The halls of the palace were dimly lit, at best. Once his eyes adjusted, though, Lem was taken aback by what he saw. Though clearly ancient and unused for years uncounted, this palace was every bit as magnificent as the golden exterior would suggest. He gaped at the riches that littered every corner of this place.
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 or villain
Starting Deck
Venomous Heavy Crossbow +2
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Staff of Hungry Shadows
Ring of Protection
Incendiary Cloud
Bewilder
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Mass Cure
Hide Armor of Fire Resistance
Toad
Black Arrow Ranger
Charmed Red Dragon
BoPharasma
BoGozreh
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoNethys
BoCalistria
Valeros saw no point in gawking at the litter of ages past. He was here for one reason: to end the threat Karzoug represented. This runelord had done enough damage already, and he had only recently been returned to this world. He couldn't begin to imagine what Karzoug might be capable of at full strength.
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+5 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 Frost Spear +2
Mokmurian’s Club
Magic Chain Mail
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Wand of Treasure Finding
Emerald Codex
Staff of Minor Healing
Thieves Tools
Merchant
Zuvuzeg
Saber Toothed Tiger
BoGorum
BoTorag
BoAbadar x2
Neither had much time to muse, however. The clattering of bones approaching them was unmistakable. The pair waded through the misshapen mass of reanimated bones that washed over them. They had no reason to fear, skeletons were as nothing to them at this point.
Turn 1
Lem - BoSarenrae
Thassilonian Dungeon
Skeleton Horde - Everyone gets an ancient skeleton to fight
Lem - Bewilder - evaded - hmm do I explore again? Probably not - draw a card
Valeros - Fanged Falchion - D10+7+2D4+2 = auto-kill
Bewilder recharge - Impossiburu
Skeleton Horde Banished Forever
Valeros did spy a shortspear amidst the undead that looked usable, however, and snatched it from it's host...along with the host's arm. Valeros gave a grim smile as he tossed the bones aside.
Turn 2
Valeros - BoGorum
Thassilonian Dungeon
Shortspear +3 - Melee + Lem recharge = D10+7+D4+3 = 18 = Success
Discard merchant explore - Reflecting Shield - Consitution + Lem recharge = D8+2+D4+3 = auto-acquire
Discard Tiger explore - Haste - naaaaah
Discard Zuvuzeg explore - Cultist - how are these still in the deck!? - so incredibly dead - banished forever
Lem also discovered some arcane parchment in the debris. Given time to properly explore this place, who knows what incredible treasure might await them?
Turn 3
Lem - BoPharasma
Magic Spyglass - Divine - D10+5 = 12 = Success
Discard magic spyglass - Sneak, disintegrate, enfeeble - sneak on bottom, rest on top
Discard BoPharasma explore - Disintegrate - Arcane + BoCalistria = D10+5+D10 = 14 - YES
Discard Black Arrow Ranger explore - Enfeeble - Arcane - auto-acquire
Skeletons were not the only foes waiting for them in this place. Cultists devoted to the runelords, and other humanoid scum also lie in wait for the pair. Valeros made them regret their decision to defend Karzoug.
Turn 4
Valeros - BoErastil
Sneak - Fanged Falchion - D10+7+2D4+2 = 17 = Success
Even what appeared to be Karzoug's elite guard stood no chance against them. A heavily armored woman disintegrated before Lem's eyes as he mouthed the incantation he had found earlier. Well...that was gruesome, but this spell could certainly prove useful, he thought.
Turn 5
Lem - BoSarenrae
Viorian Dekanti - DISINTEGRATE + Valeros - D10+5+4D6+D4+5+2+2D4 = 41 = Success = draw a card
Recharge Disintegrate - nossir
Arcane check to close - D10+5 = 8 = Success
Location closed
They reached what appeared to be a throne room, where another horde of reanimated skeletons barred their approach. Valeros didn't bat an eyelash as he danced through the undead until none were left standing. Karzoug would need to try harder than this to stop them.
