Lords of Gossamer and Shadow - Grant/Ethan Game: December 2013

GM Observations
- Session 22 was an example of PBeM (Play By eMail) gameplay which took place over about 8-10 emails, each email taking about an hour to write. In PBeM gaming, you simply have to make assumptions (both player and GM) in order to keep the game moving, and rework the plot if the assumptions prove false. A lot of these emails overlapped so trying to produce a coherent narrative without leaving important bits out was challenging.
- Lurker37 is still working through how Umbra can be practically applied without another power like Sorcery. I need to have some further conversations with him in real-time so that we can discuss this. I see Umbra as enabling the character to 'change stuff', normally in a destructive way, but this isn't mindless chaos because there is a controlling character directing the change. Anyway, we need to discuss this because otherwise the game will be political/intrigue based without exploring the powers, and the whole point of this mini-campaign was to explore the powers.

Realm 15a - The Gateway to Marindar (Grey Door)
The Fallout from the Mind-Probe
- As Session 22 opens, the warglord Narsaug remains in his undersea prison, unconscious and under guard. The characters must now deal with the consequences of what Grant and Ethan have discovered - that Narsaug was apparently sent to invade Marindan via the Approach by the Lord of Gossamer, Bastiano. Morrison, Galatea and Morlan return to the surface.
- In the two hours that follow Ethan's 'mind probe' of Narsaug and discussion of what is revealed there, Morrison advises that he has received direction that they have been directed to leave the Gateway and return to Marindar. Lords Grant and Ethan has been asked to accompany them as well as the Lady Sophia. The Queen is convening a special council to hear what Ethan has seen. Sophia is also requested to return to True Marindar to answer questions (by order of the Queen). The Defenders of Marindar are very concerned about the number of messenger birds that Sophia has sent out onto the Stair over the years and the Gateway is in no position to receive new arrivals. It is clear that Morrison wants to return swiftly, but he is dealing with two Lords of Gossamer and can only relay what he is being asked to do. The other Defenders (Morlan and Galatea) are somber.
- Morrison suggests that he escort Lord Grant back to Sophia's residence, while Lord Ethan travel directly to True Marindar with Galatea. Ethan is invited to journey to True Marindar (by Morrison, who has received instructions from the Queen herself). Morrison notes that there is likely to be considerable interest in his arrival. Grant would realise that his arrival to True Marindar was dealt with quietly by Sophia. It sounds like the situation will be very different when Ethan arrives.
- Grant, Morrison and Morlan travel back to the Gateway in a green force bubble. Upon arrival, Morlan splits off from the group. He has been ordered to retrieve the Key from the Guardian, effectively preventing someone from entering the Gateway via the Approach, then he will remain and guard the Marindan Gateway in case the Door is somehow opened without the Key.
- Morrison and Grant walk to Sophia's residence. Morrison relays his instructions but Sophia has already been informed. Morrison then offers to escort both Grant and Sophia and Sophia declines. At this point Grant asks what is likely to happen and Morrison clams up. Sophia admits that she does not know what will happen - nothing like this has ever happened before and the Queen will be required to take action. She seems a bit low even though she retains her poise, and Morrison excuses himself, saying that he will return to True Marindar. Morrison is sensitive enough in his dealings with her not to push the point.
- Grant is openly concerned about Sophia, and she explains quietly that the Queen will not be able to ignore this attack and her advisors will demand action. This is not something that she has control over, and her ability to influence is relatively low. She admits feeling powerless in the current situation which has unfolded very quickly.

Private Time
- Sophia suggests that she and Grant go for a walk, and they share some private time together. At first the conversation is 'shop talk' - Sophia asks what Ethan saw, and whether Ethan's account can be trusted. When Grant defends Ethan, she says that the is likely to be division in the Queen's Council as to how to respond to the matter. The Houses of Shapiro and Hyndrake have bloodline links to Bastiano and Drake respectively. Both are represented on the Council. There are many others that will take notice when Ethan is presented to the Queen. The defence of the realm will be discussed, but also there will be considerable interest in the newly discovered Lords who have found Marindar. Grant asks Sophia for her insights as to how the Queen and the Council will respond, and also what she is likely to ask of him. They talk at length about this and Grant understands more about the political landscape of Marindar.
- As the day wears on, it becomes clear that neither of them want the day to end. It becomes clear that Sophia likes Grant (he has loads of Good Stuff) and she believes, correctly or incorrectly, that nothing will be the same when he leaves the Gateway, so she decides to seize the moment. Sophia knows that the phase gate between the Gateway and True Marindar are only opened at certain times so this works in the couple's favour. They share a romantic candlelit dinner, some intimate moments and then the time has passed all too quickly.
- At last the two sadly depart the Gateway and Sophia is once again operating in her capacity as a professional diplomat.

