Montag's Mauraders - Gloomhaven

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Week 10 - Outer Ritual Chamber (#28)

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

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Week 9 - Forgotten Crypt (#19)

Jekserah was finally dead. Finally. For some reason we did not think we were done with her machinations however. The looming dread of her last words haunted our thoughts. Even our newest companion Dr. Vendillion seemed to be troubled.

Tabbax spent some time training with her new axe Skullbane to get used to the heft and balance. Cymbidium buried her nose in some tombs. Groot spent most of his time in the Sleeping Lion. Dr. Vendillion well - tinkered. We all had our own ways of dealing with the darkness we had witnessed.

It was decided over dinner and drinks that perhaps a visit to Hail to discuss that Rift we heard about..

On the way we saw a lone man walking toward us on the road (Road Event #08).

"Oi there. I wouldn't suppose you lot might spare me some coin?" He asked. "A lotta coin actually."

I looked at him quizzically and he continued. "You see, I lead a lotta thieves and bandits in this area and we gotta make sure all the mouths get fed."

At this, a large number of bandits came out of hiding around us, emerging from the brushes.

"So, about that coin..." The man says with a smile "Five Gold per head ought to do it."

Groot was in no mood for extortion and raised his weapon. Unphased by the ambush we attacked the bandits. The leader tried to flee from Groot - but not fast enough. There were a lot of bandits, but they sure didn't put up much of a fight. They seemed weak and malnourished. (Start Scenario with 3 damage).

"You want to do what now?" Hail stared at us blankly. "You found a rift and you want to close it?". She sighs.

"Well, I did agree to help you." Hail begins tossing the orb we retrieved up and down in thought. "Okay, based upon your description, it's going to take a little extra work to close a rift of that magnitude. I could do it myself, but it would take a while, and it may get troublesome if we were attached by the other side in the middle of the incantation. It would be easier to do if I had an elemental censer, which really, is entirely too convenient because I've been wanting to get my hands on one anyways."

"I knew a powerful elementalist who owned one many years ago. He's dead now, but I'll take you to his crypt. I'd advise against handling the censer on your won."

After a days journey, we found another ancient mausoleum resting along the Serpent's Kiss river.

"Stonebreaker really was a nice fellow. Getting crushed by a massive boulder is just one of the hazards of being an elementalist thought.". After clearing away some of the overgrown vines, we headed down into the crypt.

"Oh Great!" Hail says "These blasted cultists are everywhere nowadays. Probably looking for the censer too. Or they simply don't want to to get it."

I looked at hail with confusion, and she pointed to the shadows where dark figures in black robes emerge.

"You should not have come here, Ghostface" one of them says.

"Ugh" Hail Sighs. "Dispatch these simpletons quickly. I'm already bored with them".

Tabbax seemed to have a thirst for blood because she went deep into the shadows and started wielding her new axe with abandon. The cultists replied though muttering Curses (Scenario: Add 3 Curse Cards to attack decks.)

Those damned Cultists kept summoning Living Bones to hamper our progress. Cymbidium leveled a few with some of her purifying fires. Groot managed to charge right in smashing and bashing. Dr. Vendilion seemed to have some trouble with some of his equipment initially, but sorted out the issues pretty quickly when a Living Bones almost skewered him to death. He was also trying to protect Hail.

Cymbidium was going wild with her spells and decided to keep opening doors. She does have some unusually aggressive battle tactics for an Orchid Spellweaver on occasion. Groot was hot behind her though and charged into the midst of 5 Living Bones. He loved it. Hail was in trouble though because a couple of the Living Bones we already dispatched had risen from the dead to continue the fight.

Cymbidium again decided to recklessly charge deeper into the crypt, opening more doors - what was she thinking?!? It was hard to wipe the grin off Groot's face at this time, he was in his element. More undead were spawning behind us threatening Hail, but they were slow enough and Tabbax and Dr. Vendillion were keeping them under control.

Tabbax and the Dr. were batting clean up in the rear with Hail trundling along. The Dr. opened up with a flamethrower and roasted 2 Living Spirits - who knew they were so flammable?

Cymbidium managed to get herself surrounded by a few Living Corpses when her reckless luck ran out - and ended up on the floor after a severe smash to the head. Groot stepped up and stood over her unconscious form trying to protect her from further damage, but she was out cold. Groot took out 3 Living Bones in quick succession.

The good Dr. Vendilion had more tricks in his belt and Ink Bombed 2 more enemies out of the fight. Tabbax finished the fight by taking out three Living Corpses in one turn.

Finally Hail stepped forward and grabbed hold of the censer. She lifted it aloft and started chanting a few words in an unknown language. Fire burst forth and immolated the remaining undead behind us into ash.

Hail breaks the smallest of smiles. "Well, now that that annoyance has been dealt with, let's get on with the real fun. Show me to this rift of yours." (Map Location: Runious Rift #27) (Party Achievement: Stone Breaker's Censer) (Reward: +1 Prosperity)

We decided the Rift can wait another day, we were pretty beat up and needed to resupply back in Gloomhaven. We agreed to hook up with Hail in a day or two.

As soon as we entered the city gates we encountered a pair of guards scuffling with a young boy. "Stop Struggling! You're coming with us and there is nothing you can do about it." The young boy was dressed in rags. "You snatch purses, you go to the Ghost Fortress. No way around that."

"But my family is starving" the boy cried. We recognized his voice from some of our dealings in the Sunken market. He's given us helpful tips for mercenary work on a number of occasions.

We stepped up and tried to intervene on the boy's behalf. Unfortunately, the guards were initially unmoved and claimed there was a find to be paid before they agreed to let the boy go. (Lose 10 collective Gold.) The guards cuffed the boy's ear and set him free. (Add City Event #70 to the deck)

Tabbax seemed unusually contented in the Sleeping Lion afterwards. She seemed to open up to us and told us a little of her life's story. She had decided she had had her fill of undead for a while and wanted to spend some time in other areas of Gloomhaven. (Personal Goal: Tabbax: Implement of Light - Find Skullbane Axe, kill 7 undead)

With those words, she tossed some coin on the table "Last meal's on me my friends. Stay true and good hunting.", turned and walked out the door.