The Tamalir Codex

The Bad and the Good News

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:56:59 GMT

So the good news is that we are likely to continue our Road to legend game shortly after the recent hiatus. The bad news is that this livejournal is coming to an end.

The main reason is that me and my wife have finally found a regaulr Thursday roleplaying group (RPGing being my first love). We won't stop playing RtL as the RPG group is only fortnightly. However between that and other life pressures, it is likely that our RtL game will become monthly at best. Due to the reduced momentum, we would prefer to focus on playing the game when we can rather than trying to keep up the LJ.

So thanks for all who followed this, I have really enjoyed it.

Still No Session

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:00:01 GMT

Life remains very busy, especially on the baby front. Between movies like Prince Caspian, RPGing and numerous birthdays, our RtL game remains on hold this week. We hope to get a session in next week though.

No Session

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:09:18 GMT

This is prior warning that there will be no session this week (and possibly none next week). In a related hobby, D&D4e managed to do what no other RPG or board game has done in that my wife has offered to DM a one-off adventure for me :) Here I was thinking I was going to be a perpetual DM/OL but now I am a Wizard. Teh awsum.

Week Eleven & Twelve - Frostgate

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:27:48 GMT

Lord Merrick looked around the darkened chamber. Twelve hooded figures chanted as one. Riverwatch would fall; not by the brute force of arms like his brother Sir Alric would use. It would rot from within until it could no longer hold itself together, but not before he had dine of its juicy flesh.

The drone of the chants and the building magic allowed Lord Merrick to focus his mind and review his task. He had met with Lord S'Thengar Nightspine upon the insistence of his brother. Sir Alric had a nose for opportunities. Lord Merrick just didn't trust him to fully capture them.

Lord S'Thengar's plans were already well underway. Across the land, beasts were stirring. Humans, elves and dwarves wailed with the disasters besetting them on all sides, blaming each other in ignorance. No hope remained. However, the Blind Giant Oracle had foreseen a danger to the Lord's plan, a danger that would be the cause of the Oracle's own demise. It was this danger that Lord Merrick was tasked to destroy. Sir Alric had offered to hunt down the threat but that would not work. Lord Merrick believed in setting an irresistable trap instead. And Riverwatch was it. Though it would fall before the small band could reach it, but they could not ignore the suffering he would cause.

The chanting stopped. The Circle had now formed a bond that would increase their magical power and that of their agents. 'Time to get the plan in motion.' Merrick thought to himself. 'The nobility of Riverwatch are dying for a masquerade ball to forget their woes. Dying for it. Now where did I put those invitations?'

Week Ten - Gate to the North, Lvl 2 & 3

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:30:09 GMT

Stupid Kobolds!

I think I must of said this a million times when playing through level 2 of the Gate to the North. I found this level really hard. The OL managed to spook me into keeping Landrec at the rear of the party when he really was needed at the front. I just got fed up with constantly seeing him in Tamalir, and the OL conquest pile increasing :)

Luke played well this level, monster after monster was pitted against the heroes (particualrly those damn Razorwings). It was like a wall, and when I was finally making headway and looking like I was about to get of the bridge (finally!) he swarms me with kobolds to slow me down. I did the only thing one can do. Laughed, muttered stupid kobolds under my breath and picked up the dice. I think that this was the first time I seriously thought about fleeing a dungeon.

In contrast the third level was great. The heroes managed to wade their way through the manical hordes of monsters, kill the big bad and win the day, and from memory I don't think that we lost anyone.

However considering I am not too far behind the OL in the Conquest Token count, it can't be all that bad.

Week Eleven & Twelve - Frostgate

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:12:24 GMT

This week we spent upgrading while the heroes were are Frostgate.

Here are the updated stats for the Avatar at the start of Silver level:

Wounds: 45
Armour: 7
Move: 4

Abilities: Burn, Breath, Pierce 6, Soar, Fear 4
Attack: Ranged

Treachery: Event 2, Monster 0, Trap 0
Avatar Upgrades: Elder Race, Focussed, Lawlessness
Monster Upgrades: Humanoid Copper, Beast Silver, Eldritch Silver
Lieutenants: Sir Alric Farrow, Lord Merrick Farrow

Special Ability: All That Glitters: Gains threat and conquest when the heroes gain coins and treasure

Plot: Obsidian Shackles (first 2 plot cards)

Tomb of Ice

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:41:01 GMT

As a random aside, I have just seen this on BGG:

Sea of Weik, lies the icy realm of Isheim. Here, unquiet apparitions of a lost people are the harbingers of the age of frost that threatens to swallow the world. Day by day, this arctic blight encroaches further south.

