O(ni) No!

After our previous defeat, the Chimera Legion prepared for a second assault against the oni.

This time, we had Brother Gustavh bless us with powerful divine magic. These blessings should protect us against the oni's magic.

The First Wave

I, Comes Elias, led the first wave into the oni's cave. The blessing was somewhat effective - the oni's freeze spell only slowed us down. Yet that was enough for it to wreak havoc on the company.

The oni used its speed to dash in and out amongst my men. It struck with spells and with a massive club. Legionaries fell or were forced to flee from the cave. We managed to get in a few telling hits, but ultimately the oni's power defeated us. The remnants of our company retreated.

Reserves to the Rescue

Ulveblod commanded the reserve. As we retreated, he led his men in a berserk charge. They chased the oni around the cave, preventing it from getting off a spell. The oni managed to dodge most attacks, but here and there, Legion blades slashed into the demon. Ultimately, it collapsed to its knees.

Ulveblod Commands the Oni

With the oni powerless, Ulveblod laid his blade on its neck and demanded the Rod of Demon Slaying. Cowed by this powerful warrior, the oni pleaded for its life. At first Ulveblod would only promise a quick end. When the oni refused to talk, Ulveblod changed tactics. He would allow the oni to flee from the region, if it told us where the Rod was.

And thus, Ulveblod extracted the tale. The oni traded the Rod to a band of orcs from Scymatia in exchange for some prisoners. We will not relate the horrid fate of those unfortunates.

So now we seek the Stone Claw orcs (for such was their name) on the shores of Scymatia.

GAME NOTES

We ended up with only two people so the battle was simply a straight up fight between us. I played the oni and Brett was Ulveblod. As the oni, I had magic as well as a great weapon.

The part about the first wave is pure fiction. I came up with it to set the stage. Figuring that an oni vs. a lone warrior was not an even match, I downgraded the oni a bit. I explained this by imagining that a prior wave of attackers had worn the oni down a bit.

Brett won by keeping the pressure on me. He chased me relentlessly, preventing me from getting off any spells. He then would get in a strike here and there. I hit him a couple of times, but was too busy trying to recite the spell incantation to mount any effective attacks. Ultimately, Brett wore me down and took me out.

Kudos to Brett for some nice roleplaying at the end, as he interrogated the oni!

For kicks, we reran the scenario with roles reversed. I took a different approach. I advanced on the oni cautiously, dodging spell balls and then dashing in to strike. This tactic also worked, and I won my bout as well.

The Oni

Tracking Sodai

Previously, we learned that an adventurer named Sodai had made off with the Rod of Demon Slaying. With a name like that, he had to be from Teikoku. We returned to our ship and headed off.

It was a difficult journey to Teikoku, but our troubles had just begun. We then had to deal with a suspicious populace, recalcitrant officials, and a language barrier. Nevertheless, we tracked Sodai to an isolated cave. On our way, the locals kept mentioning an oni, whatever that is.

Entering the Oni's Cave

We arrived at the cave and I sent in my first company. After they entered, I heard screams of horror and pain. Then most of the company came rushing out of the cave. Others were forcibly tossed out.

They told a tale of a horrific demon.

This demon used powerful magic to melt their weapons, instill fear, and even knock them about.

Apparently, physical attacks would not work.

Note: All the above is made up backstory to explain why we did not fight. In reality, I had an injury that prevented me from engaging in physical combat.

Confronting the Oni

Next, I sent in one of our priests, Gustavh, to scout out the situation and test the oni's magical abilities.

Gustavh entered the cave. The oni confronted him. Gustavh demanded to know what happened to Sodai. 

The oni pointed to bones strewn around the cave. "He is here somewhere."

Gustavh then demanded the Rod of Demon Slaying. The oni laughed at him, then spoke.

"I admire your courage, puny mortal. I could crush you like a bug, but I have a more entertaining idea. Let us have a contest, in 3 rounds. If you win 2 out of the 3, I shall reward you."

"And if I lose?" Gustavh asked.

"Then you die."

Bravely, Gustavh accepted the challenge.

The Contest

The first round of the contest was a knife-throwing challenge, using each other as targets.

• Gustavh scored 3 hits on the oni.
• The oni also scored three hits.
• Going into a sudden death tie-breaker, Gustavh missed!
• And the oni hit. The oni won the first round.

The second round was an archery contest - 5 shots at a shield about 20 paces away.

• The oni scored 2 hits.
• Gustavh then missed his first 3 shots.
• Needing a hit to stay in the game, Gustavh's shot whizzed just past the oni's ear! The oni wins again!

Gustavh stoically admitted defeat and accepted his fate. But the oni was not done with him yet.

"That was enjoyable, mortal," the oni said. "I would very much like to try the last challenge, so I'll tell you what. If you win this next challenge, I will spare your life."

