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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mesh Hong" data-source="post: 5166504" data-attributes="member: 73463">After defeating the Spectral Surgeon my PCs (6x level 24) found the activation switch that operated the spiral stairway to the next floor of the tower, which ended in a trap door. They burst through only to discover a room empty and featureless apart from a silver font in the rough shape of a 4ft high goblet that had a young teenager tethered to it by some sort of necrotic energy. They cautiously questioned the upset teen who said that his name was victor and he had been kidnapped maybe 2 weeks ago and brought there by unknown evil. He also said that his father was a rich merchant and would no doubt pay handsomely for his safe return. The PCs were more than a little suspicious of this child but their investigations were cut short when a rasping voice (coming from victor) shouted “shut up, shut up, stop talking and kill them…..” with that three separate beings seeped out of victor as necrotic energy and coalesced. The battle was on……. The three enemies were: A knight dressed in heavy platemail made from bone, carrying a black bladed longsword and a heavy shield with the symbol of Vecna on it (this being looked unnervingly similar to the groups paladin who is an Angel of Death). A skeletal creature with glowing red eyes, wearing long black robes and clutching an orb made from bone to its chest. A hooded humanoid creature formed completely out of writhing black maggot like creatures, except for a bone ring in the shape of a skull on one finger. The PCs quickly came to the opinion that these three creatures somehow represented Vecnas three domains of Undeath, Necromancy and Secrets. They knew that Vecna had been killed some weeks ago, could this be remnants or shadows of his personality somehow trying to live on or reform and if so what was there connection to this child? They quickly pushed philosophical thought aside, they had come here to get a vial of water from that font, and nothing was going to stop them.   Remnant of Undeath Level 27 Elite SoldierMedium Immortal Humanoid XP 22,000 Initiative +24 Senses Perception +25, darkvision, truesight 10, blindsight 5HP 504; Bloodied 252AC 43; Fortitude 41, Reflex 40, Will 38Immune disease, poison; Resist 30 necrotic; Vulnerable 5 radiantSaving Throws +2, +5 vs. non ongoing damage effectsSpeed 6, teleport 3Action 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:" /> Blackblade Strike (Standard; at-will)Attack +34 vs. AC; 2d8+10 damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Cage of Blows (Standard; at-will)Remnant makes 2 Blackblade Strike attacks against the same target; if at least 1 attack hits the target is immobilised until the start of Remnants next turn <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Draining Strike (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:" />) ♦ necroticAttack +34 vs. AC; 4d10+10 necrotic damage; on hit target is weakened and takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls (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:" /> Dark Summons (Move; 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:" />)1 target inside burst 5; attack +32 vs. Will; on hit target is pulled 4 squares and slowed until the end of their next turn <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Sweeping Blade (Standard; at-will)Burst 1; enemies only; attack +32 vs. AC; 3d8+10 damage; on hit target is knocked prone Dark Challenge (Minor; at-will) ♦ 1/roundRemnant challenges 1 target enemy that it can see and must either end its turn adjacent to the target or attack it before the end of its turn; until the start of the Remnants next turn the target is marked and takes 25 necrotic damage the first time it makes an attack that does not include the Remnant Fortified Plate (Free) ♦ subject to critical hitWhen a critical hit is scored against Remnant it makes an unmodified saving throw, if successful the critical hit is negated and the attack is reduced to a standard hit Combat AwarenessEnemies do not receive any bonus to attack roles from flanking the Remnant Alignment Evil Languages all languagesSkills Athletics +28, Endurance +27, Intimidate +18Str 30 (+23) Dex 28 (+22) Wis 24 (+20)Con 28 (+22) Int 20 (+18) Cha 10 (+13)Equipment Fortified Plate, Heavy Shield, Blackblade longsword   Remnant of Necromancy Level 27 Elite ArtilleryMedium Immortal Humanoid (undead) XP 22,000 Initiative +22 Senses Perception +26, darkvisionFeeding Evil (necrotic, healing, activates when first bloodied) aura 1; Activates when first bloodied; any living creature entering or starting their turn inside aura takes 30 necrotic damage and Remnant regains 15 HPsHP 384; Bloodied 192; see Feeding EvilRegeneration 20AC 39; Fortitude 38, Reflex 42, Will 40Immune disease, poison; Resist 30 necrotic, 15 psychic; Vulnerable 5 radiantSaving Throws +2Speed 7, teleport 3Action 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:" /> Touch of Death (Standard; at-will) ♦ necroticAttack +32 vs. Reflex; 1d6+11 necrotic damage; on hit target loses a healing surge, if target does not have any healing surges to lose they take necrotic damage equal to their healing surge value <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Anti-life Bolts (Standard; at-will) ♦ necrotic, radiantRange 10/20; 1, 2 or 3 targets; attack +32 vs. Fortitude; 3d8+11 necrotic and radiant damage <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Anti-life Beam (Standard; at-will) ♦ necrotic, radiantRange 10/20; attack +32 vs. Reflex; 4d6+11 necrotic and radiant damage; on hit slide target 4 squares <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Soul Seeker Bolts (Standard; encounter) ♦ necroticRange 20; Remnant makes the following attack against all enemies in can see within range; attack +32 vs. Fortitude; 4d6+11 necrotic damage; on hit target takes a -2 penalty to all defences (save ends), aftereffect target takes a -1 penalty to all defences (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:" /> Shade Sight (Minor; at-will) ♦ charm, 1/round1 target inside burst 3; attack +32 vs. Will; on hit target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls (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:" /> Summon Bones (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:" />) ♦ necrotic, summon, teleportBurst 2; enemies only; attack +32 vs. Fortitude; 2d8+11 necrotic damage; hit or miss Remnant summons 6 Skeleton Warriors who appear in any free square within burst; and Remnant becomes invisible until the start of its next turn and teleports 6 squares Alignment Evil Languages all languagesSkills Arcana +29, History +29, Insight +26, Religion +29Str 20 (+18) Dex 28 (+22) Wis 26 (+21)Con 24 (+20) Int 32 (+24) Cha 28 (+22)Equipment orb of bone,    Skeleton Warrior Level 25 MinionMedium Natural Animate (undead) XP 1,750 Initiative +21 Senses Perception +20, darkvisionHP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.AC 39; Fortitude 37, Reflex 39, Will 37Immune disease, poison; Resist 20 necrotic; Vulnerable 5 radiantSpeed 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:" /> Scimitar Slice (Standard; at-will)Attack +30 vs. AC; 15 damage Speed of the DeadSkeleton gains a +6 bonus to attack rolls when making opportunity attacks Fleet of Foot (Minor; at-will)Skeleton may shift 1 square as a minor action Alignment Unaligned Str 25 (+19) Dex 28 (+21) Wis 26 (+20)Con 20 (+17) Int 3 (+8) Cha 3 (+8)Equipment scimitar, shield   Remnant of Secrets Level 28 Elite ControllerMedium Immortal Humanoid (hooded man) XP 26,000 Initiative +22 Senses Perception +28, darkvision, truesight 10Maddening Whispers (psychic) aura 3; All enemies entering or starting their turn inside the aura take 15 psychic damage and take a -2 penalty to attack rolls, skill checks and saving throwsHP 516; Bloodied 258AC 42; Fortitude 40, Reflex 40, Will 42Resist 30 psychic, 15 radiant; Vulnerable 5 thunderSaving Throws +2Speed 6Action 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:" /> Psychic Slap (Standard; at-will) ♦ psychicAttack +32 vs. Fortitude; 2d8+11 psychic damage; on hit slide target 1 square <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/m.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":melee:" title="Melee    :melee:" data-shortname=":melee:" /> Inhabit Flesh (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:" />) ♦ psychic, possessionAttack +32 vs. Will; 4d8+11 psychic damage; on hit remnant enters targets body and controls target (save ends); see Possession; when target makes its saving throw the Remnant leaves the targets body appearing in any free adjacent square; this power cannot recharge while Remnant is possessing a target <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/r.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":ranged:" title="Ranged    :ranged:" data-shortname=":ranged:" /> Psychic Puppeteer (Standard; at-will) ♦ psychicRange 10; attack +32 vs. Will; 3d8+11 psychic damage; on hit slide target 6 squares and target is knocked prone <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Shocking Revelations (Standard; encounter) ♦ psychicBurst 8; enemies only; attack +32 vs. Will; 3d8+11 psychic damage; on hit target is stunned until the end of Remnants next turn <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Relocation Situation (Standard; recharge 56) ♦ psychic, teleport2 targets inside burst 5; attack +32 vs. Fortitude or Will (which ever higher); 3d8+11 psychic damage; on hit target is immobilised (save ends); if at least 1 target is hit then both targets switch places <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/c.gif"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":close:" title="Close    :close:" data-shortname=":close:" /> Power Word Heal (Move; encounter) ♦ healingBurst 8; Remnant and all allies regain 150 HPs and gain a +2 bonus to all defences until the end of Remnants next turn Possession ♦ dominateA Possessed target is considered dominated for abilities or powers that use that keyword. On the possessed creatures turn the Remnant controls the creature as if it were that creature, using its minor, move and standard action. The Remnant has full access to the possessed creatures remaining powers including encounter and daily powers but cannot spend its action points or activate magical items. If the Remnant uses a creatures encounter or daily power that power is expended like usual. The only actions the possessed creature takes in its turn are saving throws. While possessing a target the Remnant does not take damage and cannot be attacked, the possessed creature takes all damage and effects instead, but