The Tomb of Ice is the fourth expansion for Descent: Journeys in the Dark. Included are more than two dozen new plastic figures representing spectral shades, volcanic lava beetles, petrifying medusas, stealthy wendigos, and gigantic ice wyrms - not to mention six new heroes. Along with new treasures and a new potion type, the heroes gain an entirely new weapon for their arsenal - Feat cards they can use to surprise the overlord.

This product also introduces new features for the Road to Legend campaign games in the form of outdoor terrain and new Dungeon, Rumor, Location, and Incident cards.

Emphasis mine. Woot! More RtL stuff, particularly those cards, is awesome!

Week Ten - Gate to the North, Lvl 2 & 3

Thu, 29 May 2008 21:16:25 GMT

So we finished what has been named The Mad Tower of Vellefor. It was an interesting dungeon with a lot of swings and roundabouts. The heroes coasted through levels 1 and 3 but really struggled with level 2. The reason for this seesm to be the luck with the OL deck and rolls, and also the amount of Beasts I have. The combination of the Razorwings and "instant death" in the pits made level 2 a meat grinder and I think I scored about 12 Conquest there from 5 hero kills.

I continue to be impressed by the way the game builds narrative. With the Alchemist Laboratory up first, the Bridge of Death (Dungeon 4) next and finishing with and Mask of the Monster (Dungeon 36), the narrative of a twisted monster factory made a lot fo sense. Vellefor and the Master Naga added a great "boss fight" feel to the whole thing.

It was also our first repeat Dungeon with Bridge of Death. However, the Dungeon felt very different than it did in the Gardens of Tarn, thanks to the Dungeons on either side of it and the different fortunes of the heroes.

I got to try out my new Event Treachery Guiding Force, which acts as a permanent Aim card. For 20 Conquest, it was worth it. Also, with Focused I managed to dump a lot of the annoying door trap cards. However, the heroes sped through this Dungeon preventing me from getting Conquest from going through the OL deck for the first time.

With that Dungeon down, we are also now in Silver level. Copper level is complete and I will add Silver tags to posts after the final Heroes one. I am interested to see how the power level progresses as the heores already feel pretty competent at the moment. Plus we shoudl get to vists a Secret Master Area, our first Legendary Area, another Rumour, and a Lieutenant battle (if I can wing it) :)

For anyone still reading, is it worth posting new details for the Heroes and Avatar?

The current Conquest levels are: Heroes 92, OL 109.

Week Ten - Gate to the North, Lvl 2 & 3

Thu, 29 May 2008 20:53:48 GMT

Tetherys was never comfortable going beneath the earth. To her people, whose ancestors rose and danced into the sky, the darkness of being underground was a source of great evil. Around her, her companions seemed buoyed by a sense of revenge and victory that she did not share. Instead, she felt a creeping dread. The faces of her companions seemed to twist and leer. Ronan in particular seemed to disappear into the blackness, she now understood how truly one with the shadows he was.

The winding staircase was bordered on both sides by sheer endless drops. The stone was old and crumbling dangerously in places. At the point where going back seemed as long as going forward, they came - human shapes with giant bat wings roosting on the cavern ceiling above dropping onto the group. Only Tetherys, with her ability to see where there was no light, was able to give warning. However, the warning seemed too late.

The beasts charged into the group using the edge as its own deadly weapon. Once, Tahlia almost went over and Tetherys raced to pull her back from certain death. When the same almost happened to Ronan, she found that he did not need her help. He simply got hold of the darkness itself and moved through it, appearing behind the creature who had hit him and smiting it with his shadowblade. Tetherys was stunned that when he looked at her, she no longer recognised him.

********************

They found the source of the twisted monstrosities at the bottom of the abyssal staircase: a man, barely recognisable as such, with a mask of magical metal holding the parts of his face together. In front of him was a worm sewn together from hundreds of body parts that had been left over from the twisted experiements. Tetherys sent a flurry of arrows as Tahlia and Ronan rushed forward.

Tetherys noticed that Tahlia seemed to be infected by Ronan's own madness. The darkness seemed to give life to her fears as it directed attacks at friends as if they were foes. Tetherys knew that the group would be victorious. However, when she saw Tahlia lash out at Landrec furious that he might make the killing blow, slashing at him across his chest, she knew that the victory would be hollow. Tahlia's face showed that she too now realised that there was an enemy within.

