Out of the Abyss

218

RAGE OF DEMONS

Once the dark heart talisman is placed and the

characters signal \'i1cran, there's no turning back.

The waiting is the hard part Time seems to drag as you

rematn alert, weapons drawn, every nerve singing with

the tension tn the a1r all around you.

Finally, a swrrling light begins to flare in the darkness.

A barely audible hummrng shakes you to the core, rising

and falling like a vast heartbeat in the depths. The glow

of Jaerzress gathers and brrghtens. creating swirling pools

like holes torn in the air. A roar sounds from far away as

shadows move in the depths of those pools of light. The

demons are coming.

The demon lords described in appendix D of this

adventure all appear in the final battle. with the

following exceptions:

• If Fraz Urb'luu was not sent back to the Abyss in chap-
  ter 9, his gemstone is hurled into the fray by Vizeran's
  ritual. Unless the characters retrieve it. another
  dt"mon lord steps on the gem. destroys it. and sends
  Fraz-Urb'luu's spirit back to the Abyss.
  Ir Juible~ and Zuggtmoy were sent back to the Abyss
  in earlier parts of the adventure. they are not present.
  Baphomct and Yeenoghu arc absent if the char-
  acters acti\'atcd th<· Ma7<' Engin<' (set" chapter 14)
  and the 81 100 result on th<> Maze Engine Effects
  table carne up.
  Numerous other demons also pour through the
  portals. For a brief moment. all of the demons and
  demon lords are disoriented as they attempt to get their
  bearings after being pulled across the Underdark. Then
  as their gates fall upon each other. th<:y roar, bellow.
  or shriek with a hatred too deep for mortals to truly
  comprehend. and the terrible baule begins.

OPTION: PLAYING OUT THE BATTLE

Rather than focusmg on the adventurers biding their time

and dealing with the fallout of the titanrc battle between

the demon lords, you can shift focus for this part of the

adventure Consider having the players take control of the

various demon lords from appendix D, then play out the

conflict between them.

Assign each player an available demon lord, or allow

players to choose one demon lord to control during the

battle. You manage any of the remarnrng demon lords. If

there aren't enough demon lords for all the players, you

can use balors or other powerful demons to round out

their numbers.

The players control the demons in their battle to the

death, wrth the only restnct1on be1ng that they can't

withdraw from the combat. Brreftactical retreats are

permiSSible, but Vrzeran's ritual has filled the demon lords

with the rage to do battle.

The demonic victor of this battle, its hit points and

other resources sufficiently depleted, is the foe that the

adventurers must overcome in the final confrontation.

CliAPIEII.17( ·\l,\ 1 ~~ 1 111 1' IH~ION lOII.DS

DEMON SHOWDOWN

Ideally, the adventurers and their allies remain hidden

from the battling demons. letting them fight it out

among themselves. Still. there are challenges for the

characters to overcome as they wait. Feel free to include

as many of the following as you wish while narrating the

struggle bcrwccn the demon lords and their minions,

keeping in mind that tht> characters will have no time

for even a short rest before taking on the main challenge

of this encounter a fight with the sole remaining

demon lord.

DEMON SORTIE

Rampaging lesser demons discover one or more of the

characters wh<'r<' lh<'y wait out the battle, attacking at

once. Roll a d4 to determine the demons involved.

DEMON SORTIE FORCE

d4 Demon Sortie

4 barlguras

2 4 chasmes

3 2 hezrous

4 3 vrocks

DEMON THIEF

An invisible quasit tries to steal a small. valuable item

from a party member. The target must succeed on a DC

13 Wisdom (Perception) check to notice the theft as it

happens. On a failed check. the quasit makes off with

the item undetected. You can make the search for the

item a loose thread for the conclusion of the adventure.

Alternatively. have the quasit killed during the battle.

with the stolen item turning up in the aftermath.

ENDANGERED ALLIES

If any of the player characters' allies are accompanying

them, a demon sortie (sec above) attacks the NPCs. The

characters must decide whether or not to break cover to

aid their allies against the demons. ff they do. another

demon sortie attacks them ld4 rounds later.

NEAR MISS

The battle between the demon lords s hifts dangt:rousl)

close to the characters. Roll a d6 and consult the Near

Miss table to determine the result.

NEAR MISS

d6 Event

1-2 Explosion. Each creature within 20 feet of a point you

choose must make a DC 13 Dexterrty saving throw.

On a failure, the creature takes 3d6 fire damage, or

half as much damage on a success.

3-4 Flying Debris. Each creature within 30 feet of a point

you choose must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw

taking 3d6 bludgeoning damage and falling prone

on a failure.

S-6 Close Call. A character you choose must make a

successful DC 13 Dexterity saving throw to dodge a

stray attack. On a failed save, the character takes 3d 6

bludgeomng damage.