Chapter 9: The Battle of Mytros
“This was the inevitable outcome of the Oath of Peace. Five centuries of scheming, followed by one battle to end all battles. Our mother gave this land a second chance for peace, but neither gods nor mortals seem to truly desire it.”
— Vallus, Goddess of Wisdom
When the heroes left Mytros on their sea voyage, they had sixty days to confront the Titans and complete their quest. When this time expires, the peace that has reigned for five hundred years will come to an end, and the Titans will be free to make war upon all the mortals of Thylea. Sydon has spent centuries preparing his army for this occasion, and Lutheria gleefully anticipates harvesting the souls of the countless mortals who will die in the ensuing battle.
The Final Days
Kyrah frequently reminds the party of the time they have remaining before the Oath of Peace ends. She serves as a grim harbinger of doom, counting down the number of days until the Titans unleash hell.
On the 50th day of the voyage, Kyrah warns the party that they have only ten days remaining until the Oath of Peace comes to an end. She grows distant and agitated—concerned for the future. She strongly suggests that the party make haste to confront Sydon and Lutheria, or else make plans to return to Mytros. The city needs strong defenses against the coming storm, and she has no faith in King Acastus.
The End of the Oath
When the Oath of Peace ends, a wave of change spreads across the lands of Thylea.
p240
As the sun dawns on the sixtieth day of your voyage, you realize that something has changed. A strange wind blows from the southeast, driving black storm clouds across the heavens, and the sky itself darkens to a menacing red. You feel deep within your bones that the Oath of Peace has come to an end. Now, it seems, the lands and seas and sky of Thylea are filled with anger.
Kyrah and Pythor call you to the deck of the Ultros. They stand at the prow, gazing off towards the horizon, and their eyes shine like burnished gold.
"The Oath has ended, and we are no longer gods."
The Dragons Revealed
p241
The two gods begin to change, slowly at first. Their skin changes, transforming into metallic scales, and great wings unfurl from their backs. Their faces transform into something draconic, as sharp teeth protrude from their mouths. They grow in size, becoming huge. The deck of the ship can no longer quite accommodate the bulk of their massive forms.
Kyrah looms up as Pythor takes flight. Both are now bronze dragons, terrifying, magnificent and dangerous creatures. Somehow, you understand that they have always been dragons, but they were held in the guise of immortals for 500 years by the power of the Oath.
Kyrah explains that long ago, she and her family were the dragon mounts of the Dragonlords. During the First War, her mother, Balmytria, tricked the Titans into surrendering much of their divine power. Consequently, Balmytria and her brood were transformed into the Five Gods. The full story is revealed in the @UUID[JournalEntry.md72jqAz7B6wF4Hh.JournalEntryPage.0000000000000025#the-game-of-the-gods]{Game of the Gods} section of the @UUID[JournalEntry.md72jqAz7B6wF4Hh.JournalEntryPage.0000000000000025]{Secrets and Myths} appendix.
Balmytria became known as Mytros, and she ascended to the outer planes as a true goddess. Kyrah, Pythor, Volkan, and Vallus remained behind to finish the First War. The armies of the Titans were destroyed, and the Dragonlords were killed. In the end, the new gods and the ancient Titans swore to the Oath of Peace.
The End of the Oath
One of the conditions of the Oath of Peace was that the Five Gods would eventually surrender their power. Now, that time has come, and they are no longer gods.
Kyrah, Pythor, Volkan, and Vallus are still capable of @UUID[Item.Vx5CqVLXOeZZQmdy]{polymorphing} into their mortal guises, but they no longer possess the divine powers that were stolen from the Titans. Mytros herself has gone completely silent, although priestly magic continues to work.
The Forgotten Dragons
p241
From now on, Kyrah, Pythor, Volkan, and Vallus use the statistics of @UUID[Actor.MfpN9fc3T5QVcjeB]{young bronze dragons}, rather than their previous "immortal"statistics. Their personalities are the same, but they are no longer gods. Despite the fact that they use the statistics of young dragons, they are the size of adults, and they retain the ability to @UUID[Item.Vx5CqVLXOeZZQmdy]{polymorph} into their mortal guises.
The New Dragonlords
The heroes are now given an opportunity to bond with the four dragons. Each hero has an opportunity to choose which dragon they would prefer to bond with and, if the dragon agrees, the hero should follow the convention and tradition of Thylea by swearing the @reward[Oath of the Dragonlord|ArcanumWorldsOdysseyoftheDragonlords] which can be found in the @UUID[JournalEntry.md72jqAz7B6wF4Hh.JournalEntryPage.0000000000000023]{Dragonlords} appendix. This requires each hero to sacrifice a magic item and speak the words of the oath aloud.