When they were done, Ronan smashed the remains of the mask with his shadowblade like he was fulfilling a promise. The corruption in the Gate of the North was ended. However, corruption in other forms remained.

No session

Thu, 22 May 2008 20:55:37 GMT

No session again last night. Between plans for a new roof, visting parents, overcoming a cold and prepping for an RPG this weekend, RtL took a back seat.

Weeks Six, Seven & Eight - Tamalir and Week Nine - Greyhaven (pt2); Week Ten - Gate to the North

Wed, 21 May 2008 01:19:54 GMT

The time spent in Tamalir for the Heroes was awesome. We played our first session with the new and improved team and it worked a charm. In fact, Landrec who used to be my second heavy hitter after Tahlia has found himeself playing second fiddle to Ronan. The cursed Shadowblade is fantastic in a fight, though only when he gets the two required surges - which happens most of the time now he has a Silver Power Dice. So basically the balance has shifted back towards the Heroes, for the time being at least!

So the Heroes as they stand with there weapons, armour and skills are listed below. I also got two Tamalir upgrades and a party upgrade, these two are below.

Tahlia
Weapon of choice, her trusty Axe (aka a Scimitar). Tahlia also carries a Ring of Quickness (1 extra movement point) and wears Plate Mail Armour. Her skills are Leadership (spend 1 fatigue for three half turns when declare Ready action) and Mighty (+2 damage when Melee attack). Making her pretty powerful in combat. Tahlia is my heavy hitter, which is surprising for someone with such a small frame. She rolls three Black and one Silver Power Dice in melee.

Ronan
Weapon of choice, his Shadowblade (Cursed weapon) (Great with the +3 Damage for every 2 surges), but for those hard to reach monsters Ronan likes to used his Crossbow. He wears Leather Armour and carries a Crystal Shield, & Ring of Protection (+1 armour). He has one skill, Shadow Soul, which he uses to great effect. Ronan rolls two Black and one Silver Power Dice in Melee, and four Black Power Dice in Ranged Combat.

Landrec
Weapon of Choice, his runes. He has four of them, three for fighting - Sunburst, Cone of Fire, & Crystalize, though his current favourite is Cone of Fire. The last one Mana Weave gives him 1 free surge when making magic attacks. He uses this to boost the damage of the other three with his 2 other free surges. He carries with his Gauntlets of Power (gains a fatigue back on two surges) and his Wizard's Robe. His skills Quick Casting (recast for 2 fatigue), & Inner Fire (+2 range/+1 Damage) are called apon often in the fight against the Great Wyrm. Landrec only rolls four Black Power Dice, but this will change at the first opportunity.

Tetherys
Weapon of Choice, her Magic Bow (Sorcery 1). Her backup, Falcon’s Claw (Web), being only one handed is used just as much to tangel bad guys. She carries with her an Archer’s Charm (+1 range and Pierce 1), her Clock of Deception, Ghost Armour, and Iron Shield, which all assist in keeping her safe from harm. Her skill, Precision, is called upon in almost every battle. Tetherys rolls three Black and one Silver Power Dice in ranged combat.

Tamalir
Bazaar – increases Market rating to 3 (to counter the Obsidian Shakcles plot card that reduces it by 1). Great Wall – Increase Defence rating to 5

Party
Enchanted Boat – Travel along water trails

Week Nine - Greyhaven; Week Ten - Gate to the North, Lvl 1

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:06:39 GMT

So this was a strange session but a good one.

First, we had the sacking of our first city, with Dawnsmoor. Yah for the OL! With the heroes now at the end of copper level, I think they could beat either in a straight up fight, so I think its time to aim for a direct confrontation just after the upcoming tick over to Silver when the lieutenants get more powerful :D

Second, we had our first non-combat encounter, being the Living Nightmare. With Ronan's Shadowsoul and Shadowblade and the fact that he was the only one not to take any damage, the narrative connection was obvious. The impact was slight as the heroes were on the way to a city and quickly recovered. Still it was fun.

Third, we had a second encounter with the Corrupted Forest with the ban spider encounter (can't recall the name). The encounter was a tough one as Landrec was stuck in a web for most of it, forcing the heroes to fight down the enclosed spaces against the huge spiders one at a time, unable to use his blast and breath spells to clear things out like the end of the last dungeon. I managed to kill Tahlia and injure most other heroes. I was also handily ahead with Conquest at this stage.

