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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mesh Hong" data-source="post: 5150609" data-attributes="member: 73463">Here is the grand finale of the “Shrine of Tithe” section of my current campaign. This follows on directly from the three elite dragons encounter and was a level 27.5 encounter for 6 level 24 characters. The PCs had 1 round before this kicked off, which for game purposes I counted as a short rest to allow some healing and power resetting. The large 5ft high platform activated as a teleport zone (see 3 elite dragons post for a brief environment description) and a large sized Dragonborn with multicoloured scales appeared, wearing a scintillating suit of platemail and a matching halberd which shone in range of shifting colours, the PCs immediately recognised this powerful creature as an Exarch of Tiamat and a very serious threat. The next creature through was a medium sized Dragonborn wearing robes and carrying a staff that ended in a crown of dragon heads, this creature immediately hopped off the platform to take cover behind it. The battle was on, this was going to be no walk in the park…….. Exarch of Tiamat Level 26 Solo SoldierLarge Immortal Humanoid XP 45,000 Initiative +25 / +10 Senses Perception +24, darkvisionHP 1,220; Bloodied 610; see Maximum RageAC 42; Fortitude 41, Reflex 37, Will 39Resist 20 variable (3/encounter); Vulnerable 10 necroticSaving Throws +5Speed 7, fly 10 (clumsy)Action Points 2 <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Halberd Strike (Standard; at-will)Reach 3; attack +33 vs. AC; 2d8+11 damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Elemental Assault (Standard; at-will) ♦ variableExarch makes 3 attacks against the same target; reach 3; attack +32 vs. AC; 1d6+11 (variable) damage; to determine the damage type on each attack roll a d6: 1: fire; 2: cold; 3: acid; 4: lightning; 5: poison; 6: the attack combines all the above and deals an additional 1d6 damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Maximum Rage (Standard; at-will) ♦ only while bloodiedOnly while bloodied; reach 3; attack +33; 5d10+11 damage; on hit target is pushed 5 squares and slowed (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Chromatic Retaliation (Immediate Reaction; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ charm, hit by any attack within rangeWhen hit by any attack within 10 squares; does not provoke opportunity attacks; attack +31 vs. Will; on hit target is blinded (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Elemental Blast (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ fire, cold, acid, lightning, poisonClose blast 5; attack +31 vs. Reflex; 4d10+9 fire, cold, acid, lightning and poison damage; on hit secondary attack +30 vs. Will; on hit target is dazed (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Visions of Avarice (Standard; encounter) ♦ charm, psychicBurst 10; enemies only; attack +31 vs. Will; 5d12+9 psychic damage; on hit target is dominated (save ends) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Chromatic Whirlwind (Standard; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ fire, cold, acid, lightning, poisonBurst 3; attack +33 vs. AC; 4d6+11 fire, cold, acid, lightning and poison damage; on hit target is pushed 5 squares and knocked prone Threatening ReachExarch has threatening reach (3) with its Halberd Strike attack Multiple ActionsExarch acts twice each round on +25 and +10; on each turn it may take a standard (or move) and minor action Teleport (Minor; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />) ♦ teleportExarch may teleport 8 squares as a minor action Alignment Chaotic Evil Languages draconic, supernalSkills Athletics +29, Endurance +27, Intimidate +27Str 32 (+24) Dex 24 (+20) Wis 22 (+19)Con 28 (+22) Int 20 (+18) Cha 28 (+22)Equipment chromatic plate, chromatic halberd  Tithe Priest Level 25 Elite Artillery (Leader)Medium Immortal Humanoid XP 14,000 Initiative +19 Senses Perception +25, darkvisionAura of Inevitable Doom (charm) aura 5; All enemies inside the aura take a -2 penalty to saving throwsEternal Contract of Tiamat aura 20; All Tithe Warriors reduced to 0 HPs inside the aura are not killed but instead pulled through an open planar rift (if available); these Warriors may return to battle on their next turn through any available planar riftHP 364; Bloodied 182; see Conduit CascadeAC 37; Fortitude 37, Reflex 37, Will 38Saving Throws +2Speed 6, teleport 5Action Points 1 <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Staff Strike (Standard; at-will)Attack +30 vs. AC; 3d6+5 damage; on hit Priests Charged Blast power recharges <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Lightning Bolts (Standard; at-will) ♦ lightning3 attacks; Range 20; attack +32 vs. AC; 2d8+9 lightning damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Charged Blast ♦ fire, lightning, see Staff StrikeClose blast 5; attack +30 vs. Reflex; 5d12+9 fire and lightning damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Tiamats Rage (Standard; encounter) ♦ fire, lightning, charmBurst 20; enemies only; attack +30 vs. Fortitude; 4d10+9 fire and lightning damage; on hit target takes a -2 penalty to Will defence and cannot use any attack power other than basic attacks (save ends both) <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Create Conduit (Minor; recharge <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/5.