Cop and a Half Episode 30 - Thassilonian Sins

They wandered the myriad hallways for what felt like an eternity.  Lem and Valeros had both lost count of the times they had turned a corner or entered a room, only to find it was one they had already traversed.  Lem hated to admit it, but he was starting to lose hope that they would ever find their way out.

Lem
Male Halfling Bard Charlatan
Card Feats: Spell x2, Blessing, Armor, Item
Skill Feats: Charisma +4, Intelligence +1
Power Feats: 
Light Armor proficiency 
Once per check, recharge a card to card to add 1D4+3 to a check attempted by another character at your location
Add 2 to your check to acquire an ally or defeat a henchman
Starting Deck
Venomous Heavy Crossbow +2
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Staff of Heaven and Earth
Incendiary Cloud
Haste
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Mass Cure
Hide Armor of Fire Resistance
Toad
Merchant
Saber Toothed Tiger
BoPharasma x2
BoGozreh
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoIrori

Valeros was itching for a fight, as usual.  Why did these monsters and masterminds insist on hiding away behind labyrinths and inane traps? Let's face it, it wasn't a winning strategy for them, historically speaking.

Valeros 
Male Human Fighter Weapon Master
 Card Feats: Weapon x2, Item, Blessing, Ally
Skill Feats: Strength +4, Constitution +1
Power Feats: 
Hand Size 5
Add 1d4+4 to another character’s combat check at your location
You may use Melee in place of Ranged when using a weapon with the Ranged trait
Starting Deck
Fanged Falchion
Dancing Scimitar+2
Impaler of Thorns
Longsword +2
Scythe+1
Bastard Sword +1
Mokmurian’s Club
Magic Chain Mail
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Wand of Treasure Finding
Emerald Codex
Staff of Minor Healing
Grizzled Mercenary
Burglar
Charmed Red Dragon
BoCalistria
BoGorum
BoTorag
BoAbadar

Lem rounded yet another corner in the maze of hallways, and found himself face to face with a horde of zombies.  Well, at least this was new.  He could hear Valeros breathe an audible sigh of relief as he unsheathed one of his many weapons.  Even their new tiger companion was itching for a fight.  Together, they dove into the mass of living corpses.  All too soon, for Valeros at least, their enemies were dispatched.

Turn 1
Lem - BoGozreh
Shimmering Veils of Pride
Restoration - Divine = D10+5 = 12 = Success = recharge a card
Restoration - Lem
Discard Merchant explore - Zombie Nest - Each character summons and encounters a zombie henchman
Lem - Holy Light + Valeros = D10+5+2D12+D4+4 = dead zombie = recharge a card
Valeros - Yep, dead zombie
Zombie Nest banished forever
Recharge Holy Light = Success = recharge a card
Discard Saber Toothed Tiger explore - Greatsword = auto-fail

Fortunately for him, the sound of their battle had roused other nearby abominations.  A zombie giant charged towards him, followed by what appeared to be a werewolf.  As expected, they were no match for Valeros' martial prowess.  He sincerely hoped there were some deadlier foes ahead, when he suddenly heard a noise coming from the next room.  It was laughter.

Marching into the next room, Valeros saw a rotund giant on a throne.  From it's chest sprouted tentacles of some kind.  Valeros didn't really want to think about it too much.

"So, you have defe..ACK" This, followed by a gargling sound, was the last the fat giant would ever make as Valeros caved in it's skull with his club.  He was done with the monologues these idiots tried to make.

Turn 2
Valeros - BoNorgorber
Shimmering Veils of Pride
Zombie Giant - Mokmurian’s club = D10+7+D10+2 = 19 = Success = recharge a card
Discard BoTorag explore - Jordimandus - summon and encounter a random monster
Werewolf - Mokmurian’s club = D10+7+D10+2 = 14 = Success = recharge card from discard and recharge a card from hand
Mokmurian’s club + Lem recharge + Wand of Enervation = D10+7+D10+2+D4+3 = 27 = no need to roll for wand
Recharge wand = Fail
Location Closed

"You know, I think I'm starting to figure this place out." Lem said as he inspected the throne room.

"Oh?" Valeros replied, wiping his club on giant's robes.

"Yeah.  So this guy, Karzoug, and the other Thassilonians, they are fueled by sin, right?  So, if this runewell is a source of his power, then maybe each of the sins is represented here.  Like, for example, that succubus?  Lust.  This guy? Sloth.  I don't know.  It makes as much sense as anything."

"Well, I hope you're right, because it means I have at least a few more people left to kill in this place."

Turn 3
Lem - BoNorgorber (these things come in packs, apparently)
Ravenous Crypts of Gluttony
Goblin Dog - Lightning Bolt = D10+5+3D6 = Auto-success = banished forever
Recharge lightning bolt = Success

They entered the next chamber and found another giant, resting on a pile of furs, surrounded by gems and gold.

"OK, so this is almost stereotypical at this point, but...Greed?" Valeros said calmly, visibly unimpressed at the slender giant.

Turn 4
Valeros - BoBorgorber (seriously?!)
Ravenous Crypts of Gluttony
BoGozreh - Fail
Emerald Codex - Consecration, Augury, Sanctuary
Augury - Villain - Ordikon on top of deck

"Yeah, I guess so." Lem fired a crossbow bolt before the giant could even speak, which lodged itself in the massive chest of the creature.

"Hah, you will need to do be..." His words were cut off by another bolt, this time through his mouth.

"Man, you seriously hit on something there with that whole 'cutting them off during their monologue' thing.  Why didn't we ever think of that before?" Lem asked while casually inspecting the treasure that surrounded the fallen giant.

Turn 5
Lem - BoLamashtu
Ordikon - Venomous Heavy Crossbow+2 + BoErastil + Valeros = D8+D10+2+2D8+D4+4 = 28
Roll to see if defeated - 1 - undefeated and immediately encountered again
 Discard Venomous Heavy Crossbow+2 + BoPharasma + Charmed Red Dragon + Valeros = D8+D10+2+D12+5+D4+4 = 27 = Success
Dragon roll - 3
Location closed

They continued onward, and soon found another of Delvahine's sisters, a succubus which was easily dispatched by Valeros.  At least they were finally making progress again, Valeros thought.

Turn 6
Valeros - BoG
Festering Maze of Sloth
Succubus - Reveal and recharge Fanged Falchion = D10+7+4D4+2= 24 = Success

They were both feeling confident at this point that their journey through these halls would be an easy one.  Lem let his guard down, and paid the price as a blade pierced him from behind.  He sucked in an involuntary breath, and immediately felt his lungs filling with blood.  He turned as he fell, spotting his assailant: a wretched zombie clad in black rags and wielding a wicked curved blade.  It flashed a grin full of sharp teeth as Lem fell.

Turn 7
Festering Maze of Sloth
Mass Cure - D4+1 to both
Lem - 5
Valeros - has no cards in discard
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail
Swipe - Divine = auto-success
Discard BoPharasma explore - Scrying - Arcane = D10+5 = 6 = Fail
Discard Toad explore - BoCalistria - Divine = Auto-success
Discard BoCalistria explore - Xyoddin Xerriock - Swipe + Valeros = D10+5+D8+D4+4 = 15 = Fail = 3 damage (-3 to difficulty then +2 for his ability)
Recharge Swipe - Fail

Valeros tried to charge the zombie, but it was incredibly fast, disappearing down the hallway in a flash.  Valeros considered chasing it, but Lem needed tending to.  The wound was serious, possibly fatal if he didn't receive aid.

Turn 8
Valeros - BoG
Thieves Tools - banish forever
Discard BoCalistria explore - Cryptic Message - Fail - banish
Discard Grizzled mercenary explore - Archer - banish forever 

Valeros helped Lem to his feet and did his best to staunch the bleeding.  Fortunately, Lem was able to sputter out the words of healing that he so desperately needed.  He was not fully healed, but well enough to continue.

Lem was angry, mostly at himself.  He had been through so much, and grown so powerful, that it was almost an embarrassment to be so injured by a zombie of all things.  Following the path the zombie had taken, he saw more of the things brethren. Lem punched one of the zombies, and bile exploded from the thing's chest cavity, splashing onto Lem and Valeros both.

OK, that was it, Lem thought. No more Mr. Nice Halfling.  He blasted the room with frost and shattered each zombie, including the one that had stabbed him, one at a time.

Turn 9
Lem - BoDesna
Plague Zombie - Strength + Valeros + Recharge Saber Toothed Tiger = D4+D4+4+D6 = 9 = Fail = 2 damage
Recharge Hide Armor of Fire Resistance to reduce to 0
Banish zombie and each character makes a constitution check
Lem D6 = 2 = Fail = 1 acid damage
Valeros D8+1 = 5 = Fail 2 acid damage
Haste explore - Xyoddin - Frost Ray + Valeros = D10+5 + 2D6 + D4+4 = 24 = Success
Recharge Haste = Fail
Recharge Frost Ray = Success
Constitution Check to Close Location + BoGozreh = 3D6 = 8 = Fail

Valeros let his friend do what he needed to do while he moved on.  He came to a room where yet another giant sat upon an opulent throne.  In keeping with their new strategy of simply killing everything before it could speak, he charged and broke as many of the giant's bones as he could.  Satisfied, he returned to his partner.

