Cop and a Half: Episode 3 - Brigandoomiest

Lem woke to the sounds of birds chirping.  He yawned and stretched, squinting against the sun rising overhead.  Where was he?  How did he get here?  He glanced to his right and saw the smoking remains of a farm.  Oh, right.

Starting Deck 

Burlgar,Archer, Sage, Amulet of Life, Blast Stone, BoG x 5, Cure, Lightning Touch, Detect Magic, Inflict, Sling

Valeros took a deep breath.  He loved the smell of destruction in the morning.  Looking over his shoulder, he saw Lem start to rise from his slumber.  Good, it was time they got moving.  The Sheriff probably wanted some kind of update on the situation.

Starting Deck 

Crowbar, Spyglass, BoG x3, Sherriff Hemlock, Crow, Longsword x2, Longspear, Warhammer, Longbow, Chainmail x2, Magic Leather Armor

Lem sifted through the ashes on their way through the fields.  He was surprised to find some really nice looking bracers amidst the debris.  He reached down to pick them up, and was surprised to see they were attached to something.  As he pulled them harder, a fully formed skeleton erupted from the ash.  Backing off quickly, Lem planted a stone through it's skull with his sling.  He was in no mood for this nonsense today, but hey, it wasn't a shadow at least.

Turn 1
Lem – BoCalistria
Woods
Bracers of protection – Arcane = D10+1 = 3 = successBoG exploreSkeleton = Sling + Valeros = D8 + D6 + D4 = 12 = success

Valeros also found something in the field that looked interesting.  It was a vial filled with a strange liquid.  Upon determining that it was in no way alcoholic, however, he threw it into the distance.  Had he been assigned to a dry county?  Seriously, where was all the booze?

Turn 2

Valeros – BoCalistria

Potion of Ghostly Form – Intelligence = D6 = 2 = fail

Lem stood admiring his new bracers.  As he did, he was struck from behind by some force.  Spinning as he fell, he saw a very angry woman stomping towards him across the field.  She was shouting something about how they would pay for destroying her farm, and how she was going to bring a whole team of lawyers down on them.  Well, Lem did a quick "What Would Valeros Do?" in his mind, and electrocuted the woman.  Whew, he thought, crisis averted.

Turn 3

Lem – BoTorag

Enchanter – 1 Damage – Lightning Touch + Valeros = D10+1 + 2d4 + D4 = 17 = success = 1 Damage

Recharge success

Valeros was nearing the bridge that he had cut down the day before, and saw some idiot attempting to repair it.
"Hey!  Someone could get hurt on that thing!" He shouted to the man.
As the man turned, Valeros recognized him.  This was the same guy who got away last night!  Well, no one escaped Valeros.  He unsheathed his sword and chased the man across the newly repaired bridge.

Turn 4

Valeros – BoG

Jubrayl – Melee + Longspear = D10+3 + D8 = 11 = successClose check = Wisdom + BoG + Lem BoG = 3D4 = 8 = success
Lem was still admiring his bracers as he approached the wooden bridge.  It was nice to finally get some sort of reward for his service, even if he did find it in a pile of ashes...and attached to an undead monster.  Still, pretty sweet.  It was thoughts like these that caused him to not notice the shadow standing in his path.  It swarmed over him, smothering him, and when it was gone, Lem saw that he had lost his bracers as well as his Blast Stone he had found the day before.  Did...did he just get robbed by a SHADOW?  Lem scowled and dusted himself off.

Turn 5

Lem – BoG 

Wooden BridgeShadow – Melee + BoG + Blast Stone = D4 + D4 + D4 = 9 = fail = 3 damage = Recharge Bracers of protection = 2 damage
Valeros ran across the bridge, almost running headlong into some travelers as he did so.
"Watch it!  Out of the way!  Police business!" He yelled, as he pushed them aside.
As some of the travelers fell from the bridge, he nodded inwardly. He knew someone was going to get hurt on this damn thing.

Turn 6

Valeros – BoDesna

Standard Bearer – Diplomacy = D6+2 = 3 = fail
Lem had reached the bridge now, and tried to push some travelers that were there from his path.  There appeared to be some commotion, but Lem couldn't be bothered.
"Excuse me, police business!  Please let me through!"  He said as he pushed his way through.
One of the travelers produced a bow and aimed it at Lem.  Fortunately that man didn't make too much of a fuss when Lem sent negative energy coursing through him.  Lem stepped over the man and carried on his way.

Turn 7

Lem – BoPharasma

BoIomedae – Divine = D10+1 = 10 = successDiscard Blessing exploreTraitor – Archer Discard – Inflict + Valeros = D10+1 + D6 + D4 = 18 = success

Recharge fail Lem out of cards to draw, again.
Valeros shoved more peasants out of his way.  Was there some kind of festival around here or something?  Where were these people coming from?

Turn 8 

Valeros – BoDesna

Standard Bearer – Diplomacy – D6+2 = 4 = fail
Lem continued running after Valeros.  He was getting too old for this.

Turn 9 

Lem – BoPharasma

Nothing
Valeros heard some music in the distance.  Maybe there WAS some kind of festival.  Oh well, he didn't have time for that right now.  He had to keep moving.  Not even the promise of sweet festival alcohol would keep him from his quarry.

Turn 10

Valeros – BoPharasma

Satyr – Dex = D8 = 7 = fail = 2 damage
Lem kept running.  He considered a change in career.  Maybe something nice and relaxing, like an entertainer.

Turn 11

Lem – BoG

Nothing
Valeros had nearly caught up with the man now.  They were heading straight towards the waterfront.  Valeros laughed.  There was no escaping now!

Turn 12

Valeros – BoG

Jubrayl – Melee + Longspear = D10+3 + D8 = 14 = success
Lem's running became a jog, then a vigorous walk.  He wasn't getting paid enough for this.  Not by a long shot.

Turn 13 

Lem – BoG

Bury card to recharge Cure
Valeros moved into the busy Waterfront crowd.  He had no idea who this guy was, or what he was doing, but there was no way he was going to let him get away again.  He continued to shove his way through the crowd.

Turn 14

Valeros – BoG

Waterfront

Explore: BoGDiscard BoG to explore againArcher – Diplomacy = D6+2 = 3 = fail

Lem Cure – 4 

Recharge fail
Lem reached a building on the outskirts of the Waterfront, still dripping with sweat.  He really needed to get a wagon, or maybe a pony.  As he considered this, an incorporeal hand reached from the nearby wall, moving towards him.  Oh hell no, no shadow was going to get the drop on him twice in one day!  He unleashed lightning upon the hand, and was surprised to see that a fully formed ghost flew from the wall and dissipated in front of his eyes.  Great, now we have ghosts, he thought.

Turn 15

Lem – BoTorag

Waterfront

Ghost = Lightning Touch + Valeros = D10+1 + 2D4 + D4 = 16 = success

Recharge success
Using the spyglass his burglar friend had given him, Valeros looked around the crowded waterfront.  Come to think of it, where was that guy?  Had Valeros killed him?  Maybe.  It was hard to keep track.

Turn 16

Valeros – BoG

Pot of Fort – Int = D6 = success

Spyglass – Mystic Inscription and standard bearer
Lem could not see Valeros anywhere.  What was with this guy?  Lem decided that it was time to take a break, and entered a shop on the wharf.  It was a small shop full of exotic wares.  A book on the shelf caught his eye.  "How to Make Friends and Stop the Undead" was the title across the spine.  Well, that seemed perfect.  After some brief haggling, Lem walked out not only with a new book, but a new friend as well.

As he walked, he read a passage from the book aloud.  He was surprised to see a great, spherical blue light engulf the space in front of him.  A spectre within, hit the walls of its new prison in anger as it stared him down.  Well, at least the book worked, he thought.  Money well spent.

Turn 17 

Lem – BoG

Mystic Inscription = Arcane + BoG = D10+1 + D10 = 12 = success

4 spells to hand – Aid, Mending, Mirror Image, Sanctuary

Discard BoG Explore – Standard Bearer = Diplomacy = D10+3 = 13 = success

Discard Standard Bearer Explore = Spectre = Sanctuary 

Recharge fail
Later that evening, Valeros made his way back to town.  He was exhausted, thirsty, and seriously ticked off.  Back in Magnimar, he had always gotten his man, or woman, or animal.  Point was, he got stuff, and not getting this mysterious guy was throwing off his mojo something fierce.

Maybe he could at least get a drink from someone out here, he thought.  Something to tide him over until he made it back to the inn.  He knocked on a nearby farmhouse door.  There was no answer.  He knocked again, louder this time.
"Yeah yeah, keep yer pants on."  A gruff male voice from within sounded.  As the door opened, Valeros' face turned from annoyance to delight, and he took the mans head clean from his shoulders.

Turn 18 

Valeros – BoTorag

Farmhouse

Jubrayl 

Lem Close check – Bandit Henchman = reveal and discard Sling + Aid + BoG = D8+D6+D4+D6+D8 = 23 = success

Jubrayl – Recharge pot of fort and crowbar, draw Sherriff and Chainmail = Longspear + Sherriff Hemlock = D10+3 + D6 + D8 = 15 = success
Valeros whistled as he strode into Sheriff Hemlock's office that night.
"Well, Valeros, there you are!  How is the investigation going?  Any leads?"  Hemlock said as he looked up from the stacks of papers piled on his desk.
"You could say that."  Valeros said.  "I got another one of those damn bandits today." and with that, he held up the head of the man from the farmhouse.

