Comic Book Battles - Episode 11: Avengers Vs. X-Men #4 pt. 4

This week, on Comic Book Battles, we continue our exploration of the small side-skirmishes that take place during Act 1 of the storyline.  Today, we finally have a battle that takes place in more than just one page!  This skirmish was expanded upon somewhat in AVX: Vs #5, focusing specifically on the Angel vs. Hawkeye portion of the battle.  Let's get to it!

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

"Hawkeye vs. Angel"
Writers Matt Fraction
Pencilers Leinil Francis Yu
Inkers Gerry Alanguilan, Leinil Francis Yu
Colourists Sunny Gho
Letterers Joe Caramagna
Editors Nick Lowe

This weeks battle takes place on Wundagore Mountain.  Wundagore Mountain is located in the fictional Eastern European country of Transia.  This mountain is most notable for being the home of the High Evolutionary and his artificially-created "New Men.  It is also the prison of the ancient primeval demon Chthon, who was trapped there by Morgan le Fey.  Finally, it's where Puppet Master gets his special magic clay to make his special magic puppets.  And no, I have no idea why the Avengers or the X-Men would ever want to go there, but go there they did.

In the Avengers Vs. X-Men book, we get a one-page overview of the battle, featuring Red Hulk taking on Iceman, Dr. Strange duking it out with Magneto, and Psylocke and Angel double-teaming Hawkeye.  With the exception of the Hawkeye/Angel/Psylocke fight, which we'll get to in a minute, am I wrong in thinking those other match-ups are pretty one-sided?  Red Hulk not only has all of the strength and stamina of normal hulk, he also literally burns things.  I can't imagine any amount of ice winning there.  Doctor Strange going up against Magneto seems a little more fair, until you realize that Doctor Strange could just attack the man's very soul.  Magneto doesn't have much in the magical defense department.

In the AVX book, we rejoin the battle after the skirmish is over, with Hawkeye waiting patiently to shoot Angel full of holes.  This whole book seems to feature a particularly brutal and callous Hawkeye, which is really weird considering Matt Fraction would go on to write the enormously successful and much more endearing version of the character in his self-titled series.  I mean, yes, Hawkeye is an ex-con and a long-time Avenger, but he always struck me as more of the "lovable rogue" type, not the "I-will-puncture-you-with-as-many-arrows as-I-can" type.

Meanwhile, his opponent is Angel.  Now, Angel has been through some real bad times.  Real bad.  He was once happy-go-lucky millionaire and founding member of the X-Men Warren Worthington III.  Then the Marauders, specifically Harpoon, jacked up his wings real bad during the Mutant Massacre, forcing them to be amputated.  He then fell into a deep depression until Apocalypse offered to give him his wings back.  Angel then became Archangel as one of Apocalypse's Four Horsemen.  Eventually he managed to fight his way out of Apocalypse's control and became an X-Man once again.  That is, until he fell back under Apocalypse's control and nearly became the next incarnation of Apocalypse himself.  An X-Force team led by Wolverine managed to stop him, and completely erased his mind in the process.  So we're back to square one I suppose.

Angel's sharp vision spares him from becoming a pincushion, and he sprays Hawkeye with his poisoned razor feather blade things.  Oh, did I forget to mention those?  Part of his Apocalypse-upgrade when he became a horseman.  Well, ol' Hawkeye decides to go full Wolverine and use his arrows like claws, gutting and generally beating the crap out of Hawkeye.  

Psylocke manages to find them, and Hawkeye takes the opportunity to threaten to shoot her unless they both leave.  Angel agrees to retreat, then a mind-boggling thing happens.  Hawkeye calls him a "sucker" and straight shoots him in the chest.  The next page is Angel in the hospital relaying the story to Emma Frost.  I'm not really sure what Fraction was thinking, but it doesn't seem very Avenger-ly to shoot a dude in the chest who agrees to stop fighting you.

Winner:  Hawkeye (I guess)

The Battle

The map for this is Wundagore Mountain from the AvX event.  I am so glad WizKids put out official maps for all the locations in this event.  This map features a lot of elevated and impassable terrain, as one might expect from mountainous terrain.  The terrain elevates towards the center of the map, meaning that's where most of the action is likely to take place.

Now let's take a look at our teams:

Avengers

si033 V Dr. Strange
Team: Spider-Man
Range: 10 :bolt::bolt:
Points: 149
Keywords: Avengers, Defenders, Illuminati, Midnight Sons, Mystical

(Special) Eye of Agamatto: Dr. Strange ignores the effects of characters and hindering terrain (including team abilities that give hindering terrain bonuses) when determining line of fire.

(Speed) Winds of Watoomb: Dr. Strange can use Phasing/Teleport and Quake.

(Damage) Wand of Watoomb: Dr. Strange can use Perplex. When Dr. Strange uses Perplex, you can roll a d6; on a result of 5 or 6, you can modify the target's chosen combat value by up to +2 or -2.

avm208 R Hawkeye
Team: Avengers Initiative
Range: 7 :bolt:
Points: 65
Keywords: Avengers, Martial Artist, S.H.I.E.L.D.

(Special) Put Away the Bow: At the beginning of your turn, you may give Hawkeye a free action. If you do, Hawkeye possesses Combat Reflexes instead of Energy Shield/Deflection and Close Combat Expert instead of Ranged Combat Expert until your next turn.

(Attack) Call the Shot, Fury: Hawkeye ignores friendly characters with action tokens for line of fire purposes.

dp033 V Red Hulk
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 150
Keywords: Avengers, Circle of Four, Hulkbusters, Intelligencia, Offenders, Soldier, Thunderbolts

(Speed) I'll Assassinate Cyclops, If You Won't: Red Hulk can use Running Shot, Improved Targeting: Ignores Hindering Terrain, and has a range value of 6.

(Damage) Soldier On: Red Hulk can use Leadership. When he does and succeeds, each friendly character that shares a keyword with him and is a lower point value can use Willpower this turn.

X-Men

ffgsx006 E Iceman
Team: X-Men
Range: 6 :bolt:
Points: 75
Keywords: Champions, Defenders, X-Factor, X-Men

(Attack) Chill Vortex: Iceman can use Outwit, but only to counter Hypersonic Speed, Running Shot, or the Flight ability.

(Damage) Trained Together Since the Beginning: Iceman can use Probability Control if no other friendly character has used Probability Control this turn. He can only use it during the attacks of other friendly characters with the X-Men keyword.

gx023 V Psylocke
Team: X-Men
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 74
Keywords: Exiles, Excalibur, Martial Artist, The Hand, X-Club, X-Force, X-Men

(Attack) Psycho-Blast: Psylocke can use Penetrating/Psychic Blast as if she had a range value of 6.

(Damage) Psychic Knife: Psylocke can use Blades/Claws/Fangs and Exploit Weakness. When she rolls a d6 for Blades/Claws/Fangs, on a result of 1 or 2, give her target an action token in addition to the normal effects.

wkM-019 V Angel
Team: X-Men
Range: 0 :bolt:
Points: 65
Keywords: Celebrity, X-Factor, X-Men

(Special) Same Guy, Different Approach: Angel may be attached to the X-Men: Gold Strike Force Team Base instead of Archangel. While Angel is attached, if X-Men: Gold Strike Force could use Archangel's asset power, it may use Angel's asset power instead.

(Damage) Aerial Recon and Assault: Angel can use Close Combat Expert. Opposing characters within 4 squares of Angel can't use Stealth.

(Black-circle) WXM T002 X-Men: Gold Strike Force: This team character can use Energy Shield/Deflection.

avx014e E Magneto
Team: X-Men
Range: 8 :bolt::bolt:
Points: 150
Keywords: Ruler, X-Men

(Special) Are You Sure About This, Scott?: Magneto can use Energy Shield/Deflection and Telekinesis. During the beginning of your turn, if Magneto has two action tokens, he can use Telekinesis as a free action, but may only use it to place friendly characters.

(Speed) Magnetic Field: Magneto can use Force Blast. When he has no action tokens, he can use it as a free action.

