Solo Jenny (#7: Black Stars Rise)

Black Stars Rise Second Impressions and Tips:

This scenario plays differently the first time and on subsequent runs. Granted, it's true with most scenarios in this game, but Black Stars Rise makes it especially impactful due to beginning without an Act deck. As it happens, our Act is hidden beneath one of the Agendas. If my experience the best way to identify which Agenda has the Act is to check out the Chapel of St. Aubert. It isn't essential to know in advance, but is convenient to get rid of one of the negative effects on the Agendas. In practice as soon as you know where the Act is you can pile up doom on the corresponding Agenda rather than spreading it around. The scenario does it best to tempt accelerating doom, but don't do it. In Black Stars Rise doom can sneak up on you, especially with tokens. Regardless, on your way to the Chapel of St. Aubert you must spend 3 clues. In 3 out of 4 runs there'll be enough clues on Outer Wall and North Tower, both XP locations. Since either the Chapel of St. Aubert or Abbey Tower will be worth 2 XPs I usually, with 'usually' meaning 'time permitting', search for both the key and the guide in Knight's Hall and Cloister respectively. Abbey Church and Beast of Aldebaran are also conveniently on the way to your objectives. As for the encounter deck, it's punishing but not as flavorful as earlier in the campaign. Not much to comment there. Overall Black Stars Rise is a solid penultimate scenario. At the very least it's better than Where Doom Awaits.

Campaign Log:

Curtain Call: R2. Jenny chose not to go to the police! The Stranger is onto Jenny! 9 XP (Royal Emissary, Agent of the King, Balcony, Green Room, Lighting Box, Trap Room, Rehearsal Room, Delve Too Deep), 2 Tokens, Stranger Tally: 2, Doubt Tally: 1.

The Last King: R1. Jenny interviewed Constance Dumaine, Jordan Perry, Ishimaru Haruko, Sebastien Moreau and Ashleight Clarke! Jenny intruded on the secret meeting! 6 XP (10 clues, Delve Too Deep), 2 Tokens, Stranger Tally: 3, Doubt Tally: 2.

Echoes of the Past: R2. Jenny left the onyx clasp behind! 4 XP (Hidden Library, Agent of the King, Delve Too Deep), 2 Tokens, Stranger Tally: 3, Doubt Tally: 3.

The Unspeakable Oath: R3. Jenny escaped the Asylum! Jenny ignored Daniel's warning! 4 XP (Daniel Chesterfield, Mess Hall, Infirmary, Basement Hall), 2 Tokens, Stranger Tally: 4, Doubt Tally: 5.

A Phantom of Truth: R2. Jenny found Nigel Engram! 7 XP (Screeching Byakhee, Canal Saint-Martin, Gardens of Luxembourg, Grand Guignol, Père Lachaise Cemetery, 2 bonus XP), 1 Mental Trauma, 2 Tokens, Stranger Tally: 5, Doubt Tally: 6.

The Pallid Mask: R2. Jenny entered the catacombs on her own! Jenny knows the site of the gate! 7 XP (Specter of Death, Well of Souls, Narrow Shaft, Shivering Pools, Tomb of Shadows, Delve Too Deep), 2 Tokens, Stranger Tally: 7, Doubt Tally: 8.

Black Stars Rise: R2. Jenny opened the path above! 7 XP (Beast of Aldebaran, Chapel of St. Aubert, Outer Wall, North Tower, Abbey Church, Delve Too Deep), 2 and 2 Tokens, Stranger Tally: 8, Doubt Tally: 9.