Hemlock's eyes went wide in surprise.  "Valeros, do you have any idea who that is?  That's Jubrayl Vhiski, a crime boss and wanted outlaw!  You're a hero!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah, I know." Valeros said with a smile.

Scenario Rewards: Bracers of Protection, Tome of Knowledge
Postgame Analysis

Finally!  I thought I would never make it through that one.  It was very cool to chase Jubrayl through each location deck, though.  Just brought everything together thematically, and made for an enjoyable game.

Passing that Mystic Inscription with Lem was really nice also, and allowed him to get Aid, which will help quite a bit I think.  I decided not to stick with any of the others, because I still need cure, and a couple offensive spells at my disposal.

The items I got for a reward from the scenario were garbage, but I'm looking forward to moving on to Poison Pill!

Cop and a Half: Episode 2 - Brigandoomer

Day 2

Valeros awoke the next morning with the sunrise.  As he stared out the window of his room at the inn, he smiled.  This assignment was working out far better than he had hoped.  Back in Magnimar, he would have had to file reports, and fill out all kinds of incident paperwork each time he got into a brawl, but not out here.  He had simply walked in and told the Sheriff about the bandits and goblins, and told him he had it all taken care of.  The Sheriff actually thanked him for it.  Thanked him!  This was a dream come true.

Starting DeckLongsword x4
Longspear
Chainmail x3
Crow
Mattock
Crowbar
Standard Bearer
BoG x3

Meanwhile, across town, Lem woke up at the crack of noon, and nearly cried out as he tried to move.  His whole body was on fire.  Well, not literally, that was yesterday.  Today, his body was desperately trying to recover.  Unfortunately, he had to get to work before he lost his job.  He was certain his insane partner would want to get an early start on the mayhem that he seemed so with.  This was a nightmare.

Starting DeckSling
Caltrops
Amulet of Life
Burglar
Sage
Archer
Lightning Touch
Detect Magic
Cure
Inflict
BoG x5

The Sheriff was sending them to the Waterfront today, to question some of the workers there.  See if anything unusual had been going on.  Seemed easy enough.  As Lem walked down the pier, he noticed that there was a shadow trailing them.  Oh no, he thought, not again.  Without warning, he turned and unleashed lightning from his fingers upon the spot where the shadow was.  It withered and dissipated.  Lem looked at it for a moment, wondering if he was actually becoming accustomed to this insanity.  Would every day start with him attacking a shadow?

Turn 1
Lem – Blessing of the Gods
Waterfront
Shadow – Lightning touch + BoG = D10+1 + 2d4 + D10 = 15 = success
Recharge success

Valeros didn't even break stride as his partner destroyed the incorporeal creature that stalked them.  He had something else in his sights.  Shelelu, the innkeeper, was speaking with a fish merchant on the waterfront market.  He decided to ask for her help in the investigation, since she knew everyone in town.  As he approached, she did a double take and finished her business hurriedly with the merchant before disappearing into the crowd.  Strange.

Valeros – Blessing of the Gods
Waterfront
Shalelu – Charisma + Lem recharge = D6+2 + D4 = 6 = failure

Just then, a disturbance broke out in the marketplace and two men fled from the crowd.  They were each carrying a couple of sacks in their hands, full of goods.  Shopkeepers yelled from the crowd for someone to stop them, but no one moved.  Lem sighed, and positioned himself in their path.  They paid the halfling no mind, which was a mistake.  Lem simply reached out and touched one, sending him to the ground with negative energy.  As for the other, Lem took careful aim with his trusty sling, and sent him to join his friend in the afterlife.  The crowd cheered.

Turn 3
Lem – BoG
Bandit = Recharge Burglar, draw BoG = Inflict + Valeros = D10+1 + D6 + D4 = 16 = success
Recharge Success
Close location = Bandit henchman = Recharge BoG, draw sage = Reveal and discard Sling + Valeros = D8 + D4 +D6 + D4 = 18 = Success
Lem discards sage, Valeros discards Chainmail from Waterfront closing

Valeros had to admit it, that was pretty smooth work.  He was glad this halfling wasn't nearly as useless as most of the rookies he had served with.  As they headed back to town across the wooden bridge that connected it to the waterfront, he noticed something at the far side.  Moving closer, he could see it was a chest.  Well, that was certainly no match for his crowbar.  Prying it open, he was pleased to see some average, but useful, weapons.  As he removed them, he heard a familiar voice from the road.
"Ah, Valeros, good, I was hoping to run into you.  How did the waterfront turn out?"  Sheriff Hemlock asked.
"Umm...good.  I would say, good.  We got a couple of bandits, anyway." Valeros replied absent-mindedly as he looked for a place to stow his newfound weaponry.
"Good, well I've decided to come along with you today.  I have to admit that sitting in an office all day really isn't my style, and as the newest member of our police force, I guess I should probably perform an evaluation."
Valeros sighed inwardly.  Great, just what he needed.

Turn 4
Valeros – BoG
Wooden Bridge
Large Chest = Melee + Reveal and discard Crowbar = D10+2 + 2D10 = 19 = success
Recharge Crowbar = success
2 weapons from chest = Quarterstaff and light crossbow
BoG explore  = BoG
BoG Explore = Sherriff Hemlock = Diplomacy + Lem BoG = D6+2 + D6 = 10 = success

Lem struggled to catch up with Valeros, who didn't even seem to notice him today.  What was with this guy?  As he jogged to keep up, he failed to notice his caltrops fall out of the pouch at his waist.  Wait, he thought, is that Sheriff Hemlock talking to Valeros up there?  I Wonder what that's about?

Turn 5
Lem – BoG
Plague Zombie – Banish caltrops = evade

Valeros was about to say something that could have gotten him fired, when he was interrupted by one of the guards in the village running towards them.
"Sir, it's the glassworks, someone has broken in and made a real mess of things.  We need you down there."
Hemlock frowned and turned back to Valeros.  "Well, I guess our bonding time will have to wait till another day.  Here, why don't you take this, it should help out some."  He said as he reached into his pack and produced a leather jerkin of remarkable quality.  Valeros nodded, and turned back to see what was taking Lem so damn long to catch up.

Turn 6
Valeros – BoG
Guard – Diplomacy = D6+2 = 4 = Fail
Discard Hemlock Explore
Magic leather armor = constitution = D8 = 2 = success

Lem had stopped, noticing his caltrops were missing.  He cursed to himself and he retraced his steps.  Those things weren't cheap!  Seeing a man coming towards him, he called out.
"Excuse me, sir, have you seeMMPPHH!" The thing was on him.  This was no man at all, but a damn zombie!  What was going on in this town?  Fortunately, he still had enough juice left him him to send electricity surging through the thing.  It's grip loosened and fell away, body burned to a crisp.  OK, that was just disgusting.

Turn 7
Lem – BoG
Plague Zombie – Lightning Touch + Valeros = D10+1 + 2d4 + 1D4 = 15 = success
Recharge – fail

Valeros was getting really tired of Lem not being able to keep up.  He was going to have to buy that guy a wagon, or maybe a pony.

Turn 8
Valeros – BoG
Soldier – Melee = D10+3 = 6 = fail

Looming over the corpse at his feet and catching his breath, Lem considered how best to loot this thing.  He had seen Valeros come away with some pretty sweet stuff, and it didn't look too hard.  This thing barely had anything resembling clothing.  Well...maybe it had eaten something worthwhile?  He took a small knife and begun to cut, when the things stomach burst open!  Rats poured out from it, swarming in all directions.  Lem was seriously tired of this crap.  He took his frustrations out on the rats in the form of electricity from his fingers.  Worst. Day. Ever.

Turn 9
Lem – B of Erastil
Exchange detect magic for lightning touch
Cure self = 2
Recharge = fail
Rat Swarm = lightning touch + Valeros = D10+1 +2d4 + d4 = 12 = success
Recharge fails

Valeros had given up trying to find his partner.  If he knew anything about halflings, he knew that Lem would find his way back eventually.  Still, he saw a man in the distance, and decided to call out to him.  The man started and turned, clearly surprised by Valeros.  Upon eyeing the walking weapon rack that was Valeros, he turned and began to run.  Valeros sighed and heaved a longsword at the man.  Why was everyone so afraid of him all the time?

Turn 10
Valeros – B of Erastil
Bandit – Melee + Reveal and recharge Longsword = D10+3 + D8 + D6 = 23 = success
Dex to close location fails

Lem, tired, angry and alone, began trudging his way back across the bridge.  Where the hell was Valeros?  Looking back behind him, he saw another shambling man coming towards him.  Could this day get any worse?  He channeled his frustrations into his fingertips and unleashed it upon the zombie that approached him.  It went down with a splat, right on top of its counterpart.

Turn 11
Lem – B of Desna
Plague Zombie = Inflict + Valeros = D10+1 + D6 + D4 = 14 = success
Recharge fails
Close location due to no more cards = Dex + BoG = D8 + D8 = 3 = fails

Valeros looked back at the bridge one last time.  That thing is seriously unsafe, he thought.  I should do something about it.  He shrugged and cut the ropes that held it upright.  There, he thought, that should ensure no one gets hurt.

