- In this session we continue to see the ‘Rules of the Realm’ trumping both Warden powers like Wayfinding, and also suppressing major powers like Eidolon. We also test the limits of Endurance for Grant (2nd PC Rank) as he runs and fights and fights and fights and …. well, where does it end?
- We also introduce for the first time the idea that there may be alternate selves - is Abigail really Abbie (and the Realm has re-wired her memories) or is she an alternate Abbie? This sort of thing has been done a lot in fiction, but we have so far steered away from this.
Realm 59 - The Legendary Realm (Red Door inlaid with Gold)
Part 11 - Dragonfire
- Grant decides to assemble the Lifehammer from the three pieces that he has recovered from the Miasma swamps. It is more than 15kg in weight, and Grant can tell that it is a ‘Weapon of Order’. He decides to find a quiet place at the edge of the swamp where he is not likely to be disturbed, and then he examines it. He doesn’t think it is an Eidolon-infused weapon, but he isn’t sure. Given that he has all three pieces of the Lifehammer, he wonders if he can Wayfind the Deathstone (which the Lifehammer is fated to destroy) but it does not work.
- Sighing, he fixes the pommel to the haft and it fuses, then the hammer itself. He can tell that the artefact is complete, and that it is magically powerful, but he is reassured that it is not an Eidolon weapon, nor is it sentient (GM’s note - Lurker37 half-expected the weapon to be an Eidolon weapon which only Ethan could wield, and it would have a personality that hated him, because he is an Umbra master. But no, that’s not the case) The Lifehammer glows from etched runes that have been engraved into it. It is clearly a powerful weapon, with a purpose. (According to the texts which were explained to Grant at Skullheim, the Lifehammer is fated to destroy the Deathstone).
- Grant then decides to try Wayfinding to the Deathstone again, but still draws a blank. However, the Lifehammer does exude a pull towards the east. But before Grant can pursue this further, he senses another presence - a shadow above the clouds - he runs for the swamp waters and then plunges into the deepest waters that he can find.
- The dragon-strike goes off like a bomb, setting the entire area aflame. The dragon clearly knows that Grant is nearby, and it continues to rake the area for several minutes until it is convinced that he must be dead. Meanwhile, Grant has executed a subtle shape-shift to enable him to feel more comfortable deep in the water, and he holds his breath. After five minutes he feels that he will have to use more Umbra to stay underwater longer so he swims slowly away to a small patch of swamp water which is no longer burning. He pops up, takes a breath and sinks down again. The dragon does not see him. He decides that this is a good tactic, and he swims away slowly, occasionally popping up for air when he needs to.
- At last after more than an hour eluding the dragon, he feels safe. The dragon has missed him and doesn’t appear to know where he has gone. It is afternoon and he estimates that it is three hours to sunset.
Part 12 - The Dragon Hunt
- Grant uses the Lifehammer once more and there is a very slight tug towards the east. It seems to sense the Deathstone but it is nowhere near as precise as using Wayfinding. Grant shifts into wolf form, and with the heavy Lifehammer in his teeth, he heads east along the northern shore of Westlake, hoping to reach the village of Dubla before nightfall.
- On the way, Grant smells a creature in his path. It is one of the Umbral gaunts, guarding the road to Dubla. Grant decides to avoid it and heads inland. There he comes across a terrible smell - there is a rock-pile which the undead are guarding, and there are many slain bodies here, presumably people taken from Dubla, which have not yet risen. Grant thinks carefully and again decides to avoid them. He heads to Dubla and to his surprise, the town has not been totally overrun. There are villagers there, but many of the outlying buildings have been ransacked and now lie empty.
- Grant also notes that the Dubla jetty and all of the boats have been destroyed by dragon-fire. The situation is the same as that at Alicor and Grant has the idea that the dragon’s lair might be on the lake. He remembers the old man sketching out the valley for him, and there is a single island in Westlake. If the dragon destroyed the jetties at both towns, he considers it possible that the dragon has decided to make its lair there.
- Grant avoids Dubla, and enters the lake. This time he shifts into shark-form and he swims through the grey waters with the Lifehammer in his jaws.
- As the light fades, Grant spies the island. It is a rocky bluff with cliffs on all sides, but it definitely easier to climb on the eastern side. The island appears to slope towards the east. On top of the island is a larger rocky outcrop. It looks like a forbidding place - there are no birds here despite ample places to nest.
