Halloween Marathon

[Tommy Brownell]

This is going to be a bit of a misnomer, as I doubt this all happens on Halloween now, or anything close...but the plan was originally for a Halloween Marathon, so that was how I organized it. It is a series of solo games, villains and heroes randomly selected. The first six fights are two on one, the final four are solo. I will post them all in this thread as we witness the battle for Shadowbrooks' soul...

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Banshee
Vs
Inspector Cooke & Captain Hawkins

Round One

Inspector Cooke and Captain Hawkins versus a “ghost”? Pshaw! This should prove to be a simple task. Cooke set out to the North, Hawkins to the South. Cooke stopped over at the Church, where he caught wind of Reverend Harding’s past as a War Criminal. Not that he was concerned or anything, but Cooke did some praying, but God perhaps didn’t buy his sincerity.

Captain Hawkins marched for the Abandoned Keep. There, he found the most interesting Book of the Occult!

Lies and deceit spread through the town, centering on Lady Hanbrook, Doctor Manning and Reverend Harding. As well, Barrow Shades appeared at the Forgotten Island and South Dock.

Round Two

The Banshee struck, killing Sophie! All this while Captain Marcus made out toward the Olde Woods, but got slowed in the Marsh.

Inspector Cooke arrived at the Manor, where The Hanbrooks offered him a bizarre meal. He chose to eat, though the food wasn’t great, but the Hanbrooks felt emboldened by the whole affair.

The Banshee killed in the Olde Woods, her screams being hard all around. Barrow Shades appeared at the Abandoned Keep. Magistrate Kroft sent out word to the Militia that Inspector Cooke and Captain Hawkins were to be shot on sight! Militia took point at the Doctor’s Office and The Fields!

Round Three

Cooke moved swiftly to The Windmill, finding a rusty key that opened a closet inside the Windmill! Inside were some scraps of paper…Reverend Harding confronted him about the intrusion…and then told Cooke that he wished to help The Inspector end this Banshee! Harding and Cooke joined forces!

Hawkins arrived at the Woods and found a little evidence to aid him. He also found an axe! Hawkins sent for the militia at the Doctor’s Office, drawing them to the Barrow Shades near the Crossroads, where again they were victorious, but at a cost.
The Barrow Shades moved, heading toward Town Hall. As well, Barrow Shades attacked Harding and Cooke at the Windmill! The combined might of Cooke and Harding obliterated the Shades. The townsfolk attacked Cooke and Hawkins at their respective locations, though Hawkins cowed them, while Cooke sustained injury first.

Round Four

Hawkins moved to the Crossroads, seeking clues, and found them. As well, he directed the Militia from the Fields to the outskirts of town, where they defeated the Barrow Shades, but suffered losses themselves. Hawkins immediately summoned more Militia from the coast.

Cooke and Harding made haste for the Doctor’s Office. While being healed, Cooke found that Dr. Manning was a bit of a drunkard…and a valiant defender of the people! Manning joined Cooke as well!

Darkness fell across the land, sending a chill through the townsfolk. The Banshee attacked at the Manor, spreading terror! Harding and Manning told Cooke they needed to return to their duties, but said they could be called on for aid…as the Grounds Keeper appeared in the Fields!

Round Five

Cooke set out towards the Woods and all the clues scattered there. He made good time on that leg, reaching the Covered Bridge.

Hawkins went to the Church and sought out The Lord, and received his blessing! He also sent word to the Militia, directing them near the Inn. Lastly, his contacts got him what he needed: The Banshee is in the Olde Woods!

A suddenly crazed Cooke attacked Hawkins, and Hawkins fought back, driving the Inspector down! He had left Cooke unconscious before he realized who it was, and the Banshee shrieked with glee! Hawkins, for his part, quickly recovered from the damage done to him. More rumors surfaced, about Lady Hanbrook…her voyeuristic tendencies...her secret, double life…she came to the ailing Inspector Cooke with all the knew of the dealings in town…when the Banshee ripped into the Town Hall and screamed! Her maddening wail melted the eyes of Lady Hanbrook and crushed her soul as the horrified Cooke watched on helplessly! Cooke, though ailing, did seek out information on LORD Hanbrook…and discovered that though Lord Hanbrook deals in witchery, he is not a pawn of evil. The Banshee killed at the Church, before Hawkins’ very eyes, and left a wake that half the town witnessed!