Turn 12
Valeros – B of Iomedae
Dex to close = D8 = 8 = success

Lem almost shed tears as he turned back to the bridge.  Some asshole had cut the ropes!  Who would do that?!  He looked around, noting that the only way back to the village was through the surrounding forest.  He hated the forest.

As he neared the trees, he saw a very nice-looking longbow resting against a rock.  Awesome, at least something was working out for him.  He picked it up and tested the string.
"Hey, what gives man?  I go behind the tree for one minute, and you think it's OK to take my stuff?!"  A man emerged from the wood, and he looked mighty pissed.
"Umm..." Lem had to think quickly. What would Valeros do? Ah, right.  He set the bow down, retrieved his sling, and sent a rock into the mans head.  Wow, that was a surprisingly simple resolution to things.  No wonder Valeros took that route most often.

Turn 13
Lem – B of Iomedae
Woods
Longbow – Dex = 5 = success
BoG explore
Bandit = Reveal and discard sling + recharge archer = D8+D6+D4+D4 = 10 = success
Wisdom to close +Bog = 2D6 = 3 = fail
Lem draws his last card, but he's not out yet!

Valeros had reached the farms that surrounded the town, and saw a man working in the field.  Maybe this guy might have some information.
"Excuse me, sir, do you know anything about bandits?"
The man looked around, and promptly fled into the field.  Is this just how everyone reacts to questions around here? Valeros sighed, and heaved his newfound quarterstaff like a javelin towards the man.

Turn 14
Valeros – B of Gorum
Farmhouse
Sneak – Discard light crossbow – Melee + Reveal and discard quarterstaff = D10+3 + D6 + D6 = 18 = success

Lem wandered through the forest.  He hated the forest.

Turn 15
Lem – B of Gorum
Nothing

Valeros looked over the body, noting a flask.  He opened it and smelled.  Water?!  Why doesn't anyone carry alcohol, like a normal person?  He threw the flask aside.

Turn 16
Valeros – B of Gorum
Holy Water – fail

Lem was seriously lost now.  He REALLY hated the forest.

Turn 17
Lem – B of Gorum
Nothing

The flask that Valeros had thrown had caused a cry of pain from the fields.  As Valeros moved closer to investigate, he felt his limbs start to move uncontrollably.  He heard a faint music, but could not move himself to find the source.  He slapped himself out of it and resolved to get back to town as quickly as possible.  He needed a drink.

Turn 18
Valeros – B of Erastil
Satyr – Dex = D8 = 8 = fail = 1 damage

Was, was this the BRIDGE?!  How did Lem end up back at the bridge?!  This day sucked.

Turn 19
Lem – B of Desna
Move to Bridge
Bury burglar to recharge cure using bridge closed ability

Valeros saw a strange creature moving in the distance as he neared town.  Lem had been ranting and raving about some seal shark thing that had attacked him yesterday.  Could this be that creature?  Valeros used his longsword to investigate further, but the creature was...resistant.  It slapped him around and waddled away.  Oh hell no, that did not just happen.  Valeros picked himself up and charged after the creature.

Turn 20
Valeros – B of Calistria
Lem Cures himself = 2
Recharge success
Valeros explore – Bunyip = fail wisdom = Melee + Reveal longsword + D10+3 + D8 = 7 = fail = discard mattock and magic leather

Meanwhile, Lem descended once again into that dreadful forest.  As he did so, he could feel eyes on him.  He had had enough of this for one day.  Time to take his bad mood out on whatever was watching him.  A stifled cry of pain sounded as a goblin fell from the trees.  Lem considered looting the body, but then recalled what his last experience in looting had taught him, and moved on.

Turn 21
Lem – B of calistria
Woods
Goblin commando = 1 ranged damage = amulet of life
Recharge success
Inflict = D10+1 + D6 = 13 = success
Recharge success

Valeros ran after the...whatever this monster was, and plunged his sword deep.  After he was satisfied that the thing was no longer breathing, he carried on his way.

Turn 22
Valeros – BoG
Lem Cure = 5
Recharge fails
Valeros explore – Bunyip – fail wisdom – Melee + reveal longsword + BoG = D10+3 + D8 + D10 = 19 = success

Lem moved deeper into the woods.  As he did so, he could hear something that sounded like thunder in the distance, drawing closer.  What was that smell?  It was a nutty smell, slightly tinged with rancid, oh no, was it more zombies?  Lem prepared himself as the sound drew ever closer.  What emerged from the trees was a horrifying creature unlike any he had seen.  A zombie giant.  He summoned everything in his being, and struck the monstrosity down with a blast of lightning.  Nope, this day could not get worse.  Could not.

Turn 23
Lem – BoG
Zombie Giant – Lightning Touch + BoG = D10+1 + 2d4 + D10 = 18 = Success
Recharge fails

Valeros saw another man in the distance.  Preparing his longsword for another throw, he called out.
"Excuse me, know anything about bandits?"
The man turned, eyeing Valeros up and down.
"Yep, need one?"
Well, that was an unexpected reaction.  Hmm, maybe this bandit could prove useful to the investigation.  He could always murder the man later if he needed to, he supposed.  Sheathing his sword, he approached.
"I sure do, pal.  I sure do."
"Great, well there's plenty of stuff here to steal.  Here check it out."  The man said, as he handed Valeros a spyglass.

Turn 24
Valeros – BoG
Burglar – Diplomacy = D6+2 = 6 = success
Discard standard bearer explore
Spyglass = Wisdom + BoG = 6 = success
Discard spyglass to reveal Warhammer and treasure map

Lem backed away slowly from the zombie giant.  He could see movement in the things stomach, and his mind flashed back to the rats from before.  No way, there could not be that many rats in there.  Well, he was right, because as he thought this, a horde of skeletons burst forth from the thing like the result of some horrific zombie c-section.  Lem ran screaming, shooting energy at them as he did.  He broke from the trees, spotting a farm in the distance.  Maybe he could hide there!

Turn 25
Lem – BoG
Skeleton Horde
Lem – Inflict = D10+1 + D6 = 16 = success
Recharge success
Valeros – Melee + Reveal Longsword – D10+3 + D8 = 6 = fail = 2 damage = recharge chainmail to reduce by 2

Valeros saw Lem  through the spyglass.  Running them and screaming like a lunatic.  What the hell had gotten into that little guy?  From the trees behind Lem, Skeletons emerged.  A lot of skeletons.  Valeros handed back the spyglass to his new companion and braced himself.

Minutes later, Lem was panting at Valeros' feet as he surveyed the carnage.  Bones lie scattered in all directions, and Valeros was covered in bone dust.  He snatched a Warhammer from the pile of debris, and tapped Lem on the head with it.
"Come on, lazy, can't be sitting around all day like this."

Turn 26
Valeros – B of Shelyn
Warhammer – D10+3 = 8 = success

The bandit was kind enough to share a map with them that showed a treasure buried nearby.  Lem followed the map, and was pleased to find a blast stone in the nearby field.  As he held it in hand though, he began to hear strange music coming from the fields.  He didn't like the sound of that one bit, and ran back to join Valeros and their new companion.

Turn 27
Lem – B of Irori
Farmhouse
Treasure Map – Knowledge + recharge sage = 2d6 + 3 = 12 = success
Reveals Blast Stone and adds it to hand
Discard archer to explore
Satyr – Dex + BoG = 2D8 = 8 = fail = discard longbow

Lem relayed to Valeros what he had heard in the field, and Valeros' brow grew dark.  Damn hippies playing their music in these poor farmers' fields.  Not on his watch!  He walked towards the field with flint and tinder, lighting it on fire.  That would teach those pesky trespassers.

Turn 28
Valeros – Bo Torag
Satyr – Dex + BoG = 2D8 = 14 = success

Lem stared at the fire in disbelief.  If he hadn't already been assaulted by zombies, rats, giants and gods knew what else today, he had half a mind to report this incident to the Sheriff.  As it was though, he was just really tired.

Turn 29
Lem – BoG
Woods
Masterwork tools – Dex + BoG = 2D8 = 5 = fail

Valeros watched the field burn as the sun set behind him.  Man, it was beautiful.  These townsfolk would definitely congratulate him for this.  This must be why people liked these small towns.  You really feel like you can make a difference.  As he mused on this, a man and goblin ran out of the fire, on fire, straight towards him.  The man, stopped immediately upon seeing Valeros, and threw his goblin companion at him.  Valeros swung his longsword, cleaving the creature in two in midair.  They should make a sport of that, he thought.  He would certainly be pretty good at it.  His attention eventually drifted back to the man, who was now a distant speck on the horizon.  Well...shit.

Still, it had been a pretty good day.

Turn 30
Valeros – BoGorum
Jubrayl –
Lem attempt close = fail
Valeros – reveal and recharge Warhammer + Melee = 15 = Success
Defeat monster to close = Goblin commando = recharge chainmail = reveal and recharge longsword + Melee = D10+3 + d8 + d6 = 14 = success

Postgame Thoughts

Whew, man this scenario is rough.  Poor Lem just got accosted left and right.  With only one weapon, it makes it something of a challenge to do so much combat with him.  I don't feel comfortable putting more than two attack spells on him, as I need room for Cure.  Detect Magic is admittedly not as useful as I would like in a 2-player situation, though, so that will probably get dropped soon.