- Grant decides to scale the north-west side, the most difficult face - he again shifts his form (as a humanoid sloth) and then he begins to climb. On the cliff-top he finds that the sloped plateau is quite rocky, such that he needs to scramble over boulders in order to navigate. However on the plus side there are many places to hide here.
- Taking his time as the last of the twilight disappears away, Grant scales the peak and uses Umbral sight to look around very carefully. He finds that there is an overhang on the eastern side, suggesting a cave entrance, and he also finds a magical glamour on the north east side of the outcrop which conceals another way in.
- Retreating, Grant rounds the outcrop to get a better look at the east side. There is more foliage here, including six trees that look out of place to his trained eye - Grant is able to tell that they are not trees, but enchanted guardians. Grant decides to avoid them, and uses Umbra to remove the triggers that would see them reanimated.
- Carefully moving on, Grant finds a series of large stone steps leading into the mountain. The entrance is flanked by statues mades out of strange crystal. Again, Grant is sure that these statues will come alive if he approaches so he uses Umbra to suppress their activation. As he climbs the steps, he smells rotten flesh within the outcrop. There is a third ward at the entrance to the cave, but again Grant removes it. Preparing for a fight, Grant has Gorgorin in one hand and the Lfiehammer in the other. He steps across the threshold.
- Hissing and spitting, the undead come from side chambers. Some carry decayed weapons, others carry weapons which are still in pristine condition. Some climb the walls, some rush forward, whilst others creep around the sides. There are many of these creatures. They are tough and they come in waves. Grant fights - many fall, but even when they suffer grievous blows, the nearby magic of the Deathstone reanimates them again. The battle rages for a long, long time but Grant is a skilled warrior with two powerful weapons and he eventually (after many hours) prevails.
Part 13 - The Battle with Korbundar
- Surrounded by minced desiccated corpses, Grant tries to catch his breath but he then sees two huge red eyes down one of the corridors and before he can react, Grant feels the dragon touch his mind, racking his brain with mental claws. Agonised, Grant instinctively raises an Umbral Barrier which has the side-effect of cutting off the dragon’s attack.
- Grant staggers back and realises that the dragon is about to breathe upon him. With nowhere to go, Grant focuses everything he has on his Umbral defences and tries to split the dragon-fire. This exhausts him, but he succeeds in splitting the attack. The entire cave goes up in an inferno of dragon-fire, but within it, Grant is still alive.
- At this point Grant knows he is overmatched. He’s exhausted from battle and lack of rest, and the dragon is at full strength. Despite the chamber being filled with fire, Korbundar knows that Grant is alive. It tells him to “Leave the blade, and I’ll let you live.” Grant is surprised by this - he didn’t expect the dragon to be after Gorgorin the Shatterer.
* Image by LhuneArt on DeviantArt
- Grant tries to think up a plan, but he’s very worn down. When Grant doesn’t immediately surrender, Korbundar threatens to torch the village of Dubla, and then he retreats into his cave and flies off to make good on his threat.
- Grant follows the dragon into his lair, hoping that there is something there that he can use to kill it. There is an enormous trove of treasure - gold, gemstones, jewellery and all manner of other valuables - but nothing that he can use. Looking up, he can see the glamour in the roof of the cave, hiding the dragon’s way out.
- He thinks quickly. He has only perhaps ten or fifteen minutes before the dragon returns. He has to come up with something quickly or flee. He considers contacting Ethan via Icon and leaving, but shelves that idea. At last, despite the risk, Grant decides that he will stand and fight. He decides to climb the wall like a gecko and hide just inside where the rocky roof meets the glamour. He hopes that the dragon will not expect that. Sparing a thought for the poor people of Dubla, Grant quickly rifles through the treasure trove and scatters some items (hoping to annoy the dragon), and then begins to climb (with the Lifehammer strapped to his back).
- The dragon returns, beating its mighty wings above the deathcloud and looks through both cloud and glamour. Korbundar sees no one, but notes that his treasure has been disturbed. Irritated by this, the dragon folds its wings and plunges back into the cave, opening them again at the last second to slow its descent. The winds in the cave are terrible and the dragon makes a terrible storm of dust as it lands, but Grant realises that his plan has worked. The dragon is below him and has not realised (yet) where he is.
- Leaping down with Gorgorin, Grant stabs and hacks at the dragon. Korbundar immediately tries to buck Grant off as it lurches in pain. Despite this, Grant keeps stabbing and hacking. Grant feels sorcerous spells being directed at him, but the spells collapse before Korbundar can complete them. Cutting through the dragon’s spine, the dragon collapses.
