So i have been in a conflict for a long time on who should i put as the BBEG for my campaign. The first were an Aboleth prince/ss (still can't decide on that one) who used to belong to an empire that used to rule the universe before being sealed beyond the boundaries of time and space by the first gods, the aboleth was one of few who managed to slip away and hid until the newer generation of gods created the material realm where they lost their shattered crown (after battling with a now dead deity) which is an artifact rumored to control power of divine, nature, magic and psionics. Now the Aboleth is trying to reclaim it's crown pieces and formulate a plan to either crush down the gods or open a gateway to their empire.
The second one is a powerful Changeling illusionist imprisoned after an attempt to create her second artifact which was said to be an item capable of turning illusions into reality at will but was stopped by a group of adventurers who sacrificed their lives and summon a powerful prison somewhere in the material plane in order to make sure the Illusionist doesn't escape ever again. However, not one knew about the first artifact which was a tome capable of sending the consciousnesses of the wielder to other people's dreams. Because of the nature of the prison it's almost impossible for her to escape or have someone free her. The prison is an island lost at sea and protected by a kraken and few ghost mages constantly guarding and slaying anything that comes near the island.
Now to my point. I was thinking of having either of them to be the final enemy for my party then it hit me. Why choose when you can have both right? It's always in stories that heroes face 1 enemy, so why not 2? My questions are:
1-Is it a good idea to have two BBEGs?
2- Should i make these two work with each other?
3- What's a good reason for these two to work with each other if the answer is yes for the question above?
Few notes to my setting:
Most of the gods are now shackled and separated from mortals by the cosmic veil because a greater god who killed him and used his own blood to fuel an army of aasimars who marched into the negative realms to slay evil once and for all, supposedly gained victory in each realm however the news of their victories stopped at the abyss. No one know (mortals at least) if they did manage to wipe out the abyss which was the last realm in their crusade.
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Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
I can't think off the top of my head of any reason for them to work together. That being said, the idea of two separate evils, sometimes clashing with each other in their ambition, has always been tantalizing to me.
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
The Aboleth would work with the Changling to try and acquire the ability to re make its crown using the item that can making an illusion real. The Changling would probably work with the Aboleth in exchange for its freedom from its prison as the Aboleths crown would probably be able to break its prison open. Of course both would naturally try to double cross one another and take everything for themselves if possible.
The Aboleth would work with the Changling to try and acquire the ability to re make its crown using the item that can making an illusion real. The Changling would probably work with the Aboleth in exchange for its freedom from its prison as the Aboleths crown would probably be able to break its prison open. Of course both would naturally try to double cross one another and take everything for themselves if possible.
2 things:
1- Hmm... sounds like a great idea. Aboleths looks freakish and helping it getting a crown that would allow it to get more freakish creatures is somewhat of a stupid idea.
2- Do you mind linking your profile picture so i can add it to my collection?
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Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
Possible modification for the Illusionist: They can project their mind through the ethereal plane to lightly interact with things on the material plane. Their minds view of their own body is what can be seen in both the ethereal plane and the material plane. This 'projected body' can only take damage from things on the ethereal plane (counts as psychic damage to the illusionist).
Whilst searching for a way to break the prison, the illusionist stumbles upon the aboleth's lair. They strike up a deal, the illusionist will search the far places, manipulating people to transport any items with the use of illusions, and the aboleth will free them from the prison. The illusionist is actively trying to betray the aboleth, looking for a strong group to bring the item straight to them and kill the aboleth. The aboleth is less active, but plans to consume the illusionist to further its knowledge/power, but needs to crack the prison to do it (maybe an artefact is trapped inside with the illusionist as well that the aboleth also wants)
Possible modification for the Illusionist: They can project their mind through the ethereal plane to lightly interact with things on the material plane. Their minds view of their own body is what can be seen in both the ethereal plane and the material plane. This 'projected body' can only take damage from things on the ethereal plane (counts as psychic damage to the illusionist).
Whilst searching for a way to break the prison, the illusionist stumbles upon the aboleth's lair. They strike up a deal, the illusionist will search the far places, manipulating people to transport any items with the use of illusions, and the aboleth will free them from the prison. The illusionist is actively trying to betray the aboleth, looking for a strong group to bring the item straight to them and kill the aboleth. The aboleth is less active, but plans to consume the illusionist to further its knowledge/power, but needs to crack the prison to do it (maybe an artefact is trapped inside with the illusionist as well that the aboleth also wants)
Interesting way to make the Illusonist interact with the world. But what will the Aboleth do in the mean time?
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Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
It could use an 'army' of cultists to hunt for the object as well. Maybe moving from island to island to increase the size of it's following.