Turn 10
Valeros - BoSarenrae
Vault of Greed
Goblin Warrior - Come on, so dead = Banished forever
Discard BoGorum explore - Azaven - Con check + Lem BoErastil = 2D8+1 = 6 = Fail = D4+1 cards from Deck discarded = 5
Mokmurian’s Club + Dancing Scimitar + Lem BoPharasma = D10+7+D10+2+D6+2+D10 = 31 = Success 

"All right, so we've got greed, gluttony, sloth, lust...where are the others?" Valeros asked his friend, who had his hands on his knees, panting from his exertion in punching every zombie in the room to pieces.

"Hmm...maybe they died already?  I guess we'll find out."

Scenario Victory!
Reward - Staff of Hungry Shadows, Summon Monster, Ordikon’s Staff

Post-Game Analysis
That was a really quick one.  It was nice to not have to chase the villains around for a change.  Kill and move on, just the way Valeros likes it.  Not much really happened this time around, and even the loot at the end was sub-par.  The only one I kept was the staff of hungry shadows, and even then I can't make the damn thing work for me.  Ah well, got another episode coming tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Cop and a Half Episode 29 - The Halls of Seduction

The first thing that struck Lem as they crossed through the portal was the heat.  It was oppressive.  Stifling.  Especially considering that they had been on an icy mountaintop only moments before.  He coughed and knelt for a moment, trying to take in his new surroundings.

Lem
Male Halfling Bard Charlatan
Card Feats: Spell x2, Blessing, Armor, Item
Skill Feats: Charisma +4, Intelligence +1
Power Feats: 
Light Armor proficiency 
Once per check, recharge a card to card to add 1D4+2 to a check attempted by another character at your location
Add 2 to your check to acquire an ally or defeat a henchman
Starting Deck
Venomous Heavy Crossbow +2
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Staff of Heaven and Earth
Incendiary Cloud
Haste
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Mass Cure
Hide Armor of Fire Resistance
Toad
Merchant
Acolyte
BoPharasma x2
BoGozreh
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoIrori

Valeros, on the other hand, was hardly fazed by the transition to this new environment.  He held his falchion in one hand and longsword in the other, ready for whatever horrors might await them.  His grip on his weapons tightened involuntarily as he gazed around him.  They appeared to be inside an immaculate stone structure gilded with gold, silks, and other similarly opulent trappings.

Valeros 
Male Human Fighter Weapon Master
Card Feats: Weapon x2, Item, Blessing, Ally
Skill Feats: Strength +4, Constitution +1
Power Feats: 
Hand Size 5
Add 1d4+3 to another character’s combat check at your location
You may use Melee in place of Ranged when using a weapon with the Ranged trait
Starting Deck
Fanged Falchion
Dancing Scimitar+2
Impaler of Thorns
Longsword +2
Scythe+1
Returning Throwing Axe +1
Mokmurian’s Club
Magic Chain Mail
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Holy Candle
Emerald Codex
Staff of Minor Healing
Grizzled Mercenary
Burglar
Charmed Red Dragon
BoCalistria
BoGorum
BoTorag
BoAbadar

"Welcome, my darlings.  I'm so glad you could join me." a voice purred from the other end of the room.  In the flickering torchlight from the sconces that lined the walls, Lem could see the outline of an incredibly attractive humanoid woman.  The only oddities were a pair of horns sprouting from her head, and batlike wings that adorned her back.

A succubus; a foul demon that Lem had read about in several ancient texts.  He wasted no time in blasting the figure with a ray of frost.  It had been a while since Lem had been with a woman, but not that long.  The woman lithely dodged the blast and fled the room with a high-pitched giggle.

Turn 1
Lem - BoG
Academy
Levitate - Banish forever
Discard Boirori explore - Mistress Delvahine - Divine check 12 or no spells can be played = BoErastil = 2D10+5 = 14 = Success
Wisdom 12 check = fail = damage random character = attack spells + weapons in hand = Valeros = 1 damage = recharge magic shield to prevent
Frost Ray + BoPharasma + Valeros = D10+5+2D10+D4+3 = 32 = Success
Recharge Frost Ray = Success
Location Closed

Lem and Valeros followed after her, down a narrow hallway lined with cages.  Valeros couldn't begin to guess the purpose of those cages, nor did he care.  He had his quarry in his sights, and every step was a step closer to ending this once and for all.

Turn 2
Valeros - BoG
Iron Cages of Lust
BoIomedae - Charisma = D6 = 2 = fail
Discard BoTorag explore - Spyglass - Wisdom = D4 = 1 = Fail

from the opposite entryway, a corpse clad in the wrappings of a mummy shuffled towards them.  Lem didn't even break stride as he blasted it to ash with lightning.  This succubus was going to have to try a lot harder than that to stop them.

Turn 3
Lem - BoGorum
Iron Cages of Lust
Mummy - Lightning Bolt + Valeros = D10+5 + 3D6 + D4+3 = 30 = Success
Recharge Lightning Bolt = Success
Discard BoPharasma explore - Burglar - Banish forever - discard item per location effect

Valeros had caught up to the succubus, and swung his massive club; intending to crush her skull in one blow.  Instead, the stone wall fragmented in all directions.  This demon was agile, he gave her that much.  The fact that she continued to run told him that she knew she was no match for them, though.  Where was she leading them?  Valeros sprinted after her as she skipped into the next room.

Turn 4
Valeros - BoAbadar
Mistress Delvahine - Fail Arcane/Divine check - Fail Wisdom Check - random damage - Valeros - 3 damage from weapons in hand
Mokmurian’s Club + discard a card from hand + Lem recharge = D10+7 + D210+2 + D4+2 = 28 = Success = recharge random card
Location closed

As Lem hurried after his friend, he spotted movement in one of the nearby cages.  A low growl escaped the bars as Lem leaned closer to inspect it.  It was a tiger, a saber toothed one to be precise.  It was beautiful, almost regal despite being trapped behind bars.

"If I let you out, will you help us?  We intend to destroy this place." Lem said as he reached a hand towards the bars.  The tiger responded with what almost appeared to be a nod.  Whether it understood him or not, the growling had stopped.  What the hell, Lem thought.  What's the worst thing that could happen?  He opened the cage and the tiger stretched before lowering it's massive frame before Lem.

"Do...do you want me to get on?"  Lem asked cautiously.  The tiger only gave a curt growl in response.  Lem carefully climbed atop the massive beast, and then found himself holding on for dear life as it sprang down the hallway after Valeros and the demon.  Well, this was an interesting turn of events, Lem thought.

Turn 5
Lem - BoG
Mass Cure - D4+1 to both
Lem - 3
Valeros - 2
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail
Shimmering Veils of Pride
Saber-Toothed Tiger - Wisdom + BoPharasma + Valeros BoCalistria = 3D6 = 12 = Success
End turn per Scenario effect

Valeros skidded to a halt in what appeared to be a hub room of sorts.  Several hallways branched out from this place, and he wasn't sure which one the demon had gone down.  Fortunately, he didn't need to worry about that at the moment.  Another demon sat on a throne padded in velvet and lined in gold.

"Very well, if Delvahine will not simply end you, I suppose I shall." the demon spoke as she rose from the throne, completely bare but no less dangerous.

Valeros held his club as a batter might and gestured to the demon, "Come then, witch.  See if you can do what your mistress could not."

Instead of attacking, she simply strode towards him in an unsettlingly alluring way.  Valeros felt the tugging in the back of his mind.  He knew what this demon was trying to do, toying with his mind.  He had seen too many shopkeeper's daughters in his day to fall for that.  He swung with all of his might, and did not even glance at the broken body as it flew lifeless against the wall.

Turn 6
Valeros - BoCalistria
Throne Room
Alu-Demon Sister - Fail Arcane/Divine check - Mokmurian’s Club + Discard a card = D10+7+D10+2+D10 = 25 = Success
Diplomacy check to close Location - D6+2 = 3 = Fail

Lem was finally nearing the room that Valeros was in when his eye caught something glimmer in the torchlight.  "Whoah there," he called out, gently pulling on the tiger's mane "Might be something useful here."

Turn 7
Lem - BoG
Wand of Treasure Finding - Wisdom + Valeros BoGorum = 2D6 = 7 = Success
Bury Wand of Treasure Finding - Find a Bastard Sword+1 - No sign of Henchman or Villain

Valeros saw his companion down the hall he had entered from, and returned to him.  "What...where did you get that?" Valeros gestured to the massive cat that slinked around him, sniffing his approval at Valeros' bloodied club.

"Not important, check this out." Lem called to him.

Valeros saw there a sword, as large as he was.  Unfortunately, it was still attached to a corpse.  Well, that would be easy enough to remedy.  He batted the corpse away with his club and pulled free the sword.  It was surprisingly light for a blade so large.  Yes, he would have to make room for this.

Turn 8
Valeros - BoIomedae
Shimmering Veils of Pride
Bastard Sword+1 - Melee = D10+7 = 16 = Success
Discard BoGorum explore - Plague Zombie - Mokmurian’s Club + Lem recharge = D10+7+D10+2+D4+2 = auto-success = banished forever = recharge random card from discard

The corpse he had sent flying down the hall was not alone, however.  Valeros had disturbed a whole horde of zombies from their rest.  He glanced to Lem, who rolled his eyes at the warrior.  Valeros just shrugged.  Moments later, the hallway was clear once more.  Valeros cleaned his new blade, and the cat cleaned it's claws before moving onward.

Turn 9
Lem - BoGozreh
Zombie Horde - both fight a zombie henchman
Lem - Frost Ray + Valeros = D10+5 + D4+3 = auto-kill
Valeros = for real do I need to list it out at this point?  = auto-kill = recharge random card from discard
Zombie Horde banished forever
Recharge Frost Ray = Success

"You are both very rude guests, do you know that?" the now-familiar voice purred from the end of the hall.  "Come now, how will you make it up to me?"

