Finally, after a campaign spanned over more than 3 years in real time, the players are about to enter the Spire in Alhaster and confront the last minions (incl. Lashonna) before facing the Wormgod himself.
Problem: they have rather cleverly negotiated all the encounters in Alhaster and succeded in them all (+ a few I added from suggestions in these boards, like a Loris Raknian returned as a Death Knight!). The negative energy nexus under the cemetary is destroyed and the despair of the population successfully countered.
Now, after a thorough review of the abilities of Kyuss and those of the characters... I am affraid that as a Divine Rank 0 Deity he may be too weak against them.
True, they may be as many as 6 in front of him. But most importantly, the Paladin/Grey Guard (currently lvl 13/8, may be 14/8 when reaching the top of the spire) crowned with Zosiel's circlet (mind blank, weapon considered epic, Charisma +6 etc) is a terrible foe for a "diminished Kyuss". With the feats at hand (4-5 smites available), his lay on hands ability (with a Charisma bonus around 13), a permanent mind blank, probably invisible and hasted among other spells he will benefit from (some of them increase further his damage)... he can deliver several hundred points of damage in a first round of attacks (around 450-500 from my estimation) and touching ACs in the 50-60 range (far above the 39 Kyuss is claiming).
In 2 rounds he could zap Kyuss by himself.
Of course I can "forcecage" or "maze" him, but the others are not weak either.
I am toying with the idea of leaving Kyuss as he is described at full power, considering that... without all what they did, he would just be immune to their weak mortal powers.
What do you think DMs? I am very interested in your advice or first-hand experience here.