Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Cop and a Half: Episode 22 - Sandpoint Under Siege


The books that Lem had retrieved from the Stone Giant's lair were very illuminating.  They told of ancient beings; wizards of great power called Runelords.  These wizards were able to use ancient rune magic to forge alliances with dragons and enslave giants.  They ruled the ancient empire of Thassilon, each plotting to overthrow the others.  Eventually, their power corrupted them and they began to each focus on one of seven schools of magic whose power was derived from the very sins of mankind.  Each of these Runelords created a runewell to harness this power.  The location of these runewells were lost to time but Barl Breakbones, the stone giant leader, had believed he discovered where one was located: the small coastal village of Sandpoint!

Lem
Male Halfling Bard Charlatan
Card Feats: Spell x2, Blessing
Skill Feats: Charisma +4
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
Starting Deck
Heavy Crossbow
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Toxic Cloud
Haste
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Cure
Toad
Burglar
Acolyte
BoPharasma x2
BoShelyn
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoIrori

Valeros and Lem should have been more surprised than they were to learn this.  They realized that they had already encountered the runewell once, deep below Thistletop!  If Barl was aware of it's location, it was likely that he was not alone. Why Barl had wanted to find it was a mystery.  Perhaps he wanted to harness the power of the well for himself.  Whatever the case, they had to get back to Sandpoint to prepare them for an attack before it was too late.  And so they began the long journey by boat back to the coast.  It took weeks, and they prayed that they would not arrive too late.

Valeros
Male Human Fighter Weapon Master
Card Feats: Weapon, Item, Blessing
Skill Feats: Strength +4
Power Feats: 
Hand Size 5
Add 1d4+2 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
Warhammer+1
Impaler of Thorns
Shock Longbow+1
Scythe+1
War Razor +1
Magic Chain Mail
Magic Shield
Magic Half-Plate
Holy Candle
Belt of Giant Strength
Staff of Minor Healing
Grizzled Mercenary
Burglar
Blessing of Gorum
BoTorag x2
BoAbadar

Arriving in the small village, they were greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of Sandpoint.  It appeared that their prior efforts to reduce the goblin population had been successful.  There hadn't been any attacks since the pair left.  They informed Sheriff Hemlock of the impending attack, and he began preparing defenses immediately.  He knew better than to doubt the duo that had saved the village so many times before.  Lem and Valeros headed to the cathedral to see if they could glean any additional information regarding the runewell.  As they did so, Lem shot a frost ray at one of the giant lizards that were native to the area.
"Man, I really missed that." He mused.

Turn 1
Lem – BoIrori
Sandpoint Cathedral
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Hill Giant – Shuffled back in
BoG – auto-acquire
Discard BoG exploxre – Giant Gecko – Frost Ray + Valeros = D10+5 + 2D6 + D4+2 = 27 = Success = Banished forever
Recharge Frost Ray = Success

As they neared the cathedral, they could see that the door had been smashed in.  They sprinted inside just in time to see a ghoul lunge upon one of the priests.  Valeros unsheathed his war razor as he ran towards the creature.  He grabbed the foul creature's head in one arm while cutting it's throat with the other.  Foul black ichor spilled onto the floor and the poor priest who scrambled and screamed under the ghoul.

Turn 2
Valeros – BoShelyn
Sandpoint Cathedral
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Bugbear – Shuffled back in
BoSarenrae – Constitution = D8 = 3 = Fail
Discard Grizzled Merc explore – Ghoul – War Razor = D10+7 + D4+1 = 17 = Success
Discard BoAbadar explore – Invisibility – Banish forever

Lem turned back to the door and saw no further threat.  He blockaded the ruined doors with a pew, just in case.  

Turn 3
Lem – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Jorgenfist Stone Giant – Shuffled back in
Crowbar – Banished forever
Discard Toad explore – Invisibility – Banish forever

Valeros threw aside the lifeless body of the ghoul and helped the gore-covered priest to his feet.  
"Wha...Valeros?  Lem?  What are you two doing here?"  He glanced to the ghoul before continuing, not giving the pair a chance to answer. "Never mind.  I should have expected you to be here.  Trouble seems to follow you two."
Lem and Valeros could hardly argue with that.  

Turn 4
Valeros – BoLamashtu
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Jorgenfist Stone Giant – Shuffled back in
Acolyte – Diplomacy + Lem Recharge = D6+2 + D4+2 = 9 = Success

Before the pair had a chance to question the priest, the blockaded door exploded inward.  Splinters of wood flew in all directions, and a stone giant ducked inside the ruined entryway.  Lem wasted no time and leveled a wand at it, greatly weakening the behemoth.  The pair then leapt into action.  Valeros charged the giant and stomped his foot into it's rocky midsection while Lem ducked behind it and clambered up it's back.  Reaching the thing's head, he gouged at the vulnerable eyes of the creature until it collapsed backwards down the steps.  Lem dove to one side as it fell, rolling to a standing position in the street.