Round Six

Hawkins moved to Town Hall, his honor feeling bolstered, and he gave Cooke his Book of the Occult, feeling as though Cooke could use it more. Then he directed the Militia against the last Barrow Shades, eliminating that threat.

Cooke recovered. The Banshee struck out at the Windmill. An awful storm swept over the land, and the Banshee launched an assault on the Monastery as well! Then, she killed at the Covered Bridge!

Round Seven

Cooke interrogated the Blacksmith, and the purchased the Tools of Science…dead set on proving that science could end this creature.
Hawkins hired a Militia Soldier to his side, as The Horror gripping the town loosened.

Barrow Shades appeared at the Magistrate’s Office. The cold darkness threatened to engulf the town.

Round Eight

Hawkins set out toward the Olde Woods.

Cooke followed, sensing how Hawkins’ spirit seemed to be fortified against the Darkness as he went. However, HE was ambushed by the Banshee, who struck him down! The Song of the Dead echoed through the air as Cooke fell, though he did get what he needed – his tools worked on the Banshee.

Magistrate Kroft was murdered now by the Banshee! The Banshee then struck at the Crossroads!

Round Nine

Time was running out, but Cooke seemed shaken.

Luckily, Captain Hawkins sent word for Doctor Manning and Reverend Harding to join them at the Woods! The Reverend joined Hawkins and his militia solider, while Manning and Cooke approached…and the Banshee emerged! Harding, Hawkins and the Militia attacked, striking the Banshee! Unfortunately, its retaliation took Reverend Harding AND the Militia soldier. Cooke clipped the Banshee, who sneered at the non-believer. However, her attacks fell short on both Manning and Cooke! Hawkins opened a fierce salvo, but got hammered with a fierce response! Cooke hit the Banshee and avoided retaliation, but Dr. Manning could not…as the fifth elder fell to the Banshee, darkness swept over the town, and Cooke and Hawkins saw their cause lost…

Observation: The Banshee got too strong, too fast. Hawkins and Cooke could not keep up , with the rate in which it was killing elders. Cooke was unable to get his spirit out the “danger zone”, though Hawkins used the militia to negate most of that problem by killing the barrow shades. Still, these two were outclassed against the Banshee.

Coming up next: Valeria and Adrianna vs The Werewolf!

[Tommy Brownell]

Werewolf
Vs
Valeria & Adrianna

Round One

I was about to make a joke about the two little girls versus the Werewolf, but I’m not sure which of the three truly is the strangest of the lot: The feral wolf, the ancient vampire or the mysterious blind lady.

Valeria moved cautiously out of town, seeking out the Abandoned Keep.

Adrianna took her time as well, heading southeast on the road to Echo Lake.

The Werewolf struck in the Olde Woods! In its wake, it left some Feral Kin! The Feral Kin immediately struck out towards Town Hall!

Round Two

Adrianna redirected course, heading through the Marsh instead of encountering the Feral Kin at the Covered Bridge.

Valeria actively sought out the approaching Feral Kin, while Militia were dispatched to Town Hall.

The Feral Kin rushed to the town, meeting Valeria at the Magistrate’s Office in a flurry of fur and fangs! The Feral Kin struck first, wounding the vampire. They batted her down and moved in to finish her, when Valeria returned with a violent assault! She drained the beast as well, healing any damage the Feral Kin had done! Rat’s nests popped up at the Fields, the Marsh and The Forgotten Island! Adrianna was taken by surprise by the rat’s nest at the Marsh and was bitten! The fight was fierce, and Adrianna’s amazing senses were the only thing that saved her at one point. Valeria swooped in and rescued her from one attack, and she finally delivered the blow that ended the rat’s nest.

Round Three

Valeria resumed her original course, setting out for the Abandoned Keep. The floor gave way, and Valeria suffered a rough fall! Ghosts in the fog began whispering to her, teasing her with information for only a taste of her…and then they realized WHAT she was, and disappeared.

Adrianna reluctantly returned to town, having the Doctor tend her wounds. Her senses revealed much to her, including Dr. Manning’s propensity for witchcraft.

