Glaaki is one of my play group's arch-enemies, for the simple reason that when he's the AO the Mythos deck frequently gives the illusion of an actual intelligence at work in the placement of the cards. We've sealed him away only twice in all the times we've played, and beaten him in final combat a mere handful of times; all other games have been victories for him, and last night was no exception.

The first turn saw a driving rain environment that reduced our movement points by one and stuck around for almost the entire game. Then on the second turn, the SECOND TURN!, we drew the Disturbing the Dead Rumor! Not only did this raise the Terror Level twice, bringing out two Servants, but passing it caused Akachi to fail her Personsal story.

Just a little while later Roland Banks visited the Silver Twilight Lodge and was told the Lodge had need of his friend William Brinton. I was perfectly ready to give Brinton over to them to gain the membership and Unique Item, and avoid the Curse and probably being Lost in Time and Space. Then I realized why the Lodge needed Brinton . . . After considerable agonizing I still ended up discarding him and of course another Servant of Glaaki immediately appeared.

I'd like to say we'll get him next time, but experience leads me to doubt it.

He, he, yup, such things happen from time to time. I haven't noticed it happening more often with a particular Ancient One, but once in a while a game is truly jinxed.

Yesterday I had a game against Ghatanathoa that started incredibly well. After turn three every investigator was equipped with both magic and physical weapons and at a later point all four Elder Signs were in play (something truly rare). I also easily passed the 'Good Work Undone' rumour.

Then they each entered one of the four open gates. After the first encounter, two went insane and consequently were lost in space and time, the third was devoured because he gained two clue tokens and beheld the face of Gathanothoa. The fourth investigator made it through, but failed to close the gate in the first attempt and succumbed to the monster at the location before being able to make a second attempt.

Meanwhile another two gates had opened. I then managed to use a single Elder Sign to seal a gate, causing the Investigator to be devoured, since both Sanity and Endurance were reduced to zero.

Interestingly, the two replacement investigators happened to be Patrice and Mandy, i.e. probably the two strongest investigators in existence.

A short time later, a seventh gate opened and Ghatanathoa woke up. The investigators struggled for six rounds of Epic Combat (thanks to a Warding Statue) but to no avail.

At least the game was mercifully short, so I could play another game - this time against Quachil Uttaus - which I won without much difficulty.

Solan said:

where is your proof that this is illusory?

Ghatanothoa is interesting and nasty. We are yet to beat him(in final battle or via sealing). Last time we played against Ghatanothoa I drew Rex Murphy That's like the worst investigator to play against him. Rex was the first to go, obviously.

Glaak is not so hard really. We defeated him in Epic battle a few times.

dj2.0 said:

A typical attempt to rationalize away an unpleasant truth. The game... Is watching you...

exactly, fellow inner circle member.

Last time my group played the doom track was at 9 on Quachil and we had 5 gates sealed and 4 gates open (out of 6 Max). We were all just kindof sitting around waiting for an investigator to finish his last Otherworld encounter before he emerged and finished the game.

I don't know what all knowing forces of evil orchistrated the deck shuffle, but the following cards threw the game into a downward spiral. What was supposed to be the LAST otherworld encounter sent the investigator back into Arkham and DENIED him an explored token! The next card we drew was of course a gate burst that destroyed an elder sign. Soon after a gate and a monster appear which awakened the creepy baby mummy which proceeded to turn us all to dust.

It was a super creepy and tense game, after being rocked by the Deep Ones Trio (Cthulhu, Dagon, and Hydra) we were ready for a win, but a win just wasnt in the cards.