The Final Blow

This is the fourth Encounter of the fourth map of The Sun Challenge, and the final Encounter of the Challenge.

## Event

**The Dealer draws the Brimstone Emperor of Steel.**

*The Emperor's throne sits atop a massive marble dais. Your target waits patiently, five steps away.*

*Malaclypse climbs the first step and the rest of the party follows suit. "Of course your Excellency will have protected oneself from mortal threats such as blades..."*

*Colbjorn flings one of his blades at the Emperor. Sharp and keening, it slices through the air and bounces off his armour with a sizzle that suggests magical protection.*

*Malaclypse climbs the next step. "...and from gunfire..."*

*Estrella raises her pistol and fires at the Emperor's heart. He flinches, but remains unharmed.*

*"...and of course the petty tricks of a mage, such as I..." Malaclypse takes the third step and unleashes a volley of magic missiles.*

*The sorcerous bolts fizzle and dissipate against the Emperor, who heaves a deep, tired sigh. "Enough of your nuisance-"*

*Malaclypse raises a finger to interrupt, stepping ever closer. "Of course, any blade powerful enough to wound you, you would have found and locked away, hidden and safe."*

*"In fact, you'd have kept it right here in the Palace, would you not? To ensure no-one could ever study it, or understand its true power. If it was stolen by thieves, you'd have hired armies of mercenaries to scour the lands for its return, surely."*

*The party reaches the top of the stairs and approaches the throne.*

*Ariadne draws the sacred sword and the Emperor's eyes grow wide with fear.*

*The old man searches desperately for an escape as you and your four companions gather around him.*

*Malaclypse presses the tip of the sword to the Emperor's heart. "For the people you hunted like animals."*

*Colbjorn joins his hand on the blade. "For the families torn apart."*

*Estrella grasps the pommel of the blade. "For the good people you corrupted."*

*Ariadne's large fist encompasses the blade's grip. "For the devastation you rained upon the helpless."*

*As one, you thrust the blade at the Emperor's heart.*

If the player gathered all 4 Relics:

The extra relics you gathered have increased the blade's power.
**The player gains 2 bonus Dice.** (5 total)
**Dice Gambit** (Target: 50)

Success

*Sparks fly as the blade pierces the Emperor's magical barrier and plunges into his chest. A burst of white light temporarily blinds you.*
*A horrible screaming echoes around the throne room, and then it is all over. The white light fades.*
**The Dealer discards the Brimstone Emperor of Steel.**
Failure

[*Dark energies from the Emperor's arcane shields course through you.]*
[*Pain surges up your arm from the blade.]*
**The player draws a Life Pain Card.**
**The Dealer reduces the Dice Gambit target by [Dice Roll].**
**The player must repeat the Gambit with the new target.**
*The noise and pyrotechnics have alerted the guards to your presence.*

*They gasp at the sight of their Emperor's limp corpse, a sword buried deep in his sunken chest.*

**The Dealer draws 4 Knights of Steel.**

*"The Emperor-!" a knight shouts behind him. "Toll the bell! They have killed the Emperor!"*

**The player enters Combat with all 4 Companions.**

*With the Emperor dead, you expected to feel triumphant, yet now you feel nothing but dread. You see the same realization dawning on your companions' faces. Nothing will change.*

*The voice of the Hermit rings forth once more. "These cards were played before your arrival - your fate determined well in advance. Yet soon, you will reach a place beyond even my ken. Find the Dealer, learn his Game, and you may yet change the course of this land.*

*Now RUN."*