Sentinels Shattered Storyline Saga Episode 6, Underwater the Fish don't stink. Final text added!

there is more story at the end of episode five if you missed it.

Wraith looked up, the door was enormous, at least 15 feet high and covered in writing she couldn’t understand.

“Gentlemen,” The Scholar started, “It is your time.”

Mr. Fixer walked to the door and placed the Rod of Anubis against one side of the door.

Haka carried Ra to the other side of the door and Ra placed the Staff of Ra against the other door.

The door opened. . .

“Welcome.”  The voice was soothing, and powerful.  Yet there was something about it that made Wraith uneasy.

“Enter Children, you have achieved great things, and your reward shall be equally great.”

In front of them there was an old looking man, but with so much life and power in his eyes.

“We seek to use the portal Chamber.” John stepped forward toward the man.

“That is no longer necessary, we shall soon set things right.”

“What do you mean, do you know why we are here?” the Adept asked.

“You wish to use the power of Atlantis to free this world of the tyranny of the Alien, and together we shall do just that, and we shall heal this world, but first come, let us eat.”

. . .

“So where are the others?” Vance asked their host.

“What others, I am the sole guardian of Atlantis.”

“We read multiple heat signatures moving around the area.” Mack stated.

“You must have picked up the machines that still operate.”

“I thought that might be the case also, but those machines don’t give off heat signatures.” Vance continued, leaning in towards the old man.

“It is unimportant, forget about it.”  For a split second it seemed the man was angry.

Visionary flinched back and stood up.

“You are not what you seem,” she started, then reaching her hands toward the man shooting tendrils of psychic energy towards him, “REVEAL YOURSELF.”

EPISODE 6:

Number of Heroes:  3-5

Available Heroes:  The Argent Adept, Bunker, Haka, Mr. Fixer (with Rod), Nightmist, Tachyon, Tempest, The Visionary, Wraith

Also Available (only one may be chosen, if chosen they will not be using a normal character card):  Expatriette, Fanatic.

Villain:  Advanced Apostate

Environment:  Ruins of Atlantis

This is a big one, the opportunity to travel time and save the multiverse is at hand!

Heroes:

The Visionary:  Envisioner

Tachyon:  dpt

Expatriette:  BlueHairedMeerkat

Bunker:  grysqrl

The Argent Adept:  PlatinumWarlock

I'd like Tachyon. EDIT: Opening hand: Accelerated Assault, Lightning Reflexes, Hypersonic Assault, Supersonic Response

Can I take Expat please?

I'm going to stop playing Nightmist. The between-turns redirection in a PBF game is making me a little crazy. I'll try Bunker this time around.

Starting hand: Heavy Plating, Maintenance Unit, Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode

Yes you may, just to remind you it's a custom character card specifically for this scenario (you can imagine she won't be her old self. . .

And that takes Fanatic off the board.

I screwed up.  Argent Adept is supposed to be in the story now.  So yeah, Adept is available if anyone wants him or wants to switch to him.  I'll update the story to reflect his presence.

Also if no one knows, Fixer is godly vs. Apostate, so if anyone wants to play a really worthwhile fixer this would be a good match.  I know he's been in the last two.

Also the cast is going to get some major changes after this fight, no matter which way it goes, so enjoy them while you can.

Sure, I'll go with Argent Adept.

Opening Hand:  Cedistic Dissonant, Vernal Sonata, Arcane Cadence, Rhapsody of Vigor

I'll take the Visionary if I may.

Opening Hand:  Mental Divergence, Foresight, Mass Levitation, Suggestion.

Are you okay with Adept last and Visionary first, I normally go order selected, but I really find Visionary at the fornt and Adept at the end to be much better.

The old man was gone.  In front of them stood what looked like an angel, a long haired man with large black wings, he looked very much like Fanatic.

"Who are you?" Anthony asked as he stepped forward.

"My name is Bezalial, I am the last of Atlantis." he said, "I am sorry for my deception, I am used to hiding my true nature, humans tend to strike out at that which is different from them."

"We ourselves are. . . different."  Tempest sat back down, and the others followed suit.

Tachyon took a break from eating, "You had said something about using the powe of Atlantis to defeat Voss and heal the Earth."

"Yes, the power of Atlantis can do a great. . .

Visionary looked around, the others were giving him more attention, enraptured by his words.  In fact she found herself starting to trust this man.  There was something, wrong. . .  She looked at him, and then through him and saw flames, saw bodies, destruction, and lies.  She blinked and looked around the room.  It was filled with magic, ancient magic.  It was latching onto the others, she would have to act quick, and subtly.

Faye. . . Faye, you are being controlled, you must regain your senses and help me stop this.

Nightmist's head lowered, and she shook slightly.

Bezaliel looked toward her, his face betraying the slightest hint of worry, then continued.

"As a demonstration of the healing power of Atlantis, let me present a friend of yours, Amanda, darling, can you come say hello to our guests?"

A door opened and out walked Expatriette, She was alive, and smiling, wearing a shimmering dress of unknown material.

"My friends, welcome to Atlantis."

HELP ME

Visionary looked at the scene, her senses realing, the magic had increased in power, it was threatening to overwhelm her.

PLEASE, HELP ME

The voice, it was Amanda. . .

Faye, I need your help, I am losing myself. . .

Nightmist's eyes opened, she had deconstructed the spell and neutralized it.  It was ancient and poweful, but clumsily applied.  This was no sorceror, the magic was not his.  She slowly looked around the room as the others greeted Expatriette and fawned over every word this deciever uttered.

She allowed her eyes to see the magic.  The room was covered in runes, no wonder he led them here, no one could oppose him in this room unless they could counter the spells.

This would not be easy.  She began to trace with her toe, as quietly as she could she moved some items around, and as subtly as possible directed the spell at Venessa.

The Visionary snapped out of it with a shock.  She looked at Nightmist, who mouthed back "I need time."

A distraction I can give you.

Venessa reached out with all her power and touched Expatriette, reached into her mind and freed the voice that had called to her.

Faye could see Venessa's focus and quickly dispelled the illusion that was on the young woman.

"What the?"  Unity jumped back.

Tachyon looked and saw, it was still Expatriette, but she was. . . altered.

"What have you done to me?" Expatriette demanded of the demon in front of her.

Bezaliel backed up away from her and started to speak

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?" Expatriette was yelling now, her eyes on fire with dark energy.

Nightmist finished her cancelling spell, "John, Harry, we need to get to the portal room, get that portal open."

"We shall buy you time, go!" Lt. Vance called as he ran to the crate they had brought in with them.

Bezaliel turned on them, his face burning with rage yet smiling.

"Puny Mortals, you will rue this day!"

Introducing our Expatriette for this match:

Expatriette, Reborn of Atlantis

29 HP

Mystical Weaponry

Power:  Exaptriette deals herself 2 irreducible Infernal damage.  If she takes damage this way activate a power from a gun card, any damage dealt by a gun card during that power's effect is irreducible.

This means she can use this power to fire both Pride and Prejudice as irreducible (since Pride isn't done until Prejudice is done), but shock rounds would never be irreducible, nor would she be able to unload with all guns doing irreducible damage, just one power's worth, and you'd want to use it last since Mystical Weaponry and the power it triggers would both count towards the cap if not used last.

They backed out of the room, slowly, they had to give the others as much time as they could.

"You think you can protect your friends, my servants are more than a match for them."  Bezaliel walked towards them grinning, in no hurry.

Tachyon spoke, "Wraith, take the others and go protect them, we'll deal with this one."

"Yes, split your forces, much easier to destroy you that way."

"My goodness," The Adept stopped and smiled, "you blow every direction but true, don't you."

"Shouldn't you be running now?" he replied, his grin changed and suddenly there was a sword in his hand, and a book floating beside him.

ROUND ONE

Apostate

HP:  66

In Play:  Condemnation [11], Tome of the Unknowable [3]

Trash:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Relic Spirit [9]

End of Turn:  Apostate deals 3 melee and 3 Infernal damage to Expatriette [23], Apostate deals Bunker 3 Melee damage [25]

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

HP:  66

In Play:  Condemnation [11], Tome of the Unknowable [3], Relic Spirit [9]

Trash:

Effects:

End:  Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee and 3 infernal damage, Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee damage (Condemnation), Each Relic regains 1hp [Relic Spirit]

Static:  Damage to Condemnation is -1

Other:  If Apostate would be reduced to 0 or fewer HP and there is a villain relic in play bestroy the villain relic with the lowest HP and flip Apostate's character card, Whenever a player draws a hero card play the top card of the villain deck. (Tome) When Tome of the Unknowable is destroyed search the villain trash for Condemnation and put it into play, When Relic Spirit is destroyed move 4 relic cards from the trash into play.  