I don't know what I would have done without the wooden bridge closed ability.  It was the only way I could get Cure back into Lem's hand there towards the middle of this scenario.

Also, I hate the Satyr and Bunyip.  Really, really hate them.

Cop and a Half: Episode 1 - Brigandoom

Day 1

Valeros hated this assignment already.  As though being a cop in times like these wasn't hard enough, the Magnimar chief of police had reassigned him to some village called Sandpoint.  To top it all off, his new partner there was a rookie.  The chief had mumbled something about Valeros' excessive drinking and chastised him for carrying around 4 swords and a spear at the same time.  The chief obviously didn't understand that weapons tended to get stuck in things, and that drinking helped Valeros obtain information on the low-lifes in Magnimar.  Whatever, he thought, how bad could Sandpoint be, anyway?

Starting Deck
Longsword x4 Longspear
Chainmail x3
Crowbar
Mattock
Crow
Standard Bearer
Blessing of the Gods x3

Lem chuckled to himself softly as he leaned back in Sheriff Hemlock's chair.  This was going to be the sweetest job he could have imagined.  Free room and board, free booze, yes sir, this was the life.  Nothing ever happened in Sandpoint outside of the occasional fire or serial killing.  Lem was in the lap of luxury, and he hadn't even met his new partner, some girl named Val.  This was going to be sweet.

Starting DeckSling
Amulet of life
Caltrops
Sage
Burglar
Guide
Lightning touch
Cure
Inflict
Detect magic
Blessing of the gods x5

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Sheriff Hemlock stepped through, followed by a very surly-looking human carrying way too many weapons.
"Lem, I have told you a hundred times, don't sit in my chair!"  Hemlock said, Glaring at the halfling.  "I want you to meet your new partner, Valeros.  There's been reports of robbers, out at the farmhouses on the edge of town, and I want you to go to investigate.  Should be a good chance for you two to get to know each other, and you can show him around the city."

"Valeros?" Lem thought, "This isn't turning out like I thought at all."  He sighed and led the way to the farmhouse.  Valeros said nothing, and Lem wasn't going to push the issue.  Anyone who needed to carry all that crap around was clearly compensating for something.  As they approached the farmhouse, Lem could see shadows moving in the fields.  He stopped and motioned to the fields, Valeros nodded.  He too could see the movement.  Lem crept closer.

Lem leapt back as the shadow emerged from the field and reached for him.  What was this thing?!  As Lem was frozen in horror, a sword emerged from the chest of the creature.
"Do something!" Valeros shouted, as the shadow wrenched itself free of the blade.
Lem instinctively incanted a very basic spell, closed his eyes, and reached for the creature.  Sounds electricity filled the air, along with the stench of ozone.  As Lem slowly opened his eyes, the creature was gone.

Turn 1 – Blessing of iomedae
Lem
Farmhouse
Explore: Shadow
Blessing + Lightning Touch + Valeros = 2d10+1+3D4 = 17 = success
Recharge lightning touch = success
Detect Magic – reveal locked passage
Recharge fail
Reset hand

Valeros had to admit it, this halfling wasn't completely useless.  I mean, sure, he looked like he was going to wet himself when he saw that Shadow, but at least he managed to pull himself together in the end.  What a Shadow was doing at a farm, Valeros had no idea, but his curiosity was piqued.
 

Turn 2 – Blessing of Torag
Valeros
Recharge mattock on Locked Passage
Strength + melee + Lem recharge blessing = D10 + 3 + 1d4 = 9 = success
Reveals dagger, puts it on the bottom
Discard blessing to explore – Sneak
Fail wisdom check – discard crow – buried due to farmhouse
Reveal and recharge longsword + melee = D10+3+D8+D6 = 13 = success
Reset hand

Valeros took long strides toward the nearby barn.  It was locked, but fortunately, he was always prepared.  He removed a Mattock from his pack and struck the lock, breaking it easily.  Inside was a man in a dark cloak, who nearly fell over himself to get away from Valeros, dropping a dagger from his hand.
"Who are you?!"  The man cried, as Valeros unsheathed his longsword and strode towards him.
"I'm your worst nightmare", Valeros said coldly, as he plunged his longsword into the man's stomach.

"Umm..." Lem said as he entered the barn, looking in horror at the man dying at his partners feet.  "Shouldn't you have questioned him or arrested him or something?"  Valeros laughed to himself and wiped his blade on the dead man's shirt.  Rookies, he hated rookies.

Well, it wouldn't do to let this dead guy go to waste, Lem thought.  He leaned over the man and found a couple vials of liquid in a pouch.  Might come in handy, especially if it's booze, he thought to himself as he pocketed them.  A noise behind him made him spin around.  It was another man, dressed similarly to the one lying on the ground at Lem's hairy feet.

The man's eyes went wide as he surveyed the gruesome scene and he turned to run.  Lem wasn't about to let that happen though, as he channeled the energy of the whiskey he had drank this morning and unleashed it as powerful dark energy.  The man dropped lifelessly to the ground.  Valeros grunted in satisfaction.  Lem had had enough of this barn though, and walked through the doorway, stepping carefully over the freshly dead bandit.  Sudden pain nearly knocked him unconscious as a powerful blow hit the back of his skull.  As his vision slowly returned, Lem saw a truly strange creature shuffling away from the farm.

Turn 3 – Blessing of Irori
Lem
Potion of glibness –int =  D6 = 5 = success
Discard blessing to explore again
Potion of vision – Int = D6 = 6 = success
Discard blessing to explore again
Archer – Diplomacy – D10+3 = 8 = success
Discard archer to explore again
Bandit
Recharge Pot of Glibness, draw Cure from Scenario ability
Cast inflict + Valeros power = D10+1+D6+D4 = 12 = success
Fail recharge
Attempt to close – fight random monster
Bunyip – fail wisdom check, difficulty D10
Stength + Valeros = 2D4 = 6 = fail = 3 damage
Reset hand

He turned to Valeros to see that he hadn't even noticed, he was too busy playing with some glasses he had found on the man Lem had killed.  As the glasses broke easily in Valeros' hand, he frowned, and dropped them to the ground.  Looking up at Lem, he said, "Cmon, stop sitting around.  let's go see the owner of this place, he has some explaining to do."

Turn 4 – blessing of Torag
Lem cures himself = 1d4+1 = 4
Fail recharge
Valeros – Eyes of the eagle = Lem recharge + Wis = 2D4 = 4 = fail

Lem knocked on the door of the farm, and it swung open easily.  Inside, there were obvious signs of a struggle.  As he entered the doorway, he was hit in the side of the head from something foul, and on fire.  Lem had had enough of this crap.  He pulled out his trusty sling and fired a stone in the direction that the flaming projectile had come from.  A cry of pain resulted, and a goblin fell from it's hiding spot in the kitchen.

Turn 5 – Blessing of the gods
Lem – Goblin commando deals 1 damage to Lem - reveal + discard Sling + Valeros = D8 + D6 + 2d4 = 9 = success
Reset hand

Valeros stepped over to the goblin.  "Nice shot." he said as he reached down and took a dagger from the corpse.  Could never have too many weapons.  He looked up to see a very angry looking woman in the doorway.  She began chanting and waving her arms around in patterns.  Valeros was unimpressed.  He walked towards her, longsword ready.  He barely noticed the wounds opening on his flesh from invisible claws.
"That all you got, lady?"  He said as he brought his sword down, cleaving her in two.  Taking a deep, satisfying breath, Valeros turned to his partner.  "This house...is clear."

Turn 6 – Blessing of Gorum
Valeros explore – Dagger = D8 = 6 = success
Summon and defeat monster
Echantress – bury  armor to avoid damage – Melee + reveal and recharge longsword = D10+3+D6+D8 = 24 = success, takes one damage at the end
Location closed
Reset hand

The sun was setting, and Lem relaxed on the waterfront, watching it set.  Today was probably the craziest day he could imagine.  I mean, he had his first assignment, met his psychotic new partner, killed and looted some bandits, and got his butt kicked by some crazy seal shark creature that was mysteriously at a farm that had been taken over by a goblin and his magically powered human lover.  Or something.  It was wild, but at least he survived, he supposed.  He turned and saw a small dog coming his way.

"C'mere boy!" He said, patting his knee.  A dog could probably come in handy in their investigation!  As it came closer though, Lem squinted his eyes against the setting sun.  Something was wrong here, and this dog didn't look quite right.  He began to run.  As he did so, the dog began to chase him, spitting fire at Lem as he did so.  Lem hated this assignment already.

Turn 7 – Blessing of Erastil
Lem moves to waterfront
Explore - Hellhound – gets ass kicked
Group runs away

Postgame Analysis

This was my first two-player session of the game.  All of my other plays have been with a 6-person group.  The game plays very differently based on the number of players, so I found myself learning some important lessons this game.

First and foremost is that you simply cannot burn cards to explore every turn.  With two people, you have to make each deck last potentially 15 turns, and there's no way you can do that if you're burning cards every turn to explore.  Patience is the name of the game here.

Secondly, combat is a lot harder without the backup I'm used to expecting from party members in the form of blessings, spells and powers.

At any rate, I hope you enjoyed this first session.  I have a couple more to write up that I should be posting here soon.  See you then!