The X-Men win the roll for first turn

Magneto moves from C23 to H17

Angel carries Psylocke from H23 to J16, dropping Psylocke off in J15

Iceman moves from M23 to P14

Red Hulk moves from L2 to M9, picking up a super-heavy object on the way

Hawkeye moves from G2 to J9

Doctor Strange moves from C2 to H9

Magneto uses Running Shot, moving to I13 and attacking Doctor Strange and Hawkeye.  He hits on a 19 for 3 damage to each

Psylocke moves to H10

Iceman uses Running Shot, moving to P10 and shooting Red Hulk, missing on a 13 and taking a push damage

Angel clears

Doctor Strange Outwits Psylocke's Combat Reflexes and attacks, missing on a 16, taking a push damage in the process

Red Hulk Charges to O9 and attacks Iceman, missing on snake eyes, but Hawkeye is in range and has line of fire, and uses Theme Team Probability Control.  Red Hulk rerolls, hitting on a 17 for 6 damage.  Iceman is KO'd in one hit, and Hawkeye takes a push damage from the TTPC use.

Angel moves to J10 

Magneto and Psylocke clear

Doctor Strange Perplexes his defense +1

All Avengers clear

Psylocke attacks Doctor Strange, missing on a 16.  Magneto uses TTPC to allow her to reroll.  She hits on a 20, but then Doctor Strange rolls his Super Senses and succeeds on a 5.  No hit.

Angel uses Close Combat Expert to give himself +2 damage and targets Hawkeye, but misses on a 14

Red Hulk moves to J14, picking up a heavy object along the way

Hawkeye uses Close Combat Expert to give himself +1 attack and +1 damage, targeting Angel hitting for 1 damage

Doctor Strange Teleports to E12

Magneto attempts to use Telekinesis on Red Hulk, but misses on a 14

Angel and Psylocke clear

Red Hulk uses Leadership and succeeds on a 5, giving the rest of his team Willpower for the turn

Red Hulk then attacks Magneto, hitting on an 18, but Magneto's Invincibility reduces the damage to 3, and the heavy object is removed

Doctor Strange Perplexes his attack +1 and shoots at Magneto and Psylocke, but misses on a 15

Hawkeye uses Close Combat Expert to give himself +1 attack and +1 damage, but misses Angel on a 13

Psylocke uses Telekinesis on Doctor Strange, hitting him on a 21 and placing him at J11

Angel attacks Doctor Strange, hitting on a 17.  Doctor Strange makes another Super Senses roll on a 5, so no hit again

Avengers all clear

Magneto attacks Red Hulk but misses on a 14

Angel and Psylocke clear

Hawkeye uses Close Combat Expert to give himself +1 attack and +1 damage, hitting Angel on an 18 and dealing 1 damage thanks to Angel's toughness

Doctor Strange Perplexes his attack +1

Doctor Strange shoots Magneto and Psylocke, hitting on a 19 and dealing 3 damage to each.  (NOTE: this was a mistake on my part.  I didn't realize that Doctor Strange didn't have Sharpshooter, and thus couldn't have made a ranged attack while adjacent to Angel), Magneto is KO'd

Red Hulk Charges to I11 and hits Angel on an 18.  Angel fails his Super Senses roll and takes 4 damage.  He is KO'd

Psylocke attacks Red Hulk but misses on a 16

Red Hulk attacks Psylocke, hitting on a 19 for 4 damage, KO'ing her

Winner: Avengers

I feel bad having made that mistake with Doctor Strange that likely ended the game prematurely.  That said, I don't think the X-Men were having much luck at all this game.  Red Hulk was still untouched by the end, and taking him down would have been no easy feat.  I feel like our Avengers teams have had much more success lately than the X-Men.  I guess we'll see if that holds true in our next battle, deep in the Savage Land!  

Cop and a Half: Episode 7 - Big Trouble In Little Sandpoint

Note: Don't worry, you didn't miss any sessions!  See the post-game analysis for an explanation.

The Rusty Dragon Inn was a quiet, sleepy establishment.  A cozy inn, in the heart of the quiet village of Sandpoint.  Tonight, though, it was nearly full to bursting, and alive with the sound of song, laughter, and the cheers of it's occupants.

Lem stood on one of the many long tables in the bar, and regaled the townsfolk with songs of his dragon-slaying exploits.  It was the twelfth time he had done so this night, but he never tired of it.

Lem starting deck
BoGx3
BoPharasma
BoClistria
Lightning Touch
Holy Light
Aid
Cure
Amulet of Life
Bracers of Protection
Burglar
Sage
Night Watch
Sling

Valeros simply sat in the corner, drinking a flagon of ale and being careful not to show any of the villagers the smile he wore.  He had a reputation to maintain, after all.

Valeros Starting Deck
BoIomedae
BoGx2
Glaive
Shock Longbow +1
Warhammer
Longbow
Spiked Chain
Chainmailx2
Magic Leather Armor
Masterwork Tools
Spyglass
Archer
Sheriff Hemlock

The villagers were all clapping and cheering along with Lem's dancing on the table.  Cyrdak Drokkus, a local bard, backed Lem up with his lute.  Meanwhile, Lem had taken to shooting holy light from his fingers, providing his audience with a holy laser light show.

Turn 1
Lem – BoG
Village House
BoG
BoG discard explore
Cyrdak Drokkus – Recharge Burglar to acquire from Village House ability
BoG discard explore – Shadow – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+2+2D12+D4 = 27 = Success
Recharge Success

Despite Lem's mesmerizing display, many of the patrons had paid their respects to Valeros as well.  He was unaccustomed to so much attention, but did his best to nod and grunt politely at the drunk villagers that came his way.  One very intoxicated old woman even gave him a bird.  It was a weird night.

Turn 2
Valeros – BoG
Village House
Troubadour – Recharge Archer to acquire from Village House ability
Discard Troubadour explore – Longsword – Melee – D10+4 = 10 = Success
Discard BoG Explore – Crow – Wisdom + Lem recharge = D4+D4 = 5 = Success
Discard Crow Explore – Levitate – Intelligence = D6 = 1 = Fail

A bolt of lightning seared the air of the inn, striking the center of the room and blasting patrons and tables away with ease.  In the space that it created, a figure stood.  It was humanoid, with long, gangly arms that ended in claws and legs that bent backward like a beast.  In place of it's mouth was a split mandible lined with teeth.  A long tongue dripped saliva onto the floor as it stared blankly forward with black eyes.  It's flesh gleamed white in the light of the inn's candelabras.  On it's shoulder was a black-scaled winged creature.  Another dragon?  No, something else; something worse.

The battle was quick, and it was brutal.  Valeros beheaded the creature with a swift swing of his blade while Lem leapt from the nearby tabletop and grabbed at the winged creature as it attempted to fly away.  Electricity flowed into the creature, but it seemed unphazed,cackling as it left the inn.

Turn 3
Lem – BoSarenrae
Erylium
Valeros encounter Sinspawn – Scenario Roll – 2 - Fails Wisdom Check – Melee + Reveal and recharge longsword = D10+4+D8+D6 = 18 = Success
Lem encounter Erylium – Lightning Touch + Valeros + BoG = D10+2+2D4+D4+D10 = 22 = Success
Location Closed
Recharge Fails

It didn't take long for the village to clean up the mess and tend to the wounded in the inn.  They were getting too good at recovering from terrible circumstances.  Such was life in a village on the outskirts of civilization.  The Sheriff has begun dispatching teams of police to various point in the city that might be threatened by this new enemy.  Lem and Valeros had been sent to the local Glassworks, which was actually owned by the same family that owned the inn.  It didn't take long for trouble to find them.

It had only been a couple of nights since the attack on the inn when Lem heard a great howl from outside the building.  As he and Valeros crept from the Glassworks into the full moon shining outside, the hair stood on the back of Lem's neck.  He turned, but it was too late, the wolf was upon him!  No, not a wolf, a werewolf!  Valeros managed to kick it off of him, but it escaped into the night before they could finish the job.