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":5:" title="Five    :5:" data-shortname=":5:" /><img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/6.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":6:" title="Six    :6:" data-shortname=":6:" />)Burst 5, 1 target free square; creates a planar rift that fills 1 square; Tithe Warriors may emerge from and travel between rifts as part of a move action; any enemy ending their turn adjacent to a rift takes the following attack; attack +30 vs. Fortitude; on hit target takes 15 damage and is pulled through rift and emerges from another rift of the Priests choice (or a random rift if the Priest is dead); individual rifts can be dispelled with a DC35 religion or arcana check as a standard action by an adjacent PC Conduit Cascade (Free) ♦ when first bloodiedWhen first bloodied Priest creates 4 planar rifts as an immediate free action, see Create Conduit Alignment Chaotic Evil Languages draconic, supernalSkills Arcana +25, Religion +25Str 20 (+17) Dex 24 (+19) Wis 26 (+20)Con 26 (+20) Int 26 (+20) Cha 28 (+21)Equipment Dragon Staff  Tithe Warrior Level 22 MinionMedium Immortal Humanoid XP 520  Initiative +19 Senses Perception +17, darkvisionHP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.AC 38; Fortitude 35, Reflex 35, Will 33Speed 6, charge 7 <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/bm.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":bmelee:" title="Basic Melee    :bmelee:" data-shortname=":bmelee:" /> Sword Strike (Standard; at-will)Attack +27 vs. AC; 14 damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Pre-Emptive Attack (Immediate Interrupt; at-will) ♦ attacked by an adjacent enemyWhen attacked by an adjacent enemy Warrior may make a Sword Strike attack against the target as an immediate interrupt Alignment Chaotic Evil Languages draconic, supernalSkills Athletics +24, Endurance +23Str 27 (+19) Dex 26 (+19) Wis 22 (+17)Con 24 (+18) Int 16 (+14) Cha 18 (+15)Equipment longsword, chainmail Each round 8 Tithe Warriors entered play using any of the rifts, this meant that if the rifts and the minions themselves weren’t dealt with they would quickly get out of hand and swamp the PCs. The PCs quickly adopted a policy of large damaging zones which helped cut off rifts or kill minions quickly. It was a long and bloody fight, the Exarch was a juggernaught and ruled the area with multicoloured fire for a long time. The Priest kept at range and opened up more and more portals while the group followed closing them down, the joy they had when they bloodied the priest quickly turned to fear when it opened up 4 more portals…. So they made sure to drop him quickly after that with the hope that that would also destroy the portals. Again their hopes were dashed as the minions kept flowing. Eventually the Exarch was bloodied and they knew it could be defeated, then as they reduced the number of active portals down to two the cleric noticed something very large and white moving on the other side. (note the PCs had cleverly dropped a zone on the last 2 portals that would deal damage to anything entering it so this stopped the minions in their tracks – of course I had a turn where minions came pouring out and were burned to death in the Paladins holy fire). The next round there was a horrible ripping sound as a portal stretched and an ancient white dragon emerged (a level 24 solo) and ploughed directly into combat with its massive aura and breath attack. The effect this had on moral was nearly disastrous but the Warlock could see the dragon was highly attuned to the remaining portals, if they could close those down there would be a good chance that the dragon would be pulled back through to Tiamats realm. Two rounds later the rifts were closed and the dragon was pulled back to where it came from. It battled the dismissal long enough to swear that Tiamat would hunt the PCs down and destroy them utterly, but at that point the group had little concern for the future as they were still fighting for their lives against the badly wounded but still dangerous Exarch. Amazingly my stalwart PCs pulled through and triumphed, only one PC dropped to negative HPs in the encounter but everyone was bloodied multiple times and quite a few were perilously close to death, especially while the White Dragons 30 cold damage aura was in play. I was very pleased with the encounter, and we all found it amusing that due to my creature design the Exarch spent the last quarter of the encounter fighting from prone. It didn’t have the luxury of spending its action standing up, and even when it teleported it was still prone. In a way this added to the atmosphere as the Exarch had gone from confidently blasting the poor fools that had angered it to desperately trying to fend them off in a pool of its own blood. If anyone has any thoughts or feedback on this as always I would welcome it. Anyway I hope you found this encounter useful or at least entertaining.</blockquote>

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