Off turn: Nyctessa is handed Coordinated Blast by Zarlova.
Nyctessa starts her turn.
Nyctessa gives Coordinated Blast back to Zarlova.
Nyctessa remains at the Ghoul Square.
Nyctessa takes her free exploration.Scenario Deck Card 1:
Royal Naga
Royal Naga:
Monster 4
Traits
Aberration
Check
Combat
16
THEN
Combat
16
Powers
Before you act, you may succeed at a Stealth 8 check to evade the Royal Naga.
If the check to defeat has the Cold trait, add 1d8.
For each of your combat checks, shuffle all your weapons and cards that have the Attack trait together and randomly choose 1 to play.
Oh wow. That's... actually fine, in this case. Nyctessa has the Hungering Staff weapon and Eruption attack spell. Randomly picking which to use for each combat. Hungering Staff // Eruption:1d2 ⇒ 2 -> Nyctessa discards Eruption for combat, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Guecubu instead of discarding Eruption. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 16 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 4d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (5, 4, 3, 5) + (3) = 33 -> First combat check passed.
Nyctessa hands the second combat check off to Zarlova. Either because of illegal plays or because of the rules meaning of "Your", one way or another Royal Naga's effect could not force Zarlova to play any spell but Holy Javelin (the only legal attack spell).
Botting Zarlova's Holy Javelin spell. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Evangelist adds 1. Combat 16 (Divine):1d10 + 7 + 2d8 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + (6, 8) + (1) + 1 = 32 -> Royal Naga defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Cleric of Nethys from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared. Zarlova may attempt to recharge Holy Javelin.
Nyctessa discards Animated Skeleton to explore her location, and may recharge a monster to add 1d4 to combat checks during this exploration. Scenario Deck Card 2: Ulkreth
Ulkreth:
Henchman Monster 4
Traits
Outsider
Demon
Check
Combat
16
OR
Acrobatics
12
Powers
The Ulkreth may not be evaded; it is immune to the Electricity and Poison traits. If you succeed at a Knowledge 8 check, or if your check has the Acid, Cold, or Fire trait, add 5 to your check to defeat.
If you fail the check to defeat, when you would be dealt damage, each character at your location is instead dealt Combat damage equal to the scenario’s adventure deck number plus the number of cards in your location deck.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Knowledge 8:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (1) = 12 -> +5 to the check to defeat. Combat 16 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (4) + 2 + (1) + 5 = 23 -> Ulkreth defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Animated Skeleton from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Nyctessa discards Blessing of Master of Masters to explore her location, and adds a die to Intelligence checks during this exploration. Scenario Deck Card 3: The Second Law
The Second Law:
Barrier 1
Traits
Curse
Law
Elite
Trigger
Check
None
Powers
When you examine this card, encounter it.
Display this card next to the scenario; it is defeated. While displayed, when a barrier is defeated, if your check to defeat exceeds the difficulty by 1d6 or more, each character at that location banishes a card or summons and encounters the henchman Voices of the Spire, then banish this card.
The Second Law is displayed next to the scenario.
Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift to allow Zarlova to search her deck and draw a spell, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Ulkreth instead of discarding Channel the Gift.
Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift, again, to allow Zarlova to search her deck and draw a spell, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Royal Naga instead of discarding Channel the Gift.
Nyctessa ends her turn, attempting to recharge Animate Dead. Arcane 13:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (9) + 6 + (1) = 16 -> Animate Dead recharged. Nyctessa resets her hand.
No flavor today.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Hungering Staff, Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Eruption, Fighting Crook, Smite Abomination, Bonecrusher Chieftain, Golden Serpent Armband , Glamour,
Displayed: Create Mindscape,
Deck: 11 Discard: 5 Buried: 1
Notes: No support available except Channel the Gift.
Sideboard cards:
Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift, again,, again, to search her deck and draw Animate Dead from her deck, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Bonecrusher Chieftain instead of discarding Channel the Gift.
Nyctessa displays Animate Dead to draw a number of AD1+ Random Monsters until their summed AD# is 5 or more.
Nyctessa draws Mummy and Vanth. (Random Monsters 2 and 3)
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Hungering Staff, Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Eruption, Fighting Crook, Smite Abomination, Mummy, Golden Serpent Armband , Glamour, Vanth,
Displayed: Create Mindscape, Animate Dead,
Deck: 10 Discard: 5 Buried: 1
Notes: No support available except Channel the Gift.
Sideboard cards:
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
Off turn: Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift to search her deck to draw Animate Dead, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Ice Elemental instead of discarding Channel the Gift. Recharge pile cleared.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Hungering Staff, Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Eruption, Animated Skeleton, Blessing of the Master of Masters, Smite Abomination, Guecubu,
Displayed: Create Mindscape, Animate Dead,
Deck: 12 Discard: 5 Buried: 1
Notes: Blessing of Master of Masters is free for the party's use.
Sideboard cards:
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
Off turn: Nyctessa discards Blessing of Maat. I'm further nerfing Animate Dead so it only recharges at the end of my turn whilst displayed, so no recharging that.
Let me know if you want me to Channel the Gift your Coordinated Blast back to hand to me, Zarlova, so we can hot-potato it back and forth. Otherwise I'll hand you Smite Abomination on my turn instead.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Hungering Staff, Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Eruption, Animated Skeleton, Blessing of the Master of Masters, Smite Abomination, Guecubu, Ice Elemental,
Displayed: Create Mindscape, Animate Dead,
Deck: 12 Discard: 5 Buried: 1
Notes: Blessing of Master of Masters is free for the party's use.
Continuing with the Animate Dead...
Nyctessa draws Giant Crocodile into her hand. (Random Monster 2)
Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift to search her deck to draw Eruption, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Guardian Scroll instead of discarding Channel the Gift. Recharge pile cleared.
Nyctessa discards Ukobach to draw a card (Dark Stalker) and then explore her location, adding 1 and the fire trait to her checks to defeat. Scenario Deck Card 1: Shocking Chest
Shocking Chest:
Barrier 4
Traits
Cache
Lock
Trap
Check
Dexterity
Disable
12
OR
Strength
15
Powers
If undefeated, you may banish this barrier.
