Kyssandra, Queen of the Vipers
NWHC Wave 1 - The Fallen and the Faithful – Braunglayde’s Reckoning
PDF DOWNLOAD, front
PDF DOWNLOAD, back
Figure: Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords, Lamia Matriarch #26
General: Ullar
Planet: Marr
Species: Lamia
Unique Hero
Class: Warlord
Personality: Relentless
Size: Medium 6
Life: 5
Move: 7
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 4
135 Points
QUEEN OF THE VIPERS
Start the game with 3 white Viper Egg markers on this card. After moving Kyssandra and instead of attacking, you may remove 1 Viper Egg marker and place 1 previously destroyed Viper Squad figure on an empty space adjacent to Kyssandra.
SERPENTINE STRIKE
When Kyssandra attacks with a normal attack, she may attack 1 additional time. If she attacks the same figure in a turn, she may add 1 additional attack die to the second attack. Kyssandra rolls 1 additional die against figures leaving an engagement with her.
SLITHER
Kyssandra does not have to stop her movement when entering water spaces.
Character Bio:
The night sky was thick with black clouds and the damp air began to cling to the long feathered wings of a Kyrie Warrior. But despite the distant rumbling and pockets of light sparking in encroaching storm-clouds, the lone warrior continued her search. She scanned the jagged coastline of Ekstrom, watching the foam of the Bitter Sea clash against the shores of the rainforest below. A night search, in this weather, in this forest was either madness or desperation.
With increasing alacrity the Kyrie would dive and swoop. Beneath her green and gold helm, her acute vision strained to see some sign of her prey. She saw many trees and shadows, even thinking that some of the trees were moving, almost following her, but she had no time to chase Sidhe or Animae.
Finally a small beacon of eldritch light. She pulled her great spear forward, grasped it with both hands, and descended.
In a small clearing in the jungle, three figures stood like statues, their attention fixed on one of their own being tended by a woman in dark red robes. The sentries were elves, though few would recognize them as such due to their battle headdress and body paint. Elves of the Forest homes of Ashra, they were, skilled warriors and acrobats. But for one of them, their skill had failed and she lay grievously wounded.
“Can you save her,” asked the youngest warrior-maiden, a girl of perhaps 15.
The woman in the robes looked up, pulling back her hood. Long trellises of raven-black hair flowed down her face. The woman was young herself, though no maiden, and her sharp features were similar to the Ashran’s.
“Without the aid of magic, she will most certainly die,” the woman spoke plainly, looking down at her patient.
There were no signs of injury or trauma to the Elven Warrior woman, yet she was writhing in terrible agony.
A soft green glow appeared around the hands of the robed woman, and she placed one hand on the stricken elf’s forehead and another on her abdomen. A few words were whispered into the wind and they brought a gentle calm to all of the Ashrans.
The sorceress stood and, drawing a gold-hilted blade, looked to the warriors at attention. Before she began to speak she saw the white wings of Kyrie fluttered through the trees. A disapproving look came across her face for a moment but time was of the essence.
“You have traveled far and the sylvan spirits have allowed you passage. I will offer my healing magicks to your companion, Marlaya, but we are not of the same world, so I cannot say if they will mend her completely. We have both been brought to a strange world and we do not know how our bodies will react even to the foods here. What appeared a safe food to your friend is likely poisonous to her system, and I must purify her blood with my own.”
There was a pause.
“Will you allow this,” the sorceress asked.
The three elven warriors spoke in unison, “we accept your aid, Zaranda.”
With that, the blood-witch Zaranda, cut into her own palm, then did the same to the fallen warrior. Bloodied hands clasped and the incantations began. A green glow pulsed between the two women, at first slow and regular, then gradually increasing. The rain began to fall, and the Kyrie Warrior watched from the tree line.
Several minutes passed, with Zaranda becoming weaker and her patient becoming stronger. Slowly the two switched positions, with the blood-witch lying on the ground and the elven warrior kneeling and holding her hand. The glow subsided and the Ashran looked at her comrades with joy.
All four women reached down to help their arcane physician to her feet.
“The incanations were successful,” Zaranda spoke, slightly out of breath, “.. no doubt because we share some ancestral lineage. Though I had never met an elf from Feylund until I arrived on Valhalla.”
