Sentinels Shattered Story-line Saga Episode 3: A New Bliss.

General GTG Events
1

"Look Doc, how about we can the lecture and get to the plan." Amanda wanted to shoot something, anything at this point.  History lessons only made that desire stronger.  Two weeks since they left Rook City and all they had done was travel.  Sitting looking at clouds, sitting looking at water, sitting looking at sand.  Now they had these two talking at them.  "Sounds like a simple extraction to me."

"Yes, if by simple you mean navigating traps and puzzles set up to kill invaders while trying to avoid awakening what remains there than yes, it will be simple."  Blake Washington knew where they were going, and he knew the risk involved, if only everyone else wouldn't just stare blankly the minute he tried to explain it.  How could he explain the danger that could be in any rock, brick, urn or spider's web.  How could they know, the way he knew, all too well that things remained in these tombs.

"The Rod of Anubis is our target, it is a powerful artifact of a long dead civilization."  John started, "The Egyptians aimed to protect its power from the rest of the world, it will not be easy to reach."  

"So you're saying your old rod is gonna send us back in time?" Ryan was starting to regret coming on this trip, this scholar guy was alright but the desert heat was not his favorite thing, and hunting for relics in a tomb with doctor boring didn't sound like much fun either.

Devra had had enough, "Don't you guys listen at all?" she asked, "Anubis was a judge, and his staff was able to access the portals we need to attempt time travel, seemed pretty simple to me."

"Except for the whole time travel thing," Ryan interjected, "I don't think anyone is going to stop Baron Blade by opening a portal to hell."

"That's where this baby comes in."  The Scholar pulled a large round stone out from his robe.  It glowed slightly and seemed to pulse with energy.  "I'll use this baby to alter the nature of the portal, then the rod activates it and we have a portal through time. . . hopefully."

"The trouble is the spirit of Anubis may still be present in the staff, or the tomb."  Blake added.

"Then it will face judgement itself."  Helena looked at Dr. Washington, then resumed her meditation.  The ride was a quiet one after that.

. . .

"No no no no no no no," Blake ran his hand over the seal again, someone had tried to force it open.  "Someone else has been here, and to get this far. . ."

"How observant Doctor."  They turned to see several figures blocking the tunnel behind them.  They braced for combat.

"Now now, we don't want a fight, we want the same thing you want."  A Blond woman stepped out of the shadow toward them.  "With that artifact we can stop Voss and reclaim the planet, so why don't we all work together."

"Is that all you want Dawn," the Scholar stepped forward, trying to read her face.

"Dawn. . ." Expatriette stepped forward, suddenly pale and shaken.

"Amanda!" Dawn cried out and ran to hug her daughter.

. . .

"Watch the ones on the left young one, do not be caught off guard."  Helena cautioned Devra, "We do not know how long they will continue their ruse."

Expatriette and her mother had been talking for over an hour.  "That's a lot of explaining to do after 15 years."  Ra commented, still working on opening the seal.

"What if she was telling the truth?" Devra asked, "It is possible you know."

"Not likely, Dawn didn't escape the Block, she fought her way out.  On her way she recruited or killed most of the other prisoners, and almost the entire defense force.  She didn't leave Amanda there because she had to."  The Scholar was helping Blake, but being very careful to keep his stone hidden as he talked.

"How do you know so much?"  Frost asked, trying to maintain his care free bored demeanor while keeping an eye on Dawn and Amanda.

"I read son, learn all kinds of stuff that way."

 

Episode 3:

Number of heroes:  3-5

Required Heroes:  Expatriette, Ra.

Other heroes:  Unity, Absolute Zero (original or elemental wrath), Scholar, Fanatic.

Villain:  Citizen Dawn advanced

Environment:  The Tomb of Anubis

 

Special Rules:  Power of the Ancient Artifacts:

Anubis cannot be destroyed by cards that specifically destroy environment cards. When an environment card is destroyed Anubis deals each non-environment taget 1 infernal damage.   Anubis' damage ignores immunity and reduction.  Damage dealt by the power on the card Rod of Anubis ignores immunity and reduction.  If Rod of Anubis is in the Environment play area damage dealt by Shamise ignores immunity and reduction.

 

Heroes in order:

Fanatic:  BlueHairedMeerkat

Absolute Zero:  Theta Sigma

Ra:  dpt

The Scholar:  cmschex

Expatriette:  PlatinumWarlock

2

Can I take Fanatic please?

Opening hand: Sanctifying Strike, Smite the Transgressor, "Absolution" x2

3

I'm in! Zero (normal version) if possible please :D

4

I'll play Dr. Washington. Opening hand: The Staff of Ra, Flame Spike (x2), Scorched Earth.