If defeated, draw a weapon, a spell, and an item from the box. If your check to defeat did not exceed 16, each character at your location is dealt 1d4 Electricity damage.
Nyctessa sets aside Pyrotechnic Blast for the Disable check against a barrier with the Lock trait, and I won't banish a monster for this one. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Ukobach adds 1. Disable/Arcane 12:1d10 + 6 + 2d4 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (2, 3) + (3) + 1 = 22 -> Shocking Chest defeated. Nyctessa draws a weapon, a spell and an item.
Random Weapon 1: Fighting Crook
Fighting Crook:
Weapon C
Traits
Club
Melee
Bludgeoning
Elite
Check
Strength
Melee
9
Powers
For your combat check, reveal this card to use your Strength or Melee skill + 2d4. If proficient with weapons, you may additionally discard this card to add your Dexterity skill if the monster does not have the Incorporeal or Ooze trait.
After you act, reveal an armor or you are dealt 1 combat damage.
Random Spell 1: Smite Abomination
Smite Abomination:
Spell 4
Traits
Magic
Divine
Check
Wisdom
Divine
10
Powers
Discard this card to add 2d6 to a combat check against a monster that has the Undead trait at your location. Characters may not play other spells on this check.
After playing this card, if you do not have the Divine skill, banish it; otherwise, you may succeed at a Divine 12 check to recharge this card instead of discarding it.
Random Item 1: Kohl of Uncanny Discernment
Kohl of Uncanny Discernment:
Item B
Traits
Accessory
Alchemical
Check
Intelligence
Perception
6
Powers
Reveal this card to add 1d4 to your Perception check.
Discard this card to examine the top 2 cards of your location deck and put them back in any order.
Nyctessa recharges Advocate's Armor to draw Ukobach from her discard pile.
Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift to search her deck to draw Pyrotechnic Blast, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Caryatid Column instead of discarding Channel the Gift. Recharge pile cleared, which might leave my Advocate's Armor higher up.
Nyctessa discards Kohl of Uncanny Discernment to examine and reorder the top two cards of the location deck.
Nyctessa finds a new entrance back into the relative safety of the ruins, hurrying to set up wards after bringing her many minions in. She dutifully strips the newly raised dead of any useful tools or weaponry, drains a couple more of their remaining life and matter to fuel more of her own magical preparations, then moves on.
Powers
When you examine this card, encounter it and increase its difficulty to defeat by 3.
The difficulty to defeat is increased by the scenario's adventure deck number.
If you play a weapon on your check to defeat, discard it.
Bonecrusher Chieftan is encountered. Nyctessa discards Eruption for combat, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Dark Stalker instead of discarding Eruption. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 19 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 4d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (4, 2, 5, 1) + (2) = 25 -> Bonecrusher Chieftain defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Blessing of the Master of Masters from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Continuing examination...
Scenario Deck Card 3: Fiendish Sphinx (TRIGGER)
Fiendish Sphinx:
Barrier 4
Traits
Trap
Arcane
Magic
Sphinx
Trigger
Check
Intelligence
Knowledge
Arcane
Wisdom
12
Powers
When you examine this card or if undefeated, recharge your hand, reset your hand, then summon and encounter the henchman Warrior Dolls.
ARGH! Noooo, I've got a perfect hand already! I've actually searched virtually everything good out of my deck. Should've remembered that bane was still in the siege deck.
This might suck.
Nyctessa recharges her hand in the following order: Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Ukobach, Eruption, Glamour, Pyrotechnic Blast, Giant Crocodile, Hungering Staff, Bonecrusher Chieftain, Fighting Crook, Smite Abomination, then resets her hand. Hand update shown.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Blessing of the Master of Masters, Animated Skeleton, Steel Ibis Lamellar, Advocate's Armor, Blessing of Isis, Ulkreth, Animated Zombie, Mummy Golem, Golden Serpent Armband ,
Displayed: Create Mindscape, Curse of the Ravenous, Animate Dead,
Deck: 12 Discard: 3 Buried: 0
Notes: As I knew; no methods of combat. I had them all in my previous hand, darnit... At least I can avoid damage.
Nyctessa summons and encounters Warrior Dolls.
Warrior Dolls:
Henchman Monster 1
Traits
Construct
Swarm
Veteran
Check
Combat
10
Powers
The Warrior Dolls are immune to the Mental and Poison traits. The difficulty to defeat is increased by twice the current scenario’s adventure deck number. If the check to defeat has the Fire trait, add 1 die.
If you do not defeat the Warrior Dolls by at least 2, shuffle a random barrier from the box into a random open location deck.
If defeated, you may immediately attempt to close the location this henchman came from.
Ugh. No point in fighting. Combat 18:1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 -> Nyctessa takes 16 Combat Damage, then buries Steel Ibis Lamellar to reduce all damage taken to 0. Radovan may draw another monster from the box. Random Open location:1d6 ⇒ 6 -> From the Warrior Dolls' effect, a random barrier is shuffled into the Ruined Temple. Examinations finished; Fiendish Sphinx is on top.
All is not lost; I see a way to recover my proper, powerful hand! Nyctessa recharges Advocate's Armor to draw Cleric of Nethys from her discard pile.
Nyctessa discards Cleric of Nethys to examine and reorder the top 2 cards of the Siege Deck, then explore her location. Scenario Deck Card 3: Fiendish Sphinx (TRIGGER again) Nyctessa recharges her hand in the following order: Blessing of the Master of Masters, Blessing of Isis, Animated Zombie, Animated Skeleton, Golden Serpent Armband, Mummy Golem, Ulkreth, then resets her hand. Hand update shown.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Blessing of Maat, Erayu, Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Ukobach, Eruption, Glamour, Pyrotechnic Blast, Giant Crocodile,
Displayed: Create Mindscape, Curse of the Ravenous, Animate Dead,
Deck: 11 Discard: 3 Buried: 1
Notes: Fixed!
Nyctessa summons and encounters Warrior Dolls.
