Scenario: Break The Seals Story Based Encounter

Three columns are set up across the center line. One player has to destroy the columns the other must defend them. 40 Soul Stone Scrap. 

My List:
Kirai
5 Seshin
Spirit of Lost Love
SnowStorm
Datsue-Ba
Ghaki
Onryo

Opponent:
Vicktorias
VonSchill
Trapper
Librarian
Ronin
Student of Conflict

Turn 1
He shot at the objective column with a trapper. 

Snowstorm moved everything toward his side of the board, cast Ice Pillars blocking his view of the column.

He moves Vonschill up and shoots at the Ice Pillars.

I move a Seshin up.

He companions the Vickorias with a totem and moves them forward (they're on the opposite side of the board)

I move up a Seshin.

His ronin runs up

I move a Seshin

His librarian moves up.

At this point he's done activating so I activate Kirai: Spirit World to the front Seshin. Summon Ikiryo (in melee with Vonschill). Absorb Spirit a Seshin. Evolve Spirit the other two Seshin to summon a Shikome and Uncontrolled Crying.

Ikiryo activates and beats Vonschill down to 2 wounds.

Shikome activates and Nimbles up to beat Vonschill (he burns through his stones with Slow to Die heals, last one is the Black Joker)

Rest of my stuff moves up.

Turn 2
He gets initiative and runs the Vicktorias up and does some other funky stuff to get the sword Vick next to Kirai. He attacks a Seishin and kills it. Goes after Kirai loses the pitiful duel and I get the trigger to wound him. Gets through with the last action and she dies (Easy Button Lost Love saves her).

Kirai actives and Chill of Death on Sword Vick (carries to gun Vick). Heals up, and Swirling Spirits to put Ikyrio in base with Sword Vick. 

He does something with the Librarian.

Ikyrio activates and kills Sword Vick with 2 swings. Moves toward Gun Vick. Opponent conceeds the game.

Seamus gets Spiritual

by Josh Powers [jmp_mydog]

“Bloody Hell, these were new boots,” Seamus exclaimed as he trudged through the swampy bog. Reflecting on the events that put him here. 

During the last his last visit to Nicodem’s new Observatory, the undertaker’s newest pupil shared the secrets of bending the wills of spirits to follow the orders of a master. At first the hatter scoffed at the idea, but after seeing them in action he reluctantly conceded their usefulness. With Molly and Sybil running another errand he brought some of the restless spirits with him for this errand.

The hissing and screeching of the harpies abruptly jarred him from his thoughts. The gardener called these creatures Shikome. Apparently they’re soul hunters, and for this little mission they should be most useful. Flocking around them were several bat-like apparitions, commonly referred to as Night Terrors, these particular beasts seem to have an affinity for the Shikome.

“Well now my sweets, that blind whore is out here somewhere. I need you to track her down and do your worst.” The beauty of these spirits is while they suck the life from their victims they leave the body unscathed, making resurrection last a bit longer.

With a screech the Shikome and Terrors launched into the air scanning the swamp for signs of their prey. The hatter trudged off through the bog keeping an eye to the sky for a sign they’ve found his nemesis. Silently following behind was a hungry ghost, these Gaki are drawn to the living hoping to feast upon their flesh. 

As he burst into a clearing, gunshots rang out. The Terrors had found some prey. Getting a better look, it appeared they had scared one of the Ortegas from his hiding place. Suddenly a crash a hiss of steam burst from the underbrush...a peacekeeper. “Isn’t this just my luck, since when do they send that mechanical beastie out in the swamp. Well I guess that’s my que.” and he ducked back behind a ramshackle structure. 

A vengeful spirit, draw to the energy manifested appeared and lashed out at the construct. It’s ghostly claws tearing rents into the side of its carapace. The constructs massive arms lashed out and briefly disrupted the Onryo’s hold on this world. With a shriek it vanished passing through the body of Samuel Hopkins, as he stepped out from behind another shed. 

“It seems I must do everything myself,” Seamus sighed as he cocked the hammer of his .50 cal, and unloaded into the construct. The massive boom of the hand cannon was shortly followed by a larger explosion as the boiler tanks ruptured and the Peacekeeper collapsed into the bog. Giggling hysterically the hatter then turned his attention to the squawking harpies, who were swooping and diving behind the shed Hopkins just stumble from.

“Excellent, my sweets. That’s right let’s end this whore once and for all. What the hell...?” Seamus exclaimed as a giant bird tore into his shoulder. Crouching down the hatter scanned the area to see where the flying vermin came from. A rustle in the underbrush gave away the unseen assailants position. “Well now no need to be hiding their, Bukko. Come out an play nice.” Reloading his flintlock Seamus closed the distance between himself and the cowardly bushwhacker. 

