Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep

H1: Statue of Alyxian

This painted stone statue depicts Alyxian as a young man. See "Alyxian Speaks" below for more information about the statue.

H2–H4: Prayer Sites

The ruins on the three islands are prayer sites dedicated to Avandra the Change Bringer (area H2), Corellon the Arch Heart (area H3), and Sehanine the Moon Weaver (area H4). The Apotheon draws on the power of these ruins when he takes his lair actions, as described in the "x" section.

Deciding Alyxian's Fate

If the characters grant the Apotheon his freedom, he gasps in surprise. This is the outcome he wants, but his own self-loathing did not prepare him for this answer, since deep down he knows he's in no condition to leave. He asks the characters if they are sure of their decision, whereupon any character who succeeds on a DC 16 Wisdom (Insight) check can sense the doubt that caused the Apotheon to question their decision. If the characters choose to free him at this point, proceed with the "x" section.

Alyxian is willing to chat amicably with the characters and answer any questions they have—up to a point. Freedom is within his sight after eons of suffering. He is impatient, restless, and determined to end this chapter of his existence. He keeps the conversation going as long as he believes he's convincing the characters that he's a good person. If the characters don't come to a decision or start to question his assertions, frustration starts to creep into his tone, then anger.

If the characters ask about certain topics, you can read or paraphrase Alyxian's replies. Whenever he gives an answer, a character can make a DC 21 Wisdom (Insight) check. On a failed check, the character views him as sincere, sorrowful, and grateful. On a successful check, the character can tell he's deeply conflicted. On a check that succeeds by 5 or more, the character can also tell that he is growing impatient for the characters to judge him worthy. The following are the topics and Alyxian's replies:

• Alyxian's Personality.. "I have been cursed by fate. By some cruel joke of the cosmos. If I am to suffer, was it not right that I should allow my suffering to spare others from the same fate?"
• Alyxian's Past.. "I was born as the Calamity raged around me. I grew up knowing fear, and I watched the Betrayer Gods turn my home into a barren wasteland. My only regrets are that I could not save others... and that my sacrifices were not enough to free me from my fate."
• Alyxian's Future.. "I have dreamed of my future for so long, but now that you ask, I find my dreams have abandoned me. I want to walk by myself along the streets of a city where no one has cause to fear or loathe me."
• Alyxian's Regret.. "You have felt my remorse and witnessed all the memories that I have prayed to be rid of. I am grateful for your actions in the retelling of those memories. I have watched them so many times, I wept to see that they could have turned out happily."
• Alyxian's Fury.. "I am filled with hatred. For the god who condemned me to this hell, and for the people who tear at my essence to satisfy their own greed. Does that scare you?" (The god Alyxian refers to is Gruumsh. The people Alyxian refers to are the factions who want to take ruidium from the Netherdeep and use it for their own ends.)
• Alyxian's Yearning.. "I have been imprisoned for so long, I dreamed of many things. Those dreams gave me hope, but—but now you are here! They needn't be fantasies any longer."
• The Heart of Despair.. "It defies belief that this beautiful place is the source of so much suffering. Let us not speak of this place any longer. I simply wish to be free of it."
• Ruidium.. "Do not speak to me of that wretched stuff. I would sooner slay anyone who takes it from my domain than see it used again. Let us be rid of this evil place and deal with ruidium later."

Upsetting the Apotheon

If a character points out that Alyxian seems angry during their conversation, he hastily retorts, "I am impatient. The world above sings to me, and you withhold judgment from me. What is your decision? Am I free to go? Choose!"

If any option other than unconditional release from his prison is suggested, if the characters take too long to decide, or if the characters doubt him openly, the Apotheon turns hostile. Read:

Proceed with the next section.

Multiple Stages

The Apotheon has multiple forms that the characters encounter in sequence, each with its own stat block. Three of these forms—Alyxian the Tormented, Alyxian the Callous, and Alyxian the Dispossessed—are hostile. The Apotheon has a fourth form—Alyxian the Absolved—that poses no threat to the characters and appears only if the Apotheon is redeemed. The sequence is as follows:

x The battle begins with the appearance of Alyxian the Tormented. When this form is reduced to 0 hit points, it disappears and is replaced by Alyxian the Callous.

x When Alyxian the Callous is reduced to 0 hit points, this form of the Apotheon disappears and is replaced by Alyxian the Dispossessed.

x When Alyxian the Dispossessed is reduced to 0 hit points, the Apotheon is well and truly dead. If Alyxian the Dispossessed is redeemed instead of killed, he transforms into Alyxian the Absolved. Either way, the battle ends.

Emotional Healing

While in the form of Alyxian the Tormented, Alyxian the Callous, or Alyxian the Dispossessed, the Apotheon taunts the characters, but an underlying sadness and regret hint that something humane still lives within him—a fragment of his original psyche that is desperate to curb his destructive tendencies yet unable to break free of the torment that drives his actions. By reaching out with words of empathy and compassion, the characters can help Alyxian achieve a kind of catharsis, leading to his redemption.

