Phazonfish
B-Rank Agent
But anyways, he has to sleep sometime.
I'm not sure that's true, it sounds like he has an invocation that makes him not need sleep.
But anyways, he has to sleep sometime.
So he's literally going to cut his own hand off if the players win the challenge? That sounds a bit odd.
But anyways, he has to sleep sometime. You guys can investigate where he lairs and either go gank him in his sleep or steal his spellbook/something else he values.
I'm not sure that's true, it sounds like he has an invocation that makes him not need sleep.
Yes, He doesn't need sleep or a spellbook...
I've never seens such an unbalanced character.
But... We have 2 f.u.c.k.i.n.g WIZARDS (One dead),
See? This lack of creativity on your part is going to get your group killed.
I am saying you should either attack him when he is weak or disadvantaged, or use the opportunity to steal something of his he values to then barter/blackmail for the artifact. He doesn't need to sleep, but he might still sleep. Even if he doesn't, he still needs to take long rests filled with no more than light activity. Hell, he might simply enjoy having a drink at a local tavern on occasion. He doesn't need a spell book? Steal something else. He's not a sentient flying laser cannon, after all.
Has your group done any work on identifying this villain's Ideal, Bond, or Flaw? Maybe his bond is a friend, family member, or lover. If so, that person might be a much softer target. You might be able to either take advantage of his flaw in negotiations, and his ideal might telegraph a weakness in his strategy or an area in which he fails to prepare.
Above all, this defeatist attitude of yours isn't doing you any favors. When your DM says "A thousand tarrasques emerge from the earth around you," clearly you need to think outside of the "How do I out-tarrasque a tarrasque" box.
I say after thr thread so far - surrender. Take a pass on the win the artifact in combat thing and move on in the campaign.
Its likely the fight as presented is not winnable so stop beating yourself over it.
Either find non-comvat options or move on to other events.
If its not enjoyable find something that is.
Whether your gm is thinking himself clever or what with this set piece puzzle its better you realize he can always at anytime throw an unwinnable fight if he is so inclined. It requires no creativity. It shows no brilliance. Its easy to do even by accident. So, show him your characters are smart enough to step aside and get off the tracks whem the GM Express Unstoppable toots its whistle.
But, i would see it OOC as an "oh well, so what, boring" sort of thing, as of you walked up to a cliff that caused you to detour, not as a missed opportunity.