Turn 6
Valeros - BoSarenrae
Throne Room
Skeleton Horde - c’mon man, well at least it’s just Valeros this time - it’s dead - banished forever
Discard BoTorag explore - Diseased Rats - Fanged Falchion - auto-dead - banished forever
Lem took a moment to scour the throne room for clues as to where the master of this palace might be. If Karzoug was not on the throne, he might be anywhere in this labyrinth. If Lem knew Valeros at all, he knew that the longer it took to find this runelord, the more pissed off Valeros would become. He didn't envy Karzoug if he chose to hide from them.
Turn 7
Lem - BoErastil
Throne Room
Scout - D4-1 ranged damage - 0 - Frost Ray - D10+5+2D6 = 22 = Success
Recharge Frost Ray - Success
Mass Cure - D4+1 to both
Lem - 2
Valeros - 5
Turn 8
Valeros - BoG
Shortspear +3 - Melee - D10+7 = 11 = fail
As they moved to leave the throne room, a figure clad in ornate robes stepped from the shadows.
"I am afraid I cannot permit you to go further." he spoke softly as extended an outstretched hand towards them. a blast of force and flame leapt from his fingertips. Valeros raised his shield, and Lem sprang to one side, but they were still knocked backward from the force of impact.
"Our turn." Lem muttered through clenched teeth. He unleashed lightning upon the robed man while Valeros took out his frustrations with his newfound spear.
With the threat ended, the pair pressed on.
Turn 9
Lem - BoDesna
Khalib - 2 force damage toooooo….Valeros - D4 fire damage to both
Lem - 2
Valeros - 4 - reduced by 2 from reflecting shield
Lightning Bolt + Valeros - D10+5+3D6+D4+5+2D4 = 33 = Success
Diplomacy check to close - D10+7 = Auto-success
Location closed
They pressed onwards and came upon what Lem recognized as a runewell. Perhaps they would find Karzoug absorbed in his magics. At any rate, the well presented a fine opportunity for Lem to heal their wounds with a quick prayer.
Turn 10
Valeros - BoNethys
Runewell
Cloak of Elvenkind - Dex = D8 = 2 = Fail
Turn 11
Lem - BoG
Exchange Frost Ray for Mass Cure in the discard
Runewell
Mass Cure - D4+1 to both
Lem - 2
Valeros - 4
Recharge Mass Cure = Fail
Blizzard - Arcane + BoNethys - D10+5+D10 = 18 = Success
Discard Magic Spyglass - BoG, Magic Full Plate, Warden of Runes
While Lem was mouthing his incantations, he was interrupted by the thundering approach of another giant. This one, covered in runes, was clearly the warden of this well. Fortunately for them, they had had plenty of practice against his kin. Valeros cleared a path for them with his trusty scythe, and they carried on their way.
Turn 12
Valeros - BoG
Bury a card
BoG - auto-acquire
Emerald Codex - Speed, Raise Dead, Detect Magic
Discard BoG explore - Magic Full Plate - Constitution + Lem recharge - D8+2+D4+3 = auto-acquire
Discard tiger explore - Warden of Runes - 1 electricity damage to both -
Lem - Sihedron medallion
Valeros - eats it
Recharge medallion - Success
Reveal and recharge Magic Scythe +1 + Lem recharge = D10+7+3D4+1+D4+3 = 29 = Success
Location Closed
In the next room, they were speechless at the sight of a massive machine. Cables led to a metal framework that housed a circular portal large enough to move an elephant through. Guarding this device was a lamia with the lower body of a four-legged beast and the upper body of a woman. She scowled at them as they entered.
"So, the master was right. You have come at last. Know that I will do everything in my power to stop you from entering this portal.
"You will try." Lem said as he pointed his wand in her direction. Energies shot forth from it, wrapping around her form with spectral tendrils. She weakened visibly as they took hold. Valeros did not waste this opportunity to strike, charging her with his falchion. He buried the blade in her lower body before deftly switching to a spear, which he threw directly into her skull. It was an unexpectedly easy battle.