Nyctessa sets aside Pyrotechnic Blast for combat. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. The Warrior Dolls' weakness to fire adds a die. Combat 18 (Arcane):2d10 + 6 + 2d4 + 1d4 ⇒ (8, 3) + 6 + (2, 4) + (1) = 24 -> Warrior Dolls defeated and returned to the box. Arcane 8:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (2) = 13 -> Pyrotechnic Blast recharged.
Continuing examination from the Cleric of Nethys...
Scenario Deck Card 4: Toxic Geyser
Nyctessa leaves the cards in the same order, then explores with Cleric of Nethys to encounter the Fiendish Sphinx, finally.
Fiendish Sphinx:
Barrier 4
Traits
Trap
Arcane
Magic
Sphinx
Trigger
Check
Intelligence
Knowledge
Arcane
Wisdom
12
Powers
When you examine this card or if undefeated, recharge your hand, reset your hand, then summon and encounter the henchman Warrior Dolls.
Nyctessa discards Ukobach to draw a card (Hungering Staff, from her recharged pile) and then explore her location, adding 1 and the fire trait to her checks to defeat. Scenario Deck Card 4: Toxic Geyser
Toxic Geyser:
Barrier B
Traits
Trap
Acid
Fire
Poison
Veteran
Check
Dexterity
Acrobatics
Wisdom
Survival
5
Powers
The difficulty to defeat is increased by twice the scenario's adventure deck number.
If undefeated, roll a number of d6s equal to the scenario's adventure deck plus 1. For each die:
1-2. You are dealt 2 Fire damage.
3-4. You are dealt 2 Acid damage; discard a weapon or armor.
5-6. You are dealt 2 Poison damage.
Nyctessa displays Glamour next to Zarlova (yeah, even the Necromancer wants in on Zarlova's skills), then uses Zarlova's Wisdom skill for the check against the Toxic Geyser. Create Mindscape adds 1d4, as always. Wisdom 13:1d10 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + (3) = 13 -> Toxic Geyser defeated. From the Adventure Rule, Nyctessa banishes her Curse of the Ravenous.
Nyctessa discards Erayu and recharges Giant Crocodile to explore her location, and adds 1d8 to Intelligence checks during this exploration. Scenario Deck Card 5: Crawling Hands
Crawling Hands:
Henchman Monster 2
Traits
Undead
Swarm
Check
Combat
13
Powers
The Crawling Hands are immune to the Mental and Poison traits.
If you do not defeat the Crawling Hands by 4 or more, each character at your location rolls a 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, and 1d12. For each roll of 1, that character buries a card.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat. Create Mindscape adds 1d4, Erayu adds 1d8. Combat 13 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d4 + 1d8 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (1) + 2 + (4) + (4) = 24 -> Crawling Hands defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Ukobach from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Nyctessa ends her turn, attempting to recharge Animate Dead, then Glamour. Arcane 13:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (4) = 14 -> Animate Dead recharged. Arcane 8:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + (2) = 16 -> Glamour recharged.
Nyctessa resets her hand.
Not sure if I'll get flavor in, but I'll try.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Blessing of Maat, Hungering Staff, Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Eruption, Crawling Hands, Animated Skeleton, Blessing of the Master of Masters, Smite Abomination,
Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift to search her deck to draw Animate Dead, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Crawling Hands instead of discarding Channel the Gift. Recharge pile cleared. Nyctessa displays Animate Dead to draw any number of AD1+ monsters from the box until their summed AD# is 5 or more. Nyctessa draws Guecubu, Ice Elemental. (Random Monsters 3-4)
An additional hand update is below.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Blessing of Maat, Hungering Staff, Robe of Bones, Channel the Gift, Eruption, Animated Skeleton, Blessing of the Master of Masters, Smite Abomination, Guecubu, Ice Elemental,
Blessing of Maat and Blessing of Master of Masters are free for the party's use.
Zarlova may use Channel the Gift if desired, though only one use would be preferred. I can also take Coordinated Blast of her hands and cast it whenever needed, if desired... in fact, I could banish monsters to repeatedly cast it.
Sideboard cards:
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
ADDITIONAL REWARDS:
Spoiler:
Die Bumps remaining: 2
SHIRT REROLL USED
Summary of turn...
Cards 1-5 of the Siege deck were cleared (plus the Rukh in my first post).
Random Monsters 2-4 were drawn.
Random Weapon, Spell and Item 1 were drawn.
Random Barrier 1 was shuffled into the Ruined Temple.
Radovan may draw a monster, from Nyctessa taking damage.
Nyctessa starts her turn.
Blessing of Nethys discarded from the Blessings Deck.
Nyctessa remains at the Ghoul Square.
Nyctessa takes her free exploration.
(As per Scrying) Scenario Deck Card 2: Rukh
Rukh:
Monster 3
Traits
Animal
Acid
Check
Combat
13
THEN
Combat
13
Powers
If your check to defeat does not have the Attack or Ranged trait, the difficulty is increased by 4.
Damage dealt by the Rukh is Acid damage.
If undefeated, move to a random location.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for the first combat check, then uses its power to discard Channel the Gift to add another 1d6+4, but reveals Robe of Bones to banish Crawling Hands instead of discarding Channel the Gift. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 13+4 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (1) + 2 + (1) + 4 + (3) = 18 -> First combat check defeated. Nyctessa may banish a Curse from the Adventure power, but there's none to banish.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for the second combat check, then uses its power to discard Channel the Gift to add another 1d6+4, but reveals Robe of Bones to banish Girtablilu Ranger instead of discarding Channel the Gift. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 13+4 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d6 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (3) + 2 + (3) + 4 + (4) = 27 -> Rukh defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Blessing of Maat from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared. Scourge Die:1d8 ⇒ 5 -> Nyctessa displays Curse of the Ravenous.