Rats began to swarm from the Fields and the Forgotten Island. The darkness swelled in Shadowbrook, and Valeria fed off of it. Adrianna, as she left the Doctor’s Office, was surprised to come face to face with the Werewolf! It struck her, though each seemed surprised at the other’s speed!

Round Four

Adrianna set out back for the Marsh, to examine the rat’s nest she had destroyed.

Valeria joined her as the Militia were dispatched to the Fields and the Forgotten Island.

The ugly rats kept up their march. Feral Kin were spotted stalking the grounds of the Manor. Most frightening…a Full Moon appeared.

Round Five

Valeria opted for treatment for her wounds at the Doctor’s Office. Valeria sensed the trail used by the Werewolf and figured out that it was laired at the Crossroads!

Adrianna investigated the Marsh, and found only little help there. She did overhear whispers in the Marsh, discovering Magistrate Kroft to be something of a liar, but not wholly evil.

Rats moved from Echo Lake with a clear purpose toward Town Hall, and as well through the Windmill. The Werewolf killed again, at the South Docks, and left behind Feral Kin as a calling card. The savage Werewolf was now playing games with them, its mocking laughter on the wind.

Round Six

Adrianna sought out clues at the Olde Woods, but found nothing…except an axe.

Valeria headed for the Manor, looking to avoid the stream of rats coming down from the Northeast.

Rats reached the Crossroads and the outskirts of town. As terror filled the town, Valeria was spurred on. It seemed to overwhelm her, and a black-eyed Valeria appeared in the trees over Adrianna! She attacked, but Adrianna struck her out of the sky and fended off her assaults! As Valeria came to her senses, she snarled and darted off.

Round Seven

Valeria arrived at the manor to battle the Feral Kin! She struck quickly, killing the creature before it knew she wasn’t a mere mortal! She drank deep, taking care of the wound left by Adrianna. However, the Gibbering Evil stalked her on the grounds! It was a fierce combatant, but Valeria has fought even demons before, and drank this one’s blood as well!

Adrianna made haste, heading through the town for the Manor.

The rats had reached the Blacksmith’s shop and were almost on the Covered Bridge. The Werewolf killed at the Marsh and left more spawn. An awful storm arose, and the Werewolf terrorized the land through it! The Lady Hanbrook arranged for the confiscation of Adrianna’s axe and the booting of Valeria and Adrianna to the crossroads!

Round Eight

Adrianna made haste for the Inn, where she accepted some healing. Walking high across the top of the Inn, listening to the wind, Adrianna slipped! She heard on the air whispers, laughter, howls…from farther than the Crossroads…the Werewolf had set up a new lair in the Abandoned Keep!

Valeria was bitten by rats as she stormed away. She found a discarded saber, which suited her well as she entered the Marsh to encounter Feral Kin! Though the Feral Kin struck her, Valeria drew blood and used that to sustain herself.

Rats reached Town Hall and the Covered Bridge. Once more Valeria assaulted Adrianna, and once more fell short, this time being knocked unconscious! Adrianna, in the confusion, found herself in the Olde Woods…with the Werewolf! Adrianna did nothing to the Werewolf, and was stunned to sense a feral Valeria strike it as it was about to tear into Adrianna! Adrianna ran for safety! Something Wicked was growing inside the Werewolf, making time of the essence.

Round Nine

Valeria lay in torpor.

The sense of wickedness, at least, passed. However, Sophie began whispering rumors to the Town Elders about our heroes…alienating the elders from the heroes.

The swarm of rats terrorized the town. Valeria awoke. Another wicked storm, and this time the Werewolf made a vicious assault in the Bog. More lies and deceit circulated through town…only Lord Hanbrook and Sophie seemed immune, and this threw Valeria and Adrianna into doubt about their assumed allies. The Werewolf appeared at Town Hall and attacked Valeria! She and the Militia fought it, but it took her down once more!

Round Ten

Adrianna skirted town and headed toward the Manor, when the lies and rumors spread by Sophie reached a breaking point: Not only was Reverend Harding a drunken voyeur, he had thrown his lot in with the Werewolf! As well, Lady Hanbrook, once a Hero of the People, had become the Lady of Darkness! Doctor Manning stood revealed as a Werewolf Hunter, and actively followed the present leads, appearing at the Abandoned Keep!

Valeria once more lay in recovery.