As Zaranda steadied herself, she pulled back her long hair to show the distinctive pointed ears that typically mark one as an elf or faerie.
Before the conversation could continue, the green and gold armored Kyrie strode from the trees to make her presence known. The Warriors of Ashra immediately recognized the winged woman as Saylind, one of General Ullar’s most trusted soldiers. And as the Warriors of Ashra had also entered into alliance with Ullar’s forces they welcomed the Kyrie with a simple salute of right hand over their heart.
Saylind switched her spear from right hand to left to return the salute, and then turned to greet Zaranda.
But before the Kyrie could speak, Zaranda interrupted, “If you have come to take these shield-maidens back to the front, I must protest. The journey here is long and Marlaya has only just recovered.”
Saylind shook her head in response, “No, Zaranda, that is not my mission.” There was a pause, as a boom of thunder and then streak of lightning crossed the sky.
“I have been dispatched by Ullar himself to find you.”
--
After a short walk through heavy downpour, the Ashrans and Saylind found themselves warm and dry within the truck of an enormous tree. A series of lanterns dotted the simple dwelling and Zaranda was preparing some food for her unexpected guests.
“My apologies for not having more food to share,” Zaranda began, “but you are welcome to the fruits and berries before you. I assure you that they are also safe for consumption. I have only been on Valhalla for a short time but my people have an uncanny sense for detecting and resisting toxins.”
With the last small bowl laid out Zaranda took a seat across from Saylind. The two shared a long unblinking stare as the elven warrior women finished a short prayer of thanks and then began to help themselves.
“Thank you for the offering,” Saylind finally said, removing her helmet finally to appear more welcoming. And as the Kyrie warrior’s long golden hair cascaded down her breast-plate, Zaranda was surprised to see such a beautiful woman beneath the hard armor and visage of a soldier of Ullar.
With both strong willed women a little more disarmed, the tension eased a bit, until Zaranda spoke the obvious question.
“So, Saylind, what is so important that your commander would send you far from the front lines in search of a deserter? Especially in this storm,” Zaranda said in as light-hearted of a tone as possible.
The Kyrie smiled before popping a few berries in her mouth.
“You are not seen as a deserter, Lady Zaranda,” she said. “General Ullar and the other Arch-Kyrie asked you to volunteer to help our world and all of the other worlds that Utgar is threatening. And you had the freedom to choose to join our side or sit out of the conflict.”
Zaranda kept her eyes fixed on the Kyrie.
“And we respect your decision.”
“However …,” Zaranda’s words added.
“However, a situation has arisen, and we desperately need your assistance,” Saylind responded, with a firm, serious tone.
Zaranda folded her hands in her lap and waited. The Warriors of Ashra continued to nibble here and there while politely remaining outside of the conversation.
“I apologize for my boldness, my lady, and for my unannounced encroachment, but the hour is a dire one, so please hear the plea of Ullar.”
“I know that you are a learned scholar and practitioner of mystical arts. And while you have been in many wars in your time you have chosen not to fight here on Valhalla. You may not remember but I was there a year ago when you came to court in The Great Castle of Ekstrom to plead with Ullar to stop opening portals in space and time.”
Zaranda now shook her head, “And did he listen? No. And is the ecology of this world, Valhalla, not suffering just as much as these displaced maidens of Ashra at risk – not of war – but of simply not being native to this world?”
“I don’t belong here. They don’t belong here, and I imagine that the other races and species summoned here will also grow weaker and weaker until we are returned to our homes.”
Saylind smiled, and her grin gave away something.
“My lady, our General would wish that the war was over tomorrow so that his soldiers could return home. And if it was over, it would mean that the threat of Utgar conquering a dozen other worlds was also stamped out.”
“But I have come for the very reason you spoke of,” Saylind contined, “for one of our great commanders has been stricken ill. And if he falls, then his people will also fall, and my General feels that the entire war could be lost.”
“Who has fallen, great Kyrie,” the now recovered Marlaya could no longer stay silent.
Zaranda also looked on, waiting for an answer.
“I …, “ Saylind started then stopped. “I could not begin to pronounce his name, for I have not the tongue for it, but you know him as the Venoc Warlord.”