There's nothing for it; the fighting above is causing too much damage to the ruins, and this corridor is no longer safe as the earth shifts around it; triggering more collapses of the walls and ceiling. Nyctessa allows her undead minions to hoist her up through the hole left by her earlier attackers, and keeps her head down as she tries to avoid getting closely involved with the enormous battle of fiends and undead occurring around her. Radovan keeps up with ease, whilst Nyctessa quietly pulses her magic out amidst the clamour of the battlefield; finding corpses and bones to dredge up and animate into new servants. Skeletons claw out from the murk at her beck and call, surrounding her with minions to sacrifice freely to assist in her - and Radovan's - escape back to a safer spot.
Unfortunately, now outside, some vast, monstrous bird - impossible to know which side, if either, of the battle it was aligned with - catches them in its sight, and it swoops down; vomiting deadly, acidic bile towards the duo. Nyctessa once again shows her mastery over life and death, twisting its very essence around her staff from a distance before snapping its very invigorating force with a thought, as the Rukh locks up as all of its organs cease to function in a single instant, leaving it crashing to the ground.
'Waste not...' Nyctessa thinks, as she raises the corpse of the enormous bird to act as yet another servant.
Nyctessa discards Channel the Gift to search her deck to draw Animate Dead, then reveals Robe of Bones to banish Rukh instead of discarding Channel the Gift. Recharge pile cleared.
And yet, a curious hunger for something more than simple mortal sustenance fills her. A second later, she moves like a blur, re-killing the Rukh once again as she sinks her fangs into its enormous neck and drinks of its blood by mouthful after mouthful after mouthful, feeling the wonderful surge of power, strength, speed and warm, hot energy invigorate her despite the creature's own venoms. Nyctessa parts, still filled with some ravenous urges, realizing that it's a magical compulsion - some trap of the ruins - not simple vampiric thirst. She controls it as best as she can, deliberately avoiding looking directly at Radovan.
'What would a pitborn taste like, though...?'
Nyctessa displays Animate Dead to draw any number of AD1+ monsters from the box until their summed AD# is 5 or more.
Nyctessa draws Guardian Scroll, Caryatid Column..... (Random Monsters 3-4)
There are no additional legal monsters (they've already been drawn by Radovan or are AD0). I'll continue with my turn but Nyctessa still requires additional monsters.
Shaking off the thoughts, Nyctessa draws more of the dead and re-dead from the battlefield to her side; reraising many as new servants of her own.
Pausing turn to make a hand update. I may continue my turn in another post, time permitting, but the Siege Deck requires a shuffle and I require more random monsters, so I'll have to work around both elements.
I'll make a turn update later tonight, though I'd prefer a scenario update first, if possible.
Displayed: Create Mindscape, Curse of the Ravenous, Animate Dead,
Deck: 11 Discard: 3 Buried: 0
Notes: I was tracking all of the monsters I was drawing and banishing, but there's simply far too many to fit in the "Set Aside" section I usually use for banished cards, so I'm no longer doing that.
Sideboard cards:
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
Belay the above about my turn being up. For some reason I thought I was after Zarlova. XD
Note that killing the priest at the Ghoul Square will shuffle him into another location deck, which might 'shield' a boon later. Not single-handedly enough of a reason to close, though, and it would be leaving a lot of people clumped together without a means of shared protection.
Off Turn: Zarlova's Channel the Gift allows Nyctessa to search out and draw Channel the Gift from her character deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Nyctessa reveals Robe of Bones and banishes Coffer Corpse to use her own Channel the Gift on Zarlova, allowing Zarlova to search and draw out Holy Javelin, then does the same again and banishes Blightwing to allow Zarlova to search out and draw Restorative Touch.
Hand update before my turn. My turn will be posted in the next few hours, based on when I get the chance.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Pyrotechnic Blast, Hungering Staff, Glamour, Crawling Hands, Channel the Gift, Robe of Bones, Ukobach, Advocate's Armor, Girtablilu Ranger,
Displayed: Create Mindscape,
Deck: 11 Discard: 4 Buried: 0
Notes: You know, I've just noticed that Robe of Bones also allows me to banish a monster to empower Hungering Staff. Certainly intentional, based on the theme of Nyctessa and the Hungering Staff, but not something I'd really considered before now.
Sideboard cards:
Off Turn: Nyctessa attempts to recharge the displayed Animate Dead (at the end of Hayato's turn, as per the self-inflicted nerf to prevent the infinite combo). Arcane 13:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (4) = 17 -> Animate Dead recharged.
Off turn: INSTEAD OF ZARLOVA'S DIE BUMP, Nyctessa discards Blessing of Maat to allow Zarlova to pass her check against the Telekinesis Trap.
As the powerful magical trap spins fields of force around her, lifting her into the air, Zarlova feels an itching at the back of her skull, realizing it as telepathy and yet somehow... off. Not like the sensation of the Sphinx's mental touch - the dizzying rush of countless possibilities, the thrill of certainty and the depths of doubt from a vast mind - but instead a small subdued burning sensation - like a quiet, cool vial of acid slowly poured through the cleric's synapses - creeping through her.
'I recommend you learn to trust me more, at least enough to accept my aid. These ruins are hazardous.' Nyctessa whispers mentally, a quiet series of observational remarks, as always. A glimmer of magic - a different magic - surrounds Zarlova and enhances the Cleric's powers, allowing her to break free of the trap with a counteracting pulse of energy.
'You are welcome.' Nyctessa states, pulling her projected mind from Zarlova's, the burning sensation slowly subsiding from Zarlova's head.
Nyctessa starts her turn.
Blessing of the Ancients discarded from the Blessings Deck.
Nyctessa remains at the Ghoul Square.
Nyctessa sets aside Channel the Gift to search her deck to draw Glamour. Recharge pile cleared. Arcane 14:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (2) = 14 -> Channel the Gift recharged.
Nyctessa takes her free exploration.
Scenario Deck Card 3: Ulkreth
Ulkreth:
Henchman Monster 4
Traits
Outsider
Demon
Check
Combat
16
OR
Acrobatics
12
Powers
The Ulkreth may not be evaded; it is immune to the Electricity and Poison traits. If you succeed at a Knowledge 8 check, or if your check has the Acid, Cold, or Fire trait, add 5 to your check to defeat.