The second chain of rats reached the Magistrate’s Office. Valeria arose. The Werewolf attacked at Town Hall! Valeria was once more cut down! The worst news of all…Kroft stood revealed AS The Werewolf! Kroft made his impact known as he slaughtered Doctor Manning at the Keep!

Round Eleven

Valeria lay in recovery.

Adrianna finally arrived in the Fields to eliminate that rat’s nest! She and the Militia ended the rat’s nest and gave Shadowbrook something of a respite!

Unfortunately, the rats from the Island now reached Town Hall. Kroft left bodies in the Fields just to taunt Adrianna. Feral Kin emerged in the Church, surely allowed in by Kroft’s “Grand Inquisitor”.

Round Twelve

Adrianna arrived at the Manor and found a cross. As well, she found Lord Hanbrook, distraught over what had happened to the town, and he agreed to aid her! She also discovered that Sophie had been living a double life and, despite her willingness to spread rumors, was reluctant to actually stand against the Werewolf.

Valeria spent a lot of money on a musket and silver shot, then suddenly appeared at the Manor, giving said items to Adrianna! She leveled accusations at Lord Hanbrook, but Adrianna calmed her. Lord Hanbrook and Sophie became somewhat steeled in the face of the betrayals of the elders.

The rats terrorized the town once more, and Kroft trashed Manning’s office in mockery. A Feral Kin took Adrianna by complete surprise, but Valeria leapt in the way and was slashed down! She emerged, furious, and tore the Feral Kin limb from limb! Kroft made an attack on Sophie, but it only proved to scare her.

Round Thirteen

Adrianna took a passage to the Monastery, but was attacked by Kroft! He tore into her, but she unloaded with silver shot into him! Each one left the fight badly harmed!

Valeria headed back toward s town.

Shadowbrook was pushed nearly to the brink. Adrianna recovered. Kroft killed a Blacksmith’s Apprentice and left more Feral Kin in his wake! Once more a crazed Valeria attacked Adrianna, and once more she was rebuffed. A Dark Omen appeared, washing over the town and plunging it into darkness. Despite the best efforts of Valeria and Adrianna, Shadowbrook was lost to Magistrate Kroft.

Observations: Valeria spending three rounds incapacitated killed any momentum they had. Just some awful luck. Plus, all the cards that kept moving them around as they tried to close in on the rat’s nests were killers as well. The stars were not aligned for this one.

Next: The Scarlet Shadow and Heinreich Cartwright join forces against The Scarecrow!

[Tommy Brownell]

Scarecrow
Vs
Scarlet Shadow & Heinrich Cartwright
Round One

Bad sign for the Scarecrow right off: The Scarlet Shadow heads to the Inn, collects information and gains an ally in The Coachman. Boosted movement = Shadow all over the place.

Cartwright made out for the South Docks to investigate.

The Scarecrow attacked the Abandoned Keep, perhaps sending the Scarlet Shadow a message! Then he committed acts of murder at the Windmill, which became covered in crows.

Round Two

Cartwright traveled to the Forgotten Island, and a found a strange Weathered Skull.

The Scarlet Shadow and The Coachman headed to the Monastery. Once there, the Shadow was attacked by The Host! The Host banged up The Shadow, but he killed it…a lot.

Cartwright was ambushed in the night by a Locust Swarm! He’s a tough fella, and fended them off, but not without some harm. The Scarecrow attacked the open roads, sowing fear.

Round Three

The Shadow joined Cartwright on the Forgotten Island, where HE was attacked by Locusts! He defeated them, but not without injury, and The Coachman took him back to the Monastery.

Cartwright set out for the North Docks, and found some evidence he began piecing together. Evidence that proved the esteemed Magistrate Kroft was a war criminal.

The Scarlet Shadow recovered. The damned crows swarmed the Covered Bridge and BOMBED the Inn, driving the people into a panic…well, except for Sebastian Skinner, who mostly seemed amused. Crows covered The Manor as well!

Round Four

Cartwright advanced on The Inn, shooing away crows as he went.

The Shadow arrived at the Keep, surveying the damage from the Scarecrow’s assault .

A Locust Swarm ambushed Cartwright, but the Shadow saved him from their first, vicious salvo. However, he couldn’t save Cartwright from the later assaults, and Heinrich was left recuperating in the Monastery. Howls in the night set both men on edge.