Valeros winked subtly at his partner and began to walk casually towards the demoness.  "Yes, that's right.  Come to me my lovely." she called to him.

As he neared, hands outstretched towards her, she smiled a toothy grin at Valeros.  Just as he reached her, he smiled a grin of his own and swung with his bare fist like lightning.  Some of her teeth were sent flying as Lem let out an audible "Ooohhhhh" from the end of the hall.  That had to hurt.  She screamed in pain and rage, and fled away from the pair once again.

Turn 10
Valeros - BoGozreh
Mistress Delvahine - Fail Arcane/Divine check - random damage equal to attack spells and weapons - 5 damage lol - Strength + Lem Recharge + Lem BoAbadar + Wand of Enervation = D10+7+D4+2+D10 = 21
Wand = -6 to difficulty = 19 = really surprising success
Recharge wand = Success
Location Closed

Lem followed her to the throne room and saw her there, spitting out a few more of her razor-sharp teeth that Valeros had knocked loose.  The tiger stalked towards her, fur-raised and growling.

Turn 11
Lem - BoNorgorber
Throne Room

Valeros arrived moments later.  He hoped that the succubus would not flee down one of the many hallways that lined the room.  Perhaps his punch had knocked some of the sense out of her.

Turn 12
Valeros - BoNorgorber
Throne Room
Half-Plate - Banished Forever
Discard BoAbadar Explore - Longsword - Banished Forever

"Come now, little one, you do not wish to harm me, do you?" she whispered to Lem through bloodied gums.  "We could have so much fun together."

Lem hesitated, then stopped altogether.  Why would he want to harm her?  They could have a really good time here.  There was no need to fight.

Turn 13
Lem - BoNorgorber (yes, again)
Mistress Delvahine (#%!@) - Divine + BoGozreh = 2D10+5 = 13 = Success = can play spells
Random Damage = Lem = 1 damage 
Save myself some time and just bury a blessing and end my turn

Valeros rolled his eyes.  Sometimes, this halfling could be such an amateur.  Valeros strode past his frozen ally and planted a spear into the demon without effort.

"You really need to work on your mental defenses, pal." he said as he yanked the spear free.  "You're going to get us both into trouble one day if you don't."

Turn 14
Valeros - BoIomedae
Mistress Delvahine (I shuffled, promise) - Fail arcane/divine check, random damage = Lem 2 damage
Impaler of Thorns + Lem recharge + Staff of Heaven and Earth = D10+7+D8+2+D4+2+D4 = 31 = Success

Lem shook off the effects of the succubus' words.  Well, that was embarassing, he thought.  What now?  What else might they find in this ancient and terrible place?

Scenario Victory!
Reward - Power Feat
Lem - recharge a card to add 1D4+3 to a check attempted by another character at your location
Valeros - 1D4+4 to a combat check performed by another character at your location

Post-Game Analysis

What's this?  Another session only a day after the last?  Yep, I decided that for these last 9 or so episodes, I wanted to put out one a day.  We're so close to the end, I can't wait another 2 months to publish all of them all.  So, expect to see a lot more Cop and a Half for the next week and a half.

This scenario was fun, and fairly short compared to the ones surrounding it.  Being able to pick up the tiger was cool, and another magic weapon for Val is always welcome.  Not really sure what I was doing on turn 13 spending a blessing to be able to cast spells, then not having any spells to play, but ah well.  It worked out in the end.  See you all tomorrow with another installment!

Cop and a Half Episode 28 - No Rime Or Reason

Lem had worked with the clerics in Sandpoint for weeks, studying the word-covered body of the madman that had attacked Sandpoint with a slew of summoned monsters.  Although much of the text was illegible, there was an unmistakable reference to "Runeforge" and "Rimeskull".

Lem
Male Halfling Bard Charlatan
Card Feats: Spell x2, Blessing, Armor, Item
Skill Feats: Charisma +4, Intelligence +1
Power Feats: 
Light Armor proficiency 
Once per check, recharge a card to card to add 1D4+2 to a check attempted by another character at your location
Add 2 to your check to acquire an ally or defeat a henchman
Starting Deck
Venomous Heavy Crossbow +2
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Robe of Runes
Toxic Cloud
Haste
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Mass Cure
Hide Armor of Fire Resistance
Toad
Merchant
Acolyte
BoPharasma x2
BoGozreh
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoIrori

The Rimeskull Mountains were located far to the north, on the banks of Lake Stormunder.  Although Sandpoint's citizens had given them fast horses and ample provisions, it still took several days to reach their destination.  Fortunately, it gave the duo time to prepare and rest up before facing whatever awaited them at Rimeskull's peak.

Valeros 
Male Human Fighter Weapon Master
 Card Feats: Weapon x2, Item, Blessing, Ally
Skill Feats: Strength +4, Constitution +1
Power Feats: 
Hand Size 5
Add 1d4+3 to another character’s combat check at your location
You may use Melee in place of Ranged when using a weapon with the Ranged trait
Starting Deck
Fanged Falchion
Heavy Pick +1
Impaler of Thorns
Shock Longbow+1
Scythe+1
War Razor +1
Mokmurian’s Club
Magic Chain Mail
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Holy Candle
Emerald Codex
Staff of Minor Healing
Grizzled Mercenary
Burglar
Charmed Red Dragon
BoCalistria
BoGorum
BoTorag
BoAbadar

The climb was perilous, and freezing, but the pair managed.  After all they had been through, it would take more than some snowy mountain to stop them.  At long last, they reached the top of the Rimeskull.  Awaiting them there were 7 stone faces, gigantic in size.  The stone faces were long and ominous.  Behind them, Lem could see the yawning skull-like face that must have given the mountain its name.  They soon realized that they were not alone, however.  Lem caught movement in his peripheral vision, and signaled to Valeros to get down.

They watched as a humanoid warrior patrolled the entrance to the skull-like cavern.  Lem looked to his partner and nodded.  Valeros nodded in return and watched as a blast of lightning flew from the halfling's fingertips, leaving only scorchmarks where the man had been.  They moved cautiously forward.

Turn 1
Lem - BoG
Stone Head 1
Secret Stash - Wisdom + BoAbadar = 3D6 = 12 = Success = Mirror Image, Bracers of Protection, Mercenary = Shuffle Mirror Image into deck = Banish Secret Stash forever
Discard BoIrori explore - Mercenary - Lightning Bolt + Valeros = D10+5 + 3D6 + D4+3 = 29 = Success
Recharge Lightning Bolt = Success
Discard BoErastil explore - Bracers of Prot = Banish forever 

The electricity that Lem had discharged did not dissipate, however.  It lingered on the nearest statue, creating some kind of electrical field.  A field that grew in intensity.  Soon, lightning was flying from the statue in all directions, and a bolt struck Lem squarely in the chest.  Valeros knew his partner would be all right, and ran towards the statue with his scythe at the ready.  Would magic steel be a match for ancient magic stone?  Valeros intended to find out.  He swung with great force and was satisfied when chunks of stone flew from the stone face.  He swung again, and again, ignoring the danger of the wild lightning that surrounded him.  In a matter of minutes, the statue was reduced to rubble, and the lightning gone.

He walked back to Lem and helped the halfling to his feet.  "Well," he said as he looked to the remaining statues surrounding them, "One down, six to go"

Turn 2
Valeros - BoG
Stone Head 1
Stone Head - Combat - Scythe+1 + Lem Recharge = D10+7 + 2D4+1 + D4+2 = 16 = Success
D4-1 Electricity Damage to each character
Lem - 3
Valeros - 0
Mirror Image - 3 = Damage reduced to 0
Recharge Mirror Image = Success
Location closed

Lem, careful not to disturb the area, inspected the nearest statue more closely.  "I wonder what these are for.  Maybe they guard the entrance to the runewell?  Are they some kind of key to opening it?"  The possibilities were endless.

Turn 3
Lem - BoDesna
Stone Head 2
Headband of Alluring Charisma - Charisma = D10 = 4 = Fail
Discard Toad explore - Half Plate = Banish forever

Valeros moved to join his comrade, but instinctively raised his scythe as he sensed movement near him.  Spinning with his blade towards the movement, he saw a faceless aberration stagger backwards, falling bloody into the snow.  Yeah, they must be close to this Runewell, if garbage like this lived here.

Turn 4
Valeros - BoErastil
Stone Head 2
Faceless Stalker - Fail wisdom check = Difficulty +2 - Scythe+1 + Lem Recharge = D10+7 + 2D4+1 + D4+2 = 29 = Success
Discard BoCalistria explore - Mace = Banished forever

Lem was still inspecting the stone head.  He had already looked for a secret button or trigger.  Convinced that there wasn't one, he tried pushing the whole statue instead.  "Hey, can you give me a hand with this?  I think we might be able to move it."  Valeros steadied his feet on the frozen rocky ground and joined his partner in pushing the great carved stone.  With the sound of grinding rocks, it began to move.  The sound prevented the pair from hearing the mechanism that sent blades flying outward from hidden openings in the rock.  Lem's halfling reflexes allowed him to avoid the blades, but not Valeros.  Ancient steel bit into his flesh.  He was more angry than injured, though.

Turn 5
Lem - BoIomedae
Raise Dead - Divine = D10+5 = 7 = Fail
Discard BoPharasma Explore - Slashing Blade = Fail dex check = D4 Combat Damage
Lem - 2
Valeros - 4
Lem recharge Hide Armor of Fire Resistance to reduce to 0
Valeros eats it

"You OK?" Lem looked to his partner.  Valeros said nothing but nodded, staring daggers at the stone head.  He began walking towards it with purpose.