If you fail the check to defeat, when you would be dealt damage, each character at your location is instead dealt Combat damage equal to the scenario’s adventure deck number plus the number of cards in your location deck.
Huh. Same Hour, same opponent as Vika just had. Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat. Create Mindscape adds 1d4.
First, however, she makes a Knowledge 8 check. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Knowledge 8:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (4) = 13 -> Nyctessa adds 5 to her check to defeat. Combat 16 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (4) + 2 + (2) + 5 = 21 -> Ulkreth defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Animate Dead from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Loud thudding slams above Radovan and Nyctessa as she returns her projected senses back to her own semi-living body. They look up in time to see the bricks of the roof... be pulled upwards against all logic as the massive, tunneling demon tears into the underground passage from above through brute force. Nyctessa and Radovan dive in opposite direction, and she lashes out with her staff; fully aware of its weaknesses. Her dark magics ensorcel and sap the brute of its life, dragging the outsider into a weakened state before lashing out with her controlling magics, forcing it to sway and bend to her whim.
Nyctessa discards Animated Zombie to explore her location, and may recharge a monster to add 2d4 to combat checks during this exploration. Scenario Deck Card 4: Enchanter
Enchanter:
Monster C
Traits
Human
Sorcerer
Veteran
Check
Combat
8
Powers
The difficulty of checks to defeat the Enchanter is increased by the scenario's adventure deck number.
Before you act, the Enchanter deals 1 Force damage to you.
After you act, the Enchanter deals 1 Fire damage to you.
And THIS is why I made sure to take an armor card feat and a proficiency power feat (and a Trader) for Nyctessa. Sadly, Advocate's Armor will only protect me from the Fire damage, though.
BYA: Nyctessa takes 1 Force damage, and discards Ulkreth to damage. The Ghoul Square, Ruined Temple and Scorched Obelisk each lose their top boons from Defensive Stance rules. Radovan may display a monster from the box as a character at his location was dealt damage. Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 12 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (3) + 2 + (3) = 17 -> Enchanter defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
AYA: Nyctessa reveals Advocate's Armor to reduce Fire damage dealt by 2 to 0.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Erayu from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Some cultist aligned with Koth'Vaul jumps in through the hole left by the demon, throwing powerful magics at the two. Nyctessa smiles and commands the demon to protect them as a meat shield, and the cultist unwittingly destroys their own ally with their spells. As the enchanter recoils in shock, Nyctessa presses the attack; shattering their magical wards and slaying them with a powerful negative energy spell, before raising their corpse as yet another minion.
All the while feeding off the death surrounding her, Nyctessa growing ever more powerful as the fights rage on.
Nyctessa discards Cleric of Nethys to examine and reorder the top 2 cards of the Siege Deck, then explore her location. Scenario Deck Card 5: Crawling Hands -> Placed on top. Encountered with an exploration. Scenario Deck Card 6: Crawling Hands -> Placed second-from-top.
Crawling Hands:
Henchman Monster 2
Traits
Undead
Swarm
Check
Combat
13
Powers
The Crawling Hands are immune to the Mental and Poison traits.
If you do not defeat the Crawling Hands by 4 or more, each character at your location rolls a 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, and 1d12. For each roll of 1, that character buries a card.
Well that was a hard choice. Apparently the respective Fiend and Undead henchmen are clumping together. Looks like I'm overkilling this one, because I can't afford to get less than 17 and subject both Radovan and myself to the potential consequences. Nyctessa sets aside Eruption for combat. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 13 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 4d6 + 1d4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (2, 6, 2, 2) + (1) = 21 -> Low rolls. Crawling Hands defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand. (Undead are shuffled into another location from here, but henchmen are excluded)
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Animated Skeleton from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared. Arcane 13:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 6 + (3) = 16 -> Eruption recharged.
Undead creep up the hallway from all directions. Specifically; dismembered, unliving hands, drawn to the fighting. Nyctessa releases a powerful shockwave to stun the swarms, before forcing them to bend and writhe to her more powerful will.
Nyctessa recharges Advocate's Armor to draw Cleric of Nethys from her discard pile.
Nyctessa discards Cleric of Nethys to examine and reorder the top 2 cards of the Siege Deck, then explore her location. Scenario Deck Card 6: Crawling Hands Scenario Deck Card 7: Bonecrusher Hunter (TRIGGER) -> Bonecrusher Hunter is Triggered, and is encountered from its power.
Bonecrusher Hunter:
Monster B
Traits
Bonecrusher
Trigger
Veteran
Check
Combat
9
Powers
When you examine this card, encounter it and increase its difficulty to defeat by 3.
The difficulty to defeat is increased by the scenario's adventure deck number.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat and banishes Enchanter from her hand to add another 1d4 with her power. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 17 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + (6) + 2 + (1) = 23 -> Bonecrusher Hunter defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Ulkreth from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Cleric of Nethys finishes resolving, and Nyctessa explores and encounters the Crawling Hands.
Scenario Deck Card 6: Crawling Hands
Crawling Hands:
Henchman Monster 2
Traits
Undead
Swarm
Check
Combat
13
Powers
The Crawling Hands are immune to the Mental and Poison traits.
If you do not defeat the Crawling Hands by 4 or more, each character at your location rolls a 1d4, 1d6, 1d8, 1d10, and 1d12. For each roll of 1, that character buries a card.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat and banishes Bonecrusher Hunter from her hand to add another 1d4 with her power. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Combat 17 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 2d4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + (1) + 2 + (1, 4) = 24 -> Crawling Hands defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Animated Zombie from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
More undead - ghastly, skeletal gnolls and yet more swarms of the hands - surge forward, but Nyctessa's own minions clash with them; the hands appearing to fight amongst themselves as she exerts her dominance over as many as she's capable of, just as her recently-raised Enchanter grapples with the brutish gnoll skeleton. Nyctessa keeps her control strong over as many of the undead as she can, her face still locked in a small smile.
Nightcrescent's minions stood no chance with her present. He will pay for his treachery.