There was silence for a moment, and Zaranda pondered the connection between her and the serpentine soldiers from the world called Marr.
Saylind looked again to Zaranda. “There was a surprise attack by Utgar’s forces. They somehow infiltrated our positions and struck deep into Ullar’s demesne. The target was the rookery of the Vipers. As you may know there is great enmity between the Marro and the Vipers. When Utgar summoned the Marro and their hordes here to Valhalla it seemed logically to call upon the natural predators of those skinless aliens. The Vipers, while not much more than animal like intelligence, were happy to strike against their foes – no matter what the world.”
“Yes, enemies will continue to be enemies,” Zaranda stated, “.. even if you change the geography, but now that battle is creating new conflicts. The elves and the Marro had no knowledge of each other until we were brought here.”
“I am not here to debate decisions of the Arch-Kyrie, my lady. I have my own concerns about this conflict, but I follow orders for what I consider the greater good.”
“And trust me, the Marro, and Utgar … ,” Saylind continued, “they are NOT the greater good. And they cannot be allowed to win this war.”
Zaranda fell silent, and she thought for just a moment of the atrocities that she had seen inflicted but Utgar’s legions, the vile wounds that she tried to heal, the strangers that she watched expire in just her first few hours on Valhalla.
“The Venoc Warlord and all of his people need your help, Zaranda,” Saylind continued.
“They are a passive lot, much like beloved animals who are playful and happy in their master’s company but who will viciously defend those that threaten their loved ones. If the Venoc Warlord does not recover, the hundreds of Vipers here on Valhalla will likely perish. And if without their leader to command and control them, the entire southeastern front has not chance to hold back Utgar’s advance.”
Zaranda looked up and locked her eyes on Saylind’s Great Spear. The mystical weapon was well-known and its teleportation properties were quite unique.
Looking over her shoulder, Saylind also gazed upon her fabled, signature weapon (a gift from Ullar himself).
Zaranda cleared her throat, “Can you bring him to me then, with the summoning spell from your lance?”
“I wish it was that easy, my lady,” she responded, “but the distance is too great and my spell only works on the willing. If you are offering to help, I will need you to fly with me.”
The sorceress cocked her head to the side. “Why would the Warlord be unwilling to accept your aid?”
“That is because …,” Saylind searched for the words. “That is because both the body and mind of the Venoc commander has been injured. He is struggling to overcome the mind-manipulation of Kee-Mo-Shi, the War-Witch.”
- Rulings and Clarifications -
- N/A
- Combinations and Synergies -
Synergy Benefits Offered
-Queen of the Vipers: Kyssandra
You may remove a White Viper Egg Marker from Kyssandra and place a previously destroyed Viper squad figure adjacent to Kyssandra. Viper squad figures include: Armoc Vipers, Elite Onyx Vipers, Venoc Vipers.
Synergy Benefits Received
-ARMOC VIPERS : Ullar Warlord Bonding
As a Warlord that follows Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit from Armoc Vipers’ ULLAR WARLORD BONDING activation bonus.
-ROMAN LEGIONNAIRES : Warlord Bonding
As a Warlord, Kyssandra may benefit from Roman Legionnaires’ WARLORD BONDING activation bonus.
-ACOLARH : Ullar’s Amulet
As a follower of Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit form Acolarh’s ULLAR’S AMULET movement bonus.
-KHOSUMET THE DARKLORD : Relentless Assault
Having a relentless personality, Kyssandra may benefit from Khosumet the Darklord’s RELENTLESS ASSAULT attack bonus.
-DEATHKNIGHTS OF VALKRILL : UnHoly Bonding
As a Medium hero with "Relentless" personality, Kyssandra may benefit from the Death Knights of Valkrill's UNHOLY BONDING activation synergy.
-Aristeos: Nature's Aura
As a figure that follows Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit from Aristeos' NATURE'S AURA defense bonus.
-Wardens of the Wood: Ritual of Oakenshield
As a figure that follows Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit from the Wardens of the Wood RITUAL OF OAKENSHIELD defense bonus.