Turn 5
Lem -   BoG
Glassworks
Werewolf – Reveal Sling + Valeros = D8+ D6+D4 = 9 = Fail = 4 damage = Amulet of life = 1 damage
Recharge Fails
Discard top card of deck

Heading back inside, Valeros grabbed a crossbow from the wall, and retrieved his lucky silver bolt from his pack.  He would be ready next time a creature like that got near him.  He looked for something to help Lem, but alas, the glassworks didn't have much in the way of booze.

Turn 6 
Valeros – BoShelyn
Lem Cure – D4+1 = 3 
Recharge success
Light Crossbow – Dex = D8 = 8 = Success
Discard Sheriff Hemlock Explore – Potion of Healing – Intelligence = D6 = 2 = Fail
Discard top card of deck

Lem picked himself up off the ground, checking himself for wounds.  He certainly didn't want to become the smallest werewolf in the village.  Distracted by his worries, he failed to notice the creature approaching him from behind.  Lem went down with a thud, as a bugbear snatched Lem's magic necklace from around his neck.
"Hey, ugly!" Valeros shouted, as he emerged from the Glassworks; leveling and firing his crossbow at the creature in one swift motion.
The bugbear looked up, and ran back into the nearby woods, still clutching the necklace.

Turn 7
Lem – BoSarenrae
BoSarenrae – Divine= D10+2 = 11 = Success
Recharge Sarenrae explore – Bugbear – Dex+Reveal Sling+Aid+Valeros = D8+D6+D6+D4=8=Fail=2 damage = Bury amulet from Bugbear and Discard top card of deck from location
Recharge fails

Valeros heard more rustling in the nearby brush.  "Oh no you don't, not this time." he muttered, as he fired another bolt from his crossbow into the foliage.  A sharp whine sounded.  Success!  Valeros moved to the brush, clearing it away.  He smile faded instantly.  "Ah, shit." he said under his breath.  Turning back, Lem staggered towards him.  "Did you get it?" He asked.
"No." Valeros stated gruffly.

Turn 8
Valeros – BoIomedae
Dog – Wisdom + Lem Recharge = D4+D4 = 4 = fail = discard top card of deck

Entering the Glassworks once again, Lem heard the loud crash of breaking glass in the main forge chamber.  He ran to the room, ready this time for whatever awaited them, or so he thought.  The sight that greeted them was something from a nightmare.  It was a goblin, or at least it had been at some point.  Now, though, it was mutated and wrong.  Extra limbs littered it's body, and it's eyes, ears and mouth had all been rearranged on it's horrible face.  Lem shuddered, and unleashed lightning on the creature.

Turn 9 
Lem – BoLamashtu
Lightning Touch – D10+2=5=Success
Discard BoG Explore – Koruvus – Lighning Touch + Valeros = D10+2+2D4+D4 = 18 = Success
Wisdom Check to close location + BoG = 2D6 = 5 = Fail
Discard top card of deck
Recharge Fails

Valeros was watching the creature sizzle and burn when he heard a familiar howl.  He turned just in time to impale the werewolf on his glaive.  It slumped, lifeless, on the blade.  Where were these creatures coming from?

Turn 10
Valeros – BoG
Werewolf – Melee+Reveal Glaive +BoIomedae = D10+4+D10 = 13 = Fail = Recharge Glaive to reroll = 16 = Success

The werewolf was not alone.  The bugbear from earlier burst through a door behind Lem, charging at him mindlessly.  Lem unleashed holy energy at the creature, and it thudded to the floor, momentum carrying it to Lem's hairy feet.  He bent and took his necklace from a pouch on the creature.
"Ewwww, he ruined it!" Lem whined as he examined the now-filthy trinket.

Turn 11
Lem – BoG
Bugbear – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+2+2D6+D4 = 20 = Success
Recharge Success

Satisfied that all immediate threats had been put down, Valeros began to examine the building.  He had had no reason previously to suspect anything was wrong with this place, but these attacks could not be a coincidence.  He found a staircase that took him deeper, into what appeared to be a storage area.  Sniffing the air, he smelled something odd; something sweet.  Moving towards the smell, he opened one of the many doors in the earthen cellar.  What greeted him was some kind of altar.

It was crude, but clearly devoted to some evil deity.  In front of the altar was a pool of red liquid in a stone basin.  Valeros stooped in front of it.  No, it wasn't blood.  It was too bright, too thick.  Inside the pool was an object, floating weightless in the liquid confines of the basin.  Valeros shrugged and reached in to retrieve it.
"No!  Wait!" Lem cried, but he was too late.  Valeros stumbled backward, grunting in pain.  The liquid splashed from the basin, spattering onto Lem's face.  Burning pain consumed him as he desperately tried to remove the liquid from him without further harm.

Turn 12
Valeros – BoG
Lem Cure – 5
Recharge Success
Pit of Malfeshnikor – Crown of Charisma, Thieves Tools, Holy Candle
Choose Holy Candle – Valeros 3 Fire Damage, Lem 2 Fire Damage – Valeros Buries chainmail – Lem burns
Use Holy Candle – 6

From behind the altar, a creature emerged.  Almost snakelike, it slithered towards them.  But it was too large and malformed to be a snake, unless it had also been mutated, like the goblin they had faced earlier.  It struck out at Lem, still writhing in agony on the floor, biting into him.

Turn 13
Lem – BoErastil
Goblin Snake – Fail Con Check - Strength + BoG + Valeros = D4+D4+D4 = 7 = Fail = 1 damage = discard top card of deck

Valeros had recovered enough by this point to retrieve his spiked chain from his pack and lash out at the creature.  The chain wrapped around the snake easily, spikes biting into it's deformed scales.  With a twist of Valeros' arms, it collapsed lifelessly to the ground beside Lem.

Turn 14
Valeros -  BoG
Goblin Snake – Pass Con check - Melee + reveal Spiked Chain + Lem recharge = D10+4+2D4+D4 = 13 = Success
Wis Check to close + Lem recharge = 2D4 = 6 = Success

Using some water from his pack, Lem was able to wash the liquid from his face.  The burns were bad, though, and he would likely bear the scars for the rest of his days.  He turned his attention back to the altar.  Filled with frustration and rage, he toppled the stones that served as the foundation for the unholy thing.  Under these stones, a cool, foul air wafted up from below.  His rage had uncovered a passage!

Turn 15
Lem – BoIomedae
Shrine to Lamashtu
Reset Hand

Valeros helped Lem clear away the remaining stones, and moved cautiously into the darkness below.  The very air burned his lungs.  He struggled, but carried on into the darkness below.  The area below the altar was in fact quite large.  Easily large enough for a man to stand, with one great tunnel leading deeper.  He moved forward, still struggling to breathe.

Turn 16
Valeros – BoSarenrae 
Shrine to Lamashtu 
BoG – 2 damage

As Lem descended behind Valeros, he saw a dim light in the tunnel ahead of them.  It grew brighter, and brighter still as Lem heard the source of it approach.  A great beast entered the chamber, running on all fours towards them.  It appeared almost as a dog, but was covered in flame, clearly demonic in nature.  Lem wasn't a holy halfling, but he knew enough to know you don't mess around with demons.  He sent lightning at the creature, and was relieved to see it fall, flames sputtering out.

Turn 17  
Lem – BoG
Hell Hound – Lightning Touch + Valeros – D10+2+2D4+D4 = 17 = Success
1 damage to both lem and valeros
Recharge fails

The moved farther down the tunnel.  As they did, Valeros heard a soft voice call his name.  It was beautiful.  Mesmerizing.

Turn 18
Valeros – BoG
Lem Cure – 2
Recharge fails
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Fail – Reset hand and end turn

Lem didn't notice the change in Valeros, and carried on down the tunnel.  A cracking sound echoed in the distance.  It was a familiar sound to Lem.  The sound of bones grinding and striking each other.  Rounding the corner, Lem unleashed holy energy into the next chamber.  He was satisfied to see scattered, lifeless bones in it's wake.

