They stood before the tower. Once considered one of the greatest monuments of Magnimar, the massive clocktower now loomed in disrepair and neglect. Lem gulped involuntarily. They had left no stone unturned in their search for the leader of the Skinsaw Cult. He and Valeros hadn't slept for days, instead moving from one slum to another as they interrogated and intimidated their way to the source of this Skinsaw Cult.
Lem
Card Feat: Spell
Skill Feat: Carisma +3
Power Feat: 1D4 +2 to another character’s check
Starting Deck
BoPharasma x2
Toxic Cloud
Burglar x2
Holy Light
BoDesna
BoErastil
Cure
Sihedron Medallion
Lightning Bolt
Toad
Wand of Force Missile
BoShelyn
Frost Ray
Heavy Crossbow
Valeros adjusted the grip on his glaive. This tower had long since been abandoned by those in power, and it was no surprise that something else now inhabited it. The dark clouds overhead began to rain down upon the pair. Valeros glanced down to his diminutive partner and nodded in reassurance before entering the tower.
Valeros
Card Feat: Item
Skill Feat: Strength +3
Power Feat: Hand Size – 5, 1D4 +1 to another characters combat check
Starting Deck
BoSarenrae
BoTorag
BoIomedae
Sheriff Hemlock
Grizzled Mercenary
Masterwork Tools
Holy Candle
Staff of Minor Healing
Icy Longspear +1
Warhammer +1
Scythe+1
Glaive
Shock Longbow +1
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Magic Leather Armor
Once inside, the smell of the place nearly made Lem wretch. Valeros, of course, showed no reaction to it, but it was vile. Before he could catch his breath, he saw figures moving in the darkness of the room at the base of the tower. A ghoul, flanked by another scarecrow golem, moved towards the pair without a word.
Lem blasted the ghoul with a holy light, but the golem was too quick for the pair to react. It lifted the halfling from the ground and threw him against the wall. Lem heard something snap as he hit the stone wall and fell to the ground. He hoped it wasn't anything important as he tried to regain his breath.
Turn 1
Lem – BoPharasma
Shadow Clock
Recharge hand and redraw
Ghoul – Holy Light + Valeros – D10+4 + 2D12 + D4+1 = 29 = Success
Recharge Holy Light = Fail
Discard BoDesna explore – Scarecrow Golem – Wand of Force Missile + Valeros = 4D4 + D4+1 = 11 = Fail = 1 damage
Recharge Wand = Success
The sounds of their battle had alerted others within the tower. A pair of robed figures descended the ramp that led to the top of the tower. Unfortunately, Lem had not yet recovered from the golem's attack. One of the cultists stabbed downward with a wicked curved blade that pierced his shoulder deeply. Lem cried out in pain, nearly blacking out. Valeros hacked his way through the other cultist, and ran to his partner. Valeros cleaved through the other cultist as easily as the first, and helped his partner up. Lem took a moment to mend his wounds with magic while Valeros turned to face the golem.
Turn 2
Valeros – BoG
Shadow Clock
Recharge hand and redraw
Potion of Hiding – Intelligence = D6 = 5 = Success
Discard BoSarenrae explore – Skinsaw Ritual – Summon and encounter Skinsaw Cultist henchman
Lem – Strength + Valeros = D4 + D4+1 = 3 = All the damage ever – Sihedron medallion and discard everything else but Cure
Recharge medallion = Fail
Valeros – Glaive = D10+6 + D10 = 21 = Success
Each discards 1 card from the top of their deck for Lem’s failure
Lem Cure – 2
Cure recharge = Success
Lem could do nothing but lean against the damp stone wall and watch as his partner squared off against the monstrous creation. He had managed to staunch the bleeding in his shoulder, but he was fairly certain that he had broken more than a few bones. He had done all he could for now though, and focused on regaining his footing so that he could help Valeros.
Turn 3
Lem – BoDesna
Recharge hand and redraw
Treasure Map – Knowledge = D6+3 = 4 = Fail
Valeros had dropped his glaive in favor of the scythe he had taken earlier from one of the cultists. It seemed appropriate, given the nature of his foe. He performed a low, sweeping slash, and was relieved to see the magical blade sever the creature's legs. Straw spilled from the rags that the golem was clothed in, and it fell lifelessly to the ground.
Turn 4
Valeros – BoAbadar
Recharge hand and redraw
Consecration – Auto-Fail
Discard BoIomedae explore – Scarecrow Golem – Reveal and recharge Scythe+1 + Lem recharge = D10+6 + 3D4+1 + D4+2 = Auto-Success
Banish Sheriff Hemlock to close location
"You going to make it?" Valeros asked. Lem nodded. He wasn't sure, if he were being honest, but he would see this through to the end.
As the pair prepared to climb the tower, a great blast of arcane force erupted from the center of the room. They were knocked to the ground as a hideous form appeared before them. From the waist up, it appeared as a beautiful woman, clad in armor of shining gold. Below the waist, however, her form was that of a serpent. It moved with blinding speed, bursting from the doorway and out into the streets before the pair could react.