- Shaking like a leaf with the dragon’s body still flailing, Grant realises that it isn’t over. The magic of the Deathstone is not allowing Korbundar to die. Despite the likelihood of being crushed by its massive body, Grant attacks once more, and ‘kills it’ a second time, dismembering two limbs and the head but still the creature will not die.
- After more than an hour of killing the dragon, and killing the dragon again and again, Grant is pushing collapse. Even with his godlike Endurance (GM’s note - he has 2nd PC rank Endurance) he has limits. He tries one last time to ‘kill it’ for long enough to find the Deathstone, and he goes looking for it in the mountain.
- Using the Lifehammer, Grant follows one of the side corridors to a chamber which contains a massive lump of coal-like black rock. It matches the description of the Deathstone but he can tell that this is not the real thing. The real Deathstone lies in the chamber beyond. With the dragon roaring in the distance as it pulls itself together in agony, Grant faces a wraith-like creature - the final guardian of the Deathstone.
- Luckily the guardian is no match for Gorgorin, and Grant prevails. Putting Gorgorin aside, Grant swings the Lifehammer down upon the Deathstone with the last of his strength - he strikes it once, cracks it with the second blow, and then the cracks become wider with each successive blow. On the seventh blow Grant splits the Deathstone into pieces. The Lifehammer shatters, and the dragon’s roar is suddenly silent.
- Grant topples to the floor and he breathes deeply. He has never been pushed so far in his life, never come so close to death. He is totally exhausted. Alone in the darkness, Grant feels for his Icon of Ethan. He gently activates it and asks for assistance.
Part 14 - The Battle of Gollim continues
- Ethan’s day is very different. Whereas Grant was running around and fighting battle after battle, things are initially very quiet in Gollim. As dawn breaks, Ethan notes that the defenders are very tired. They have many injuries which have not fully healed, their equipment and defences are in poor order and they are physically tired from being under siege for an extended period of time. However their morale is still good - Sir Guy (the Baronet), Celtar (a knight), Saxus (another knight), Jarred (a war-priest) and Glendon (the local magistrate) appear to be capable leaders.
- Given that Ethan is a newcomer to Gollim and has already proven to be an asset, Sir Guy asks to meet with him.
* Image by ArtofJustaman on DeviantArt
- When Ethan gives his name, Ethan is asked if he is ‘Prince Ethan’, one of the lost Princes. Ethan laughs at that and says that he is just a healer, but if it would help the people to think that ‘Prince Ethan’ stands with them, then he has no objections. Sir Guy then asks if he travels with ‘Prince Grant’, at which point Ethan is even more surprised. He wonders if there is some magic at work in this realm. Ethan admits that Grant travels with him, but he is currently on another quest to “lift the deathcloud”. Sir Guy brightens with this news and shares with Ethan that they have recently fallen back to the township of Gollim because ‘a dread spectre’ attacked the walled keep and none of them could touch or hurt it. Even Father Jarred’s prayers would not drive it away.
- Ethan learns more about the army which has been attacking Gollim. He hears that there is a mighty undead lord named Kargoth who commands the army - his motivations are unclear as his army is much stronger than the defenders and Sir Guy is certain that they would be overrun if Kargoth chose to attack with all of the forces at his disposal. Sir Guy also mentions a terrible dragon that has been seen in the west, but it has not come to Gollim. Kargoth has many undead in his service, but also giants and man-scorpions. There are also two black wizards in Kargoth’s service, and two other warlords. Only Father Jarred and Guy himself have managed to face off against one of the warlords. Sir Guy tells Ethan that both of them are very strong warriors.
- Sir Guy goes on to explain that the attacks have been going on for some time, and Kargoth’s forces are slowly growing in strength. The dead rise, and strange creatures keep coming ‘from the mountains’. Ethan wonders if there could be another Door or possibly even a sorcerous portal. Ethan asks further about this and Sir Guy tells him that there is a temple in the mountains which was carved by hermit wizards, but no one has been there a long time.
- As he is talking, a black cat walks up and coughs. Ethan expresses surprise that Macavity is here, to which Macavity says politely that it might have been wiser to go for a walk rather than reveal to the people here that he is, in fact, a talking cat. Ethan apologises.