 

Earth-1874 All-Star Comics #2

All-Star Comics #2

Fall, 1942

The All Star Squadron had participated in Operation Torch, designed as an Allied invasion of North Africa via amphibious assaults at Casablanca, Oran and Algiers.  It had been a bloody conflict on both sides, but All Star Squadron had made it through the fighting intact.  They had supported the British and American troops in battles all along the coast, and the rumors of superheroes on the front lines spread to Axis and Allied forces alike.  Many of the troops had heard of the mystery men that now patrolled their streets back home, but few had ever seen one in the flesh.

For the Axis soldiers, to see a man take a tank shell and remain standing against them was enough to shake their resolve.  Most of the Allied troops were just thankful that these costumed heroes were on their side.  All Star Squadron had the Vichy defenders on the run as the Allies pressed inland.   Their weapons seemed useless against a squadron of men and women who could fly, cast magic, or move with superhuman speed.  As a result, many of the defending soldiers had abandoned their positions at the mere sight of these heroes.  

And so it was that the reputation of All-Star Squadron had begun to grow and spread to friend and foe alike.  The inspiring sight of Captain America’s shield or the Crimson Avenger’s signature red trench coat was enough to bolster morale in a way that few things could.  Many of the allied soldiers who had been fighting in the early stages of the war wished that these superheroes had shown up earlier, but were grateful nonetheless.  For now, heroes and soldiers alike were camped in the port of Algiers, awaiting further orders.

*********************************

Captain America laid the map down on the table that rested in the middle of the dining room.  Allied officers had turned one of the least-destroyed buildings in Algiers into a War Room.  It was here that the missions to push into Tunisia were being planned.  A few kerosene lanterns lit the otherwise barren room.  Most furniture and other goods had been destroyed or looted in the battle.  The chatter of distant gunfire sounded in the distance, but otherwise, things were quiet.

“Orders from the top, lady and gents.  Direct from General Ryder himself.”  He let that sink in for a moment as he regarded the team he had assembled.  Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman stood before him, in full costume as always.  “He wants me to lead a small strike force into the port of Tunis to gather intel and sabotage the emplacements there.  You’re my strike force.”

“Good, I was starting to get bored.” Wonder Woman said with a half-smile.  Out of the entire squadron, she was always the most eager for combat.  Namor came in at a close second, but Steve didn’t entirely trust the ousted Atlantean king to follow orders.  Namor’s temper was outmatched only by his arrogance.  Yes, Wonder Woman was definitely a better choice any potential combat they might run into.

Batman stooped to get a better look at the map.  “This is the central port for all of Tunisia.  I wouldn’t be surprised to find heavily fortified.  It makes sense that they would send a small force before the main strike.  Do you mind, sir?”  He gestured at a pencil on the table.  Steve waved his hand, and Batman immediately began drawing on the map.  “I would expect emplacements here and here, with possible snipers here.  If we enter through this channel, we should be able to sneak through undetected.”  The kid’s mind was a steel trap, and Steve had to admit that he loved watching him in action.

“Great, there’s our entry point settled then.  The defenders should be Vichy troops like those we've encountered so far.  Intel says that, so far, the krauts have left them alone.  We can expect that to change soon, which is why we need to hit Tunisia fast.  We’re heading out in a small patrol boat tomorrow at oh-four-hundred.  The boat is going to drop us a few miles off the coast, and we’ll swim the rest of the way there.  Any questions?”  He looked from the map to his team. “Dismissed.  Get some rest before we leave.”

The team left the room, but Superman lagged behind.  “Something wrong, Kent?” Captain America looked at the boy as he slowly turned to face him.  Superman had quickly lost his taste for adventure and excitement once he saw real war.  It was something that happened to most, if not all the men in time.

“No, sir, nothing’s wrong.  I guess...I guess I’m just not sure why you chose me for this mission.”  Superman’s eyes rose to meet the Captain’s, and Steve could see the uncertainty in them.

“You have incredible abilities, and you’re a natural leader, you just don’t know it yet.  That’s why I chose you.” He paused and crossed the room until he was face to face with Superman. “You may not like what you’re doing over here, and I can’t say I disagree with you, but we’re doing it for the right reasons.  People with our abilities have a responsibility to use those them for the benefit of others.  There’s no question that the people we’re fighting represent pure evil, and if we don’t stand up and fight against it, we don’t deserve the gifts we've been given.  That’s what I believe, anyway.”

Superman’s face brightened slightly and he nodded.  “Thank you, sir.” He then turned and went out into the war-torn streets of Algiers.

  ********************************

The waves crashed against the port with incredible force as early morning rain pounded down along the coast of Tunis.  The water was freezing, but the swim to shore was easy enough.  Captain America and his team crouched behind the rocky outcroppings of the port.  Batman and Superman put their capes on, having taken them off for the long swim.  Wonder Woman took a moment to take in their surroundings.

Even in this early morning hour, the port was alive with activity.  Captain America could see the outlines of several patrols moving around the port, while workers and technicians moved gigantic crates from ships in the port.  There were more troops here than he expected.  That was fine with him, that’s why he had brought the best.
“OK, Wonder Woman, you create a distraction down on the beach while we move up into the port.  We need to find out what their loading, and trash anything we can along the way.  Once we've done enough damage, we meet up back here and head for the boat.  Clear?”  His team nodded and moved out.

Batman, Superman and Captain America clambered up the rocks to the port itself while Wonder Woman went around the rocks to the beach.  As soon as Captain America crested the rocks, he could see a patrol about fifty feet away.  Between the darkness and the rain, they would have plenty of cover.  He waved his team up and began a low run towards one of the crates that littered the port.  Prying it open with his shield, he was confronted with what looked like a giant metal arm.  Some kind of robot, maybe?  He was about to inspect it further when a voice cried out “Achtung!”  followed by energy blasts directed at their position.
“Get down!” he yelled, and dropped prone.  Germans, robots, and laser weapons...this mission was definitely not going according to plan.

Wonder Woman heard the firefight above in the port, and ran down the beach.  Another squad of German soldiers were there, and they were moving to attack her team.  She charged into them, knocking several aside.  She continued her assault, not allowing the troops to recover.  They began to scatter in all directions, panicked.  She hoped it was enough to help the rest of her team.  She chased those that fled towards the port, hoping to stop them from joining the assault.

Captain America picked up the crate containing the robot arm, using it as a mobile cover.  With any luck, the krauts would do some damage to it along the way.
“That’s far enough, Captain.” a female voice sounded behind him.  He spun and saw a woman with a pistol leveled at him.  Her accent was vaguely European, but he couldn't place it.
“Sorry, lady.  No time to chit-chat.” he said, throwing the crate at her.  She screamed as the crate hit her in the shoulder, knocking her to the ground.  Batman was there as she fell, delivering a chop to her neck that took her out of commission.

“You may have taken down Viper, Captain America, but you will find that Johann Schmidt is not so easy to stop.” Captain America turned to see a man in a long German trench coat.  He had an entire squad behind him.  “Fire!” The man yelled and Captain America was showered with laser blasts.  He staggered back, finally raising his shield to deflect further assault.  These new weapons packed a punch, that was for sure.

Wonder Woman had nearly reached her team.  She could see Captain America crouched behind his shield as laser fire poured down on him.  “NO!” She cried as she charged towards the Germans, but she quickly realized her mistake.  The laser fire turned on her, and she was sent tumbling down the rocky cliff, unconscious.  The fire then turned back to Captain America.

Fortunately, all of the German attention was focused on the Captain, which allowed Batman and Superman to flank their position.  Batman took down one soldier with a chokehold from behind while Superman punched another one into his comrade .  Even though they were taking the squad down one man at a time, it wasn't fast enough to save their Captain.  He was knocked backward onto the rain-slick port, unmoving.

Johann turned his attention to Batman and Superman.  “Fire at will!” he cried.  But it was too late.  Superman charged him, throwing a punch that knocked Johann ten feet away, and into one of his own men.  Incredibly, Johann picked himself up.  “A fine punch, Superman.  Perhaps if you survive this, I will give you one of my own.”  He turned and began to walk away as he commanded his troops “Finish them.”

The laser fire was too much for Batman, who went down in a single volley.  Superman, however, was just getting started.  He dove into the squadron, swinging in all directions.  The energy blasts from their weapons didn't seem to have much of an effect on him.  Within a matter of minutes, he had knocked them all unconscious.
“Couldn't...have done that...a little sooner?” Batman grumbled weakly as he picked himself up.
Superman was grateful to see that his friend was still alive.
“You help Wonder Woman, I’ll get Cap.” Superman said, “We need to get out of here.”

********************************

Days later, back in the Allied base in Algiers, Superman walked to the makeshift infirmary.  He and Batman were able to carry Wonder Woman and the Captain to the rendezvous point.  His team was recovering, but he felt awful that they had been hurt so badly.  Batman was right; he should have been faster.  If he was, he could have saved them all and stopped Johann as well.

Johann; intelligence said he was part of the fuhrer’s special Hydra Deep Science Division.  He was tasked with exploring new and experimental technology.  Those laser rifles they had been packing showed that he had been busy.  Superman was certain that this wasn’t the last that they would see of him.

