AI RECAP: Wrath of the Righteous FINALE

Introduction and Campaign Recap

The session marks the likely finale of a seven-and-a-half-year-long campaign of Wrath of the Righteous, which began in November 2017. Les reflects on the incredible journey, highlighting the evolution of player characters and the camaraderie built over countless Sunday nights. The group reminisces about memorable moments, such as meeting the female demon antagonist, their quirky NPC companions like a talking armadillo, and the bizarre fusion of characters resulting from their adventures.

Characters and Player Dynamics

Each player’s character has undergone significant development:

• Lothar, a once-tall, skinny priest, now a winged figure with direct divine conversations.
• Gato, known for his unpredictable antics and a talking armadillo companion.
• Illendar, who surprisingly married a succubus, adding an unexpected twist.
• Bardos, a utility mage who often disrupts plans with unexpected spells and power surges using nanites, showcasing inventive gameplay.
• Fletcher, evolving from an elf barbarian to a unique figure with a demonic arm, capable of causing chaos and pounce attacks.
• Fflasheart, the ritual reader and paladin, central to the climax.
• Farotto, a half-elf/half panther huntress archer.

Players joke about their trust issues, character quirks, and the evolving nature of their group dynamics, painting a picture of a lively and engaging role-playing experience.

The Final Battle Setup

The climax revolves around protecting Illandar as he reads the Lexicon to perform a crucial ritual near the Worldwound. The party must defend him for six uninterrupted minutes while absorbing attacks from Areelu Vorlesh, a powerful demoness determined to disrupt the ritual.

• Illendar’s reading is aided by multiple buffs: protection from evil, immunity to fear, planar adaptation, energy resistance, blessing of fervor, and holy aura.
• Bardos sets up defensive magic, including prismatic walls and dimensional locks, creating a “pillow fort” around the party to prevent enemy interference.
• Other players are positioned to attack or protect, with some characters able to see invisible enemies or provide additional magical support.

Battle Highlights

• Areelu Vorlesh repeatedly attempts to dispel Bardos’ dimensional anchor and casts powerful spells like Maze and Mass Suffocation to incapacitate the party.
• Players employ a mix of ranged attacks, magical buffs, and tactical positioning, with Fletcher notably engaging in direct combat and pounce attacks on invisible foes.
• Bardos’ Prismatic Walls block most magical and physical attacks, forcing Areelu to expend multiple spells to try to break through. She doesn’t have the spells required.
• Spell resistance and planar adaptation protect the party from many debilitating effects, such as suffocation and mind-affecting spells.
• The party uses smite evil buffs and other combat enhancements to maintain offensive pressure despite the defensive posture.

Tactical Innovation and Role-Playing

The players’ creative use of spells to build an impenetrable defensive position around Illendar exemplifies their strategic ingenuity. The DM praises this unique solution, emphasizing how it subverted the intended difficulty of the encounter.

Ritual Completion and Aftermath

The party successfully completes the ritual, throwing the Lexicon and the Suture into the Worldwound, triggering a massive explosion symbolized by a mushroom cloud. Just before the blast, the party is teleported to a new, ominous location filled with demonic insectile creatures and balors.

But before the overwhelming opposition can envelope them, several deities and powerful entities manifest, including Erastil, Nocticula, Imomedae, and Desna, indicating the larger cosmic ramifications of the party’s actions. The group faces a final confrontation with these forces before being forcibly transported back to the Sarkorian desert, when they see the destruction they have wrought… and the end of the Fifth Crusade.

Campaign Epilogue and Reflection

The city near the Worldwound, now renamed “the City of Was,” lies in ruins under a massive mushroom cloud. The party returns to their stronghold, greeted by allies and celebrations for their successful crusade.

The DM and players discuss the campaign’s conclusion, reflecting on the following:

• The effectiveness of the defensive “pillow fort” strategy.
• The fate of key antagonists like Areelu Vorlesh.
• The impact of divine intervention by multiple gods.
• The long-term effect of the destroyed Worldwound.

Favorite Characters and NPCs

Players and the DM share their favorite characters and moments:

• Yeardley (a pooping demon) and Scawae the Sky Whale receive special mention as memorable NPCs.
• Gato’s chaotic nature and Fletcher’s evolving barbarian prowess are highlighted among PCs.
• Bardos’ utility magic and creative spell use earn him accolades.
• Nocticula’s complex arc and role as an antagonist turned ally are appreciated.
• Illendar’s atonement arc and Lothar’s leadership resonate with the group.

Campaign Challenges and Improvements

Players candidly discuss less enjoyable moments:

• The tediousness of managing vast amounts of in-game currency (the “coin weight” debate).
• Certain slogging encounters, such as fighting through crystal-laden areas and navigating Bag of Holding scenarios.
• The absence of mythic powers for PCs, despite their presence among enemies, was a noted frustration.
• The DM reflects on the balance between story and mechanics, expressing satisfaction with the overall flow and player creativity.

Behind-the-Scenes Insights

The DM details inspirations and design choices, including:

• Borrowing cityscape ideas from dark fantasy literature to enrich Alushinyrra.
• Incorporating non-book content like the demon house and unique NPCs.
• Crafting challenging scenarios to test player ingenuity, such as the massive coin haul and defensive spell combinations.
• The evolving nature of the campaign, adapting to player choices and unexpected tactics.

Future Plans and Community

The DM plans to share all campaign materials, maps, and session recordings with players to preserve the legacy of this epic journey.

Players consider how their characters and stories might continue or be revisited in other settings, with hints at post-campaign narratives and expansions.

Closing Remarks

The session ends on a note of gratitude and camaraderie. The DM thanks the players for their dedication and creativity over the years, praising the teamwork and storytelling that made the campaign special. Players reciprocate with appreciation for the DM’s guidance and world-building.

The group looks forward to future gaming adventures, while celebrating the successful conclusion of a memorable chapter in their shared role-playing experience.