Hero Status:

Visionary:  26

Tachyon:  27

Expat:  23

Bunker:  25

Argent Adept:  24

"Trying to lie to a mind reader.  You silly nephal.  If you're so keen on a world without faith, you should see the one I came from."

The Visionary

HP:  26

Hand:  Mental Divergence, Foresight, Mass Levitation, Suggestion

In Play:

Trash:

Deck: 36x ?

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Foresight (yay for drawing without drawing!)

Use a Power:  Foresight.  Put Psychic Maelstrom in my hand, Brain Burn on top of deck, and Telekinetic Cocoon on the bottom.

Draw a Card:  No thank you, dearie.

End of Turn:

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

HP:  26

Hand:  Mental Divergence, Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Psychic Maelstrom

In Play: Foresight.

Trash:

Deck:  Brain Burn, 33x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon.

Tachyon

HP: 27

Hand: Accelerated Assault, Lightning Reflexes, Hypersonic Assault, Supersonic Response

In play:

Trash:

[hr]
Start of hero turn:

Play a card: Lightning Reflexes. Play Accelerated Assault. 1 damage to Apostate (65), Tome of the Unknowable (2), and Relic Spirit (8), no damage to Condemnation. Play Supersonic Response. 2 sonic damage to Tome of the Unknowable (X).

Use a power: Rapid Recon. Reveal Accelerated Assault and discard it.

Draw a card: Sucker Punch

End of hero turn:

[hr]

HP: 27

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Sucker Punch

In play:

Trash: Lightning Reflexes
Bursts: Accelerated Assault (x2), Supersonic Response

[hr]
EDIT: I hit Relic Spirit as well.

"I will NOT be your puppet, demon!"

Expatriette

HP:  23

Hand:  Incendiary Rounds, Reload, Quick Draw, Assault Rifle

In Play:

Trash:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Assault Rifle

Use a Power:  Assault Rifle; 2-1 damage to Condemnation [10] and 2 to Apostate [63].

Draw a Card:  Quick Draw

End of Turn:

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

HP:  23

Hand:  Incendiary Rounds, Reload, Quick Draw x2

In Play: Assault Rifle

Trash:

Bunker

HP:  25

Hand:  Heavy Plating, Maintenance Unit, Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode

In Play:

Trash:

Effects:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Heavy Plating

Use a Power:  Initialize - draw Turret Mode

Draw a Card:  Maintenance Unit

End of Turn:

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

HP:  25

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode

In Play: Heavy Plating

Trash:

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 1

For future reference, anyone who would especially like to be Enlightened should make a post saying so.  This doesn't guarantee I'll get around to it, but I'm not tracking the whole game like I used to, so I won't notice these things unless they're called to my attention.

I could use some extra card draws - I'm down to 2 cards in hand.

The Argent Adept

HP:  24

Hand:  Cedistic Dissonant, Vernal Sonata, Arcane Cadence, Rhapsody of Vigor

In Play:

Trash:

Effects:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Arcane Cadence:  I reveal the following 5 Cards:

• Trash--Akpunku's Drum
• Bottom of Deck--Polyphoric Flare
• Hand--Instrumental Conjuration
• Top of Deck--Vernal Sonata
• Play--Arcane Cadence

Second Arcane Cadence play.  I reveal the following 5 Cards:

• Trash--Xu's Bell
• Bottom of Deck--Vernal Sonata
• Hand--Alacritous Subdominant
• Top of Deck--Silver Shadow
• Play--Inspiring Supertonic

Use a Power:  Vocalize--(Perform: Inspiring Supertonic) Expatriette may use a Power right now.

Draw a Card:  Silver Shadow

End of Turn:

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

HP:  24

Hand: Cedistic Dissonant; Vernal Sonata; Rhapsody of Vigor; Instrumental Conjuration; Alacritous Subdominant; Silver Shadow

In Play: Inspiring Supertonic

Trash:  Arcane Cadence (x2); Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell

Effects: Expatriette may use a Power right now.

Expatriette lets loose with her Assault Rifle, damaging Condemnation [9] and Apostate [61].

"Atlantis will not accept you.  I am Atlantis, this land is your enemy!"

The monster raised his arms and the ceiling fell.

Ruins of Atlantis

In Play:

Trash:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Hallway Collapse, deals each target 3 melee damage.

End of Turn:  Hallway Collapse is destroyed.

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

In Play:

Trash:  Hallway Collapse

"Granuum, I summon you.  Come and slay mine enemies."

"I obey Master."  Behind them appearred a large red horned humanoid.

ROUND TWO

Apostate

HP:  58

In Play:  Condemnation [7], Relic Spirit [5]

Trash:  Tome of the Unknowable

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Fiendish Pugilist [6]

End of Turn:  Apostate deals 3 melee and 3 Infernal damage to Tachyon [18], Apostate deals Visionary 3 Melee damage [20], Condemnation regains 1hp [10], Fiendish Pugilist deals Bunker 4-1 melee damage [20]

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

HP:  58

In Play:  Condemnation [8], Relic Spirit [5], Feindish Pugilist [6]

Trash:  Tome of the Unknowable

Effects:

End:  Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee and 3 infernal damage, Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee damage (Condemnation), Each Relic regains 1hp [Relic Spirit], Feindish Pugilist deals the highest HP hero target 4 melee damage

Static:  Damage to Condemnation is -1, Damage to Apostate is -1 [Pugilist]

Other:  If Apostate would be reduced to 0 or fewer HP and there is a villain relic in play bestroy the villain relic with the lowest HP and flip Apostate's character card, When Relic Spirit is destroyed move 4 relic cards from the trash into play.  

Hero Status:

Visionary:  20

Tachyon:  18

Expat:  20

Bunker:  20

Argent Adept:  21

I should have hit Relic Spirit as well (now updated on my turn). Shouldn't the villains take damage from the Hallway Collapse as well?

Fixed.

I see a possible future - in our moment of greatest weakness, he can bring destruction to us all.  I must prepare myself.

The Visionary

HP:  20

Hand:  Mental Divergence, Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Psychic Maelstrom

In Play:  Foresight.

Trash:

Deck: Brain Burn, 33x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon.

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Mental Divergence.

Use a Power:  Enlighten.  Tachyon draws 2 and discards 1.

Draw a Card:  Brain Burn

End of Turn:

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

HP:  26

Hand:  Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Psychic Maelstrom, Brain Burn

In Play:   Foresight, Mental Divergence

Trash: 

Deck:  33x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon.

Please everyone, destroy Condemnation and possibly the Pugilist, but do NOT destroy the Relic Spirit before I get another turn.  I was going to Psychic Maelstrom this turn, but I didn't want to risk another Hallway Collapse finishing the Spirit off and bringing back the Tome.

Tachyon draws Synaptic Interruption and Quick Insight, and discards Sucker Punch.

Tachyon

HP: 18

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Synaptic Interruption, Quick Insight

In play:

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (x2), Supersonic Response, Sucker Punch

[hr]
Start of hero turn:

Play a card: Quick Insight. Draw Synaptic Interruption, Lightspeed Barrage, and Nimble Strike. Discard Nimble Strike and Synaptic Interruption.

Use a power: Rapid Recon. Reveal Research Grant and keep it.

Draw a card: Research Grant.

End of hero turn:

[hr]

HP: 18

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Synaptic Interruption, Lightspeed Barrage, Research Grant

In play:

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B) (7 bursts)

Expatriette

HP:  20

Hand:  Incendiary Rounds, Reload, Quick Draw x2

In Play: Assault Rifle

Trash:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Quick Draw; put Pride into play.

Use a Power:  Assault Rifle; 2-1 damage to Condemnation [7], 2 to the Pugilist [4] and 2-1 to Apostate [57].