Have Alyxian speak to the characters often, to convey that this is not just a drawn-out combat encounter but an opportunity to rid Alyxian of his corruption. During the battle, the characters can improve Alyxian's emotional state by speaking to him with supportive words and succeeding on one or more Charisma (Persuasion) checks. With each successful check, they weaken his current form and push him toward assuming a less monstrous form. See the various stages of the battle, described below, for how to resolve these checks.

Emotional State

Devoid of virtually every attribute that once made him a hero, Alyxian the Tormented is nihilistic, despondent, and wrathful. He attaches the worst possible interpretation to what the characters say, believes them to be his enemies, rebuffs their attempts to help, and mocks them at every turn.

The following bits of dialogue are examples of what he might say in this emotional state:

• "You can't understand. No one can understand the pain of spending years beyond counting in darkness."
• "No one remembers. No one cares. Even you!"
• "Even you will be forgotten. Do you trust them? Your friends? Do not trust. Do not grow close."

Comforting Alyxian the Tormented

As an action, a character can speak to Alyxian the Tormented with empathy and compassion, after which the character can make a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a failed check, the character's words do not resonate with Alyxian. On a successful check, Alyxian the Tormented loses 20 hit points as he tries to shed his monstrous form, causing chunks of his body to slough off. As gruesome as this sight might seem, Alyxian's emotional state appears to improve as a result. The following bits of dialogue are examples of what he might say in response to the characters' helpful words:

• "How can I forgive them for this suffering?"
• "Of course, you can say such things! You have had family, friends, allies, and each other."
• "This monstrous form... you must destroy it. I can feel its hatred tearing at me. Please! I can feel my spirit inside straining to escape!"

Emotional State

Alyxian the Callous is cold and distant, disregarding words he doesn't care to hear. He sees himself as a perfect, "holy" being and believes that the world should be condemned for its crimes against him.

The following bits of dialogue are examples of what he might say in this emotional state:

• "What crime have I committed other than craving freedom? Why do you not condemn those who left me to rot?"
• "It is as I thought: you are imperfect judges. You have not known my suffering. No one can know it; I am my only judge."
• "I have lived a thousand lifetimes and felt a million sorrows. I am the judge this world deserves—and mine will be the final decree."

Comforting Alyxian the Callous

As an action, a character can speak to Alyxian the Callous with empathy and compassion, after which the character can make a DC 17 Charisma (Persuasion) check. On a failed check, the character's words do not resonate with Alyxian. On a successful check, Alyxian the Callous loses 25 hit points as his current form withers. As painful as this effect might seem, Alyxian's emotional state appears to improve as a result.

The following bits of dialogue are examples of what he might say in response to the characters' helpful words:

• "You do have a way with words, puny one."
• "If the world will not pay for the hurt it caused me, then what? What happens?"
• "How can this be righteousness? How is any of this allowed by fate, by gods that once fought by my side?"
• "If there is no justice in this world, then the least you can do is grant me an honorable defeat. Come forth! Let us waste no more time on words."

Emotional State

Alyxian the Dispossessed is tired. The weariness that has built up in him over the centuries has begun to overcome his anger and bitterness. Now he needs to be guided back into the light.

The following bits of dialogue are examples of what he might say in this emotional state:

• "This world has moved beyond me. There is no place in it for a bitter man such as I."
• "How could the gods ever forgive me for what I have done? I'm too old for redemption."
• "Your naivete shows itself. The omens of Ruidus haunt me now as they did many moons ago."

Comforting Alyxian the Dispossessed

As an action, a character can speak to Alyxian the Dispossessed with empathy and compassion, after which the character can make a DC 19 Charisma (Persuasion) check. If a character can think of another way to remind Alyxian of the good man he could still be, have the character make a DC 19 ability check using whichever ability and skill you think is appropriate. On a failed check, the character's words do not resonate with Alyxian. On a successful check, years of negative emotions seem to drain away from him. After three successful checks, Alyxian the Dispossessed achieves catharsis and transforms into Alyxian the Absolved (see "x" below).

The following bits of dialogue are examples of what he might say as Alyxian the Absolved:

• "I have survived for this long. Surely it was for some purpose."
• "I have heard echoes of the most beautiful things from the surface. Laughter. Music. Joy. I want to see them. To know them again."
• "What is left of the world that I once knew?"

Alyxian Victorious

If Alyxian defeats the characters, he disappears with a cackle. His victory triggers the worst possible outcome, as described in the "x" section later in the chapter.

When Alyxian disappears, all creatures inside in the Heart of Desire—alive or dead—are transported to unoccupied spaces in x (see chapter 6), which is now an empty, flooded, spherical chamber.