Valeros and Lem picked themselves up and moved as quickly as they could after the creature. The rain had become a downpour outside, and the streets were slick pools of mud and filth. This made tracking the serpentine woman easy enough. Unfortunately, she was not alone. The pair were stopped in their tracks by the appearance of a humanoid creature the likes of which they had never seen.
It was of average height, but it's flesh glistened in the rain, appearing rubbery and malleable. It's face was featureless, and as it shambled towards them Lem swore he could see the skin moving, forming and unforming shapes. Lem fired his crossbow at the thing, and the bolt struck home directly in the forehead of the creature. Lem could only stare wide-eyed as the bolt appeared to be consumed by a mouth that opened around it. The creature continued it's shambling pace towards them, unfazed.
Turn 5
Lem – BoG
City Gate
Charmed Faceless Stalker – Fail Wisdom check – Heavy Crossbow + BoErastil = D8 + 3D10 = 1 = Fail = Bury top card of deck
Shuffle random monster from the box into location
"You got this?" Valeros didn't want to lose the trail of the serpent-woman.
Lem looked up to his partner with a lopsided grin. "Not really, but I'll think of something."
Valeros charged right past the monstrosity, moving too quickly for the thing to react. He couldn't afford to lose the trail. Too many lives were at stake if he did.
Turn 6
Valeros – BoG
City Gate
Acolyte – Diplomacy + Lem recharge = D6+2 + D4+2 = 13 = Success
Staff of minor healing on Lem
This was probably the dumbest thing he had ever done, Lem thought. He was running as quickly as he could through the streets, leading the creature onwards. As he ran, a man stepped into the street. He had a wicked scar that stretched across his face that creased as he grinned at Lem, showing a few yellowed teeth. The man unsheathed a scimitar and pointed it at Lem.
"Hold it right there, little man, and hand over yer gold." The man spat.
Lem didn't even slow as he leveled his wand and blasted the man away with arcane force. He hated this city.
Turn 7
Lem – BoIrori
Mystic Inscription – Arcane + BoPharasma = 2D10+4 = 21
2 spells to hand – Web, Haste
Discard Haste to explore – Sickle+1 – Strength = Auto-Fail
Haste recharge = Success
Discard BoPharasma explore – Mercenary – Wand of Force Missile + Valeros = 5D4+1 = 16 = Success
Wand recharge = Success
His lungs burned, but Valeros pressed onward as quickly as he could. The large trail that the creature left was still easy to follow, but the snake-woman was much faster than he was. Still, she couldn't run forever. He just hoped he could run longer.
Turn 8
Valeros – BoAbadar
Merchant – Diplomacy = D6+2 = 8 = Success
Discard merchant explore – Potion of Fortitude – Intelligence = D6 = 2 = Fail
Lem had reached his destination, the Temple. He risked a glance behind him and saw that the shambling faceless monster was still moving towards him. It appeared that the man he had blasted was right behind the thing as well. Lem wondered if the man realized what it was that stood in the street. Either way, it was time for Lem to make his last stand.
He said a prayer to the gods, followed by an arcane incantation. The clouds above took on a green hue, and the rain in front of Lem sizzled as it struck the ground. Man and monster alike melted in front of the halfling. He felt some pity for the bandit, but none for the monster. The flesh melted from the thing, showing a misshapen skeleton. Lem took aim and fired at the skull. He breathed a sigh of relief as the bolt shattered bone, and the thing slumped and fell with a splash of water and flesh.
He saw a man running towards him from a distance. Even from this distance, Lem saw the protrusions of at least a half-dozen weapons on the figure. That had to be Valeros. Lem quickly banished the acidic cloud and waved to his partner. Valeros reached him, panting and wild-eyed from his run through the rain.
"She's here. I tracked her here." He said between breaths.
"The temple? Are you sure?" Lem asked, but it was a rhetorical question. Of course Valeros was sure. They went inside, on guard for anything that might confront them.
Turn 9
Lem – BoG
Cure – 4
Recharge Cure – Success
Ghost – Web to bottom of deck
Recharge Web = Fail
Discard BoShelyn explore – Charmed Faceless Stalker – Fail wisdom check – Toxic Cloud + Heavy Crossbow + Valeros = D6 + D8 + D10 + D4+1 = 23 = Success
Toxic Cloud recharge = Fail
Summon and defeat Bandit henchman – recharge a card - Heavy Crossbow + Valeros = D8 + D10 + D4+1 = 19 = Success
Location closed
They entered just in time to see the snake-woman smash the altar on the far side of the room. Valeros wasted no time, throwing his spear, and following up with a shot from his longbow. Both hit home and the thing cried out in pain as it descended into a tunnel below the altar.
"What is it with hidden tunnels beneath temples?" Lem grimaced as he peered over the edge of the pit.
