The Apokalypsis is a series of scenarios that must be overcome in order to stop untold devastation from being wrought upon Thylea. Each scenario presents a straightforward win condition for the heroes: destroy one of the Nether Titans as it attacks a city. The heroes must use their ample resources and magical power to gather information on how to accomplish this.

Adjusting the Difficulty#

It is important to note that the capabilities of heroes will vary drastically depending upon experience and party composition. A group of four relatively inexperienced players will find the scenarios below incredibly challenging. You might want to explain the tactical weaknesses of each Nether Titan to your party. In this case, encourage your party to commune with the gods for advice. Additionally, you should encourage the party to go after the magical artifacts. On the other hand, a group of six experienced players with optimized heroes will be able to defeat any single monster with little chance of defeat, even the dreaded Tarrasque. For knowledgeable groups, we recommend that you provide less guidance.

Allies#

The heroes should have many allies who can help then in their time of need. The actions that the heroes took during their odyssey will have an impact on who will be available to help.

Sydon#

If Sydon yet lives and the heroes have sworn an Oath of Service to him, then the Titan won’t sit idly by and allow his sister to bring about the ruin of the entire world. During one of the battles against the Nether Titans, when the heroes are in need of help, read the following:

The sky splits with a thunderclap that silences the battlefield. Black storm clouds churn above as a colossal figure descends in a pillar of rain. Lightning dances along a gleaming glaive. “Titan! Your reckoning comes not just from these mortals, but also from the Lord of All.” Sydon, God of Storms, lands with earth-shaking force. Judgment has arrived.
  • Sydon (appendix A) will fight alongside the heroes. When he is finished, he tells them that he cannot directly confront his sister, Lutheria, but they can. If they have yet to learn that Lutheria is behind the Apokalypsis, Sydon will reveal this to them.

Nephele#

If the silver dragon from Sydon’s Tower was inhabited by the soul of the Gifted One’s grandmother, then read the following:

A vast and terrible shadow sweeps over the battlefield. For a moment your courage falters. Then, with a thunderous impact, a silver dragon slams into the earth at the heart of the chaos. The ground quakes beneath her talons. She lifts her head, and when she speaks, her voice cracks like thunder across the field: “You will not harm my grandchild!”

Nephele, an Adult Silver Dragon, will protect her grandchild even if it costs her life.

Amazons#

If the heroes made Darien queen of the amazons, then read the following:

Amid the chaos of battle, the ground begins to tremble. A deep rumble rises like an earthquake. Through the din, a new sound cuts sharp and clear: a fierce, echoing whoop; the unmistakable cry of an Amazon warrior. Over the ridge, they come. Three colossal rhinotitans thunder into view, their armored hides glinting with tribal sigils, each bearing a rider clad in bronze. At their head is a warrior you know by sight: Darien, Queen of the Amazons. With her spear raised high, she rides not just to fight, but to turn the tide.

The three Rhinotitans and their Amazon Myrmidon riders (both in appendix B) charge the titan that the heroes are fighting.

Talieus#

If the heroes freed Talieus from Lutheria’s barge, read the following:

The ground heaves violently as the earth cracks open in a roar of fire and stone. From the molten depths rises an enormous figure. This is Talieus, the Blind Titan, tearing himself free from the earth with a bellow of rage. “I owe these tiny ones a favor and I will repay it with your guts, monster!”

Talieus (Hyperion, appendix B) will throw himself into battle against the opposing Nether Titan.

The Four Nether Titans#

Massive Titans have emerged from the Nether Sea and are rampaging across Thylea, leaving destruction and death in their wake. The heroes must choose which of the threats to deal with first. This might be a difficult choice, because the cities that don’t receive aid quickly will almost certainly be utterly destroyed. The four threats that ravage Thylea are:

Š The Tarrasque

Š The Kraken

Š The Nether Dragon

Š The Behemoth

Endangered Cities#

The creatures target the most populated cities in Thylea:

Š The City of Mytros

Š The City of Aresia

Š The City of Estoria

Š Cities founded by the heroes

You are encouraged to have the Titans target cities that mean the most to the heroes. The order in which the cities are saved from the Nether Titans determines how badly the citizens suffer.

  • First City Saved: This city is untouched.

  • Second City Saved: The walls of this city are shattered and hundreds of soldiers killed, but otherwise the people are mostly spared.

  • Third City Saved: The city walls are breached. Most of the soldiers are killed and a quarter of the population is killed. More than half of the buildings in the city are reduced to ruins.

  • Fourth City Saved: The city is entirely reduced to smoldering ruin. No one survives.

If the heroes are able to come up with a plan where they split their group into two and defeat two Nether Titans at the same time, then they should be rewarded for their ingenuity. All four cities can be saved in this manner with minimal loss of life.

Planning to defeat the Titans#

The heroes must use all of their powers and skills to defeat the Titans. Just rushing in and battling each creature will likely result in the death of the heroes and the destruction of Thylea. The heroes should use their magic, their skills, and their connections to learn everything they can about each of the Titans.

Using Skills to Prepare#

Skills can be used for gathering relevant information. These include:

  • Arcana. Allows the heroes to discover magical lore that is pertinent to defeating a Titan. This includes useful spells that could be used to defeat it.

  • History. Allows the heroes to discover historical lore that is pertinent to defeating a Titan. This includes learning about the titan’s history which might include clues to its weaknesses.

  • Investigation. The party can search the libraries of Aresia, Mytros, or Estoria to learn about a Titan’s significant weaknesses or religious magical artifacts.

  • Nature. The party can call upon druids to determine some of a Titan’s notable attributes.

  • Religion. Allows heroes to discover religious lore that is pertinent to defeating a Titan. This includes information on religious magical artifacts that might be useful in defeating the Titan.

Using Spells to Prepare#

Spells can be more effective at gathering relevant information. These include:

  • Arcane Eye, Clairvoyance, Scrying**.** Can be used to spy on the Titan before attacking it. This allows the heroes to see what powers the Titan can use.

  • Divination, Contact Other Plane, Commune. Allows heroes to get advice on how to defeat the Titans. This includes a Titan’s weaknesses, notable attributes and any useful religious magical artifacts.

  • Locate Creature**.** Allows heroes to pinpoint exactly where the Titan is located.

  • Legend Lore**.** Reveals useful magical artifacts that can be used against the Titan. Also provides information on some of the Titan’s notable attributes.

  • Find The Path**.** Reveals the exact location of useful magical artifacts.

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