A shot rang out, knocking Seamus’ hat from his head. “I don’t have time for this, why don’t you go away.” he ordered, firing his hand cannon in the direction of the shot. Santiago collapsed as his shoulder exploded in a shower of gore. Unseen from the shadows the Gaki leapt onto the wounded gunfighter and began to gorge.

Behind the shed, Lady Justice is swarmed by the vicious harpies. She swings here sword and tries valiantly to dispatch the apparitions, but her efforts are for not. The poisonous claws rake her face and tear at her body. Through shear brute force she is able to sever the ties that hold one of the soul-hunters to this world, but the poison takes it’s toll and the other beast is able to bring her down. Silently she collapses into the murky water.

“Well now, what have we here. Looks like the gardener might be onto something. Shoo now, I need the body, she going to make quiet the beautiful flower, yes ... yes she will.” Wiping the Austringers blood from his hands he gathered up the still warm corpse of the sword mistress and headed back to the city proper.

By Jonathan Mann [shortmann]

Rasputina was gone, my supplies untouched, my army decimated, but still partially intact…I just had to bring them back again.  I made my way back to the lab to check up on Dr. McMourning’s work, and deliver the supplies and corpses we’d salvaged in previous battles.  When we rounded the corner, Mortimer got the feeling something wasn’t right, and I shared that sentiment.  I sent my vulture out to investigate, and the last thing I saw through his eyes was the Ortega clan coming around the corner.  It would seem the Guild found our base of operations.  This….this would be a problem.

Perdita and her family were about to rush our lab when we arrived.  And I don’t think McMourning had any clue what was waiting outside, looks like it was time to defend our home turf.  My numbers low, my vulture killed while scouting, this was not going to be an easy battle, but I had to buy McMourning time to gather forces and flush the guild out, or at least give them a chance to relocate.

 After my previous battle, I found a new minion, someone hanged by the guild as an example to all that would oppose them, and this seemed like a good opportunity to test her worth against those that sent her to her fate.  Mortimer and the Samurai led the charge, and I sent a Necropunk off to the side to recover an arcane tome inside to increase our control over fate.

Unfortunatley, we were pinned down in that alley, and we could barely advance.  Perdita and the Ortega’s were cruel and organized.  As I sent one minion out to stop their advances, they quickly sealed it’s fate before I could call forth another to assist him.  Then the came after me.  It didn’t long for me and my army to call a retreat under their fire.  They had superior cover, and the thin tunnels and alleys were perfect terrain for them to pick us off before we could do anything against them.  I gave the signal for the retreat, but not before big Papa Loco decided to come crashing in on us dynamite in hand and insanity in his eyes.  He cleaned up the rest of my army, leaving me with no choice but to leave whatever had survived the blast to fend for themselves as I escaped.

I just hope I bought McMourning enough time to prepare a counter offensive.

Retaliation

By Jonathan Mann [shortmann]

After a crippling defeat at the hands of The Guild, Mortimer and I hid in a nearby abandoned building.  We had to recover our losses.  Many numbers needed to be replenished after The Guild defeated us, and that would take time.  As I began replenishing our numbers, a familiar aura began to permeate the air.  It was the Neverborn.  More specifically, it was Lilith.  She’d found us yet again, and she had a grudge to settle.

With a new Vulture at my side, and the spirit of The Hanged back and eager to inflict terror on the terrifying denizens of Malifaux, we began yet another battle.  It’s true what they say, “there ain’t no rest for the wicked,” and when you live with living corpses, you don’t come much more wicked.  Our supplies needed to be protected again, they had to make it back to our home base.

As usual Lilith wasted no time in covering ground and getting her wretched Nephilim deep onto our side of the battlefield.  But she was not prepared for the trap I had laid for her.  A Bell in one corner, and the Hanged in another, with everyone else coming up the middle to set the trap.

The first Nephelim stupid enough to charge me was soon crippled deeply by The Hanged, lower his will greatly…enough for my bell to pull him off.  This ping-pong would happen for the rest of the battle, and this Neph would be my goal.  If he had the balls to charge forward, then he was trying to prove something to his master.  I would take his head as a trophy and prove his master’s strongest was worthless.

With the Bell and The Hanged teasing the first Nephelim that reared it’s head, Lilith and her Terror Tots came charging forward and surrounded my forces….exactly as I planned for them.  The Hanged let out a shriek that pierced the sky, shocking even me and my own minions.  It caused enough chaos that some of her Nephelim had to retreat and recover from the fear it had induced.  Giving me an open shot at a very unprotected Lilith who watched in awe as her big, strong, fearless creatures of nightmare ran at the site of a little ghost.

