Lem yawned and stretched before rising from his cot in his room in The Rusty Dragon. He felt like he had been asleep for a year or more. He was exhausted from splitting his time between studying all the texts he could find on the Thassilonians and healing Valeros, who had taken to taming a red dragon that was captured in the raid on Sandpoint only a few short weeks ago. Today was the day, though, they were off to track down the retreating giants and find their leader, Mokmurian.
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 or defeat a henchman
Starting Deck
Heavy Crossbow
Wand of Enervation
Sihedron Medallion
Toxic Cloud
Haste
Holy Light
Frost Ray
Lightning Bolt
Cure
Toad
Burglar
Acolyte
BoPharasma x2
BoG
BoErastil
BoAbadar
BoIrori
He left the inn, squinting at the early morning sunlight, and went to join his partner. He found Valeros in the makeshift cage they had constructed for the red dragon. Valeros was truly fearless, and probably a bit crazy, to try and tame this beast. Still, Lem couldn't argue with the fact that they could use it to cover an incredible amount of ground in a short time. Considering that the giants had had weeks of time to retreat, Lem hoped they would still be able to track them.
Valeros
Male Human Fighter Weapon Master
Card Feats: Weapon, Item, Blessing
Skill Feats: Strength +4
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
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
Lem stopped just short of the massive cage door, and nodded to Valeros. He saw that the massive red dragon was sleeping, and breathed a small sigh of relief. Valeros said nothing, but waved him in. Lem slipped between the widely-spaced bars of the cage and approached as cautiously as he could.
"Morning. I've packed everything I think we might need for the trip. You ready?" Lem spoke in a half-whisper, desperately trying not to wake the dragon.
Valeros nodded again, and approached the dragon.
"Wake up Smog! Time to go!" He yelled, completely unfazed by the massive beast. The dragon woke with a start, it's massive head rearing back on a long scaled neck.
"Smog? Seriously? That sound so...plain. Maybe something like Smaug, or Smaugue."
Valeros ignored him and raised his hand towards the beast as he approached. He turned to look at Lem and nodded his head towards the dragon. Lem approached and together they mounted the great dragon. Surprisingly, it let them. Maybe the time spent and third-degree burns Valeros had suffered would pay off after all.
Once they were seated, Valeros spurred the dragon into action. It lifted off with a great jolt, dislodging one of the bags that Lem had brought. Oh well, it was probably unimportant. Probably.
Turn 1
Lem – BoGorum
Guard Tower
Bandit Henchman from location effect – recharge BoPharasma – Holy Light + Valeros – D10+5+2D6+D4+3 = auto-kill
Recharge Holy Light = Success
Potion of Fortitude – Banish forever
Discard Haste explore - Caltrops – banish forever
Recharge Haste = Success
During the time they had spent in Sandpoint, they had scoured the immediate area for signs of the giant's trail. It had led to the northeast, and so that was the direction they initially flew. The trail the giants had left was not difficult to follow; shattered trees and debris littered the landscape that they passed over.
Turn 2
Valeros – BoIomede
Guard Tower
Bandit Henchman from location effect – recharge staff of minor healing – Reveal War Razor + Lem recharge = D10+7+D4+1+D4+2 = auto-kill
Charmed Red Dragon – Diplomacy + Lem Recharge + Lem BoIrori = D6+2+D4+2+D6 = 19 = Success
Several hours passed before they reached what appeared to be the end of the trail. A great mountain range, the Iron Peaks, if Lem recalled correctly, rose up to meet them. Smoke trails could be seen on a nearby peak, denoting the giant's camp. Valeros ordered the dragon to descend, and they dismounted the great beast on a nearby cliffside. Neither of them had a desire to go into battle with a red dragon there, tame or not. It was just too dangerous. They would need to continue on foot.
Turn 3
Lem – BoTorag
Bandit Henchman from location effect – recharge BoAbadar – Frost Ray + Valeros – D10+5+2D6+D4+3 = auto-kill
Recharge Frost Ray = Success
Magic Full Plate – Constitution = D6 = 3 = Fail
As they neared the encampment, Valeros spotted a giant guarding the outskirts. He motioned for Lem to stay put, and moved silently through the rocky outcroppings, war razor at the ready. Climbing to the top of one a large boulder behind the giant, he readied himself to strike. Leaping onto its massive back, Valeros swiped his blade across the giantess' neck. Rolling off as the lifeless body crashed to the ground, Valeros sprang to his feet. He motioned for Lem to follow.
Turn 4
Valeros – BoNorgorber
Bandit Henchman from location effect – recharge Charmed Red Dragon – Reveal War Razor + Lem recharge = D10+7+D4+1+D4+2 = auto-kill
Cinderma – 1D4-1 ranged damage = 3
Icy Longspear + 1+ Lem Recharge + Lem Toxic Cloud = D10+7+D8+1+D4+2+D6 = 20 = Success
Scenario roll to see if Giant is defeated = 2 = Success
Strength 5 check to close = auto-success – Location closed
Recharge Toxic Cloud = Success
Reaching the giant's camp, they could see several of the huge men and women milling about. Their gray skin and slender build identified them all as stone giants, but it was difficult to tell how many there were. Lem noticed one giant in particular wore decorative armor and jewels, that must be their leader. He motioned to Valeros, pointed at the hulking form of the giant, and raised his crossbow. Valeros nodded. Lem lay flat on the rocks and steadied his aim.
