Note: Don't worry, you didn't miss any sessions! See the post-game analysis for an explanation.
The Rusty Dragon Inn was a quiet, sleepy establishment. A cozy inn, in the heart of the quiet village of Sandpoint. Tonight, though, it was nearly full to bursting, and alive with the sound of song, laughter, and the cheers of it's occupants.
Lem stood on one of the many long tables in the bar, and regaled the townsfolk with songs of his dragon-slaying exploits. It was the twelfth time he had done so this night, but he never tired of it.
Lem starting deck
BoGx3
BoPharasma
BoClistria
Lightning Touch
Holy Light
Aid
Cure
Amulet of Life
Bracers of Protection
Burglar
Sage
Night Watch
Sling
Valeros simply sat in the corner, drinking a flagon of ale and being careful not to show any of the villagers the smile he wore. He had a reputation to maintain, after all.
Valeros Starting Deck
BoIomedae
BoGx2
Glaive
Shock Longbow +1
Warhammer
Longbow
Spiked Chain
Chainmailx2
Magic Leather Armor
Masterwork Tools
Spyglass
Archer
Sheriff Hemlock
The villagers were all clapping and cheering along with Lem's dancing on the table. Cyrdak Drokkus, a local bard, backed Lem up with his lute. Meanwhile, Lem had taken to shooting holy light from his fingers, providing his audience with a holy laser light show.
Turn 1
Lem – BoG
Village House
BoG
BoG discard explore
Cyrdak Drokkus – Recharge Burglar to acquire from Village House ability
BoG discard explore – Shadow – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+2+2D12+D4 = 27 = Success
Recharge Success
Despite Lem's mesmerizing display, many of the patrons had paid their respects to Valeros as well. He was unaccustomed to so much attention, but did his best to nod and grunt politely at the drunk villagers that came his way. One very intoxicated old woman even gave him a bird. It was a weird night.
Turn 2
Valeros – BoG
Village House
Troubadour – Recharge Archer to acquire from Village House ability
Discard Troubadour explore – Longsword – Melee – D10+4 = 10 = Success
Discard BoG Explore – Crow – Wisdom + Lem recharge = D4+D4 = 5 = Success
Discard Crow Explore – Levitate – Intelligence = D6 = 1 = Fail
A bolt of lightning seared the air of the inn, striking the center of the room and blasting patrons and tables away with ease. In the space that it created, a figure stood. It was humanoid, with long, gangly arms that ended in claws and legs that bent backward like a beast. In place of it's mouth was a split mandible lined with teeth. A long tongue dripped saliva onto the floor as it stared blankly forward with black eyes. It's flesh gleamed white in the light of the inn's candelabras. On it's shoulder was a black-scaled winged creature. Another dragon? No, something else; something worse.
The battle was quick, and it was brutal. Valeros beheaded the creature with a swift swing of his blade while Lem leapt from the nearby tabletop and grabbed at the winged creature as it attempted to fly away. Electricity flowed into the creature, but it seemed unphazed,cackling as it left the inn.
Turn 3
Lem – BoSarenrae
Erylium
Valeros encounter Sinspawn – Scenario Roll – 2 - Fails Wisdom Check – Melee + Reveal and recharge longsword = D10+4+D8+D6 = 18 = Success
Lem encounter Erylium – Lightning Touch + Valeros + BoG = D10+2+2D4+D4+D10 = 22 = Success
Location Closed
Recharge Fails
It didn't take long for the village to clean up the mess and tend to the wounded in the inn. They were getting too good at recovering from terrible circumstances. Such was life in a village on the outskirts of civilization. The Sheriff has begun dispatching teams of police to various point in the city that might be threatened by this new enemy. Lem and Valeros had been sent to the local Glassworks, which was actually owned by the same family that owned the inn. It didn't take long for trouble to find them.
It had only been a couple of nights since the attack on the inn when Lem heard a great howl from outside the building. As he and Valeros crept from the Glassworks into the full moon shining outside, the hair stood on the back of Lem's neck. He turned, but it was too late, the wolf was upon him! No, not a wolf, a werewolf! Valeros managed to kick it off of him, but it escaped into the night before they could finish the job.