With one Nephelim trying to take out the spirit that caused it so much anguish, the other one came straight for me…forgetting the bell lurking around the corner able to lure it out of my range.  This would happen at least 3 times much to my satisfaction.  Meanwhile the great brood mother herself was surrounded by my Samurai Punk Zombies, who carved her up with little resistance.

With Lilith out of the way once more, I set my sights on protecting our supplies, only to realize that Lilith herself had a caravan attempting to make it by.  I couldn’t have that now could I?  I made short work of it, which apparently enraged her mighty Protégé.  He charged forth, from where he was safely hiding from the big scary ghost and destroyed my caravan.  He should have stayed hidden, for he had a sword wielding zombie, a seductive bell, and a minefield of mindless zombies to cross to get to safety.  Something that lucky for me did not happen.

My lone Punk Zombie charge him, harming him considerably, but also hurting himself.  Nearly dead, it sought to recover for a second strike, when I commanded a nearby mindless zombie to charge the mighty Nephelim.  His attack succeeded, harming the Nephelim with but a scratch, which with the viscious black blood killed off the wounded Punk Zombie nearby.  With it’s (un)dying breath, he made a very mighty strike, casting down the great Nephelim.

The last of Lilith’s forces saw his great brother fall, and retreated from battle.  Our supplies were gone…but so were Lilith’s, and we had made a great ally out of The Hanged.  I’m sure Lilith would recover and come for me again, but I would be ready for her. 

An Excerpt from the war journals of Nino Ortega [by Aaron "Squidguy"]

Got another fun story for you, my brothers and sisters. Now, me and the Guild have a fairly uncomplicated relationship. I kill hordes of neverborn, and they keep my bills paid. That's as far as it goes. But every now and then, following orders can get you into a mess of trouble.

The Governor General sent orders to cousin Perdita to investigate rumors of a soulstone vein that had erupted somewhere in the slums."

Soulstones! Great! Not like we don't already have thousands of those, right? Whatever, long as I get to shoot somethin.' 'Course, this didn't sit well with 'Dita. She's a classy girl, y'know, the slums don't really suit her, and the last thing she wanted to do was waste a nice afternoon hauling soulstones up out of some rank pit. But orders are orders, right? Whatever keeps food on the table.

The fragrant Malifaux slums. At least the property taxes are reasonable!

So we head out into the slums, Sam and 'Dita out front, austringers in a flanking position, executioner taking up the rear as usual. I spot a prime sniping position so I climb up there to check out the situation. Let me tell you, the view of the Malifaux slums ain't any better from on high. In no time at all I spot the soulstone vein and motion for Perdita and Samael to get into position. Out of nowhere I hear this growling noise, so naturally I'm thinking' maybe the executioner skipped breakfast or something. Only suddenly the noise is comin' from all around me, right?

It's too bad that daguerreotypes can't capture the full extent of how awesome I am.

BOOM! Outta nowhere, the place is suddenly swarmin' with Neverborn! Now things are getting interesting. The little pink ones and the big leathery ones are running rampant throughout the alleyway and all of the sudden I caught a glimpse of the queen mother herself in the distance. I won't lie, brothers and sisters, my blood ran cold.

Now, Samael Hopkins is a legendary guy, I mean, he's fearless, right? I see him charge up into the fray, guns blazing, only suddenly this creepy little critter, looks like a fat little cherub or something, looks at him, its eyes go all crazy, and all of a sudden Sam gets this thousand-yard stare like he don't wanna fight no more. I shout at him to get his act together but outta nowhere POW, one of the big winged bastards plows into him like a locomotive, just knocks him off his feet. That was the last I saw of him and the shock made me sick to my stomach.

Watching Sam's back was supposed to be the executioner's job. He's lucky Lilith ended him before the Governor General found out he left our best man to the nephilim.

So at this point 'Dita is pissed off like an ornery razorspine and seeking to even the score so she ducks out from behind a corner and paints the sidewalk with the cherub critter's brains. Hell hath no fury, I tell ya. The last I saw of her from my vantage point was her diving down a dark alleyway. There were a buncha screaming and roaring and in the light of the muzzle flash I saw dark shadows of huge winged beasts projected on the alley walls. I can only imagine what went on in that alleyway but I tell you one thing, no neverborn came away from that fight unscathed.

Unfortunately with 'Dita and Sam outta commission we had to rely on our austringers to keep the 'born pinned. Now, you laugh all you want about the idea of a grown man using a pretty little bird 'stead of a rifle to fight off the hordes of the damned, but I tell you what, those boys can do a helluva job. So all the sudden this huge nephilim staggers out of the alleyway, got near a dozen bulletholes in 'im all thanks to 'Dita, and there's this angry shriek, right? I barely have time to look up and this screaming falcon drops outta t'heavens, hits the nephilim in the throat like a hatchet dropped from a zeppelin. Hell of a thing, seeing a godless beast like that felled by a critter a tenth his size.