Turn 5
Lem – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – BoTorag – Banished
Jorgenfist Stone Giant – Wand of Enervation – check reduced by 7 – Lem + Valeros + BoGorum = 3D4 + D4+2 = 14 = Success
Recharge Wand = Success
Banish blessing of Shelyn to close location
Wisdom check to recover blessing from discard = 1 = Fail

"A scout." Valeros grumbled.  Looks like there wouldn't be time to question the priest after all.  Valeros looked to the skyline, looking for the tallest building in the village.  One that would give them a good vantage point to spot any incoming giants.  The Scarnetti mansion was by far the largest building in Sandpoint.  The Scarnetti family were wealthy traders who had made a fortune in overseas trade, and chose to retire in this sleepy village.  Valeros kicked down the door to the mansion and rushed inside.

Turn 6
Valeros – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Ogre – Shuffled back in
Scarnetti Manor
Frost Longbow+1 – Bury Acolyte – Dexterity + Lem recharge + Lem BoIrori = 2D8 + D4+2 = 10 = Fail
  
As they entered, Lem heard a roar from behind them and reflexively kicked a bugbear that charged the doorway. This varied assortment of monsters they were encountering must be the vanguard of the invasion.  This wasn't going to be a fun day.

Turn 7
Lem – BoIrori
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Vicious Trident + 1 – Banished
Scarnetti Manor
Potion of Hiding – Banished forever
Haste Explore – Bugbear – Strength + Valeros + Valeros BoGorum = D4 + D4+2 + 2D4 = 12 = Success
Recharge Haste = Success

Valeros ran from room to room, fortunately no one else was home.  
"All clear." he said, and Lem nodded.  They went to the top floor and looked out in all directions, searching for the giant army.

Turn 8
Valeros – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Venemous Dagger +2 – Banished
Chain Mail – Banished forever

The house was cluttered with junk, and it was hard to find a good vantage point to see around them.  They decided to climb out the window and onto the roof instead.  

Turn 9
Lem – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Amulet of Life – Banished forever
Magic Leather Armor – Consitution = D6 = 2 = Success
Discard BoAbadar explore – Standard Bearer – Banish forever

As the clambered out onto the tiled roof of the mansion, a terrible roar could be heard overhead.  
"What now?" Valeros grumbled.  As though in response, the roof erupted into flames as a red blur swooped overheard.  Partially on fire, the pair scrambled back into the window, patting out the flames on their armor and faces.  
"By the gods!  Was that...was that a dragon?!" Lem asked incredulously.

Turn 10
Valeros – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Zombie – Shuffle back in
Mercenary – Reveal and recharge War Razor = D10+7 + 3D4+1 = 16 = Success
Discard BoTorag explore – Both fail their dex checks automatically – 4 fire damage
Fail combat check – Longtooth shuffled back in

Lem did what he could to heal them, but any exposed skin they had was already beginning to blister.  How the hell were they supposed to fight a dragon?  They were going to have to get creative for this one.  
"We have to go warn the village!" he cried.
"You go, I'll distract it."  

Turn 11
Lem – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Blast stone – Banish forever
Move to City Gate
Masterwork Tools – Dexterity – D8 = 3 = Fail
Cure – 4

Distract it.  What was he thinking?  Well, he had always wanted to go down fighting and let's face it, there was nothing cooler than fighting a dragon.  The roof was a roaring inferno, and Valeros had to be very careful where he placed his hands as he climbed back out.  Standing in the middle of the flames, he could see the dragon circling overhead.  He waved his frost spear and shouted at the dragon, attempting to get it's attention.

It worked.  The dragon descended in a dive straight towards him.  It unleashed liquid flame once again, but Valeros was ready.  He dove aside as new flames rose from the spot where he had stood.  As the dragon righted itself from it's dive, Valeros took a running leap from the roof onto it's back.  He plunged his spear into the back of the giant scaly beast over and over again.  Each thrust was greeted by blood that boiled from the scales like lava from a volcano.  The dragon thrashed in all directions, attempting to buck the human from it's back.  Fortunately, Valeros was able to plant his spear deep enough that it would not be shaken free.  

Finally, the great beast began to tire, and it's wings went limp.  It dropped like a red meteor from the sky, and Valeros braced himself for impact.  With a thunderous crash, the dragon and it's unwelcome passenger hit the ground.  The carcass of the dragon smashed through several small houses before coming to a stop.  Valeros himself rolled to a stop in the street.  He was surprised to find himself in one piece.

Turn 12
Valeros – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Shuffle back in
Longtooth – Dexterity  + BoTorag = 2D8 = 12 = Success = 1 fire damage
Combat Check – Icy Longspear+1 = D10+7 + D8+1 = 15 = Fail = Recharge icy Longspear reroll = 22 = Success
Choose not to close location
Holy Candle – 1

Lem was too distracted by his own troubles to see the incredible spectacle that raged above him.  He had reached the city gates just in time to see a host of giants break through the shoddy wall that protected the village.  Lem opened up with everything he had.  Blasts of frost and lightning poured from his outstretched hands.  Giants and their minions alike were sent flying; their bodies frozen solid then blasted apart. 