Entering the infirmary, he saw his teammates resting in their beds.  Batman had a broken arm, Captain America several rib fractures, and all of them had third-degree burns from the laser weapons.  All of them but Superman.  Captain America smiled as Superman entered, nodding to him in greeting.  Superman walked to his bedside and knelt down beside it.  “Captain, I’m so sorry.  I’m sorry I couldn't save you all and stop Schmidt.”
“Son, you saved our lives, and we accomplished our mission.  Now that intelligence knows what the Germans have cooked up over there, we’re going to be better prepared next time.  You should be proud.”

Superman didn't feel proud, though.  He felt ashamed.  Angry.  Next time, he would do better.  He would be better.

Comic Book Battles - Episode 9: Avengers Vs. X-Men #4 pt. 2

Hello again!  This week, we take a brief tour of Tabula Rasa with a few of our friends from the X-Men and Avengers.  As you may recall in last week's episode, Captain America gave everyone assigned locations to have really cool battl...err...to find Hope.  He then took Wolverine with him to the Savage Land and kicked everyone's Canadian little person into the middle of the antarctic.  But we'll talk more about that later.  For now, let's enjoy some mindless violence!

The Comic Book

"Avengers Vs. X-Men (Part Four)"

Writers Jonathan Hickman

Pencilers John Romita Jr.

Inkers Scott Hanna

Colourists Laura Martin

Letterers Chris Eliopoulos

Editors John Denning, Lauren Sankovitch, Nick Lowe, Tom Brevoort

This episode is going to be short and sweet.  There's not really much exposition or story to cover.  It's all action this week!  We'll get back to the Hope saga soon enough.  For now, let's just enjoy watching Benjamin Grimm punch Namor in the face.  Really hard.

Also, I've got some gaps in my X-History, but I would love for someone to explain to me what Hepzibah's doing hanging out with the X-Men.  Last I saw her, she was a Starjammer making outer space whoopie with Cyclop's space-pirate dad.  I have a knowledge gap from about '95-'12, so...yeah.  Space-cat!

On a side note, for those of you who aren't familiar with Tabula Rasa, it was introduced during Rick Remender's run on Uncanny X-Force, in Uncanny X-Force #15.  In Beaver Lake, Montana, the mutant named Genocide basically blew the whole town up.  Dark Beast (Beast from the Age of Apocalypse dimension) used one of the Celestials' Life Seeds, which created a domed structure with a ten-mile radius.  The dome collapsed the next day, but inside of it, 130 million years had passed.  It's an unforgiving and deadly alien environment in the middle of Montana, basically.  That run of X-Force was great, by the way.  You should read it.

The Battle

The map for this battle is Krakoa again.  Yes, I realize that makes two weeks of Krakoa in a row.  Sue me.  It was the only map I had that contained both jungle terrain, and a way for the map itself to beat the crap out of both teams.  In case you missed last week, it's a giant jungle with a face.

Now let's take a look at our X-Men:

X-Men

avx011 V Namor

Team: X-Men

Range: 0 :bolt:

Points: 225

Keywords: Atlantis, Defenders, Illuminati, Ruler, X-Men

(Improved) Boiling Rage: Improved Movement: Ignores Characters

(Special) Imperius Rex!: When Namor is hit with an attack or given a second action token, put a Rage token on his card. Before Namor rolls for an attack, you may remove a Rage token from his card so that the attack deals penetrating damage.

(Defense) Entrenched Recovery: Namor can use Toughness. When Namor occupies water terrain, he can use Regeneration and, when it's not your turn, opposing characters can't draw a line of fire to him.

cm018 V Hepzibah

Team: No Affiliation

Range: 6 :bolt:

Points: 27

Keywords: Martial Artist, Starjammers, X-Men

wxm018 V Sunspot

Team: No Affiliation

Range: 0 :bolt:

Points: 76

Keywords: Fallen Angels, Hellfire Club, New Mutants, X-Corps, X-Force, X-Men

(Damage) Secondary Mutation: Sunspot has "Wing Symbol" and a range value of 6.

Boy oh boy, that Hepzibah is garbage, huh?  We really need modern remakes of about half of the Starjammers, to be honest.  I'm shocked that they weren't in the Guardians of the Galaxy set that was just released.  Hopefully, Namor and Sunspot can pick up the slack.  The total point value comes out at 328.

Avengers

ca014 V Luke Cage
Team: Avengers
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 98
Keywords: Avengers, Heroes for Hire, Marvel Knights, Thunderbolts

(Defense) Bulletproof Skin: Luke Cage can use Willpower and Toughness. When a character attacks Luke Cage with a ranged combat attack, he can use Invulnerability instead of Toughness.

m10a003 E Thing
Team: Fantastic Four
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 128
Keywords: Avengers, Brute, Celebrity, Fantastic Four, Soldier

(Damage) Lemme Grab Somethin': Thing can use Super Strength.  Give Thing a move action when he has no action tokens and is not holding an object; after actions resolve, give him a standard light object from outside the game.

ih007 V She-Hulk

Team: No Affiliation

Range: 0 :bolt:

Points: 105

Keywords: Avengers, Fantastic Four, Heroes for Hire, Lady Liberators, S.H.I.E.L.D.

(Special) Breaking The Fourth Wall: When She-Hulk makes an attack, after actions resolve you may destroy one square of blocking terrain or one wall that is adjacent to a targeted character.

And that also comes out to 328 points.  Hooray for point symmetry!  Luke Cage is one of my favorite characters in comics and I love this clix of him as well.  We saw Thing tear it up in AvX #1, so we know he can dish out the pain.  I've never used She-Hulk before.  All in all, I would say the X-Men have their work cut out for them.

The X-Men win the roll-off for first turn.
Namor moves to C15 and picks up a Super Heavy object
Sunspot moves to J16 and picks up a Super Heavy as well
Hepzibah moves out to I14
The Island doesn't do anything

Thing moves to H8 and grabs a heavy object
Luke Cage moves to L8
She-Hulk moves to L9
The Island does nothing

Sunspot moves to K9
Namor moves to I9
Hepzibah clears

Luke rolls a 1 for his leadership
Everyone clears
The plants come alive on the island, but no one is in hindering terrain.

Hepzibah moves to J8
Everyone else clears

Luke punches Sunspot and hits on a 17 for 4 damage, reduced to 3 by Sunspot's toughness

She-Hulk hits Sunspot on an 18 and deals 4 damage, KOing him.  Ouch.  I was way too aggressive with my X-Men here.  

Thing punches Namor and hits on a 18 for 5 damage.  Namor rolls for his impervious and fails, taking 3 damage.

The Island comes alive and shoots at Namor, missing on a 14

Namor punches Thing with Imperious Rex!  Thing fails his Shape Change roll, and Namor hits him on a 16 for 5 damage. 

Hepzibah shoots with Ranged Combat Expert pumping her damage by +2, but misses Luke Cage with a 15

The Island comes alive and shoots at Thing, but misses on a 15

She-Hulk charges Hepzibah, moving to K8.  She hits on a 17, but Hepzibah makes her Super Senses roll on a 5, so she takes 0 damage and She-Hulk takes 1 push damage.  She now has Outwit, so Namor can kiss that Impervious goodbye

Luke Cage charges to K9 and hits Hepzibah on an 18.  She makes her Super Senses roll again, because I'm the best ever at Super Senses.  Again, 0 damage to Hepzibah and one damage to Luke for the push.

Thing punches Namor and hits on a 16, dealing 3 damage since Namor's impervious is gone thanks to She-Hulk   

The Island does nothing

Namor tries to flurry Thing, using Imperious Rex! for the first attack, which misses on a 14.  He then misses the second attack on a 13

Hepzibah clears

The Island does nothing

All our Avengers clear
The Island does nothing

Hepzibah uses Ranged Combat Expert to target Thing with +2 damage, but misses on a 15
Namor clears
The Island does nothing

Luke hits Hepzibah on a 14.  Yes, a 14.  She fails super senses and takes 3 damage
She-Hulk hits on an 18, dealing another 3 damage which KOs poor Hepzibah.  Better luck next time, space-cat.
Thing finishes things up by hitting Namor for 3 more damage, KOing the fish-man.

Boy, space-cat, fish-man and sun-spot all had it pretty rough, huh?

Winner: Avengers

This one went way faster than I would have expected.  I honestly think the X-Men never stood a chance.  All the heavy lifting would have had to come from Namor, and if rolls didn't go his way (which they didn't), he wasn't long for this world.  Meanwhile, the Avengers had 3 big bruisers, all of them credible melee threats in their own right.

Next week, we have another round of senseless violence!  Stay tuned!

Earth-1874 - All-Star Comics #1

All-Star Comics #1

Spring, 1942

Deep in the New Mexico desert, Clark looked out at the last rays of sunlight from the window of the barracks. The last couple months had been a blur. He and the other volunteers for All-Star Squadron had been carted off to a military base in Los Alamos to train for an upcoming invasion into Axis territory. He was more tired than he had ever been, he was sure of that much. Sleep came in short supply here. He had been subjected to as much testing by the doctors at the base as he had training from Sergeant Walters and Captain Rogers, or as they preferred to be called: Crimson Avenger and Captain America.

He stood and walked into the common room of their barracks. There, quite a few of his fellow volunteers were gathered, swapping stories of where they came from and what they would do when they finally got shipped out to the front. He sat at a table with Batman and Johnny Quick to join them in a game of cards. He had gotten to know a few of his comrades quite well during their training. Most were just normal folks, like himself, who had taken to fighting crime in their towns and neighborhoods.

