Using the map found in the Barrow Lair, we started our journey to located the bend in the Still River that had been marked. Walking along some foothills we entered a narrow valley and found a landslide of rocks blocking our way. No choice really, we all got our hands dirty and backs sore trying to move the rocks and clear our path. This was hot and exhausting work (Road Event: 29 - Discard 2 cards each).
Upon reaching our destination and as we started our search of the area, the Bandit Commander's question from the darkness in the Barrow Lair was heavy upon our minds; "Who are you to think you can interrupt the work of the Gloom?"
A few hours of searching revealed the entrance to the ruins of an ancient crypt (Map Location #4: Crypt of the Damned) half covered in moss and ivy. This history of this place is old and dark - so we descended a set of grimy stairs with caution. At the bottom of the stairs we stumbled across a large party of Bandit Archers and Living Bones. One of the Bandits suggested we had made a mistake in coming here...
Near the start of the fight Zephir opened up a devastating Icy Blast which Muddled and weakened all our opponents. Mal Drake pulled off a cool maneuver by stabbing a Bandit and dragging his opponent onto a nearby trap. The rest of our enemies fell quickly, the Bandit was wrong, we knew exactly where we wanted to be...
The second chamber was more of a challenge. Jax appeared not to think so and charged right in, perhaps a bit recklessly because the rest of us all paused to evaluate the tactical situation. We encountered some new enemies: Cultists. Unfortunately he took quite a beating until the rest of us were able to storm in behind him. Jax is not one to piss off, in his rage he pulled off an amazing combo (10 HP) attack and turned one of the Cultist's summoned Living Bones to dust with one hit.
This fight went on for quite some time and we were all pretty beat up when we entered the third crypt chamber. New enemies: Earth Demons, these guys are creatures of pure elemental energy , enraged and demonic. Fortunately, it seemed Crush had caught some of Jax's rage and delivered a couple of massive attacks. His attacks shifted the balance of power in our direction and we did eventually defeat the Demons.
Most of us were nearing our exhaustion level by this time and a quick discussion ensued regarding our ability to continue into the last chamber. Jax made some compelling arguments that suggested a retreat at this time was likely our best option, but Crush and Zephir both thought we ought to continue on. Mal spoke up and claimed he was too close to exhaustion and could not help much in the fight for the last chamber, but he would catch up to us and investigate the chest and some of the bodies in this room. Bad decision, the chest was trapped and Mal ended up getting Poisoned.
The fourth chamber held new horrors again: Wind Demons and more Cultists. This was indeed a battle with all the resources we had left within us. Jax went down, Mal was down and Crush was drawing his last breath when we finally dropped the last combatant. Unfortunately we did not have enough resources to examine the Chest in this room, we barely got out of the Crypt of the Damned alive.
Upon reflection, it seemed we had interrupted some sort of ritual here, these elemental demons belong on another plane. The Cultists were no doubt responsible for pulling them through to this plane. On an altar where Mal fell, there was a wealth of scribblings, from what looked like an ancient civilization, about these rituals. Among the scripts we found notes on a couple of other places of power in the area. One appears to see heavy use by the Cultists the other is marked as being overrun by vicious undead. It looks as though we can either attack the Cultists (Map Location 5: Ruinous Crypts) or help them by clearing out their enemies (Map Location 6: Decaying Crypt).
We beat a hasty path back to Gloomhaven for some much needed rest and recovery. On a trip to New Market for some supplies a Valrath Merchant's stall had an interesting sea chart prominently displayed. He noted our interest and asked us to make an offer for it, he promised it showed a location of wondrous and untold riches. (City Event: 08) Mal Drake couldn't resist and offered him 20 Gold on the spot. (Lose: 20 Gold, Map Location: 93 - Sunken Vessel, Party Achievement: A Map to Treasure)
Returning from New Market the Whiskey Bandits spent some time repairing gear, doing some training (Mal Drake, Jax & Crush Level Up) and discussing if we wanted to help or fight the Cultists. There were definitely pros and cons to both paths. Ultimately Jax said it best "Cultists are evil", Crush nodded agreement and it seems the matter was settled.
