The Weaver’s Final Ritual - Encounter Design#

Encounter Overview#

Location: The Ancient Sealing Grounds (where Nidhogg was originally imprisoned)
Party Level: 13
Encounter Difficulty: Deadly (Multi-phase boss encounter)
Duration: 6-8 rounds expected

The Battlefield#

Key Features (Reference Map)#

  • Central Ritual Circle: Ancient arcane markings where the original sealing took place
  • Elevated Platforms: Stone ruins providing tactical high ground
  • Water Features: Dark pools that reflect the growing Shadowfell influence
  • Broken Structures: Provide cover but may be damaged by the ritual’s energy
  • Multiple Entry Points: Party can approach from various directions

Environmental Conditions#

  • Dim Light: Shadowy energy from the weakening barrier
  • Unstable Ground: Some areas may crack or shift as reality warps
  • Planar Bleed: Shadowfell energy seeps through as ritual progresses

Ritual Phases#

Phase 1: The Ritual Begins (Rounds 1-2)#

Portal Status: Flickering void appears above ritual circle
Weaver: Begins incantation, uses defensive spells and illusions
Manus: Engages party with restraint, testing their abilities

Environmental Effects:

  • Shadows lengthen and move unnaturally
  • Temperature drops noticeably
  • 1d4 Shadow Spawns emerge each round

Lair Actions:

  • Shadow Web: One creature within 60ft makes DC 16 Dex save or restrained by shadows (1 turn)
  • Disorienting Echoes: All creatures hear whispers; DC 15 Wis save or disadvantage on next attack
  • Unstable Ground: 20ft radius area becomes difficult terrain

Phase 2: The Veil Weakens (Rounds 3-4)#

Portal Status: Stable tear 10ft wide, growing
Trigger: Start of Round 3, or if Weaver drops to 75% HP
Weaver: More aggressive spells, begins using ritual-specific abilities
Manus: Creates shadow copies, becomes more serious

Environmental Effects:

  • All light sources dimmed by one category
  • Shadowfell creatures can see perfectly, others have disadvantage on Perception
  • 2d4 Shadow Spawns emerge each round
  • Fear aura: DC 14 Wis save at start of turn or frightened (1 turn)

Lair Actions:

  • Shadow Grasp: Portal attempts to pull one creature; DC 17 Str save or pulled 15ft toward portal
  • Reality Fracture: 30ft cone of confusion energy; DC 16 Int save or stunned (1 turn)
  • Nidhogg’s Whispers: All creatures hear the dragon; DC 15 Cha save or charmed by Weaver (1 turn)

Phase 3: Nidhogg Stirs (Rounds 5-6)#

Portal Status: 20ft wide, dragon’s presence felt
Trigger: Start of Round 5, or if Weaver drops to 50% HP
Weaver: Desperate, may sacrifice HP for powerful effects
Manus: If still alive, fights with full intensity

Environmental Effects:

  • Overwhelming dread: DC 16 Wis save at start of turn or frightened and cannot approach portal
  • Shadow creatures have advantage on all rolls
  • Difficult terrain in 30ft radius of portal from writhing shadows
  • 3d4 Shadow Spawns emerge each round

Lair Actions:

  • Dragon’s Roar: Thunderous roar from portal; all creatures make DC 18 Con save or deafened and 2d8 thunder damage
  • Shadow Flood: 60ft radius of portal becomes heavily obscured by shadow for 1 round
  • Planar Rift: Random magic surge effects as reality becomes unstable

Phase 4: Desperate Gambit (Round 7+)#

Portal Status: 30ft+ wide, dragon’s shadow visible
Trigger: Start of Round 7, or if Weaver drops to 25% HP
Weaver: All-or-nothing, may attempt to complete ritual even if it kills him

Environmental Effects:

  • If ritual seems to be failing, Nidhogg attempts to pull ALL creatures into Shadowfell
  • All creatures within 60ft of portal: DC 19 Strength save or pulled 20ft toward portal
  • Entering portal = transported to Shadowfell (potential campaign consequence)
  • Reality warping: teleportation and dimensional magic unreliable

Victory Conditions#

  • Primary: Defeat or incapacitate the Weaver for 2+ consecutive rounds
  • Secondary: Destroy ritual components (very difficult, requires specific actions/spells)
  • Failure: Nidhogg escapes in weakened form, barrier significantly damaged

Encounter Scaling#

  • If party is struggling: Manus might switch sides if the ritual threatens reality itself
  • If encounter is too easy: Additional shadow creatures, environmental hazards activate faster
  • Emergency escape: Weaver might attempt planar escape if ritual fails completely

Key Tactical Elements#

  1. Positioning matters: Portal effects are range-based
  2. Target priority: Stop Weaver vs. deal with Manus
  3. Environmental awareness: Use terrain, avoid portal pulls
  4. Resource management: Long encounter, need to pace spell slots/abilities
  5. Moral choices: Save civilians/allies who might be pulled toward portal