There were others, though, that were something else entirely. Princess Diana of Themyscira, Prince Namor of Atlantis, and others even more strange than that. Dr. Fate, for example; a man who wielded incredible magical power. The scientists here had also created a robot that seemed to do nothing more than produce flame. Folks around the base called it ‘The Human Torch’. How all these strange people, with all of their incredible origins, were supposed to function as a team was beyond Clark. He was glad that they were in the capable hands of Sergeant Walters and Captain Rogers. Both men were great at what they did and inspired all of the trainees, even if some of them wouldn't admit it.

After a time, he left the common room walked to the small quarters he had been assigned. He sat down on his generic green army cot and stared at his costume; or rather, his uniform. His parents had given it to him before he left. He thought it was a little much, but it seemed to fit in well with the costumes that many of his comrades wore. Red boots, shorts and cape, contrasted with a blue bodysuit. Emblazoned on the chest was a crest that his parents had said was on the blanket that he was wrapped in when they found him. It was diamond-shaped with what appeared to be an “S” emblazoned in it. Because of that, people around the base had started to joke that it stood for “Superman”.

**********************

Diana hated every minute of this. When she had agreed to leave her island home, she was under the impression that she was going to be fighting evil. Instead, she had been forced into this tiny shack in the middle of a barren wasteland. The only bright side was that she had been able to meet the heroes of the world of men. A few of her comrades even had powers comparable to her own. She had got along well enough with most of them. Except Namor. No one got along with Namor.

She breathed a sigh of frustration and kicked at the sand that was pervasive in this insufferable desert as she watched a group of nurses whisper and giggle as they walked past her. The women here were even worse than the men in some ways. Weak and submissive, they were looked down upon by their male oppressors. It was just like she had been taught on Themyscara. Well, let one of these men try to treat her like that, she mused. None of her fellow warriors had made that mistake, but the soldiers around the base were another story. For some reason, they insisted on staring at her whenever she wore her traditional Amazon battle garments. At times, it had took all of her willpower not to punch their lights out.

The only woman who she shared any common ground with at all was Sandra Knight, who called herself Phantom Lady. Sandra recognized the oppression that the females in her society were faced with, and used it to her advantage in battle. She and Diana had grown close, since they were the only two women in All Star Squadron. Diana had taught her much about combat, and in return, Sandra had taught her many of the customs and traditions that the people of this United States of America held.

This was a young nation, and Diana couldn't help but be fascinated by the incredible mix of cultures and ideals that it held. It seemed impossible that such a union would last, but it had, and it had grown into one of the most powerful nations on Earth. She paused, and nearly laughed as she considered this. For it was not unlike the team they now formed. Perhaps her companions would surprise her yet. Tomorrow was their final exercise and at last, battle would be upon her.

**********************

Lee stood at the chalkboard, and looked out at the kids that were gathered around with rapt attention. Kids. Yes, that’s what they were. He recalled once having the same energy and excitement that he saw on their faces. That was before Spain, before Jarama; before he saw what war really was. Still, nothing he could say would convey the horrors of the battlefield, and he couldn't blame them for wanting to defend their country. The whole world was at war now, and if he could teach these kids anything that might help them survive it, he had to try.

In recognition of his prior service, they had made him the First Sergeant of this squadron. And what a squadron it was. Some were vigilantes like he was, just people trying to do good and clean up their streets, but some were something beyond human. Lee didn't know the first thing about Atlantis or Amazons, but he knew that some of his trainees were more powerful than an entire platoon of soldiers. Trying to bring all of these clashing personalities together and train them to be a team had seemed like an insurmountable task. But he was appointed to this position by the president himself, and he wouldn't fail.

Captain Rogers and a few others respected his prior military service and current rank, but some of these trainees only recognized power. Fortunately, Colonel Hardy realized that this squadron couldn't operate under normal military protocol, and ordered that every member wear a costume of his or her own design. They had then been ordered to select a code name for use in the field. Many of the heroes that had been around for a while, like Lee, had already adopted a moniker. Many of those that didn't had been given nicknames by their comrades. Well, except Namor. No one dared to give Namor a nickname. Still, he felt strange addressing a group of people clad in all manner of costumes. He wore the red trench coat, mask and wide-brimmed hat of the Crimson Avenger.

Lee cleared his throat before continuing, “Tomorrow at oh-eight-hundred, we will commence our final training exercise.” Some of the younger trainees couldn't help show their excitement as he said that, but he continued, “You have been divided into two teams. The first team will be led by me, and will consist of Superman, Wonder Woman, Johnny Quick, Batman, Green Lantern, Thunderbolt, and Phantom Lady. The second team will be led by Captain America, and will consist of Uncle Sam, Dr. Fate, Namor, Human Torch, and Liberty Belle. You won’t be expected to pull any punches out there. You will, however, be expected to work with your teammates to devise a plan of attack and use teamwork to overcome the other team. You will all be graded based on your performance as a group, and you will be pulled from this squadron if Captain America or I see anything we don’t like. Questions?”

Superman raised his hand, and stood when Lee called on him, “Sir, what will determine who wins the battle?”
“Last man standing, son. We will have medical teams standing by, but you have all been trained in non-lethal combat. I expect you all to remember that training and conduct yourselves accordingly. Dismissed.”

*************************

Sweat dripped onto the floor as Steve Rogers continued to count his push-ups. One-hundred twenty-five so far. He didn't mind the lengthy exercise. It gave him time to focus on the mission ahead. Today he was going to lead a team into battle for the first time, and he was determined not to let them down. The sun hadn't yet come up; Steve found he was needing a lot less sleep these days. The trainees hated early mornings like this, but it was part of military training. Before they had injected him with the super-soldier serum, he had done basic training the hard way. The really hard way.

Of course, training was different when it was with a team like this. Sometimes he was in awe of their abilities, but he always made sure to remind them that there was more to winning a battle than raw power. Namor had scoffed at him for that, but Steve knew it was true. Strategy, tactics, courage and ingenuity were the real keys to not only winning, but surviving a battle. Today was his chance to show them firsthand that this was true.

“I still don’t know how you do it, Captain.” a voice said from behind him. One-hundred fifty-two. “Well Lee, maybe if you did it more often, your team would have a shot at winning today.” Steve said with a hearty chuckle. He and Lee had become fast friends in this squadron. Both had a prior military background, and Steve had learned a lot from the man. Lee had done much to temper Steve’s expectations of war, and give him a new perspective on what service meant.

“Yeah, maybe you’re right, Cap.” Lee said, laughing. “Guess we’ll see in a couple of hours, huh?” Steve could hear the anxiety in Lee’s voice. He couldn't blame the man. Not only was he about to lead a team of people with incredible powers, he was going to be back in a battlefield for the first time since Madrid. Even though it was a training exercise, combat was combat, and Lee was unsure of himself. Steve knew it wasn't cowardice or shame that Lee was feeling, but ghosts of his past. That was something that no amount of training could prepare you to fight. Two-hundred. It was time to wake his team and get them ready for combat.

**********************

The sun rose slowly over the New Mexico desert, but already waves of heat were radiating from the rocky soil. The two teams of heroes gathered, facing off roughly one hundred yards from each other. Both had worked on their strategy all morning, and were eager to prove themselves. Colonel Hardy watched the scene unfold from a nearby bunker, along with other high-ranking officers. Nearly the entire base gathered nearby to watch the contest, though they had been warned to keep their distance. There was no telling what kind of damage some of these super-powered beings could unleash. That was part of the reason for this test. Colonel Hardy wanted to see All Star Squadron in action before they were sent to the front.

From the base nearby, an air raid siren sounded. That was the signal for the battle to begin, and the two teams sprang into action.
“All-Stars assemble!” ordered Crimson Avenger, as he and Batman took a forward position behind a few large rocks that would act as cover.
Wonder Woman and Superman moved with incredible speed to the opposite flank. On the opposing side, Doctor Fate took a position behind some rocks while Uncle Sam and Liberty Belle charged out to meet Superman and Wonder Woman head-on. The Human Torch flew towards the Crimson Avenger, while Captain America took the high ground in the center of the battlefield. Namor flew headlong towards Batman with a wicked grin on his face.

“Come on, Wonder Woman, we can take ‘em!” Superman yelled as he charged towards Uncle Sam. Wonder Woman was quick to join him, relishing the chance to engage in battle. Behind them both, Johnny Quick took up a rear position, studying the battlefield carefully. As fast as he was, he knew he had to choose the right moment to engage. Many of his opponents would beat him quickly in a straight fight. He had to be smart about who he engaged, and how.

Green Lantern flew to meet Namor before he could reach Batman and Crimson Avenger. From his ring, he formed a giant baseball bat, which impacted with a thunderous crash, sending Namor into the dirt. Lantern hovered above Namor for a moment.
“Stay down, fish boy.” he knew better, though. Namor wouldn't stay down, not until someone knocked him out. That was fine with Alan. He hated Namor’s superior attitude, and any chance to knock the fish king down a peg suited him just fine.