Synergy Imposed
- N/A
NWHC Wave 1 - The Fallen and the Faithful – Braunglayde’s Reckoning
PDF DOWNLOAD, front
PDF DOWNLOAD, back
Figure: Pathfinder, Rise of the Runelords, Lamia Matriarch #26
General: Ullar
Planet: Marr
Species: Lamia
Unique Hero
Class: Warlord
Personality: Relentless
Size: Medium 6
Life: 5
Move: 7
Range: 1
Attack: 3
Defense: 4
135 Points
QUEEN OF THE VIPERS
Start the game with 3 white Viper Egg markers on this card. After moving Kyssandra and instead of attacking, you may remove 1 Viper Egg marker and place 1 previously destroyed Viper Squad figure on an empty space adjacent to Kyssandra.
SERPENTINE STRIKE
When Kyssandra attacks with a normal attack, she may attack 1 additional time. If she attacks the same figure in a turn, she may add 1 additional attack die to the second attack. Kyssandra rolls 1 additional die against figures leaving an engagement with her.
SLITHER
Kyssandra does not have to stop her movement when entering water spaces.
Character Bio:
The night sky was thick with black clouds and the damp air began to cling to the long feathered wings of a Kyrie Warrior. But despite the distant rumbling and pockets of light sparking in encroaching storm-clouds, the lone warrior continued her search. She scanned the jagged coastline of Ekstrom, watching the foam of the Bitter Sea clash against the shores of the rainforest below. A night search, in this weather, in this forest was either madness or desperation.
With increasing alacrity the Kyrie would dive and swoop. Beneath her green and gold helm, her acute vision strained to see some sign of her prey. She saw many trees and shadows, even thinking that some of the trees were moving, almost following her, but she had no time to chase Sidhe or Animae.
Finally a small beacon of eldritch light. She pulled her great spear forward, grasped it with both hands, and descended.
In a small clearing in the jungle, three figures stood like statues, their attention fixed on one of their own being tended by a woman in dark red robes. The sentries were elves, though few would recognize them as such due to their battle headdress and body paint. Elves of the Forest homes of Ashra, they were, skilled warriors and acrobats. But for one of them, their skill had failed and she lay grievously wounded.
“Can you save her,” asked the youngest warrior-maiden, a girl of perhaps 15.
The woman in the robes looked up, pulling back her hood. Long trellises of raven-black hair flowed down her face. The woman was young herself, though no maiden, and her sharp features were similar to the Ashran’s.
“Without the aid of magic, she will most certainly die,” the woman spoke plainly, looking down at her patient.
There were no signs of injury or trauma to the Elven Warrior woman, yet she was writhing in terrible agony.
A soft green glow appeared around the hands of the robed woman, and she placed one hand on the stricken elf’s forehead and another on her abdomen. A few words were whispered into the wind and they brought a gentle calm to all of the Ashrans.
The sorceress stood and, drawing a gold-hilted blade, looked to the warriors at attention. Before she began to speak she saw the white wings of Kyrie fluttered through the trees. A disapproving look came across her face for a moment but time was of the essence.
“You have traveled far and the sylvan spirits have allowed you passage. I will offer my healing magicks to your companion, Marlaya, but we are not of the same world, so I cannot say if they will mend her completely. We have both been brought to a strange world and we do not know how our bodies will react even to the foods here. What appeared a safe food to your friend is likely poisonous to her system, and I must purify her blood with my own.”
There was a pause.
“Will you allow this,” the sorceress asked.
The three elven warriors spoke in unison, “we accept your aid, Zaranda.”
With that, the blood-witch Zaranda, cut into her own palm, then did the same to the fallen warrior. Bloodied hands clasped and the incantations began. A green glow pulsed between the two women, at first slow and regular, then gradually increasing. The rain began to fall, and the Kyrie Warrior watched from the tree line.
Several minutes passed, with Zaranda becoming weaker and her patient becoming stronger. Slowly the two switched positions, with the blood-witch lying on the ground and the elven warrior kneeling and holding her hand. The glow subsided and the Ashran looked at her comrades with joy.
All four women reached down to help their arcane physician to her feet.
“The incanations were successful,” Zaranda spoke, slightly out of breath, “.. no doubt because we share some ancestral lineage. Though I had never met an elf from Feylund until I arrived on Valhalla.”
