Ok, so I will provide some pertinent background information and then I am interested in any feedback that you (the community) have for some ideas here.
In the campaign currently, Heironeous has essentially lost his power. Now, the church of Heironeous is the primary religion in the country from which the party hails. His power is locked into a 100’ radius area and also resides in some small measure in a gem that hangs around the neck of the party paladin, enabling those who follow Heironeous to utilize their divine abilities if they are within 50 feet of the gem.
Now, we have this rather crafty priest of Nerull who has successfully infiltrated a church outside that area of affect. Said priest masquerades as a priest of Heironeous and actually gains some standing in the de-powered church. Party Paladin shows up and brings some measure of divine ability back to the de-powered church (in a small area). Priest of Nerull, in a vision from his god, realizes what the gem is. Priest of Nerull (nefarious as he is) convinces Paladin to turn over the gem and to leave town. Party and Party Paladin do just this.
Now Mr. Nefarious priest of Nerull, through prayer (lots of prayer), discovers a way to corrupt this gem holding this stockpile of Heironeous’s power. He does so. Nerull is happy and blesses said Nefarious priest with essentially a divine boon. In his search for power, said priest uses this blessing to “Grow to great power within the church of Nerull and if ever struck down, to be returned long enough and with enough power to punish those who struck him down”.
So, Party Paladin realizes what a dolt he was and gets a bit angry. Said party paladin and party finally return to the city and confront Mr. Nefarious Priest of Nerull. Paladin lowers artifact holy avenger to priests neck and prepares to attack. Party Ranger shoots (multi-shot) Mr. Nefarious Priest. Nerull realizes this is a no win situation and “retrieves” Mr. Nefarious Priest, activating part 2 of his divine boon.
So, here is the question. The priest will be returning as something nasty. I want this to be a challenge to the party, but not immediately - possibly a level or two out. This would set the Challenge rating at around 13/14. This should be a significant challenge to the party (greater than 50% of their resources), and be able to cause all sorts of difficulties from behind the scenes for the next several sessions.
What are your ideas? What would Nerull send this schmuck back as?
Thanks for any comments or advice.
In the campaign currently, Heironeous has essentially lost his power. Now, the church of Heironeous is the primary religion in the country from which the party hails. His power is locked into a 100’ radius area and also resides in some small measure in a gem that hangs around the neck of the party paladin, enabling those who follow Heironeous to utilize their divine abilities if they are within 50 feet of the gem.
Now, we have this rather crafty priest of Nerull who has successfully infiltrated a church outside that area of affect. Said priest masquerades as a priest of Heironeous and actually gains some standing in the de-powered church. Party Paladin shows up and brings some measure of divine ability back to the de-powered church (in a small area). Priest of Nerull, in a vision from his god, realizes what the gem is. Priest of Nerull (nefarious as he is) convinces Paladin to turn over the gem and to leave town. Party and Party Paladin do just this.
Now Mr. Nefarious priest of Nerull, through prayer (lots of prayer), discovers a way to corrupt this gem holding this stockpile of Heironeous’s power. He does so. Nerull is happy and blesses said Nefarious priest with essentially a divine boon. In his search for power, said priest uses this blessing to “Grow to great power within the church of Nerull and if ever struck down, to be returned long enough and with enough power to punish those who struck him down”.
So, Party Paladin realizes what a dolt he was and gets a bit angry. Said party paladin and party finally return to the city and confront Mr. Nefarious Priest of Nerull. Paladin lowers artifact holy avenger to priests neck and prepares to attack. Party Ranger shoots (multi-shot) Mr. Nefarious Priest. Nerull realizes this is a no win situation and “retrieves” Mr. Nefarious Priest, activating part 2 of his divine boon.
So, here is the question. The priest will be returning as something nasty. I want this to be a challenge to the party, but not immediately - possibly a level or two out. This would set the Challenge rating at around 13/14. This should be a significant challenge to the party (greater than 50% of their resources), and be able to cause all sorts of difficulties from behind the scenes for the next several sessions.
What are your ideas? What would Nerull send this schmuck back as?
Thanks for any comments or advice.
