For the TLDR crowd:
They won with mere seconds to spare. Only one survived, but she saved the world. I was so impressed and proud, and they are totally stoked up for more D&D and Fourthcore.
For the rest of you readers:
The crusaders put the third skull on the pedestal and got the choice question. They debated, what do they do? In the end, they really wanted to fight the Kishar battle anyway, so they chose to go after the fourth divine skull.
Kishar: Since breaking things in real life has consequences, breaking things in a RPG is SO MUCH FUN. My son stepped into the large chamber, and while my daughters were all stealthing it up, he decides to hammer on the nearest statue. It's what half-giant barbarians do! Of course, natural 20. Pulverized the statue, but alerts the Dracolisk to his location.
But then, something strange happened. The players pulled together and started to think smartly. They explored the hut quickly, got the clues they needed. They lucked out on FOUR saves vs petrifaction, while my own dice were SUPER COLD (snake eyes on d20s!) They downed the guardians efficiently and used the hearts on the dracolisk.
We had a moment where all three of them had to save vs petrifaction. The dracolisk was already defeated, but if they didn't save, it was all for moot. The air was SO TENSE. My son didn't even want to roll; he just kept wanting to roll but not doing it. Then, "alright, here goes..."
Success! The players jumped up and down. My youngest daughter danced around. The room lit up with cheers and laughter. Wow, they lived!!! Unbelievable!
THIS IS WHAT FOURTHCORE IS ALL ABOUT!
They got the fourth skull and almost just went for the final combat. I did give a hint to think about all the places they've been... and then they remembered the Hidden Shrine from yesterday. Quickly putting the puzzle together, they obtained the Talisman.
The Ruach: They chose Kishar for the Ruach manifestation. The combat was less than 3 rounds. All of a sudden, feeling the pressure of the clock with 15 minutes to spare... they just kicked it in. They explored while the combat happened! While my daughters fought off the Ruach, my son ran and action pointed his way right to the throne to get the GOLD TORCH. He brought it back to the fight, and then like clockwork they brought the Ruachs HP to nothing.
Talisman + double crits with daily powers from rogues and barbarians is a potent combo!
The last moments... My son and youngest daughter's crusaders were both drawn into the Sphere of Annihilation and destroyed. Only the eldarin druid (Faunra) was left. No action points. One attack roll left... if she hits, the Ruach dies. If she misses, GAME OVER.
She rolls, a HIT! The ruach crumbles and ignites! She has one minor action left and she has the gold torch.
Me: "Faunra, the Ruach is dead and on fire - the fire is going out. You have seconds, what do you do!!!!"
Oldest Daughter: "I take the gold torch and light it on the fire?"
I then described the end scene and their victory. The kids were so excited to have won. They knew it was not a victory given to them - they EARNED IT.
Thank you, Sersa Victory, for an awesome game!
Note: They earned a negative score despite saving the world, but they didn't care.
Sooo much fun to read:D
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteOne thing I did not mention is that they found the Reaper's Dice room. All three made rolls, and all three got beneficial results. Luck was indeed on their side.