Round Five

The Shadow stayed at the Keep and looked around, finding a Book of the Occult.

Cartwright lay recovering.

Cartwright recovered. Yet more howls frightened the townsfolk. The Scarecrow made another example, this time at the Church.

Round Six

Cartwright emerged from a passageway inside the Manor and shooed off Crows. He found another passageway, this one leading to the Windmill! The crows attacked as he emerged, and he got rid of them…and was set upon by locusts! They bit him deep, but he rid himself of them as well. He also found that young Sophie wanted to help, but was afraid…but knew that time was coming that she would have to.

Shadow and Coachman set out cautiously on the road out of the Keep.

The Scarecrow’s harrowing presence assaulted the town and cost them their only musket, darn it. Cartwright found himself struck by The Madness!

Round Seven

The Shadow entered the Marsh as The Scarecrow killed again, this time at the North Docks, and sent the town into a panic.

Cartwright wandered to the Olde Woods, where he did find an axe! He also paid through the nose for healing, since the Doctor’s Office probably wasn’t on the agenda anytime soon.

The crazed Cartwright also managed a sneak attack on the Shadow, slipping away before he could retaliate! The Ominous Overture began, as The Scarecrow’s endgame approached!

Round Eight

Cartwright cleared his head, and realized that the Scarecrow was RIGHT THERE in the Woods! He made haste for the town. He scattered the birds at the bridge, did some investigating, and steadied his axe for future use.

The Shadow returned to the Keep, seeking healing.

The Scarecrow attacked Dr. Manning’s office. Speaking of…The Doctor’s late night experiments began to draw attention as not only did a horse turn up missing, but a Militia Soldier and a Militia Captain!

Round Nine

The Shadow appeared in the Windmill where he met Carla, The Blacksmith’s Wife, but opted not to accept her aid.

Cartwright made a special stop to rid himself of more crows.

The Scarecrow struck at the South Dock, but Cartwright played damage control to keep the panic mostly under control. Unfortunately, not much could be done to control the panic when The Scarecrow killed Magistrate Kroft.

Round Ten

Cartwright was stunned when the Townsfolk embraced him upon his arrival! Any old port in a storm, I guess. Cartwright purchased two torches and hired a soldier to aid him in his hunt. As well, he discovered that Doctor Manning was, in fact, a Hero of the People…and his bizarre experiments were all in the name of science in stopping this…thing.

‘The Shadow crept into town and rendezvoused with Cartwright! Avoiding prying eyes, he bought a Padded Jacket and two pistols, swapping a pistol and a torch with Cartwright. As well, Dr. Manning pulled strings to ensure that Militia were dispatched to the Olde Woods!

Darkness fell. The Scarecrow hit his peak. Shadow and Cartwright knew it had to be now or never. A chill wind rose up, but the torches warmed our heroes.

Round Eleven

Shadow discovered two very bad things: 1) The Scarecrow was far older than anyone realized. 2) Reverend Harding was quite possibly in cahoots with him.

Cartwright rushed to the Woods, summoning Sophie and Doctor Manning. Heinrich Cartwright, Dr. Manning, Heinrich’s militia man, Scarlet Shadow, Sophie, The Coachman and a Militia detachment called out for the Scarecrow…and prayed that it should be enough. Cartwright roared…threw his torch….opened fire…swung his axe…ordered his man to fire…SERIOUSLY?! ELEVEN DICE AND ONLY ONE HIT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! The Scarecrow’s retaliation was MUCH worse, but Doctor Manning controlled some of that damage. The Shadow took aim, hurled his torch, ordered the Militia to fire, and added his boost from the pure-hearted, nubile Sophie…and did a LITTLE better. Sophie was very nearly killed, but Cartwright used his weathered skull to protect her. The Shadow got his bell rang, though. Cartwright’s contingent attacked, and the Militia soldier lost his life. Sophie, The Shadow and The Militia did some real damage that time. The Coachman made his contribution when The Shadow was in grave danger…and he pulled the Coachman in the way! The Coachman suffered much for it! Both Cartwright AND Manning fell on the next attack! The Shadow attacked, allowing the Militia to take a large hit and sensing that the Scarecrow was so close to defeat! The Shadow, knowing that he was fighting for the people of Shadowbrook and not the elders, charged…Sophie realized how much they had misjudged the man, and joined him. The Scarecrow lashed out at the pure Sophie, knocking her into a tree where she was impaled…The Shadow roared and tore into the Scarecrow. He tore it from the inside out as it throttled him into unconsciousness. Darkness fell over Shadowbrook.