Turn 5
Lem - BoG
Glassworks
Werewolf – Reveal Sling + Valeros = D8+ D6+D4 = 9 = Fail = 4 damage = Amulet of life = 1 damage
Recharge Fails
Discard top card of deck
Heading back inside, Valeros grabbed a crossbow from the wall, and retrieved his lucky silver bolt from his pack. He would be ready next time a creature like that got near him. He looked for something to help Lem, but alas, the glassworks didn't have much in the way of booze.
Turn 6
Valeros – BoShelyn
Lem Cure – D4+1 = 3
Recharge success
Light Crossbow – Dex = D8 = 8 = Success
Discard Sheriff Hemlock Explore – Potion of Healing – Intelligence = D6 = 2 = Fail
Discard top card of deck
Lem picked himself up off the ground, checking himself for wounds. He certainly didn't want to become the smallest werewolf in the village. Distracted by his worries, he failed to notice the creature approaching him from behind. Lem went down with a thud, as a bugbear snatched Lem's magic necklace from around his neck.
"Hey, ugly!" Valeros shouted, as he emerged from the Glassworks; leveling and firing his crossbow at the creature in one swift motion.
The bugbear looked up, and ran back into the nearby woods, still clutching the necklace.
Turn 7
Lem – BoSarenrae
BoSarenrae – Divine= D10+2 = 11 = Success
Recharge Sarenrae explore – Bugbear – Dex+Reveal Sling+Aid+Valeros = D8+D6+D6+D4=8=Fail=2 damage = Bury amulet from Bugbear and Discard top card of deck from location
Recharge fails
Valeros heard more rustling in the nearby brush. "Oh no you don't, not this time." he muttered, as he fired another bolt from his crossbow into the foliage. A sharp whine sounded. Success! Valeros moved to the brush, clearing it away. He smile faded instantly. "Ah, shit." he said under his breath. Turning back, Lem staggered towards him. "Did you get it?" He asked.
"No." Valeros stated gruffly.
Turn 8
Valeros – BoIomedae
Dog – Wisdom + Lem Recharge = D4+D4 = 4 = fail = discard top card of deck
Entering the Glassworks once again, Lem heard the loud crash of breaking glass in the main forge chamber. He ran to the room, ready this time for whatever awaited them, or so he thought. The sight that greeted them was something from a nightmare. It was a goblin, or at least it had been at some point. Now, though, it was mutated and wrong. Extra limbs littered it's body, and it's eyes, ears and mouth had all been rearranged on it's horrible face. Lem shuddered, and unleashed lightning on the creature.
Turn 9
Lem – BoLamashtu
Lightning Touch – D10+2=5=Success
Discard BoG Explore – Koruvus – Lighning Touch + Valeros = D10+2+2D4+D4 = 18 = Success
Wisdom Check to close location + BoG = 2D6 = 5 = Fail
Discard top card of deck
Recharge Fails
Valeros was watching the creature sizzle and burn when he heard a familiar howl. He turned just in time to impale the werewolf on his glaive. It slumped, lifeless, on the blade. Where were these creatures coming from?
Turn 10
Valeros – BoG
Werewolf – Melee+Reveal Glaive +BoIomedae = D10+4+D10 = 13 = Fail = Recharge Glaive to reroll = 16 = Success
The werewolf was not alone. The bugbear from earlier burst through a door behind Lem, charging at him mindlessly. Lem unleashed holy energy at the creature, and it thudded to the floor, momentum carrying it to Lem's hairy feet. He bent and took his necklace from a pouch on the creature.
"Ewwww, he ruined it!" Lem whined as he examined the now-filthy trinket.
Turn 11
Lem – BoG
Bugbear – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+2+2D6+D4 = 20 = Success
Recharge Success
Satisfied that all immediate threats had been put down, Valeros began to examine the building. He had had no reason previously to suspect anything was wrong with this place, but these attacks could not be a coincidence. He found a staircase that took him deeper, into what appeared to be a storage area. Sniffing the air, he smelled something odd; something sweet. Moving towards the smell, he opened one of the many doors in the earthen cellar. What greeted him was some kind of altar.
It was crude, but clearly devoted to some evil deity. In front of the altar was a pool of red liquid in a stone basin. Valeros stooped in front of it. No, it wasn't blood. It was too bright, too thick. Inside the pool was an object, floating weightless in the liquid confines of the basin. Valeros shrugged and reached in to retrieve it.