Draw a Card:  Reload

End of Turn:

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

HP:  20

Hand:  Incendiary Rounds, Reload x2, Quick Draw

In Play: Assault Rifle, Pride

Trash: Quick Draw

Bunker

HP:  20

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode

In Play: Heavy Plating

Trash:

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 1

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Recharge Mode

Use a Power:  Recharging

Draw a Card:  Recharge Mode, Grenade Launcher

End of Turn:

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

HP:  20

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher

In Play: Heavy Plating, Recharge Mode

Trash:

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 2

Expatriette, damage to Apostate is also reduced by 1.

(I'm planning on tossing out Vernal Sonata next round, so feel free to toss out any one-shots that you'd like back in hand...)

The Argent Adept

HP:  21

Hand:  Cedistic Dissonant, Vernal Sonata, Rhapsody of Vigor; Instrumental Conjuration; Alacritous Subdominant; Silver Shadow

In Play:  Inspiring Supertonic

Trash:  Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Arcane Cadence (x2)

Effects:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Silver Shadow:  I use the Accompany of Inspiring Supertonic and gain 2 hp [23] and play Instrumental Conjuration.  Instrumental Conjuration nets me Musaragni's Harp and let's me draw Vernal Sonata.

Use a Power:  Musragni's Harp--(Perform: Inspiring Supertonic; Accompany: Inspiring Supertonic) Expatriette may use a Power right now and I regain net 1 hp [24].

Draw a Card:  Drake's Pipes

End of Turn:

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

HP:  24

Hand: Cedistic Dissonant; Vernal Sonata (x2); Rhapsody of Vigor;  Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes

In Play: Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp

Trash:  Arcane Cadence (x2); Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Instrumental Conjuration; Silver Shadow

Effects: Expatriette may use a Power right now.

Assault Rifle; Comdemnation - 6, Pugilist - 2, Apostate - 56

The room shook, and the floor broke open, out came a large Tentacle that grabbed the Red Demon and dragged it back under.

"The Krakaen, NOOOooo. . ." was all they heard from him.

Everyone seemed a little more on edge after that.

Ruins of Atlantis

In Play:  

Trash:  Hallway Collapse

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  The Kraken [15]

End of Turn:  The Kraken deals 5 melee damage to The Pugilist [x]

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

In Play:  The Kraken

Trash:  Hallway Collapse

Bezaliel was visible taken aback, it was clear he did not expect the Kraken.

Lt. Vance took notice, this monster wasn't controlling everything, and it would be good to know what was under his power and what wasn't.

Beside them appearred a new relic, a weird statue of sorts, the top appeared to be linked to some other dimension, and Bezaliel's sword seemed to take on a shimmer like the Orb, like it was existing in two planes at once.

ROUND THREE

Apostate

HP:  56

In Play:  Condemnation [6], Relic Spirit [5]

Trash:  Fiendish Pugilist, Tome of the Unknowable

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Orb of Delirium [12]

End of Turn:  Apostate deals 3 melee and 3 Infernal damage to Argent Adept [18], Apostate deals Bunker 3-2 Melee damage [19], Condemnation regains 1hp [7]

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

HP:  56

In Play:  Condemnation [7], Relic Spirit [5]

Trash:  Feindish Pugilist, Tome of the Unknowable

Effects:

End:  Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee and 3 infernal damage, Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee damage (Condemnation), Each Relic regains 1hp [Relic Spirit]

Static:  Damage to Condemnation is -1

Other:  If Apostate would be reduced to 0 or fewer HP and there is a villain relic in play bestroy the villain relic with the lowest HP and flip Apostate's character card, When Relic Spirit is destroyed move 4 relic cards from the trash into play.  When a Villain relic would be damaged redirect that damage to Orb of Delirium 

Hero Status:

Visionary:  20

Tachyon:  18

Expat:  20

Bunker:  19

Argent Adept:  18

I assume Bunker would take the damage, if you have other plans let me know.

"Riddle me this, 'demon'.  What good is it to have mastered an ancient source of power…if you can't remember how to use it?"

The Visionary

HP:  20

Hand:  Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Psychic Maelstrom, Brain Burn

In Play:  Foresight, Mental Divergence

Trash:

Deck: 33x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon.

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Brain Burn.  Tome of the Unknowable and Fiendish Pugilist go to bottom of Apostate's deck (Tome last if I'm allowed to choose).  Visionary self-damages for 2.

Use a Power:  Pending. Tachyon, if you badly want Synaptic Interruption back from your trash, that can happen.  Otherwise, I'll be Foresighting myself 

Use a Power:  Foresight .    I discover two Mind Spikes, putting them on opposite sides of my deck, and take Twist the Ether into my hand.

Draw a Card:  Mind Spike

End of Turn:

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

HP:  18

Hand:  Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Psychic Maelstrom, Twist the Ether, Mind Spike

In Play:   Foresight, Mental Divergence

Trash:  Brain Burn

Deck:  30x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon, Mind Spike

Okay, now you can destroy the Relic Spirit.  The sooner the better.

I’m set for now, thanks.

(Tome last if I'm allowed to choose)

You are and it is, not that it will matter, there are three profane summons to go through before the bottom of the deck, so it will get shuffled before then.  But nice job burying the tome.

Hey you never know, I could get lucky with two Precognitions.

I'm happy to take it, but maybe it would be better if I don't so I can be highest and take Apostate's 6 next turn. This won't work if AA heals above me on his turn.

Why does Argent regain "net 1 HP" from Supertonic?  We don't have anything out which reduces healing.  There's a card in Atlantis which increases healing, but that's not out.

I will likely get back a total of 3 hp this round (Vernal Sonata, Accompany of Inventive Prep), while healing everyone else for 1 (Vernal Sonata).

I actually don't mind "tanking" for a bit--as long as I can keep harping away, I'll be regaining a minimum of 2 hp per round (4 on a round I can throw a Silver Shadow, 3 on a round with Vernal Sonata).

@Envisioner--I could only gain 1 hp, as I was only down 1.  As such, net 1.

I was debating between Hypersonic Assault and Lightspeed Barrage, but it sounds like people are set to take the damage. (I’m assuming someone else can make sure the Relic Spirit gets finished off. Remember to use the Kraken.)

Tachyon

HP: 18

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Synaptic Interruption, Lightspeed Barrage, Research Grant

In play:

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B)

[hr]
Start of hero turn:

Play a card: Lightspeed Barrage. 7 damage to Orb of Delirium (5).

Use a power: Rapid Recon. Reveal Lightspeed Barrage and keep it.

Draw a card: Lightspeed Barrage

End of hero turn:

[hr]

HP: 18

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Synaptic Interruption, Research Grant, Lightspeed Barrage

In play:

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B), Lightspeed Barrage (7 burst)

Expatriette

HP:  20

Hand:  Incendiary Rounds, Reload x2, Quick Draw

In Play: Assault Rifle

Trash:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Quick Draw; put Prejudice into play.

Use a Power:  Assault Rifle; 2 damage to Relic Spirit [3], 2 to the Orb [3] and 2 to Apostate [54].

Draw a Card:  Flak Jacket

End of Turn:

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

HP:  20

Hand:  Incendiary Rounds, Reload x2, Flak Jacket

In Play: Assault Rifle, Pride, Prejudice

Trash: Quick Draw x2

Bunker

HP:  19

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher

In Play: Heavy Plating, Recharge Mode

Trash:

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 2

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Recharging

Use a Power:  Recharging

Draw a Card:  Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Flak Cannon

End of Turn:

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

HP:  19

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher, Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Flak Cannon

In Play: Heavy Plating, Recharge Mode

Trash:

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 2

The Argent Adept

HP:  18

Hand:  Cedistic Dissonant, Vernal Sonata (x2), Rhapsody of Vigor; Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes

In Play:  Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp

Trash:  Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Arcane Cadence (x2); Silver Shadow; Instrumental Conjuration

Effects:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Vernal Sonata:  Everyone regains 1 hp [AA--19].  Each player may take a card from their trash and put it on top of their deck.  I do so with Silver Shadow

Use a Power:  Musragni's Harp--(Perform: Inspiring Supertonic; Accompany: Inspiring Supertonic) Expatriette may use a Power right now and I regain 2 hp [21].

Draw a Card:  Silver Shadow

End of Turn:

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

HP:  21

Hand: Cedistic Dissonant; Vernal Sonata; Rhapsody of Vigor;  Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes; Silver Shadow

In Play: Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp

Trash:  Arcane Cadence (x2); Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Instrumental Conjuration; Vernal Sonata

Effects: Expatriette may use a Power right now.  Each Player may take a card from their trash and put it on top of their deck.