It seemed like we had the upper hand, but it wasn't long before the tables got turned on us. We was sent out on a turf raid, but we walked into a slaughter. So I'm up in my perch, keeping the heat off my comrades-in-arms, poppin' neverborn heads like cherry tomatoes, when all the sudden you-know-who just… appeared in the midst of the battle. Just like the legends say, kids! I'm not joking! She cut down our best executioner like he was made of dry kindling and sent our austringers into hiding. So my heart's in my throat and I'm dripping with sweat but my aim is true and her head is in my sights… Lilith looks RIGHT at me…

…and suddenly I'm not up in my nice little perch anymore. I'm lying on the ground, flat on my back, looking up at her, like she pulled me outta the sky just by thinking about it. I tell y'all I ain't never been with no neverborn chick before and I ain't intend on startin', but when she gets you into an uncompromising position like that using only the power of her mind, well, it does funny things to yours. Wish I could tell you more, friends, but that's the last thing I can remember before I was put outta commission. The austringers picked off the remains of her crew, but not before she grabbed a whole bunch of soulstones and fled. As for me, well, I guess they found me in a hell of a state, all crumpled up and bloodied in a waste bin. Not a dignified way to go, I guess, but who else do you know who has the huevos to face up to Lilith herself and live to tell 'bout it?

So in the end I guess we'd have to consider it a stalemate. Dita and I are holed up in this hospital on one HELL of a laudanum drip, and the doctor says she'll wake up any day now. I know we're both anxious to get back to Latigo for some of abuela's home cooking. In the meantime, I guess the governor is real keen on recovering Samael's body and sending more raid crews into the slums to secure the soulstone vein. I hope for their sake it's worth it. Me, I'll be fine as soon as they let me out of this damned body cast.

Until next time kids!

-Nino Ortega

By B. Ellsworth [paperbagfox]

The trees were whipping past Lilith’s face as she ran through the forest trying to get as far away from the streets of Malifaux as possible. After the close encounters that took place during the night before, Lilith was in no mood to push their luck more then needed. But the ugly truth about Malifaux is that no matter what there is always something or someone out there that is looking for a fight. There was strange feeling that came over Lilith, and the feeling was the type of sensation that today would prove to be the same. Not looking forward to finding out what exactly brought on the feeling, Lilith pushed on through the trees. 

As Lilith ventured on through the forest a glimmer caught her eye off in the distance. Curiosity got the better of her as Lilith and her minions set a new course toward the flicker of light in the brush of the woods. As Lilith and her followers got closer to their new destination, a sudden noise on their side made them come to an abrupt stop. Feeling like they were on the verge of a trap, Lilith and her crew fanned out in order to not allow the unknown attackers easy pray. And then in a small opening just on the other side of the source of the distraction appeared Kaeris, the new henchman for the Arcanists. Lilith’s eyes widened as Kaeris ignited a flame and sent the burst in the direction of both Lilith and the mature Nephilim. 

Lilith was able to dive out of the path of the flame just in time. Hitting the ground Lilith turned to watch the mature get hit in the chest with the burst. The mature quickly put out the fire that ignited on his clothing and to assess the damage from the attack. Now knowing what group is involved in the attack, Lilith got to her feet and prepared herself for the battle that was about to begin. Sensing Kaeris was taking aim on him again, the mature took flight through the trees to where Kaeris could not see him. 

Having seen the attack on the mature, the young Nephilim wanted to take matters into his own claws and show both Lilith and the mature that he can carry his own weight. Gauging where the flame burst came from, the young charged head strong into battle. The young was able to land two strikes on Kaeris, but was unable to bring down the filthy fire breather. As soon as the second blow landed on the scum, there was reselling came from the shrubs near by. The reselling can from a group of steampunk arachnids rushing toward the fight. Once they reached the battle the little arachnids latched onto the young and started ripping him apart. 

Black blood was flying everywhere, landing on the arachnids as well as Kaeris. Kaeris already being weakened from the young was not able to withstand the power of the young’s blood and fell lifeless to the ground. Lilith seeing this take place hurried to aid the young but was not fast enough to help her baby. The pain in Lilith’s chest grew with every step toward the pack of arachnids that by the time she reached them the lust for revenge was too strong. One swing of the greatsword sent one arachnid smashing into a nearby tree, followed by a downward strike splitting another in half. The last arachnid tried to attach itself to Lilith but was set off into the vast forest by a swing from the greatsword. 