This all changed with the first dungeon level, The Alchemist's Lab (Dunegon 6 IIRC). The narrative again worked out itself with the Dungeon explaining the Encounter. However, the heroes, newly improved, tore through the level in 30 minutes. I didn't even get a single spawn out or cause any wounds before all my critters were deaded. It seems that the balance has now tipped back to the heroes, just in time for Silver :) The lower levels will be tougher on them as I have Guiding Force in play and a better hand with some threat on hand. Still, I think we may finish this campaign level pretty level.

The current Conquest levels are: Heroes 78, OL 89.

Week Nine - Greyhaven; Week Ten - Gate to the North, Lvl 1

Thu, 15 May 2008 21:51:15 GMT

Ronan smiled to himself the kind of smile he wouldn’t want the others to see. He was feeling good about himself. Since he obtained the shadowblade, he had grown more powerful. Along with his shadowsoul, his confidence in himself had grown, even if the other’s confidence in him seemed shaken.

It was then at that moment, that a shadow fell over the camp. For a second, Ronan thought it was his own shadowsoul. However, when his sleeping companions contorted in pain, he knew that it couldn’t be. Something was here with them. Ronan wielded a flaming brand from the fire, trying to use its light to expose the attacker. However, as the others awakened, no trace of the thing could be found, except in the accusative glare from Tetherys at the fact that Ronan had remained untouched.

********************

Far to the south, Lord Alric Farrow smiled to himself. Dawnsmoor had fallen. The rubble of the town’s walls and the twisted piles of its people filled him with a feeling of triumph. Somewhere deep down, he wailed at the destruction he caused. However, it fell on ears dead for many years.

“Lord Farrow, news from your brother Merrick” reported one of his undead servants. “He has arrived Riverwatch. The rumours that the city refuses to accept all travellers from Tamalir is true.”

“When does he start?” his voice asked in dead tones.

“He doesn’t say. He says simply that the blind oracle tells him that those that would oppose us travel north."

“North? Perhaps they know more than we give them credit for.” Alric paused for a second. “We shall travel north also.”

********************

Ronan liked Greyhaven despite its reputation for witchcraft. The taverns still sold ale and ordinary people walked it streets. Everyone seemed keen to talk and he found that news from Tamalir was a valuable commodity. After just one day he heard about the dragon hatchlings that had been captured by some hunter in the Howling Giant Hills. The hunter had disappeared, leaving the hatchlings’ mother laying waste to the lands to the north.

'Hatchlings?' Ronan thought as he forged a new plan. After the events at the Thelsvan Watchtower, surely a dragon indebted to the group would be a powerful ally?

********************

The group set off to Frostgate not long after. The roads were clogged with refuges that seemed prepared to walk to the ends of Terrinoth and beyond to leave their woes behind. However, they didn’t know that evil had travelled the same roads before them.

Near the Gate to the North, the group came across a forest that was twisted and ill. In the forest were creatures warped beyond description. Often different beasts had been combined to make new monstrosities, crazed by the pain of their creation. Ronan felt a chill in his bones at the corruption of all life in this area. His shadowblade sang for blood and he felt no reason to restrain it.

In the centre of the forest, they found the cause: the abode of an alchemist who took a sick delight in improving on nature. Ronan and the others found him as quick as death and attacked him mercilessly, putting an end to his creations. It was only then that they found a spirally staircase leading into the depths of the earth. Perhaps the alchemist had himself been a victim of a greater evil.

Week Five - Gardens of Tarn, Lvl 3; Weeks Six, Seven & Eight - Tamalir

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:32:16 GMT

I apologise for those who have been waiting for this post. I have no real excuse except a baby and all!

In this session, I was interested to see what the first rumour would bring and how it would play out. To start, I watched with interest as the OL placed the board together just like old Descent. Very cool.

I then decided to focus on a strategy that didn't involved the entire team getting killed in one turn. I didn't want to go through that one again. After talking with the OL about ideas (we play competitively but still talk openly about the game), I decided to use the tight corridors in the Twins by keeping the Heroes together so I could effectively using all their strengths together (go Captain Planet!). Though we took some damage, I was able to neutralise most of the OLs forces as they kept rushing down the corridors at us. Time was pressing on but I didn't break until the OL was seriously depleted.

On saying that, the fina trap (no detail due to spoilers) was cleverish and arsey! As I kept the heroes together in the dungeon, I didn't spring the trap until the last climatic fight resulting in Tahlia getting the full brunt of it as the other heroes rushed to catch up.