Nyctessa discards Blessing of Master of Masters to explore her location, and adds a die to Intelligence checks during this exploration. Scenario Deck Card 8: Aghash
Aghash:
Henchman Monster B
Traits
Outsider
Curse
Electricity
Trigger
Veteran
Check
Combat
11
OR
Divine
8
Powers
When you examine this card, discard a card from the blessings deck, then shuffle the villain Sandstorm into the blessings deck.
The difficulty to defeat is increased by twice the scenario's adventure deck number.
If undefeated, suffer a scourge.
If defeated, you may immediately attempt to close the location this henchman came from.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat and banishes Crawling Hands 2 from her hand to add another 1d4 with her power. Create Mindscape adds 1d4 and Blessing of Master of Masters adds a die. Combat 19 (Arcane):2d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 2d4 ⇒ (3, 6) + 6 + (2) + 2 + (2, 3) = 24 -> Aghash defeated, and Nyctessa chooses not to add it to her hand.
Nyctessa randomly shuffles Animated Zombie from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Nyctessa's army of undead only grows more powerful, and any fiends that attempt to fight her growing legion finds them better coordinated and more powerful than the ones under the skeleton Cleric; quickly getting torn apart.
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
ADDITIONAL REWARDS:
Spoiler:
Die Bumps remaining: 2
SHIRT REROLL USED
At the beginning of Hayato's turn... Nyctessa displays Animate Dead to draw any number of AD1+ monsters from the box until their summed AD# is 5 or more. Nyctessa draws Coffer Corpse, Girtablilu Ranger. (Random Monsters 1-2)
An additional hand update is below.
Radovan may draw a monster from the box and display it next to any Devil form. (Be sure not to draw from the same scenario update I just did.) Zarlova may take back her Die Bump.
I have a specific request/plan for Zarlova.
Can Zarlova come to Ghoul Square and cast Channel the Gift on Nyctessa to allow Nyctessa to draw her own Channel the Gift? (Don't forget Create Mindscape gives you a bonus to recharging it.)
After that's done, Nyctessa can cast Channel the Gift, and reveal Robe of Bones to banish a monster rather than discarding Channel the Gift. Since she has 4 monsters in hand and won't have a hard time making more, Zarlova can feel free to utilize Nyctessa's Channel the Gift over and over (up to 4 times) as she sees fit, though I'd like to keep 2 uses back so I can 'perfect' my hand with spells from my own deck as necessary.
Nyctessa starts her turn.
Blessing of Horus discarded from the Blessings Deck.
Nyctessa moves to the Ghoul Square, since my Pyrotechnic Blast is in hand and I don't want to have to bury it.
Nyctessa joins the party as the sounds of violence grow as the fiends and undead clash outside. She raises a small number of skeletons to protect the orb alongside the Sphinx, and twists further magic around her twisted staff of spine and skull to empower her future spellcasting.
Nyctessa displays Create Mindscape at the Ghoul Square.
Nyctessa sets aside Channel the Gift to search her deck to draw Disable Mechanism. Recharge pile cleared. Arcane 14:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (10) + 6 + (1) = 17 -> Channel the Gift recharged.
Powers
The difficulty to defeat is increased by twice the scenario's adventure deck number.
If undefeated, each character at your location is dealt 1d4 Ranged combat damage. First choose allies to discard as your damage, if you have any.
Nyctessa sets aside Disable Mechanism to add 2d8 to her check to defeat a barrier with the Trap trait.
Radovan recharges Blessing of the Quartermaster to add 1 die to Nyctessa's Dexterity check. Dexterity 14:1d6 + 2d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + (2, 2) + (6) = 13 -> Dang. Nyctessa uses her Shirt Reroll to reroll one of the '2s' from her d8s. Dexterity 14:11 + 1d8 ⇒ 11 + (3) = 14 -> Corridor Dart Trap defeated. Arcane 12:1d10 + 6 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (1) = 11 -> Disable Mechanism discarded.
Nyctessa joins Radovan, making her way down a concealed passage from within the ruins in the hope of finding a safer way to get the orb past the clashing armies outside. The corridor is trapped, but the mechanisms are easily disabled through her spells as she moves on with the confidence of someone who already knows these ruins.
Nyctessa displays Animate Dead to draw any number of AD1+ monsters from the box until their summed AD# is 5 or more.
Nyctessa draws Dark Stalker, Plague Zombie and Mummy Golem. (Random Monsters 1-3)
Nyctessa finds some nearby bodies of opponents and former-undead slain by the adventurers or the tribes of Maftet in the battles prior, and sinks new life into the bodies; raising new servants to protect her regardless of Radovan's misgivings.
Nyctessa discards Ukobach to draw a card (Glamour) and then explore her location, adding 1 and the fire trait to her checks to defeat. Scenario Deck Card 5: Blightwing
Powers
The difficulty to defeat is increased by twice the scenario's adventure deck number.
If undefeated, suffer the scourge Curse of Vulnerability.
If defeated, you may immediately attempt to close the location this henchman came from.
Nyctessa reveals Hungering Staff for combat, additionally banishing Plague Zombie to her power to add 1d4. Create Mindscape adds 1d4. Ukobach adds 1. Combat 19 (Arcane):1d10 + 6 + 1d6 + 2 + 1d4 + 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 + (4) + 2 + (3) + (4) + 1 = 30 -> Blightwing defeated and added to Nyctessa's hand. Nyctessa randomly shuffles Ukobach from her discard pile into her deck. Recharged pile cleared.
Some of the fiends have broken into the underground corridors; screaming, winged heads spitting twisted poisons and babble. Nyctessa simply strikes them out of the air with dark streams of magic from her staff, then raises the corpses to act as yet more servants, whilst also drawing from their fleeting life force to empower her own half-life.
Continuing Nyctessa's turn, but making a hand update due to the number of card draws and heals so far.
Displayed: Create Mindscape, Animate Dead,
Deck: 11 Discard: 2 Buried: 0
Notes: Steel Ibis Lamellar is actually in hand. I've displayed Animate Dead in contradiction to its actual power as an aforementioned nerf to it, so it can't be re-used for an infinite combo with Robe of Bones.