The mature was watching as Lilith dismantled the swarm of arachnids like little play toys; when movement near Lilith drew the attention form the perched Nephilim. Paying close attention to the area where the movement came from, the Nephilim watched as two guns raised and took aim at Lilith. Fearing for his mother the mature dove to attack the unknown gunman. To his surprise the gunman turned out to be the Convict Gunslinger and started to tear into the coward. The Convict was an easy treat for the mature to sharpen his claws on. With his limbs flying the mature could sense pride coming from Lilith behind him. 

Lilith turned back to the original source of their distraction and started to walk to the brush where the glow was coming from. Using her greatsword to pull back the brush find out what was so important to the Arcanists. The source of the glow was non other then a soul stone vein that looked like it would be able to provide power for an extensive amount of time. Sensing the potential power that the vein could produce, Lilith stated to mine the vein for all its worth. While she was gathering the stones, Lilith could hear noise coming from behind her, the sound was that of breaking wood. Lilith noticed a large wagon wheel go flying through the trees and knew that the scum were near. 

Feeling the urge to get out of the woods as soon as she can, Lilith grabbed the newly gathered soul stones and called out to her loves. Sensing the minions heard her Lilith stated moving out of the forest with her crew in toe. Once she made it to a clearing, Lilith turned to allow her loves to catch up and form a new plan. To her surprise the only followers to make it to the clearing was the Doppelganger and two tots. With a heavy heart Lilith forged on with the soul stones slung over her back and the diminished crew in line, hoping that there would not be any more surprises in the future for her and her crew … 

… TO BE CONTINUED

By B. Ellsworth [paperbagfox]

Meanwhile up in the mountains daybreak was fast approaching as Zoraida, a Doppelganger and a horde of terror tots where looking forward to a day of fun around the train tracks. Now the Neverborn’s way of fun is like no other, on this day the tots decided to bring out the explosives. Zoraida and the Doppelganger wanted to tag along and offer help to the tots as well as making sure that nothing horrible happens to them. The last thing the Neverborn need is to have Lilith go off on a blood rage over her slain babies. While paying close attention to the tots, a strange sensation came over Zoraida and shook her to her core. 

The shiver down Zoraida’s spine forced her to look deeper and discover the source of the disturbance. She was not surprised when the source turned out to be the Guild itself. Zoraida wanting to know what is in store from the Guild, she looked closer and discovered that it was non other then Lady J, the Judge, the Executioner, Santiago Ortega, the Convict Gunslinger and two Death Marshals. Not wanting to allow the tots to have all the fun, Zoraida stated to rummage through her bag of dolls looking for someone to play with. The search did not take long, due to the size of the doll, as she pulled out the fat little doll of the Executioner. 

As the tots ran off to play with their toys, Zoraida started to force her will on the Executioner by making him obey her every demand. Her first demand of the big man was to have him make a strike against Santiago, and the paired claws did what they were meant to do and put a hurt on Santiago. Not knowing why the Executioner was attacking him, Santiago took off in the other direction around the train. As Zoraida watched this happen she could not help cracking a small smile at the confusion of the Guild. But that smile quickly faded as she watched Lady J and the rest of her dysfunctional followers start making their way toward her hiding place behind the rocks. 

Knowing that the Guild scum would be on top of her rocky hiding place, Zoraida made one more controlling prick of the little fat doll in her hand with her pin. Zoraida made the real life copy of her doll chase after Santiago but was not in range to inflict any damage on the already wounded Ortega. As much enjoyment as Zoraida was having she knew that tots were off have fun of their own. But also knew that their type of fun can get them in trouble and with Santiago and the Executioner heading that way, she needed to start heading back for support. With the stench of the Guild bearing down on her, Zoraida pulled out her spell book and case Raven to allow her to fly away from the immediate danger. 

Once out of danger, Zoraida checked in with the rest of the crew finding out that she was too late to save a tot from Santiago. In the distance Zoraida could see that the Doppelganger decided to take revenge for the fallen tot into her own hands by copying Santiago. The Doppelganger took sights with the copied Peacebringers and fired into Santiago, dropping the Ortega with out a second glance. Sensing an on coming attack Zoraida looked around just in time to see the once controlled Executioner thumping toward the Doppelganger with claws ready to kill. Zoraida could not look away from what was on the verge of happing as the bright sun was slowing climbing in the sky. 

The battle was fast and bloody as the Executioner collided with the Doppelganger. The Executioner struck first but was unable to bring her down with his mighty claws. While the Doppelganger mimicked the attacks of the Executioner’s claws hitting the large target, but was unable to bring him lifeless to the ground. That opening left by the Doppelganger was all the Executioner needed to make a quick strike that brought her down in a hurry. Zoraida could feel the strength in the Executioner rising with the lifeless body lying at his feet and needed to gather the forces and get out of the area as soon as they could. 