Turn 10
Valeros – BoG
Temple – discard a card
Xanesha – 1st check – Icy Longspear+1 = D10+6 + D8+1 = 11 = Fail = recharge spear and reroll = 18 = Success
2nd check – reveal and recharge Shock Longbow+1 + Lem BoPharasma = D8 + D8+1 + D10 + D8 = 25 = Success
Location closed
They lit torches and descended into the tunnel, wary of movement around them. The tunnels were spacious and ancient. The walls and floor were not crudely-carved earth, but smooth stone. Unfortunately, they didn't have time to admire the architecture. A chittering nearby alerted them that they were not alone. Lem fired at the sound with his crossbow, and saw a goblin body fall into the torchlight. Those things were like cockroaches.
Turn 11
Lem – BoG
Shrine to Lamashtu
Goblin Raid – Lem summons and encounters a Goblin Raider henchman – Heavy Crossbow = D8 + D10 = 8 = Success
Moving deeper into the tunnels, Valeros barely noticed the goblin snake before it lashed out at him. He grabbed it by the neck with his free hand and strangled the life from it as he continued his movement. Lem shook his head as he watched. He would never cease to be amazed by the man's capacity for violence.
Turn 12
Valeros – BoIrori
Shrine to Lamashtu
Goblin Snake – Melee + Lem recharge = D10+6 + D4+2 = Auto-success
Holy Candle – 4
Discard BoTorag explore – BoGorum – Strength = Auto-acquire
It was then that Lem noticed a third shadow moving along with them through the tunnels. He blasted the shadow with a holy light, and was satisfied as it withered and faded away. Valeros turned to look at him with a cocked eyebrow. Lem shrugged and gestured for the man to continue.
Turn 13
Lem – BoAbadar
Shadow – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+4 + 2D12 + D4+1 = 20 = Success
Recharge Holy Light = Success
They neared the end of the tunnel. Valeros could see a great chamber just ahead. Standing in front of the entrance, though, was an indescribable monster. That's OK, Valeros thought, because the thing wouldn't live long enough to be worthy of description. He felled it with a single blow of his warhammer, and entered the chamber.
Turn 14
Valeros – BoG
Bunyip – Fail wisdom check - Warhammer+1 + Lem recharge = D10+6 + D8+1 + D4+2 = Auto-Success
Discard BoGorum explore – Monster in the closet – recharge masterwork tools
Lem followed behind Valeros, and tried not to gasp as he took in the details of the chamber. Runes, like those that they had seen in the tunnels below Thistletop, glimmered and glowed in the darkness. In the center of the room was a great stone well. In front of the well, the snake-woman faced them.
"I am Xanesha, chosen of Karzoug, and angel of the Skinsaw Cult. You have made a grave error in challenging our plans, and I will see that your souls feel the runewell."
Her voice was melodic, and echoed unnaturally off the stone walls. The armor she wore was angular, coming to sharp points that gave her an almost avian appearance. She had a greatspear shone with magical energy in the darkness, casting a cold blue light around her.
Turn 15
Lem – BoG
BoTorag – 2 points of damage – Divine = auto-success
Valeros let loose a fearsome battle cry and charged towards her with his hammer. He lashed out, and sparks flew as hammer met spear. Xanesha was unmoved by the attack, and lashed out with her tail as she pushed Valeros back, hoping to sweep the man from his feet. Valeros leapt backwards over the serpent tail, allowing Xanesha to push him backward. He hoped that it would draw her off balance.
As Xanesha's body leaned forward as she drove forward with greater ease than she had intended. Valeros took the opportunity, coming down with his hammer as he landed. The screech of twisted metal resounded in the chamber as Xanesha was pounded into the stone floor. Valeros swung again and again, like a mad blacksmith, until the snake-woman no longer stirred.
Turn 16
Valeros – BoG
Lem Cure – 4
Recharge cure = Fail
Xanesha – 1st check – Warhammer+1 + Lem recharge = D10+6 + D8+1 + D4+2 = 21 = Success
2nd check – Reveal and recharge Warhammer+1 + Lem recharge + Lem BoTorag = D10+6 + D8+1 + D6 + D4+2 + D10 = 24 = Success
The pair dared not examine the chamber any further, leaving that to wiser men. They climbed out of the tunnel and back to the safety of the temple. Valeros leaned on his new greatspear, and Lem sat on the steps of the altar. Both were filthy and exhausted. Lem looked to his partner and smiled.
"So, what do we do now?"
Scenario Reward – Impaler of Thorns, Medusa Mask, Sihedron Medallion, Snakeskin Tunic
Adventure Deck reward – Card Feat
Lem – Spell
Valeros – Blessing
Post-Game Analysis
That does it for this adventure deck! I still haven't picked up the third one, but am hoping to this week, which means the episodes should continue weekly uninterrupted. I don't have much to say about this adventure. Lem got his butt kicked pretty hard, but he was never in great danger thanks to his ability to almost always have a cure on-hand. Valeros got a nifty new spear, but that was about the only boon worth mentioning.
Next time: Off to Hook Mountain!
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