Loose threads: Desert Serpentfolk(possible defectors), Titan Moonflower seed in the ocean
Participants: Arthur, Naomi, Dretal, Plume, Swampy, Bhitzaoji Ocitra.
Locations: Rhydess Desert, Weaver Tree
Short summary:
The party has killed the serpentfolk lich known as Ouroboros.
Full Report
The quest started with the party traveling to the Death Scripture ruins, where a portal was initially found that could lead to the shadowplane. This was the last known location of lich Ouroboros so it was the first place we started. Traveling to the desert the party was faced with the serpentfolk clan that lives in the desert. The serpentfolks have had previous encounters with Swampy, Plume, Bhit, and Naomi before and recognized the combatants. Weary of a fight, the serpentfolk opted for avoiding confrontation, and were potentially persuaded to break their allegiance to the larger Zyss faction. The clan informed us the Lich is on the move and they set the task of clearing the ruins of the
minions left behind while the clan gathered what information they had on where the lich went.
The party moved on to the ruins and found the ghost of a zyss mage and the skeleton of a large serpent guarding the place. The fight was crude at best but a victory was secured quickly. Investigating the ruins we found no sign of the lich's movements. Reuniting with the desert clan the party was informed of a Titan Moonflower as a possible way to remove the lich from existence. The party obviously decided against this decision. We were also told the lich's motivations: he wanted to kill the sealed gods and get revenge on Ta-Kong, the champion who killed him in life.
Armed with information, the party heads to a Weaver tree in the Rhydess desert so Swampy can accomplish some business with the tree. There he was offered a route directly to the lich with a massive Tree Stride spell if the party could defeat the party's guardian. The group decided it was their best chance and fought the guardian. The fight was tough, but manageable with enough teamwork. The party was able to rest within the nest for the night and challenge the lich the next day.
The party rushed through the tree the next day to find the fight still raging on between giant ants and undead forces. The endless well of undead have begun to wear down the ants who are on the brink of defeat. The party sees large serpentfolk who seem to be the biggest decider in the battle from their lightning magic cleaving through the hordes of foot soldier ants. The party sneaks past these mages in favor of heading straight for the lich, who is residing on top of a nearby mountain by a spectral scroll sending endless undead spirits as reinforcements. Getting near the top of the mountain the party found two large granite scales, a troop of aapoph serpentfolk, and undead soldiers guarding the path to the lich.
In the chaos the party was able to defeat these foes without issue and rest for a short time before challenging the lich for the final time. At the peak of the mountain we saw the bat like serpent champion Ta-Kong being assaulted and restrained by a myriad of specters. Ouroboros flying there ready to show down. The fight started with a devastating cold spell by the lich. The party retaliated quickly with many spells on the party to resist death and lightning magic, and brought the lich to the ground. A short beatdown on the lich resulted in Arthur getting dominated and attacking Bhitzaoji. However through the efforts of everyone, namely Naomi's healing, the party was able to end the lich.
The lich's soul upon death, was taken by the spirits who abandoned their pursuit of Ta-Kong. The lich screamed in agony to allude to some deal with the spirits, which spelled his ultimate demise. Likely, in exchange for all this power and support from the undead, he did not have the option to die. It is very unlikely the lich will ever be a threat again.