Turn 13
Lem - BoCalistria
Valeros Staff of Minor Healing - Lem
The Leng Device
Most High Ceoptra - Enfeeble
Recharge Enfeeble = Success
D4 tokens removed - 4
Turn 14
Valeros - BoAbadar
Most High Ceoptra - Attack spells no-go - Reveal and recharge Fanged Falchion + BoG + Lem Recharge = D10+7+4D4+2+D10+D4+3 = 27
Wand of Enervation - -8 to check
2nd check - Reveal and recharge Returning Frost Spear +2 + Lem recharge + BoAbadar + Lem BoGozreh = D10+7+D8+2+2D6+D4+3+D10+D10 = 38 = Success
Scenario Victory!
Reward - Chellan, sword of greed, Maester Grump, Wand of Scorching Ray, Greatclub+3, Brodert Quink, Force Sling +3, Magic Shield, Toxic Cloud, Potion of Healing, Venomous Heavy Crossbow +2
They stood in front of the portal, and Lem would lie if he said he didn't dread what awaited them on the other side. A being so powerful that he was essentially a god. Immortal, and powerful enough to command aberrations from all manner of planes of existence. A being that had built one of the most powerful empires the world had ever known. Now, it was up to the two of them to end his evil once and for all.
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 or villain
Starting Deck
Force Sling +3
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Staff of Hungry Shadows
Ring of Protection
Blizzard
Bewilder
Holy Light
Disintegrate
Lightning Bolt
Mass Cure
Hide Armor of Fire Resistance
Toad
Black Arrow Ranger
Charmed Red Dragon
BoPharasma
BoGozreh
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoNethys
BoCalistria
Even Valeros was shaken by the fact that they had reached the end of their long journey. He took a quick inventory of his weapons, ensuring that each was ready to be deployed at a moments notice. There was no telling what awaited them on the other side of that portal. He needed to be ready for anything.
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+5 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
Shortspear +3
Greatclub +3
Returning Frost Spear +2
Mokmurian’s Club
Magic Full Plate
Reflecting Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Magic Spyglass
Emerald Codex
Staff of Minor Healing
Thieves Tools
Merchant
Zuvuzeg
Saber Toothed Tiger
BoGorum
BoTorag
BoAbadar x2
Lem looked to his friend and nodded. They entered together. Instantaneously, they were somewhere far from the palace on the mountain peak. Somewhere far more dangerous. A runewell stood in the center of a large circular chamber. Standing behind the well was Karzoug himself, and he was surrounded by all manner of his servants.
A giant covered in runes bounded towards them immediately, and was disintegrated on the spot by a gesture from Lem's hand.
Karzoug clapped slowly. "Impressive, small one. In time, you might have been a powerful magic user in your own right. Instead, you will die here for nothing."
Turn 1
Lem
Runewell
Bury a card
Warden of Runes - 1 electricity damage to both - lem ring of prot - Disintegrate + Valeros = D10+5+4D6+D4+5 = 33 = Success
Recharge Disintegrate - nope
Discard Toad explore - Consecration - Divine - D10+5 = 9 = Success
Discard BoNethys explore - Bastard Sword +1 = fail
Karzoug raised a finger and unleashed a torrent of flame upon the pair. There was no way to dodge the column of flame, and both man and halfling cried out in pain as it washed over them.
Turn 2
Valeros
Runewell
Bury a card
Emerald Codex - Swipe, Restoration, Aid - pretty good stuff!
Karzoug - D4+1 fire damage to both
Lem - 3 - ring of prot - 2
Valeros - 4
Fail and take all the damage, Valeros was out of cards anyway
Before they could recover, a blue dragon moved forward to attack, unleashing a blast of electricity from it's massive jaws. Lem was able to gather his wits enough to throw lightning of his own back at the creature, and it was just enough. The dragon fell smoldering to the ground. They were still in trouble though, for Karzoug did not look as though he would relent.
