Challenging my high-lvl group (NPCs and monsters; my players shouldn't read this!)

[Ashy]

One word:

"genius."

 

[Piratecat]

Nope. but maybe "sneaky."

 

[Benben]

"Nasty side effects for ancient people being kept alive by magic? Check. "

Their are two people that come to mind with that bullet point.

The Dwarf defending the Black Gate.

Ioun.

Interesting. This is huge shake up of the status quo.

 

[Kaodi]

Rat Bastard Dungeon Master

That is certainly some sweet stuff you have revolving in the black recesses of your twisted mind.
I am probably wrong, but I would imagine that there is some practical use for the fading essence of a divine being, but more importantly, is Galanna going to be shunned by the other deities? I mean, god killers can't be too popular, even when they are one of the good guys.

 

[Jeremy]

Nope. Right the first time. Genius.

 

[Ashy]

Nope. Right the first time. Genius.

Aye!

 

[Talix]

How about "really really really really really impressive"?

Definitely yoinking the defender in the shadow thing - that's very cool, and I look forward to seeing her in action. And in personality conflicts.

I would assume that Galana made that shot with the help or at least approval of a majority of the good gods, if not all the good gods, if not a majority of all the gods. I doubt she was a rogue force working alone.

The whole goddess falling thing was totally a surprise to me - even at the very end with the "it's coming!" whispers, I wasn't expecting that. However, as others have mentioned I thought it was very clear that SOMETHING was going to happen, and the omens and clues that you gave out were very well-thought-out, IMHO. I'm just not one that picks up easily on that sort of thing. Question: did any of your PCs pick up on it, like you were hoping they would? Or were they as surprised as we were (what is sounds like in the story hour)?

I completely approve of this Rat Bastardness - please carry on.

 

[Piratecat]

I would assume that Galana made that shot with the help or at least approval of a majority of the good gods, if not all the good gods, if not a majority of all the gods. I doubt she was a rogue force working alone.

None of the PCs know.

That's DM Speak for "I haven't had to decide yet." My assumption is that she didn't do it alone, because she was under divine command. Probably she was ordered to, rebelled, and was forced to - I'm not sure yet. I'll decide when I figure out what's best for the story.

If I can, I'd like to work it out so that Tao has a good, legitimate reason to leave the party near the end of July. That's when Jobu moves to Las Vegas (curse her oily hide), and her PC is too complex to keep with the group as a NPC. I'm hoping to make the split an emotional climax of some kind, but haven't sussed it out yet; we'll have to see.

 

[Kaodi]

Tao

What if Tao were summoned by Galanna to complete some sort of holy quest to appease the other gods? The catch would be that Tao would have to go it alone because only one mortal Galanna chose would be granted safe passage into a dangerous, forbidden area of the multiverse, and a mortal just happens to be needed to complete the quest. As for what that quest is, perhaps something related to the Defenders' quest, so it would be kind of like Tao is still helping out. Just a suggestion, have to split, laters.

 

[Eccles]

In the event that Galanna is acting rogue (or is just being hunted by Gods who were in with Imbindarla), then she could come to hide out on the Prime and enlist Tao to guard her...