Okay, I've hunted around on this one a bit, but still not certain of the answer on how the devouring mechanic plays out with the Tendril.

It's pretty clear that the Ambush mechanic will kick in if the Tendril is not immediately evaded on the first round, and that the investigator is devoured if they still have sanity and stamina after the second round.

If the investigator is knocked unconscious or driven insane before the 2nd round, are they devoured or sent to St. Mary's/Arkham Asylum? Here's what I found on BGG, but still not sure if there is an official ruling on this:

When facing the Tendril, in order to be devoured, you need to be still engaged with the monster after the second round of combat is over. If you failing the second combat check (or failing the second evade check or any combo of the two) results in you being unconscious, you go LiTaS / to the St. Mary Hospital. The chit is worded after, so that you need to be there.

Anyway, just to play the Devil's advocate here, let's say that after could be read as "immediately after failing the check". Then two things happen at the same time: you're devoured, and you go LiTaS / to the Hospital. Two things happening at the same time, hence First Player decides. Hence, Hospital / LiTaS again, most probably.

That's my reading, at least

Yeah, the scenario I am thinking of is the first round of combat, where perhaps the investigator has 1 stamina and a low fight. They perhaps have a really good weapon though (Sword of Glory), but are worried that if they don't make their two successes (maybe no clues?), they would be devoured, and so elect not to use it.

If they were to fail the combat and go to 0 stamina on the first round, would they go to St. Mary's? The reading seems to be "yes," but just want to be sure that devouring only happens if they are still sane/conscious after the 2nd round of combat.

I'm just thinking that the election not to use a weapon is kinda cheesy, though I suppose going to St. Mary's is no great result either.

Yes, indeed, if they go unconscious during round 1, then it's directly hospital.

Additionally, I can't, but compare the wording on a monster such as the Servitor of the Outer Gods (or the Moon Beast) to the wording of the Tendril: we have monsters that in case you fail a check / go insane / unconscious devour you, so that I think the intent of the Tendril is pretty clear.

As for weapon or non-weapon... you know, it's like deciding to attempt an Evade check against a Night-gaunt knowing you have 0 dice to have a free pass in a gate (or from an OW back to Arkham). Or selecting not to use a weapon in a combat situation to receive the second Injury and retire a useless character. All are legit moves.

Thanks Julia,

That makes sense. Looking back at the Moonbeast, devouring happens as a result of unconsciousness, and unconsciousness/madness is not mentioned at all on the Tendril, so Asylum/St. Mary's/LiTaS it is. And yes, injury/madness is no picnic in the park either.

Good that we settled this down then Enjoy the Nyogtha game, and let us know how it goes!

Well, we'd been getting knocked around the past few sessions playing with heralds, so we're on a bit of a herald vacation right now. As a result, we managed our first victory I think in a month. This is a home-brew Tendrils From Below scenario: tailoring and dividing up the monster cups. Thinking of ways we could increase difficulty for next time (I'm sure there are many!), but for now, we enjoyed the breather! Session notes below:

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1244652/tendrils-below-scenario-nyogtha-arkham-our-herald

Thanks as usual for posting the link to the session report And congrats for the victory