It puts others (the cultists/illusionist) in the way of harm to keep itself safe, knowing full well that although powerful, it is not invincible, at least not yet... And if moving from island to island, might be constantly protected by a fleet of ships or a floating village/town/city to keep its lair with it.
So i have been in a conflict for a long time on who should i put as the BBEG for my campaign. The first were an Aboleth prince/ss (still can't decide on that one) who used to belong to an empire that used to rule the universe before being sealed beyond the boundaries of time and space by the first gods, the aboleth was one of few who managed to slip away and hid until the newer generation of gods created the material realm where they lost their shattered crown (after battling with a now dead deity) which is an artifact rumored to control power of divine, nature, magic and psionics. Now the Aboleth is trying to reclaim it's crown pieces and formulate a plan to either crush down the gods or open a gateway to their empire.
The second one is a powerful Changeling illusionist imprisoned after an attempt to create her second artifact which was said to be an item capable of turning illusions into reality at will but was stopped by a group of adventurers who sacrificed their lives and summon a powerful prison somewhere in the material plane in order to make sure the Illusionist doesn't escape ever again. However, not one knew about the first artifact which was a tome capable of sending the consciousnesses of the wielder to other people's dreams. Because of the nature of the prison it's almost impossible for her to escape or have someone free her. The prison is an island lost at sea and protected by a kraken and few ghost mages constantly guarding and slaying anything that comes near the island.
Now to my point. I was thinking of having either of them to be the final enemy for my party then it hit me. Why choose when you can have both right? It's always in stories that heroes face 1 enemy, so why not 2? My questions are:
1-Is it a good idea to have two BBEGs?
2- Should i make these two work with each other?
3- What's a good reason for these two to work with each other if the answer is yes for the question above?
Few notes to my setting:
Most of the gods are now shackled and separated from mortals by the cosmic veil because a greater god who killed him and used his own blood to fuel an army of aasimars who marched into the negative realms to slay evil once and for all, supposedly gained victory in each realm however the news of their victories stopped at the abyss. No one know (mortals at least) if they did manage to wipe out the abyss which was the last realm in their crusade.
Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
I can't think off the top of my head of any reason for them to work together. That being said, the idea of two separate evils, sometimes clashing with each other in their ambition, has always been tantalizing to me.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
The Aboleth would work with the Changling to try and acquire the ability to re make its crown using the item that can making an illusion real. The Changling would probably work with the Aboleth in exchange for its freedom from its prison as the Aboleths crown would probably be able to break its prison open. Of course both would naturally try to double cross one another and take everything for themselves if possible.
2 things:
1- Hmm... sounds like a great idea. Aboleths looks freakish and helping it getting a crown that would allow it to get more freakish creatures is somewhat of a stupid idea.
2- Do you mind linking your profile picture so i can add it to my collection?
Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
Possible modification for the Illusionist: They can project their mind through the ethereal plane to lightly interact with things on the material plane. Their minds view of their own body is what can be seen in both the ethereal plane and the material plane. This 'projected body' can only take damage from things on the ethereal plane (counts as psychic damage to the illusionist).
Whilst searching for a way to break the prison, the illusionist stumbles upon the aboleth's lair. They strike up a deal, the illusionist will search the far places, manipulating people to transport any items with the use of illusions, and the aboleth will free them from the prison. The illusionist is actively trying to betray the aboleth, looking for a strong group to bring the item straight to them and kill the aboleth. The aboleth is less active, but plans to consume the illusionist to further its knowledge/power, but needs to crack the prison to do it (maybe an artefact is trapped inside with the illusionist as well that the aboleth also wants)
Interesting way to make the Illusonist interact with the world. But what will the Aboleth do in the mean time?
Born under the watch of something from the furthest corners of the far realms.... It knows all.... it sees all... and it asks: "What is it that you want to see?"... and my answer is... ALL"
It could use an 'army' of cultists to hunt for the object as well. Maybe moving from island to island to increase the size of it's following.
It puts others (the cultists/illusionist) in the way of harm to keep itself safe, knowing full well that although powerful, it is not invincible, at least not yet... And if moving from island to island, might be constantly protected by a fleet of ships or a floating village/town/city to keep its lair with it.
1: this could be an interesting idea, and it could work great for a campaign where you have to make many important choices,
2: if you have a goal for the BBEGs that is innocent enough, many pcs may want to join, so if they work together, they need to be pretty bad.
If you have two bad guys, they should be rivals. They should only join forces when they both get desperate because of the player actions.
This gives players more chance to affect the world, by playing the one bad guy off against the other.