The Scarlet Shadow awoke in a cell, to be executed for the murders of Sophie, Doctor Manning, Magistrate Kroft and a detachment of militia. Reverend Harding gleefully stepped in the guide the town in these trying times. The Shadow merely asked for some food to eat, and his guard obliged. As he waited, Heinrich Cartwright, badly battered, stole into the room and shattered the lock on cell. Shadow looked surprised, but Cartwright merely beckoned him outside. A pallor had fallen over the town. Crows lined the buildings. The people, in desperation, huddled at the feet of Reverend Harding while The Hanbrooks tried to figure out how to revive the town from these tragic events.

“Come,” Cartwright said, “the darkness has taken hold…it is rooted in too deep. You did what you could, Shadow, but though we saved the town, we lost its soul. There’s nuthin’ more for the likes of us here.”

Observations: Nice team…Shadow’s movement rolls sucked, or this would have gone differently. They were actually fairly prepared to fight, but whiffed on their big fight rounds. They got the stalemate ending, because the deaths of Sophie and Dr. Manning drove the town into Shadow even as the Scarecrow died. Incidentally, Lord Hanbrook is a harmless voyeur, but Lady Hanbrook has a pure spirit. I just don’t think, overall, that she will break the Reverend’s influence.

Next round: Science and faith combine as Harlow Morgan and Brother Marcus battle The Necromancer!

[Tommy Brownell]

Necromancer
Vs
Harlow Morgan & Brother Marcus

Round One

Morgan set out for the Manor, and discovered the Family Bible, which nearly brought him to the spiritual and mental threshold needed to properly combat the Necromancer right there.

Brother Marcus moved to the bog, sending the shambling hordes have been near.

Walking Dead set out from The Inn, The Windmill and the Abandoned Keep toward Town Hall. Brother Marcus was shanghaied in the night by an Undead Stalker, and narrowly kept conscious. He swung at the Stalker and missed, before steeling himself and aiming his fists with his Faith. He failed, and the Stalker left him battered until some monks warded it off and took Brother Marcus to the Monastery. The Necromancer claimed a victim, taking the life of Lord Hanbrook!

Round Two

Brother Marcus was quite out of it.

Harlow Morgan arrived at the Blacksmith’s, where he was challenged to a duel! He was left wounded, which did little for his mood! He purchased the Book of Town History, hitting the mental and spiritual threshold needed to properly combat the Necromancer.

The Stalker darted toward the Monastery, seeking Brother Marcus again. The Walking Dead advanced on Town Hall, with another coming from the Manor. Brother Marcus and Harlow Morgan decided to rendezvous at the Covered Bridge…and the Necromancer was waiting on them! Marcus struck, staggering the Necromancer! Morgan complained that he was NOT ready for this! He blasted the Necromancer, who wounded him as well. Morgan, sensing this was not the time to fight, headed back to town! Marcus struck once more, but this time the Necromancer hammered him. Marcus fell into the river and washed up in the Marsh. The Reverend Harding began whipping up a frenzy against the heroes.

Round Three

Morgan ran to Town Hall, quite wounded. He confronted the Reverend, who confided that the Order of the Crimson Hand had put him up to it…and the Order struck, brutally killing Harding and advancing on Morgan! He struck them, but they struck him down!

Marcus headed back to the Covered Bridge, hearing that Harlow Morgan was in danger in town.

The Stalker spurred the Walking Dead on as he headed towards Shadowbrook. The town was breached by Walking Dead converging on Town Hall. More emerged at the Church. The Order cornered Harlow, when Marcus shoved his way in and stood in their path! His attack stunned them with its ferocity! Though they brought him down, he crushed them as well! Morgan looked stunned at the feat! The Necromancer healed, however slowly. The Hour Was Late, for the Necromancer was far more Ancient than anyone believed.

Round Four

Marcus was recovering.

Harlow sighed and faced the Walking Dead at the Doctor’s Office. The Walking Dead brought him low.

