Leo’s RttCU Run #8 (Before the Black Throne)

It’s the finale! I’m spending the four XPs we’ve saved up from the previous scenario to purchasing Lessons Learned. Aside from grabbing clues from underneath the noses of Azathoth’s acolytes, I have this ideal ending in mind where Leo investigates the Black Throne, fails and gets attacked by Azathoth itself. Of course, the main obstacle is getting to the Black Throne. I’m curious to see whether the Nightgaunt Steed will curb the randomness of this scenario or not. When I look at it I think it incentives playing the scenario as usual and using it only when the Court of the Great Old Ones or the Black Throne isn’t revealed in the first few Cosmos locations. We’ll see. Leo has the Black Book in his opening hand and some hints from Carl Sanford and that’ll have to do.

Before the Black Throne

Pre-Mulligan Hand: Easy Mark, Calling in Favors, Easy Mark, The Black Book, Sled Dog

Opening Hand: 2× Easy Mark, The Black Book, Sled Dog, Take the Initiative

Agenda & Act: WHEEL OF FORTUNE • X & The Cosmos Beckons

Leo begins the scenario with Nightgaunt Steed, 2 resources on the scenario reference card and 2 Physical Trauma.

#1

• PLAY Sled Dog
• PLAY Easy Mark (draw Sled Dog)
• Easy Mark (draw Gavriella Mizrah)
• DRAW Mauser C96
• PLAY Ever Vigilant (Mauser C96, The Black Book & Gavriella Mizrah)
• Upkeep: draw Lesson Learned, 3 resources total.

#2

• Mythos: 1/4 doom, Fate of All Fools
• PLAY Sled Dog ( The Black Book, 1 horror to Sled Dog)
• Keen Eye
• INVESTIGATE (-1, 1 clue)
• INVESTIGATE (-4)
• INVESTIGATE (+1, 1 clue)
• Upkeep: draw Venturer, 1 resource total.

#3

• Mythos: 2/4 doom, On the Hunt, Wizard of the Order
• The Cosmos Beckons (spend 1 clue, Wizard of the Order attacks, 1 damage to Sled Dog, Gavriella Mizrah, 1 clue, Lesson Learned, 2 clues, move up to Flight into Oblivion)
• FIGHT with Mauser C96 (4 ammo left, , Wizard of the Order retaliates, 1 damage to Gavriella Mizrah)
• FIGHT with two Sled Dogs (0, defeat Wizard of the Order, 3 resources)
• Upkeep: draw Overpower, 4 resources total.

Gavriella exhausts, so that last relation from Wizard of the Order didn’t get us a clue. Still, three actionless clues in a single round is impressive. Leo’s board presence is solid and if nothing goes wrong all these resources are going to get funneled into Keen Eye.

Board State Reminder: 6 health, 6 sanity, 6 resources, 4 clues, 2 resources on the scenario reference card, 0 doom on Azathoth

In Play: Nightgaunt Steed, Gavriella Mizrah (1 damage), Sled Dog, Sled Dog (1 damage & 1 horror). Mauser C96 (4 ammo), The Black Book

In Hand: Take the Initiative, Venturer, Overpower

Threat: Fate of All Fools

#4

• Mythos: 3/4 doom, Unavoidable Demise (, 1 doom to Azathoth, 2 damage to Gavriella Mizrah)
• The Cosmos Beckons (spend 2 clues, move right to Dancer's Mist)
• MOVE right to Cosmos (Infinity of Darkness)
• Infinity of Darkness
• Upkeep: draw Mitch Brown, 5 resources total.

#5

• Mythos: 5/4 doom, advance agenda 1a→2a (Daemonic Piping, Whispered Bargain, 1 doom to Azathoth, It Awaits), Ultimate Chaos (commit Take the Initiative, +1)
• PLAY Mitch Brown
• MOVE down to Cosmos (Hideous Palace)
• advance act 1a→2a (Fate of All Fools, Acolyte at Cosmos, In Azathoth's Domain)
• In Azathoth's Domain (spend 1 clue, move right to Dancer's Mist)
• MOVE right to Cosmos (Court of the Great Old Ones)
• Enemy: Acolyte attacks (1 damage to Sled Dog, 1 clue)
• Upkeep: draw Mauser C96, 4 resources total.