* Image sourced via Google Images
- Ethan asks how Macavity got here. Macavity explains that he noted that Abbie had left Westgate cottage, and since Ethan had asked him to keep an eye on her and he couldn’t find her, he thought he’d contact Ethan in case she was with him. Imagine his surprise to find himself transported to a strange place infested with the undead. It is clear that Macavity is intrigued by this place, but also a bit ruffled. Ethan is also surprised by this as he didn’t feel an Icon being triggered this time, and yet this is definitely the real Macavity. Ethan gives Macavity a rundown on the situation, and Macavity offers to help. (GM’s note - Macavity is a cat with a mind of his own, but he is also a paid-points companion)
- Sir Guy takes Ethan on a tour of the village defences. It is strangely quiet but Sir Guy warns Ethan that this can change suddenly. The people doggedly repair the damaged barricades, or rest, or watch. A few thank him for the aid that he provided the previous night. Ethan decides to stay and help for the time being, and he uses sorcery to continue healing people where he can (without the use of Eidolon) - it is a little tiring, but he finds that he recovers quickly after each effort. In a matter of hours whilst all is quiet, Ethan has cured the most badly injured, relieved the defenders of their fatigue and lifted their spirits considerably.
- Then, just before midday when the sun should be at its peak, the undead come again. This time, however, the defenders throw them back with comparative ease (because they are at full strength). An hour later, a second attack comes on two fronts and in larger numbers. Ethan and Macavity join the fighters on the eastern front, and once again the undead are thrown back although some of the attackers make it through the defences and it is a much harder fight.
- Even as the enemy is thrown back, a third attack forms. Kargoth is clearly aware that something has changed, and has sent in one of his warlords (Diomedes) to breach the defences. Wearing a horned helmet and carrying a lance, the warrior directs the giants to break one of the barricades between the houses. Although one of the giants is cut down by the defenders, the other manages to tear off an entire section of the improvised wall and hurl it onto one of the houses. Following in the giants’ wake, the undead then spill into the streets of Gollim.
- Led by Sir Guy and Jarred, the defenders reorganise and attempt to retake the breach. Using sorcerous TK to hurl the undead out of his path, Ethan clears a path to the warlord and engages him.
* Image by Alanlathwell on DeviantArt
- The warlord is a skilled spearman and he gives Ethan little opportunity to attack with his elven blade. Similarly Ethan is able to block every spear thrust with his dragon-shield. As Ethan continues to battle the warlord, the undead lose their cohesion as they have no engaged leader and the defenders start to turn the tide. After the battle has been going for about ten minutes, the warlord pauses and asks for Ethan’s name. Ethan is about to answer when there is a flash of green light and he realises that Macavity has used this moment for a sneak attack. Ducking under the warlord’s lance, Ethan gets much closer as the warlord uses his weapon as a staff to fend off Ethan’s attacks. As the warlord retreats, trying to clear his vision, Ethan continues to press the attack. Then suddenly, Ethan manages to score a wound upon his foe and this suddenly changes the battle. His opponent weakened, Ethan is able to score another blow, then he disarms and finally slays him. The warlord crashes at his feet.
- Ethan rejoins the battle and helps to mop up, driving the undead away. This victory gives the enemy pause, and it is almost an hour before they come again, with giants, man-scorpions, revenants and two Umbra Masters for support. Despite a significant portion of Kargoth’s army being committed, the enemy is more cautious on the attack this time, probing and trying to assess weak-points. Occasionally one of the Umbra Masters will commit themselves to the offensive, but never putting themselves in real danger. Ethan holds back, and bides his time, helping where he can but being careful to pace himself.
- In between battles, Ethan checks in on Abigail and talks to her for a while. She reminds him very much of Abbie as there are parallels. In this place, Abigail has also lost her family in war. With the family fortunes in tatters, she was fortunate enough to be taken in by Sir Guy’s household. Ethan continues to wonder whether this person really is Abbie, or whether there is some magic at work in this realm.
- About an hour after sunset, Ethan receives an Icon contact from Grant, and he brings Grant through. The poor fellow is exhausted and he practically collapses in his arms. Ethan carries him to a house where he can rest and puts a guard on the door, then goes back to the Gollim defences.
And the good news is that I have time to writeup Sessions 66 and 67 given that I’m on multiple 4+ hour flights over the next few days.
The even better news is that for the first time in >15 years, David and I are actually in the same timezone during the working week. Ergo, longer Lords of Gossamer sessions. Rock on!
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