Realm 15b - True Marindar(Grey Door)
The Attaché
- The trip to True Marindar is over quickly and a handsome young man named Valerian greets Grant on arrival. He claims to be Grant's new attaché and he explains that the Queen is expecting him.

* Image by Kir-tat on DeviantART
- Valerian also that a delegation from Arcadia is waiting to see him, as well as requests from more than one Council member for an audience. The Lord Chamberlain, under direction from the Queen, has also organised a dinner in honour of Lords Grant and Ethan for their service to Marindar. That dinner is two weeks away. Valerian judges Lord Grant's attire as suitable and says that he will notify Her Majesty that he has arrived.
- As they walk, Grant asks about Ethan's meeting with the Queen's Council (knowing that he has missed it by staying in the Gateway to spend additional time with Sophia). Valerian admits that the audience did not go smoothly. The representatives from Houses Shapiro and Hyndrake in particular were quite hostile towards him. (GM's note - just a reminder that Ethan has Bad Stuff, but Grant has the maximum allowable number of points in Good Stuff) Before meeting the Queen, Grant asks Sophia to wait for him in one of the waiting rooms. Valerian confirms that the wait will be short - the Queen is very busy and private audiences are rare.

A Private Audience with the Queen
- Grant's audience with the Marindan Queen is held in one of the private chambers in the palace. It is an exquisitely decorated room with no obvious guards or attendants present, except for a plethora of bluebirds that are perched here and there (similar to Sophia's robins). The Marindan Queen appears to be alone. Grant knows that her formal name is 'Constancia', but she is more commonly referred to as 'Constance' by the local population. She is dressed more plainly than Grant expects but this just enhances her beauty as it contrasts. Like Sophia there is a pristine and ageless quality about her.

* Image by Mictones on DeviantART
- Grant greets her in a manner befitting her rank and station and she speaks softly and politely to him about how he has been received in Marindar, what happened recently in the Gateway realm, and also whether Ethan's account can be believed. Grant answers these questions diplomatically and builds trust with the Queen.
- The Queen makes clear her intentions to recognise Grant's and Ethan's contribution to the defence of the realm. She asks whether land and titles would be suitable, and Grant says that he would like to stay in Marindar. He formerly asks that Lady Sophia form part of his household. The Queen is faintly surprised and accepts provided that this appointment does not interfere with her royal duties. She does say how ever that the Gateway Key has now been removed from the Guardian which should negate the need for Sophia's services in that domain for the time being. The Queen leaves Grant with the impression that decisions have been made and things are in motion, but the Queen does not reveal what has been decided and Grant deems it inappropriate to ask.
- Grant outlines to the Queen that he wants to contact the other Lords and requests Icons to do so. The Queen considers the request and agrees to it. She says that some Icons were held in the Central Museum, and others are in her personal care. She says that she will organise to have these delivered to him. When asked if anyone in Marindar can construct Icons, she hesitates. She says that there are 'none among us' but the answer is evasive enough that Grant decides to park it and ask Sophia later.
- Grant spends almost an hour talking to the Queen. The time flies. Valerian arrives when the time is up and Grant is led away.
- (GM's note - Incidentally the picture of Constance is by the same artist who drew/painted Sophia. That is quite deliberate as I wanted there to be a similar look to the characters, indicating related bloodlines. Grant knows from the library that there is a relationship but not a close one.)