#6

• Mythos: 4/6 doom, Impending Evils (1 damage to Mitch Brown, 1 horror to Sled Dog)
• Keen Eye
• INVESTIGATE (Acolyte attacks, 1 clue, 1 damage, )
• FIGHT with Mauser C96 (3 ammo left, , , defeat Acolyte)
• INVESTIGATE (-2, 1 clue)
• Upkeep: draw Flashlight, 1 resource total.

Leo’s allies are taking a pounding, but the scenario progresses fast. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think a non-story version of Gavriella Mizrah exists? I mean, I’m provoking attacks of opportunity deliberately, this effect is so useful. I’ve got one clue in reserve and in whatever direction the location spawns it’ll allow me to hop there with the Nightgaunt Steed and check it out.

Board State Reminder: 5 health, 6 sanity, 1 resources, 3 clues, 1 resources on the scenario reference card, 2 doom on Azathoth

In Play: Nightgaunt Steed, Gavriella Mizrah (3 damage), Mitch Brown (1 damage), 2× Sled Dog (1 damage & 1 horror). Mauser C96 (3 ammo), The Black Book

In Hand: Venturer, Overpower, Mauser C96, Flashlight

Threat: Fate of All Fools

#7

• Mythos: 4/6 doom, A World in Darkness (discard Mauser C96, 1 horror to Mitch Brown)
• advance act 2a→3a (Mysterious Chanting, Acolyte at Cosmos, What Must Be Done v. II)
• What Must Be Done v. II (spend 1 clue, move right to Interstellar Abyss)
• MOVE with two Sled Dogs (up to empty space, 1 damage to Nightgaunt Steed, up to Cosmos, The Black Throne)
• FIGHT with Mauser C96 (2 ammo left, commit Overpower, , , Wizard of the Order at Cosmos)
• Enemy: Acolyte attacks (1 damage to Nightgaunt Steed, , 1 clue)
• Upkeep: draw Calling in Favors, 2 resources total.

#8

• Mythos: 6/6 doom, advance act 2a→3a (1 doom to Azathoth, Daemonic Piping, Daemonic Piping, Piper of Azathoth, Impending Evils, defeat Mitch Brown, The Final Countdown), The End is Nigh! (-4, 1 doom to Azathoth)
• RESOURCE (Piper of Azathoth attacks, 2 horror, 1 clue)
• R2.

Well, that’s it. Leo joined the pipers of Azathoth. I’ve toying with the idea of taking our intrepid investigator on a short trip to Egypt after his ordeal in Arkham was over, but in the end I think it would cheapen his sacrifice. On the other hand, perhaps there was some malevolent force that popped that Dancer's Mist leading directly to the Court of the Great Old Ones and then led Leo to find the Black Throne on the first scouted location? Who knows. The way Gavriella and Mitch will tell this story Leo Anderson will be the hero anyways. As for my opinion on the Return to the Circle Undone. It’s solid. The encounter cards have been notably improved. The special Tarot deck is pointless, but at least in-theme. As I’ve said earlier, story-wise, I don’t think the Witches needed the extra attention. After the two equivalent factions of TFA, there was nothing wrong with making the Lodge the core while leaving the Coven as background. Thanks for reading!

Campaign Log:

Disappearance at the Twilight Estate: Gavriella disappeared into the mist. 3 pieces of evidence were left behind.

The Witching Hour: Leo has rejected his fate. The witches’ spell was broken. 8 XP, Mementos: Mesmerizing Flute & Ritual Components.

At Death’s Doorstep: Leo is on Gavriella’s trail. Leo escaped the spectral realm. Leo rescued Josef. Leo is a member of the Lodge. Leo is deceiving the Lodge. 7 XP.

The Secret Name: Leo told the Lodge about the coven. 4 XP, Mementos: Gilman’s Journal, Keziah’s Formulae & Worn Crucifix.

The Wages of Sin: 4 heretics were unleashed unto Arkham. 2 XP.

For the Greater Good: Leo discovered how to open the puzzle box. Leo kept his mementos hidden. 2 XP.

Union and Disillusion: Leo sided with the Lodge. Carl Sanford possesses the secrets of the universe. Gavriella is alive. 4 XP.

In the Clutches of Chaos: Leo asked Sanford for assistance. The path winds before Leo (4). 3 XP.

Before the Black Throne: Leo has joined the pipers of Azathoth. Azathoth slumbers… for now. INSANITY.