144: Ugoreth Rises!

Experience: pending completion, +99,771
Time Frame: Early Morning of Talsil 13th in the 21st year After Shalraza

Session in a Nut Shell: Oublivae proves a greater foe than her two brothers and an exponential challenge for the depleting party. When forced back into the bottomless pit of Ugoreth, she sends her ancient generals and lowly spawn to divide and conquer. In the sudden blitz, Tyvis, Kaern, and Widofa are drawn into a desperate battle in Oublivae's stormy demonscape, while the rest of the defenders are left to deal with the threat to Saspien and the greater kingdom. Meanwhile, the great powers and game-changers the worlds over watch closely, gauging just how powerful this handful of terrestrial scions and planar misfits have become.

143: Brutality, Hunger, and Ruin

Experience: pending completion, +99,771
Time Frame: Early Morning, Talsil 13th

Session in a Nut Shell: Through the combined efforts of the Champions of Creation and a handful of Saspien's finest, Kostchtchie and Juiblex were defeated, but at the cost of the Saspish temple and the lives of both Mara and Renato. Oublivae stands the last and perhaps most-challenging lord.

Player Death: Renato Ruiz was impaled on the end of Oublivae's tail, then used as a shield to deflect the blows of the party (unbeknownst to them). He ultimately expired from a potent blast of hellfire unleashed by the witch-queen.

• Kostchtchie has been soundly defeated and relegated to his Abyssal domain known as the Harrowbleak for 101 years. Woe to your descendants...
• Laan has all but turned his back on Isabella, leaving her to live or die without any divine aid. The prophet has had quite her fill of awakened divinities, especially one so confrontational and inconsiderate to the needs of his flock. But what to do about it...
• Kaylan's use of a miracle spared many from Juiblex's fate and weakened the Faceless Lord enough to be drawn into Narra's portal, however Widofa denied Kalia the sacrifice necessary to see this wonder paid. There is no telling how the goddess might instead exact her toll.
• Juiblex was jettisoned into deep space, where he quickly froze. His fate and whereabouts are now completely unknown, but it's highly unlikely he'll be back anytime soon.
• Oublivae killed both Mara and Renato, and now has Mercy, Thamior, and Kaern in her devastating aura. Banishment is the last resort, many fearing her ruinous aura will force them (and the church) to suffer even further.
• Various party members are subtly aware that this battle is being watched,observers including Jeda, the Angels of Death, and the Queen of the Universe. No doubt Heaven, Hell, and select demon lords are also being kept abreast of the situation (and, who knows, every other major cosmic power).

Returning NPCs: High Priestess Widofa Lorein, Sire Kalfar al'Zareef, Archmage Ayasha Malhotra, Spymaster Stefano Il'spana, Mara (dead), Kaern, Kostchtchie (defeated), Juiblex (defeated/dead), Oublivae

Next Session: The party rallies to avenge the deaths of Renato and Mara, and to drive the last great evil from the mountaintop. Bloodied, Oublivae is hardly bested. Then comes the difficult choice of what to do next. Expend Isabella's ritual magic to replenish the party's strength and push on against Jeda? Concede the pursuit to finish Yathnoc before he single-handedly destroys the north? Reequip the magics lost from Oublivae's presence? Or perhaps seek a means to restore the lives of the fallen?

Are You Ready?

Extra Experience Anyone?

I have here a list of NPCs that, if any player is inclined, may run in next week's session in addition to their own character. If you choose to run one during this rather epic battle, I will offer up an additional sixth of the total experience you would normally earn from the encounter. So if one person plays an additional character, you'd all receive an extra 1/6th from the encounter. If three people run extra characters, it'd be an additional 50%; and if six people ran NPCs it'd amount to double the experience.

Again no pressure, but this would be a good chance to try out new classes, builds, and just add an additional flavor to things. Realistically, I think this list of people would immediately aid in the fight.

In fact, this list is about the only group capable of confronting the demon lords and surviving beyond yourselves.

You're free to stat them up as level 23 with whatever class/powers/feats/weapons you see fit. I'll only be listing race and archetype. Any questions regarding their background or personalities, feel free to contact me.

Also, each player may only play one additional character. We also want to preserve the integrity of the PCs in play, but many of you are capable of handling two (it might also give you a better chance of surviving).

And during combat, regardless of PC or NPC, your turns are going to be limited to 2 minutes each. Helps with the urgency. If you go over time, you make a basic melee or ranged attack.

Available Roster

Kaern (taken by Josh)

Mara (taken by Chris); Guardian Seraph of the Choir (Deva w/ wings); reformed succubi looking to earn the forgiveness and respect of those she's hurt

Ayasha Malhotra; Archmage of Saspien (Vampire); Arcane power source; desert-flare, fiercely loyal to the crown, spells themed around djinn

Spymaster Stefano (taken by Rick); ancient vampire assassin and 'godfather' of Saspien; more of a grandfather or great uncle to the royal family, though holds no direct relation.

Sire Kalfar al'Zareef (taken by John); Arcane power source; archmage and political genius, rival of the Il'spana family; sire of House al'Zareef; eyes the crown of Saspien, but only when he's certain he can keep it indefinitely (so he wouldn't be assassinating Isabella mid-battle)

High Priestess Widofa Lorein (taken by Gav); ancient and powerful Divine caster type focused very little on healing, very much on punishment; one of the few Hecate hold-outs; proud; independently wealthy; horribly bitter and rude