"No, wait!" but it was too late.  Valeros had already triggered the trap again, and blades once again swung in all directions, hitting both of them and sending them reeling.

Turn 6
Valeros - BoTorag
Lem Mass Cure - 1d4+1 from discard to deck for both
Lem - 3
Valeros - 2
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail
Slashing Blade - Dex + Lem Recharge = D8+D4+2 = 6 = Fail = D4 combat damage to each
Lem - 1
Valeros - 2
Lem Sihedron Medallion = reduced to 0
Recharge Medallion = Fail

Lem had to shut this stupid trap down before it did any more damage.  It would be embarrassing for their epic journey to be cut short by a mere trap.  Studying the movement of the blades, he was able to locate the source of the mechanism and dismantle it.  He hoped that not every statue would be so annoying.

Turn 7
Lem - BoIomedae
Valeros Holy Candle - 3
Valeros Staff of Minor Healing - Lem
Slashing #$!%ing Blade - Dex + Valeros BoCalistria = D8 + 2D8 = 10 = BANISHED FOREVER

With the immediate danger resolved, Valeros wasted no time in charging the stone behemoth, tackling it with incredible force.  The statue shattered upon the hard ground.

"Two down."

Turn 8
Valeros - BoShelyn
Stone Head - Strength + Lem Recharge + Lem Wand of Enervation = D10+5 + D4+2 = 18 = defeated without me even needing to roll the wand
Recharge Wand = Success
Stone Head deals 1d4-1 lightning damage to each
Lem - 1
Valeros - 1
Mirror Image - 4 = damage reduced to 0
Recharge Mirror Image - Fail
Location Closed

Lem spoke a quick prayer to heal their wounds before turning his attentions to a rumbling sound approaching them.  An ogre crested the hill, no doubt summoned by the noise the pair were making.  Lem let loose a blast of holy light and send the creature tumbling back from whence it came.  He doubted that was the only monster to live on these peaks.  They needed to hurry.

Turn 9
Lem - BoGorum
Exchange Haste for Mass Cure in the discard
Mass Cure - D4+1 to both 
Lem - 5
Valeros - 3
Recharge Mass Cure = Success
Stone Head 3
Magic Leather Armor - Banished Forever
Discard BoPharasma Explore - Ogre - Holy Light = D10+5 + 2D6 = 18 = Success
Recharge Holy Light = Success

Valeros was certainly not wasting any time.  While his partner went about his business, Valeros was already hacking away at the third statue.  He watched with a grim smile as the stone head crashed back to the earth.

"That's three."

Turn 10
Valeros - BoShelyn
Stone Head 3
Headband of Inspired Wisdom - Fail
Discard BoTorag explore - Stone Head - Heavy Pick+1 + Lem Recharge = D10+7 + D6+1 + D4+2 = 21 = Success = Stone Head deals D4-1 damage to all
Lem - 1
Valeros 2
Lem Sihedron Medallion = reduced to 0
Valeros bury Magic Chain Mail = Reduced to 0
Medallion recharge = Success
Location Closed

It appeared that Valeros had the stone heads well in hand, so Lem turned to the rubble, searching for any clues held within the statues themselves.  To his surprise, he found a staff in one that radiated with magical energy.  What might the others hold?

Turn 11
Lem - BoIrori
Stone Head 4
Sling = Banished Forever
Discard Merchant explore - Wooden Shield = Banished forever
Discard BoIrori explore - Staff of Heaven and Earth - Divine = D10+5 = 8 = Success
Discard BoAbadar explore - Battered Chest - Banish forever

"FORE!"

Lem was shaken from his reverie by the shout from Valeros.  He barely had time to dodge out of the way of the huge chunk of stone that flew through the air towards him, as the rest of the statue tumbled down nearby.

"Hey? watch it, will you?"  Lem yelled even as he sifted through the rubble of the newly fallen statue.

Turn 12
Valeros - BoLamashtu
Stone Head 4
Stone Head - Reveal and Recharge Scythe+1 + Lem recharge = D10+7 + 3D4+1 + D4+2 = 21 = Success = D4-1 damage to both
Lem - 1
Valeros - 3
Lem Mirror Image - 2 = Damage reduced to 0
Valeros Bury Magic Half-Plate = Damage reduced to 0
Recharge Mirror Image = Success
Location Closed

Lem loosed a lightning bolt at yet another mountain-dweller come to prey upon them.  So far, they had only attracted small, lone creatures.  How long would their luck hold out?

Turn 13
Lem - BoPharasma
Stone Head 5
Sneak - Discard a card - Lightning Bolt = D10+5 + 3D6 = 25 = Success
Recharge Lightning Bolt = Success

Valeros saw the glint of metal amidst the rocky carnage he had loosed upon the mountain.  He stooped to examine it and his eyes lit up like a child's.  Weapons!  He immediately began searching for ways that he might carry his newly found arsenal.

Turn 14
Valeros - Boirori
Stone Head 5
Large Chest  - Melee + Lem Recharge = D10+7 + D4+2 = 21 = Success = D4 random weapons to hand = 4 = Returning Throwing Axe+1, Longsword+2, Longbow+1, Starknife
Discard BoGorum explore - Eyes of the Eagle = Banished forever

Lem had moved onto the next statue.  Perhaps brute strength was not the only way to subdue these rocky giants.  He raised his arms and muttered an incantation.  The statue literally melted before him, leaving no trace on the mountaintop that it had ever existed.  Wide-eyed, he turned to Valeros. Had he seen that?

No, of course he hadn't.  He was still fumbling for a way to carry his fifteenth melee weapon.  At least the guy had a hobby, he supposed.

Turn 15
Lem - BoG
Lightning Touch - Banished forever
Discard BoPharasma explore - Stone Head - Bury Toxic Cloud - Defeated
Location closed

Satisfied that he had achieved maximum weaponage, Valeros moved towards the sixth statue.  Maybe this one would be full of armor! Before he had the chance to find out, though, he found himself tumbling into a pit concealed in the mountaintop.

"Aw, c'mon!" He shouted at the gods from the rocky hole he found himself in.  All of his precariously packaged weapons were strewn about him, mocking him.

Turn 16
Valeros - BoG
Stone Head 6
Pit Trap - Dex + Lem BoErastil = 2D8 = 5 = Fail = D4 damage = 1

Lem moved to the pit and readied his crossbow as a swarm of rats emerged from tunnels in the rock.  What did those rats eat when they couldn't get fresh Valeros?  Lem would never know, as he loosed bolt after bolt at the vermin.

Turn 17
Lem - BoG
Stone Head 6
Rat Swarm - Venomous Heavy Crossbow+2 (+4 difficulty) + Valeros = D8+D10+2+D4+3 = 18 = Success = Banished forever
Discard Toad explore - Disintegrate - Arcane = D10+5 = 13 = :’(

Satisfied that the rats were dealt with, Lem helped his partner up from the pit and healed their wounds again, though no spells could heal Valeros' pride.

Turn 18
Valeros - BoShelyn
Lem Mass Cure - D4+1 to both
Lem - 3
Valeros - 2
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail
Valeros Emerald Codex - Fiery Weapon, Cure, Detect Magic
Valeros Cure - D4+1 = 4
Detect Magic - Dancing Scimitar +2 = Melee + Lem Recharge = D10+7 + D4+2 = 12 = Success
Breastplate of Fire Resistance - Constitution  D8 = 7 = Fail

"OK, Val, check this out."  Lem walked to the sixth statue and spoke arcane words aloud.  The statue vanished much like the last one had.

"Neat.  It's not as fun as breaking it into tiny pieces; but neat."

Turn 19
Lem - BoSarenrae
Exchange Haste for Mass Cure
Mass Cure - D4+1 to both
Valeros - 5
Lem - 3
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail
Stone Head - Bury Frost Ray - Defeated
Location Closed

Valeros and Lem moved to the last of the stone heads.

"All right, you want this one, or should I do it?" Valeros glanced down at his companion.

Turn 20
Valeros - BoG
Stone Head 7
Battleaxe - Banished forever

Before Lem could respond, yet another humanoid crested the peak.  This one was a humanoid woman dressed in rags.  Well, he certainly wasn't one to discriminate.  He loosed another bolt from his crossbow.

Turn 21
Lem - BoG
Stone Head 7
Cure - auto-acquire
Cast Cure - D4+1 = 3
Recharge Cure = Success
Discard BoGozreh explore - Chainmail of Cold Resistance = fail
Discard Toad explore - Hag - Fail check (no spells) = Venomous Heavy Crossbow+2 + Valeros + Wand of Enervation = D8+D10+2+D4+3 = 20 = Success = no need to roll for wand
Recharge wand = Success

"Well, looks like it's my turn then." Valeros smiled.  He pulled the emerald codex from his pack and read aloud one of the prayers to the phoenix lord.  The status melted back to the earth as the previous ones had.

Turn 22
Valeros - BoTorag
Potion of Gracefulness = Banished forever
Grizzled Mercenary explore - Stone Head - Bury Fiery Weapon (can I do that?) - Defeated
Location Closed

For a moment, nothing happened.  There was no sound or movement other than the whistling wind of the mountain.  Then all at once, the skull-like cavern began to shudder.  As it did, the earth beneath them quaked along with it.  As they tried to steady themselves, a great shadow grew until it swallowed them beneath it.