5

I'd like to play the Scholar if possible (just played Expat in previous forum game)

 

Opening hand: Proverbs and Axioms, Get Out of the Way, Expect the Worst, Mortal Form to Energy

6

Oh, since Expat isn't getting any love I'll break this out if a player wants to try it:

 

I have been playing with a variant of Expat that keeps her health but replaces her base power with:

Armor Piercing:  Destroy an ammo card, if you do use a gun power, that gun's damage is reduced by 1 then made irreducible for this turn.

 

The whole idea of reducing then making irreducible wouldn't hold up under rulesiness, but it has a great effect of giving an alternate option that is really effective.  The -1 was kind of necessary as otherwise it was ridiculously sick.  As is you don't gain anything unless there is heavy reduction, which there very well could be this fight.  Also note that the ammo destroyed doesn't have to be played on the gun you use for the power, that is intentional for balancing.

So if you want to try it go ahead, or you can use the regular one, this one doesn't work nearly as well with unload fun, but you know, trade-offs.

7

I'm happy to play Expatriette if someone else wants Ra.

8

Is Unity stilll available?  If so, chalk me up for her.

If we need Ra or Expatriette instead, I could play either.

9

We need an Expat, if you really want Ra dpt is willing to switch.  Unity is out with the numbers though.

10

Chalk me up for Expatriette, then!

Opening Hand:  Hairtrigger Reflexes, Assault Rifle, Quick Draw (x2)

11

Dr. Blake Washington looked at the wall before him, taking it in.  He knew how to open it, or rather Ra knew how to open it.  He just had to wait for everyone else to be ready.

"We have to get her to play her hand first Blake, we need Expatriette on our side if we are going to make it out of here with the Rod."  John Rhodes knew how to play it cool, he had a pretty good poker face.  Ra was as stalwart as ever, and Ryan Frost, well you couldn't even see his face.  The girl called Unity was the liability, she was nervous, anyone could tell, she'd probably already tipped their hand to Dawn; but they weren't bluffing Dawn, they were playing for Amanda.

"I've got a job for you young lady, we're gonna need this entrance open, it's the only way out.  If Dawn gets back with the Rod, close it and get out, otherwise hold it for us.  You got that, no matter what it takes, keep it open, and don't be seen."

"OK."  The girl replied, "Umm Mr. Rhodes?"

"Yeah?"

"Amanda, her mother, they. . ."

John patted the girl on the head.  "She'll make it, Amanda's tough, she'll make it."  She better, he thought to himself.

. . .

They were in, Devra had sneaked away beautifully, and the rest of them were all making their way through what looked to be either an underground library or a unfinished maze.

"The Chamber of the Rod is straight down this corridor to the left," Ra stated, he could feel the energy of the Rod, and from the look of her, so could Dawn, her eyes were gold and her blonde hair was turning lighter, as if she was drawing energy from the tomb.

"Yes, I can feel it, I want to thank you for your help Dr. we couldn't have made it this far without you.  I'm afraid your usefulness is done though, I suggest you leave now."  Dawn stepped ahead of them down the corridor, and her followers began to position themselves between her and the heroes.  

"It doesn't have to be this way Dawn," the Scholar reasoned, "We both want the same thing, let's work together and restore balance to the world."

"Balance, there will be no balance, the Mortals have had their turn to rule, and look where we are."  Her hair was glowing now, as she pulled herself to her full height, "I will make a new world, one where our kind rules the Mortals, a world where they know their place and bow before me!"

"Mother, what are you saying?"  Amanda interjected, "Stop this!"

"Come with me my child, join us in creating a new world, take your place at my side and we will rule this world together."

"No mother, we need to set things right, not mess them up even more."

"You would choose the mortals over your own kind my daughter?  Such sentiment for people that would torture and kill you."

"I'm. . . I'm not like you Mother, I'm normal, I don't have powers."  Expatriette's fists were clenched, her voice low and angry.

"I see.  No matter, it is but one more thing for me to correct, Citizens, destroy them!"

"Now!" Rhodes yelled, and Ra reached out and touched the wall, his hand burning.  The corridor erupted with a dark green light, low but piercing.

"Who awakens Anubis, Come and be judged!"

 

ROUND ONE

Citizen Dawn

HP:  80

In Play:  Citizen Spring [6], Citizen Winter [4], Citizen Sweat [5], Citizen Summer [4]

Trash:

-------------------------

Start of Turn:  less than 5 Citizens in trash.