Return to Mytros
Once the heroes have bonded with the four metallic dragons, they may take flight and return to Mytros. When the party arrives, they discover a cataclysm: Mytros is consumed by chaos, and King Acastus has only worsened the many dangers that threaten the city.
p241
The city of Mytros looms on the horizon, shadowed beneath storm clouds. Rays of golden sunlight stream down from the sky, illuminating a cityscape of smoke, fire, shattered temples, and screaming mobs of citizens. The city is besieged.
The great powers of Thylea have finally gathered their strength—to end the Age of Mortals.
The Battle of Mytros
The Battle of Mytros unfolds as a series of epic conflicts, each of which may be triggered if certain conditions have been satisfied. Before you start this part of the adventure, check the table below to determine which epic conflicts should occur. The conflicts should be run in sequential order as presented below.
| Epic Conflict... | Happens if... |
|---|---|
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-kings-dragon]{1. The King's Dragon} | The king's silver dragon, Icarus, still lives. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-mad-king]{2. The Mad King} was orignally The False Dragonlord | King Acastus still lives. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-armies-of-sydon]{3. The Armies of Sydon} | Sydon still lives, and the heroes have not sworn an @reward[oath of service|ArcanumWorldsOdysseyoftheDragonlords] to him. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-great-feast]{4. The Great Feast} | Lutheria still lives, and the heroes have not sworn an @reward[oath of service|ArcanumWorldsOdysseyoftheDragonlords] to her. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#kentimane-awakens]{5. Kentimane Awakens} | Either Sydon or Lutheria has been killed. |
There is no pause between each of these epic conflicts. Events are now spinning out of anyone's control. The heroes will not have a chance to short rest between encounters. At most, they have a few minutes to use healing potions and spells before the next major threat begins to unfold. This sequence of events should completely exhaust the heroes, and it should require them to expend just about every resource that they've accumulated so far in the adventure.
Fighting Alongside Dragons
p242
The players should be given control of their bonded dragons. To keep battles moving quickly, have each dragon act on the same initiative as the hero riding it. Sydon, Lutheria, and Kentimane should target the dragons first. This is a climactic battle that heralds a new age for Thylea—you should allow for the possibility that one or more of the dragons may be killed during these events.
| Epic Conflict | Signs of the Conflict |
|---|---|
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-kings-dragon]{1. The King's Dragon} | Gargantuan silver dragon attacking the harbor. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-mad-king]{2. The Mad King} | Young copper dragons flying circles around the colosseum. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-armies-of-sydon]{3. The Armies of Sydon} | Centaurs, gygans, and cyclopes slaughtering and burning everything. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-great-feast]{4. The Great Feast} | Hundreds of citizens are transformed into goats, cows, and pigs. |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#kentimane-awakens]{5. Kentimane Awakens} | Brief earthquakes shake the city once per minute. |
Signs of Conflict
Once the heroes reach Mytros, they witness signs of multiple active conflicts and events. Use the following signs and events to create a sense of constant pressure throughout this series of encounters.
For example, if Kentimane is coming, then you should tease the arrival of the Titan by having earthquakes occur with increasing severity. Kentimane's approach should be terrifying, as his footsteps shake the world.
Rescuing Citizens
Kyrah, Pythor, Volkan, and Vallus are torn between loyalty to the heroes and their desire to protect the city and its people. Each time the players undertake one of the conflicts, two of the dragons will ask to go to the aid of the people of the city.
If the dragons go rescue citizens, the heroes will not have their services in the next conflict. However, in exchange for this show of mercy and bravery, the goddess Mytros will grant blessings to the heroes that last for the duration of this part of the adventure. Any dragons that have been sent away will return before the next conflict begins.
