Joe's Tarot Reading #6: Union and Disillusion

Union and Disillusion

Pre-Mulligan Hand: Eureka!, Strange Solution, Crack the Case, Daring Maneuver, Vicious Blow, Fine Clothes

Opening Hand: Strange Solution, Detective's Colt 1911s, 2× Prepared for the Worst, 2× Mr. "Rook"

Joe sides with the coven and begins the scenario with 2 extra doom.

1-Card Tarot Draw: Reversed Queen of Pentacles

The reversed Queen of Pentacles, that's not the best reading. In traditional readings it often indicates problems with mismanaging your finances and in Arkham Horror that might translate to misplays and depleted resource pool. In more general terms the reversed Queen of Pentacles warns of one's misplaced priorities. This in fact isn't too far off the mark for Joe. This entire campaign begun because of Jerome and this is the scenario where him and other Prologue investigators are supposed to be saved. Except, with the benefit of hindsight we know for certain that Jerome cannot be saved. So, what is Joe's role on this isle? In addition, when it comes to Joe's deck, we've added one flashy expensive effect. It feels good to have it, but I'm sure the Queen of Pentacles would rather we went for a more balanced approach and finally filled out our deck with missing staples, such as the second Pathfinder or "I've Had Worse..." II.

#1

• Hunch: Working a Hunch
• PLAY Mr. "Rook"
• Mr. "Rook" (2 secrets left, Astounding Revelation, 1 secret on Mr. "Rook", draw Hawk-Eye Folding Camera)
• PLAY Hawk-Eye Folding Camera
• MOVE to Forbidding Shore
• Working a Hunch (1 clue from Forbidding Shore)
• Hawk-Eye Folding Camera (1 evidence)
• Upkeep: draw Eureka!, 1 resource total.

#2

• Mythos: 3/8 doom, Ancient Evils
• Hunch: Unsolved Case
• Mr. "Rook" (2 secrets left, Astounding Revelation, 2 resources, draw Hawk-Eye Folding Camera)
• PLAY Unsolved Case (drop 1 clue on Miskatonic River)
• CIRCLE (commit Eureka! & Prepared for the Worst, , -2)
• CIRCLE (commit Prepared for the Worst & Detective's Colt 1911s, , 1 damage & 1 horror, unlit brazier)
• Upkeep: draw Fine Clothes, 2 resources total.

#3

• Mythos: 5/8 doom, Ancient Evils
• Hunch: Extensive Research
• Mr. "Rook" (1 secret left, Astounding Revelation, 2 resources, draw Ever Vigilant)
• MOVE to The Unvisited Isle (Haunted Spring)
• PLAY Extensive Research (2 clues from Haunted Spring)
• Hawk-Eye Folding Camera (2 evidences)
• DRAW Vicious Blow
• Upkeep: draw Fine Clothes, 2 resources total.

Two Ancient in a row! Counting the setup that's four extra doom and that severely hamstrings Joe. More than that, we're losing heaps of cards to the Circle actions and it's going to get even worse given that Agility is part of the Circle on the first revealed Unvisited Isle location. I think Joe can handle one of those, but not more. Especially not under the gaze of the Watcher. BTW, notice that Rook hasn't found Paranoia despite dipping into the deck three times already? That's the reversed Queen of Pentacles right there, making us all jittery.

#4

• Mythos: 7/8 doom, Shadow Hound
• Hunch: Scene of the Crime
• Mr. "Rook" (no secrets left, Paranoia, lose all resources, draw Strange Solution)
• PLAY Ever Vigilant (Shadow Hound attacks, 1 damage to Mr. "Rook", × Haunted Spring, defeat Mr. "Rook", Fine Clothes & both Strange Solutions)
• FIGHT with Strange Solution (2 supplies left, -3, defeat Shadow Hound)
• MOVE to Unvisited Isle (Moss-Covered Steps)
• Upkeep: draw Crack the Case, 1 resource left.

#5

• Mythos: 8/8 doom, advance agenda (1 resource on The Spectral Watcher, Obscuring Fog)
• Hunch: Logical Reasoning
• DRAW Crack the Case
• DRAW The Black Book
• INVESTIGATE (commit The Black Book & both Crack the Cases, +1, 1 clue from Moss-Covered Steps, discard Obscuring Fog)
• Upkeep: draw Eureka!, 2 resources total.

#6

• Mythos: 1/10 doom, Shadow Hound
• Hunch: No Stone Unturned
• FIGHT with Strange Solution, 1 supply left, -4, defeat Shadow Hound)
• PLAY Hawk-Eye Folding Camera
• INVESTIGATE (commit Eureka!, , × Moss-Covered Steps)
• Upkeep: draw Puzzle Box, 1 resource total.