Turn 19
Lem – BoTorag
Exchange Aid for Cure 
Cast Cure – 2
Recharge  Success
Skeleton – Holy Light+Valeros – D10+2+2D12+D4 = 28 = Success
Recharge fails

Valeros stood, locked in place.  He was losing his struggle to breathe the foul air of this place as his will was sapped by the unknown force that called out to him.

Turn 20
Valeros – BoG
BoCalistria – Dex = D8 = 4 = Success = 2 damage 

Lem could feel it too.  Not the force that held his partner, but the energy that was burning their life away.

Turn 21
Lem – BoGorum
BoDesna – Divine = D10+2 = 12 = Success = 2 damage

Valeros legs moved forward of their own volition.  He didn't mind.  He wanted to meet the voice, to be one with it.  It was so beautiful.
"Hey, hold on Val, we don't know what's up there!" Lem tried to talk sense into his partner, but it was of no use.

Turn 22
Valeros – BoPharasma
Shopkeeper’s daughter = Wisdom + Lem Recharge = 2D4 = 2 = Fail = reset hand and end turn

Music sprang up around Lem, surrounding him in a cacophony of sound.  Lem knew this trick.  He had performed it many times himself, and he had learned to shield himself from it.  Focusing his mind, he concentrated on his other senses, moving after his partner in an effort to save him from himself.

Turn 23
Lem – BoG
Dance With Squealy Nord – Wisdom + Recharge Sage + BoDesna = D10+1+D6+D10 = 17 = Success  = 1 item = Potion of Ghostly Form

Valeros moved blindly towards the sound.  It was so close now, so beautiful.

Turn 24
Valeros – BoErastil
Sanctuary – Wisdom + Lem Recharge = 2D4 = 8 = Success

Lem's lungs felt like they were consumed in flame.  He didn't want to die in this place, and he hoped that desire was enough to keep his heart beating.  He kept pace with Valeros, panting and still trying desperately to stop the man.

Turn 25
Lem – BoLamashtu
BoG = 2 damage

Valeros could see her now, the source of the voice.  She was beautiful, just like he imagined, and she was beckoning to him.  He was so close to her now.

Turn 26
Valeros – BoSarenrae
Lem Cure – 4
Recharge Success
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Lem Potion of Ghostly Form
Explore Again – Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Wisdom + Lem Recharge = 5 = Fail

A blade flashed out of the shadows lining the chamber, but Lem's reflexes were still sharp.  The blade fell to the ground in a crackle of lightning, along with the deformed man who wielded it.  Lem wondered if that man reflected their fate if they strayed too far into these tunnels.

Turn 27
Lem – Mercenary – Lightning Touch + Valeros = D10+2+3D4 = 15 = Success
Recharge Success

Valeros reached out to touch her.  If he could touch her, he would be complete.  Complete?  No, not complete.  He was already complete.  He was all he needed to be fulfilled.  He was whole.  He was free.  The image of the woman ceased to be, her space taken by one of the same creatures that had attacked the inn.  He was a fool.  A fool to have been so easily led astray.  He lashed out with his spiked chain in rage, decimating the creature in front of him.

Turn 28
Valeros – BoTorag
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Recharge Masterwork Tools – Feel like an idiot
Wrathful Sinspawn – scenario roll – 2 - Fail Wisdom Check – Reveal + Recharge Spiked Chain + Lem Recharge = D10+4+2D4+D6+D4 = 17 = Success
Banish BoCalistria to close

Lem could see the change in his companion.  He could also feel the shame emanating from the man.  Lem said nothing, but moved to his partners side.  The music that assaulted him was here still.  Valeros had ended his torment, and now it was Lem's turn to end his own.  He snatched a rock up from the earthen floor, and closed his eyes.  The sound was defeaning, but Lem concentrated on it nonetheless.  His arm cocked back, and he unleashed the stone into the shadows.  The music ceased.

Turn 29
Lem – BoIomedae
Catacombs of Wrath
Siren – Wisdom + Recharge Sage + BoG = D10+1+D6+D10 = 9 = Success

They were close now, Valeros could feel it.  Regaining his bearings, as well as a measure of his strength, he moved ever-deeper into the catacombs.  There would be no peace for Sandpoint while this place remained beneath it.  He heard a shuffling nearby, followed by a great thudding sound.  Valeros packed away his chain and readied his glaive.  Rushing towards the sound, he was greeted by a grotesque sight.  It was a giant, long since dead, reanimated and restructured with foul purpose.  It lumbered towards them, unnatural and odd numbers of arms outstretched.  Valeros removed them all, followed by the abomination's skull.

Turn 30
Valeros – BoG
Catacombs of Wrath
Lem Cure – 4
Recharge Success
Zombie Giant – reveal Glaive + Lem recharge = D10+4+D10+D4 = 15 = Success

The tunnels began to close in now, becoming narrow passages speckled with tiny chambers to either side.  In one of these, Lem discovered a chest containing a shortbow.  Better than nothing, he thought.  He soon had the opportunity to test it against a robed with two heads that ran at them from a nearby alcove, screaming unintelligibly.

Turn 31
Lem – BoG
Large Chest – Dex + Recharge Burglar = D8+D10 = 15 = Success = Shortbow
Discard BoG Explore – Scout – 2 damage – Reveal Shortbow + Valeros = D8+D6+D4 = 8 = fail = 1 damage

Valeros stood over the body of yet another malformed creature.  Something had twisted everything it touched in these foul caverns.  He could sense they were nearing the source, and he was fueled with righteous fury.

Turn 32
Valeros – BoG
Ogre – Reveal Glaive + Lem Recharge = D10+4+D10+D4 = 22 = Success

Lem entered what appeared to be the final chamber.  It was larger than the others they had seen in these catacombs, and lined with candles.  At the center stood another one of the misshapen creatures that had attacked the inn, and on it's shoulder was the demon itself.
"I must admit, I am surprised that you survived my pets." It mused in a melodic voice.  "You will not survive me."

With that, the creature rushed at Lem, claws flashing in wide arcs towards his midsection.  He sent lightning into the thing, and it's eyes burst in flashes of energy.  As it collapsed, the demon took flight, diving towards Lem with it's claws.

The attack nearly allowed a second creature to surprise Lem from behind, but he was able to fend off the would-be ambush with a blast of holy energy.  Two of the creatures now lay smoking in the chamber.

Turn 33
Lem – BoG
Wrathful Sinspawn – Scenario Roll – 4 - Passes Wis Check – Lightning Touch + Valeros = D10+2+3D4 = 19 = Success
Recharge Success
Summon and defeat a sinspawn to close – Scenario Roll – 1 = Discard top of Blessings deck – Passes Wis check – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+2+2D6+D4 = 15 = Success
Recharge fails

Valeros entered the chamber just in time to lop off the head of another sinspawn lumbering towards them.  Seeing the demon harassing his partner, he dropped his sword and readied his bow.  Taking careful aim, he unleashed an arrow that crackled with magical lightning.  It struck the creature directly in the chest, and pinned it to the far wall.
"You...have no idea...what's coming." It hissed in laughter, blood running from it's maw.  "She will come for you, and you will beg for mercy."
Valeros pulled a dagger from his belt as he moved towards it.
"Not likely." he said flatly, as he removed the demon's head with one swift stroke.

Turn 34
Valeros – BoSarenrae
Lem Cures Valeros – 3
Recharge fails
Erylium
Valeros – Wrathful Sinspawn – Scenario roll – 1 – Blessing off the top - Reveal and recharge longsword + Lem recharge = D10+4+D8+D6+D4 = 22 = Success
Erylium – reveal and recharge Shock Longbow+1 + Recharge Archer + Lem recharge + Lem BoG = D8+1+D10+D10+D4+D4 = 19 = Success

Rewards – Lem adds +1 to his D4 when assisting someone at location and Valeros adds +1 to his ability to help others in combat

Post-Game Analysis

Holy crap, guys.  That was ridiculous.  So the story behind this was that I thought my cards were in the proper order, so I just pulled the next adventure after the Perils of the Lost Coast stuff.  Little did I realize, I was playing the third scenario in the AP!  There's really no excuse for me to not have noticed it, since I've played through the AP before.  At any rate, I didn't notice until I was done, and I'm going to take this one as a win.  I earned it.  I'll be back next time with the [i]real [/i]first scenario of the AP, but I'll be skipping this one when I manage to get to it.