Relaying the message to the tots that it was time to get out of the area, Zoraida was paying close attention to the Guild movements in the distance. The tots had a other agenda on mind and ignored what the hag was trying to explain to them, and ran off over the tracks to set the other explosives in their string of noisemakers. Little did they know that there was a Death Marshal and the Gunslinger on the other side of the train waiting for them. Even though the tots were able to set the bombs, they did take two casualties in the process. As soon as the tots turned around to head back to the hag the Gunslinger and the Marshal were quick to engaged them, with what looked like no way to escape. 

Sensing that the misbehaving tots were in trouble and the Executioner closing in on the remaining tots, Zoraida was quickly look for a way out of the mess they were in. Her answer came in the form of a large blast off in the distance, and then another closer then the first. Knowing that this was the distraction she was looking for Zoraida called out to the tots tell them to make a run for the forest at the base of the mountain. The third blast came close to the train, sensing the tots heard her and seeing the group of tots closest to her take off down the hill, Zoraida reopened her spells for her Raven spell and took off after the tots. In the background Zoraida heard the last two explosions and the noise from the last tots sprinting through the rocks. 

Knowing that today they were lucky, Zoraida and the tots continued their escape from the Guild. In the back of Zoradia’s mind the thought of some luck is better then no luck, and the day will come when the Guild will loss out on their luck. The feeling that came over Zoraida at the thought of hope that on that day the Neverborn will be there to take advantage and exterminate the slime once and for all …

… TO BE CONTINUED

by: Jonathan Mann [Shortmann]

After her cowardly escape last week, I tracked Lilith to the mines beneath Malifaux and had her cornered at the edge of the cave.  With her mastery of the ground around her, she made the cavern molten, hindering my advance.  It proved to be….difficult to arm the dynamite that would hold seal her fate, and trap her in the cavern forever.

This time, however, she was much more aggressive, sending her Nephelim straight at me, and then charging me herself.  While I was able to arm most of the dynamite, the victory was bittersweet, for she was able to flank me, separating me from the rest of my army.  With no one near me, and my vulture too far to provide any useful assistance, I resigned myself to my fate, she would win this victory, but I would not let her win next time.

Mud Bogging

by: Jonathan Mann [Shortmann]

After my crushing defeat in the mines, I was able to regroup.  However, while scavenging the local swamps, near my main camp of operations, Lilith struck.  Seems she wanted to keep the moment from her previous victory and deal a crippling blow to my army.  The cowardly mask wearer could not even come up with her own scheme to defeat me, taking my plans at the mines and attempting to use it against me. 

Lilith was bloodthirsty and more aggressive then when she was in the mines, but this time I was prepared.  With my army of crave robbing dogs and Mortimer at my side, I was able to scrounge up enough corpses to halt her advances.  While she had  me pinned, my mighty Bells were able to lure away her Nephelim, leaving her standing there alone. 

She then became overconfident, rather than sending her might Nephelim back to finish the deal, she sent had them retreat and arm the dynamite to keep me back.  While she succeeded, her confidence became her downfall.  With my vulture poised above her, I was able to rain down enough death and decay to take her down myself.  With her out of the way, her Nephelim became desperate, seeking to reclaim the relics I was seeking to try and take the loss and turn it into a victory. 

Without leadership, the Nephelim scattered, splitting their forces, rather than focusing on taking me out.  Haha, stupid Neverborn, all they know is force, and not strategy.  I was able to recover two of the relics before forced to retreat from the dynamite she had armed.  But, a win is a win.  I’m my next battle will definatley prove to be difficult. 

by: Jonathan Mann [Shortmann]

What a noble victory…it would have been.  To raise the mighty Lilith as my own pawn would have proven to be tide turning.  However my graceful opponent eluded me.  It was a long battle with her attempting to hold me back and keep me from her base of operations.  A valiant attempt….but a futile one. 

When everything had fallen she fled like the cowardly Neverborn she is.  Master of Malifuax, HAH!  The only thing she managed to master was escaping vengeance of my Flesh Constructs.  Hidden far back in the corners, seeking to evade me by hiding behind a decrepit building, she fought off my hordes.  Though I had her surrounded by three juggernauts and my ravenous vulture, she managed to evade my deadly rain of death and decay and the force of the Flesh Constructs.

Though she managed to escape, I take solace in knowing I was able to overcome her defenses and overtake her base.  A move that will surely hurt her futile attempts at victory next we meet.

The MESSAGE

By B. Ellsworth [paperbagfox] 

The building was cold and dimly lit as the solid steel door closed behind Lilith and her loyal followers, giving off a dark ominous feeling. Looking around and taking in her new surroundings Lilith came to the conclusion that the dreary building was in fact a hardly used research facility. Staring into the facility Lilith could feel a presence lurking in the darkness. Not wanting to be picked apart, Lilith pulled her forces closer together knowing that they can handle what ever is out there. Lilith also did not want to venture far from the door they just entered, knowing that they might need a quick get away if problems arise. 