"No! Wait!" Lem cried, but he was too late. Valeros stumbled backward, grunting in pain. The liquid splashed from the basin, spattering onto Lem's face. Burning pain consumed him as he desperately tried to remove the liquid from him without further harm.
Turn 12
Valeros – BoG
Lem Cure – 5
Recharge Success
Pit of Malfeshnikor – Crown of Charisma, Thieves Tools, Holy Candle
Choose Holy Candle – Valeros 3 Fire Damage, Lem 2 Fire Damage – Valeros Buries chainmail – Lem burns
Use Holy Candle – 6
From behind the altar, a creature emerged. Almost snakelike, it slithered towards them. But it was too large and malformed to be a snake, unless it had also been mutated, like the goblin they had faced earlier. It struck out at Lem, still writhing in agony on the floor, biting into him.
Turn 13
Lem – BoErastil
Goblin Snake – Fail Con Check - Strength + BoG + Valeros = D4+D4+D4 = 7 = Fail = 1 damage = discard top card of deck
Valeros had recovered enough by this point to retrieve his spiked chain from his pack and lash out at the creature. The chain wrapped around the snake easily, spikes biting into it's deformed scales. With a twist of Valeros' arms, it collapsed lifelessly to the ground beside Lem.
Turn 14
Valeros - BoG
Goblin Snake – Pass Con check - Melee + reveal Spiked Chain + Lem recharge = D10+4+2D4+D4 = 13 = Success
Wis Check to close + Lem recharge = 2D4 = 6 = Success
Using some water from his pack, Lem was able to wash the liquid from his face. The burns were bad, though, and he would likely bear the scars for the rest of his days. He turned his attention back to the altar. Filled with frustration and rage, he toppled the stones that served as the foundation for the unholy thing. Under these stones, a cool, foul air wafted up from below. His rage had uncovered a passage!
Turn 15
Lem – BoIomedae
Shrine to Lamashtu
Reset Hand
Valeros helped Lem clear away the remaining stones, and moved cautiously into the darkness below. The very air burned his lungs. He struggled, but carried on into the darkness below. The area below the altar was in fact quite large. Easily large enough for a man to stand, with one great tunnel leading deeper. He moved forward, still struggling to breathe.
Turn 16
Valeros – BoSarenrae
Shrine to Lamashtu
BoG – 2 damage
As Lem descended behind Valeros, he saw a dim light in the tunnel ahead of them. It grew brighter, and brighter still as Lem heard the source of it approach. A great beast entered the chamber, running on all fours towards them. It appeared almost as a dog, but was covered in flame, clearly demonic in nature. Lem wasn't a holy halfling, but he knew enough to know you don't mess around with demons. He sent lightning at the creature, and was relieved to see it fall, flames sputtering out.
Turn 17
Lem – BoG
Hell Hound – Lightning Touch + Valeros – D10+2+2D4+D4 = 17 = Success
1 damage to both lem and valeros
Recharge fails
The moved farther down the tunnel. As they did, Valeros heard a soft voice call his name. It was beautiful. Mesmerizing.
Turn 18
Valeros – BoG
Lem Cure – 2
Recharge fails
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Fail – Reset hand and end turn
Lem didn't notice the change in Valeros, and carried on down the tunnel. A cracking sound echoed in the distance. It was a familiar sound to Lem. The sound of bones grinding and striking each other. Rounding the corner, Lem unleashed holy energy into the next chamber. He was satisfied to see scattered, lifeless bones in it's wake.
Turn 19
Lem – BoTorag
Exchange Aid for Cure
Cast Cure – 2
Recharge Success
Skeleton – Holy Light+Valeros – D10+2+2D12+D4 = 28 = Success
Recharge fails
Valeros stood, locked in place. He was losing his struggle to breathe the foul air of this place as his will was sapped by the unknown force that called out to him.
Turn 20
Valeros – BoG
BoCalistria – Dex = D8 = 4 = Success = 2 damage
Lem could feel it too. Not the force that held his partner, but the energy that was burning their life away.
Turn 21
Lem – BoGorum
BoDesna – Divine = D10+2 = 12 = Success = 2 damage
Valeros legs moved forward of their own volition. He didn't mind. He wanted to meet the voice, to be one with it. It was so beautiful.