Peace,
Brent
Upon reaching our destination and as we started our search of the area, the Bandit Commander's question from the darkness in the Barrow Lair was heavy upon our minds; "Who are you to think you can interrupt the work of the Gloom?"
A few hours of searching revealed the entrance to the ruins of an ancient crypt (Map Location #4: Crypt of the Damned) half covered in moss and ivy. This history of this place is old and dark - so we descended a set of grimy stairs with caution. At the bottom of the stairs we stumbled across a large party of Bandit Archers and Living Bones. One of the Bandits suggested we had made a mistake in coming here...
Near the start of the fight Zephir opened up a devastating Icy Blast which Muddled and weakened all our opponents. Mal Drake pulled off a cool maneuver by stabbing a Bandit and dragging his opponent onto a nearby trap. The rest of our enemies fell quickly, the Bandit was wrong, we knew exactly where we wanted to be...
The second chamber was more of a challenge. Jax appeared not to think so and charged right in, perhaps a bit recklessly because the rest of us all paused to evaluate the tactical situation. We encountered some new enemies: Cultists. Unfortunately he took quite a beating until the rest of us were able to storm in behind him. Jax is not one to piss off, in his rage he pulled off an amazing combo (10 HP) attack and turned one of the Cultist's summoned Living Bones to dust with one hit.
This fight went on for quite some time and we were all pretty beat up when we entered the third crypt chamber. New enemies: Earth Demons, these guys are creatures of pure elemental energy , enraged and demonic. Fortunately, it seemed Crush had caught some of Jax's rage and delivered a couple of massive attacks. His attacks shifted the balance of power in our direction and we did eventually defeat the Demons.
Most of us were nearing our exhaustion level by this time and a quick discussion ensued regarding our ability to continue into the last chamber. Jax made some compelling arguments that suggested a retreat at this time was likely our best option, but Crush and Zephir both thought we ought to continue on. Mal spoke up and claimed he was too close to exhaustion and could not help much in the fight for the last chamber, but he would catch up to us and investigate the chest and some of the bodies in this room. Bad decision, the chest was trapped and Mal ended up getting Poisoned.
The fourth chamber held new horrors again: Wind Demons and more Cultists. This was indeed a battle with all the resources we had left within us. Jax went down, Mal was down and Crush was drawing his last breath when we finally dropped the last combatant. Unfortunately we did not have enough resources to examine the Chest in this room, we barely got out of the Crypt of the Damned alive.
Upon reflection, it seemed we had interrupted some sort of ritual here, these elemental demons belong on another plane. The Cultists were no doubt responsible for pulling them through to this plane. On an altar where Mal fell, there was a wealth of scribblings, from what looked like an ancient civilization, about these rituals. Among the scripts we found notes on a couple of other places of power in the area. One appears to see heavy use by the Cultists the other is marked as being overrun by vicious undead. It looks as though we can either attack the Cultists (Map Location 5: Ruinous Crypts) or help them by clearing out their enemies (Map Location 6: Decaying Crypt).
We beat a hasty path back to Gloomhaven for some much needed rest and recovery. On a trip to New Market for some supplies a Valrath Merchant's stall had an interesting sea chart prominently displayed. He noted our interest and asked us to make an offer for it, he promised it showed a location of wondrous and untold riches. (City Event: 08) Mal Drake couldn't resist and offered him 20 Gold on the spot. (Lose: 20 Gold, Map Location: 93 - Sunken Vessel, Party Achievement: A Map to Treasure)
Returning from New Market the Whiskey Bandits spent some time repairing gear, doing some training (Mal Drake, Jax & Crush Level Up) and discussing if we wanted to help or fight the Cultists. There were definitely pros and cons to both paths. Ultimately Jax said it best "Cultists are evil", Crush nodded agreement and it seems the matter was settled.
Peace,
Brent
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