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

Z'rell is first encountered 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 to secure 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 that 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, an  Insight check must be passed, followed by a DC 18 Persuasion check. If succeeding both checks, the party can speak with Lann Tarv (with the same character that convinced Z'rell) to unlock the 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 combat 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 closet look."
• 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?"

Combat

Attacks and abilities

 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

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 Notes]} 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

 Lacerate ()   –  Handaxe +1

Damage: 5~10

1d6 + 4Slashing

Slash at your target's vital points to make it  Bleed.

Undead and Constructs can't Bleed.

CON Save

 Range: Normal weapon range

Recharge: Short rest

 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. This is a bait since she uses  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

Related literature

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

Gallery

• 

  Z'rell's model.

External links

• Z'rell on the Forgotten Realms Wiki