Mystical Mayhem

The oni challenged Gustavh to a magic duel.

"In my cave," the oni explained, "my mystical power is unlimited. But for our contest, I will limit myself to a mortal's level."

With that, the battle began in earnest. The last one standing would win!

The oni led off with a fiery blast, but Gustavh dodged. The priest replied with a bolt that wounded the oni.

Next, the oni used a web spell to hold Gustavh in place. It followed with another blast, but missed again! Meanwhile, Gustavh replied with more bolts and blasts that struck and seared his enemy.

Finally, the oni got his aim. His blast struck Gustavh. Flames licked over the priest, but he shook off the burns. His next bolt flew straight and true, striking the oni in the chest.

With that, the oni fell to its knees.

"Enough, mortal. You win. You have saved your life. Now go!"

Aftermath

Gustavh left the cave, returning to our company. He reported his findings to me.

The Rod must be in the cave, but how do we get past the oni? That is the dilemma we must solve.

GAME NOTES

As I mentioned above, I was nursing an injury so I could not engage in physical combat. I decided to turn the confrontation into a 3-part contest.

Throughout the game, I played the oni and Robb was Gustavh.

I believe I recorded the results of the first two contests accurately. Also, I wanted to do the magic duel so I made the proposal that Gustavh could save his life by winning it.

I don't remember all the specifics about the magic duel, so I used some artistic license. Nevertheless, I feel I got the general scene down. I definitely remember webbing Robb and then missing with a blast! My aim was horrible throughout! Ultimately, Robb wore me down and won, saving Gustavh.

The Mummy's Tomb

We managed to cross the croc-infested river with minimal casualties. After a short hike, we entered the Valley of the Kings. The valley was filled with pyramids - the tombs of long-forgotten pharaohs.

We were able to find the tomb of the pharaoh Ank-ma-haren.

The Guardians

I, Comes Elias, led the first company into the tomb. We found ourselves in a large receiving chamber. Suddenly, the tomb guardians awoke and attacked. They were undead minions. I suspect that once they were soldiers for they fought with skill and ferocity,

The first attack whittled down our numbers but we countered with equal ferocity. Hacking and stabbing madly, we cut the guardians down. Then another wave beset us. Ulveblod went down, then some more of our comrades.

I called for reinforcements. The second company entered the fray, but the guardians took a toll on them as well. Next, Basilius went down. Then I waded into the battle. Fortunately, my heavy armor protected me. I was able to lead a counterattack that finally wiped out the guardians.

While our healers tended to the wounded, I led the remnants of my Legion into the depths of the pyramid.

The Pharaoh

In the lowest level of the pyramid we came to the pharaoh's burial chamber with a majestic sarcophagus. When we entered the chamber, the sarcophagus opened and a figure wrapped in linen strips.

The mummy challenged us. I told it that I had come for the Rod of Demon Slaying. I scoffed when it claimed that the Rod was not there. Then it cast a fireball at me! Ank-ma-haren was more than a dead pharaoh, he was a wizard as well!

I managed to block the fireball with my shield. The Legion rushed into battle, but the mummy used spells to repel us and separate us. It started chasing after Xeno so I rushed to his aid. Ank-ma-haren threw a spell at me but I dodged. Then I charged.

The mummy backed up as it tried to prepare another spell. As I pressed the attack, it retreated right into a stone column. There was a rumble, and suddenly a rain of stone fell onto Ank-ma-haren, burying it, well not quite alive.

A Surprise

We were now free to investigate the sarcophagus. In a hidden niche, we found a golden box. It had to be the resting place of the Rod of Demon Slaying! With great anticipation, we opened the box, and found a piece of papyrus.

On the papyrus was a note that read:

"If you seek the Rod, you are too late! I have claimed it."

It was signed Sodai-san.

We pondered who Sodai-san was. I thought he was a great hero, but Basilius opined that he could be a skilled thief. In either case, his name sounds like he is from Teikoku. Looks like we are now headed to that mysterious island.

GAME NOTES
The day's quest consisted of 2 parts.

First, we had to get past the guardians. The heroes got their usual allotment of hit points but only had 1 life. The guardians were weak, with 2 hit points, but they had 3 lives to represent a horde of them.

I was a hero first, with (I believe) Brett/Ulveblod on my team. Brett fell to the guardians' blades but I managed to defeat them. Then Robb/Basilius and Raf/Xeno took their turn as heroes. Alas, they both died.

I designed the second part of the quest to pit the survivors vs. the mummy. Unfortunately, I was the only survivor so technically I should have faced the mummy alone. Because I designed the mummy to be a match for multiple people, I brought Raf back to assist me. Let's just say that he got healed.

Anyway, the battle went more or less as described, up to the end. Robb played the mummy and was doing quite well against us. Then I charged and he backed into a tree, hitting his head against the trunk. Sorry about that, Robb! Anyway, he needed to recuperate so we declared the Legion victors and came up with the falling stones story.