The sense of an unknown power in the darkness was making Lilith uneasy. As she peered into the depths of the facility a snipping noise came from with in the darkness. An attempt to control the detraction of her faceless foes, Lilith created her illusionary forest along the right ally. The snipping noise ranging out again but this time from the left of the party. Lilith was not going to let the shadow chirpers take advantage of their defensive position, and sent out the mature Nephilim up the right middle while she went to the left side to investigate leaving the rest to stay together near the door. Lilith moved slowly down the left side of the facility and it did not take very long to find the source of the snipping sound. 

The source of the mysterious sound was none other then a single Coryphée, which in a weird way surprised Lilith. Having heard the stories about the Coryphée, Lilith knew that there had to be another one around somewhere. And from what the stories hinted toward, Lilith was not going to allow for the two 

Coryphée to join forces and end this ones existence as quick as her greatsword would allow. Thankfully all it took was one swing from the massive sword and now Lilith knew who and what she was up against, but the question now is where Miss Colette Du Bois is located? In the near darkness Lilith could hear her mature ripping apart what she hoped was the other Coryphée, and from the quitted sounds from the snipping hand, she was correct. 

Knowing that Colette has a few tricks up her sleeves, Lilith knew that she and her minions had to walk softly and watch their backs. It felt odd to Lilith having to be on the defensive, but she also knew her loves were ready for a fight. As Lilith was returning to her forces, movement in the shadows off her left side peaked her curiosity and put Lilith into a heighten state still coming off the high from dismembering the Coryphée. The lust to spill more blood came over Lilith as she moved toward the shadows, and to her surprise when she got closer to the darkness out stepped Cassandra, the up and coming celebrity of Malifaux. Remembering all the poster smeared on the walls of Malifaux, Lilith knew that her death would make headlines and place fear back into the scum that now call it home. 

With her mind set in the destruction of Cassandra, Lilith drew back her greatsword and lunged forward to make her attack. To Lilith’s pleasure the greatsword only needed two well-placed blows to send Cassandra’s limp body to the ground. There was a strange sick pleasure that came over Lilith at the sight of Cassandra’s motionless corpse lying at her feet. Lilith was snapped back to reality with the boom of what sounded like a small bomb in the distance. Fearing the worst Lilith rushed back to the others to check in and make sure all was fine. 

When Lilith returned to her followers not only was everyone unharmed in most cases, but also her young Nephilim hit his growth sprit and transformed into a mature Nephilim. Lilith knew that the new mature was looking to use his new found power and allowed him to go out and find an unknowing victim. Filled the excitement the mature ventured off to find his first kill with his new power. The joy that Lilith felt at the sight of one of her minions growing up was quickly snapped with the sound of rustling coming from around the wall behind her. Not taking any chances Lilith took it into her own claws and set off to investigate the disturbance. 

To Lilith’s pleasant surprise, the noise from around the wall was made by Miss Colette Du Bois herself. Not wanting to waste the opportunity to bring down Du Bois herself, Lilith knew this was a chance that was not to be passed by. Lilith rushed toward Colette, not wanting to give her a chance to make a break for it, while raising the greatsword high above her head in preparation for the attack. Two quick strikes knocked Colette to the ground, the not quite finished Colette looked up at the hovering Lilith. As Lilith started to draw her massive sword Colette gathered her last breath and delivered a message that sent shivers down Lilith’s spine. The message took Lilith back, but it did not take long for her to regain control over her emotions and bring the greatsword swiftly down for the deadly blow. 

Lilith was still reeling from the message Colette gave her as she went back to join her followers. When she got to her minions all were back and well as well as the newly matured Nephilim with a fresh coating of blood on his claws. Not even the pride in her loves could bring her fully back from what was said. Lilith knew it was time to get back to the rest of the Neverborns and get there fast. Lilith lead the way through the solid steel door that they entered in, and continued to navigate the streets of Malifaux till they hit the forest on the outskirts of town. Once they hit the forest they started to head into the woods and away from the city as quick as possible … 

… TO BE CONTINUED

The Midnight Cleanse

By B. Ellsworth [paperbagfox]

It was like any other night in the city of Malifaux, dark and gloomy, when the Mother of Malifaux herself decided that she was fed up with the new influx of residents on her once desolate land. Feeling that the fear for the Neverborn is losing its weight, Lilith chose to take matters into her own claws and reminded the scum that now call Malifaux there home, that they are still in the shadows and are not pleased with the new found disrespect. To assist in her midnight cleanse of the rift raft, Lilith called upon her loyal minions as well as the Doppelganger to aid in her out lash on the city and those who call it home. 