Assault Rifle; 2 damage to Relic Spirit [1], 2 to the Orb [1] and 2 to Apostate [52].

With Brain Burn as her only card in the trash, Visionary will say "thank you but no thank you" to Argent's complimentary recycling offer.  The HP is appreciated, though; it leaves her at 19 as well.

I take the Lightspeed Barrage.

The Kraken reappeared, this time carrying off the Relic Spirit.  The heroes broke off and ran through the hallway in front of them.

"We'll reform and hold in the next chamber, we have to get clear of that beast!"  Adept yelled to the others.

Entering the next room the heroes stopped.  The power of this room could be felt pulsing through them. . .

Ruins of Atlantis

In Play:  The Kraken [15]

Trash:  Hallway Collapse

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  The Pillars of Hercules

End of Turn:  The Kraken deals 5 melee damage to Relic Spirit [x]  (0 relics enter play from the trash)

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

In Play:  The Kraken [15], The Pillars of Hercules

Trash:  Hallway Collapse

Effects:

End:  Kraken deals 5 melee damage to the target with the lowest HP

Other:  Heroes may play an additional card, use an additional power, and draw an additional card.  At the start of every turn play the top card of the villain deck.

"I love this room, don't you?"  I always do my best work here.

ROUND FOUR

Apostate

HP:  52

In Play:  Condemnation [7], Orb of Delirium [1]

Trash:  Relic Spirit

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

Start of Turn:  Play Corrupted Effigy [6] (PoH)

Play a Card:  Runes of Malediction [6]

End of Turn:  Apostate deals 3 melee and 3 Infernal damage to Argent Adept [15], Apostate deals Expatriette 3 Melee damage [18], Runes of Malediction not in trash or deck.

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

HP:  52

In Play:  Condemnation [7], Orb of Delirium [1], Corrupted Effigy [6], Runes of Malediction [6]

Trash:  Relic Spirit

Effects:

End:  Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee and 3 infernal damage, Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee damage (Condemnation), Search deck and trash for Runes of Malediction and put in play (Corrupted Effigy).

Static:  Damage to Condemnation is -1, Damage to all relic cards is -2

Other:  If Apostate would be reduced to 0 or fewer HP and there is a villain relic in play bestroy the villain relic with the lowest HP and flip Apostate's character card, When a Villain relic would be damaged redirect that damage to Orb of Delirium, When Runes of Malediction is destroyed move 5 Demon cards from the trash into play.

Hero Status:

Visionary:  19

Tachyon:  19

Expat:  18

Bunker:  20

Argent Adept:  15

Needs Resolution:

The card play for the start of Visionary's turn is Gauntlet of Perdition [5]

Adept will take the larger damage, as I'll heal a minimum of 4 hp on my turn.

Damn.  Should have taken Tweedledee up on his offer to repeat history.  That 'spirit' being just 'mostly dead' isn't gonna cut it...having to blow up all these alien tinker-toys twice is going to be a pain in my superhumanly perfect ass.  (I figure that the Visionary is probably at least a little bit of a deviant, considering her costume, and she was put through a "super soldier" project, so she's gotta be in spectacular shape.)

The time-traveling psychic frowned.  I guess I'm going to have to settle for doing whatever I can.  The pillars on either side of the room were positively pulsating with what the science of her future home had come to refer to as 'pseudothaumaturgic power currents' (known on the streets as 'ley lines', and greatly misunderstood), and for her brain to tap into them and augment its own power was as easy as reaching up and getting something off an overhead shelf.  Channeling the surplus mojo into an act of mental multitasking which would normally have made her black out from cognitive overload, she unleashed a wave of barely-visible mental mojo which had two simultaneous effects (as far as any casual onlooker could tell).  It telekinetically shattered the glorified gazing ball which the deceiver was using to focus the room's feng shui or whatever, and it also implanted a telepathic demand in his mind to pick up the dozens of sharp-edged pieces (preferably with his teeth, but she doubted that part of the command would stick), and try to reassemble him with nothing to use for glue.

She no sooner finished sending the theta-wave pulse with these instructions than she was struck with a precognitive flash - curses!  He was actually going to be able to do it, with remarkable speed and efficiency no less.  Something about the energy channels implanted in the walls - apparently, for atlantean super-science, refusing shards of jagged glass into a geometrically perfect was a routine household chore.  Oh well, at least it would keep him busy for a few seconds while they regrouped.  And hopefully he wouldn't notice how she'd quietly erased his ability to perceive the invisible, largely innocuous creature which he'd been planning on using to maintain his stolen artifacts.  Without instructions from him, the 'spirit' (actually some Atlantean servitor, probably a standing-wave hologram generated by nannites) would just drift around the room aimlessly, no more dangerous than the puff of fetid air for which a layman would mistake it.

The Visionary

HP:  19

Hand:  Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Psychic Maelstrom, Twist the Ether, Mind Spike

In Play:  Foresight, Mental Divergence

Trash:  Brain Burn

Deck: 30x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon, Mind Spike

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

Start of Turn:  Pillars of Hercules puts out the Gauntlet of Perdition.  Visionary does not skip her turn.

Play Cards:  Mind Spike for 1 net damage to the Orb [X], then Suggestion - the Relic Spirit goes to the bottom of Apostate's deck and the Orb goes on top.

Use Powers:  Foresight.  Reveal Foresight, Wrest the Mind and Mind Spike; put Foresight on the bottom.  Then Enlighten to draw one net card, a Decoy Projection, and discard Mass Levitation.  (I was going to resolve Foresight first and then see whether anyone had an Ongoing for me to return with Mental Divergence, but I decided I was more interested in digging for my Precognitions, in the hopes of avoiding a Profane Summons which will undo all my deck-stacking.  Normally I bemoan the ease with which Visionary can entirely gimp a villain's plays, but in this case he's really making me work for it, and when I pick a strategy I tend to stick with it rather stubbornly.)

Draw Cards:  Mental Divergence, Cerebral Hemorrhage

End of Turn:

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

HP:  19

Hand:  Psychic Maelstrom, Twist the Ether, Wrest the Mind, Mind Spike, Decoy Projection, Mental Divergence, Cerebral Hemorrhage

In Play:   Foresight, Mental Divergence

Trash:  Brain Burn, Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Mind Spike

Deck:  24x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon, Mind Spike, Foresight

"Tachyon, darling, I don't want to tell you what to do - well, okay, truthfully I do really want to do that, but you'd think it was terribly impolite and so I'm not actually doing it.  But I would like to judiciously recommend that you busy yourself with finding the 'off' switch for this ancient arcane mechanism, before our adversary is able to harness its full potential.  I confess I have enjoyed utilizing the surplus psionic energies which it radiates, and so I can't fault you if you choose to do the same, but it would be an unnecessary risk in a confrontation which I am working dutifully to keep under control."

Um, why not play the Suggestion before Mind Spike?  That way, we don't get nailed with the Orb/Runes combo and the Orb still dies.

If the Relic Spirit isn't put to the bottom of the deck, its death brings back the destroyed orb.  And if Suggestion has only 1 target, that target goes to the top per the wording on the card, so it means a new Relic Spirit would arrive and thus need to be killed.  This way's not ideal, but it's better.  Orb/Runes is a serious problem, but it's not one we can easily avoid.

At least it also means that we won't have to worry about The Kraken for a *long* time.

Now that I think about it though, maybe the Relic Spirit to the top and the Orb to the bottom would have been wiser.  The Orb will be a serious nuisance unless we just beat on Apostate and make him start blowing up his own relics.  Relic Spirit is a Demon, so it forms a problematic loop with Runes of Malediction - whichever one dies first can bring the other back.  This is why I wanted the Spirit to be the goner, and I'm still thinking it was the correct choice, but I'm less sure now.

Tachyon's card is Orb of Delirium, or if Visionary changes the order of card play, Relic Spirit.

As for strategy Relic spirit does create a loop, and I think that gets uglier than the orb, since you have runes and corrupted in play that you want gone and not coming back.  You might be better off saving Suggestion, and if you can kill Runes + Effigy in one round bury Effigy.  Man this is a nasty little set up isn't it.  I remember why I hate Apostate so much.

If players are planning to not skip their turn let me know, I can give the order of cards out, but I don't want to do that if someone can say "oh that card, I'll skip my turn then."