As Zaranda steadied herself, she pulled back her long hair to show the distinctive pointed ears that typically mark one as an elf or faerie.
Before the conversation could continue, the green and gold armored Kyrie strode from the trees to make her presence known. The Warriors of Ashra immediately recognized the winged woman as Saylind, one of General Ullar’s most trusted soldiers. And as the Warriors of Ashra had also entered into alliance with Ullar’s forces they welcomed the Kyrie with a simple salute of right hand over their heart.
Saylind switched her spear from right hand to left to return the salute, and then turned to greet Zaranda.
But before the Kyrie could speak, Zaranda interrupted, “If you have come to take these shield-maidens back to the front, I must protest. The journey here is long and Marlaya has only just recovered.”
Saylind shook her head in response, “No, Zaranda, that is not my mission.” There was a pause, as a boom of thunder and then streak of lightning crossed the sky.
“I have been dispatched by Ullar himself to find you.”
--
After a short walk through heavy downpour, the Ashrans and Saylind found themselves warm and dry within the truck of an enormous tree. A series of lanterns dotted the simple dwelling and Zaranda was preparing some food for her unexpected guests.
“My apologies for not having more food to share,” Zaranda began, “but you are welcome to the fruits and berries before you. I assure you that they are also safe for consumption. I have only been on Valhalla for a short time but my people have an uncanny sense for detecting and resisting toxins.”
With the last small bowl laid out Zaranda took a seat across from Saylind. The two shared a long unblinking stare as the elven warrior women finished a short prayer of thanks and then began to help themselves.
“Thank you for the offering,” Saylind finally said, removing her helmet finally to appear more welcoming. And as the Kyrie warrior’s long golden hair cascaded down her breast-plate, Zaranda was surprised to see such a beautiful woman beneath the hard armor and visage of a soldier of Ullar.
With both strong willed women a little more disarmed, the tension eased a bit, until Zaranda spoke the obvious question.
“So, Saylind, what is so important that your commander would send you far from the front lines in search of a deserter? Especially in this storm,” Zaranda said in as light-hearted of a tone as possible.
The Kyrie smiled before popping a few berries in her mouth.
“You are not seen as a deserter, Lady Zaranda,” she said. “General Ullar and the other Arch-Kyrie asked you to volunteer to help our world and all of the other worlds that Utgar is threatening. And you had the freedom to choose to join our side or sit out of the conflict.”
Zaranda kept her eyes fixed on the Kyrie.
“And we respect your decision.”
“However …,” Zaranda’s words added.
“However, a situation has arisen, and we desperately need your assistance,” Saylind responded, with a firm, serious tone.
Zaranda folded her hands in her lap and waited. The Warriors of Ashra continued to nibble here and there while politely remaining outside of the conversation.
“I apologize for my boldness, my lady, and for my unannounced encroachment, but the hour is a dire one, so please hear the plea of Ullar.”
“I know that you are a learned scholar and practitioner of mystical arts. And while you have been in many wars in your time you have chosen not to fight here on Valhalla. You may not remember but I was there a year ago when you came to court in The Great Castle of Ekstrom to plead with Ullar to stop opening portals in space and time.”
Zaranda now shook her head, “And did he listen? No. And is the ecology of this world, Valhalla, not suffering just as much as these displaced maidens of Ashra at risk – not of war – but of simply not being native to this world?”
“I don’t belong here. They don’t belong here, and I imagine that the other races and species summoned here will also grow weaker and weaker until we are returned to our homes.”
Saylind smiled, and her grin gave away something.
“My lady, our General would wish that the war was over tomorrow so that his soldiers could return home. And if it was over, it would mean that the threat of Utgar conquering a dozen other worlds was also stamped out.”
“But I have come for the very reason you spoke of,” Saylind contined, “for one of our great commanders has been stricken ill. And if he falls, then his people will also fall, and my General feels that the entire war could be lost.”
“Who has fallen, great Kyrie,” the now recovered Marlaya could no longer stay silent.
Zaranda also looked on, waiting for an answer.
“I …, “ Saylind started then stopped. “I could not begin to pronounce his name, for I have not the tongue for it, but you know him as the Venoc Warlord.”
