What’s a monster your party has encountered, fought, then were lucky to escape alive from and never wanted to face it again?
Mine would be Bakunawa, which they encountered as a serpent goddess for a tribe of lizard people. She appeared as a beautiful woman to the Barbarian, who was quick to attack. She proceeded to mop the floor with the party through strong hits and stealthy skirmish tactics, but a few good rolls brought her down to near death, upon which she disappeared into the swamp. The party breathed a sigh of relief, some of them were near death, and chose not to pursue her further. Anytime it’s brought up since then the Barbarian’s player cringes a bit lol
Forest yeti. “Everyone knows they hibernate in the summer. Up in the canopy.”
Six sessions later, after the ranger dies and the fighter and artificer decide to give him a sky burial (as is the way of their people), they chop their friend’s body up and the fighter looks about for the best tree to bury him in. He misses a Discern Realities roll, and spots the perfect tree. The artificer hover-belts up to the canopy to leave the corpse-bits of his friends, and oh, look… a forest yeti. Roused from its hibernation by the smell of fresh meat.
Terror and hilarity ensue.
They never want to see another one again.
Probably the lich Jasper Sirsk and his cultists that my PCs encountered last session. They fought him to a standstill but were surrounded by his undead troops and had to agree to release him.
A 5yr campaign that has built up to extreme tension.
Dragon brothers “Cobalt” and “Pewus” (once our allies and mission givers) desired to control the country and were using the adventurers to that end.
Varis, old wizard and Big Baddie. Armies galour and killer of the ancient wizard society. The adventurers were helping to bring him down with the help of the Dragon brothers while in search of the Titans Crown (when worn, you control the titans from the sea).
Well, the crown was found in a chamber where a tricked Cobalt was being held. Caged and helpless, Pewus and the heros freed Cobalt, defeated the Lieutenant holding Cobalt and grabbed the crown. It was then discovered by the defeated Lieutenant, what the Dragons were planning, and an all out battle ensued.
Portals were opened. The party scattered. Armies of Varis clashed with the nearby city.
Blood EVERYWHERE…
Oh, and one of the heros inadvertently destroyed the city and left a scar on the continent.
Its a moment that is re-told many times over.
And the campaign is still going.