Envisioner, on your use of foresight; what happened?  It seems like the other two you revealed just ceased to exist, you need to resolve the power before using your second.  You could enlighten first if you want, but either way one of the foresight reveals has to hit the top of the deck before anything else can be activated.

Tachyon

HP: 19

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Synaptic Interruption, Research Grant, Lightspeed Barrage

In play:

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B)

[hr]
Start of hero turn: Play Orb of Delirium from Apostate’s deck

Play cards: Lightspeed Barrage. 7-2 damage to Orb of Delirium (7). Research Grant.

Use powers: Research Grant. Draw Lightspeed Barrage and Sucker Punch. Discard Synaptic Interruption. Rapid Recon. Reveal HUD Goggles and put it back.

Draw cards: HUD Goggles, Blinding Speed

End of hero turn:

[hr]

HP: 19

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Lightspeed Barrage, Sucker Punch, HUD Goggles, Blinding Speed

In play: Research Grant

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B) (x2), Lightspeed Barrage

[hr]
Still not sure whether I should have skipped my turn or not, but that Lightspeed Barrage ought to help.

Not with Pillars of Hercules going.  Remember, one Profane Summons and he undoes all my work.  Everything that delays his card plays is good for me.

Envisioner, on your use of foresight; what happened?  It seems like the other two you revealed just ceased to exist, you need to resolve the power before using your second.

When I use Enlighten, I "draw one net card" along with the Foresight reveal which went to topdeck.  I just didn't bother to spell it all out.

Next card out is Imp Pilferer.

I really recommend that someone destroys the Pillars before the round ends, or otherwise it will spit forth 3 extra villain cards before anyone can do anything.  I don't mind trading 1 villain card play for the extra stuff we get on our turn, but the Environment and Villain turn bonus cards are a little much I think.

Yeah, I'm skipping; Expat has useful stuff, but I don't think it's worth it. Anyway, Argent can use my powers for me :P

Bunker

HP:  20

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher, Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Flak Cannon

In Play: Heavy Plating, Recharge Mode

Trash:

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 2

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Recharging

Use a Power:  Recharging

Draw a Card:  Upgrade Mode, Ammo Drop, External Combustion

End of Turn:

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

HP:  20

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher, Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Flak Cannon, Upgrade Mode, Ammo Drop, External Combustion

In Play: Heavy Plating, Recharge Mode

Trash:

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 2

Ok. I've got a pretty good base now. I'll go into Ugrade Mode next turn and start getting cards out.

In the meantime, I suggest having Apostate hit me this turn if possible, since I can soak most of it up. Pilferer can eat my Recharge Mode.

(Next round, I can take out the Runes or Corrupted Effigy, whichever isn't taken out the end of the next round.  Let me know if plans change.)

The Argent Adept

HP:  15

Hand:  Cedistic Dissonant, Vernal Sonata, Rhapsody of Vigor; Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes; Silver Shadow

In Play:  Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp

Trash:  Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Arcane Cadence (x2); Silver Shadow; Instrumental Conjuration; Vernal Sonata

Effects:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Silver Shadow:  I activate the Accompany of Inspiring Supertonic and gain 2 hp [17].  I then play Cedistic Dissonant

Use a Power:  Musragni's Harp--(Perform: Inspiring Supertonic; Accompany: Inspiring Supertonic) Expatriette may use a Power right now and I regain 2 hp [19].

Draw a Card:  Syncopated Onslaught

End of Turn:

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

HP:  19

Hand: Vernal Sonata; Rhapsody of Vigor; Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes; Syncopated Onslaught

In Play: Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp; Cedistic Dissonant

Trash:  Arcane Cadence (x2); Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Instrumental Conjuration; Vernal Sonata; Silver Shadow

Effects: Expatriette may use a Power right now. 

Expat uses Mystical Weaponry, deals herself 2 infernal damage [16], then uses Assault Rifle to aim at three relics; all her damage is redirected to the Orb [1].

They had made it out of the room, but The Demon was not finished.

"Prepare yourselves for destruction."

Ruins of Atlantis

In Play:  The Kraken [15]

Trash:  Hallway Collapse, The Pillars of Hercules

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Atlantean Font of Power

End of Turn:  The Kraken deals 5-2 melee damage to Orb of Delirium [x], Font of Power activates, see below:

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

In Play:  The Kraken [15], Atlantean Font of Power

Trash:  Hallway Collapse, The Pillars of Hercules

Effects:

End:  Kraken deals 5 melee damage to the target with the lowest HP

Start:  Font of Power destroys itself.

FONT OF POWER RESOLUTION:

Apostate plays Apocalypse.

Visionary plays Brain Burn, Orb of Delirium goes to the bottom of the villain deck, Visionary takes 1 damage.

Tachyon Plays Fleet of Foot, everyone Draws a card, Tachyon plays Blinding Speed to destroy Apocalypse.

Expatriette plays Unload, Uses Mystical Weaponry [14] uses Assault Rifle, deals 2 irreducible projectile damage to Effigy [4], Runes [4], and Condemnation [5], uses Pride and Prejudice dealing 2 and 2 projectile damage to Apostate [48].

Bunker puts Upgrade Mode into play.

Argent Adept puts Sarabande of Destruction into play.

AA flips Arcane Cadence.  Should I go ahead and resolve it?

Wouldn't you know it, I said to myself "this would be about the right time to flip up a Brain Burn", and sure enough.  I swear I didn't cheat...I just live eternally under Murphy's Law.  Well on the plus side, the Orb goes to the bottom of the deck after all, and I'm not sure if the Spirit would have, if I'd done them in the other order with Suggestion.  We really need me to get those Precognitions and avoid a Profane Summons.

I need new cards from everyone but Visionary and Tachyon, since your previous top card is now in your hand due to Tachyon's Fleet of foot.

Drat, playing Arcane Cadence for free and then drawing a card would have been much better than the reverse.  And Visionary would sure like to have been after Tachyon in this case.  Ah well, such is life in Atlantis.....

Arcane Cadence goes into my hand; Sarabande of Destruction goes into play.

ROUND FIVE

Apostate

HP:  48

In Play:  Condemnation [5], Imp Pilferer [3], Corrupted Effigy [4], Runes of Malediction [4], Gauntlet of Perdition [5]

Trash:  Apocalypse

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

Start of Turn:  

Play a Card:  Imp Pilferer

End of Turn:  Apostate deals 3-1 melee (Gauntlet 1-1) and 3-1 Infernal damage to Bunker [16], Runes of Malediction not in trash or deck, Imp Pilferer destroys 2 ongoing or equipment cards (Pride & Prejudice), Apostate deals Adept 3 Melee damage (Gauntlet 1) [15], Imp Pilferer destroys 2 equipment or ongoing cards (Sarabande of Destruction, Upgrade mode)

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

HP:  48

In Play:  Condemnation [5], Imp Pilferer [3], Corrupted Effigy [4], Runes of Malediction [4], Gauntlet of Perdition [5], Imp Pilferer [3]

Trash:  Apocalypse

Effects:

End:  Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee and 3 infernal damage, Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee damage (Condemnation), Search deck and trash for Runes of Malediction and put in play (Corrupted Effigy).  Destroy as many hero equipment or ongoing cards as there are Imp Pilferer in play. (Imp Pilferer)

Static:  Damage to Condemnation is -1, Damage to all relic cards is -2

Other:  If Apostate would be reduced to 0 or fewer HP and there is a villain relic in play bestroy the villain relic with the lowest HP and flip Apostate's character card, When a Villain relic would be damaged redirect that damage to Orb of Delirium, When Runes of Malediction is destroyed move 5 Demon cards from the trash into play.  Whenever Apostate deals melee damage to a target Gauntlet of Perdition deals that target 1 infernal damage.

Hero Status:

Visionary:  18

Tachyon:  19

Expat:  14

Bunker:  16

Argent Adept:  15

I can lose Pride and/or Prejudice to the Imps.

Bunker can lose Upgrade Mode if need be, but I'd like to keep Heavy Plating around.

Adept will take the damage and lose the Sarabande of Destruction.

Oh god, it just occurred to me - If corrupted Effigy searches the deck for Runes, even if it doesn't find them, it shuffles the deck!  NOOOOOO!

Well, lesse, it's probably my turn?  I know I'm going to Divergence the Apocalypse, but I'll have to look at my Fleet of Foot draw before I decide what to play, and I'm just not in the mood to get out my deck right now.  I'll have it done within 24 hours at the latest (unless my Internet connection melts down or something), I apologize for causing even that much of a delay (I really meant to do this earlier, and I certainly had time, it just slipped my mind).