I made the golden box out of a Chewy box and gold wrapping paper. I wrote the note on parchment paper. I plan to have the heroes go on a bit of a tour through the lands of our world before they get to the Rod.

Across the River

The Journey

After defeating the pirates, the Legion resumed its voyage, and soon landed in Palmyra. In the port of Xandera, we replenished our supplies and found a map to the Valley of the Kings. We then sailed down the Kemi River to a landing site close the the valley. From here, we needed to make an overland trek of about a day's march.

The Tributary

After a few hours, the trail crossed another river, presumably a tributary of the Kemi. Fortunately, a series of boulders served as a natural bridge across this river.

The Attack

We sent a scout across to test the slipperiness of the boulders. He had no trouble, until he reached the middle of the river. Suddenly, a crocodile struck from beneath the waters.

Its fangs clamped onto the soldier's leg and it dragged him under. In seconds, only a crimson stain on the waters remained of our scout.

The Crossing

We had no choice but to attempt the crossing. I ordered the troops to gird themselves for battle. Basilius led the first company across while I awaited anxiously on the bank.

In moments, a swarm of crocs attacked the company. The men fought valiantly, using spears and shield to hold off the brutes. Yet the crocs' bites shattered shields and penetrated armor. Many men suffered wounds. One unfortunate soldier, in his attempt to back away from a croc, fell off a boulder and into the river. The current swept him away.

Nevertheless, Basilius's company made it across. Now it was my turn as I led the second company over the boulders. Again, the crocs attacked, but we held them off. Many crocs fell to our blades. Like Basilius, we made it across. Fortunately, our losses were light.

The Valley

As dusk approached, we reached the Valley of the Kings. As we gazed across the plain, we spotted three large pyramids and a myriad of smaller tombs. Our next step is to find the correct tomb, and then find the Rod.

GAME NOTES

This was just a simple scenario played out by Robb and I. One person was the Legion and the other the crocs. We each took turns as the Legion.

We played the scenario on a dirt path in the park. There is a strip of grass and weeds in the middle. This was the boulder bridge. Stepping off the strip meant you got swept away. The legionary had to reach a check point at the end of the path. He could not run because the boulders were too slippery. The legionary player only had 1 life.

Crocs had 2 hit points and did red damage with their bites. The croc player used two swords to represent the jaws. He had to mimic a chomping motion for the attack to be valid. Crocs had unlimited lives.

Robb stepped off the bridge on the first attempt, but he made it across on his second. I went into battle heavily armored, meaning I had 7 hit points. I also had healing spells. This made the scenario a little unbalanced in my favor, but I was not complaining. I also made it across successfully.

A Problem with Pirates

The Next Quest

After examining the clues from the cemetery, we realized that we need to travel to the pyramids of Palmyra. The Imperial government assigns us a ship, a speedy war galley, for our journey. We begin our voyage south.

Trouble Brewing

Along the way we run into a storm. Through the valiant efforts of the crew, the ship is saved. However, we lose much of our supplies overboard. I, Comes Elias, order us to land at a nearby island for replenishing our stock.

While the crew works to repair the ship, I lead a landing party ashore to scavenge for supplies. We find a bounty of fruits and vegetables, in addition to fresh water. After a long day, we have bags of supplies to keep us fit for our journey.

An Unpleasant Surprise

We make camp and prepare to settle in for a restful night. But it was not to be. From the brush surrounding the clearing, a figure emerged.

"I'll be takin' them sacks," the figure stated, pointing to our bags of supplies.

I told him to be off, but he whistled and a horde of pirates emerged from the wood. With a roar, they charged us. We quickly grabbed our shields and weapons then prepared to repel the charge. The pirates crashed into our shield wall, but we held firm and began hacking away at our enemy.

Suddenly, a hail of arrows rained down on us. Ulveblod led a detachment that chased off the archers. But a few pirates snuck around our line, grabbed some sacks, and hightailed back into the woods.

We retired a short distance to protect the supplies. Our defenses held and the wave of pirates slackened.

Then the captain strode forward, two dragonnes in his hands. If you are unfamiliar, dragonnes are weapons that spew out fire and lead shot when you pull the trigger. I knew that these could break our shield wall. Our only chance was to attack.

"Charge!" I cried and rushed toward the captain. He pulled the triggers and . . . nothing. The dragonnes misfired!

"Well, that's inconvenient," the captain said as he dropped his weapons and reached for his sword. I did not give him the chance to draw. I ran at him and ran him through.

With their captain's death, the rest of the pirates fled. We lost some supplies, but we managed to save the bulk. The next day we set sail for Palmyra.

GAME NOTES

This was a spur of the moment lore battle so I wanted to do something simple. I remember running scenarios back in the day where goblins raid a village, looting supplies. I decided to use the same scenario, but with a different enemy.

