First Tkzlyx, then Tabbax, both gone - it was a bit of an emotional time for Montag's Mauraders. We were just getting used to the new Doctor when Tabbax decided to walk her own path.
Well, life had to move on and we still had a rift to seal with Hail's help, but not before we enjoyed a last meal with Tabbax - on her dime! While we were dining at the Sleeping Lion a heavily scared Inox approached our table and helped herself to a seat. She seemed tense, uneasy and pulled a piece of paper from a pouch and laid it on the table. (City Event #28)
"An interested party would like to hire you to steal a valuable figurine from a residence in the Battlements." she says matter-of-factly. "The details are on the paper. Meet me in the back ally in two days time after the job is done."
The Dr. started laughing as Cymbidium and Groot started examining the paper. "You two are not serious are you?" he chuckled. "Leaving aside the ethical issues of theft - what makes you think we have the appropriate skills to pull off something like this?" Tabbax was our best stealth fighter and she just walked out the door. (Option B: No Effect)
The Inox started to rise, but the Doctor has lightening fast hands and grabbed the Inox's arm. "I think you have mistaken us for someone else" he smiled. "Take both your paper and your business elsewhere."
The Inox angrily snatched the plans from Groot's hands and stormed out of the bar. Groot and Cymbidium were left pondering if the Doctor had made the correct decision.
No sooner had the door closed behind the Inox when another stranger approached the table and also helped herself to a seat at our table. Seems we were getting a reputation for being over approachable and friendly.
The latest uninvited arrival was a brightly colored Valrath. Well, at least our table was looking a lot brighter for a change.....
"Hello, mind if I sit down?" the Valrath spoke confidently and with a big smile, her tail twitching with interest. She continued, "You folks look like you could use some help."
Cymbidium smiled back and suggested we were fine, but asked "What exactly are you offering?"
"I watched you turn down that nasty Inox, he has been trying to get someone to do his dirty work for a while now. I also saw and heard your Scoundrel friend decide to retire earlier this evening. You also have had dealings with Hail and coincidentally, I was speaking to her yesterday and she mentioned you folks might want my help."
The smile never left her lips as she gazed around intently at each of us. The Doctor leaned over and poked her hand with a probe produced from a hidden pocket. "you seem to know a lot about us - could you at least tell us your name?"
The Valrath looked down at the probe but didn't otherwise move - except for the twitching of her tail. "Blayze" she said confidently looking back up into the Doctor's eyes.
Groot started chuckling "She's Good." he said with a grin.
Blayze continued "I am a Sunkeeper and have some skills that I believe would be beneficial to you in our future adventures. Besides, you seem to be doing good things around Gloomhaven and us folks with a good heart tend to make good things happen."
Cymbidium suggested we let her come with us to help seal the rift and watching her in action would be a good way to evaluate her usefulness as a replacement for Tabbax.
We had all just nodded agreement when somewhat ominously a really loud thunder clap shook the very foundations of the Sleeping Lion and we could hear rain starting outside. We decided to call it a night before the rain got much heavier.
The following morning the roads were all thick heavy mud from all the rain. The way was a bit of a slog and we were not the only ones having a hard time with the mud (Road Event #22). Rounding a corner we came upon a collection of wagons stuck in the mud on the side of the road.
It was an odd assortment of people dressed in garish clothing. They are working to push their brightly painted wagons all emblazoned with a "Marlevous and magical Techno-Circus" logo, out of the muck.
"We just stopped for a quick meal and now the wheels have sunk into this mess" a Quatryl with a fancy top hat says as he approaches. "I'm sure our strongmen will get us out eventually, but we certainly wouldn't begrudge a little extra help."
Groot stepped forward without hesitation and put his broad shoulder against the back wall. The rest of us put down some boards then joined in and heaved mightily, soon we had the Ringmaster's wagon up onto firmer ground. (Option A: Add City Event #74 to the deck.)
The dimutative Quatryl tips his hat. "Well, certainly could not have done that on my own. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. I tell you what - the next time we're back in Gloomhaven, why don't you stop by our circus, and we'll let you in for free."
Shortly afterwards we located the crypt we were looking for. (Scenario #28 - Outer Ritual Chamber) As we entered a familiar face greeted us at the bottom of the stairs. He grinned from ear to ear "Ah, so you have come. Again we thank you graciously for your help in taking out that pesky necromancer. Come, let me make introductions."
The hooded figure lead us through a stone door and into a large room. He pointed at a black, flaming rift in space.
"This," he says, failing to mask his giddiness. "Is our master, the Gloom. It wanted to thank you personally for murdering many of our brothers and setting back our plans."
Out of the rift, a group of horrendous bloated corpses appears and shambles towards us.
"You are worthless fodder!" The figure suddenly screams in exhilaration. "Did you think you could come back into our graces so easily? You are here to die! Then you can join our cause as a corpse, just like the rest of these unworthy fools!"
(Scenario Special Rules: All Living Corpses are two levels higher than the scenario level)
Dr. Vendillion opened up with an an enhancement field boosting all our attacks. Groot wasted no time and headlong charged into the fray wildly bashing and smashing with both sword and Horned helm. Cymbudium summoned her Raccoon ally and Blayze closed in with Groot and crushed some heads with her hammer.
Blayze was definitely having some issues trying to figure out exactly how to fit in with the other fighters. It was obvious they all knew each other weaknesses and strengths - and she had a steep learning curve. Cymbidium smiled encouragement at her and flashed her new earrings impishly crushing a couple of Sun Demons.
Dr. Vendillion seeing the Corpses and Sun Demons were well dealt with - decided to open a door to a room full of Night Demons. Groot charged through the newly opened door and rushed to the chest (Random Item Design).
Shortly afterward we all dropped our weapons, exhausted. Thankfully, no more undead seem to be coming through the rift, but still, it's existence and the presence of this Gloom is troubling.
"You have done well." A cold, low voice penetrates the silence. It seems to be coming from the darkness in front of us. "My minions may not be able to forgive. But I can."
Come, Come to me. Step into my realm. Embrace the inevitable."
The rift stands before us. You can see this through to the end, (New Location: Map Area #29 - Sanctuary of Gloom). or you can turn around and leave this place, ignoring the call of the Gloom." (Party Achievement: An Invitation)
Here are the Locations we have unlocked:
#4 - Crypt of the Damned: (Scenario #2) Suggesting we find out more about the "Gloom"
#7 - Vibrant Grotto: (Scenario #8) Argeise suggesting we can track Jekserah in the wilds
#9 - Diamond Mine: (Scenario #3) Jekserah wanted us to go find her a diamond
#15 - Shrine of Strength: (Scenario #13) Seer mentioned great power to be had
#16 - Mountain Pass: (Scenario #20) Captain of the Guard wants us to hunt a dragon
#18 - Abandoned Sewers: (Scenario #20) Captain o/t Guard wants us to find the poison source
#27 - Runious Rift (Scenario 19) Hail agreed to help us seal off a Rift
#29 - Sanctuary of Gloom: (Scenario #28) Invitation to cross the rift and join the Gloom
#31 - Plane of Night:(Scenario #14) Hail wants us to help her build an orb with gold metal
#43 - Drake Nest: (Scenario #14) Hail told us Jekserah might be here
#63 - Magma Pit: (Scenario #1) Random Side Scenario treasure map
#68 - Toxic Moor:(Scenario #8) Random Side Scenario treasure map
Peace