Looking up, their mouths gaped in awe at the sight of a great white dragon descending with incredible speed.  They dove to either side as it landed, shattering the ground beneath it.  The long, serpentine head whipped around to gaze at both of them in turn with cold blue eyes.

"You shall not enter the Runeforge, small things.  I shall freeze you here as a warning to any who would try."  The thunderous voice boomed from the great beast.

Turn 23
Lem - BoDesna

"Oh, I don't know, we've gotten pretty good at killing your kind." Valeros shouted to the creature.  "If you surrender now, I'll let you be my mount."

In a rage the dragon unleashed a blast of arctic air towards the pair.  This was going to be easier than Valeros had thought.  This creature was nothing but base instinct.  Predicting its attacks should be child's play.  They easily dodged the blast, circling the creature from either side.  Attacking from both sides, the lumbering beast was no match for their agility.  They clambered up either side even as the creature writhed and reared beneath them.

With a singular strike, Lem and Valeros attacked the neck of the beast with magic and steel.  The dragon continued to thrash beneath them, but they refused to relent.  Within minutes, the creature lie still on the windswept peak.

Turn 24
Valeros - BoCalistria
Sihedron Circle
Arkrhyst - Dex + Lem BoAbadar = 2D8 = 11 = Fail = D4 cold damage = 2 
1st check - Longsword+2 = D10+7+D8+2 = 22 = Success
2nd check - reveal and recharge longsword+2 + Lem BoPharasma = D10+7 + D8+2 + D6 + D10 = 29 = Sucess

They turned their attention to the cave, which had long since stopped it's shuddering.  Instead the black cavernous mouth was replaced with a shimmering vortex.

"Well, I guess that's how we get to the runeforge, eh?"  Valeros said as he sheathed his newly acquired longsword.  "Let's not keep this Karzoug waiting."

It felt good to finally be nearing the end of their long journey, Lem thought as they stepped into the portal.

Scenario Victory!
Reward - one random non-basic, non-elite boon from box of characters choice of type
Lem - Spell - Incendiary Cloud
Valeros - Weapon - Deathbane Light Crossbow+1

Post-Game Analysis

All right!  That was a really productive session.  Got something for everyone: new spells, new weapons, etc.  That Slashing Blade trap in the beginning...man I hate that trap.  I hated it just as much in my last playthrough of this campaign.  I was really sad to miss out on that Disintegrate as well, but what can you do?

Something that will quickly become a staple of this playthrough is Lem swapping spells for Mass Cure in his discard.  Without the ability to do that, all of these scenarios would be MUCH more difficult.  It's worth noting that at this point, I've finished all but the final four scenarios.  It's just a matter of typing them up.  Lots of good stuff to come!

Cop and a Half Episode 27 - Under the Sand

Lem and Valeros had spent days in the decrepit library of the black tower, searching for answers or for any information on the Thassilonian Runelords.  Even the most ancient texts in the library contained only legends and whispers of them, but it was clear that they were not to be trifled with.  They were great and powerful wizards who had corrupted the ancient virtues into their opposite: the great sins.  They had found a way to infuse their rune magic with the power of these sins.  Using this magic, they were able to forge alliances with dragons, enslave giants and more.  It was terrifying to think about.

Lem
Male Halfling Bard Charlatan
Card Feats: Spell x2, Blessing, Armor, Item
Skill Feats: Charisma +4, Intelligence +1
Power Feats: 
Light Armor proficiency 
Once per check, recharge a card to card to add 1D4+2 to a check attempted by another character at your location
Add 2 to your check to acquire an ally or defeat a henchman
Starting Deck
Heavy Crossbow
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Robe of Runes
Toxic Cloud
Haste
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Mass Cure
Hide Armor of Fire Resistance
Toad
Merchant
Acolyte
BoPharasma x2
BoGozreh
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoIrori

Their journey back to Sandpoint was long and uneventful.  The pair were silent during most of the trip.  Both had a lot on their minds, and they knew that the final battles neared with every step.  Besides, Valeros was still in the process of healing his wounds after his encounter with the Forgefiend.  When they finally reached the small coastal village, it was with a grim smile and a heavy heart.

Valeros 
Male Human Fighter Weapon Master
 Card Feats: Weapon x2, Item, Blessing, Ally
Skill Feats: Strength +4, Constitution +1
Power Feats: 
Hand Size 5
Add 1d4+3 to another character’s combat check at your location
You may use Melee in place of Ranged when using a weapon with the Ranged trait
Starting Deck
Icy Longspear+1
Heavy Pick +1
Impaler of Thorns
Shock Longbow+1
Scythe+1
War Razor +1
Mokmurian’s Club
Magic Chain Mail
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Holy Candle
Emerald Codex
Staff of Minor Healing
Grizzled Mercenary
Burglar
Charmed Red Dragon
BoErastil
BoGorum
BoTorag
BoAbadar

The villagers, however, rejoiced at the return of the pair.  They set about creating a huge feast and celebration not seen since the Swallowtail Festival that seemed so long ago.  The town square was lined with tables, and all of the local inns brought their finest foods for all to share.  The villagers cheered and congratulated Valeros and Lem, offering gifts of all kinds.  In earlier times, the pair would have been all too happy to enjoy the attention.  They did their best to put on a smile for the villagers, but both were intently focused on what came next.

Turn 1
Lem - BoIomedae
Town Square
Cloak of Elvenkind - Dex - D8 = 4 = Fail
Haste Explore - Soldier - Banish forever
Recharge Haste = Success
Discard Toad explore - Ranger Stash - Dex + Valeros BoAbadar = 3D8 = 8 = Fail
Choose not to banish

Even though their attentions were focused on the next battle, it found them first.  A great howl sounded from across the square, and Valeros was up from his seat in an instant.  He was once again thankful that he never went anywhere unarmed.  He readied his spear and turned towards the sound.  A yeth hound flew, literally, towards him.  It was quickly impaled, but Valeros knew that was only the beginning.

Turn 2
Valeros - BoSarenrae
Town Square
Guidance - Banish forever
Discard BoGorum explore - Yeth Hound - reveal Icy Longspear = D10+7+D8+1 = Auto-kill = Banish forever
Staff of minor healing on himself

Lem also readied himself, though not as quickly.  What could he say, except that the ale made in Sandpoint was some of the finest he had tasted?

Turn 3
Lem - BoPharasma
Ranger Stash - choose to fail and banish this time
Discard BoGozreh explore - Aid - Banish forever

With the hound dispatched, Valeros looked for the next threat, and found it easily.  At the top of the steps of Sandpoint Cathedral, a man dressed in rags, and covered in strange writing, was shouting at the top of his lungs.  Valeros strained to hear what the man was saying, as he moved towards the cathedral.  Much of it was unintelligible rambling, but he distinctly heard the name "Lamashtu".  That was all he needed to hear.

He stepped his pace up to a jog, then a run, towards the steps of the cathedral.  As he did so, more monsters were summoned around the madman.  A giant crab and a human that looked to be a thief of some kind. Valeros didn't need to look to know that Lem was behind him in this fight.  Using his new club he had taken from the giant lord Mokmurian, he shattered the crab's shell with ease.  As he did so, he felt strength flow into him.  Was this simply the rush of battle, or some enchantment of the weapon?  He was pleased, regardless.

Meanwhile, Lem dispatched the rogue just as easily.  As townsfolk fled around them, they turned their attentions to the madman, but he had already moved across the square towards the garrison.  For what purpose, they could not guess.  As they moved to follow, another human allied with the madman charged towards them.  Valeros batted him aside with ease, and they continued their hunt.

Turn 4
Valeros - BoSarenrae
The Scribbler - Each character at the location summons a random monster
Valeros - Giant Hermit Crab - Mokmurian’s Club = D10+7+D10+2 = auto-kill = banish forever - recharge a card from discard
Lem - Sneak - Wisdom check - choose to fail and discards BoAbadar - Frost Ray + Valeros = D10+5+2D6+D4+3 = 25 = Success
Recharge Frost Ray = Fail
Scribbler - Valeros - Mokmurian’s club + Lem recharge + Lem Toxic Cloud = D10+7+D10+2+D4+2+D6 = 31 = Success
Scribbler card effect - first time he would be defeated, he isn’t - so scribbler is shuffled along with 3 timer blessings into the locations
Recharge Poison Cloud = Success
Valeros buries Emerald Codex - Augury, Fiery Weapon, Raise Dead
Valeros uses location effect to discard Charmed Red Dragon to explore - Mercenary - Mokmurian’s Club = D10+7+D10+2 = 17 = Success
Recharge a card from discard

Lem grabbed a crossbow from the man that Valeros had slain as they passed.  He may not be the weapon-hoarder that Valeros was, but he still appreciated a nice crossbow every now and again.

Turn 5 
Lem - BoCalistria
Venemous Heavy Crossbow +2 - Dex + BoIrori = 2D8 = 15 = Success
Recharge Robe of Runes to put Frost Ray back in hand

They reached the door of the garrison just as the last guardsman fled the building. Valeros had to assume at this point that every villager must have a designated hiding spot for events such as this.  The town was attacked too often for them not to have a routine.

Turn 6
Valeros - BoShelyn
Holy Candle - 1
BoLamashtu - Int - D6 = 3 = Fail
Use location effect to discard scythe+1 to explore - Night Wach - Diplomacy + Lem recharge = D6+2+D4+2 = Auto-success
Deck empty - when closing - banish a card - banish night watch forever
Both characters recharge a card from hand and draw a card
Location closed
Scenario Effect - Wisdom check or resent hand and end turn - fail

Lem was the first inside the building.  At the other end, the insane man squatted, back to them, cackling.  What the hell was wrong with this guy?

