Stranded Noble

*"They place themselves in these dire positions, and then expect a hero to come rescue them when things become too much."*

This card is a challenge-specific encounter of The Magician.

## Event

*While patrolling the outskirts of Westwend, you hear the clash of steel and the unmistakable groan of Corrupted.*

*Your investigation leads you to distressed nobleman, perched on the roof of his carriage. "Thank the gods! I was heading to tea with the Duke Gilberd when we were ambushed!"*

*"My footmen left me here to fight them off but the brawl has now dispersed into the forest."*

*The noble peers fearfully at the treeline. "If you stay here and protect me, I can pay."*

**The Dealer reveals a Gold Gain Card.**

1) Go after the soldiers.

**The player draws a 2 of Steel Ally Card.**
**The Dealer draws 1-2 Blight Monster Cards**
*You rush into the forest and quickly encounter a squad of Empire soldiers battling the corrupted.*
**The player enters Combat.**
**The player draws 2-3 Gain Cards.**
If 1 soldier survives combat:
**The player gains 2 Fame.**
*The remaining soldier surveys his dead comrades' bodies. "The princeling ordered us to take him through this area despite the danger. Their blood is on his spindly, gloved hands."*
*You explain Westwend's troubles and its need for soldiers to mount a defence.*
*"The prince can fend for himself for now. I doubt even these tainted beasts will want to be around him."*
**The player gains 1 Recruit.**
**Encounter ends.**
If 2 soldiers survive combat:
**The player gains 4 Fame.**
*With the corrupted dispatched, the soldiers turn to you.*
*"I'm sure we could have handled it, but thanks for stepping in. I guess we have to go back to escorting his highness, 'Sir Quivering Blanket of Mumsy,' off to his palace."*
A) Offer them gold to protect Westwend. (Lose 20 Gold)
*"Working for coin and killing corrupted monsters sounds good us!"*
'*The player loses 20 Gold.*
**The player gains 2 Recruits.**
B) Appeal to their sense of duty to defend Westwend.
Dice Gambit (Target: 12, 18)
**Note:** The player gains bonus dice for every soldier saved in the previous combat (not the number on the "Soldiers Recruited" counter)

Success
*Your inspiring speech wins over the remaining soldiers.*

**The player gains more recruits.**

Failure
*Your words fall on deaf ears and the soldiers trudge back to their duty, carrying the noble to his estate.*

**No Recruits join your cause.**

If no soldiers survive combat:
*Although the corrupted have been vanquished, no Empire soldiers remain.*
*You return to the road and find only the wreckage of the noble's carriage.*
*You head back to Westwend.*
**The player gains no Recruits.**
**Encounter ends.**
2) Accept the offer.

**The player receives the revealed Gold Gain Card.**
*"Oh great Maker, thank you!"*
*You linger near the nobleman's carriage in case the corrupted reappear.*
*Just beyond the trees you can hear the blood-curdling sounds of combat...*
If 2 soldiers return:
*...eventually the battle subsides and two empire soldiers trudge mournfully back to the road.*
*"I'm glad to see you're out here making friends while we spill our blood to protect you."*
A) Offer them gold to protect Westwend. (Lose 20 Gold)
*The Nobleman reacts angrily to your attempts to poach his protection. "These men are mine to command, they are loyal to the Empire."'*
*The soldiers appear to mull over your offer...*
**Card Gambit** (3 Success, 1 Failure)
* Success

(insert text here)
* Failure

*"We're soldiers of the Empire, not mercenaries for hire. Good luck defending the town."*
*The men hoist the nobleman upon their shoulders and march on.*
**The player gains no Recruits.**
**Encounter ends.**
B) Appeal to their sense of duty to defend Westwend. (Dice Target: 16)
(insert text here)
If 1 soldier returns:
*...eventually the sounds of battle die down. Only the screams of the tormented remain.*
*A single Empire soldier flees wide-eyed back toward you.*
*"I'm glad to see you're out here making friends while we spill our blood to protect you."*
A) Offer them gold to protect Westwend. (Lose 10 Gold)
*The Nobleman reacts angrily to your attempts to poach his protection. "This man is mine to command, he is loyal to the Empire."'*
*The soldier appears to mull over your offer...*
**Card Gambit** (3 Success, 1 Failure)
* Success

*"Even death at the hands of a corrupted fiend would be better than carrying this wet blanket any further," says one the soldiers.*
*As you return to Westwend you can hear the wails of the stranded nobleman, perched atop his carriage.*
**The player loses 10 gold.**
**The player gains 1 Recruit.**
**Encounter ends.**
* Failure

(insert text here)
B) Appeal to their sense of duty to defend Westwend. (Dice Target: 12)
(insert text here)
If no soldiers return:
*...screams and shouts echo long into the night. You wait but no soldiers return from the battle.*
*The nobleman climbs inside his carriage, curls into a ball and sobs uncontrollably. He will not be moved or roused.*
*You return to Westwend.*
**Encounter ends.**