Nyctessa discards Animated Skeleton to explore her location, and may recharge a monster to add 1d4 to combat checks during this exploration.
Scenario Deck Card 6: Fireball Trap
Fireball Trap:
Barrier 2
Traits
Trap
Magic
Fire
Elite
Check
Constitution
6
OR
Dexterity
Acrobatics
Disable
8
Powers
If undefeated, each character at your location is dealt 1d4 Fire damage.
I'm surprised this isn't Veteran...
Nyctessa displays Glamour next to Radovan, and uses Radovan's Disable skill. Disable 8:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 -> Fireball Trap defeated.
She sends some of her hard-earned minions to scout the corridor in front of her, knowing full well what's coming. Sure enough, the undead set off a powerful gout of magical flame from the fireball trap... but with the trap now pre-triggered and her minion incinerated, it's now safe for her and Radovan to progress through it.
Nyctessa discards Erayu and recharges Mummy Golem, Dark Stalker and Blightwing to explore her location, and adds 1d8 to Intelligence checks during this exploration. Scenario Deck Card 7: Dry Quicksand
Dry Quicksand:
Barrier C
Traits
Trap
Elite
Check
Dexterity
Acrobatics
Wisdom
Survival
9
Powers
If undefeated, display this barrier next to your location, then shuffle your character token into your location. While your character token is in this location, evade any bane you would encounter and you may not move. If a character reveals your character token, place it at your location and banish this card.
Ugh. 4 explorations and only 1 monster, which is what I've tuned my deck to handle. And all 3 barriers were Traps, not Locks or Obstacles where I could use my Pyrotechnic Blast!
Nyctessa uses Radovan's Acrobatics skill, and recharges Steel Ibis Lamellar to add 1d6 to her Dexterity check. Acrobatics 9:1d8 + 4 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + (1) = 10 -> Dry Quicksand defeated.
Nyctessa steps back, startled, as the ground begins to give way beneath her - this wasn't a trap that she knew about! Her undead minions are buried and scattered as the brick and stonework falls due to some some massive shift in the earth around the ruins; the ceiling crumbling as the floor shakes and shatters. Nyctessa tries to summon a warding spell, but it's Radovan that saves her; grabbing her and diving them both to safety past the crumbling sections.
Nyctessa ends her turn, attempting to recharge Glamour and Animate Dead. Arcane 8 (Glamour Recharge):1d10 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + (2) = 13 -> Glamour recharged. Arcane 13 (Animate Dead Recharge):1d10 + 4 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + (1) = 6 -> Animate Dead discarded.
Nyctessa resets her hand.
Nyctessa shoves the pitborn off of her, standing and dusting herself off, moving on without so much as a thank-you. In fact, she appears to continue to ignore his presence and assistance.
'Wizards.' Radovan thinks to himself.
Nyctessa wrote:
Hand: Pyrotechnic Blast, Hungering Staff, Advocate's Armor, Channel the Gift, Blessing of the Master of Masters, Blessing of Maat, Cleric of Nethys, Animated Zombie, Eruption,
Displayed: Create Mindscape,
Deck: 9 Discard: 4 Buried: 0
Notes: Still no Robe of Bones, but I've got Advocate's Armor and a nice suite of backup cards handy.
Blessings of Master of Masters and Maat are both free to use. Players at the Ghoul Square can additionally use Channel the Gift and the displayed Create Mindscape as needed.
Sideboard cards:
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
ADDITIONAL REWARDS:
Spoiler:
Die Bumps remaining: 2
SHIRT REROLL USED
Radovan must recharge Blessing of the Quartermaster.
Well... Damnit. I don't know what to do here. I made a Loot choice before seeing the Traders, and I'd like to take that back (assuming they're simultaneous, I think that means I should've seen the Trader options, but honestly I don't really know the precise BR's intent here).
Having Advocate's Armor, Golden Serpent Armband, Elemental Skin and another armor all seems overkill; I'd much rather not take the Elemental Skin loot and instead either trade that Loot or a spell for an armor instead.
If it's allowed, I'll undo my trade for Elemental Skin, and instead make the following trade.
TRADE (Ghoul Market):Cloudburst (Spell 4) -> Steel Ibis Lamellar
I've marked Steel Ibis Lamellar with an asterisk in my Deck Handler, so I'll remove it and replace it back with Elemental Skin if the BR says so. In the meantime, I'll draw my starting hand and take my turn shortly.
I'm also kicking myself for not thinking of that. Why did I go to an Armor Trader if I'd already used up one of my valuable spell slots on a Loot Spell I'd only need if I didn't grab a second armor from a Trader?
Displayed: Deck: 11 Discard: 0 Buried: 0
Notes: I was hoping not to draw Steel Ibis Lamellar//Elemental Skin (whichever the BR decides it is) in my opening hand until the rules are clarified, but oh well.
Sideboard cards:
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
I'll draw my starting hand following my trade, but I'll share my skills and powers and general strategy.
Nyctessa is a slightly weaker caster than Ezren - same static bonuses, but a 1d10 rather than a 1d12 base Intelligence - and trades item and armor card slots for a few blessings, more or less.
She lacks the exploration rate of Ezren, but as I've built her now she will both draw defeated monsters into her hand and also heal herself by 1 every time she defeats a monster, so I don't fear discarding cards to explore or otherwise. I have a full hand size of 9, so I should have plenty of opportunities to spend my cards effectively.
Finally, the key card of the deck is Robe of Bones; once I get some monsters in my hand, I can reveal it to banish them in place of 'expending' spells for their effects. I'm hoping I can get a good suite of spells out - an attack spell (Eruption), an anti-barrier spell (Disable Mechanism) at the least - and then just keep a flow of monsters up to re-use those as much as I want.
Finally, I strongly recommend a player take the excellent new loot card, the Mythopoeic Sphinx. If only to immediately banish it to draw the also-excellent Loot Ally Tetisurah, turning an item slot into a powerful ally and getting us a free acquired Ally 3 for deck upgrades. Effigy of Anubis is a loot card that may also work quite well during this scenario, and is currently unclaimed.