I purchased some burlap sacks and stuffed them with plastic bags. These were our supplies. I placed them in the middle of a clearing and stationed the legionaries to defend them. Then the pirates started outside the clearing and could attack from any direction. They had to grab the supplies and escape with the bags. Pirates had 2-3 armor points and 2 lives. Legionaries had 1 life but had armor points based on their level and armor.

The account above is an amalgamation of the 2 times I ran the scenario. First, Raph and I were pirates. Raph managed to swipe a bag before Brett hunted him down. Then Brett and Robb were pirates. Brett grabbed another sack. Robb played the pirate captain and really did say "Well, that's inconvenient" when his Nerf pistols misfired. Overall, the pirates only stole 2 of the 6 sacks so I chalk this up as a Legion victory!

The Haunted Cemetery

Following the demon attack upon the emperor, the Chimera Legion begins a new quest - find the Rod of Demon Slaying.

The first step is to find a clue to the Rod's location in an abandoned cemetery outside the capital city.

The Journey

I, Comes Elias, lead two small companies to the cemetery. It lies in a region overrun by bandits. We have to fight our way through.

Bandits!

First company, led by Jailene and Dio, spearheads the way. The bandits attack. The clash of battle resounds from the sunken road leading to the cemetery. Alas, the bandits are too powerful and first company retreats.

We then switch tactics. I take part of a company and attack the bandits in a holding action. While we pin the enemy, Ulveblod leads a flanking force around the bandits. Reaching the cemetery, Ulveblod opens the gate. A loud, mournful moaning emanates from the cemetery. The superstitious bandits, fearful of ghosts and ghouls, flee.

The rest of my command reaches the cemetery without incident.

The Cemetery

I stay at the entrance with a force the protect our rear while a company enters the cemetery to look for clues.

Ulveblod and Dio lead First Company. They find an overgrown cemetery filled with headstones, tombs, and marble statues. As they enter, one of the statues begins to move! It blocks their path and proclaims, "Halt! None may pass!"

A statue defending the cemetery

First Company ignores this warning. As they pass, the statues attack. They have to defend themselves while scouring the cemetery for clues. They spot broken stones with runes upon them. These must be the clues! Ulveblod and Dio manage to grab one. However, the attacks of the statues prove too much, and the company retreats from the cemetery.

Still, it is an encouraging start. We have found a clue and know what to look for.

Jailene and Kleanos lead the next company into the fray. Kleanos focuses on delaying the statues while Jailene scoops up broken stones. Soon, they have them all and can retire from the cemetery.

The Clue

Here is the stone that the Legion recovered.

We were able to determine that we need to go to a tomb of a long dead king. Can you tell where his tomb is and what his name is?

This map of the world may help.

Game Notes

I forgot to take pictures so I used AI to generate a couple illustrations.

Anyway, on to the games.

The first scenario featured 2 legionaries vs. 3 bandits. The legionaries had to fight their way down a road, through the bandits, and to the cemetery entrance. Ulveblod and I succeeded as described in the first try. For my account above, I re-ordered events to make the narrative sound more dramatic.

The second scenario also featured 2 legionaries, but this time vs. 3 animated statues. The statues could walk but not run, and were positioned to defend the stones. Jailene and Kleanos gathered all 6 stones. I was one of the statues and positioned myself near the entrance. The legionaries would need to get past me to win. Kleanos spent much of the game killing me, opening a path for Jailene to escape with the stones.

We ran the scenario again to give others a chance, but they had less success. Again, I reordered events for drama.

By the way, one of my cats photobombed my first picture of the stone.

The Demon

After the Empire's victory over the Dark Magi, the Chimera Legion earns a rest. The army withdraws them from the front and stations them in the capital city. For a few months, the Legion's days are quiet.

Then one night an odd storm brews up. Dark clouds swirl over the Imperial palace and greenish bolts of lightning strike down. Comes Elias stands in the courtyard of his troop's barracks surveying the scene.

"I don't like the look of that, Ulveblod." Elias says to one of his subordinates, a Rhuunish warrior in the service of the Empire.

Elias orders his men to stand ready, but the storm dissipates before they called into action.

💀💀💀

The next morning, Elias receives orders to report to the palace.

"We have a very important mission for you," the chamberlain of the palace declares.

He leads Elias into the imperial chambers. Frozen in a magical field is the emperor, and he is grappling with a demon!"

The chamberlain explains. The demon broke into the palace to assassinate the emperor, but the emperor's confessor was able to freeze the demon while attacking. However, the priests cannot hold the field indefinitely. They need to destroy the demon. Unfortunately, this demon is immune to all earthly weapons . . . except one.

💀💀💀

Now Elias and the Legion must embark on a new quest - recover the Rod of Demon Slaying.