"Hey, hold on Val, we don't know what's up there!" Lem tried to talk sense into his partner, but it was of no use.
Turn 22
Valeros – BoPharasma
Shopkeeper’s daughter = Wisdom + Lem Recharge = 2D4 = 2 = Fail = reset hand and end turn
Music sprang up around Lem, surrounding him in a cacophony of sound. Lem knew this trick. He had performed it many times himself, and he had learned to shield himself from it. Focusing his mind, he concentrated on his other senses, moving after his partner in an effort to save him from himself.
Turn 23
Lem – BoG
Dance With Squealy Nord – Wisdom + Recharge Sage + BoDesna = D10+1+D6+D10 = 17 = Success = 1 item = Potion of Ghostly Form
Valeros moved blindly towards the sound. It was so close now, so beautiful.
Turn 24
Valeros – BoErastil
Sanctuary – Wisdom + Lem Recharge = 2D4 = 8 = Success
Lem's lungs felt like they were consumed in flame. He didn't want to die in this place, and he hoped that desire was enough to keep his heart beating. He kept pace with Valeros, panting and still trying desperately to stop the man.
Turn 25
Lem – BoLamashtu
BoG = 2 damage
Valeros could see her now, the source of the voice. She was beautiful, just like he imagined, and she was beckoning to him. He was so close to her now.
Turn 26
Valeros – BoSarenrae
Lem Cure – 4
Recharge Success
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Lem Potion of Ghostly Form
Explore Again – Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Wisdom + Lem Recharge = 5 = Fail
A blade flashed out of the shadows lining the chamber, but Lem's reflexes were still sharp. The blade fell to the ground in a crackle of lightning, along with the deformed man who wielded it. Lem wondered if that man reflected their fate if they strayed too far into these tunnels.
Turn 27
Lem – Mercenary – Lightning Touch + Valeros = D10+2+3D4 = 15 = Success
Recharge Success
Valeros reached out to touch her. If he could touch her, he would be complete. Complete? No, not complete. He was already complete. He was all he needed to be fulfilled. He was whole. He was free. The image of the woman ceased to be, her space taken by one of the same creatures that had attacked the inn. He was a fool. A fool to have been so easily led astray. He lashed out with his spiked chain in rage, decimating the creature in front of him.
Turn 28
Valeros – BoTorag
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Recharge Masterwork Tools – Feel like an idiot
Wrathful Sinspawn – scenario roll – 2 - Fail Wisdom Check – Reveal + Recharge Spiked Chain + Lem Recharge = D10+4+2D4+D6+D4 = 17 = Success
Banish BoCalistria to close
Lem could see the change in his companion. He could also feel the shame emanating from the man. Lem said nothing, but moved to his partners side. The music that assaulted him was here still. Valeros had ended his torment, and now it was Lem's turn to end his own. He snatched a rock up from the earthen floor, and closed his eyes. The sound was defeaning, but Lem concentrated on it nonetheless. His arm cocked back, and he unleashed the stone into the shadows. The music ceased.
Turn 29
Lem – BoIomedae
Catacombs of Wrath
Siren – Wisdom + Recharge Sage + BoG = D10+1+D6+D10 = 9 = Success
They were close now, Valeros could feel it. Regaining his bearings, as well as a measure of his strength, he moved ever-deeper into the catacombs. There would be no peace for Sandpoint while this place remained beneath it. He heard a shuffling nearby, followed by a great thudding sound. Valeros packed away his chain and readied his glaive. Rushing towards the sound, he was greeted by a grotesque sight. It was a giant, long since dead, reanimated and restructured with foul purpose. It lumbered towards them, unnatural and odd numbers of arms outstretched. Valeros removed them all, followed by the abomination's skull.
Turn 30
Valeros – BoG
Catacombs of Wrath
Lem Cure – 4
Recharge Success
Zombie Giant – reveal Glaive + Lem recharge = D10+4+D10+D4 = 15 = Success
The tunnels began to close in now, becoming narrow passages speckled with tiny chambers to either side. In one of these, Lem discovered a chest containing a shortbow. Better than nothing, he thought. He soon had the opportunity to test it against a robed with two heads that ran at them from a nearby alcove, screaming unintelligibly.