Turn 7
Lem - BoDesna
Garrison
Elven chain shirt - banish forever

As the pair cautiously approached the huddled figure, two great beasts sprung up from the floor around it, as though breaching the surface of water.  They were bunyips; carnivorous aquatic creatures that resembled a cross between a shark and a seal.  Once they had fully surfaced, the floor beneath them solidified and returned to it's previous wooden state.  Valeros turned to his partner with a raised eyebrow, and Lem just shrugged in response.  He had no idea what was going on either.  The bunyips barked and snapped as they approached them.  Valeros almost felt bad as he clubbed them into a paste.  Almost.

Turn 8
Valeros - BoErastil
Garrison
Throwing Axe - Banish forever
Discard BoTorag explore - Bunyip - Location effect - each character there must encounter it
Valeros - fail wisdom check - Mokmurian’s Club = D10+7+D10+2 = auto-kill = banished forever
Recharge a card from discard
Lem - fail wisdom check - Venemous Heavy Crossbow+2 + Valeros = D8+D10+2+D4+3 = 13 = Success

Before they could even turn their attentions back to the madman, he had summoned yet another creature.  It was a mummy this time that shambled towards them, arms outstretched.  Valeros put a hand on Lem's shoulder to hold him steady and reached for his companion's crossbow.  Muttering a few words he had learned from the emerald codex, the bolt that was loaded became wreathed in flame.  Lem nodded, impressed, and fired into the mummy, setting it ablaze.  Valeros buried his pick in the creature's head for good measure as he strode past.

Turn 9
Lem - BoG
Mummy - Location effect - each character must encounter 
Lem - Venemous Heavy Crossbow +2 + BoErastil + Valeros + Valeros Fiery Weapon = D8+D10+2+2D8+D4+3+D4+D8 = 33 = Success
Valeros - Reveal and recharge heavy pick +1 + Lem = D10+7+D6+1+D6+D4+2 = 25 = Success
Lem Mass Cure
Lem - 4
Valeros - only has 1 card in discard
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail

The man had risen now, chanting and cackling simultaneously.  Valeros could begin to make out the writings that covered the man's flesh and was slightly relieved to see that they weren't Thassilonian runes.  Rather, they were incantations to Lamashtu.  Not much better, but better nonetheless.

Turn 10
Valeros - BoCalistria
BoG - auto-acquire
Discard BoG explore - Greataxe - Melee = D10+7 = 10 = Success

A great hound was summoned in front of the man as he continued his chants and wails.  It was similar to the yeth hound they had dispatched earlier, but far more vicious in appearance.  It flew, literally, towards them.  Even as it did so, Lem froze it solid with a ray from his fingertips.  Finally, they had reached the madman.  The man's eyes went wide, as though finally seeing the pair for the first time.  His hands shot out like lightning, catching the pair by surprise as he grabbed the wrist of each.  Suddenly, the world went black.

Turn 11
Lem - BoTorag
Half-Plate - Banish forever
Haste explore - Hound of Lamashtu - Both fail wisdom check = +2 to checks this turn
Frost Ray + Valeros - D10+5+2D6+D4+3 = 21 = Success
Recharge Haste = Success
Recharge Frost Ray = Success
Summon and defeat Bandit Henchman - Recharge a card - Heavy Venemous Crossbow+2 + Valeros = D8+D10+2+D4+3 = Auto-success
Location closed - Longsword +1 sticks around, everything else gets banished
Scenario effect - Lem fails wisdom check, resets hand and ends turn

Valeros scrambled in the pitch black darkness, fumbling for anything to steady himself.  He felt himself being assaulted on all sides from unseen foes.  He swung his club wildly in the void, and felt a satisfying connection.  He may not be able to see, but at least he wasn't helpless.

Turn 12
Valeros - BoGozreh
Shrine to Lamashtu
Cast Augury - Blessing - Magic Leather Armor, Hound of Lamashtu, Ghoul - all shuffled back in :(
BoG - Auto-acquire and take 2 damage :((
Discard BoG explore - BoCalistria - Dex - 8 = Success - 2 damage :(((
Discard BoCalistria explore - The Scribbler - Summon and encounter a random monster
Plague Zombie - Mokmurian’s Club = D10+7+D10+2 = auto-success = banish forever = recharge random card from discard
Scribblenauts - Mokmurian’s club + Lem Heavy Crossbow +Lem BoPharasma = D10+7+D10+2+D4+D10 = 30 = Success = Recharge random card from discard
Location closed - Scribbles gets shuffled into Thassilonian Dungeon and Val fails the wisdom check from scenario and ends his turn

Lem picked himself up from the ground and took in his surroundings.  Whatever the hell that madman had done, it had clearly transported him to some distant place.  As he sat up and focused, he realized that he had been here before.  Yes, though it felt like ages ago, this was the Thassilonian dungeon beneath Thistletop!  What connection did this place have with the madman?

Turn 13
Lem - BoG
Thassilonian Dungeon
Ring of Protection - Constitution - D6 = 3 = Fail
Discard Merchant explore - Lightning Touch - Banish forever

Valeros continued to fumble in the darkness.  This would teach him not to bring a torch to a celebration in the town square.  His keen hearing picked up the distant sound of movement.  He stood still, concentrating.  There was no mistaking it, it was the sound of padded feet, four legged creatures, several of them, coming his way.  He slowly readied his club until the sound was nearly upon him, and struck.  His senses didn't fail him as he heard the distinctive splatter and crunch of bone.  He hoped that he could find some damn light before anything else found him.

Turn 14
Valeros - BoG
Thassilonian Dungeon
Donkey Rats - Mokmurian’s Club - D10+7+D10+2 = auto-success - D6 for Graul Ogrekin - 4 - safe - Banished forever - Recharge card from discard
Discard BoAbadar explore - Hound of Lamashtu - Both fail wisdom checks - +2 to checks for the turn - Mokmurian’s Club + Lem recharge = D10+7+D10+2+D4+2 = 21 = Success = All but Scribibles banished - Recharge random card from discard

Valeros had found a wall, a good first step.  He used it as a guide as he moved along.  After what felt like ages, saw a dim light ahead.  He followed it as quickly as possible, and was relieved to see Lem looking around the room.

"Hey, glad you could make it." Lem said as Valeros entered the large chamber. "We're back under Thistletop, for some reason.  I remember these Thassilonian runes.

"As you should, little man.  These walls will be the last thing you see!" an unsteady voice said in the distance.

The pair looked in that direction and saw the madman once again surrounded by monsters.  Another hound and shady-looking human.  Lem buried a bolt from his newly-found crossbow into the hound, and Valeros sent the thug flying across the chamber.

Turn 15
Lem - BoG
Scribulous - Each character summons a random monster
Valeros - Traitor - Mokmurian’s Club - D10+7+D10+2 = auto-success = Banished forever
Lem - Yeth Hound - Venemous Heavy Crossbow +2 + Valeros = D8+D10+2+D4+3 = 20 = Success = Banished forever
Sribbizzle - Toxic Cloud + Holy Light + Valeros = D6+D10+5+2D6+D4+3 = 19 = Fal = Bury Hide Armor of Fire resistance to prevent all damage
Recharge Toxic Cloud = Success
Recharge Holy Light = Success

As the pair neared the madman, he summoned more monsters to his side in the form of a boar and a goblin.  Valeros felt that this guy wasn't really trying to stop them.  He was just summoning creatures because he could.  It would be amusing if the constant barrage of weak monsters were not so annoying.  Valeros and Lem easily felled the newly summoned creatures, and closed in on the madman.

"It was you, you brought the runewells back, made them full again!"  He cackled at the pair with a combination of glee and fear.  "You made them powerful again, made them real.  That's how they found me, brought me back.  You.  Please." He looked at them and his eyes shone with a brief moment of clarity.  "Stop them."

Valeros almost felt pity as his club crushed the man's skull.  Almost

Turn 16 
Valeros - BoTorag
THE MIGHTY SCRIBBLER - everyone summons and encounters a random monster
Valeros - Tickwood Boar - Fail wisdom check - Mokmurian’s Club = D10+7+D10+2 = auto-success = recharge random card from discard
Lem - Goblin Pyro - Venemous Heavy Crossbow +2 + Valeros = D8+D10+2+D4+3 = Success = Banished Forever
Pyro deals 1 damage to Lem - Sihedron Medallion absorbs it
Recharge Sihedron Medallion = Success
Finally, the final fatal finale against the demon of destruction, SCRIBBLES - Mokmurian’s Club + Discard another card + Lem recharge + BoGorum = D10+7+D10+2+D10+D4+2+2D10 = 38 = Success

Scenario Victory!
Reward - Fanged Falchion, Revelation Quill

Post-Game Analysis

That ranger cache would have been nice, and I decided to give it another shot, but it just wasn't to be.  Ranged weaponry really isn't a priority for these guys anyway.

That being said, hoo boy that Venomous Heavy Crossbow +2!  Great upgrade for Lem, even though he doesn't have weapon proficiency.

I wasn't sure I played ol' Scribbly correctly on that first encounter, but I assumed since he was undefeated, I treated it like I would if I had failed the check, and took blessings off the timer.  I suppose it didn't matter much anyway.  In the end, I was making some really poor decisions from a combination of impatience and the insane heat in my house.  Our cooler is broken and in the process of being repaired, and it was easily over 90 degrees (probably closer to 100) in my house.  Ugh.