the Remnant no longer acts on its turn, instead acting as the possessed target. When the possession ends the Remnant reverts to its original initiative. Alignment Evil Languages all languagesSkills Arcana +28, History +28, Insight +28, Intimidate +30, Religion +28Str 24 (+21) Dex 26 (+22) Wis 28 (+23)Con 26 (+22) Int 28 (+23) Cha 32 (+25)Equipment ring of secrets This encounter was not as dangerous as I had hoped for, the main reason for this I think is that the party had not expended many resources before reaching it. They had previously faced two encounters that could have been draining, but turned out not to be through good luck, good tactics and general Epic efficiency. Not surprisingly once they discovered what the Remnant of Secrets could do they concentrated heavily on defeating it. It coped quite well for a while and managed to use all its powers (which is always good for DM morale), it even managed to possess the warlord and get him to Lead the Attack against the paladin which granted the Remnant of Undeath a +1 bonus to hit him for the rest of the encounter. The Remnant of Undeath put in a solid performance as a defender, but its Dark Challenge wasn’t anywhere near as useful as I thought it might be. I was especially pleased to see its Fortified Plate ability useful on more than one occasion. The Remnant of Necromancy somewhat under performed, while it was the last creature to be defeated in the entire combat it only managed to use Summon Bones once. Proving that recharge 5,6 can sometimes mean recharge never. I don’t think I would change that power but I might consider adding 1 summoned skeleton to its Anti-life Bolts and Anti-life Beam powers somehow.  A problem I have generally with using minions is that one of the PCs is a Life Stealer Infernal Warlock which means that every time a cursed creature dies he gets to give someone about 28 temporary HPs, the practical upshot of this is that every minion needs to hit twice just to break even (damage wise). I cleverly designed a previous encounter with minions to bypass that power (Exarch of Tiamat) but it would be completely unfair to do that regularly, or maybe even ever again. The encounter was still exciting though, and a big factor in that was my players exuberance. When the Remnant of Secrets was defeated it’s essence was sucked into the font, and victor (tethered teenager) was knocked unconscious by necrotic energy. This prompted a desperate (and surprisingly clever) response from the paladin. He used Divine Transposition to switch places with victor, freeing him but in the process binding him by the tether to the font. This solicited gasps of amazement from the other players and also myself (how was I supposed to predict that?). On his next turn the paladin attacked the tether, but the damage was conducted along the strand of energy into himself. Meanwhile the rest of the party were fighting the remaining remnants and the warlock realised that the font might react catastrophically when all three remnants had been forced into it. But they needed to do that to release the water into its bowl that they were there to collect. The Remnant of Undeath was taken down, returning it to the font and the Remnant of Necromancy was on its last legs when the paladin revealed his ultimate plan. He raised his sword, spoke an oath of service and death to the Raven Queen and announced that he was going to kill himself to trigger his on death power. Again amazement all round. - for an account of this situation and my reasoning my recent post in the 4e general discussion forum thread “Odd emergent quality in Epic Level 4E”. The paladin did himself a great deal of damage with a coup de grace, but not enough to kill himself as Epic characters are hard to kill. His wishes were soon granted when the Remnants in the font attacked him through the tether. I was ruling that they had full access to their powers but could only affect their tethered target and I was doubling the number of dice in the attack. The paladin exploded (using the on death power he would return at the end of the encounter), the rest of the PCs were astounded but didn’t have time to think about their suicidal companion as the Remnant of Necromancy was dispatched and returned to the font which filled with murky water which then started to drain. The warlock sensed that their was a proportional increase in a massive build up of magical energy and he guessed that the water would drain in about 3 rounds and the whole area would detonate! Keeping the action in combat initiative victor was gathered, vials were grabbed from backpacks and madly dumped into the draining font and the Recall ritual was activated with the group teleporting to safety just before the inevitable explosion in a highly cinematic and enjoyable little sequence…….. …….then the encounter was over and the paladin returned from the dead…… …….Standing in a twisted rock strewn blasted patch of badly damaged ground where Vecnas tower used to be, somewhere in pandemonium, with maddening winds howling through the debris and his mind. He already knew that rituals cannot be cast in the open so he couldn’t just plane shift out, his friends had just seen him explode and didn’t know where he would rematerialise. He was alone in the plane of madness and in serious trouble.</blockquote>

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