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[Mac Lan]

I've read Ashara's post on an After TOB story which prompts this alternative to either a completely different character or a reducing the main PC's levels.
I also long thought an 'after TOB' game would be too easy and dull but not anymore. I've been chewing on this idea for a while and my main thought at that time was to bring an adventure at the end of SOA and offer a smoother transition with TOB. I searched for a few high level monsters on web sites living preferably close to Amn. I stumbled on a particularly impressing one named Daurgothoth living in Dolblunde near Waterdeep.

Here's some stats (third edition): Well for those who thought they were gods after TOB, try this evil monster...
Daurgothoth or Creeping doom (Dracolich - undead black dragon): 20th level mage, 5th level archmage
Immune to necromancy, cold, electricity, acid, charm spells, death spells...
Invulnerable (phylactery): if slain, resurrects immediately into another dragon if a dragon carcass is in the vicinity (his lair has many carcasses lying around).
Each hit has a chance to paralyse its victim for 2d6 rounds and does an additional 1d6 cold damage.
Special spell (bonemelt- 20 times a day): on a failed saved, melts the bones of the victim into jelly for one day. Even if the victim saves, one limb is affected. A severed arm gives spellcasting a 50% chance failure. If a leg was affected, the victim is slowed.

I soon realized that it would be nearly impossible to defeat such a powerhouse after SOA. Well not without the use of cheesy tactics (protection from undead/protection from magic), that would probably fail on such a high level monster (refers to Tactics' Improved Bodhi).

Daurgothoth has an interesting background story. But his main goal -to find a suitable mate (preferably an Amethyst dragon) that would enable him to breed a new race of dragons- could provide a nice storyboard for a new adventure.

So I started to sketch an after TOB story. After the Bhaalspawn saga ended, the party would scatter and <CHARNAME> would probably live somewhere (Amn/Sword Coast...) with his loved one (Jaheira, Aerie, Anomen, Viconia...). A messenger from either the paladins, the harpers...would inform him that a Cult of the Dragon recently settled in Amn and should be destroyed. As a sideline Quote The Cult of the Dragon is a secret society dedicated to bringing about the "inevitable" rule of Faerûn by undead dragons. Founded by the mad archmage (and later lich) Sammaster, the Cult's information-gathering, illegal acts, magical research, and alliances with evil dragons all help it acquire power and wealth. With these tools the Cult fortifies its holdings and proceeds toward its goal: converting dragons to the most terrible form of undead, the dracolich. Unquote.

Back to the storyline. Daurgothoth finally found his mate and infiltrated the Cult of the Dragon. The latter is about to provide Daurgothoth with a powerful bride when at the end of their ritual she will be transformed into a dracolich.
Daurgothoth learns of your deal with the harpers, paladins,...and kidnaps your loved one during your sleep. The next morning you are kindly asked to stay away from the Cult of the Dragon if you are to see your loved one again.
Of course you won't and will seek out your old friends before proceeding to the rescue. Some lapses here in the story...Your loved one is held by Graz'zt (a demon lord) in his argent palace located in the abyss. Graz'zt has also an interesting storyline behind him since he held the goddess Waukeen captive in his palace during the time of trouble. Graz'zt could have several interests in helping out Daurgothoth. I first thought that Daurgothoth could promise the demon lord with the first dragon egg spawned from his union but that sounds awfully familiar. The core fight could be enhanced by giving Graz'zt some special spells like Daurgothoth's bonemelt (different of course).
After rescuing your loved one, it will be time to disrupt the Cult of the Dragon ritual (this should prove a reasonable fight) and avoid the birth of yet another dracolich. Of course, Daurgothoth will only arrive after you destroyed the cult and slain his future bride. Incensed by the loss of his mate, he will challenge you right away but will flee to his lair once hit where he knows he will have more chances to kill you. After locating his lair and a hard long fight, the game finally ends.

I noticed during most games that scripts are an essentiel part of the difficutly of the game. However, a simple tactic for opponent fighters has still not been addressed -even in tactics. It is always possible to strike a mage either with a non magical weapon or with a +5 enchanted weapon since one can not have PFMW and PFNW at the same time. Absolute immunity is useless against +5 enchanted weapons. High level opponents should bear two weapons (+4/5 enchanted-non enchanted) and use it well making fights far more difficult for spellcasters. Stoneskin and mirror image can be quickly dispelled by reintroducing arrows of dispelling.

Anyway, the point I am trying to make is that an After TOB story for very high level parties is challenging but possible. The only downside to this story is of course that there are already so many dragons around. But bringing new completely different high level monsters is almost unfeasible. I wonder, has anyone tried to make new monster animations?