Ending a long campaign.

[Evilhalfling]

I was looking for some advice on making the end of a long campaign memorable.

3 of the 4 have been played 4th -18th and I will be ending the game soon (as few of us consider the hightest levels as much fun.)

I have a group of villians trying to bring on an ice age, who the players have stopped twice before, but knows they are not finished with. The PCs have the sword needed to bring on Ragnerock, carefully concealled in the town they control. Thanks to Dragon 347# i have stats for the demon lord of Ice, should someone manage to gate him into the prime.

They think something is coming on the first day of winter, which is 4 weeks away
although they were told this from a completely unreliable source.
They are currently on a plane where time flows intermittantly.

So I have a couple of choices but would like suggestions for the most dramtic ending -
1. PCs return home with lots of time, and have the chance to ready an assult on the villians lair before winter begins.

2. PCs time races while off plane and PCs return home the day before or on the first day of winter, making immediate action necessary.

3. Villians attack PCs home with or without a gated Cryonax,

4. PCs have to assult the villians lair (again) and get into part of the lair they avoided the first time around.

5. Travel elsewhere (such as the abyssal home of Cryonaw) or new villian lair

6. ?
So whats the best way to insure excitement in a 18th lvl party?

 

[Crothian]

I'd try to get the players talking about it outside of game. When that happens you know excitement is building. Another thing I like is after it is all over, give them a epilogue. It doesn't have to be a gaming senssion just write up what happens after the campaign ends and show the effect their actions have on what is going on.

edit:doh!!

 

[taliesin15]

Actually, Crothian, that would be an epilogue...

one possibility is to try to drop hints that all these things are possible, then throw a spanner into the works...like a rumor from a Bard who overheard from a high level Cleric of Thor that Loki and Thor have made temporary peace with each other so they can steal some magic gems from one of the Giants or something like that...try to make it confusing, like all the weird conspiracy theories around the JFK assasination (like Joe Pesci shouting "even the shooters don't know!")

 

[Master of the Game]

I like a combination of 2 and 5. Have them get back on the first day of winter just as the ritual to open a portal to summon Cryonax. They have to fight through their old enemies, but just as the last one dies he whispers, "Fools... You're too late, the portal is openned, and it can only be closed from the other side...."

They then heal up a bit and leap through the portal to faced Cyonax himself. A brief fight, they kill him, then one person has to stay behind to seal the portal forever.

Then, the epilogue.... Perhaps even hinting at the start of the new campaign.