Lilith saw the city streets as the best way to remind the slime of the power that rests in the darkness of their city. What better way then to make the scene of the outburst where they would not be able to ignore what 

happened. Staying to the shadows, Lilith and her following started to stalk the city in search for the unlucky scum that feels it’s safe enough to walk the streets in the middle of the night. It did not take long to find the victims of a soon to be pasteurized slaughter in the streets of Malifaux. To Lilth’s blood lust the  unknowing victims were the crew of Viktoria and the backstabbing Doppelganger that calls herself Viktoria as well. Lilith’s eyes grew in anticipation of ripping apart the one that once called herself a Neverborn, the betrayal still deep in Lilith’s chest pounded at the sight of her. 

Lilith and her followers laid waiting in the shadows of the Resurrectionist’s Lab studying the movements of there pray. In an attempt to draw the betrayer and her filthy companions closer to their death, Lilith decided to open up her bag of spells and create her favorite illusionary forest to both confuse and make her foes curious. To her delight the forest lured in the unknowing pray, and at the same time split up the forces into easier tasks of disembowelment. On the right of the forest stood the betrayer and a lone Ronin and to the left were Taelor and Bishop, leaving the real Viktoria and Misaki to follow in the investigation. At the sight of the lowlifes dividing, Lilith knew that now was the time to make her presence known and felt and the pounding in her chest clued her in to who should be the first to meet their death. 

Feeling the need to get the Nephilims involved and to get them as worked up about spilling blood as her, Lilith decided to give them an offering, not that they need a reason to spill blood. Lilith had it set in her mind that the ex-Neverborn’s blood would be spilled tonight at her hand and only her hands. Seeing that the only scum close to the betrayer was the Ronin, Lilith felt that she would do as the sacrificial lamb for her babies, and used her power of transportation to change places with the unexpecting Ronin. The look on the face of the betrayer and her conies was of surprise, fear, and death. It was priceless in Lilith’s mind, knowing that tonight she was going to be able to get her revenge. 

The revenge that Lilth inflicted upon backstabber was short and sweet. The great sword was drawn and made quick contact with the scum. All it needed was two well-located blow to dismember the cretin, leaving her body lifeless in the street. Meanwhile in the shadows of the lab, Lilith could hear her lovelies enjoying the lamb that she dropped in their laps. After taking a second to enjoy what she just took place at her hands, Lilith turned her attention to the other slime that accompanied the now deceased “Viktoria”. Lilith was not the only one to have their attention shifted, the rest of the low lives started to move closer to her in attempts to bring down the Mother of Malifaux. 

The first to attempt to bring her down was Viktoria herself, but instead of striking with her famous Masamune Nihonto, she decided to take aim with her Clockwork Pistol. The shot came in fast but Lilith was able to avoid the bullet. Knowing she would not be able to cheat fate again, she knew that she had to engage the scum and take them all down. At this time Viktora and Taelor were close enough to each other to make the decision easy on whom to go after. Lilith came in swinging, hitting both Taelor and Viktoria with the great sward, both taking substantial wounds. Although the blows where not enough to finish off the slime, Lilith knew it would not take much longer till the two were lying dead at her feet. Lilith could hear in the background the sounds of Bishop being torn apart by her Young and Mature Nephilims, bring a tear of joy to her cold eyes. 

In the second that Lilith had a lapse of mind, Misaki was able to come from behind her and land a strike on her back. The blow from Misaki was true and caused Lilith to shed her own black blood on the streets. Not only did Lilith’s blood hit the dirty streets of Malifaux, but also landed on both Taelor and Viktoria. When the blood hit Viktoria, the evil that it posses was too much for her to handle and fell to the street lifeless. Seeing this brought a smile to Lilith’s now blood smeared face, she raised her great sword once more and swung against both Taelor and Misaki at the same time. Taelor was not as lucky as Misaki and collapsed next to Viktoria’s limp body, eyes as cold as ice. Misaki staggered backwards trying to gain control, but it was too late, from out of nowhere the Mature Nephilim landed and took aim at Misaki. Lilith’s chest filled with joy at the sight of her big boy ripping Misaki in half and tossing her aside like the trash she was. 

Knowing that this attack did not go unheard, Lilith gathered her minions and started to move out of the area. Not wanted to have to cheat fate against the Guild this soon after a fight, Lilith did not want her minions to become over confident and make mistakes that they might not be able to recover from. She knew that the day would come where they would come face to face with the forces of the Guild. And there was no dough in her mind that they would be the once victorious. After what seemed like an eternity, Lilith and her minions finally reached a large building that looked deserted and entered into its large steal doors not knowing what they would find on the other side …

… TO BE CONTINUED