Quest Objectives

[sadkitchen]

Another suggestion is just don't let the Heroes get the Artifact. (See following short and simple description)

Mentor says to start quest: "Go get this artifact because I said so. But look out! Evil McBadGuy is also trying to get it, so you better hurry."
Then: Quest goes as normal until Heroes get to the room with the Artifact.
Regardless on how fast they get there, read the following note to the Heroes: "You are late. Evil McBadGuy has already got the Artifact. You will now need to chase him and try to get it away from him."
Now: Evil McBadGuy moves away from the heroes, placing doors/monsters/furniture as he goes (see Return of the Witch Lord Quest Book, as 2 of the Named baddies attempt this if they are loosing), and just have the monster content of the rooms make it impossible to get to Evil McBadGuy before he makes it to the stairway/exit door.
(If you think that the Heroes could take Evil McBadGuy out in 1 turn, then give him a free turn right when the heroes enter the artifact room.)
(Also make sure he will survive a Genie spell as I have had Heroes foil more than one Bad guy escape by the Wizard just getting close enough and getting lucky with the rolls.)
Special Ending quest note OR Mentor says to start next quest: "Since you failed to get the artifact you will now need to go to Evil McBadGuy's McLair and kill off all his minions, loot his treasure room, and terminate Evil McBadGuy himself. Bring me my artifact or don't come home!"

-Sad Kitchen

P.S. Don't ever actually name your Villain Evil McBadGuy, he just won't come across as menacing as you would like.

[drathe]

P.S. Don't ever actually name your Villain Evil McBadGuy, he just won't come across as menacing as you would like.

Now I have to.

[sadkitchen]

Now I have to.

Many apologies.

Just remember that Evil McBadGuy actually will kill all the Heroes, and you should avoid situations in which he can off all of them at once.

He will not have his nerve gas filled gargoyle explode on the Heroes causing a great loss of MP. And while they were MP depleted, he would definitely do more than steal only their gold, jewelry, and gems. And if by chance 2 of the Heroes break free and try to rescue there friends, he will not let the remaining Heroes go and run away.
Also if he knows that the Heroes have the ONLY weapon that can hurt him, because they used it on him the last time he encountered them, He will make doubly sure to take if from them and make triply sure that they will never get it back.

Though since someone else has already had that plan, Evil McBadGuy most likely wouldn't use it as it has been proven to fail.