Play a Card:  Citizen Battery [7]

End of Turn:  Citizen Dawn deals 4 energy damage to Ra. (Dawn)  Each Citizen regains 1 hp. (Spring)  Each Hero Target takes 3 cold damage. (Winter)  No ongoings to destroy. (Sweat)  Expatriette and The Scholar take 4 fire damage. (Summer)  Fanatic takes 4 energy damage. (Battery)

-------------------------

HP:  80

In Play:  Citizen Spring [6], Citizen Winter [4], Citizen Sweat [5], Citizen Summer [4], Citizen Battery [7]

Trash:

Effects:

Start:  If there are 5 or more Citizens in the villain trash, flip Citizen Dawn's character card, she may only flip once this way per game.

End:  Deal the Highest HP hero 3 energy damage (Dawn), Each citizen regains 1hp (Spring),  Deal each Hero target 2 cold damage (Winter),  Destroy one hero ongoing card (Sweat),  Deal the two heroes ith the most cards in play 3 fire damage each (Summer),  Deal the Hero target with the highest HP 3 energy damage (Battery)

Static:

Increase all damage dealt by Citizens by 1. (Dawn advanced text)

 

Hero Status:

Fanatic:  23

Absolute Zero:  26

Ra:  23

The Scholar:  22

Expatriette: 22

 

12

I’ve got a Staff in hand, so I can take one batch. Scholar should be another, obviously.

13

I'll take a hit (and the Scholar is John Rhodes, not James. James is War Machine :P)

Aaand that's the cue Fanatic was waiting for. She unfurls her wings, unsheaths her sword and launches herself at the nearest citizen.

Fanatic

HP: 23

Hand: Sanctifying Strike, Smite the Transgressor, "Absolution" x2

In play:

Trash:

Additional effects:

Start of hero turn:

Play a card: "Absolution" enters play, Fanatic regains 1HP.

Use a power: Absolution; deal 3 fire damage to Winter [1].

Draw a card: Brutal Censure

End of hero turn:

HP: 24

Hand: Sanctifying Strike, Smite the Transgressor, "Absolution", Brutal Censure

In Play: Absolution

Trash:

Additional effects:

14

The Scholar will take the other 4

15

Ryan couldn't help being annoyed at the white-haired citizen, what with the ice and the not-being-stuck-in-a-suit and all, but two could play at that game.

Absolute Zero

HP: 26

Hand: Modular Realignment, Null-Point Calibration Unit, Frost-Bound Drain, Isothermic Transducer

In play:

Trash:

Additional effects:

 

Start of hero turn:

Play a card: Isothermic Transducer

Use a power: Thermodynamics: Absolute Zero deals himself 1 fire damage [25], dealing Citizen Winter 1 cold damage [DEAD]

Draw a card: Cold Snap

End of hero turn:

 

HP: 25

Hand: Modular Realignment, Null-Point Calibration Unit, Frost-Bound Drain, Cold Snap

In Play: Isothermic Transducer

Trash:

Additional effects: Whenever Absolute Zero is dealt fire damage, he deals one target that much cold damage

 

 

16

Dr. Washington snaps his walking stick apart and snaps it together again as a full-sized staff. His eyes begin to glow.

Ra

HP: 23

Hand: The Staff of Ra, Flame Spike (x2), Scorched Earth

In play:

Trash:

Additional effects:

[hr]
Start of hero turn:

Play a card: The Staff of Ra. Regain 3 HP [26].

Use a power: Pyre. Deal 2+1 damage to Citizen Summer [1].

Draw a card: Wrathful Gaze

End of hero turn:

[hr]

HP: 26

Hand: Flame Spike (x2), Scorched Earth, Wrathful Gaze

In play: The Staff of Ra

Trash:

Additional effects: (Staff) Damage dealt by Ra is increased by 1.

17

John read the ley lines and decided that his teammates could most use a little friendly advice that would prepare them for the lengthy struggle ahead...

 

The Scholar

HP: 22

Hand: Proverbs and Axioms, Mortal Form to Energy, Expect the Worst, Get Out of the Way

In play:

Trash:

Additional effects:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Start of hero turn:

Play a card: Proverbs and Axioms - each hero draws a card.  Each hero chooses to regain to HP or deal themselves 3 psychic damage and use a power.  Scholar draws Transmutive Recovery and gains 2 HP

Use a power: Better Living - Scholar gains 1 HP (25)

Draw a card: Offensive Transmutation

End of hero turn:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

HP: 25

Hand: Mortal Form to Energy, Expect the Worst, Get Out of the Way, Transmutive Recovery, Offensive Transmutation

In Play: 

Trash: Proverbs and Axioms

Additional effects: Each hero chooses to regain to HP or deal themselves 3 psychic damage and use a power.

18

Ra draws Flame Barrier and regains 2HP [28].

19

Forgot Dawn's damage, so I reordered and Expat took damage, so she won't be due to get wacked by Dawn.

20

Fanatic draws Prayer of Desperation and regains 2HP [26]