So let's talk about the session.  Man, that was a long one.  I was actually really happy and impressed with my ability to keep these two alive as long as I did.  Obviously, there's no way I could have completed this without that lucky Holy Candle.  That is such an indispensable item at every player count.  Other than the candle, we didn't get too many good boons though.  Still, the candle is enough.

Keeping Lem alive was priority #1 through most of this, and I was able to make good use of his recharge ability to cycle back through to cure, and his ability to swap cards out of his discard when I failed to recharge it.  He's pretty self-sufficient as long as you play conservatively, which I don't usually do.

Forgetting to use the Masterwork Tools with Valeros on the Shopkeeper's Daughter ranks among the more stupid things I have done in this game.  That was a number of turns wasted, when I could have defeated it immediately.  Still, it made for a fun narrative to tell.  I hope you all enjoyed this one, and I'll be back soon with the actual first scenario of AP1!

Earth-1874 All-Star Comics #3

Desert Hawks

Spring, 1943

The sun was only beginning to rise above the still waters surrounding the Allied HQ at the Suez Canal, but the makeshift base was already bustling with activity.  Soldiers, arms and armor were mobilizing for a push deeper into Africa, as the Allies continued to push the Axis forces back.  A fighting force consisting of British, Australian, American, and Vichy troops had been able to take and hold the North African region.  Despite their recent successes, there were rumors of an impending Axis attack, and everyone was on high alert.

Inside a large brick building that served as Allied Command, a small force of All Star Squadron members had been assembled.  Crimson Avenger, Superman, Liberty Belle and Johnny Quick sat on a couple of makeshift benches, waiting quietly for their briefing to begin.  The exhaustion of war, and constant pressures of the battlefield had begun to take their toll on the group.  Superman in particular hadn’t been the same since Tunisia.  The smiling farmboy had become withdrawn, even dour.  Crimson Avenger had seen this type of reaction before, in the first Great War.  He would need to keep an eye on Superman during this mission, for all of their sakes.  The Allies couldn’t afford to lose their most powerful asset, and he wouldn’t let himself lose a good man to the horrors of war.

As Lee was considering this, Captain America entered the room, flanked by two other men.  Clearly, these men were not soldiers.  They both wore tweed suits, and looked like academics.  What they were doing in the middle of a battlefield, he couldn’t begin to guess.  He and the other soldiers stood at attention as the men walked past them and took their place at the podium at the front of the room.

“At ease, soldiers.  Have a seat.” Captain Rogers said, nodding to them.  They sat on the bench, and waited for their captain to continue.

“As you may know, German troops have been gathering ancient relics of power from around the world.  We have acquired intelligence that suggests that Germany’s Hydra Division has unearthed a previously undiscovered ruin about 100 clicks to the south.  High command believes that whatever is stored there can’t be allowed to fall into enemy hands.  That’s where you come in.”  

Lee noted that Clark’s fists clenched involuntarily at the mention of the name Hydra.  He had read the reports from the operation in Tunisia.  This had the potential to get ugly fast if they ended up engaging Hydra troops.  This also made reigning in Superman a more difficult task, if things were that personal.  

The Captain continued, “I would like to introduce you to our two guests, archaeologist Carter Hall, and physicist Al Pratt.  These two men have volunteered to help us in this operation.  I’ll let them explain the rest.”  Cap stepped aside, and gestured to the two men to take over.  The taller of the two men stepped forward to speak.

“Ah, yes, thank you, Captain.” He cleared his throat, and turned his attention to the others before continuing.  “As Captain Rogers said, the Germans have unearthed ruins which we believe to be a series of tombs.  The contents of these tombs are unknown, but keeping these ancient treasures out of the hands of the Germans has been placed at the highest of priorities by Allied Command.  Al and I will be accompanying you on this mission, and my role will be to identify objects of importance and assist in recovery.  As for my associate here, well, I’ll let him explain.”  He stepped aside, allowing his diminutive associate to take center stage.

“Thanks, Carter.  So, once we’ve found objects worth taking with us, it’ll be my job to make them transportable.  My particular area of expertise has been in technology that allows us to reduce the size and mass of objects.  Shrinking them, basically.”  

He paused to let the group take that in, but found virtually no reaction at all in his audience.  “Huh, that usually gets people’s attention.  Ah well, I guess nothing surprises you super-types.  Anyway, I will be using this baby here to shrink down whatever we find.” He produced a small metal device from inside his jacket.  “It should let us put a whole pyramid in our pocket, so to speak.”

“Thank you, doctors.”  Captain Rogers said, moving back to the podium.  “You will be leaving immediately with these fine gentlemen under the command of First Sergeant Walters.” He said, gesturing to the Crimson Avenger.  He then turned to face a map of the area posted behind him before continuing.  “We have arranged transportation down the Nile, which will drop you at this point here.  You will then make your way due East to this point, where intelligence tells us the ruins are located.  Your ride is waiting outside.  Good luck and godspeed.”

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

Their journey down the Nile was tense, but uneventful.  Both Carter and Al had hushed discussions on the nature of the various settlements and ruins they had passed by.  While much of the area was under Allied control, it was still a war zone.  Lee took the opportunity to discuss strategy with his men, as well as areas of responsibility for the protection of the civilians and recovery of any artifacts they might find.  

As their small craft approached the drop point, all talking ceased.  Lee hoped they wouldn’t run into any serious opposition.  Intelligence reports were sketchy at best, and after the battle in Tunisia, they had to be prepared for anything.  Germany’s Hydra Division had proven to be deadly on the battlefield since then as well, employing energy weapons and other incredibly advanced armaments.  Allied scientists were desperately working to reverse-engineer these new devices, but it would take time to reproduce them or create effective countermeasures.  Fortunately, many of his troops were immune to these new weapons, including Superman.

Lee took a moment to glance over his troops before they disembarked.  Liberty Belle looked focused and stood side-by-side with Johnny Quick.  They had grown quite close over the course of their time in the field.  Lee wouldn’t be surprised if it was romantic, which would normally be problematic, but All Star Squadron worked outside of traditional military doctrine.  Lee felt it might actually be a strength to have two teammates so close.  Libby and Johnny were both great people that he knew he could count on in a pinch, and they would be responsible for the safety of Carter and Al in this mission.

His attention then turned to Superman.  The boy had been uncomfortably quiet during their journey.  Lee knew that Superman still felt responsible for the injuries that his team had sustained in Tunisia.  Even though they had all made it out alive, it seemed that seeing his comrades in such pain had taken it’s toll on him.  Lee had spoken to Captain America about it and, like the captain, agreed that Superman had the potential to be a very capable leader.  He just hoped the kid could pull out of this and find himself again.  Hopefully getting him out into the field would clear away Superman’s lingering self-doubt.

They began their trek inland, moving east across the shifting desert sands.  They didn’t need to travel long before spotting the trails of dust in the distance that indicated troop movement.  He sent Superman ahead to scout the activity, while the rest of them took cover behind a nearby dune.  Superman took off in a blur, and returned moments later.  

“It’s bad, sir.  Two Hydra tanks, and an entire platoon.  Looks like they have a couple of transport trucks as well.  They’re closing in on the target area fast.”  Superman, said, not even winded.

“All right, listen up everyone.  Doctors, I need you two to stay put.  Libby, Johnny, you two flank right, I’ll flank left, Supes, you hit em right up the middle.  Go!”

They broke out in their assigned directions without another word.  Quick carried Belle, moving faster than Lee could follow.  Superman waited at the top of the dune for Lee to get into position.  It was going to take him a minute.  Wishing, not for the first time, that he had super speed.  Panting from running in the soft sand, he reached his position and gave the signal to his team.