Captain America saw this and shouted, “Ignore him, Namor! Focus on the mission!” He only hoped his words didn't fall on deaf ears. Namor was prideful, stubborn and arrogant, but it was time to see if he was more than that. He grabbed a signpost from the ground and ran towards Green Lantern. At the last moment, he leapt into the air and brought the post down upon his flying opponent. Fortunately for him, Green Lantern was too slow to avoid the blow, and was knocked down to the ground, right next to Namor. Namor looked to Captain America and nodded his thanks, taking to the air once more and moving in on Batman.

Meanwhile, Liberty Belle picked up a nearby boulder that must have weighed at least two hundred pounds, and tried to bring it down on Superman. “Catch, big boy!” Unfortunately for her, he was too fast, and easily moved out of the way of her clumsy attack. Though she was thrown off balance, she had retained enough of her footing to avoid a punch from Superman. She could feel the force of the blow though, and was very thankful that it missed.

Doctor Fate continued his flight around the battlefield, looking for the opportune moment to strike while Uncle Sam brought a hammer blow down upon Superman. The ground shook from the impact, and Superman found himself face down in a small crater. It seemed like fighting stopped for a brief moment as all the combatants regarded that mighty blow. Slowly, Superman picked himself up. Incredibly, he was still in one piece.

Wonder Woman was unfazed by the scene and took this opportunity to uppercut Uncle Sam with all the strength she could muster. The shock wave from the impact flattened nearby vegetation and sent dirt flying in all directions. Incredibly, Uncle Sam still stood, unshaken by the assault. That fact alone might have stayed the hand of most men, but Diana was no man. She would bring him down, no matter what magic possessed him. Superman also came to her aid and landed a blow of his own on Uncle Sam, but his attack was no more successful than Diana’s in felling the spirit.

Nearby, Green Lantern was recovering from Captain America’s attack, standing to face him. Captain America raised his shield, but it was too late. “With all due respect, sir, back off!” A blast of green energy radiated out from Green Lantern in all directions, knocking down friend and foe alike. It was enough to take Uncle Sam off his feet and send him flying into some nearby rocks. The symbol of liberty was the first to be knocked out of the battle. Captain America quickly recovered, “No can do, son.” and smashed his shield into Green Lantern’s face. He had to end the threat that Lantern presented, or there was no telling how much damage he might do.

Namor finally reached Batman, swinging at the caped figure with blows that could have shattered solid rock. “You are a coward, hiding behind a mask, hiding behind your teammates!” Batman deftly avoided strikes and insults alike, dodging and weaving through a flurry of blows. Though he attempted to move out of Namor’s reach, it was no use. The Atlantean was too fast and too powerful to be evaded. Namor kept coming, and Batman wondered how long he could continue to avoid his strikes. It was only a matter of time before one landed.

Though she had stayed out of the conflict to this point, Phantom Lady could not hide forever. She was out of her depth here, surrounded by beings that had more power than she could dream of. The Human Torch’s targeting system found her easily enough, and sent a blast of heat at her that sent her flying backward. She was still conscious, but only barely.

Doctor Fate saw an opportunity to aid his ally, and created several illusory duplicates of Liberty Belle. Wonder Woman waded into them, lashing out in all directions in the hopes of hitting the real Belle, but found no purchase. “To Hades with your trickery!” She spat.
Superman had better luck though, striking Liberty Belle and staggering her backward. She staggered back directly into the path of Johnny Quick, who landed a punch of his own.
“Sorry Belle, nothing personal!” he shouted over the sounds of battle.

While Superman was distracted by his assault on Liberty Belle, Doctor Fate sent a bolt of magical energy into him, knocking him to the ground. The young man did not move to get back up, and Doctor Fate looked to the Amazon now as his next target. Liberty Belle was trying to engage her, but Wonder Woman had decades, perhaps centuries of battle experience. It would take more than raw determination to take her down.

Batman and Namor’s battle continued on the far side of the battlefield. Batman waited patiently until an opportunity presented itself, then struck. As Namor lashed out once again, Batman grabbed his outstretched arm, and kicked Namor in his midsection. The Atlantean doubled over with an “Oof!” of air escaping his lungs. Batman knew better than to think he had won so easily, and kept his distance. Namor attempted a bull rush, but Batman easily dodged to one side. Namor was enraged and it was obvious he wasn’t thinking clearly. Batman took advantage of this and laughed at the Atlantean as he continued to dodge his attacks.

“You dare to mock the prince of Atlantis!? You will pay with your life!” Namor cried as he threw out blow after blow. Batman dodged the attacks with little effort, and waited until his opponent began to tire before chopping his hand into Namor’s windpipe. With a resounding thud, Namor went down in the dirt. Batman checked his pulse to ensure that he would live. Satisfied, he took a position with Crimson Avenger and planned his next move.

Phantom Lady tried to use her black light projector to blind Captain America, but he easily deflected the blast with his shield. “Now, Torch! Take her down!” From behind Phantom Lady, the Human Torch released a blast of heat that knocked her unconscious. Wonder Woman saw her friend and teammate go down and cried out, pressing her attack on Liberty Belle. There were no illusions to stop her this time, and she knocked Liberty Belle to the ground.

Johnny Quick used his incredible speed to cross the distance of the battlefield and hit Human Torch with a sonic boom that sent him flying into the dirt. The android was quick to recover however, and now it was up to Johnny to think of a way to extinguish his foe if he had any chance of winning.

Doctor Fate took advantage of Liberty’s sacrifice by blasting Wonder Woman with a bolt of arcane energy. Wonder Woman may be tough, but she stood no chance against his magic. “Good work, Fate! Now let’s finish the job!” Captain America attempted to support the attack with one of his own, but Wonder Woman easily deflected it with her bracers. It was clear that she would not be felled by mundane means.

Crimson Avenger took stock of the battle. He saw his opportunity to support Johnny and took it. He fired a pellet of carbon dioxide from his gas gun at Human Torch and saw it weaken his flames significantly. “Johnny, it still needs oxygen to make fire! Create a vacuum and take him out!” Johnny nodded that he understood, and began to run in circles around the android. He was nothing more than a blur as he gained speed. Soon, the Human Torch was surrounded by a great whirlwind. Within moments, his fire was extinguished, and Johnny was able to land the final blow on his inhuman opponent.

Wonder Woman had reached Doctor Fate, and his magical shields were barely containing the force of her onslaught. Finally, she broke through and her punch staggered Doctor Fate backwards. Fate made no cry of pain, nor sound of any kind. He simply regained his footing and raised a palm towards the Amazon. From it, tendrils lashed out and wrapped around her. They were translucent and glowed a bright yellow. “What devilry is this!?” was all she could manage to say before her energy was drained from her by the magical forces. She could not fight the power that Fate wielded, and was soon too weakened to stand. 

Captain America charged towards Crimson Avenger’s position, shield raised. Victory was in sight. The only opponents that remained were the Avenger, Batman, and Quick. It was up to Captain America and Doctor Fate to finish the fight. He reached Crimson Avenger’s position and leapt over the terrain he was hidden behind. Crimson Avenger raised his gun, but it was too late. One swipe of his shield, and Captain America put down the First Sergeant.

He turned his attention to Batman. This was Avenger’s protege for the past couple of years, but it was obvious that the boy had been training for far longer than that. He was fast; faster than Steve expected. A low kick made Steve’s knee explode with pain.
“Come on Cap, show me what you've got.” The boy said, smiling
Steve lunged with his shield, but Batman had expected the attack. he spun away from the shield and planted his leg in front of Steve’s. A quick chop to the back of the neck caused Steve to stumble forward.

Doctor Fate flew towards the melee, hoping to help his Captain, but with a blur of motion, Johnny was in front of him.
“Sorry doc, I can’t let you do that.”

The battle between Batman and Captain America continued as Steve rolled into a standing position and threw his shield at Batman. Bruce wasn't expecting this attack, and was unable to dodge in time. It caught him in the ribs and sent him flying backwards. He landed in the dirt with a thump. Doctor Fate attempted to send his magical tendrils out again, but Johnny was too fast. Before he knew it, Johnny was behind him, and he couldn't defend in time to stop the punch that knocked him forward. Steve had jumped onto batman, taking his shield back with one hand, while delivering the final blow with the other. Batman was down, and only Johnny was left.

“Aw, nuts” Johnny sighed at his teammate lying in the dirt. He used his incredible speed to charge Captain America, landing a single punch before the Captain’s shield knocked him unconscious.

**********************

That evening, All Star Squadron gathered in the common room of their barracks. Some sported bruises, while others bore only the bruises of their egos. All of them had learned more about their teammates in that single day than they had in months of training. After the battle, they had gone back to the barracks in search of Thunderbolt, and found him sleeping in his cot. He had slept through the entire exercise, and was sent packing on the spot.  There were no second chances in All Star Squadron

Phantom Lady was also let go, despite Diana’s protestations. Phantom Lady  was brave, to be sure, but not combat ready. As much as Colonel Hardy respected these men and women for volunteering, he couldn't afford to send unreliable or unready troops into combat. The rest of the squadron had performed admirably, and Captain Rogers demonstrated exactly why he was the right man to lead them into battle.

Colonel Hardy entered the common room, and the squadron stood. Standing before them, he spoke, “I would like to congratulate you all on an exemplary performance today. Watching you all in action was an incredible and magnificent sight. You have given your all to this squadron for the past few months, and as of now, you are all officially soldiers of the United States Army. What comes next won’t be easy, but if you give our enemies half the fight you gave out there today, I’m confident that we will succeed.”