From a story perspective, this scenario really felt like filler to me.  It did nothing to advance the plot, but was just an opportunity to bring the duo back to Sandpoint and apparently attack that poor village one last time.  Ah well, we're in the final countdown of scenarios now, so I'm sure things are about to get crazy!

Cop and a Half episode 26 – The Ancient Library

After disposing of the lamia sisters in the vault, Lem and Valeros scoured every inch of the place looking for enemies and information.  They had no trouble sweeping away the last remnants of twisted abominations that they found in the winding hallways surrounding the vault, but there there appeared to be little in the way of information that would lead them to Mokmurian, the giant mastermind behind this labyrinth of horror.

Lem
Male Halfling Bard Charlatan
Card Feats: Spell x2, Blessing, Armor
Skill Feats: Charisma +4, Intelligence +1
Power Feats: 
Light Armor proficiency 
Once per check, recharge a card to card to add 1D4+2 to a check attempted by another character at your location
Add 2 to your check to acquire an ally or defeat a henchman
Starting Deck
Heavy Crossbow
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Toxic Cloud
Haste
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Cure
Hide Armor of Fire Resistance
Toad
Burglar
Acolyte
BoPharasma x2
BoGozreh
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoIrori

Eventually, the pair returned to the vault where the sisters were found.  They were clearly the most powerful beings they had encountered in this place, so perhaps their lair would reveal more information that could aid them.  With each moment that passed, Valeros grew increasingly frustrated.  This Mokmurian was truly a coward if he would hide from them in this twisted dungeon.  Maybe he could find a spell or something on the emerald codex that would allow him to kill this giant from afar, or summon Mokmurian to them, so that he might dish out violent justice.  He sat down against the far wall of the chamber to read the codex, seeking to rest against the wall while he reached into his pack.

As he leaned back, his body fell completely through the wall!  He nearly cracked his head on the stone floor of the room hidden behind the illusory wall.  Valeros was at once annoyed and excited to find this place.  It meant the hunt was back on, but it also reminded him that powerful magic was infused into the very earth of this place, and that he could take nothing for granted.  Lem rushed into this new room to join him, but the pair hardly had a moment to spare before a new enemy was upon them!

Valeros 
Male Human Fighter Weapon Master
Card Feats: Weapon, Item, Blessing, Ally
Skill Feats: Strength +4, Constitution +1
Power Feats: 
Hand Size 5
Add 1d4+3 to another character’s combat check at your location
You may use Melee in place of Ranged when using a weapon with the Ranged trait
Starting Deck
Icy Longspear+1
Heavy Pick +1
Impaler of Thorns
Shock Longbow+1
Scythe+1
War Razor +1
Magic Chain Mail
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Holy Candle
Emerald Codex
Staff of Minor Healing
Grizzled Mercenary
Burglar
Charmed Red Dragon
Blessing of Gorum
BoTorag x2
BoAbadar

A massive humanoid creature rushed towards them.  It appeared to be an ogre, or perhaps a smaller giant, clad in full armor and wielding two gigantic swords.  The most striking feature of this monster, was the fact that it had no head.  A rotted stump, still pulsating with blood, lingered where it's neck should be.  It must be the reanimating magic that they had seen previously that allowed this creature to cling to life.

As it charged, Lem conjured a poisonous cloud around it.  It may have no head, but perhaps that bloody stump still needed oxygen.  It was worth trying, at least.  As Lem readied his wand at the creature, a skeletal creature leapt out of the shadows towards them.  Valeros blocked it's attack with the haft of his spear before swinging it around to send the ancient skull flying across the room in a thousand pieces.  That gave Lem the time he needed to discharge his wand and suck the unlife from the headless zombie.

Turn 1
Lem – BoSarenrae
Thassilonian Library
Headless Lord – Valeros encounters Ancient Skeleton +6
Lem Toxic Cloud
Valeros – Toxic Cloud + Impaler of Thorns + recharge Charmed Red Dragon = D6+D10+7+D8+1+5 = 28 = Success
Red Dragon = 8 = Success
Wand of Enervation - -8 to combat check
Recharge wand = Fail
Strength + BoPharasma + Toxic Cloud + Valeros = D4+2D4+D6+D4+3 = 14 = Success
Close location = No spell to Banish = remains open = Headless Lord shuffled back in from Scenario effect
Recharge Toxic Cloud = Success

Finally, they had a moment to take in their new surroundings.  This appeared to be a library of sorts.  Dozens of tattered tomes littered shelves hewn into the stone walls.  Valeros began thumbing through them, hoping for new and interesting ways to inflict pain on his enemies. He was not disappointed, as several of the tomes had passages and incantations manipulating both life and death.  He took what he could, hoping it might come in handy later.  He had to admit that he was somewhat proud of himself for getting the hang of this "reading" stuff that Lem was always going on about.

Turn 2
Valeros – BoErastil
Sleep – Banished forever 
Bury Emerald Codex = Mending, Strength, Find Traps
Discard BoTorag explore – Mystic Inscrption – Int + Lem BoIrori + Lem recharge = 3D6+D4+2 = 14 = Success = 2 spells to hand = Restoration, Scorching Ray

Their reading time was cut short, however, by what sounded like a stampede heading straight for them.  The stone walls shook as it neared and both Valeros and Lem readied themselves for yet another battle.  A horde of gigantic rats came into view, which Lem handily froze solid with rays of frost from his fingertips.  The rats were led by a remarkably disfigured ogre, which Valeros impaled with his spear, seemingly ending the current threat.

Turn 3
Lem – BoG
Donkey Rats – Frost Ray + Valeros = D10+5 + 2D6 + D4+3 = 25 = Success
Donkey Rat roll = 1 = Valeros fights a Graul Ogrekin
Graul Ogrekin – Roll = 2 = Damage increased by 2
Valeros – Impaler of Thorns = D10+7 + D8+1 = 18 = Success
Recharge Frost Ray = Success

Valeros turned to his partner, showing him some of the spells that he had been able to acquire from this library thus far.

"Wow, do you realize that maybe even just a few weeks ago, you would have burned these for kindling?" Lem mused as he thumbed through the ancient text.  "Soon, you'll have put me out of a job as our spellcaster!"

Valeros chuckled, "Yeah, well as soon as I start shooting lightning and ice and whatever-the-hell-else from my hands, I'll post an ad for your replacement at the nearest tavern."

Turn 4
Valeros – BoG
Give Lem Restoration

As the two bantered on, a spluttering and shuffling sound from behind them sent them whirling into a defensive stance.  The headless creature from before was pulling itself to its feet again!  Lem glanced beside him and saw the ogre was doing the same!

"Are" Lem shot his crossbow at the ogre, burying a bolt in it's skull. "You" Valeros impaled the skeleton that he had previously fought, lifting it up before shattering its bones on the stone floor. "KIDDING" Lem shot holy light from his hands, bathing the zombie in righteous fire. "ME!"

Afterward, they piled the remains and set fire to it before leaving.  This place was ridiculous, and the sooner they left, the better.

Turn 5
Lem – BoG
Merchant – Diplomacy = auto-success
Discard merchant explore – Ogre – Heavy Crossbow + Valeros = D8+D10+D4+3 = 16 = Success
Discard Toad explore – BoIrori = Auto-acquire
Discard BoIrori explore – Headless Lord – Valeros encounters Ancient Skeleton+6 
Valeros – Impaler of Thorns + Lem recharge = D10+7+D8+1+D4+2 = 23 = Success
Lem – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+5+2D12+D4+2 = 22 = Success
Banish Cure – Location closed
Recharge Holy Light = Success

Leaving the library, the pair found themselves in a wide hallway.  On each side, cells lined the walls.  Whether these were used to house the foul creatures that lurked here, or were used for more sinister purpose, Valeros could not say.  Passing a cell, he noted a troll that was seemingly already dead on the floor.

"Nope, not falling for that again." he muttered as he raised his hands and let loose a fiery ray that engulfed the troll, reducing it to ash.

Lem stared at Valeros, wide-eyed.  "I suppose I should tender my resignation, then."  he said in awe.

"Yep, I'm going to need you to clean out your desk by the end of the day." Valeros laughed, lighting a candle with his still-burning fingertip as he continued down the hall.

Turn 6
Valeros – BoLamashtu
Thassilonian Dungeon 
Troll – Scorching Ray (location – draw a card) + Lem discard Heavy Crossbow – D6+D8+2D6+D4 = 20 = Success – Fire, so Troll is really dead
Holy Candle – 4

The duo continued down the hallway, occasionally peering into the cells that they passed.  The uneven stone floor made it difficult to tell, but Lem definitely felt as though they were descending.  They must be a mile or more under the tower at this point.  Where could this be leading them?  As terrified as he was, he did feel a bit anxious to confront the evil that fueled this place and end it.  Perhaps Valeros was rubbing off on him as well.

Turn 7 
Lem – BoIomedae
Thassilonian Dungeon
Valeros - Staff of minor healing – Lem 
Glaive – Fail 
Lem – Restoration himself
Recharge Restoration = Success
Haste Explore (location – draw a card) – Mass Cure – Divine + BoPharasma = D10+5+D10 = 13 = Success
Recharge Haste = Fail
Discard BoErastil explore – Amulet of Mighty Fists – banished forever 

Valeros was getting bored.  In an enclosed space like this, that was never a good sign.  He was tried to distract himself by counting the objects he could break that they passed in the hallway, but that game was getting old.  He really needed something to happen, and soon.

Turn 8
Valeros – BoTorag
Speed – Intelligence – D6 = 4 = Fail 
Discard Grizzled Mercenary Explore – Mass Cure – Fail

After what felt like hours, they reached the end of the hall of cells.  A great bell rested next to a doorway that led to the next chamber.  What could this bell be for?  Perhaps it was for waking the inhabitants of the dungeon, or possibly an alarm in case someone in the cells broke free.