| Epic Conflict | Citizens Rescued | Blessing from Mytros |
|---|---|---|
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-kings-dragon]{1. The King's Dragon} | 1,000 | @reward[Blessing of Magic Resistance|DMG] |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-mad-king]{2. The Mad King} | 1,000 | @reward[Blessing of Protection|DMG] |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-armies-of-sydon]{3. The Armies of Sydon} | 1,000 | @reward[Blessing of Valhalla|DMG] |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-great-feast]{4. The Great Feast} | 1,000 | @reward[Blessing of Health|DMG] |
| @UUID[.0000000000000012#kentimane-awakens]{5. Kentimane Awakens} | 5,000 | n/a |
Splitting the Party
Depending on your heroes' abilities, and your own comfort in running two separate events at the same time, you may allow your players to split the party and tackle two conflicts at once. For example, half the party might take two dragons to confront Acastus (in @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-mad-king]{2. The Mad King} was originally The False Dragonlord) while the other half of the party takes two dragons to confront Sydon (in @UUID[.0000000000000012#the-armies-of-sydon]{The Armies of Sydon}). Splitting the party like this counts as rescuing citizens in both conflicts; therefore the party should be rewarded with both of the associated blessings from Mytros.
The King's Dragon
p242
Towering over the city harbor is a gargantuan silver dragon. His roar thunders across the ocean, shaking your very bones and sending a chill down your spine. The dragon crushes several buildings beneath his massive claws and snaps his jaws at a crowd of fleeing citizens. Many are crushed by his fearsome jaws.
Kyrah grits her teeth. "It is the king's dragon, Icarus. He has gone mad with power."
As the heroes arrive in Mytros, the harbor is already under attack by an @UUID[Actor.Oxcf71xfY5KGaJif]{Ancient Silver Dragon}. Kyrah will recognize him as Icarus, the king's own dragon. Acastus has apparently fed him all the remaining doses of his @UUID[Item.IBy2D5CgWxHeMpZ2]{potion of aging}, presumably in the hope of protecting the city from the wrath of the Titans. Rather than protecting the city, the dragon has been driven mad by the cumulative effects of the potion—and his newfound power.
Icarus will destroy the city unless he can be stopped. The heroes will stand a much better chance of surviving this encounter if they battle the gargantuan dragon while mounted on the backs of the four metallic dragons that they have recently bonded.
Powerful but Clumsy.
Icarus is not used to his size or his power, so he will stumble and misjudge his abilities during the fight. Every other round, he suffers from disadvantage, because his mind has not fully adjusted to his new size. If he wishes to use one of his abilities or powers, roll [[/r 1d20]]: on 11 or higher, he may do so to full effect, otherwise it has half its normal effect either in terms of damage inflicted, duration, and/or range.
Collateral Damage.
You might choose to measure the heroes' success against Icarus in terms of the amount of collateral damage that they prevent. Icarus has the mind of a very young dragon, and he gives no thought to the citizens crushed beneath his claws or frozen by his breath attacks during the battle. He will not deliberately target bystanders, but he gives no thought to them when making attacks.
During any combat round that the heroes do not attack Icarus, he will kill [[/r 1d10*10]]{d10x10} (roll a d10 and multiply by 10) citizens with his trashing about and clumsy attempts to wreck the city. During any round that he is engaged in combat, he will only kill [[/r 1d10]] citizens. The heroes cannot save everyone, but you can ramp up the pressure on the party to save as many as possible.
The Mad King
King Acastus, stricken by guilt and unable to bear watching his beloved city being destroyed, has retreated to the colosseum. There, he has been joined by his seven Dragonlord @UUID[Actor.4fqGc9tjKnoy34bu]{captains}, including Tarchon. The captains are circling overhead, mounted on @UUID[Actor.QBpQf4GZ4nwwWBe1]{young copper dragons}. The king is pacing nervously at the center of the colosseum, next to his @UUID[Actor.AWJT0difI7p5hz2w]{Adult Copper Dragon} mount.
The heroes can easily see the dragons circling above the colosseum from anywhere in the city. Volkan will mention that the @UUID[Item.3q3o19qelNnyJlrx]{rod of rulership} in the king's possession could be a powerful weapon against the Titans. He doesn't understand why the rod hasn't been used: Acastus knows how the rod works, but for some reason, the king hasn't used it to defend the city.
When the heroes arrive at the colosseum, Acastus stops pacing and greets them coldly.
p243
"So you have returned from your long journey. And what have you to show for it? Dragons? More dragons. We have dragons enough in Mytros. Stupid, stupid beasts!"He kicks his mount viciously. "My ancestors were fools to fight against the power of the Titans. We should... we must... we have no choice but to bow to them! Perhaps then they will spare... some of us."
The king watches you with a mad gleam in his eyes.
"They will demand sacrifices. That is only fair. Fair recompense for the damage that you've done to them. But many such sacrifices must be made in the pursuit of greatness. Yes, I think they will spare me—and my city—if we offer them your heads."