There is no Apocalypse. Blinding Speed came out during the Environment turn and killed it. Then it got shuffled back into Apostate's deck.

I don't know if it is appropriate, but I my searching ends when I see that the card is not in the deck, so I don't shuffle the deck for that.  Just like if it was in the trash and I found it, I wouldn't search the deck.

I don't know if it is appropriate, but I my searching ends when I see that the card is not in the deck, so I don't shuffle the deck for that.  Just like if it was in the trash and I found it, I wouldn't search the deck.

I could see an argument for it both ways. In either case, Apocalypse is not in play.

It's not listed as being in the trash at the end of the Villain turn, so I assumed it had been shuffled back in.

Obviously I have a distinct preference for not shuffling the villain deck.

Think we could get that Hypersonic Assault this round?
It would get us a breath from Apostate’s damage and also put the Imp Pilferers within striking distance of a single Assault Rifle burst.

Sure, I can do that, assuming it makes sense after Visionary's turn. (The relics aren't yet down low enough for my Nimble Strike to be useful.)

If the Font of Power had put out Apocalypse but not granted the heroes a way to destroy it, and had then put out a Leaking Room, it would have been exactly the scenario that Visionary played Mental Divergence for.  However, she's learning that there is such a thing as being too prepared…

I must learn not to preoccupy myself so much with trying to prevent every possible catastrophe.  Wait for the waveform to collapse, girl, and then take action against the threats which are actually imminent.

The Visionary

HP:  18

Hand:  Psychic Maelstrom, Twist the Ether, Wrest the Mind, Mind Spike, Decoy Projection, Mental Divergence, Cerebral Hemorrhage, plus Fleet of Foot draws me Demoralization.

In Play:  Foresight, Mental Divergence

Trash:  Brain Burn, Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Mind Spike, Brain Burn

Deck: 22x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon, Mind Spike, Foresight

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Twist the Ether.  I can put this on Apostate to shave off 3 damage per turn, or I can put it on Tachyon or Expat and increase their damage instances (except the self-damage from using her power, which I will reduce).  What do you guys prefer?  Anyway, worst-case scenario it can be Imp food, if we're out of lower-priority things to give up (and can be retrieved using Mental Divergence and placed on a new target - now I want to play an entire party of Visionary clones who do this to each other within a single round).

Use a Power:  Enlighten.  Visionary draws Psychic Maelstrom and Mental Divergence, discarding the latter.

Draw a Card:  Suggestion ("Oh Argent, I suggest you let me play a card…")

End of Turn:

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

HP:  18

Hand:  Psychic Maelstrom x2, Wrest the Mind, Mind Spike, Decoy Projection, Mental Divergence, Cerebral Hemorrhage, Demoralization, Suggestion.

In Play:   Foresight, Mental Divergence, Twist the Ether (target TBD)

Trash:  Brain Burn, Mass Levitation, Suggestion, Mind Spike, Brain Burn, Mental Divergence

Deck:  19x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon, Mind Spike, Foresight

A damage boost on me would be greatly appreciated, as I do lots of instances of low-power damage.

Tachyon

HP: 19

Hand: Hypersonic Assault, Lightspeed Barrage, Sucker Punch, HUD Goggles, Nimble Strike

In play: Research Grant

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B) (x2), Lightspeed Barrage, Blinding Speed (B), Fleet of Foot (B)

[hr]
Start of hero turn:

Play a card: HUD Goggles, then Hypersonic Assault. Deal 1(+1 if Visionary uses TtE on me) to Kraken (14), Apostate (47), and the Imp Pilferers (each 2). These targets cannot deal damage until my next turn. Negligible damage to the Relics.

Use a power: Research Grant. Draw Blinding Speed and Accelerated Assault, discard Nimble Strike.

Draw a card: Sonic Vortex

End of hero turn:

[hr]

HP: 19

Hand: Lightspeed Barrage, Sucker Punch, Blinding Speed, Accelerated Assault, Sonic Vortex

In play: Research Grant, HUD Goggles

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B) (x2), Lightspeed Barrage, Blinding Speed (B), Fleet of Foot (B), Nimble Strike (B), Hypersonic Assault

Additional effects: Apostate, the Kraken, and the Imp Pilferers cannot deal damage until the start of my next turn.

For the long term reducing apostate's damage is huge, esp. with Bunker having heavy plating, it is much easier to kep a her at highest if they are taking instances of 1 damage.  With Expat's mystic weaponry it cannot reduce the damage she takes, but it can increase her irreducible damage, which could be big vs. this deck.

I don't really want the game to go long-term, and now that I thought about it, the special Expatriette we're using is a very juicy target, not only because she dishes out irreducible damage which I'd be increasing (death to corrupted effigy!), but also because I can reduce the 1 self-damage she does when activating the power.  I'll update my post.

Expatriette

HP:  14

Hand:  Incendiary Rounds, Reload x2, Flak Jacket, Submachine Gun

In Play: Assault Rifle

Trash: Quick Draw x2, Pride, Prejudice, Unload

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Incendiary Rounds next to the Assault Rifle.

Use a Power:  Mystical Weaponry; Expatriette self-harms for 2 (tragically irreducible, but thanks anyway) damage [12] then fires her Assault Rifle; 4 damage to the Runes [DEAD], the Effigy [DEAD] aaand an Imp? [DEAD]. Incendiary Rounds get trashed.

Draw a Card:  Liquid Nitrogen Rounds

End of Turn:

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

HP:  12

Hand:  Liquid Nitrogen Rounds, Reload x2, Flak Jacket, Submachine Gun

In Play: Assault Rifle

Trash: Quick Draw x2. Pride, Prejudice, Unload, Incendiary Rounds

Bunker

HP:  16

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher (2), Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Flak Cannon, Upgrade Mode, Ammo Drop, External Combustion

In Play: Heavy Plating

Trash: Upgrade Mode, Recharge Mode

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 1

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Upgrade Mode

Play a Card: External Combustion

• Deal 1 fire damage to Bunker [15]
• Deal 3 fire damage to each non-hero target: Apostate [44], Condemnation [3], Gauntlet of Perdition [2], Imp Pilferer [X], Kraken [11]

Use a Power:  Upgrading

Draw a Card:  External Combustion

End of Turn:

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

HP:  15

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher (2), Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Flak Cannon, Ammo Drop, External Combustion

In Play: Heavy Plating, Upgrade Mode

Trash: Upgrade Mode, Recharge Mode, External Combustion

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 1

Just for laughs, Expat's Incendiary rounds were actually dealing Cold damage.

(I decided to give Expatriette the power, rather than Visionary the play, as we're in a relatively low-risk turn right now since Apostate can't deal damage.  The chances are decidedly higher for him to pull a direct damage card, a demon, or an individual relic than a Profane Summons, so I'd prefer the offensive capability of Expatriette first.  Besides, that Apocalypse in the Trash isn't going anywhere.)

The Argent Adept

HP:  15

Hand:  Cedistic Dissonant, Vernal Sonata, Rhapsody of Vigor; Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes; Syncopated Onslaught; Arcane Cadence

In Play:  Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp; Cedistic Dissonant

Trash:  Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Arcane Cadence (x2); Silver Shadow; Instrumental Conjuration; Vernal Sonata; Silver Shadow; Sarabande of Destruction

Effects:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Arcane Cadence:  I reveal the top 5 cards of my deck and put them in the following order:

• Trash--Inspiring Supertonic
• Bottom of Deck--Syncopated Onslaught
• Top of Deck--Polyphoric Flare
• Hand--Inventive Preparation
• Play--Vernal Sonata  

From Vernal Sonata:  Everyone regains 1 hp [AA at 16] and may put one card from their trash on top of their deck.  Adept puts Silver Shadow on top of his deck.

Use a Power:  Musaragni's Harp--(Perform: Inspiring Supertonic; Accompany: Inspiring Supertonic) Expatriette may use a Power right now and I regain 2 hp [18].

Draw a Card:  Silver Shadow

End of Turn:

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

HP:  18

Hand: Vernal Sonata; Rhapsody of Vigor; Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes; Syncopated Onslaught; Inventive Preparation; Silver Shadow

In Play: Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp; Cedistic Dissonant

Trash:  Arcane Cadence (x3); Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Instrumental Conjuration; Vernal Sonata (x2); Sarabande of Destruction; Inspiring Supertonic

Effects: Expatriette may use a Power right now. Everyone regains 1 hp and can put a card from their trash onto the top of their deck.

