Keeping powerful characters dead

[Deadguy]

I should also add that necrotic termination is a 9th level spell. But I can imagine a sort of NPC necromancer who experiments using the necrotic cyst spells. Sell the BBEG to him as 'experimental material'!

Okay, probably not a very good thing! But terribly efficient.

 

[AFGNCAAP]

Then again, you may want to consider the simple fac tthat the BBEG's deity just may not want to bring back the BBEG. If the BBEG was defeated &/or slain, then the BBEG has failed the patron deity.

The patron deity may decide to elevate another (unknown to the PCs) devout follower to the same status/power as the BBEG, or take a different approach to "deal" with the PCs that interfered w/ the deity's plans.

 

[MerakSpielman]

There's a 9th level cleric spell in the Kingdoms of Kalamar book called "Natural Death." It causes the subject to age rapidly until they die. The spell specifically states that this counts as a natural death by old age and they cannot be resurrected.

 

[Psion]

Has anyone mentioned the obvious soul bind?

Next step is the way fun Shatter Soul from Relics & Rituals.

 

[Chaldfont]

Start a campaign to convice the BBEG's god that its a Bad Idea to bring him back. if the Evil god is a vengeful one, or the BBEG was very ambitious, this gets easier.

This kind of campaign could lead your PCs on a very interesting moral course: Is it ok to traffic with evil (demons and gods) when trying to do good (trying to get rid of BBEG)? What if some evil intermediary (like a demon or devil lord) agreed to help slander the BBEG, but only at a great price to the PCs?

 

[Darkness]

Then again, you may want to consider the simple fac tthat the BBEG's deity just may not want to bring back the BBEG.

To quote myself, with emphasis:

Sure, in some cases I can just say nobody likes a loser and even his closest friends won't bring the bad guy back. But often that just doesn't make any sense.

Has anyone mentioned the obvious soul bind?

Yep, I did.

Start a campaign to convice the BBEG's god that its a Bad Idea to bring him back.

Hehe. That could be an interesting change of pace for the PCs.

*makes a mental note of natural death (KoK) and shatter soul (R&R)*

 

[Kodam]

Hi!

1. Get some water from the river Styx
2. Capture BBEG
3. Make him drink the water to rob him of all memories of his life
4. Torture him to near death
5. Tell him that you're going to revive him for further torture
6. Kill him


No, its not a nice way. But he will not want to come back to life!

Kodam

 

[RuminDange]

Next step is the way fun Shatter Soul from Relics & Rituals.

Ah beat me too it! I have used that one to great effect IMC as background stories to several good NPC's that were taken out that the players learned about.
Another method is hit'em with a critical while using a Nine-Lives Stealer, but wish or miracle might be able to reverse that.

Another possible solution is hit him with Energy Drain spells while someone uses Power Sight or Eyes of Dark Aura. Drain him down to 1st level, wait a day, see if the level loss holds. Repeat if needed. Then take him out. He used to be legendary (over 10th) now he isn't. Once you dispose of the remains, what divination will find a now 1st level dead LBEG.

RD

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

From the Book of Vile Darkness: Use his soul as an arcane material component. Or get someone else to do it, because if you aren't already evil, you will be.

 

[Darkness]

Styx water... Nice. The planes have so much to offer if you need to put the hurt on somebody.

Energy drain. Heh. I had forgotten that restoration can only be used for a relatively short time after the drain. Thought it was longer. Handy, that, if he'll be back despite your efforts.

Agreed, using up a soul for magic is about as vile as you can get. Many evil item crafters will just love to get their hands on a free soul, too. (You might want to witness the destruction of the soul if you give it to someone else, of course.)