Acastus and his "Dragonlords"will attack the heroes and fight to the death. Count the number of rounds in this battle. The Titans have this number of rounds to wreak havoc in the city while the heroes are preoccupied.
Sanity Restored.
When Acastus is reduced to 0 hit points, his selfishness is overcome by his love for his city. With his last strength, he will hand his @UUID[Item.3q3o19qelNnyJlrx]{rod of rulership} to the closest hero and reveal that it is the key to controlling the Colossus of Pythor.
Treasure
King Acastus carries the @UUID[Item.3q3o19qelNnyJlrx]{rod of rulership}. This rod allows its wielder to take command of the Colossus of Pythor, which stands guard over the city harbor. Acastus wields a @UUID[Item.Y9yinU3tCJ7ZJuBZ]{nine lives stealer} and a @UUID[Item.01kaVQfSQqP08nDM]{+1 breastplate}.
The Colossus Awakened
Once the heroes have the @UUID[Item.3q3o19qelNnyJlrx]{rod of rulership}, they should fly to the head of the Colossus of Pythor. Here, they can take control of the gargantuan construct and use it in the upcoming battles against the Titans. Only one of the heroes can take control of the colossus, and that hero is too distracted to control a dragon mount at the same time. This may sound obvious, but one of your players will absolutely try to do it! Give the elected player the statistic block for the @UUID[Actor.paH18EedqiKymeqz]{Colossus}. They control the construct in the final battles.
p243
You inspect the control sphere at the center of the colossus's head. There is a slot that seems made for the rod of rulership. As you insert the rod into the sphere, you feel the platform beneath you thrum with power. The gargantuan construct creaks and groans as it shudders and comes to life. Somewhere deep inside, you can feel the pulse of mighty pumps and the clatter of gigantic gears clashing together.
The colossus takes one hesitant step from its platform, straightens itself, and then flexes its magical muscles. The citizens of besieged Mytros erupt into joyous cheers. "The colossus has awakened! The god of battle has come to save the city!"
The Armies of Sydon
p244
Gazing toward the harbor, you watch as giant ships plow through trading vessels, leaving nothing but splintered ruins in their wakes. Cyclopes and gygans leap from the vessels and run rampant across the city, tearing down houses as if they were children's toys. Centaurs gallop through the streets, launching volleys of pitch-soaked flaming arrows. Ash and smoke choke the air, and you can see fires burning across the city.
@UUID[Actor.1ttdAFr9xujBidVZ]{Sydon} and two of his children (most likely Yala and Hergeron) have landed in the city harbor with ships full of gygans, cyclopes, and centaurs. Their plan is simple: they intend to reduce the city to a ruin, and any survivors left among the rubble will be forced to kneel and worship the Lord of Storms. The Titan can be found at the @UUID[JournalEntry.md72jqAz7B6wF4Hh.JournalEntryPage.0000000000000006#m6-the-royal-gate]{Royal Gate} (M6), accompanied by two of his children (NE @creature[Young Empyrean|ArcanumWorldsOdysseyoftheDragonlords|young empyreans]). Joining the Titans as honor guards are a @UUID[Actor.6q4gKEmmBwvEKJIo]{centaur hero}, a @creature[Minotaur Hero(Honor Guard)|ArcanumWorldsOdysseyoftheDragonlords|minotaur hero], and a @UUID[Actor.qtMpgLOijTh9qWtO]{gygan hero}, all three of which are fitted with brilliant mithral plate armor (AC 18).
p244
The armies of Sydon have torn a path through the city that leads to the Royal Gate. The walls of the palace compound are almost entirely ruined, having suffered repeated blows from the hammers wielded by Sydon's terrifying children. The Lord of Storms himself looms over the walls, loudly praising his children's work.
As you approach, Sydon's keen eye catches sight of you. "Aha! The Heroes of the Prophecy. You have shown impressive valor for mortals, but the time has come to face the truth. You are outmatched!"
"Look around you: the city of Mytros cannot withstand the power of the Titans. Kneel before me, and I shall endeavor to find a place for you as servants in my new kingdom. Otherwise, I can only promise you a warrior's death."
If the heroes choose to bow before the Titan, Sydon will make a series of humiliating demands: cast down your weapons, shrug off your armor, kiss the ground, offer praises to his name. He does not intend to spare the heroes—he just wants to see them humbled before he executes them. He expects the same groveling obedience and worship from the dragons.