Alyxian Defeated

If Alyxian the Dispossessed dies, any hope of the Apotheon's redemption dies with him. Read:

After Alyxian dies, all creatures inside the Heart of Desire—alive or dead—are transported to unoccupied spaces in x, which is now an empty, flooded, spherical chamber. Proceed with the "x" section.

Alyxian Redeemed

Upon assuming the form of Alyxian the Absolved (see the accompanying stat block), the Apotheon no longer has any desire to fight the characters. Read:

If the characters unanimously grant permission for Alyxian the Absolved to leave his self-made prison, proceed with the "x" section. If they kill Alyxian the Absolved, the story takes the direction described in "x"

[image: Rid of the corruption that had consumed him for ages, Alyxian walks the streets of Ank'Harel as a free man.]

Neutral Ending: Alyxian at Rest

Alyxian is defeated instead of being redeemed.

This ending applies if the characters, refusing to trust the Apotheon enough to allow him his freedom, destroy him during the final confrontation and thereby deprive the Netherdeep of its vital essence.

Worst Ending: Unleashing Devastation

Alyxian is granted freedom without regaining compassion.

If the characters take pity on the Apotheon and grant him his freedom without healing his emotional wounds, read:

After escaping from the Heart of Despair, the Apotheon races through the Netherdeep and erupts in Ank'Harel. Darkness fills the sky above the city, as if it were a moonless, starless night—and then Ruidus's light blazes abruptly, filling the inky sky with crimson ire.

After ruminating over his regret, fury, yearning, and despair for an age, the Apotheon condemns the world that allowed him to be imprisoned after a lifetime of selflessness. His vengeance is all-consuming, his pain unending. For the next year and a day, Ruidus remains a full moon, shining with unnatural brightness. During this time, Alyxian can appear anywhere in the world in the form of an oily black cloud that can reduce cities to rubble in a matter of days.

Best Ending: A World That Remembered

Alyxian is shown kindness and reminded of love.

When the Apotheon's corruption has been neutralized, the characters can speak to Alyxian's true self. They can remind him of the great deeds he has done and could still do, as well as express gratitude for his sacrifice on behalf of the world at large. As Alyxian sheds the last of his bitterness, pain, and fury, he becomes a humble man once more. In this form, he is truly ready to return to the world above.

Friendly Rivals

If the rivals are friendly, their actions from here on depend on what happens to Alyxian:

• Alyxian Is Killed.. The rivals help the heroes escape from the Netherdeep. Sometime later, they invite the characters to a tavern in Ank'Harel to share their memories of the Netherdeep, then try to put it all behind them.
• Alyxian Is Unleashed.. The rivals become staunch allies of the characters. The rivals agree to go wherever the party sends them to help stem the disaster.
• Alyxian Is Redeemed.. The rivals, recognizing and accepting that the characters have prevailed, honor the heroes during a night of celebration together. They might become fast friends of the characters in time.

Indifferent Rivals

If the rivals are indifferent, their actions from here on depend on what happens to Alyxian:

• Alyxian Is Killed.. The rivals report what happened to their faction leaders, casting themselves as neither better nor worse than the characters. They take their leave in search of a place to build a new reputation for themselves.
• Alyxian Is Unleashed.. The rivals blame the characters for the cataclysm now facing the world but realize that their only hope of survival is to band together against their common enemy.
• Alyxian Is Redeemed.. The rivals thank the characters for engaging in the "race" with them, which didn't really seem to have a winner. Ayo remarks, "Next time there's something you want, we'll be there for you—maybe just to be a thorn in your side." Her parting words seem warm enough.

Hostile Rivals

If the rivals are hostile, their actions from here on depend on what happens to Alyxian:

• Alyxian Is Killed.. The rivals report to their faction that the characters have destroyed their access to ruidium and killed a legendary hero. They sabotage the characters' relationship with their own faction as much as they can and angle to become viewed as the more accomplished adventurers.
• Alyxian Is Unleashed.. The rivals blame the characters for the devastation Alyxian causes. They complicate the characters' dealings with political leaders and nations, taking every opportunity to portray the characters as selfish, untrustworthy meddlers.
• Alyxian Is Redeemed.. The rivals, realizing that their further efforts here would be to no avail, set out for distant lands to find a new way to make their mark in the world.

Heroes Unsung

If the rivals died in the Netherdeep, the characters are haunted by dreams of them for a few weeks. In these dreams, they might see Maggie's solemn, steady gaze as she speaks, but not be able to hear what she is trying to tell them. They might see Ayo erupting in an outburst of anger, Galsariad fruitlessly trying to turn back time to change his party's fate, Dermot mourning his friends, and Irvan wondering if he ever did something great.

Eventually, the dreams subside, but on their final night, Ayo steps up to each character in turn and offers a salute. "We didn't do too badly, huh?" she says quietly. "Remember us. Maybe with a monument back in Jigow? That would be nice."