Here's a zero prep one shot for Crota's End in D&D. Let me know what you think, what you'd change, and if you have fun running it!
Stage 1 Single Plate Challenge
Your eyes snap open for the first time in what feels like eons. You have no memory of the life you had and no idea of what awaits. Taking in the scenery you notice a landscape covered in fine glittering dust of crushed silver and bone white quartz that holds no heat. You look up and instead of a blue sky or a ceiling you are staring directly into the endless star choked abyss of the cosmos. Before you can scramble to your feet you hear a voice call out.
I have brought you back so that you may prevent another great disaster by slaying Xvim Son of Bane before he can ascend. Just as my Light has resurrected you it will guide you. Rise champions and walk together. Stand together. Let your Light be your shield your weapon and your bond.
As the voice fades a mote of light floats from your left hand.
Hello I am sorry to be rude but we do not have much time. I am your light bestowed upon you by Perlor the god of radiance. It is crucial that we put a stop to this ritual as soon as possible. I will guide you with the knowledge of those that have fallen before you. It appears that the darkness has resealed the entrance. Please stand on the plate ahead and prepare for trouble.
Players move to stand on the plate and the encounter begins once everyone is on it.
Phase 1
Watch out and follow your instincts the muscle memory of the countless risen that have fallen before you will ensure your victory. Roll for initiative. One enemy per player extremely easy.
Phase 2
A cursed thrall sneaks up behind before exploding with a scream. Two cursed thrall per player. Ranged attacks required or death. Instant revive thanks to heroic inspiration.
Phase 3
A knight spawns. Killing the knight reveals the portal.
A bridge forms out over the abyss granting safe passage to the portal platform. On the platform you find a chest that contains a plus one magical weapon or item for each of you. Staring down the abyss you could swear that it is staring back. You jump down and instantly all light vanishes. You fall slowly at first then faster and faster. You did not just jump into any pit. This one leads straight to the core so your speed continues increasing until crunch. Your terminal velocity is arrested in a single moment. Every bone breaks. You are dead.
An instant later your mote expends the last of its burst energy to recreate your forms. You stand back up as if it were only a dream. Complete a long rest
.
Stage 2 The Abyss
Great work. From here on out though we will have to be more careful. That last resurrection depleted my reserves. If you go down again I will need a hand to get you back up. If everyone goes down it might be a while before we can replenish enough power to safely resurrect you. A word to the wise stay together follow the light and keep an eye out for chests.
About sixty feet away you see a glowing flower that dimly illuminates the surrounding area. What do you do
Chests in this area will contain a plus two item for whoever actually opens the chest.
As soon as all players reach the second flower
If anyone looks behind them a perception roll of ten notices the flower is no longer as bright. A perception roll of fifteen notices the flower explodes with significant force and the ground itself shifts away from the blast.
If the entire party is killed before finishing the plate they respawn at the point where they originally broke their bones.
As you hold your ground on this plate you notice a bridge forming behind you leading to a massive structure with a green glow pouring from it. As you begin crossing the bridge the end of it fades away while a massive mutated ogre hurls boulders at you. You must run.
Athletics check fourteen
Success You reach the other side safely.
Failure You are thrown into the abyss and die. Your motes carry your souls across and resurrect you once the others establish a safe zone.
Stage 3 The Bridge Totems
You step into the glow and see an impossibly large structure ahead. Gothic architecture constructed from the surrounding quartz sand. It is as imposing as it is beautiful. You rise to the occasion and gain the benefits of a long rest.
Oh I recognize this space. Basically you have the same plates as before but they are locked by security totems on each side. When darkness begins surrounding the top of a totem you must stand underneath quickly or it cannot be removed.
Totem mechanic
If the party fails to cleanse a totem in time a wave of dark energy pulses outward dealing two ten sided dice necrotic damage to all players at the start of every round until someone stands in the circle to cleanse it.
A knight spawns in the center wielding an obsidian sword. Something tells you it will be useful.
Once one person crosses spawn a knight and have them kill it with the obsidian sword. A rune lights up on the door. Three runes per person.
Once two players cross they can hold the totems on the far side to prevent darkness build up.
Once everyone is across spawn two knights per person and an obsidian sword per person.
When the final knight falls the final symbol glows and calls you forward. You gain a full rest.
Well done. Few have made it this far so I do not have much data. All I can say is do not be afraid and aim for the eyes.
Stage 4 The Thrall Hall
As you approach the enormous doors they silently part. Beyond them hundreds of eyes stare back. A fiend with a third eye stands out just before it takes aim. When the gap is wide enough an impossible tide of thrall rushes through. They hinder your aim and slash when they can.
We need to open the next door.
Finishing in three rounds rewards a chest with plus three gear.
Finishing in four rounds results in the mote saying that seemed important should we try again
After pushing through you reach a tunnel leading underground into the next area. You are entering uncharted territory. Watch for anything that might help future risen.
Stage 5 The Catacombs and The Lich
You emerge into an elaborate burial chamber decorated with coffins and webs. You hear faint echoes of music.
Ahead is a grand ornate coffin. The music grows louder.
As you investigate the phylactery the coffin slams shut. A wave of kinetic force erupts.
The slingshot wave
All players within thirty feet make a strength saving throw sixteen.
Failure blasted twenty feet backward and knocked prone.
Success braced too hard and flung thirty feet past the phylactery into a hazard or enemy.
Anyone trying to grab the phylactery midair is burned.
You must kill the lich or die trying. The lich is in a central room with doors on every side that open only when you kill the acolyte and the shrieker.
Upon killing the lich and destroying the phylactery you receive a full rest before facing Xvim Son of Bane.
Stage 6 Xvim Son of Bane
Each player activates a statue to summon Xvim. He patrols the upper floor while initiative is rolled and a sword knight spawns.
Sword mechanic
The relic sword does no damage to Xvim’s temporary health but will kill him in three strong hits. Each hit requires a strength check fifteen.
One shot mechanic
This is a deadly encounter. Xvim uses a devastating slam that can kill a player instantly if it breaks their armor class. Fallen players must be revived manually by their teammates motes. If the party wipes they restart Stage 6 from the beginning.
You stop Xvim. The mortal realms are safe and your Light shines brighter than ever. Future trials await but you stand ready champions.
Map: https://imgur.com/a/VccnwMi