I take back my Lightspeed Barrage (again). (Unless there's a strong feeling the Hypersonic Assault is necessary?)

The only thing in Visionary's trash remotely worth recycling is a Suggestion, so I'll take that.  It's proving difficult to find harmless cards to Suggest onto the top, though.  With both Imps dead, one of them is probably safe (it can eat Mental Divergence, since I have a spare), but the Gauntlet of Perdition might be more harmless, even though it is a Relic, assuming Expat kills it.  Otherwise, if she kills Condemnation I can certainly put that on the bottom to keep the Tome from raising it if the Tome returns to play.

Expatriette sticks Unload on top of her deck, and fires her Assault Rifle at Apostate [42], Condemnation [2] and the Gauntlet [DEAD].

Bunker puts External Combustion on top of his deck.

Again the Kraken rips a Tentacle through the floor, this time grabbing Bezaliel's sword.  He does not look amused.

Ruins of Atlantis

In Play:  The Kraken [15]  Atlantean Font of Power

Trash:  Hallway Collapse, The Pillars of Hercules

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

Start of Turn:  Atlantean Font of Power destroys itself

Play a Card:  The Kraken [15]

End of Turn:  The Kraken Deals 0 damage to a myriad of things that don't impact the story at all, The Kraken deals 5-1 melee damage to Condemnation [x]

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

In Play:  The Kraken [11], The Kraken [15]

Trash:  Atlantean Font of Power, Hallway Collapse, The Pillars of Hercules

The Demon Bezaliel was floundering.

"What's wrong demon, someone break your toys?" Expatriette growled as she moved to cut off any route of escape.

ROUND SIX

Apostate

HP:  42

In Play:  

Trash:  Apocalypse, Condemnation, Corrupted Effigy, Gauntlet of Perdition, Imp Pilferer(2), Runes of Malediction

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

Start of Turn:  

Play a Card:  Remorseless Provocation, Apostate trips and falls down, plays Fallen Angel, Apostate cries a bit, and thinks of his lovely toys that were smashed.

End of Turn:  Apostate attempts to get up, but just embarrasses himself more.

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

HP:  42

In Play:  

Trash:  Apocalypse, Condemnation, Corrupted Effigy, Fallen Angel, Gauntlet of Perdition, Imp Pilferer(2), Remorseless Provocation, Runes of Malediction

Effects:

End:  Apostate deals the hero target with the highest HP 3 melee and 3 infernal damage.

Static:  

Other:  If Apostate would be reduced to 0 or fewer HP and there is a villain relic in play bestroy the villain relic with the lowest HP and flip Apostate's character card, 

Hero Status:

Visionary:  19

Tachyon:  20

Expat:  13

Bunker:  16

Argent Adept:  18

The Kraken actually doesn't deal damage, since it was hit by the Hypersonic Assault. Never mind, there are two Krakens!

Well, two tentacles. I think it's only one Kraken...

I can do 13 damage to Apostate on my turn. If AA gives me another card play, I could do another 13. Any chance of getting him down to less health than Expatriate? Otherwise we should probably hit those tentacles. EDIT: Okay, I would take him down to 16, which ought to be enough.

Well I guess it's not that important to keep his deck time-locked and keep him from reshuffling....

I've seen enough hentai to know where this is going....

The Visionary

HP:  19

Hand:  Psychic Maelstrom x2, Wrest the Mind, Mind Spike, Decoy Projection, Mental Divergence, Cerebral Hemorrhage, Demoralization, Suggestion.

In Play:  Foresight, Mental Divergence, Twist the Ether (Expatriette)

Trash:  Brain Burn, Mass Levitation, Mind Spike, Brain Burn, Mental Divergence

Deck: Suggestion, 19x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon, Mind Spike, Foresight

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Mind Spike - 3 damage to Apostate (39)

Use a Power:  Enlighten.  Tachyon may draw two cards and discard a card.

Draw a Card:  Suggestion

End of Turn:

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

HP:  19

Hand:  Psychic Maelstrom x2, Wrest the Mind, Decoy Projection, Mental Divergence, Cerebral Hemorrhage, Demoralization, Suggestion x2.

In Play:   Foresight, Mental Divergence, Twist the Ether (Expatriette)

Trash:  Brain Burn, Mass Levitation, Mind Spike x2, Brain Burn, Mental Divergence

Deck:  19x ?, Telekinetic Cocoon, Mind Spike, Foresight

Tachyon

HP: 20

Hand: Lightspeed Barrage (x2), Blinding Speed, Accelerated Assault, Sonic Vortex, Quick Insight

In play: Research Grant, HUD Goggles

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x2), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B) (x2), Quick Insight (B), Nimble Strike (B), Synaptic Interruption (B) (x2), Blinding Speed (B), Fleet of Foot (B), Nimble Strike (B), Hypersonic Assault

[hr]
Start of hero turn:

Play a card: Quick Insight. Draw Sonic Vortex, Supersonic Response, and Pushing the Limits. Discard Blinding Speed and Accelerated Assault.

Play Pushing the Limits.

Play Lightspeed Barrage. 15 damage to Apostate [24].

Use a power: Research Grant. Draw Lightspeed Barrage and Nimble Strike. Discard Nimble Strike.

Draw cards: Sucker Punch, Pushing the Limits

End of hero turn:

[hr]

HP: 20

Hand: Lightspeed Barrage (x2), Sonic Vortex (x2), Supersonic Response, Sucker Punch, Pushing the Limits

In play: Research Grant, HUD Goggles, Pushing the Limits

Trash: Lightning Reflexes, Accelerated Assault (B) (x3), Supersonic Response (B), Sucker Punch (B) (x2), Quick Insight (B) (x2), Nimble Strike (B) (x3), Synaptic Interruption (B) (x2), Blinding Speed (B) (x2), Fleet of Foot (B), Hypersonic Assault, Lightspeed Barrage

[hr]

EDIT: Fixed Apostate’s HP. I don’t know what I was thinking.

Apostate should be at 24 hp:  42 - 3 (Mind Spike) = 39.  39 - 15 (Lightspeed Barrage) = 24.

Expatriette

HP:  13

Hand:  Liquid Nitrogen Rounds, Reload x2, Flak Jacket, Submachine Gun

In Play: Assault Rifle

Trash: Quick Draw x2. Pride, Prejudice, Incendiary Rounds

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Liquid Nitrogen Rounds next to the Assault Rifle.

Use a Power:  Assault Rifle; 3 damage to Apostate [21], and reduce his damage by 1. Liquid Nitrogen Rounds get trashed.

Draw a Card:  Unload

End of Turn:

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

HP:  13

Hand:  Unload, Reload x2, Flak Jacket, Submachine Gun

In Play: Assault Rifle

Trash: Quick Draw x2. Pride, Prejudice, Unload, Incendiary Rounds, Liquid Nitrogen Rounds

24 -2 = 22, not 21.

Bunker

HP:  16

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Omni-Cannon, Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher (2), Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Flak Cannon, Ammo Drop, External Combustion

In Play: Heavy Plating, Upgrade Mode

Trash: Upgrade Mode, Recharge Mode

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 1

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Flak Cannon

Play a Card: Omni-Cannon

Use a Power:  Upgrading

Draw a Card:  External Combustion

End of Turn:

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

HP:  16

Hand:  Maintenance Unit (2), Recharge Mode, Turret Mode, Grenade Launcher (2), Adhesive Foam Grenade, Decommissioned Hardware, Ammo Drop, External Combustion (2)

In Play: Heavy Plating, Upgrade Mode, Flak Cannon, Omni-Cannon

Trash: Upgrade Mode, Recharge Mode

Effects: Reduce damage dealt to Bunker by 1

"Bezaliel, this was pointless.  Your deception has only led you into ruin.  Your relics are shattered, your powers are fruitless, and I think the true guardian of Atlantis wishes to have words with you..."

A great roar echoes through the chamber as The Argent Adept fires off a flare of green energy at Bezaliel's feet, causing him to stumble backward.  Tachyon leaps at the opening, zipping through the ruins and knocking Bezaliel back towards a swiftly-widening crack in the Atlantean dome...