Superman ran full speed into the nearest tank, and with an incredibly loud screech of twisting metal, it was knocked onto its side.  Chaos erupted from the Hydra troops, and they began firing in all directions.  Crimson Avenger, Liberty Belle and Johnny Quick all broke from cover and rushed the enemy position.  Lee fired a gas pellet into the clustered ranks of infantry, sending them coughing into the dirt.  Meanwhile, Libby grabbed the barrel of the remaining tank gun and bent it backwards with ease.  Last but not least, Johnny ran through the enemy ranks at incredible speeds, disarming as many of the troops as he could.

The tank that Superman had hit caught fire, and Lee shouted to him, “Get out of there!  It’s gonna blow!”  But the boy wasn’t listening to him, instead Superman tore the turret off the tank and retrieved the occupants.  Hoisting them on his shoulders, he ran from the ensuing explosion.  The shells in the tank exploded sending most of the team to the ground from the violent shockwave.  The blast caught the second tank and the truck as well, and the resulting eruption  could be seen and felt for miles around.  

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

Lee awoke in a coughing fit.  He attempted to open his eyes, but it was useless.  The dust and smoke in the air was impenetrable, and it was nearly impossible to breathe, much less see.  He felt around his surroundings, trying to find a way to his feet, when a sudden blast of air knocked him right back down again.  He groaned and raised his arm to shield his eyes from the piercing wind that seemed to have come out of nowhere.  The air that was hitting his face felt out of place.  It was cold, extremely cold, and almost instantly froze the sweat on his skin.  As this wind blew the smoke and debris in the air away from the area, he could finally see what was going on around him.

His jaw dropped as he gazed at the massive pit that had formed in the wake of the explosion.  Stranger still, it looked as though it hadn’t collapsed, so much as erupted outward.  This must have been where the blast of cold air had come from.  He quickly rose to his feet and searched the area for his team.  He found all of them nearby, blasted away from the site as he was.  All of them, except for Superman.  The two scientists ran to join the team as quickly as they could in the rolling dunes of soft sand.  

“Incredible!  Did you see that eruption?!  It was as though some kind of pressurized capsule were opened!  We simply must investigate!”  Carter said excitedly, almost childlike in his enthusiasm.  

“Wait, where’s Superman?  Is he OK?”  Al said, panting from his run across the sands.  

“I’m not sure, but it’s possible he’s down there.” Lee said, pointing to the gaping chasm.  “Either way, we need to check this thing out.  I doubt any of those goons survived the blast, so it should be relatively safe.”

Please, sergeant, let Al and I lead the way.  We need to preserve the site as much as possible.  We can’t afford to damage anything unnecessarily.  Well, nothing that explosion didn’t already damage, I suppose.”

And so the team moved to the chasm, looking down into it for the first time.  The midday desert sun illuminated the chamber extremely well, and they were awestruck by what they saw.  A beautiful tiled chamber lay some 30 feet below the surface.  The tiles glistened in the sun, and steps on the far side led up to what appeared to be some sort of throne.  Furniture and entire rooms full of artifacts were preserved in such a way that they had not aged at all in what might have been centuries.  In the middle of it all lay Superman, and on top of him were the soldiers he had rescued just before the explosion.

“You think he’s alive?” Al croaked, gulping as he looked down on the young man.

“I’ve been fighting alongside Superman for a long time now, and I haven’t seen anything that could keep him down.” Lee replied.

“Well then, we’d better go help him up.  Let’s get climbing!” Liberty Belle said as she began her descent.

The climb was not as hazardous as they expected, with ample footholds to be found in the ancient rock face of the chamber walls.  Carter reached the bottom first, and ran to Superman’s side.  

“It looks like he fell on something!” Carter yelled back to the rest of the team, who were still descending the steep rock walls.  He reached under superman and felt the haft of a weapon as well as a belt made from some type of metal.  As soon as he touched it, his entire body felt as though it were on fire.  His vision went white as he screamed in agony.  Flashes, images of another life, raced through his mind.  Another time, another body, but at the same time so familiar.  He saw a beautiful woman as well.  Shiera.  Yes, that was her name.  His beloved.  How could he have forgotten her?  The images began to fade, and with them the pain that wracked his body.  He found himself standing over Superman with a massive mace in his hand.  His body was now covered in some kind of armor, and his back, wings!  He was reborn, and it was all so clear to him now.  Carter Hall was but a vessel, and this metal had refilled that vessel and restored his power.  But, Shiera, where was she?  Could she be alive as well?  

“She is indeed, Hawkman, and you will be joining her soon enough!” A voice spoke and Carter, Hawkman, spun to face it.  From the shadows near the throne, a pair of figures stepped forth.  The one who spoke was slender, and garbed in ancient egyptian attire of a royal purple color.  The other was unlike anything Carter had ever seen.  Blue armor covered a massive frame, and the face was so inhuman, so alien.  

“No, not alien. Mutant would be the colloquial term, I believe.”  The voice said coldly as he sat himself down upon the throne.  “My servant's name is En Sabah Nur, and you may call me Immortus.  We have been slumbering here for many centuries, awaiting your arrival.  I am not disappointed. You have even done me the courtesy of wounding Superman with your mace.  How considerate.”  He gestured to the bodies of the soldiers that Superman had rescued before continuing.  “They, however, will not be necessary.”  He glanced to En Sabah Nur.  “You may remove them.”

“Like hell you will, monster!” Hawkman yelled, as he charged towards the blue-armored giant.  Its blue lips curled upwards in a sinister smile and his arm shot out towards Hawkman faster than he could see, sending him sprawling back towards Superman.  

“Immortus calls me by my true name, but you may call me Apocalypse!” A booming voice roared from the blue giant.  “You are all inferior creatures, unfit to survive!”  

As Hawkman shakily pulled himself to his feet, he saw Superman doing the same.  The rest of the team had nearly reached them now, but there was no time.  Time.  He felt everything slow down around him as though it were all under water.  Carter slowly turned to see Immortus gesturing towards them with some device.  Whatever it was, it was slowing them to a crawl!  Apocalypse, however was unaffected, charging towards Superman at full speed.  Hawkman couldn’t shout a warning to his friend in time, and Superman was sent flying against the rock wall.  Apocalypse then reached down and picked up the two Hydra soldiers that Superman had saved, smashing their heads together with sickening force before throwing them aside like dolls.

Liberty Belle was the first to reach the battle, yelling a battle cry as she attempted a double-fisted uppercut on the armored giant.  It was no use, however.  They all seemed to be moving like molasses, and Immortus simply laughed as Apocalypse swatted the brave heroine away like an insect.  Crimson Avenger fired a gas pellet into the fray, but it too had no effect on Apocalypse.  Johnny Quick ran in to grab Belle, but even his speed was no match for the towering mutant.  Hawkman struggled to stand as the world went black around him.  Where was Al?  He hoped his friend was okay.  As he collapsed onto the tile floor, he heard only the sound of Immortus’ laughter...    

Cop and a Half: Episode 6 - Broken Fang

There was no real time for Lem to recover.  Despite the healing efforts of the remaining priests of the temple, the world swam around him.  After barricading the temple, Valeros had sent runners to the Sheriff to inform him of what they had found.  The temple had now been turned into a temporary headquarters for the officers of Sandpoint.

Lem Starting Deck
BoGx3
BoCalistria
BoIomedae
Sling
Burglar
Sage
Night Watch
Amulet of Life
Bracers of Protection
Holy Light
Cure
Lightning Touch
Aid

Valeros was standing, eyes-closed, at the barricade he had constructed.  His mind was focused on only one thing: the dragon.  He had never faced one himself, but had always longed to test himself against such a foe.  He had come a long way, and killed a lot of things to reach this point, and he would not be deterred.

Valeros Starting Deck
BoGx3
Chainmail x2
Magic Leather Armor
Masterwork Tools
Spyglass
Longsword
Warhammer
Longbow
Glaive
Shock Longbow +1
Sheriff Hemlock
Archer
 
Lem shuffled over to the shelves lining the small room, looking at the vials on the shelves for anything that would help them in the inevitable battle.  Sadly, it appeared that no dragon-destroying liquids rested on these musty shelves.