We're losing too much time. Three rounds came and went and Joe still hasn't cleared the Moss-Covered Steps. Notice that we're taking draw actions, this shouldn't be happening in an investigator with so many tutor effects. We're not going to make it, I think. Particularly given that the Moss-Covered Steps has on it another Circle action featuring Agility. Oh, and those Shadow Hounds? I direct your attention to the portrayal of the Queen of Pentacles. She's surrounded with animals.

#7

• Mythos: 2/10 doom, Eager for Death (, 2 horror)
• Hunch: No Stone Unturned
• PLAY No Stone Unturned (draw Ever Vigilant)
• INVESTIGATE (commit Ever Vigilant, , recover Working a Hunch, 1 clue from Moss-Covered Steps)
• Hawk-Eye Folding Camera (3 evidences)
• Hawk-Eye Folding Camera (1 evidence)
• advance act (move to Misty Clearing, Fated Souls)
• INVESTIGATE (-2, 1 clue from Misty Clearing)
• Upkeep: draw Ace of Swords, 2 resources total.

#8

• Mythos: 3/10 doom, Shapes in the Mist (× Misty Clearing, defeat Fine Clothes), Nether Mist
• Hunch: Logical Reasoning
• ENGAGE
• FIGHT with Strange Solution (no supplies left, commit Vicious Blow, )
• FIGHT with Strange Solution (2 supplies left, 3 damage to Nether Mist)
• Enemy: Nether Mist attacks (1 damage & 1 horror)
• Upkeep: draw Daring, 3 resources total.

#9

• Mythos: 4/10 doom, Terror in the Night (-3, attach), Whippoorwill
• Hunch: Scene of the Crime
• PLAY Scene of the Crime (1 clue from Misty Clearing)
• Hawk-Eye Folding Camera (2 evidences)
• PLAY Mr. "Rook" (Nether Mist attacks, 1 damage & 1 horror)
• Mr. "Rook" (2 supplies left, draw Daring)
• FIGHT (commit both Darings, , defeat Nether Mist, draw two Take the Initiatives)
• Upkeep: draw Magnifying Glass, 1 resource total.

Joe has now confirmed that his friend is dead. At least our detective didn't fight his "Starved for Answers" variant. Given that Joe managed to miss a Nether Mist, an enemy which I assume surrounded him from all directions, he might've run out of the ichor vials before long. Honestly, that tentacle token was dejecting. I wanted to see at least one cinematic action before the end of the scenario. In the end that Nether Mist was defeated by, I imagine, Joe running in one direction and doing a haymaker. With an incoherent war cry to boot. Eh. We're in a position to resign now.

#10

• Mythos: 5/10 doom, Realm of Torment
• Hunch: Working a Hunch
• × Misty Clearing (1 doom)
• advance act (The Spectral Watcher at Miskatonic River, Beyond the Mist (v. III))
• MOVE to Forbidding Shore
• MOVE to Miskatonic River
• RESIGN, R5.

Resigned. Due to Joe's previous actions the scales were tipped in the Silver Twilight Lodge favour and so their leader is now in possession of a book containing the secrets of the universe. As far as Joe is aware the ante was upped to national level threat. We of course know better, as the entirety of humanity is doomed should Azathoth stir from his slumber. All in all, this scenario is one of the more difficult ones and I was prepared for a loss. However, even taking the above into account Joe performed poorly. No extra points for style for him.

Campaign Log:

Disappearance at the Twilight Estate: Jerome was taken by the Watcher. 6 pieces of evidence were left behind.

The Witching Hour: Joe has rejected his fate. Joe identified the solution. The witches’ spell was broken. 8 XP (Anette Mason, Abandoned Mine, Cairn Stones, The Lonely Tree, Tainted Well, Hermit’s House, 1 bonus XP), Mementos: Mesmerizing Flute & Ritual Components.

At Death’s Doorstep: Joe is on Jerome’s trail. Joe escaped the spectral realm. Joe rescued Josef. Joe is a member of the Lodge. Joe is deceiving the Lodge. 6 XP (Office, Billiards Room, Master Bedroom, 2 bonus XP).

The Secret Name: Joe told the Lodge about the coven. 4 XP (Twilight Abyss, Physics Classroom, 2 bonus XP), Mementos: Gilman’s Journal, Keziah’s Formulae & Worn Crucifix.

The Wages of Sin: 2 heretics were unleashed unto Arkham. 4 XP (Haunted Fields, Abandoned Chapel, 2× Unfinished Business), Mementos: Wisp of Spectral Mist.

For the Greater Good: Joe discovered how to open the puzzle box. Joe kept his mementos hidden. 5 XP (Nathan Wick, Vault, Library, Ceremony Room).

Union and Disillusion: Joe sided with the coven. Carl Sanford possesses the secrets of the universe. Jerome is dead. 4 XP (Nether Mist, Misty Clearing, Moss-Covered Steps, Haunted Spring).