Turn 31
Lem – BoG
Large Chest – Dex + Recharge Burglar = D8+D10 = 15 = Success = Shortbow
Discard BoG Explore – Scout – 2 damage – Reveal Shortbow + Valeros = D8+D6+D4 = 8 = fail = 1 damage
Valeros stood over the body of yet another malformed creature. Something had twisted everything it touched in these foul caverns. He could sense they were nearing the source, and he was fueled with righteous fury.
Turn 32
Valeros – BoG
Ogre – Reveal Glaive + Lem Recharge = D10+4+D10+D4 = 22 = Success
Lem entered what appeared to be the final chamber. It was larger than the others they had seen in these catacombs, and lined with candles. At the center stood another one of the misshapen creatures that had attacked the inn, and on it's shoulder was the demon itself.
"I must admit, I am surprised that you survived my pets." It mused in a melodic voice. "You will not survive me."
With that, the creature rushed at Lem, claws flashing in wide arcs towards his midsection. He sent lightning into the thing, and it's eyes burst in flashes of energy. As it collapsed, the demon took flight, diving towards Lem with it's claws.
The attack nearly allowed a second creature to surprise Lem from behind, but he was able to fend off the would-be ambush with a blast of holy energy. Two of the creatures now lay smoking in the chamber.
Turn 33
Lem – BoG
Wrathful Sinspawn – Scenario Roll – 4 - Passes Wis Check – Lightning Touch + Valeros = D10+2+3D4 = 19 = Success
Recharge Success
Summon and defeat a sinspawn to close – Scenario Roll – 1 = Discard top of Blessings deck – Passes Wis check – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+2+2D6+D4 = 15 = Success
Recharge fails
Valeros entered the chamber just in time to lop off the head of another sinspawn lumbering towards them. Seeing the demon harassing his partner, he dropped his sword and readied his bow. Taking careful aim, he unleashed an arrow that crackled with magical lightning. It struck the creature directly in the chest, and pinned it to the far wall.
"You...have no idea...what's coming." It hissed in laughter, blood running from it's maw. "She will come for you, and you will beg for mercy."
Valeros pulled a dagger from his belt as he moved towards it.
"Not likely." he said flatly, as he removed the demon's head with one swift stroke.
Turn 34
Valeros – BoSarenrae
Lem Cures Valeros – 3
Recharge fails
Erylium
Valeros – Wrathful Sinspawn – Scenario roll – 1 – Blessing off the top - Reveal and recharge longsword + Lem recharge = D10+4+D8+D6+D4 = 22 = Success
Erylium – reveal and recharge Shock Longbow+1 + Recharge Archer + Lem recharge + Lem BoG = D8+1+D10+D10+D4+D4 = 19 = Success
Rewards – Lem adds +1 to his D4 when assisting someone at location and Valeros adds +1 to his ability to help others in combat
Post-Game Analysis
Holy crap, guys. That was ridiculous. So the story behind this was that I thought my cards were in the proper order, so I just pulled the next adventure after the Perils of the Lost Coast stuff. Little did I realize, I was playing the third scenario in the AP! There's really no excuse for me to not have noticed it, since I've played through the AP before. At any rate, I didn't notice until I was done, and I'm going to take this one as a win. I earned it. I'll be back next time with the [i]real [/i]first scenario of the AP, but I'll be skipping this one when I manage to get to it.
So let's talk about the session. Man, that was a long one. I was actually really happy and impressed with my ability to keep these two alive as long as I did. Obviously, there's no way I could have completed this without that lucky Holy Candle. That is such an indispensable item at every player count. Other than the candle, we didn't get too many good boons though. Still, the candle is enough.
Keeping Lem alive was priority #1 through most of this, and I was able to make good use of his recharge ability to cycle back through to cure, and his ability to swap cards out of his discard when I failed to recharge it. He's pretty self-sufficient as long as you play conservatively, which I don't usually do.
Forgetting to use the Masterwork Tools with Valeros on the Shopkeeper's Daughter ranks among the more stupid things I have done in this game. That was a number of turns wasted, when I could have defeated it immediately. Still, it made for a fun narrative to tell. I hope you all enjoyed this one, and I'll be back soon with the actual first scenario of AP1!
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