Turn 13
Lem – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Ambush – Shuffle back in
Goblin Warrior – Frost Ray = D10+5 + 2D6 = 23 = Success
Recharge Frost Ray = Success
Haste Explore – Jorgenfist Stone Giant – Lightning Bolt = D10+5 + 3D6 = 23 = Success
Recharge Haste = Success
Recharge Lightning Bolt = Success
Defeat Bandit henchman to close location – D10+D8 = 9 = Success
Location closed

Valeros dusted himself off and looked around him, searching for the next source of danger.  He saw townsfolk running in all directions.  Outside the walls, a huge cloud of dust was rising from the area near the Old Light, an ancient lighthouse.  Could that be where the runewell was located?  Valeros wasn't going to take any chances.  He ran out of the city and towards the landmark, shooting with his longbow at the undead minions that flocked to the gathered giants.

Turn 14
Valeros – BoSarenrae
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Yeth Hound – Shuffled back in
Move to the Old Light
Zombie – Shock Longbow+1 = D10+7 + D8+1 = 20 = Banished forever
Use Staff of Minor Healing

Satisfied that the immediate threat at the gate was taken care of, Lem ran back to the mansion to search for his partner.  The building was a smoldering ruin by the time he reached it.  There was no way Valeros would go out like that, though.  He knew the man better than that.  He went in search of the dragon instead.

Turn 15
Lem – BoLamashtu
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Crown of Charisma – Banished
Scarnetti Manor
Charisma check to close – D10+7 = 17 = Location closed
D6 random items – 1 – Amulet of Mighty Fists to hand

Valeros had reached the landmark and didn't slow his run as he jumped onto the back of a hill giant.  He brought his razor across the broad stinking flesh of the giant's throat, and rolled off of it as it crashed into the ground.  He would carve his way through all of these beasts until he found their leader.

Turn 16
Valeros – BoPharasma
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Holy Light – Banished
Hill Giant – Reveal and recharge War Razor+1 = D10+7 + 3D4+1 = 23 = Success

Lem found the carcass of the red dragon, and it was easy enough to follow the trail of carnage from it.  Surely all of this was the handiwork of his partner.  He could see the Old Light in the distance, and hoped he would reach it before Valeros killed everything without him.

Turn 17
Lem – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Vicious Trident +1 – Banished
Valeros Staff of Minor Healing
The Old Light
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Fail – End turn

Valeros buried his longspear into an ogre.  He was nearly to the lighthouse now.  Just a few more monsters to go.  

Turn 18
Valeros – BoAbadar
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Wand of Scorching Ray – Banish
Ogre – Icy Longspear+1 + Lem recharge = D10+7 + D8+1 + D4+2 = 23 = Success
Grizzled Mercenary explore – Shopkeeper’s Daughter – End turn

As Valeros charged a flying yeth hound, a blast of light knocked it from the sky in front of him.  He turned and saw his partner panting.
"Don't...think...I'm letting you...have all the fun."  He wheezed.  
Valeros gave him a grim smile and the pair approached the lighthouse together.

Turn 19
Lem – BoG
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Aid – Banished
Yeth Hound – Wisdom = D6 = 4 = Fail = Difficulty increased by 1
Combat check – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+5 + 2D6 + D4+2 = 24 = Success
Recharge Holy Light = Success

They could see a stone giant at the base of the old lighthouse.  He appeared to be taking the very stones from the foundation, placing them into a large satchel that he wore.  He paid no mind to the heroes as they approached.  That was his last mistake. 

Turn 20
Valeros – BoCalistria
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Shuffled back in
Shopkeeper’s Daughter – Fail

Lem conjured a cloud of poisonous gas around the giant, then fired his crossbow.  Valeros followed the bolt with his longspear and crashed into the giant, sending it sprawling to the ground.  
"You think you have won?" It sputtered as Valeros stepped toward the giant, "Lord Mokmurian will show you the true meaning of pain."
"Can't wait to meet him." Valeros said with a smile as he drove the spearpoint into the giant's neck.

Turn 21
Lem – Boiomedae
Scenario – Randomly select a location and reveal the top card – Teraktinus – Shuffled back in
Teraktinus – D4-1 Ranged combat damage = 2 = Bury magic leather armor
Wand of Enervation - 6
Lem - 1st Combat Check – Toxic Cloud + Heavy Crossbow + Valeros = D6+D8+D10+D4+2 = 15 = Success
Valeros - 2nd Combat Check – Toxic Coud + Icy Longspear+1 + Lem recharge  = D6+D10+7+D8+1+D4+2 = 23 = Success

Scenario Reward – Power Feat
Lem – Add 2 to your check to acquire an ally or defeat a henchman
Valeros – Add D4+3 to another character’s check at your location

Post-Game Analysis

Yay, I was able to recover my PC, so this didn't end up being the "lost adventure"!  So. Many. Boons. Lost. I mean, I guess that's the nature of this scenario, since every boon that's revealed at the start of the turn is banished, but still.  Two vicious tridents, a new bow, venemous dagger, and other things I would have liked to have all appeared and promptly went away in this scenario.  

Hope you all enjoyed the read, and I'll see you next time with the second scenario of Adventure Deck 4!

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