Turn 1
Lem – BoG
Temple
Potion of Energy Resistance – Int = D4 = 2 = Fail

Valeros' eyes opened.  It was time.  He kicked the barricade, hard, and a satisfying crunch came from within the tunnels.

Turn 2
Valeros – BoPharasma
Temple
Ancient Skeleton – Reveal and recharge Warhammer + Melee = 13 = success
Close location

Lem heard familiar music, and knew what it meant.  He knew Valeros would never succumb to it, but the same could not be said for these other officers.  As expected, one began to draw his blade and come towards Valeros from behind.  Lem was ready, and sent non-lethal lightning coursing through the man.  What he did not expect, was that the man was not alone.  A sharp clang sounded from behind him, as a guards blade was turned back by the powers of the amulet that Lem wore around his neck.

Turn 3
Lem – BoEerastil
Desecrated Vault
Traitor – Lightning Touch = D10+1+2D4 = 9 = 2 damage
Amulet of Life to reduce
Amulet recharge success
Lightning Touch recharge fail

Valeros was already in the tunnels, working his way towards the vault below.

Turn 4
Valeros – BoIomedae
Desecrated Vault
BoIomedae – Charisma = D6 = 2

Lem was also in the tunnels, leaving the other officers behind.  He never thought he would say this, but he felt safer with Valeros.  The familiar presence of Ancient Skeletons greeted them as they entered the vault.  Lem would gladly help them move on.

Turn 5
Lem – BoG
Desecrated Vault
Ancient Skeleton – Holy Light = D10+1+2D12 = 20 = Success
Recharge fails
Roll for Vault ability – 3
Divine check to close – D10+1+D10 = 10 = Success

Valeros wasted no time in the vault, and moved quickly to where he last encountered the dragon.  He was not disappointed.  The great beast watched Valeros enter, calling out to him.
"You are a fool to return, human.  These depths are my domain, and you will die here, returning only to serve me in death."
The creature did not count on Valeros' single-mindedness and resolve.  He did not even waste time unsheathing his weapons.  He dove at the creature, swinging around its scaly neck and plunging his fist into its eye.  The beast roared in pain, thrashing and throwing Valeros off of it with great force.

Turn 6
Valeros – BoG
Shrine to Lamashtu
Black Fang – Valeros fails con – D4-1 Damage = 1 damage = Discard Archer
Valeros – Strength + BoG + Lem BoG + Lem Aid = D10+D10+D10+D6 = 18 = Success
Location Closed
Lem Recharge Success

Lem was impressed and appalled at the courage and foolhardiness displayed by Valeros.  He followed close behind the man, but he wasn't certain whether he was going to be of any use to him in this encounter.  No matter what, though, it was going to make for one hell of a story if they survived.

Turn 7
Lem – BoErastil
Throne Room
Strength – Divine = D10+1 = 11 = Success
Discard Sage explore – Pot of Fort = Int = D6 = 6 = Success
Discard Burglar Expore – Eyes of the Eagle – Wisdom = D6 = 4 = Fail

They approached what must be the dragon's lair.  It was an ancient and ornate chamber, lined with various items.  Standing in the center was another of the dragon's thralls.  Unlike the others, though, this one was very much alive.  An ogre!  Much like the one that they had encountered before, when the village was attacked by poison traps.  How long had this dragon been at work here?  Valeros had come too far to be deterred by this creature, though.  He simply walked up to the smiling giant and punched it directly in the loincloth with a sickening crunch.  The ogre would be no further threat.

Turn 8
Valeros – BoTorag
Throne Room
Ogre – Strength + BoG + Lem recharge + Lem Strength Spell = D10+D10+D4++3 = 16 = Success
Strength recharge  fail
Spyglass reveals rat swarm and secret stash

Sifting through the treasures in the room, Lem found a very nice spiked chain.  Perhaps this would be useful against the dragon?  He placed it in his pack for the time being.

Turn 9
Lem – BoIrori
Secret Stash – Wisdom +BoG + Valeros BoG = 9 = Success
Spiked Chain, Rat Swarm, Wooden Shield – Takes Spiked Chain

Valeros proceeded through the chamber as fast as possible.  Rats were swarming out of the tunnels on the far side, no doubt disturbed by the cowardly dragon's fleeing steps.  The crunch of their bones beneath his boots didn't even register to his ears.

Turn 10
Valeros – BoGorum
Rat Swarm – Melee + Reveal Glaive = D10+3+D10 = 12 = Success = Rat Swarm not coming back

Lem desperately looked for more useful items in the piles that lined the walls.  He did realize by this point that Valeros would never wait for him and he certainly didn't want to be alone in this place.  Cursing, he threw a flimsy wooden shield aside and ran to catch up to the man, gingerly avoiding the pool of ogre blood and rat carcasses.

Turn 11
Lem – BoDesna
Wooden Shield – Con – D6 = 3 = fail

Valeros was close now.  He could smell the beasts fear, and it sent his blood pumping.  It wouldn't be long now...

Turn 12
Valeros – BoCalistria
Short Sword – Melee = D10+3 = 8 = Success

Lem had lost him.  He had really lost Valeros.  The man was nowhere in sight, and tunnels branched off of the main chamber in all directions.  As terrified as he was, he knew he couldn't stay here, and all manner of undead guarded the way back to the temple.  He really had no choice but to go on.

He chose the tunnel that looked the most well-traveled, and moved with a cautious gait.  Minutes went by in the darkness as he traveled deeper.  Every sound sent a chill through his spine.  A flash, a reflection of metal followed by a grunt of pain, nearly blinded Lem.  He offered a prayer to Iomedae and sent a stone towards the source of the battle.

There was what felt like a lifetime of silence, followed by an earth-shaking crash.  Lem dared to move closer, seeking his partner in the gloom of the cave.  His bare feet stepped in something warm, and his heart froze.  Daring to light a torch from his pack, he found himself standing in a small river of blood.  He almost couldn't bear to look.

Turn 13
Lem – BoG
Black Fang – Banish Potion of Fortitude to pass Con – Valeros fails Con – D4-1 Damage = 1 damage
Lem – Reveal and recharge Sling + Dex + BoIomedae + Valeros = D8+D6+D4+D8+D4 = 13 = Success

When he did finally risk a glance, he saw that it was not his partner, but the dragon who lay in ruins.  A neat hole had been made in the beasts other eye, and out the back of it's scaly head.  Lem couldn't breathe.  Had he...had he just slayed a dragon?

Valeros rested against a nearby wall, battered, bruised, but alive.  He looked through swollen eyes at his tiny savior.  He thought back to when he had first met the halfling, only a fortnight ago.  He had immediately assessed him as a lazy nuisance, undeserving of the badge of a protector.  He was wrong.  This halfling had more heart and courage than a dozen men he had known.  He was proud to call him his partner.

Scenario Reward – Lem = BoPharasma, Valeros = Quarterstaff
Adventure Reward – Lem = Charisma, Valeros = Strength

Postgame Analysis

This session went much better for our heroes!  Lem is very fragile due to his hand size and relative lack of ways to reduce damage, so I had to play a lot more cautiously this time around than in my first attempt through this scenario.  I think it still worked out rather well.

As I move forward with this narrative, I find myself making decisions based more on the narrative than what might be optimal for the game.  That's not a bad thing for me, but it might irk some readers, and I apologize if it does.  For example, deciding to close up the temple almost immediately wasn't a very good min/max decision.  I could have farmed that in safety for several turns, but would Valeros really do that in my story?  The answer was, of course, hell no he wouldn't.

I'm very excited to move into the AP now.  Lem and Valeros both took their "expected" skill feats for their primary attributes.  They might diversify a little bit later, but for now it seemed like a prudent decision.

Thanks for reading!