The Argent Adept

HP:  18

Hand:  Cedistic Dissonant, Vernal Sonata, Rhapsody of Vigor; Alacritous Subdominant; Drake's Pipes; Syncopated Onslaught; Inventive Preparation; Silver Shadow

In Play:  Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp; Cedistic Dissonant

Trash:  Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Arcane Cadence (x3); Silver Shadow; Instrumental Conjuration; Vernal Sonata (x2); Sarabande of Destruction; Inspiring Supertonic

Effects:

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

Start of Turn:

Play a Card:  Silver Shadow:  I activate the Accompany of Inspiring Supertonic (gaining 2 hp [20]) and play Alacritous Subdominant.

Use a Power:  Musaragni's Harp--(Perform: Alacritous Subdominant; Accompany: Inspiring Supertonic) Tachyon may play Lighspeed Barrage right now and I regain 2 hp [22].  Assuming that Tachyon plays Lightspeed Barrage on Apostate, he takes 16 damage [6] and will die on the Environment turn, thanks to the Kraken's tentacles.

Draw a Card:  Polyphoric Flare

End of Turn:

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

HP:  22

Hand: Vernal Sonata; Rhapsody of Vigor; Drake's Pipes; Syncopated Onslaught; Inventive Preparation; Polyphoric Flare

In Play: Inspiring Supertonic; Musaragni's Harp; Cedistic Dissonant; Alacritous Subdominant

Trash:  Arcane Cadence (x3); Akpunku's Drum; Xu's Bell; Instrumental Conjuration; Vernal Sonata (x2); Sarabande of Destruction; Inspiring Supertonic; Silver Shadow

Effects: Tachyon--play Lightspeed Barrage!

I do play Lightspeed Barrage, and you counted right!

"I formally retract my previous suggestion of a Suggestion."

Apostate should be at 5HP; Expatriette's Ether is Twisted, so it's the [21] that's right and the '2 damage' in my post that's wrong, not the other way round.

Bezaliel staggered, without his relics he seemed weak.  He lurched forward away from them, turning, he half-flung himself into a bright room, the walls and floor were glowing, and you could feel the power eminating from them.

"You, you haven't won yet. . ." his voice was weak, no longer impressive and resonant.

"We just need to use the portal, you don't have to fight us." The Adept stated.

Expatriette stepped forward, "No, don't trust him, don't listen to him, He's better off dead."

She raised her gun, but before anyone could do anything the room shook, then once again a Tentacle burst through, grabbing Apostate and dragging him down through the floor.

Silence, the heroes stood looking, and listening for any sound, almost scared to move.

"We need to check on the others."

"Is that thing gone?"

Visionary felt outward with her mind, she could not locate the beast.

"I think it has gone," she said, "let's go."  With that she stepped carefully and quietly back into the corridor, and started towards the others.

. . .

The others were in the Chamber of Portals, hovering around the Scholar and Ra.  They were looking at the walls, and the pictures and symbols on them.

"You guys alright?" Tachyon asked.

"Yeah, no trouble at all actually." the Wraith replied.

"No giant beastly tentacle things here?" Adept asked.

The alien called Mack turned and stood up.

"You mean the Kraken, have you seen it?"

"Yes, it took the Apostate before I could kill him." Expatriette answered.

"The Apostate, you mean Bezaliel right?"  Tyler asked, Expatriette had everyone's attention.

"Yeah, Bezaliel is his name, I know him, like our minds connected when he pulled me out. . ." Her voice trailed off, and her breathing was fast and short.

Visionary moved quickly over to her and placed a hand on either side of her head.

A moment later Expatriette slumped to the floor, Visionary laid her out and then stood and faced the others.

"Bezaliel is Atlantean, the last of the race that dwelt here.  Apostate is the name they gave him, he was a traitor and a liar.  That's the most reliable account I can gather, her head is full of conflicting stories."

"What about her?" Unity asked, sitting over her unconscious friend.

"She doesn't belong here, this is Amanda Cohen, but it is also not Amanda Cohen.  No matter what happens, she should not leave this place."  Visionary looked away, and approached the portal.

"We have bigger things to worry about though, gentlemen, have you figured out how to make this work?"

The Scholar looked up, "Oh it will work, we are ready at any time, but there's a problem we can't seem to work around."

"And that is?" Nightmist asked.

Ra carefully turned, leaning on the makeshift crutch they had aquired for him, "It will only take one person at a time, and with how we are doing this, it doesn't look like we can get more than one transport without destroying the whole set-up."

"One of us, just one against Baron Blade?"  Tachyon whistled, "If only Paul was here."

"That would be ideal," Nightmist said thoughtfully, "he'd have the best shot of getting through the biggest hurdle of all."

"What's that," Unity asked.

"Convincing the people of that time to let us help them."

Decision Time:

Pick the hero you want to send back in time to stop Blade:

This one is open to anyone, players from this match get two votes (you can split them or vote for one hero)

We have:

The Argent Adept, Bunker, Expat, Haka, Mr. Fixer, Nightmist, Tachyon, Tempest, Unity, The Visionary, Wraith.

Vote away!

Mister Fixer and Tempest get my votes!

Adept seems like he woudl be a good time traveler.

Double vote for Nightmist.  I was just too late to play her in Ep 4, and would like another chance.

Fixer

Current Votes:

Adept: 3

Fixer: 2

Nightmist: 2

Tempest: 1

Unity: 1

Expatriette: 1

Haka: 1

Wraith:  1

One to Unity, one to Expat.

Haka. He strikes me as the best diplomat.

Adept and Wraith

If it's seriously a one-hero match, I very definitely reiterate my Nightmist vote.  I don't know very many other heroes I consider capable of soloing even a weak villain, but I've only ever lost games as Nightmist twice.  Scholar has the only comparable record, and he is more of a team player with all his "everybody dance now" cards.  Misty, though?  She sits in Mist Form until she draws half her deck and an Amulet, then she makes the villain kill himself.  I'd totally call her a match for Blade.

There will be no solo matches, but only one Hero gets to travel back.  It will get interesting.

Anthony had lost track of time, the arguing over who would go through the portal was ongoing.  Everyone had their own reasons they should be the one to go through and try to stop Blade, only himself, Unity and Fixer were quiet.  Anthony didn't want to be left behind either, to sit here and wait, hoping some catastrophic time changes would catch up and remake his entire life.  Everyone was excited to rewrite history, to set things right and avoid this terrible state, but no one had thought about what would happen to anyone left behind.  The worst possibility was that a new timeline would come into existance, and this world would remain unchanged.  If that happened they would have no way of knowing if the mission had failed or succeeded, and Voss would still be here, furthering his testing, preparing to turn mankind into freakish soldiers for his empire.

The better option was the negation of his entire life.  That was depressing, but better than walking out of these ruins knowing tomorrow would come, dawn on a world with no hope, and only horrors awaiting it.  The people had survived, hoping and waiting for the heroes that would come and stop Voss, and now they had come, and the only hope they had brought was unmaking this world.  What were the people on the surface thinking now, now that as far as they knew all the heroes were dead, and Voss was unopposed.  Downtrodden, desperate, depressed. . .

There was power in desperation, he thought, when people have nothing to lose they won't sit back and wait for someone to help them.  "My god," he thought aloud, "did the stories keep them from fighting back?"  He resolved then and their that he would return, that this group around him could do something, they could lead this planet into war.  Maybe not a war they could win, but a war that would stop Voss from twisting and perverting this planet to his own means.  He stood up, and saw scholar standing in front of him, "Take one."  Anthony pulled a small straw out of Scholar's hand, but he wasn't thinking about that.

"Listen up guys, just because we can't all go back doesn't mean we are finished.  We're not going to sit here and hope that this world stops existing, we're going to go up and make it happen.  We can't defeat Voss and we can't save this planet, but I'll tell you what we can do, no, what we Will do.  We'll make sure that monster doesn't use a single human in his army, we'll rally the people, we'll fight on every front, to the last man, Voss may have won but we will make it his last victory, sap his resources, and die before we can be turned, he'll rue the day he ever came to our planet!"

Everyone was looking at him, and he could tell he had gotten through to them.  But they were all looking at his hand.  He looked down, saw the straw in his hand, then looked at everyone else.  He had the short straw.

Heh, I just noticed that this was Chapter 6, and on Round 6 we beat Bezaliel down to 6 HP.  Looks like we had his number....