After completing the level and getting out of dodge the heroes celebrated and got awesome over the next three weeks.

More to come - Baby awake.

Planning Session

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:57:33 GMT

No session last night. Well that's not completely true. Instead, we spent an hour instead planning what to do next for the end of the Copper level and the start of Silver. To be honest the planning session was a load of fun as we now have a better handle on how the game runs and there are so many options moving forward. I don't know whether it is a good thing or not that you can have a fun hour just planning with RtL :)

Sam will post her "Heroes" post for the last session and the planning session this week.

Week Five - Gardens of Tarn, Lvl 3; Weeks Six, Seven & Eight - Tamalir

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:34:01 GMT

Tahlia couldn't help but feel irritated that the world was going to pieces, just as her life seemed to getting itself back together. The Gardens of Tarn had pushed her to her limits but she had won the day. Even in her early life, she had been enthralled by tales of her people's heroes: Ala-Kalin tricked the Vortex away from destroying his village, Abjurjan won the hand of the unobtainable Princess of the City of Gold by winning a riddle contest and Haleem and Asef defeated the Efreeti champion who lead the Army of the Burning Sand. Tahlia had saved the Lord Mayor's twin sons but the world did not notice. Instead, everyone seemed full of fear and anger.

No one was telling their story.

********************

The top level of the twin tower in the Garden of Tarn revealed some of the most beautiful and exquisite architecture Tahlia had ever seen. It resembled that of her homeland in the distant lands of Al-Kalim. Partially inspired by the thought of home, and partly by the thought of the two innocents she had come to save, she managed to shake off the fugue she had found herself in and rose to meet the challenge ahead.

Seeing her lead from the front, the other heroes worked with a building energy toward their goal. The end seemed forever out of sight until suddenly, there they were: the two boys bound in some infernal contraption that forced their eyes into milky blindess. Their captors were a pair of crazed looking sorcerers. It was only during the fight that Tahlia realised that they were the same person and somehow they had used their diabolic powers to force themselves to split into two beings. The process had clearly made him mad.

With the fiend dead and the boys secured, Tahlia and the group headed back to Tamalir. As they were leaving, the boys whispered a chilling prophecy that burned in her mind still:

"That which came before will be at the end. The blind one leads death throughout the land as the children play in the streets. Brother against brother, father against son. The glittering reward becomes the curse, as all that you ever wanted turns to ash in your mouth. The answer lies beneath the earth."

********************

On returning to Tamalir, it seemed things had gotten much worse since they left. Now that messengers were travelling freely along the Thelsvan Highway (also thanks to us, Tahlia thought), news that Dawnsmoor was under attack by a mysterious army of monstrosities had reached Tamalir. The ruling noble families seemed paralysed with fear, which had trickled down to the common people, closing stores and forcing up prices. Even the Lord Mayor, gladdened by the return of his two sons, seemed less inclined for revenge as he was desperate to hide his two sons on their return, in case they were accused of somehow consorting with an enemy that no one knew.

Tahlia sighed deeply. Legend is fickle, and the road to legend is like a live snake, constantly shifting out of one's grasp. She had made her first grab at it. Now she will do so again, but this time with a firmer grasp.

Week Five - Gardens of Tarn, Lvl 3; Weeks Six, Seven & Eight - Tamalir

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:59:37 GMT

I am doing my posts the other way this time as I need time to concoct the narrative.

So we did our first Rumour: The Twins (Rumour 1) and it was good. The way Rumours are run like the original Descent scenarios is excellent and really gives a feeling of escalation and increased challenge. The challenges and areas are not revealed to the hero player as with normal dungeons.

Fortunately for the hero player, beasts were light on the ground, so they had a somewhat easier time of it than could otherwise be expected. As OL, I threw everything I had at the heroes but the heroes played a tight game in the confined spaces of the corridors. They would move incrementally forward, with Landrec clearing the corridor with his breath weapon spell, Tetherys picking off stragglers and Tahlia and Ronan would provide a defensive shield and meat grinder.

Given that I had Hordes of Things and Evil Genius out, to be only 1 Conquest up at the end was disappointing but the level was a load of fun. The big secret trap in the Rumour almost saw no action thanks to the heroes unwitting plan.

After that we had 3 weeks of recovery. As OL, I bought 1 Event Treachery, Meric Farrow and the next Obsidian Shackles plot card. In comparison, the heroes came out very buffed up with 2 Trait increases each. My impression is that the tide in my favour will now have shifted back into balance, until I get Gold level Beasts :)

The reward for the Rumour was the hero player could discard two of my upgrades. She targetted my nice Great Wyrm only ones. So though I am in the lead with Conquest, the game feels very tight.

