Session 56 Preparations

GM Observations
- Given the resources that Ethan and Grant have access to them, I did some planning as to how the group would tackle the final realm (to give Lurker37 to chance to prepare). I thought some of you might enjoy reading those preparations.

Email 1 of Preparations
Hi David,

I'm assuming that Ethan, Grant, Isabelle and the others have had plenty of time to discuss tactics in terms of how to handle their entry to the final realm. Here's my strawman as to how to handle it.

Assumptions:
- Spells activated on the Stair could lose their potency when entering a Realm. Hence the most prudent course of action is to activate spells when in the Realm itself (after slightly adjusting the spell to local conditions).
- The Red-Eyed Dwimmerlaik knows that Ethan and Isabelle are travelling together, and he may know that they are travelling with Grant. It is possible that he knows about some of the others, but not certain.
- The Red-Eyed Dwimmerlaik wants the Compass. He may/may not know about Isabelle's connection to the Compass - if he does know of it, then it's possible that he may want Isabelle alive - but this is unclear.
- Lucien is either trapped on the Realm or uncontactable or both. It is highly likely that Icons will not work in the final Realm. It is also possible that Sorcery will not work, or that the Realm is controlled (ie: control of contents, control of destiny).
- The Door may either be Warded or Guarded. It may not be safe immediately on the other side of the Door.
- The final Realm is outside of Dwimmerlaik controlled territory, but may be a privately controlled Realm, or retreat of some kind.
- The Red-Eyed Dwimmerlaik is a powerful sorcerer (he has demonstrated the ability to project across realms). He is also arrogant.
- The group has moved relatively quickly through Dwimmerlaik-controlled territory, so the Red-Eyed Dwimmerlaik may not know that they have arrived. (however, given his ability to find Ethan previously, they cannot assume this).

Preparations:
- (I kept forgetting to ask for this) In handing the Compass over to Meliander, Ethan would have asked Meliander to make two copies, one which could then be handed back to Isabelle before the final Realm is entered. In case we need to bargain for Lucien, we may need to hand this over. A second copy would be kept in Marindar, just in case.
- Ethan would closely observe the section of Stair immediately outside the final Door, such that he could prepare a Teleport to return to this location. (He's not expecting it to work, but again, he'd have this ready)
- Ethan would ask Jessamyn if Isabelle could borrow her Ankh (or ask Greywalker to cast suitable spells over them so that they can evade detection when they enter - they can be short duration spells) 
- Ethan and Isabelle will go in together, with Grant shapeshifted into mouse-form in one of Ethan's pockets. They would synchronise watches across the group. Cal and Jessamyn will remain in Garland on standby. Both Greywalker and Yaeger Zane will be waiting on the Stair.
- The plan would be for the Ethan, Grant and Isabelle to enter the final Realm together, then Grant would split off from Ethan and Isabelle. Ethan and Isabelle perform a reconnaissance to find Lucien but their first priority is to remain undetected. Grant heads off separately, looking for ways to stir up trouble. Ethan will test an Icon within the final Realm to see if Greywalker can be reached.
- The aim would be for Ethan and Isabelle to locate Lucien within 12 hours, then Grant to bring in Yaeger Zane to help him cause trouble. Greywalker, Cal and Jessamyn are backup. Greywalker, Cal and Jessamyn will not be committed to the final Realm unless there is a clear route out. The backup backup plan is for Greywalker or Cal to contact Drake and request military reinforcements. (NB: this last plan won't work - for reasons I'll explain another time).
- The aim would be to secure Lucien using a combination of Sorcery and Umbra to break whatever prison he is in, and physically take him out of the Realm - using in order of priority: Icon, Sorcerous Teleport, Door. It is recognised that Greywalker could open a Door from within the realm to another location on the Stair to escape and hence if there is a 'blackout' (no word heard from Ethan, Isabelle or Grant) for 6 hours, Greywalker will enter the realm to rescue them (with Cal for backup), leaving Jessamyn in reserve on the Stair. The aim is that by 12 hours, Ethan and Isabelle will be making an attempt to rescue Lucien and Grant/Yaeger will be stirring up trouble. 
- It is recognised that if Icon and Sorcerous Teleports don't work that the bottleneck will be the Entrance Door, unless Greywalker enters the Realm. Hence to avoid the Entrance Door being the 'only way out', it's very important that Greywalker enter the final Realm at the appointed time (unless contacted first). Leave no one behind.
- If the Red-Eyed Dwimmerlaik has a whole army, it seems hopeless - the expectation is that Grant/Ethan/Isabelle will withdraw. It may be difficult to communicate across the two groups given that Ethan/Isabelle and Grant are split up - that is a risk that the team has to accept.
- The other possibility is that the Red-Eyed Dwimmerlaik has complete control over the realm, and the only way to get out is to defeat him, or take possession of whatever controls the domain. Again, this is something that both Grant and Ethan/Isabelle will pursuit as a secondary objective. If they have to kill the Red-Eyed Dwimmerlaik to seize control of the Realm in order to get out, that is something that they will simply have to do.
- Assuming that they manage to escape, Ethan would suggest that the place to retreat to would be Marindar. There is a risk in that as the Realm has restricted access, but it is possible that the Enemy will pursue. Hence Meliander has been informed that they will attempt to bring Lucien back to Marindar as the priority - he is expecting them within 16 hours and will be in Central. However, I'm guessing that Grant/Greywalker would suggest contacting Drake instead because he's got a whole army with him - which would probably become the preferred plan.

Obviously the above plan is not watertight - too many unknowns and possibilities. It is just a strawman.

Kind Regards,

Bruce

Email 2 of Preparations
Hi Bruce,

Assumptions - no comment, obviously.

Meliander will need a couple of days to make the replicas since he needs to imbue them with enough power to make them passable artifacts, otherwise that would be a dead giveaway.

No to borrowing the Ankh - and Greywalker would rather teach you the spell.

I'm not clear on where Yaeger is if there is no contact after 6 hours - does he stir up trouble early, or wait?

The rest looks fine, based on what you currently know.

Email 3 of Preparations
Thanks David, 

- Meliander can have the days that he needs to make the replicas (I think that's all fine and fits in with the current timeline)
- Regarding borrowing the Ankh, Ethan makes the request of Jessamyn on Isabelle's behalf. Is it Jessamyn that says no? Regarding Greywalker offering to teach the spell - is he offering to teach Ethan or Isabelle the spell? I'm not clear.
- I deliberately left a hole in Yaeger's instructions. It's no fun if the instructions are perfect.

Cheers,

Bruce