Just as he fired, the giant moved, and his bolt shattered against the rock where its head was. Lem mouthed some colorful words, and they scrambled back into the rocks as the giant encampment burst into action.
Turn 5
Lem – BoGorzeh
Mountain Peak
Light Crossbow – Banished forever
Discard Toad explore – Galenmir – D4-1 ranged damage = 0
Wand of Enervation – check Reduced by 6
Heavy Crossbow = D10+D8 = 8 = Fail = take all the damage (1 card :P)
Galenmir and a couple blessings escape
Recharge Wand of Enervation = Fail = Buried
Valeros thought quickly as they moved through the rocks. They needed to isolate these giants and take them on one by one if they were to stand a chance of surviving. More importantly, a razor wasn't going to cut it in a face-to-face battle with a giant. He reached for a more suitable weapon as they ran.
Turn 6
Valeros – BoIomedae
Mountain Peak
Elven Chain Shirt – D8 = 6 = Fail
Grizzled Mercenary Discard – Eyes of the Eagle – Banished
As they sprinted through the rocks, Lem could hear chanting above the din of giants rousing themselves to battle. Sounded like magic. Foul magic.
Suddenly, a great spectral form rose up before him. Did these giants have necromancers? That seemed like overkill. Fortunately, holy magic worked on all undead, big or small. In a flash of light, the spectre was torn apart. Lem kept running to the safety of the rocks.
Turn 7
Lem – BoErastil
Location Effect – Wisdom 7 check – Auto-fail – Bury Acolyte
Spectre – Holy Light + Valeros = D10+5+2D12+D4+3 = Auto-success
Recharge Holy Light = Success
Move to random location = Guard Tower
Similarly, dark shadows danced around Valeros as he ran. Fortunately, he had found an appropriate weapon in his arsenal. He stopped, raised his scythe in the air and, spun. As he did so, the shadows were torn asunder by the blade. Satisfied, Valeros continued on with Lem towards the rocks.
At last, they reached the relative safety of a dense cluster of boulders atop the mountain. They stopped to catch their breath, and Valeros put his hand against the rock to steady himself. The rock was hot to the touch, and Valeros turned to look, just in time to see a glowing rune flash to a blinding light.
"Get down!" he shouted as the boulder exploded in his face. Lem was quick enough to roll out of the way, but the trap had caught Valeros full on. Lem ran to his fallen companion just in time to hear chittering cries from nearby. Those weren't giant noises.
Turn 8
Valeros – BoCalistria
Location effect – Wisdom 7 check – Auto-fail = Bury Belt of Giant Strength
Shadow – Reveal and Recharge Scythe+1 = D10+7+2D4+1+D4 = 18 = Success
Discard BoTorag explore – Explosive Runes – Dex 14 check – Auto-fail = Discard top of deck and 8 fire damage lol - Runes banished
Goblins swarmed over the hills towards them. Lem helped his friend up, as there was no time to get any healing done. Valeros' entire left side was a blackened and burned mess, but he was still alive. The goblins were upon them before either could grab a suitable weapon. The pair resorted to punching and kicking the small green humanoids that scrambled towards them. They had to get out of here, quick.
Lem spotted a cave in the rocks nearby that might provide them some shelter and funnel their enemies toward a defensible position. dodging goblins by the dozen, and felling even more with his hands and hairy feet, he dragged Valeros' stumbling body towards the cave opening.
Turn 9
Lem – BoG
Mountain Peak
Goblin Raid –
Lem – Strength + Discard BoG + Valeros = D4+D4+D4+3 = 9 success
Valeros = Strength + Lem Recharge = D10+4+D4+2 = auto-success
Goblin Raid banished forever
Discard Haste Explore – BoGorzeh = Auto-acquire
Recharge Haste = Success
The cave went far deeper than either of them expected. Valeros, half-blind and still reeling from the explosion, trusted the halfling to guide him through dark interior of the cavern. Lem suddenly stopped.
"We're not alone." he whispered.
As though on cue, a giant club smashed against the wall of the cave, inches from the pair. As injured as he was, Valeros could still fight. He ran towards where he thought the giant would be and lashed out with a boot. He smiled as a satisfying *crack* came from his opponent's kneecap. As the giant fell forward, Valeros grabbed the massive skull in a great bear hug and twisted. That was the end of their ambusher.