The current Conquest levels are: Heroes 70, OL 82.

Week Five - Gardens of Tarn, Lvl 1 & 2

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:12:40 GMT

Man this week was hard. I watched in despair as each of my plans were riped asunder by various silver level beasts. I hate razorwings.

As said above, I found this week really tough and to top it all off, the dice were against me. For the first time, every one of the heroes visited Tamalir at least once during the two dungeon levels. When I did have a plan to get the heroes out of dodge, I rolled a miss (even when using my power potion against the Troll!). I was not a happy Sam. I must admit that there is a certain kind of frustration as you watch your party get decimated, and you can't even get a decent roll.

I am hoping that the inbalance between the heroes and the OL will be sorted out when I upgrade, however it was kinda fun to not always to play on the winning side. You learn new stratgies and techniques. However I imagine that when I do upgrade, the OL will not be far from upgrading to Gold level- joy!

As I had fun and managed to remain within sight of the conquest tokens of the OL, I think every hero managed to mantain their dignity and live to fight the next level. I think Luke said it best though with his comment, "thats for the dragon!"

Week Five - Gardens of Tarn, Lvl 1 & 2

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:06:19 GMT

So this was the first dungeon that the heroes faced with silver level beasts. According to many of the forums, these levels are undefeatable. What was worse is that in an effort not to waste any time, the heroes are still light on equipment and Tahlia and Ronan haven't had any upgrades. So this was arguable the worst possible combination of balance for the heroes.

What we discovered is that the difficulty does increased markedly with silver level monsters, especially with the right dungeon. However, the game balance shifts and now that the heroes have faced it and survived, they only gave up a handful of conquest in the grand scheme of things. So we had a clear victory to the OL with 20 Conquest to 10, but given the heroes have managed to get to the Twins rumour, I think there was some victory in it for the heroes too.

The first dungeon was Bridge of Death (Dungeon 4). I went for the full Razorwing option with a spawn of more Razorwings. It took me a few turns to realise that Landrec was clearly a weak point with 0 Armour against melee. This level was very tough, though as the first level of the dungeon, the heroes managed a good showing. I also managed to get Evil Genius out early, making the balance tip even further in the favour of the OL.

The second dungeon was The Cursed Fountain (Dungeon 39). The monster options didn't include much Beasts, so this wasn't that great. However, the twin fountain rule and the fact that I had a Master Troll and managed to spawn Hell Hounds and Razorwings made it very tough. We had out first TPK where all but 1 hero was killed in one turn. However, the hero (Tetherys) survived for one more turn and was able to activate the other Glyph of Transport meant that the heroes managed to pull together at the end.

The current Conquest levels are: Heroes 59, OL 70.

Up next is our first rumour - The Twins, which has a substantial reward for the heroes if they succeed.

Week Five - Gardens of Tarn, Lvl 1 & 2

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:56:33 GMT

Even Landrec marvelled at the Gardens of Tarn. Built in the ancient past before they were destroyed by Margath, the Gardens were both vast and magical. The Gardens managed to maintain the balance between impressive design and integration into the natural world. Though much of it now lay in ruins, several structures still stood as a testament to what they would have been like.

One such structure was a great tree-like tower with two pinnacles. A twin waterfall cascaded down from the top into a pool at the bottom. How the water managed to reach such a height to start with was unknowable, even to Landrec. Halfway up the tower after a long winding staircase that spiralled up the outside of the trunk-like tower, an seemingly fragile arched bridge stood unscathed from the pounding water that fell upon it.

********************

The beauty of the Gardens quickly gave way to the danger the group faced. Landrec thought of it later as a calm before the storm. His fellows had been tested and proven able. The Gardens had lifted their spirits even further. His ability and wisdom to date had become the centre of their confidence and with his magical abilities, the group felt able to take on the world to rescue the two seers.

The inhabitants of the tower came upon the group like a blanket of despair. The beautiful bridge proved to be a deadly trap set by a flock of huge vermin razorwings. They seemed capable of coming out of nowhere to test the group for its weakest point. Even at that stage, Landrec suspected what was to come. However, he desperately hoped it wouldn't. As soon as the razorwings tasted his blood, they focussed their assault on him. The others tried to defend the old man but they couldn't match the razorwings mobility.