Lem's reverie was cut short as Valeros struck the bell as hard as he could with the haft of his spear.  Once his ears stopped ringing and head stopped vibrating, he looked to Valeros in disapproval.  Valeros simply shrugged.

Turn 9
Lem – Iomedae
Falling Bell – Fail the perception check
Lem – Dex + Recharge burglar + BoAbadar = D8+D10+2D8 = 18 = Success
Valeros – Dex + Recharge Burglar + Lem recharge = D8+D10+D4+2 = 14 = Success
Lem – Mass Cure
Lem – 3
Valeros – 5
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail 

It didn't take long for the bell to draw attention to them.  A towering, slime covered mound shambled towards them, pulling itself along with muck-covered tentacles.  Valeros charged with his frost-covered longspear even as Lem blasted it with frost of his own.  The creature froze solid, pieces cracking and falling off as Valeros wrenched his spear free from it.

"You gotta admit, the bell worked." Valeros said with a sheepish grin.

Lem simply sighed.

Turn 10
Valeros – BoG
Muck Graul
Valeros casts strength – Banished forever 
Valeros - Icy Longspear – D10+7+D8+1+3 = 15 = Success
Lem – Frost Ray + Valeros = D10+5+2D6+D4+3 = 20 = Success
Muck Graul placed on Bottom of Location Deck
Frost Ray recharge = Success

Not far behind the muck-monster, a lumbering hill giant charged towards them.  Unlike the giants they had faced before, however, this one had runes carved into its flesh.  The runes looked familiar, though Lem could not make them out in the dim light that their torches provided.  Better to blast first, and inspect later anyway, he thought.  A great bolt of lightning erupted from his fingertips and fried the giant even as it charged them.  The smoking corpse collapsed and skidded to a halt at their feet.

Yes, the runes were familiar, Lem thought as he leaned over the corpse to inspect it.  These were Thassilonian runes.

Turn 11
Lem – BoLamashtu
Hill Giant Runeslave – Lightning Bolt + Valeros = D10+5+3D6+D4+3 = 24 = Success
Lightning Bolt recharge = Success
Arcane check to close = 15 = Success = Location closed

Valeros wasted no time on the felled hill giant, and strode into the next chamber, spear at the ready.  He was not disappointed.  Inside was a large chamber clearly designed for a giant.  The chamber had huge furnishings and luxurious accommodations for a creature many times Valeros' size.  And at the center of the chamber was the giant himself!

A massive stone giant, covered in runes both painted and carved onto his flesh.  It wielded a massive club, easily the size of Valeros, and wore a robe covered in the same runes that were present on his flesh and his hill giant servant.  It boomed with laughter as the pair approached.

"You have done well to reach me, but it was in vain, I'm afraid."  The voice sounded like great boulders grinding together.  "You see, like you, I am but a pawn in all of this as well.  We all serve my master, your master, even if you don't know it."

"I serve no one, creature, and your game ends today.  You lose." Valeros charged at the stone giant, leaping into the air in an attempt to pierce the giants heart.  With impossible speed, Mokmurian twisted the the side.  Still, the spear left a long deep gash across the giants chest.  It swatted Valeros away like a bug, before turning and fleeing to an adjoining room.

Turn 12
Valeros – BoLamashtu
Giant Lair
BoErastil – Dex – D8 = 5 = Success
Discard BoErastil explore – Shadow – Impaler of Thorns – D10+7+D8+2 = 20 = Succcess
Discard BoGorum explore – Mokmurian – Con + Lem recharge = D8+1+D4+2 = 9 = Success – Bury Burglar
Lem Toxic Cloud
1st check – Impaler of Thorns + Poison Cloud + BoPharasma = D10+7+D8+2+D6+2D10 = 26 = Success
2nd check – Impaler of Thorns + Poison Cloud + BoPharasma = D10+7+D8+2+D6+2D10 = 30 = Success
Location closed – Mokmurian escapes to the treacherous cave
Recharge Toxic Cloud = Fail

Lem ran into the chamber after the giant, knowing full well that his partner would survive the blow he had taken.  If anything, Valeros would simply be more angry than ever.  As Lem ran, he noticed the walls, floor and ceiling were all covered in the same runes they had seen a dozen times.  These Thassilonian runes, for that's surely what they were, had even been etched into more than a few of the foes they had slain from the beginning of this crusade.  Lem wondered what the connection was.  There were too many unanswered questions, and he didn't like it.

Turn 13
Lem – BoG
Treacherous Cave
Treasure Map – Knowledge + BoIrori = D6+3+2D6 = 9 = Success = Banished forever
Top card of location deck – Short Sword – Banished forever

Valeros rushed past Lem who was, as usual, too interested in the scenery to focus on the real mission: taking this giant out.  He didn't make it much farther than his companion, though, as the room began to shake.  The booming laughter of the giant sounded again.

"Fools!  I will not be so easily dispatched!  Meet but a taste of the plane you unwittingly make war with.  The Forgefiend shall show you how ancient Thassilon deals with meddlers!"

The shaking turned into rumbling, and it seemed the ceiling might collapse on them at any moment.  Before that could happen, an enormous metal monstrosity strode into view.  It was like a suit of plate metal armor with a sea of molten lava inside.  Valeros could see the waves of heat emanating from it as it lumbered towards them.  Where its stomach should have been was a gaping maw of flame.  This, this was not going to be fun.  Valeros lowered his spear and charged.

"Valeros, NO!" Lem cried in the distance.

The heat from the flames was unbearable, but Valeros was too deep in a blood-rage to care.  His skin blistered and peeled by merely being close to the creature, but his pace did not slow.  He thrust his spear into a crevice between the metal plates that made up the creature, and heaved.  The screech and wail of twisting metal filled the chamber.  The forgefiend desperately grabbed for Valeros, but could not reach thanks to the length of his spear.  Valeros cried out in exertion and pain, straining with every muscle in his body.

Finally, relief as the metal plate gave way to the combined magic of the spear and the strength Valeros put behind it.  A river of lava gushed from the crack, and the creature gave an otherworldly cry of anguish before falling backwards onto the stone.  Valeros knelt, dropping his spear which glowed red from heat.  His cracked lips couldn't form the words, but he hoped Lem could take that giant out, because he had nothing left.

Turn 14
Valeros – BoLamashtu
Treacherous Cave
Valeros Staff of minor healing – Lem
Magic Spyglass – Fail
Discard BoTorag explore – Forgefiend – Impaler of Thorns + Lem recharge = D10+7+D8+2+D4+2 = 24 = Success = 1D4-1 Fire damage = 2 damage
Location close check – Wisdom + Lem recharge + Lem Blessing of Gozreh = D4+D4+2+2D4 = 13 = Success
Only Mokmurian left in the location

Lem was speechless as well, standing in awe of his companion.  By the gods, the man was insane.  Who else would leap into a walking volcano like that?  As powerful as he might become through study or training, Lem could knew he could never hope to match that kind of inner strength.  Nor would he want to.

He stooped down and put his hand on Valeros' shoulder, resisting the urge to immediately remove it due to the extreme heat that radiated from it.  He whispered a short prayer, and felt the healing powers take hold in both himself and his friend.  Slowly, Valeros turned and smiled at him through cracked and bleeding lips.  It would take a lot more than that to heal the man, but Lem hoped it would at least get them out of this place.

Turn 15
Lem - BoPharasma
Lem exchange Restoration for Mass Cure
Mass Cure 
Lem – 5
Valeros – 4
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail

They walked confidently towards the giant, who stared at them in calculating rage.

"You are more powerful than the master thought, but no matter.  My sacrifice shall pave the way for his coming."  With that, Mokmurian simply spread his arms and waited.

Valeros said nothing, if he could even speak with burned lungs.  He simply strode forward, and unleashed hell upon the stone giant.  When it was over, nearly every weapon he had was buried in the creature.  It was finally over.

Turn 16
Valeros – BoG
Mokmurian – Con + Lem recharge = D8+D4+2 = 8 = Success = Bury charmed red dragon
1st check – reveal and recharge Impaler of Thorns + Lem recharge + Lem BoAbadar = D10+7+D8+2+D4+2+D10 = 31 = Success
2nd check – reveal and recharge Scythe+1 + recharge War Razor + Lem recharge + Lem BoErastil + Bury Grizzled Mercenary = D10+7+3D4+1+D4+1+D4+2+D10+D8 = 36 = Success

"Well done, heroes." The deep voice that echoed throughout the chamber nearly spat the last word.

Lem and Valeros looked to each other, and then to where the voice had originated:  The fallen body of Mokmurian.

"I am Karzoug, Runelord of Greed.  Every creature you have slain which bore my symbol has hastened my return, for which I thank you.  Mokmurian's death was the final sacrifice I needed to be returned to this plane, and now, I shall take pleasure in destroying you myself.  I will be waiting for you, in the spires of Xin-Shalast, if you dare to face me."

Scenario Victory!

Scenario Reward – Mokmurian’s Club, Robe of Runes
Adventure Reward – Card Feat
Lem – Item
Valeros – Weapon

Post-Game Analysis

So, this particular scenario was a game-changer for whatever reason.  The amount of things happening on each turn was just insane.  Couple that with some really nice upgrades, and it feels like a new game from this point forward.  I've started working my way through AD5, and it's pretty nuts.


Hope you all enjoyed this episode, and I'll see you next week!