Z'rell

Disciple Z'rell is a high-ranking Absolutist and trusted advisor to  Ketheric Thorm in Moonrise Towers during Act Two.

“

I see you have been rejected in the past. Do not worry - the Absolute loves you, and that is all that truly matters.

„

— Z'rell, if she sees that the player has been romantically rejected by a companion

Involvement

Act Two

Throne room

When first encountered, Z'rell is in the Moonrise audience chamber with  Ketheric Thorm, where they are judging the failures of the Absolute's forces from the Goblin Camp. Ultimately, Ketheric Thorm delegates their punishment to the player character, and Z'rell orders them to report to her afterwards.

Upstairs

There, she orders them to assist the necromancer  Balthazar in securing a relic needed by Ketheric, called the  Nightsong. If the party allow Balthazar to seize the Nightsong, then Z'rell offers the follow-up quest ⁠Resolve the Abduction, tasking the party to assist  Marcus with the abduction of  Isobel.

Unlocking Lann Tarv's secret stash

The trader  Lann Tarv has a secret stash of items which can be unlocked by convincing Z'rell to give the party access to it.

If the dialogue option "What exactly was this relic he was sent to retrieve?" does not appear, casting  Detect Thoughts is recommended. After choosing the conversation option or casting the spell, a  DC 14 Insight Check must be passed, followed by a  DC 18 Persuasion Check. If the interacting party member passes both checks, the party can then speak with Lann Tarv to access his secret stash.

Assault on Moonrise Towers

If Z'rell is still alive after killing or freeing the Nightsong, she leads the Absolute forces against the party during the assault on Moonrise Towers. She starts the conflict with  Mirror Image and  Fire Shield: Chill.

Romance Reactions

If the player character succeeds a  DC 14 Persuasion Check in distracting Z'rell with thoughts of their romantic partner, she has unique dialogue lines for each.

• If romancing  Astarion: "My my, your lust for the neck-pricker is succulent. I'd like to take a bite out of him myself."
• If romancing  Gale: "Hmm, you have used the wizard well. But the desperate one who would love such a pathetic man must hunger for greater delights deep down."
• If romancing  Karlach: "You have quite the imagination. But that's all it can ever be with you two, Imagination. The Absolute offers the real."
• If romancing  Lae'zel: "I've never lain with a githyanki. It looks like this one nearly broke you in half. How invigorating."
• If romancing  Minthara: "How curious. I've only ever known Minthara to moan with pleasure when somebody's losing a limb. She must have liked you, such a shame she'll never smile again. But I'll enjoy the memory of this moment."
• If romancing  Shadowheart: "You took pity on one of Shar's sorry little followers - or was it genuine affection? Let's take a closer look."
• If romancing  Wyll: "Forget your love. I have seventeen husbands scattered across the Coast's shores. They were mere meat."
• If not romancing anyone: "You long to be touched. A shame we're preparing for war, or I might find time for you - but all you truly need is the Absolute."
• If the player character could have romanced someone but has not: "You are desired and yet you choose to sleep alone. Are you sure you aren't one of Balthazar's walking corpses?"
• If the player character's romance attempt was rejected previously (i.e., by  Halsin): "You have been rejected in the past. Do not worry - the Absolute loves you, and that is all that truly matters."

Combat

Attacks and actions

 Black Hole ()

Create a point of intense gravity that pulls in all nearby enemies and possibly  Slows them.

Five more black holes can be summoned after this spell's initial casting.^{[See Notes]} Afterwards, you must Short Rest before casting it again.

 INT Save

 Range: 18 m (60 ft)

 AoE: 9 m (30 ft) Radius

 Pulls: 6 m (20 ft)

 Recharge: Short rest

 Cone of Cold ( + )

Damage: 8~64

8d8⁠Cold

Make a flurry of frost, crisp air, and condensed snow crystals erupt from your hands.

 CON Save

 Range: Self

 AoE: 9 m (30 ft) Cone

 Counterspell ( + )

Try to stop a spell being cast.

If it is higher level than the spell slot you used to Counterspell, you must make a check using your spellcasting ability^{[See: Bugs]} to prevent it. The check's difficulty is equal to 10 plus the level of the spell you are trying to counter.

This spell can be cast while you are  Silenced.

 Eldritch Blast ()

Damage: 1~10

1d10⁠Force

Conjure a beam of crackling energy. Deals 1d10⁠⁠Force damage to a target.

 Range: 18 m (60 ft)

 Pushes: 4.5 m (15 ft)

 Main Hand Attack ()   –  Handaxe +1

Damage: 5~10

1d6 + 4⁠Slashing

Make a melee attack with your equipped weapon.

 Melee: 1.5 m (5 ft)

 Mirror Image ( + )

Create 3 illusory duplicates of yourself to distract attackers. Each duplicate increases your  Armour Class by 3.

Whenever you successfully evade an attack, one of the duplicates disappears.

 Range: Self

Tactics

• It can be tempting to use a large Area of Effect spell to start combat like  Fireball or  Hunger of Hadar since Z'rell usually starts the fight in the centre of a large, open entryway surrounded by her allies, but this is a bait since she will use  Counterspell on the first spell the party casts. It is recommended to cast a cantrip first instead of a stronger spell.

Loot

• Absolute's Protector
• Handaxe +1
• Mind Flayer Parasite Specimen
• Scroll of Fear
• Scroll of Shatter
• Studded Leather Armour

Idle banter

Z'rell will have  Bennel report to her from time to time:

• Disciple Z'rell

  In Her Name. Report?

• Zealot Bennel

  There are some ghouls nesting on the upper ramparts. They seem... restless.

• Disciple Z'rell

  We had best hope they don't forget themselves - or I'll have to send you out there to calm them down.

• Zealot Bennel

  I'll put some sense in their heads, Disciple.

• Disciple Z'rell

  Or some meat in their bellies, at least.

• Zealot Bennel

  All quiet, Disciple.

• Disciple Z'rell

  All quiet? Do you suppose the Absolute's enemies are resting, soldier?

• Zealot Bennel

  I - no, Disciple.

• Disciple Z'rell

  Perhaps you cannot find them - root them out - because they are your allies? Hm?

• Zealot Bennel

  I - no, mistress! I would never -

• Disciple Z'rell

  Oh, relax and let me have my fun. This paperwork grows tedious.

• Zealot Bennel

  Nothing to report, Dis-

• Disciple Z'rell

  Then why are you reporting, soldier? Interrupt me again, and you will serve Disciple Balthazar instead. Do you want that?

• Zealot Bennel

  No, Disciple. Forgiveness, Disciple.

Related literature

• Beheading the Bitterroots
• Orcs of the Trielta Hills
• Recruiting Gnolls
• Taking the Groves Off the Table
• Z'rell's personal reminder