Turn 10
Valeros – BoIrori
Location effect = Wisdom 7 check = Wisdom + Lem recharge = D4+D4+2 = 6 = fail = Bury Burglar
Treacherous Cave
Leather Armor – Banished forever
Discard BoGorum explore – Ambush – Dex 13 check – Discard BoAbadar = 3D8 = 14 = Success
Free explore – Half Plate – Constitution – D8 = 5 Success
The giant wasn't alone, however. Lem saw another lumbering towards them in the darkness, and shot a bolt of lightning towards it. Blinding white light coursed from Lem to the giant, illuminating the cave for a brief instant before the giant collapsed. They continued their journey through the cave, wherever it might lead them.
Turn 11
Lem – BoShelyn
Location effect = Wisdom 7 check = Discard BoErastil = 2D6 = 7 = Success
Treacherous Cave
Jorgenfist Stone Giant – Lightning Bolt + BoPharasma + Valeros = D10+5+3D6+2D10+D4+3 = 35 = Success
Scenario roll to see if Giant is defeated = 2 = Success
Recharge Lightning Bolt = Fail
Close check = Wisdom 7 = Wisdom + Discard BoGorzeh = 3D6 = 11 = Success
They had clearly stumbled into the lair of these giants, as sconces and giant-trappings littered the cave ahead. Most of the giants were still above, searching for the pair, but not all of them. They rounded a corner, and found themselves standing in front of the armored giant that Lem had attempted to shoot earlier.
"I've got this", Valeros said, limping towards the giant as he drew his spear.
The giant boomed with laughter, echoing off the cave walls. "The only thing you have is a death wish, little man."
Valeros smiled through bloody lips as he broke into a sprint towards the giant. At the last moment, he jumped towards the cave wall, and used a rocky ledge to propel himself higher with a second leap, straight towards the giant's face. The pair crashed to the ground with a force strong enough to dislodge rocks from the cave walls, collapsing many of the tunnels behind them.
Valeros rolled to his feet, while the giant struggled to bring itself upright, a spear lodged in it's massive chestplate. As Lem and Valeros advanced, the giant scrambled deeper into the cavern.
Turn 12
Valeros – BoG
Giant Lair
Lem Cure – 5
Recharge Cure = Success
Galenmir – Impaler of Thorns + Lem Toxic Cloud + Discard BoTorag = D10+7+D8+2+D6+D10 = 31 = Success
Scenario check to see if Giant defeated = 3 = Success
Location Closed – Galenmir escapes to Mountain Peak
Recharge Toxic Cloud = Success
They followed the trail of blood through the cave, eventually reaching an opening back to the surface. They must be close. The giant couldn't possibly be moving very quickly given the amount of blood it had lost.
Turn 13
Lem – BoShelyn
Mountain Peak
Valeros took a moment to heal their wounds once they reached the cave mouth. As he did so, another foul undead creature assaulted them. It was a small effort to finish off the wretched creature with his spear. These giants must be getting desperate.
Turn 14
Valeros – BoGorum
Mountain Peak
Staff of Minor Healing – Lem
Plague Zombie – Impaler of Thorns = D10+7+D8+2 = auto-kill
The trail led them to a cliff, where the giant leader sat, clutching the gaping wound in his chest. He was still alive, but only just. Lem leveled his finger at the giant and spoke an arcane incantation. A ray of frost ended the giant's misery.
Turn 15
Lem – BoG
Location effect – Wisdom 7 = Bury BoAbadar
Galenmir – D4-1 Ranged damage = 1 damage – Frost Ray + Discard BoPharasma + Valeros = D10+5+2D6+2D10+D4+3 = 39 = Success
Scenario roll to see if Giant defeated = 6 = Success
"Think that was Mokmurian?" Valeros grumbled, kicking the lifeless, frost-covered, body.
Lem moved towards the edge of the cliff and looked out. "Somehow, I don't think so." he said, eyes wide with awe.
Valeros moved towards his partner and looked over the edge. Below was a blackened valley filled with a massive obsidian tower. All around the tower, creatures flew, and below armies of giants moved about. Valeros wished he had kept that dragon around, after all.
Scenario Victory!
Rewards – Card Feat
Lem – Armor
Valeros – Ally
Post-Game Analysis
Bet you didn't think I was going to finish, huh? Well, neither did I. Life gets busy, priorities shift, and some things have to shift to the back-burner. Unfortunately PACG was one of those things, but now I'm back! Rejoice!
Anyway, let's take a look at this session. Tame Red Dragon! It was just too much of a Valeros thing to pass up. I might never use it, but who knows. Ally cards are kind of middling at best anyway, with a few exceptions. As for Lem, I noticed that I had given him the light armor proficiency, so I might as well give him an armor slot in his deck.
The scenario itself was pretty straightforward, but those explosive runes really did a number on me. I actually forgot to banish it initially, and drew it again with Lem. My heart sank, because the damage I rolled would actually have killed him. I then noticed that the card is banished when encountered, and breathed a sigh of relief. I banished it and drew the next card instead. Crisis averted.
You'll be pleased to know that I've already played the next scenario, and will be finishing up the last two this week. Look for those shortly. Hope you all enjoyed this session. Till next time!
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