Grant, Lord of Marindar
- Grant goes to meet Sophia who has been waiting for him. When she hears that Grant has asked her to be part of his household, she is a little taken aback but she accepts. She remains professional and says that she'll discuss with him later.
- Grant asks Sophia about what the Queen meant when she said that 'none among us' can construct an Icon, Sophia explains that there was a sorcerer named Shimrod who was once of Marindar, but betrayed the Lords and instead joined the Great Enemy. He had an apprentice, Meliander, who also had the knowledge and who maintained allegiance to the Lords but he was struck down only a few years ago. He still lives, but his mind is all but shattered. No one really knows what happened to him but Meliander was actively trying to reach the Lords of Gossamer to find out what had happened to them. (Grant remembers Shimrod as one of the four servants of the Dwimmerlaik, and had read about him in the Central Library)
- Sophia is able to fill Grant in on much of what has happened in their absence. She has not been idle during Grant's meeting with the Queen. The Council heard what Ethan had to say but found it hard to believe. Four houses have petitioned the Queen to bolster the Marindan Defences, such that Morrison has now been given direct access to all artifacts contained within the Central Museum. The Queen has also put the 151st Battlefleet on standby - that is significant as it contains the last battleship from the Great War. It's a powerful artifact in its own right. The 151st have been deployed to the Outer Rim for centuries. The Lord Chamberlain is organising a ball in the honour of Grant and Ethan for two weeks time. Ethan seems to have upset the council by ignoring their requests for further meetings and instead has met an elven delegation from Arcadia. Ethan has not yet left Central - Sophia locates him in the museum using minor magic.
- Temporary quarters fit for a prince or lord are made available for Grant and Sophia. Sophia dismisses Valerian - he was only temporarily assigned to Grant and now that Grant has been formally recognised by Queen Constance he is now free to choose who represents him/works for him. Sophia organises to bring in her own staff whom she can trust for the time being. She also makes some recommendations as to who Grant should enlist. She also talks a little with Grant about his decision to ask for her. She thinks that Grant may have acted with his heart, not his head. But she is grateful and wants to be there for him. When Grant says that he needs help to make sense of this brewing storm, someone who he trusts and understands the inner workings of Marindar, Sophia can see the sense of it. She says that she will be there but asks for his trust in doing what must be done. She strongly suggests that they keep their relationship private and discreet - something that she was not prepared to mention in the palace. Once that relationship is revealed, it cannot be unrevealed. Grant agrees to keep their relationship a secret and he says that he trusts her completely in her decisions as to how to run the household.

The Icons
- The Icons arrive in a small box, sent by the Queen. Each Icon (there are 5 of them - Drake, Vala, Lucien, Mordecai, Dayle) resonates power but when Grant handles them he recognises all of them as fakes. None of them are real Icons. They've been enchanted to appear like Icons but none of them truly are Icons.
- Grant shares this revelation with Sophia, and Sophia remarks that the Queen probably does not know as they have been in her safekeeping for a long time. Someone must have switched them - someone who knew enough about Icons to make a clever fake. Sophia says that the Queen's most trusted servant was a older man named Falini, but he died a few years ago. Sophia doesn't know the details but she offers to find out.
- Grant heads over to the museum rather than wait for the Icons to be delivered and he finds a task force in the process of looting the building of useful valuables. Bethany and Morrison seem to be leading the group. Grant asks Morrison about the museum's Icons and Morrison finds some Icons of Drake and Gessimir (a Lord that Grant had not heard of before) and he dutifully offers them to Grant. However, both are fakes. Grant can tell as soon as he picks them up. However, he says nothing of this to Morrison.

Ethan in Marindar
- Locating Ethan is easy. Grant finds him working away in the Central Museum which has fabrication chambers for pulling apart and reassembling complex components. It's the closest thing to a forge that exists here in Marindar and Ethan is using it. Galatea is with him, watching him work. When asked what he's doing, Ethan says that he's realised that defence is preferable to offence and it's hard to block a bullet with a sabre. He's currently using Marindan technology to reverse engineer Yoda's light sabre, before he heads off to see the elves. He has only just started (<1 hour worked) when Grant arrives. Before then he'd been exploring the museum but then Morrison showed up and started pulling the place apart. He says that Galatea wants to be his bodyguard. She shakes her head at this but doesn't leave. Grant wants to tell Ethan that he's very wary of Morrison, but decides not to say anything in front of Galatea about his concerns. Instead he tells Ethan about his conversation with the Queen and his intention to stay in Marindar. Ethan listens politely and remains friendly but he is not completely open in front of Galatea. Grant has known Ethan for a long time and can tell. Ethan was clearly not impressed by the Queen's council. He says that he plans to visit Arcadia at the request of the elven Queen. In the meantime he's familiarising himself with Marindar and Galatea has kindly agreed to show him around. She nods obediently at this one.
- Grant leaves Ethan to his work and returns to his temporary lodgings to speak with Sophia. During this time, she establishes basic sorcerous communications with him (like a telephone - voice only) so that they can talk over distances. She also explains to Grant that there is other information that he should tap into when he has more time, but Grant is more interested in what she could uncover quickly about Falini and Shimrod's apprentice.