Siezing the Initiative.
If the heroes play along with Sydon and declare to you that they are doing so, then they automatically have advantage on the first round of attacks they make. Sydon is a vain creature who believes that his magnificence inspires obedience in mortals. It takes him a moment to gather his wits—how could the heroes, who are so obviously defeated, dare to choose defiance instead of cringing obedience?
Sydon's Tactics.
Sydon and his entire entourage fight to the death. No dirty trick or underhanded tactic is beneath them. Sydon concentrates his attacks on the dragons first, but he always switches his focus to the creature that damaged him most recently. He takes every attack personally, growing angrier each round. Lesser creatures should fall to the ground and worship him—to attack him is an unforgivable outrage!
Fighting Alongside Lutheria
p244
If Lutheria has allied with the heroes for any reason, Sydon declares that she's betrayed him one too many times. He becomes enraged and focuses all of his attacks on her, while his entourage attacks the heroes. Lutheria retreats after three rounds, before the battle is resolved, but this weakens Sydon and temporarily separates him from his allies.
Sydon's Victory.
If Sydon wins this battle, then the adventure ends at this point. The heroes will forever be remembered in fables as the doltish mortals who challenged a Titan and were punished accordingly. The party's failure is absolute. If you would like to give the party a second try, then it must come at a terrible cost— they may be revived by Mytros or the Fates, but none of the dragons should survive the ensuing battle.
Sydon's Defeat.
If Sydon is defeated, a shockwave of power bursts from him. The sky darkens, and a powerful storm rages overhead. Tremendous winds tear through the streets of Mytros, and rain lashes down, soaking everything. The rain extinguishes all of the fires in the city, and it lasts for 1d6 weeks.
Treasure.
Sydon carries the @UUID[Item.983qtb2legResTfB]{Glaive of Sydon}. Each of his children carries a @item[mithral greatsword|ArcanumWorldsOdysseyoftheDragonlords].
Glaive of Sydon
The Great Feast
p245
Lutheria glides through the streets of Mytros, leaving chaos and debauchery in her wake. She cackles as she transforms citizens into goats, cows, and pigs.
Those around her seem to go mad—falling into fits of hysterical laughter or engaging in unspeakable acts with whatever livestock happens to be nearby. Eventually, the Titan discovers you. Gazing down at you from her full height, she grins malevolently.
"Have you come to join the Great Feast? I promise you'll not go hungry."She offers you a spit-roasted pig and smiles broadly. "Go on—eat, drink, be merry! What could you possibly stand to lose?"
@UUID[Actor.1rqSlezWY78n7YzV]{Lutheria} has reduced about half of the surviving population of Mytros to a bestial state. They are either transformed into farm livestock, mindlessly engaging in profane revelry, or both. She shows no sign of stopping her nightmarish progress through the city.
If the heroes fail to stop Lutheria, then the people of Mytros will begin the "Great Feast."They roast each other alive and devour their own families. Lutheria giggles and explains this to the heroes—it's the greatest practical joke in the history of Thylea! She repeatedly licks the spit-roasted pig and offers it to the heroes, struggling to contain her laughter.
Eventually, Lutheria tires of telling her jokes. As long as the heroes engage her in worthwhile conversation, she holds her temper in check. Once she grows bored, her mood turns icy cold, and she attacks. She is immediately joined by an @UUID[Actor.cNAqWP3eMpJ7aqbZ]{Aurae} nymph and an @UUID[Actor.qM56z0Sgiy3t7U34]{Erinyes}. Lutheria and her servants fight to the death.
Treasure.
Lutheria carries the @UUID[Item.R2AkFzNCtWY2ulzV]{Scythe of Lutheria}. Her pockets are full of exotic seasonings, which she has used liberally on the citizens who have been transformed into livestock. One of the spice vials contains salt that has been dried from her tears of laughter.
Kentimane Awakens
If either Sydon or Lutheria has been killed, then @UUID[Actor.fbtYPqiLw63Nr3Ru]{Kentimane} of the Hundred Hands awakens to wreak vengeance upon the city. This battle should be incredibly difficult and may result in deaths among the heroes.
If you want to be generous, you can let your heroes have a short rest before this battle begins to allow a limited time for recovery. The heroes will need to utilize the full power of both the dragons and the colossus, if possible. Kentimane specifically targets the heroes, which means that the heroes may choose to lure him away from the city and fight him at sea.
Sacrifice of the Five Gods.