Nyctessa is taking neither, on account of her lack of spare Item slots.
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
Radovan and Vika scour the ruins for whatever may be of value as Hayato and Zarlova continue to learn of more of the land and its history from the Sphinx they had freed from Koth'Vaul's mysterious orb's influence. Meanwhile, the orb in question glows softly where it lays on the ground, carefully stored under magical wards placed by Zarlova and kept far from any physical contact with any of them. Conversation leads to how they will bring it out of here - whatever it is, it must be kept from the wrong hands, and the Sphinx seems convinced that it could not be destroyed by any means available to them.
"Perhaps I might be of assistance."
Hayato and Zarlova spin around, preparing their weapons at the sight of a seemingly-undead woman with black lips, completely white, dead eyes and a skin bleached of any apparent colour. Nyctessa; the Dhampir necromancer, the former - and apparently unwilling - lackey of the vampire Stavros Nightcrescent fought weeks ago. The slightest hint of a smile - the smallest crease at the edge of her lips - grace her terrifyingly motionless, pale face.
"An unpleasant response. I have not come to hurt you." Nyctessa assures with a flat tone, speaking in a voice devoid of flourishes, accentuation or emotion.
To demonstrate her point, she carefully rests her staff - a hideous thing of twisted human spine, remarkably similar to the dark staff that Ezren still carried with him, insistent that he has controlled it - upon a nearby rock, disarming herself. Zarlova releases her would-be spells, and Hayato lowers his weapon, though makes no motion to sheathe his blade. Nyctessa makes the smallest attempt at an appreciative nod, though none could clearly tell with the distance between her and them.
"Nightcrescent has raised an army and intends to take the orb by force with it. I have reason to suspect that Koth'Vaul may act to oppose such an attempt." Nyctessa warns, craning her neck oddly to the side.
"Nightcrescent pulls great resources from nearby Geb. His forces, his influence. His ambitions are far greater than al-Jakri's, and vampires of his standing will not..." Nyctessa raises her head back into a normal position, letting out a slight frown, "...vampires of his standing do not compromise on their ambitions. He could be unstoppable, if not for the fact that he still is licking his wounds from when you defeated him in combat last, and that there are no shortage of those in Geb who would see his projects undermined by any means available."
"Which is why I am here. He has planned for adventurers, sphinxes, maftet and even fiends; but he has not planned for a necromancer. I have been given an opportunity by certain people to disrupt Nightcrescent's actions, and in doing so satiate my own vengeance at once."
Radovan and Vika return, as Nyctessa's blank eyes roll around in their sockets oddly; such an unnerving combination of traits of the living and the dead, merged in such a way that is alien to true undead.
"I can give you my word that my raised undead will ferry the orb out of here safely; which I will relinquish to your care once we slip past the army waiting for us. Do we have a deal?"
During this scenario, I will be substituting in the Wizard, Nyctessa from the Hell's Vengeance 2 Character Deck and using the Ultimate Magic Add-On Deck. Both of which are actually my normal class deck cards for Ezren, who's also a wizard, but nevermind that.
From Ezren's progression and Chronicle Sheets, Nyctessa gains 5 Skill Feats, 5 Power Feats, 5 Card Feats and a role card, choosing the Undead Master role. She additionally uses some of his Card Upgrades to build a deck.
Nyctessa will take the following Loot. For each she will trade away a basic card from either of her class decks; there's no need to mention which because it's a substitute character anyway. Loot Upgrade:(A Basic spell) -> Elemental Skin Loot Upgrade:(A Basic spell) -> Disable Mechanism Loot Upgrade:(A Basic spell) -> Eruption Loot Upgrade:(A Basic item) -> Golden Serpent Armband Loot Upgrade:(A Basic ally) -> Erayu Special Loot Upgrade:(A Basic blessing) -> Blessing of Maat
Since I might get another Advocate's Armor, or something else viable to deal with a Siege Scenario efficiently (and to protect my enormous hand size)...
Nyctessa will visit the Ghoul Market Trader.
Starting Location: Peasant Tombs. I'm free to hand Coordinated Blast off to, same as Ezren.
I may yet make some small changes or amendments, but I do plan to play as Nyctessa (with Ultimate Magic) during the next scenario, and I've built my deck and added my Loot preferences to the Loot sheet.
Generally Nyctessa is actually very similar to Ezren. Spell-heavy, high Intelligence, uses the Hungering Staff and Advocate's Armor. She does actually have some Blessings, though, but a weaker Arcane skill.
Where Ezren can explore like crazy by discarding recharging Spells and gain benefits against elemental-traited banes, Nyctessa simply draws defeated monsters into her hand, heals herself by defeating monsters, and can banish them for bonuses. There's a bit more to her than that, but that's the short of it.
She has a few cards that play interestingly with the monsters she can pick up, most notably Robe of Bones, which allows her to re-use spells by banishing monsters instead. In a Siege scenario with a metric ton of monsters, I think she'll perform quite well.
Oh, and with the GM's permission, as stated in hangouts, I will be playing with an unofficial nerf to Animate Dead, where it is displayed until end-of-turn for its effect, similar to Restoration. This prevents the infinite-loop it has with Robe of Bones, and also brings it in line with other cards that can draw 2+ cards into your hand by spending 1.
Favored Card: Spell
Hand Size 6 [X] 7 [X] 8[X] 9
Proficient with: [X] Light Armors
Powers:
When you defeat a monster and would banish it, you may draw it instead ([X] then you may shuffle into your deck a random card from your discard pile) ([ ] or from any character at your location's discard pile).
You may banish an ally, a monster, or a card that has the Corrupted trait to add 1d4 ([ ] or a number of d4s equal to the banished card's adventure deck number) to your ([ ] or a character at your location's) check to defeat a monster ([ ] or to acquire an ally).
Once per turn, if you are required to remove cards from your deck and you don't have enough, you do not die ([ ] and you may reset your hand from your discard pile).
[ ] If your check is against a card that has the Undead trait, add 1d8 ([ ] 1d12).