Turn 3
Lem
Bury a card
Enslaved Blue Dragon - D4+1 electricity damage to both
Lem - 2 - reduced to 1 by ring of prot
Valeros - 4 - reduced by 2 thanks to reflecting shield
Lightning Bolt + Valeros = D10+5+3D6+D4+5+2 = 25 = Success
Recharge lightning bolt = nope
Lem tried to cure them as he circled around for a better vantage point on Karzoug. It wasn't much, but hopefully enough to allow them to finish this fight.
Turn 4
Valeros
Bury a card
Discard Magic Spyglass - Chime of unlocking, Frost Ray, Karzoug
Chime of unlocking- fail
Turn 5
Lem
Bury a card
Valeros restoration Lem
Lem Mass Cure - D4+1 to both
Lem - 2
Valeros - 2
Recharge Mass Cure - Success
Frost Ray = auto-acquire
Another wave of flame came without warning, and they could do nothing but endure as it consumed everything it touched.
Turn 6
Valeros
Bury a card
Karoug - D4+1 damage to both
Lem - 3 - reduced to 2
Valeros - 3
The flames would not stop. The pain, unending and overwhelming, was all they could think about. This was it. This moment would determine whether they would fail the world, or save it. Lem could not see Valeros, or vice-versa, but he knew that they both realized that this was the end. Lem forced himself upright, and reached blindly for his sling. He strained to recall where Karzoug stood, imagining through the pain where runelord was in relation to his own position. Body aflame, and blinded by both pain and fire, he whirled his sling and sent a stone flying in the direction of the runelord. He collapsed to the ground immediately afterward.
Valeros gritted his teeth and held his club tightly in both hands. He took tentative steps forward, straining against the pain with each movement. He could feel his flesh blistering and peeling under the onslaught of flame. It was now or never. A loud cracking sound, and a grunt of pain ahead prefaced the end of the torrent of flame. Though still blinded, he knew this was his chance. He ran forward with all the strength he could muster, club held high overhead.
He smashed into a body at full force, knocking it and himself to the ground. With every remaining ounce of strength he smashed his club into the form beneath him. It was enough. It had to be enough. His thoughts faded to darkness as he collapsed on the stone floor.
Turn 7
Lem
Bury a card
Karzoug - shit - D4+1 damage to both
Lem - 3 - reduced to 2
Valeros - 2 - Bury Magic Half-Plate
Actually going to fight this time
Lem - discard Force Sling +3 + BoErastil + Valeros = D8+D6+3+2D8+D4+5+2D4+2 = 37 = Success
2nd check - Valeros - Mokmurian’s club + discard a card + BoGorum = D10+7+D10+2+D10+2D10+2D4 = 44 = Success
1 fire damage to Valeros
Turn 8
Valeros
Bury a card
BoGorum - strength = Success
Discard BoGorum explore - Magic Full PLate - Consitution - D8+2 = 4 = Fail
Valeros dies
Turn 9
Lem
Bury a card
Karzoug - D4+1 damage - 5 - 4 thanks to ring of prot
Every damage ever
Lem dies
Post-Game Analysis
Well, that was intense. First off, I want to thank everyone who read or supported the series in any way. This is definitely one of the longest-running things I have ever done, and I don't regret it at all. I don't know right now whether I'll do a campaign like this for Skull & Shackles or Wrath of the Righteous, but I had a great time with this.
I decided to lump the two last scenarios together because they were both fairly brief. I knew what I was in for going into the final scenario. Did the pair win? According to the rules, no, they did not. However, in my mind they definitely won. Even if they died, they still defeated Karzoug.
I really hope you enjoyed this, and all the past episodes. Keep playing, and I'll see you again with whatever crazy creative writing project I decide upon next.
P.S. Before anyone even says it, I don't know why I used Bewilder on some skeletons on the first turn of this one. I know I can't. I wonder what I was thinking, but it's been too long since I played for me to recall why I did that.
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