Harlow and Marcus recovered as the Walking Dead hammered Town Hall. More Walking Dead emerged at the North Docks. Marcus waged war with the Walking Dead, taking a scratch and eliminating them. Daybreak provided a respite from the pressing time, but the Necromancer continued to regain his strength. An Undead Stalker ambushed Marcus, striking him down! Then it turned on Harlow! He and Harlow traded blows, but Harlow took the worst. The Necromancer celebrated with the murder of Sophie!

Round Five

Both guys were quite out.

The Dead converged on Town Hall, with more emerging from the Forgotten Island. Marcus and Harlow confronted the Stalker, Marcus standing in front of the inventor. Marcus took a thrashing, but finally ended the Stalker! The Walking Dead swarmed on Town Hall, driving Shadowbrook into chaos! Meanwhile, Lady Hanbrook began wicked machinations of her own, furthering the Order’s wishes. Marcus Thought-Bombed the Walking Dead, again sparing Harlow.

Round Six

Marcus forced back the Darkness, pushing the town out of utter panic. Marcus purchased Tools of Science, getting a funny look from the Blacksmith.

Harlow joined him at the Blacksmith’s and took the Tools of Science…and suddenly looked quite dangerous.

Walking Dead emerged at the Windmill, while still more moved in from Echo Lake, and another Stalker finally caught up to Marcus and Morgan! Morgan took a beating, but used his tools to end the charge of the Stalker. Marcus suddenly grew crazed and attacked Morgan, who fended him off! The Necromancer, furious, summoned Stalkers at the Inn, the Covered Bridge and Town Hall!

Round Seven

Harlow ran to the Doctor’s Office for healing, while Marcus’ courage grew.

Marcus joined him, seeking healing as well, and prepared himself for the reality that the Stalker was coming after him. Magistrate Kroft joined them, now quite on the hunt!
The Minions continued their deadly march, with emergent Walking Dead at the Doctor’s Office forcing the Stalker back! Harlow Morgan almost eagerly dismantled the dead. The Man of Science and the Man of Faith were swept away once more…to the South Dock where the Necromancer confronted them, laughing! Morgan did not laugh…instead tearing into the Necromancer! The Necromancer struck the inventor down! Marcus fought bravely, but fell as well! The Necromancer was driven off by monks, who took our heroes to the Monastery. Another Stalker appeared on the road outside of the
Abandoned Keep.

Round Eight

Both were out of it still.

The Stalkers broke toward Echo Lake while the Walking Dead marched on Town Hall. More Walking Dead appeared at the Crossroads. Morgan and Marcus recovered. A Stalker broke into the Monastery and took out Marcus before turning on Harlow! The Stalker lashed out against Morgan, dropping him. Lady Hanbrook had the Heroes deposited at the Crossroads, and Morgan stripped of the book of Town History!

Round Nine

Both were still down.

The frightening dance of Stalkers and Walking Dead circling Morgan and Marcus would have been enough to break the spirit of any man. More dead rose in the fields. Marcus got battered around, but slayed the Stalker. A surprise attack from Walking Dead brought him back down! The Dead dropped Morgan as well. Something Wicked began to brew, as the Necromancer began casting a NEW spell.

Round Ten

Morgan and Marcus were both out.

Another bombardment on Town Hall pushed Shadowbrook down the path to breaking. More Dead arose on The Forgotten Island. A Stalker confronted Marcus at Town Hall. Marcus did defeat the Stalker, but was again knocked unconscious. Doctor Manning and Lady Hanbrook were subject to much rumors, but by this point, Morgan and Marcus didn’t care.

Round Eleven

Morgan found something right up his alley at the Windmill…Black Powder Bombs.

Marcus was KOed.
T
he Necromancer’s power swelled as his minions bombarded Town Hall, bringing Shadowbrook into full-blown panic! Marcus recovered to battle The Walking Dead. They drew blood, but he did prevail. Another ambush overwhelmed him, and he did stop another Walking Dead, but was knocked out once more. The town was pushed so far that when The Necromancer committed his latest act of murder, the will of Shadowbrook broke and fell under the sway of the Necromancer, who was now more Lich than Necromancer.

Observations: Holy God I am starting to hate two man team games. Just another ugly, ugly spanking. I should have just spared myself and used the “If everyone is KOed, game over” rule.

Next, Isabella Von Took and Thomas the Courier try to stake a vampire!