kos, I am stuck by her magic, I fear I have failed in my mission."

"Tasha, if you are able, protect my friend."

Tasha’s eyes follow the clash with Iggwilv, her expression unreadable. She does not leap to your side or hurl spells unbidden. Instead, her voice cuts through the chaos, calm and deliberate:  

“Do not mistake me for another blade at your belt. I will not fight in your stead. But if you show me a path, if you give me purpose, I will act. Direct me, and I will lend my strength where it serves the ending you seek.”  

Her presence is a coiled storm, waiting. She will not take turns as one of you, but she will answer when called upon, if your intent is clear.  

<Tasha is the true neutral aspect.  Recognizing the party is only 2 people and this is a boss fight, I think it makes sense to get Tasha on your side, a sort of copilot NPC. You suggest something and she'll do something in that vein.  Keeping that in mind, here is how Sparhawk's plea plays out.>

Sparhawk’s voice cuts through the chaos, desperate and clear: “Protect my friend!”  

For a heartbeat, Tasha does not move. Then her eyes narrow, and a ripple of unseen power spreads outward. Her voice is calm, but it carries the weight of command, “Stand. Fear is the chain she forged for you. Break it.”  

Koselig feels a sudden warmth, as though unseen hands steady their shoulders. The terror clawing at their mind falters.  

(Koselig may reroll the Wisdom save against Frightened with advantage. On a success, the fear shatters. On a failure, he still gain 20 temporary hit points as Tasha’s warding presence shields him.)

Kos' WIS: 22

"Thank you, Tasha."

Sparhawk looks down, defeated, trapped, knowing that Iggwilv will defeat his friends while he watches, yet...he also knows his own power, that given to him by the goddess Aphreal and Marduk. He knows his mission, his will unfaltering. His entire existence, has been to fight against those who abuse their power, and to protect those from those who control and rule without fairness or love. All of his trials, challenges, and fractures in his being all come together as he summons his god given powers...no, I will not be trapped here while my friends are killed.....no! (He thinks to himself and weaves the spell to teleport him out of the magical cage)

Misty step to hand to hand with Iggwilv (15 feet with maul).

“Here, your power wanes, and your greed becomes my weapon. Your own darkness fuels my strength and will."

Attack 1: Surprise attack (If DM allows it).24 to hit, damage: 20+Sanguine Smite: 11 radiant+7=38 damage.

Attack 2 (TRIP ATTACK): 20 to hit, 17+Sanguine Smite: 2, trip: 3=22 damage, Strength DC17 or knocked prone

The cage shatters with a flash of light as Sparhawk vanishes, reappearing in a crack of divine radiance at Iggwilv’s side. His maul arcs down, fueled by every trial, every fracture, every oath he has ever sworn.  The blow lands with a thunderous crack, radiant fire searing across her wards. For the first time, Iggwilv staggers, her eyes widening in shock.  

“Here, your power wanes, and your greed becomes my weapon. Your own darkness fuels my strength and will.”  

The second swing crashes in, threatening to topple her. Sparhawk’s maul crashes into her with divine force, radiant fire searing across her wards. For a heartbeat, the Witch‑Queen falters—her knees buckle, her body teeters, the abyss itself seeming to recoil.  Then, with a snarl, she refuses. Abyssal power erupts from her cloak, a shockwave of will and spite that steadies her frame. The sanctum groans as she forces reality itself to deny the blow’s full effect.  “You think to humble me? I am the chain, the cage, the abyss. I do not fall.”  

(Iggwilv expends a Legendary Resistance to succeed on the Strength save and remain standing.)  

Koselig is up

Kos casts Acid Splash at Iggwilv.

DC 16 DEX save or take 12 acid damage.

"I'm not afraid of you any longer!"

Iggwilv Dex save 24

The acid splashes harmlessly against an invisible barrier, sliding off like rain on glass. Iggwilv smirks, but Koselig’s defiance still lands.

As the sanctum shakes, three forces stir:  

- The Demonomicon, its pages fluttering with abyssal winds.  

- Zybilna, clutching her head as if torn between selves.  

- Tasha, watching, waiting for conviction.  

- And in the shadows, a fourth presence stirs, a demonic force. It beckons from within the pages of the demonomicon

Player Options:  

 <feel free to narrate any of the above hiwever you like.  They're levers for you to pull to shape how this combst unfolds and ultimately resolves.>

<transparency. I rhought thia was a bice balance between a saxk of hit poi ts slog and the whole epic battle with a larty of 2.  Its also letting the players decide how this thing ends. You could potentially pursue muktiple levers and if you live long enough for any to succeed, its a win>

Sparhawk looks at Zybilna. "Zybilna, we spoke at the beginning of this conflict. You have more choices than you believe and I believe you to be a person of strong will. Fight the demon that is trying to control and manipulate you. Side with Tasha, she is family. (Sparhawk extends is Aura of Protection onto Tasha and (For this round) Zybilna. (Persuasion 26)

(Not sure if Sparhawk can attack Iggilv again or could dodge?)

Sparhawk’s words echo through the sanctum, meant for Zybilna—but it is Drelnza who stirs. For a heartbeat, her unconscious form shudders, and a flicker of light passes across her face. Drelnza’s body stirs, her lips parting as if to speak, though her eyes remain closed. A faint shimmer—like moonlight through Feywild glass—flickers across her form

It is not Zybilna herself who answers, but the thread of her that still lingers here—the love she bore for her daughter, the part of her that refused to be wholly consumed by the Abyss.  “I… I am not hers. Not entirely. .  

It is not Zybilna herself, but the thread of her that still lingers here: the love she bore for her daughter, the part of her that Iggwilv could never fully sever.   “Mother… no more chains.”  The words are barely a whisper, but they ripple through the chamber like a crack in the abyss itself. Iggwilv stiffens, her composure faltering for the first time.  

Drelnza’s chest rises sharply, as though she has drawn breath for the first time in years. The good in Iggwilv, exiled to Prismeer, still lives on in her daughter—and Sparhawk’s plea has awakened it.  

(Puzzle Track: Count this as a success. Drelnza is now a potential lever in the binding ritual, embodying Zybilna’s tether to the Material Plane.)

Iggwilv straightens, her cloak of abyssal fire snapping outward as if to burn away the echo of Drelnza’s whisper. Her eyes narrow—not in fear, but in irritation, as though swatting at a gnat that dared sting her.  “Touching. You think a child’s whimper can sway me? I have torn kingdoms from their mothers’ arms.”  Her voice is iron, but for the briefest instant her gaze flicks toward Drelnza’s stirring form—too quickly, too sharply. A crack in the mask, gone as soon as it appears.

Iggwilv Casts Finger of Death at Koselig 42, Con save DC 31 for ½ of 61 necrotic. She drifts 20 ft. back, keeping distance.  

Kos' CON: 14

Kos falls unconscious.

Talking is free. Kos can still direct Tasha this round.

Sparhawk is also up