THE FUTURE
My idea is perhaps a little more anti-climactic. Yes, it would be "the end" of HeroQuest. I imagine it being the bittersweet final epic quest between some old gaming friends. But it doesn't have to be the very last. Any future quests could always be time travel or another dimension (there are after all,
at least Six Hero Quest continuities!)...
What would the final battle be like? I imagine something really cliche like him shape shifting into a big dragon, reviving some of his old dead generals for one last battle royale. Maybe trying to pit the Heroes against each other. Finally, there's no where to run, his mooks have fled and his lieutenants and body guards lie dead, his schemes defeated, and his energies depleted.
Zargon is the DM, so the game ends if he's beaten, right? Of course you could always have a different DM personality take over.
In my estimation, neither Zargon nor Mentor are actually immortal. Sometimes Mentor (or Zargon) is portrayed as some sort of Elf-Like being (long pointy nose and chin, long fingers and talon like fingernails... maybe just a really ancient human, but also pointed ears), or Morcar (Zargon) portrayed as a Skeletor like monster (Marvel winter special, hooded face, blue skin, skeletor type outfit, long finger nails). I ignore that. To me, the white bearded guy is Zargon/Morcar.
They are humans, but they have a long, secret supply of the Elixir of Life, which has kept both alive for centuries. Zargon's ambition keeps him living, Mentor's vigilance against his former pupil has been his motivation to live. Otherwise, Loretome would pass to one of Mentor's other students (one far more trusted!).
If Zargon is finally confronted by the Heroes and he can no longer flee, it turns out he can't be killed. He's imbibed so much magic, he must simply be deprived and cut off from his artifacts, potions and spells, and then he will eventually dwindle away to a normal old man, and die naturally. He's still very dangerous, so he must be isolated far away, guarded by many layers of magical protection, for fear that he could get a message out to his followers (a bit like this universe's version of Charlie Manson).
The alternate idea would be that Zargon might finally summon the Chaos gods to the world (he already tried once in the Japanese game system, or at least allied with someone else who tried), and the plan will work too well... their power is too great and he is destroyed in the process. Perhaps he realizes too late that they can't be controlled and, perhaps there was still some good in him (Darth Vader) he seals the evil gods out of the world at the cost of his own life. The vast energies involved are enough even to extinguish his artificially prolonged life.
If you don't like the idea of him having a "redemption moment" there's always just the forces he has summoned get turned against him and he's finally destroyed by Chaos. He wanted ultimate power, but he was deluded into thinking that true Chaos could ever been controlled (for long) by any mortal being.
With the death of Zargon, Mentor can finally retire. He too will wean himself off of the elixirs, and his natural death will come soon. Here's an opportunity for a heartfelt deathbed farewell to the final surviving heroes. He admonishes them that just because Zargon is defeated and his forces in disarray (mop up operations by the Empire's forces are already underway), many wicked things still exist in the world and there will always be a time for Heroes...
He can offer a sentimental moral like "perhaps the real enemy to hold at bay is right here" (and he points at his own breast). Over the years, various pretenders will arise attempting to take Zargon's throne, but never will there be another like this ancient foe. There will always be ruffians, corrupt kings, random sorcerers run amok, but it will be a very different world. True Heroes will never relax their vigilance, and over the years, you will tell the stories to your grandchildren and your band will pass into legend, much like Rogar and his companions. You will be an example for generations to come for your world. THE END
(New game session warps back to "once upon a time..." when the ol' Witch Lord is loose in Barok Tor, time to wrangle him up, compadres, yeeeeeee hawww!" (this is the American version, j/k)
THE FATE OF THE HEROES: (this obviously could vary widely, but here are my ideas)
MENTOR: The great "hero maker" was buried with all honors in a secret location, but his monument (decked out with inspiring words) remains to this day as a place of pilgrimage. He was survived by his students, who interred his faithful pet after it passed away asleep on his burial site after 14 days. It is said that a young would-be adventurer who has a dream while sleeping on the grounds will one day become a Hero.
THE BARBARIAN: Long underappreciated by his people, he arrived triumphant, and is made king, not only of his tribe but of an alliance of peoples, including some which had formerly been at odds. Of course every King needs a Queen, so he finally settles down with his true equal and tribal sweetheart (reverse the roles if it's the female Barbarian if you like). The Dwarf serves as his best man, and the Wizard officiates, while the Elf planned the ceremony which was a major blast. He received the Talisman of Lore as a wedding present and donated the Amulet of the North to the Barbarian Museum, a great source of revenue for his ancestral village. His family becomes legendary for taking after their old man (or old woman).
THE DWARF: Following the final battle, the Dwarf being dissatisfied with having only released a popular brand of gourmet BBQ sauce and doing various product endorsements, becomes restless and travels the lands, in search of a final ancient Treasure. Various reports and rumors were that he perished on that final hunt. Eventually however, he too returned triumphant, not only with the Treasure but with great wisdom which he shares with the kingdom. So great is his fame and acclaim, he is accepted and adopted into the Imperial line, eventually becoming the new Emperor, and one of the most beloved and just Emperors that world had ever known...
THE ELF: After the tumultuous period of Queen Tellaria's civil war, the Elf returns to the lands of his ancestors. Through many trials and resolutions, his diplomatic abilities leads to his acclaim as King (or Queen if you're the female version) of the Elves. Along with the Barbarian, he becomes one of the most trusted advisors of the new Emperor, leading to an era of great cooperation and justice across the many peoples of the world. He even spearheads a rehabilitation program for the refugees from the Orc territories who renounced Chaos, and is instrumental in the peace treaties signed with the Ogres, a true peacemaker for the ages.
The Wizard: The Wizard's accomplishments and wisdom speak for themselves. Yet his humility is also legendary. He donates many of his amazing Artifacts to museums to raise funds for young magical students. He accepts various new magical gifts that were crafted specifically for him by admirers and donates them to charity (a few are too powerful to fall into the wrong hands and are put into Mentor's old vault). After using his influence to reform many of the Alchemist guilds, ensuring a new generation of Wizards to police any evil sorcerers that inevitably arise... he enrolls once again in Mentor's academy as one of the lowest students. He scrubs floors, polishes switches to pay his way, and rises through the ranks, finally becoming next in line for management of Loretome, from Mentor's aged student Marline. The time may come to select four more Heroes to save the world from a new threat, but only time will tell...
NEW after Fall 2021! These may or may not be part of your universe...
The Warlock: Obsessed with gaining new powers, she undertakes more and more dangerous experiments. Sucked into a black hole during one such experiment gone awry, she has not been heard from and her fate remains unknown...
The Druid: After Zargon's defeat, she retires from combat, but, wanting to stay fit and set a good example for young people, begins a popular work-out program, responsible for getting many wayward young beings living healthy, clean lives. The proceeds continue towards conservation of ancient forests threatened by encroachment of development, while also allowing industries that run the Empire to continue in a more ethical and environmentally friendly manner.
The Orc Bard: He writes a hit song that tops the charts for a legendary number of weeks and makes his fortune. His dream accomplished, he becomes restless, and embarks on a goodwill tour of the world on his audaciously decorated ship, "The Rainbow Palooka." He has not been heard from. Rumors are that he was kidnapped and plundered by Pirates. Some say instead that he sailed over the edge of the world and had adventures there. Others tell that he landed on one of the ancient island monasteries and joined the monks there. Still others believed he started a series of youth centers for wayward young Orcs and Goblins in the far reaches of the former Chaos wastes. No one knows for sure, but one thing is for sure, his songs, like it or not, will be stuck in the heads of the Empire's citizens for ages to come...