If it seems like the city might be completely destroyed, then Vallus or Kyrah will sacrifice themselves to drive the titan back. If it seems like one of the heroes might be killed, then Volkan or Pythor will intervene at the last moment and intercept the killing blow, dying in the process.
p245
“Long have I desired to test my strength against the Hundred Handed One! The Titan of Destruction lives to protect the Mother Goddess, but he could probably end the world if he so desired. We must not show him even the slightest hint of weakness.”
— Pythor, God of Battle
p245
In the aftermath of the battle, the city falls into an unnatural silence. It seems for a moment that the danger has passed. But then, the earth starts shaking.
The effect is subtle at first: pebbles clattering on the pavement. The tremors continue every few seconds and slowly build into bone-rattling earthquakes—the echoes of gigantic footsteps. Suddenly, four tremendous arms emerge from behind Mount Volkan and grasp the summit, dragging behind them a gargantuan form. It's Kentimane, the Hundred Handed Titan!
Kentimane roars and assaults the city with brute force. The ancient titan is over 100 feet tall and every bit as terrifying as described in legends. Massive arms erupt from the ground, opening a path of death and destruction. Dozens of arms and small heads protrude from his body, hideous echoes of primordial chaos. He lumbers forward—directly toward you.
Whatever happens, the result of this encounter should have an element of tragedy. Use the table below to describe the collateral damage suffered during each round of the battle. The dragons will be deeply dismayed by the damage inflicted by Kentimane, and once the death toll reaches into the thousands, they may even become too distracted to fight.
| Rounds Active | Collateral Damage | Cumulative Death Toll |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineyards of Mytros destroyed | 200 |
| 2 | The Great Agora destroyed | 400 |
| 3 | The Noble Estates destroyed | 800 |
| 4 | Temple of Sydon destroyed | 1,000 |
| 5 | The King's Palace destroyed | 2,000 |
| 6 | The Academy destroyed | 4,000 |
| 7 | Temple of the Five destroyed | 6,000 |
| 8 | The Great Gardens destroyed | 8,000 |
| 9 | Stygian Row destroyed | 10,000 |
| 10 | The city is in total ruin | 12,000 |
Kentimane fights to the bitter end. He will not rest until all the heroes are dead, and he will continue to fight regardless of the damage that he suffers. If the party manages to defeat him, then you may choose to have him melt back into the earth, where he can regenerate and reappear after 1,000 years have passed. Alternatively, you may choose to have him disintegrate into cosmic dust, never to rise again.
Treasure.
Buried within Kentimane's body is a large orb of star metal from a meteorite that fell to the earth at the dawn of time. This star metal has unique properties. If Volkan still lives, then he can use this orb to craft almost any legendary magic weapon or armor at the Mithral Forge. The crafting process takes 1 year.
Conclusion
You can use the accumulated dead from collateral damage to determine how the people of Mytros react to the battle in the following months. High numbers of casualties result in a long period of mourning, whereas low numbers of casualties result in great festivities. If the party sent the dragons to rescue citizens, then just subtract the number of rescued citizens from the final cumulative death toll. Mortals who have been transformed into beasts revert back after 8 hours.
p246
“The Fates are cruel. With the end of the Oath, death and bloodshed were inevitable. But with such heroes leading us, we can build a brighter future.”
— Aesop, Keeper of the Dragon Shrine
High Casualties (8,000 or more).
The survivors are grateful to be alive, but they cannot possibly celebrate the heroes as saviors of the city—what exactly did they save? They may have even contributed to the destruction. The city spends months memorializing the dead and years rebuilding. Good-aligned characters should feel remorseful for not saving more lives.
Medium Casualties (2,000 to 8,000).
The city spends several months in mourning, punctuated by great feasts. Many of the feasts are in the heroes honor. Major characters who died in the battle are memorialized with grand eulogies and funeral games. Everyone looks to the heroes for leadership—what comes next for Thylea?
Low Casualties (2,000 or less).
The heroes are catapulted to impossible levels of fame. They are living legends, worthy to be anointed as kings and queens— perhaps they should even be revered as gods!
Kings and Queens
With the fall of Acastus, the city of Mytros has lost its king. The Titans have fallen, and the gods are no longer gods. It's time for a new order to reign in Thylea.
The heroes should now be at an exceptional level of fame, with shrines or temples across the land venerating their names. The time has come for the heroes to ascend to their rightful place as the new rulers of Thylea.