By the time the group stumbled further up the tower to the source of the twin waterfall, they were on the defensive. Huddled they looked toward Landrec for encouragement, but he was too wounded and sore to give it.

********************

The top of the tower had a beautiful vista of the verdant Gardens below. The source of the waterfalls were two fountains which the tremendous flow of water was somehow magically generated. The two magical wells left untended for decades had created an abomination of water and pain. The magical properties of the wells had also attracted a variety of creatures that unknowingly acted as a guardian to the upper level and the two hostages. Of the menagerie assembled, the troll was the worse.

It was at this point in time that Landrec had to make the call as to whether to continue or turn back. His foresight knew the cost of both options clearly. He advised the group to continue, knowing full well that victory would cost them dearly, hoping that they would forgive him.

He saw each of his companions fall trying to destroy the troll and the water spirit. Each was dragged to one of the ancient glyphs so that their lifeforce could be revived in Tamalir before it fled into eternal darkeness.

By the time they were done, the Gardens had become a hateful place. The trust of Landrec in the eyes of the others was now veiled by accusations. Landrec knew that the immediate cost was worth the long term benefits and that this was a hard won victory so far. However, the others would never understand that; he would have to bear this knowledge alone.

No session

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:05:23 GMT

We didn't play last night due to committments. Expect a session report either this weekend or next week.

Week Four - Thelsvan Highway, Lvl 3; Week Five - The Road to Gardens of Tarn

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:59:54 GMT

Well what can I say this week except - I killed a dragon! I am ignoring the point that it was a copper level dragon and I will not be able to replicate this outcome again for a while, well until my heroes upgrade, but who cares cause I killed the dragon.

Onto some serious stuff. I learnt another lesson this week. It was really quite simple in hindsight. Have a plan but be ready to roll with the punches. I had worked out that Luke as the OL had only five more turns before he finished the deck of OL cards, granting him 3 Conquest Tokens. If I was to succeed, I needed to get Ronan's Shadow Soul to the glyph and activate it (giving me three Conquest Tokens) in at least five turns and get the heroes out and back to the safety of Tamalir.

After decimating the horde of kobolds, hellhounds and the odd beastman, the prospects of going against a dragon was not all that terrifying. That and also the realisation that the spider queen that the Heroes took on last dungeon was harder to kill. So with support from the sidelines (thanks Marcus), Tetherys' mighty bow, and a power potion the heroes managed to slay the mighty beast.

I must admit it felt really good. Sorry Luke, I didn't mean to kill your pet.

The heroes then left the dungeon giddy with their victory and headed towards the Garden of Tarn. On the way they came across the Wyld Hunt within the Shadowy Copse. This was my first taste of an outdoor encounter and also Silver level monsters. The encounter required a slight mental shift inregards to resources, as you can't pop back to Tamalir if needed, but it does make you focus on what resources the heroes have. As for the Silver Level monsters, man they are tougher. Glad I got the dragon out of the way earlier.

We had a guest player this week in Marcus who looked after the male heroes, while I looked after the women. It was interesting having someone else playing, not only for the discussion of strategy, but also seeing how someone else uses the resources available to them. After much rolling of dice, dodging of flames and the use of two power potions, the Wyld Hunt were vanquished and the Heroes continued onto the Garden of Tarn

Week Four - Thelsvan Highway, Lvl 3; Week Five - The Road to Gardens of Tarn

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:53:42 GMT

This session was a load of fun. We knew we were going into the Dragon's Lair (Dungeon 3). I was up on Conquest and Threat. My wife had made it clear that unless she could do this level and gain more Conquest than me, she would flee. Her plan was simple. Run Ronan's Shadow Soul up to the Glyph which was halfway into the dungeon and then flee. She had 5 turns to do as the OL deck had only 9 cards, and it would take 4 turns for Ronan to do his thing. It was a pretty cool set up.

However, the plan managed to focus her to such an extent that she completed it without a hitch. The dragon was close to attacking, so she shifted the plan and attacked the dragon. The result was more Conquest on both sides, but the moral victory of not having to flee went to her.

I decided to use hell hounds, kobolds and beastman to pack a load of up in your face punch. Kobolds were tough to use but a load of fun, especially in the numbers I had them in (I chose kobolds to start and spawned 2 more hordes early on).

After the Dungeon, I was ahead on Conquest tokens marginally and could just afford to upgrade my Beasts to Silver.