Cop and a Half: Episode 5 - Bitten By The Fang

Lem awoke with a start.  At the foot of his bed was a tall figure, silhouetted by pre-dawn moonlight.  He felt his stomach churn; not out of fear, but because he had drank his weight in wine the night before.  Noting the dozen weapons protruding from the figure, he mumbled, "Ugh...What is it Val?"

Lem starting deck
BoGx3
BoIomedae
BoCalistria
Amulet of Life
Bracers of Protection
Burglar
Sage
Night Watch
Aid
Cure
Inflict
Lightning Touch
Sling

A gruff voice replied from the darkness, "Never call me that.  Get up, the chief needs us."  With that, he turned and left the room.  Lem knew he wouldn't be waiting for him, so he cobbled together as much of his gear as he could in the dark without vomiting, and set off into the streets of Sandpoint.

Valeros Starting Deck
BoGx3
Chainmail x2
Magic Leather Armor
Crowbar
Spyglass
Longsword
Warhammer
Longbow
Glaive
Shock Longbow +1
Sheriff Hemlock
Archer

Upon entering the Sheriff's office, they found it was a swirling scene of activity.  Something big had gone down, that much was certain.  Sheriff Hemlock didn't even turn to look at them as they approached.  "You two, get down to the temple right away.  We have reports of attacks all over Sandpoint, and we're dividing our forces to try and cover as much ground as possible.  Get moving!"

As the pair ran to the nearby temple, Lem couldn't help but feel like the Sheriff was being purposefully vague.  Most of his conscious thought was still focused on keeping the contents of his stomach in check, but he still had a bad feeling about this one.  He looked to Valeros, who looked unshaken as usual.  How that man could pack away as much booze as he did and still be so composed made Lem jealous.

The streets were quiet, which also seemed strange, given the Sheriff's briefing.  Upon entering the temple, everything also appeared to be at peace.  Lem offered a quick prayer to the gods before moving forward.

Turn 1
Lem – BoShelyn
Temple
BoTorag – Divine – D10+1 = 2 = fail

Valeros wasted no such time, though.  He was already poking through every book on the shelf of the altar.  It was clear that he had no respect for the sanctity of this holy place.

Turn 2
Valeros – BoG
Temple
Holy Light – Wisdom + Lem Recharge + Lem BoG + Valeros BoG = D4+D4+D4+D4 = 12 = success

Well, no sense in me holding back, Lem thought.  He approached a nearby spear affixed to the wall.  It was clearly ornate, possibly magical, gleaming in the candlelight.  As he reached out to touch it, a scream sounded from a nearby room.

Turn 3
Lem – BoShelyn
Icy Longspear +1 – Strength – D4 = 3 = fail

Valeros was already in motion.  He kicked in the door to the abbot's chambers and was confronted by a pair of shambling skeletal creatures.  Their bones had long since aged to the point of decay, but new growths had appeared in their place, leaving them hulking and even more unnatural.

Lem and Valeros wasted no time.  Valeros cleaved one in half with his longsword, while Lem blasted his with a holy light fueled by the gods of this place.

Turn 4
Valeros – BoG
Gives holy light to Lem
Guidance – Wisdom = D4 =4 = success
Discard Sheriff Hemlock explore – Ancient Skeleton (one per hero, from scenario)
Ancient Skeleton – Melee + Reveal and recharge longsword + Lem Recharge Bracers of Prot = D10+3+D8+D6+D4 = 25 = success
Lem Ancient Skeleton from Scenario – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+1+2D12+D4 = 25 = Success
Holy Light Recharge successful
Automatically close location

Upon examining the room, Lem saw that the priest inhabiting the room was beyond helping.  He muttered a prayer for the man as he continued to scan the room.  It was then that he saw a small alcove behind a toppled bookcase.  He began moving towards it, and nearly fell over as a sword flashed out of the darkness.  From the shadows, a member of the Night Watch staggered out.  He was moving erratically, like a zombie.  Not good.  Lem held his hands out to stop the man, but the glazed over expression he held told Lem that no one was home.  Lem channeled negative energy into the man, but not enough to kill.  There had been enough killing in this holy place.

Turn 5
Lem – BoTorag
Desecrated Vault
Traitor – Discard Night Watch – Inflict – D10+1 +D6 = 13 = Success
Recharge failed

Moving past the unconscious man, Valeros saw the alcove led to a crudely carved tunnel.  Once inside, he came across the tools that had been used to excavate it.  He noted that they were very fine tools with superior craftsmanship.  Interesting.  He placed them in his pack for the time being.

Turn 6
Valeros – BoTorag
Desecrated Vault
Masterwork Tools – Dex + BoG + Lem Aid + Recharge Sage + Guidance = D8+D8+D6+D4+1=15=Success
Aid Recharge fail

Following behind Valeros, Lem heard soft music flowing from the deep tunnels.  He was filled with dread as his will to move was sapped by the haunting notes.  Suddenly, his vision went black as a sharp pain echoed through his skull.  Shaking off his temporary blindness, he turned to see Valeros, holding his longsword pommel-first towards Lem.
"Good, you're back." He said, and pushed past the halfling.

Turn 7
Lem – BoErastil
Satyr – Dex + BoCalistria = 3D8 = 6 = Fail = 3 damage

The tunnels were dark, but a soft light was emanating from a short distance down the tunnel.  Valeros suspected that it opened up into a larger chamber.  Steeling himself against whatever might be behind this, he cautiously moved into the chamber.

Unfortunately, he was not prepared for the tail of a dragon.  The great beast's thick tail hit him like a swinging tree, knocking him off his feet and against the wall.  If not for his armor, he would surely be in dire straits.

Turn 8 
Valeros – BoIomedae
Black Fang – Lem fails Con, Valeros passes Con – D4-1 Acid damage = 0 damage
Valeros – Strength + Lem Recharge Iomedae + Lem recharge Burglar = D10+D10+D4 = 9 = fail = 3 damage
Bury Chainmail to reduce damage to 0 
Location remains open, Villain is shuffled with 2 blessings from the timer and locations are reshuffled

The creature moved too fast for Lem to follow, despite it's size.  Instead, he took aim with his sling at what he could see in the dim light.  Skeletons were emerging from their resting places lining the walls of this chamber.  One went down to a well-placed stone.  Others were coming.

Turn 9 
Lem – BoG
Skeleton – Dex + Reveal Sling + Valeros = D8+D6+D4 = 11 = Success
Roll for Undead to be defeated for Vault – 6 

Valeros had only one target in his sights, however.  This dragon was surely behind this madness, and he would see it dead.

Turn 10
Valeros – BoIrori
Black Fang – Lem fails Con, Valeros fails Con – D4-1 Acid Damage to Lem – 2 damage – Amulet of Life D4-1 Acid Damage to Valeros – 1 damage 
Amulet Recharge fails
Valeros  - Reveal and recharge shock longbow+1 +recharge archer + Lem Recharge = D8+1+D10+D4+D4 = 16 = Success
Location Closed

As Valeros chased the black dragon through the catacombs, Lem was trying to hold off the amassing undead that were approaching them from behind. Try as he might, though, the hordes of undead were closing in from all sides.  They had to get out of this place before they were overwhelmed.
"Valeros!  We can't stay here!" Lem cried, as he backed himself to a safer vantage point.
"We need to get some help down here.  We're no good to this town dead!"  Valeros stopped himself long enough to see the truth of what the halfling was saying.  Snatching Lem up, he bull-rushed the decaying corpses in their path, and ran back to the safety of the temple.

Turn 11
Lem – BoG
Throne Room
Plague Zombie – Holy Light – D10+1+2D12 = 30 = Success
Recharge fails
Out of cards
Opt to head back to town

Constructing a barricade over the passage with his newfound tools, Valeros swore an oath that this was not over.  The dragon would die.

Post-game Analysis

So, this is the session where "shit got real" for me. I was fortunate enough to get a couple of nice upgrades, but unlucky enough for Lem to be in the danger zone on health pretty early on. Losing out on the icy longspear hurt, though.

Still, any adventure you can walk away from is a success of sorts :)