Quest 17: The Twin Idols

Act II 2 Encounters

Quest 17: The Twin Idols

Introduction

Baron Greigory's librarian seems apologetic for having summoned you. "I wouldn't ring you," she murmurs, "but I just found some frightening things in Theo's—in Lord Theodir's papers. Baron Greigory is off inspecting the borders, but I didn't want to wait for his return." She clears her throat and shuffles her papers. "It's just that, well, there are some references here to the Twin Idols"—you can hear her capitalize the words, so precise is her speech—"and how they're related to binding the Shadow. I'm assuming that the Shadow is Dragonlord Gryvorn, and I don't mean to be a bother except that I think that there were explicit notes on this in Lord Theo's vault? The vault Lady Eliza robbed?"

The rest of the explanation was more clear, after she put on her half-moon spectacles and got over her nervousness: the Idol of the Sun and the Idol of Skulls rest in a cavern in the Carthmounts. They stand eternally opposed, the Idol of the Sun binding the "Shadow" away and the Idol of Skulls eroding that seal. The seals are weakening, and you must visit the idols and determine how to set things right.

Of course, the Overlord's minions likely have a head start.

Monsters

Ettins
1 open group

Setup

Place the ettins on the Ettin's Lair. The Overlord chooses one of the ettins. This is Zak'n'Jak and he holds the key (see "The Locked Door").

Place the open group on the Stairs, as close as possible to the Exit. One of these monsters (of the Overlord's choice) is carrying the Idol of Skulls—place a red objective token under the chosen monster's base.

Place search tokens based on the number of heroes. The unique search token is the key. This key and the key held by Zak'n'Jak are identical—either one may open the locked door.

Place 1 blue objective token faceup on the map as indicated. This is the Idol of the Sun.

Special Rules

The Idols

The Idol of Skulls is very heavy. The monster carrying the Idol of Skulls may either perform only 1 move action on its turn or place the idol in an adjacent empty space. It cannot perform any other actions. As an action, a monster may pick up the Idol of Skulls from an adjacent space; if it does this as its first action, its second action must be to move or drop the idol. If a monster is defeated while carrying the idol, place the idol in its space (Overlord's choice of space for large monsters).

The Idol of the Sun cannot be moved. As an action, a hero adjacent to the Idol of the Sun may invoke it. If he does, refer to the "Victory" section.

The Locked Door

The locked door in the Ettin's Lair can only be opened after the heroes find the key: either by defeating Zak'n'Jak or by revealing the unique search token. If either happens, any hero may open the locked door in the Ettin's Lair as if it were a normal door.

Reinforcements

At the start of each Overlord turn, he may place 1 monster from the open group on the Entrance or Exit, respecting group limits.

Victory

Hero Victory

If the heroes invoke the Idol of the Sun, read the following aloud:

A beam of radiant light pierces through the stony ceiling, illuminating the golden idol. A majestic voice cries out: "Bring to me the Sun Totem, that light may shine forevermore!" Suddenly an image of the totem appears in your mind—you know exactly where to find it!

The heroes win this encounter!

Overlord Victory

If a monster places the Idol of Skulls on one of the two unique spaces beyond the Sewer tile, read the following aloud:

Macabre laughter resonates through the caverns, two voices intertwining. "Our powers are restored, puny mortals! Soon Gryvorn's voice will be heard throughout the land! Bring us the Totem of Skulls!" You hear the Overlord's minions scurrying to obey; you'd best follow and stop them!

The Overlord wins this encounter!

Introduction

It's been a mad race to reach this valley within the Carthmounts, but you know that somewhere within lie two totems: the Totem of the Sun and the Totem of Skulls. By blind chance, you have located the Totem of Skulls first—but that's not the one you're looking for. The Totem of the Sun is deeper in the valley, in the hands of Lady Eliza Farrow. You can hear her lyrical laughter carried by the breeze: "How about a trade, heroes? I'll give you the Totem of the Sun; you give me your worthless lives?"

You each have a totem the other wants. The first one to get the right totem out of this valley and back to the idols is going to win, and never mind that strange whispering on the wind and in the stones of the valley.

Monsters

Lady Eliza Farrow
Zombies
1 open group

Setup

Place Lady Eliza Farrow on the River's Edge as indicated. Place the zombies on the Ambush Site. Place the open group on the Graveyard.

The heroes may place their figures on the Pond.

Place search tokens based on the number of heroes.

Place the red objective token faceup on the Graveyard as indicated on the map. This is the Sun Totem.

Place the blue objective token faceup on the Pond as indicated on the map. This is the Skull Totem.

If the Overlord won Encounter 1, each hero must skip his first turn.

Special Rules

Carrying Totems

As an action, a figure may pick up and carry an unclaimed totem. As an action, a figure may drop a totem that he is carrying in an adjacent space.

Heroes may only pick up the Sun Totem
Monsters may only pick up the Skull Totem

The Whispering Spirits

The strange valley is occupied by helpful spirits that will revive the dead or dying. Any defeated figure is immediately removed from the map and recovers all [Stamina] and [damage]. The figure is returned to the map according to the following rules. (During this encounter, do not place hero tokens on the map for defeated heroes.)

Heroes: Place their figure in an empty space on the Muddy Path (or the closest available empty space) when defeated, at the start of their next turn.
Overlord: Places defeated monsters on the map following the "Reinforcements" rules below.

Reinforcements

At the start of each Overlord turn, he may place 1 monster from each of his monster groups (including Lady Eliza Farrow) on the map, respecting group limits.

Lady Eliza Farrow and the open monster group may be placed on any empty space on the Rocky Pass
Zombies may be placed on any empty space on the Graveyard

Victory

Hero Victory

If a hero moves off the map through the Entrance while carrying the Sun Totem, read the following aloud:

Climbing out of the valley, you heft the Totem of the Sun aloft. A beam of light streaks from the setting sun to shine upon you. The minions of the Overlord snarl at your heels, so rather than bask in the sunlight you elect to rush back to the Idol of the Sun.

When you reach the Idol, you place the Totem before it. A bright, warm light fills the room and a sense of safety and peace suffuses you. There are no words, but you feel something ancient and benevolent assuring you that there is both hope and goodness in the world. Your return journey to Arbynn passes in a warm, happy daze.

The heroes win!

Overlord Victory

If a monster moves off the map through the Exit while carrying the Skull Totem, read the following aloud:

A sharp cry rings out from the slopes of the mountains above you. Looking up, you see Lady Eliza standing silhouetted against the twilight sky, holding the Totem of Skulls above her. An awful voice splits the air: "I AM GRYVORN. MY REBIRTH IS AT HAND. NONE SHALL STAND BEFORE ME. LIGHT WILL DIE AND ALL WILL BE SHADOWS AND FLAME."

When the voice passes, you realize that you're on your knees and bleeding from your ears and nose. Eliza is nowhere to be seen.

The Overlord wins!

Rewards

Win or lose, each player receives 1 XP.

If the heroes win, they receive 1 additional XP.

If the Overlord wins, he receives 2 additional XP.

Map Tiles

Encounter 1:

Ettin's Lair
Stairs
Sewer
Entrance
Exit

Encounter 2:

River's Edge
Pond
Ambush Site
Graveyard
Muddy Path
Rocky Pass
Entrance
Exit