On the way to Gardens of Tarn, we drew our first Encounter. It was the Wyld Hunt in the Shadowy Copse, a seemingly awesome combination as it gave me 5 Hellhounds (all SIlver), no escape for the heroes and low range. However, the heroes stormed in with a complete victory, thanks to the use of 2 power potions.

My advice to hero players is use power potions a lot. They rock mightily.

The current Conquest levels are: Heroes 49, OL 50.

We are still neck and neck and halfway through the Copper level.

Week Four - Thelsvan Highway, Lvl 3; Week Five - The Road to Gardens of Tarn

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:42:45 GMT

'You have a plan?' thought Tetherys. Her cold unnerving stare moved to her quiver of arrows. 'Good, because I have 20 ways to achieve that plan.'

It would be true to say that Tetherys was still not trusted by the rest of the group. She hadn't given them any reason to do so, so it didn't bother her. Ronan had on a number of occassions approached her in a friendly manner. Partially out of surprise that a stranger would so and partially out of curiousity as to his reaction, she rebuffed him with an awkward pause and a long cold stare. She much preferred it when they argued.

The way humans interacted intrigued her. She felt as if the group was desperately trying to feel a bond in order to justify the reason for travelling together into these dark places. She didn't see a need for such reason. The best hunters are pack hunters. She was sure that the dragon at the top of the Watchtower knew that.

********************

The top of the tower was complete ruins scattered with flames. Tahlia had outlined how Ronan would sneak forward and scout out what had made its lair here. Then they would return to Tamalir with this information, allowing the Tamalir Guard or the Griffons to deal with the matter. Tetherys didn't like the idea of passing the responsibility on to others, but she liked dying less.

Upon entering the dark chamber lit only by the ever burning fires of dragon flame, Tetherys saw movement: lots of movement. The dragon had obviously laid eggs here and was using the fire to keep her babies warm. Tetherys heard the cracking of eggs just before thousands of tiny draconic beings swarmed down the tunnel, past Ronan hidden deep in the shadows.

"Here we go!" shouted Tahlia. Tetherys, Landrec and Tahlia moved slowly forward to meet the scaly tide to force the hordes back. Despite the odds, they managed to make it all the way forward the next chamber without injury. In the distance, Tetherys admired Ronan's skill as he gave her a hand signal to show that he had accomplished his mission. It was then she saw the dragon. She had heard many stories of dragons but had never seen one. In a moment of detachment, knowing that she should call for the withdrawal of the group, she lifted her bow and fired at it. There was a moment's pause as if neither the group nor the dragon expected anyone to attack it. Tetherys turned and her eyes met that of Tahlia, then Landrec and finally Ronan. Her look said one thing: "We can do this."

The group nodded and its previous methodical advance turned into a frenzied charge as the group barrelled down on the dragon and the remainder of its young.

********************

Outside the tower with the dragon dead, Ronan related what he had seen: "The dragon had not come here by accident. As you know, most dragons are simpler beasts that look for food and shelter. This dragon, however, had been sent here. Someone wanted to stop travel between Riverwatch and Tamalir. I can't shake a feeling that something big is going on."

The others could just nod in agreement.

********************

The next night, the group was attacked again whilst camping in the woods near the Gardens of Tarn. Tetherys saw that their assailants were a pack of huge wolves, lead by the largest wolf she had ever seen with a broken fang. She remembered thinking to herself once all the beasts had been killed: "Your pack may be great Brokentooth, but mine is greater." Perhaps, she wouldn't refuse Ronan's help in skinning the carcasses this time.

Week Four - Thelsvan Highway Lvls 1 & 2

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:55:15 GMT

My big lesson this week as to remained focused.

The first dungeon level, Collapsed columns (#1), was by far my best game so far. I was focussed on putting together a strategy that worked (having Tetherys fire constantly at the big bad whilst everyone else kept stuff off her back) and using all the rules to their fullest and it seemed to have worked. One thing that I do find hard about this game is trying to remember to use all the heroes awesomeness especially as they advance. I couldn't believe that I forgot to use Landrec's newly acquired Inner Fire skill all through the session (then again more than one big bad forgot about his Undying too :) ).

The second dungeon level, The Citadel (#22), in stark contrast was not my best game. I lost focus and allowed the OL to get a very easy kill on Ronan. I know now that I went into the dungeon with the wrong attitude which was if the heroes die its not too big a deal. I won't be making that mistake again.

Overall I really enjoyed the session and I'm looking forward to tonight's game. We drew the next level, and there was a dragon involved. Yikes! I think this is when I will be showing off Ronan's awesome Shadow Soul skill - a lot.