The Death of Falini
- Sophia is able to search Royal records and finds that Falini died 3 years ago. He was buried on the family estate. The cause of death is listed as accidental - he died at home from a heart attack, however he was apparently in good health (although he was quite old). Sophia decides that she has no confidence in the records. The records look to be in perfect order but she still doubts them. She decides to inquire upon the doctor who signed the death notice. Incidentally, Valerian took over Falini's place in the Queen's court which could be suspicious. She's not sure based on her initial investigations.

Shimrod's Apprentice
- Meliander is staying at his family estate in a wooded region to the east. He is being cared for by his wife. As it is only a short trip via one of the Marindan aircraft, Grant decides to take the journey immediately. He finds Meliander is in the Marindan equivalent of a wheelchair (it floats). His wife looks tired. The wizard himself looks quite young (in his 20s) but his eyes have a faraway look and he does not respond to conversation. Grant can see with Umbral sight that Meliander's mind is badly damaged but otherwise he's okay. Physically his body has been weakened by inactivity but there are no other maladies. Grant believes Ethan to be a superior healer, and so he contacts Ethan via Icon and asks him to help. Ethan agrees but he says that he will need about an hour (it is unspoken, but he means to ditch Galatea). Meliander's wife offers tea and Grant waits for Ethan to contact him.
- Ethan arrives alone (without Galatea) and he says that he's advised the Arcadians of a short delay. Ethan goes to work on Meliander and is able to repair his mind over the course of a day (GMs note - the power of Dominant rank Psyche). Every few hours there is noticeable improvement until at last Ethan says that he is done. Meliander's wife Clarabelle is overjoyed. That night there is a meal of celebration in the tiny house. Meliander will take time to adjust, but he is once more whole again. Meliander is able to say that Shimrod contacted him, and mentally attacked him, leaving him in his former state. (GM's note - This is the first evidence the PCs have seen of mental attack, via Icon)Meliander is able to construct Icons, and can also identify the fakes that Grant has brought as fakes.

Conversations with Ethan
- Over the course of the healing process, Ethan takes a number of rest breaks and Grant talks with him. Ethan says that he senses allies amongst the Marindans but also some deceit and he has no particular interest in playing such political games. Ethan offers to stay for awhile if it is important to him. Ethan seems amused that he's adopting Lady Sophia but doesn't chastise him. He just says that something has clearly changed in Grant to have taken to a place and a girl so strongly.
- The conversation shifts to Galatea, and Ethan remarks that she is totally smitten with him, but it makes no sense at all. He points out that he is not himself (he is still abnormally gaunt), and has only been back in civilisation a few days, and yet she still clings to him. At first he thought she was merely following orders, operating under instructions, but he's now certain that it is more than that and Ethan doesn't think that she's faking it. He doesn't think she's that bright. Ethan thinks that she is relatively young, like one of the Replicants from Bladerunner, without the emotional maturity that an adult should have. But there are so many enchantments laid on her that it's hard to know if she's being manipulated. Ethan assumes that she is, and it's some sort of 'love potion'. Ethan suspects it's some sort of honey trap, but he's not quite sure why. Certainly she seems to think of Morrison as her father, but there is little resemblance. Ethan wants to know if Grant is capable of breaking the enchantment which is affecting her emotionally. Ethan thinks he can do it himself with a combination of seduction, putting her to sleep, and then some sorcerous manipulations but he isn't completely sure. Grant offers to help, and Ethan thanks him, but parks the idea. He's not sure if tampering with someone like this is a good idea.