working on level 20 1 shot, need story ideas.

[igorwolfgang]

All i'm working with now is a doomsday clock type idea.

The four saint beast, extremely leveled npcs, are undergoing a plot to release a spawn of Rovagug. They need a couple more artifacts to complete the ritual.

My idea with that is that the PC witness one of the beasts steal the last artifact that they need and escape. The PC pursue and it leads to a cross country tracking and chase scene. During the chase, each Saint Beast will fall behind to deal with the PCs, one at a time. Leading to ambushes and combat in a variety of locations and enemies. My underdeveloped idea for the conclusion is at the ritual against the last Saint Beast with a possibility of releasing a Spawn would they would then need to fight. Could even lead to their retreat and then tracking down the Spawn when they are equipped to kill it/put it back to sleep. I'm thinking of using Xotani, The Firebleeder.

I don't really have a hook to bring the party together or a firm way to force a chase scene. If you have any suggestions, that would be appreciated.

Also if you have other ideas of things to do for a level 20 one shot please suggest away.

[Eltacolibre]

Level 20? Well go crazy because if your pc are stuffs like Oracle, which benefits a lot from their 20th level final revelation, nothing is off limit.

-A Rakshasha Maharaja + Minions , hell even make it a Rajadhiraja.
-A Nascent Demon Lord (CR 23-24)
-A Titan, Thanatonic + demodand minions.
-A Drakaina would make a memorable encounter, keep making monsters during the battle.
-Voidlord (check out voidyai).
-All kind of crazy traps.
-Don't hesitate to make some foes or use mythic enemies , your pc will thank you for it.

Don't underestimate banding a bunch of lower level monsters together, A squad of Frost or Fire Giants are still terrifying.

[Mathius]

I would make it cross planes not cross country. Divination at these levels can be crazy so make sure you know what they can an can not find with divination.

Great wyrm red dragon with hoard in use. Perhaps the artifact is in the hoard. Could be a 3 way battle.

The tarrasque should make an appearance.

Fight at the heart of the sun. Fire Immune or just all kinds of dead.

Give the players a chance find out the setting is for the next battle and some time to prep for it.

Try for 6-8 encounters and only a chance to rest once. Nice bonus if no rests. Remember that if they lack something they can travel stupid fast to go and get it. Bound outsiders can cast many a buff on them the party might lack. Wish and miracle will be in play repeatedly.

[Mathius]

One v many fights are boring so make sure every encounter has minions in it.

[Alleran]

igorwolfgang wrote:

I don't really have a hook to bring the party together...

"We're putting the band back together."

[The Human Diversion]

trolls with levels in fighter with all the mounted feats using lances and charging on triceratops mounts. 1000 feet away have a sniper using a limning, greater designating composite longbow.

[The Human Diversion]

Dragons are always a fun enemy. Have a great wyrm and for minions give her an interesting mix of half-dragons; a bard, a cleric, an archer, and a dragon disciple barbarian.