There was silence for a moment, and Zaranda pondered the connection between her and the serpentine soldiers from the world called Marr.
Saylind looked again to Zaranda. “There was a surprise attack by Utgar’s forces. They somehow infiltrated our positions and struck deep into Ullar’s demesne. The target was the rookery of the Vipers. As you may know there is great enmity between the Marro and the Vipers. When Utgar summoned the Marro and their hordes here to Valhalla it seemed logically to call upon the natural predators of those skinless aliens. The Vipers, while not much more than animal like intelligence, were happy to strike against their foes – no matter what the world.”
“Yes, enemies will continue to be enemies,” Zaranda stated, “.. even if you change the geography, but now that battle is creating new conflicts. The elves and the Marro had no knowledge of each other until we were brought here.”
“I am not here to debate decisions of the Arch-Kyrie, my lady. I have my own concerns about this conflict, but I follow orders for what I consider the greater good.”
“And trust me, the Marro, and Utgar … ,” Saylind continued, “they are NOT the greater good. And they cannot be allowed to win this war.”
Zaranda fell silent, and she thought for just a moment of the atrocities that she had seen inflicted but Utgar’s legions, the vile wounds that she tried to heal, the strangers that she watched expire in just her first few hours on Valhalla.
“The Venoc Warlord and all of his people need your help, Zaranda,” Saylind continued.
“They are a passive lot, much like beloved animals who are playful and happy in their master’s company but who will viciously defend those that threaten their loved ones. If the Venoc Warlord does not recover, the hundreds of Vipers here on Valhalla will likely perish. And if without their leader to command and control them, the entire southeastern front has not chance to hold back Utgar’s advance.”
Zaranda looked up and locked her eyes on Saylind’s Great Spear. The mystical weapon was well-known and its teleportation properties were quite unique.
Looking over her shoulder, Saylind also gazed upon her fabled, signature weapon (a gift from Ullar himself).
Zaranda cleared her throat, “Can you bring him to me then, with the summoning spell from your lance?”
“I wish it was that easy, my lady,” she responded, “but the distance is too great and my spell only works on the willing. If you are offering to help, I will need you to fly with me.”
The sorceress cocked her head to the side. “Why would the Warlord be unwilling to accept your aid?”
“That is because …,” Saylind searched for the words. “That is because both the body and mind of the Venoc commander has been injured. He is struggling to overcome the mind-manipulation of Kee-Mo-Shi, the War-Witch.”
- Rulings and Clarifications -
- N/A
- Combinations and Synergies -
Synergy Benefits Offered
-Queen of the Vipers: Kyssandra
You may remove a White Viper Egg Marker from Kyssandra and place a previously destroyed Viper squad figure adjacent to Kyssandra. Viper squad figures include: Armoc Vipers, Elite Onyx Vipers, Venoc Vipers.
Synergy Benefits Received
-ARMOC VIPERS : Ullar Warlord Bonding
As a Warlord that follows Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit from Armoc Vipers’ ULLAR WARLORD BONDING activation bonus.
-ROMAN LEGIONNAIRES : Warlord Bonding
As a Warlord, Kyssandra may benefit from Roman Legionnaires’ WARLORD BONDING activation bonus.
-ACOLARH : Ullar’s Amulet
As a follower of Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit form Acolarh’s ULLAR’S AMULET movement bonus.
-KHOSUMET THE DARKLORD : Relentless Assault
Having a relentless personality, Kyssandra may benefit from Khosumet the Darklord’s RELENTLESS ASSAULT attack bonus.
-DEATHKNIGHTS OF VALKRILL : UnHoly Bonding
As a Medium hero with "Relentless" personality, Kyssandra may benefit from the Death Knights of Valkrill's UNHOLY BONDING activation synergy.
-Aristeos: Nature's Aura
As a figure that follows Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit from Aristeos' NATURE'S AURA defense bonus.
-Wardens of the Wood: Ritual of Oakenshield
As a figure that follows Ullar, Kyssandra may benefit from the Wardens of the Wood RITUAL OF OAKENSHIELD defense bonus.
Synergy Imposed
- N/A
Last edited by Nomad on Sat Feb 07, 2015 11:43 am; edited 6 times in total (Reason for editing : Updated OP)
