Lords of Gossamer and Shadow - Grant/Ethan Game: Session 75

Note: A minor edit made to Session 74 Part 3. The Keeper of the Ways never called the invader an ‘Erebus’ so I went back and fixed that.

GM Observations
- Another Ethan-only adventure whilst Grant is busy remaking Marindar, this is also a chance for Lurker37 to even the scales and GM more. (David feels a bit bad that I’ve been doing the majority of the GMing).
- Obviously with Dwimmerlaik on the home section of Stair, Ethan is motivated to get rid of them but he knows that he is going to be outnumbered and (likely) outgunned. A number of the more senior and more prominent Lords (and Ladies) of Gossamer are missing and Ethan feels uncomfortable about involving them anyway so this session is all about getting allies. If Ethan is going up against the Dwimmerlaik, he needs an army. But first he has a problem - there is has been an incursion into his home domain which he needs to deal with.
- David has made it clear that repairing Earth (Realm 0) is not just about keeping invaders out, it’s also about containing the threats that are within. (Ethan knows this in character because Jacob has said the same thing)

Part 1 - Hunting the Erebus
Realm 0 - Shadow Earth 1988 (Brown Door)
- Grabbing a woollen jumper, a jacket, his dragon shield and a lightsaber, Ethan heads out the front door of Westgate cottage. He briefly asks if any of the ravens wish to join him but they are too busy cowering to be of any real use. So he tells them ‘not to wait up’ and he heads out.
- It is mid-afternoon and reasonably warm (too hot for what he is wearing but he knows that flying will cool him down). Activating an invisibility spell and then a flight spell, Ethan gains some altitude and tries to feel for where the invader is (he hopes that he can ‘see’ it - that it is not yet over the horizon). Unfortunately what Ethan is attempting is quite difficult because an Erebus is an ‘absence’ rather than a ‘thing’ that can be found. It is difficult for Ethan to tell exactly where it is but it is far over the horizon somewhere to the south-east. It is definitely not in sight, and it is has left a ‘wake’ of displacement. There is a trail for him to follow.
- Ethan drops to the ground and heads to the garage on foot. Once in his workshop he straps on a motorbike helmet and starts up his new yellow speeder bike - the one with the red flashes down the side - the one that Grant is very envious of. He doesn’t want to be ‘spent’ flying to his destination when there might be an Erebus waiting for him. The speeder bike powers to life and quickly ascends to the garage level. Opening the garage door (using Warden powers rather using the controller), he hits the throttle and the machine is off like a flash.
- Flying over green hills and countryside, Ethan is effectively ‘invisible’ to to mortal eyes. He travels high enough not to disturb anything on the ground but well below the altitude that planes would fly. On the run Ethan makes some minor tweaks to the machine using Eidolon, slowly edging up the cruising speed.

- It is not long before Ethan reaches the coastline and the Channel and he adjusts course to follow the Erebus’s trail as it changes. Most of the time however the invader appears to be travelling in a straight line, suggesting that it is going somewhere. He definitely feels that he is gaining on it.
- After a considerable distance over the sea Ethan crosses the coastline once more. He spies windmills and passes over a city that he is pretty sure is Amsterdam. Still he carries on, travelling a long way. The sun gets lower in the sky and Ethan ‘uses the Force’ to continue following the trail as the light fades. There are mountains in the distance and forest beneath as he feels the trail descending. Then suddenly Ethan has lost the trail and he knows the the creature is somewhere below him. Circling back, he picks up the trail again and follows it, landing the speeder.
- Ethan can feel ‘wrongness’ in the forest. The trees are disturbed, warped. The light beneath the canopy is all but gone and it is nearly dark. Ethan can sense the Erebus somewhere nearby but can’t tell exactly where it is. Ethan decides not to go looking for it in the dark. Instead he walks only a short distance until he finds a comfortable place to sit, and then he sets his lightsaber aside and meditates. It is not long before he is disturbed by a strange creature which seems to be an amalgamation of foxes. The creature is clearly in distress from its unwanted transformation, and Ethan calms the creature using Psyche and then puts it gently to sleep.
- Ethan prepares to heal the entire area and he expects a long night ahead of him. He centres himself and then reaches out with Eidolon to reassert the natural order of this place. This is very difficult as much of the flora and fauna here has been merged and twisted. Ethan feels something pushing back on him but he calmly and gently presses forward with the change.
- The creature fighting him is still small but it is more than double the size that it was - about the size of a football (GM’s note - that’s a soccer ball for most of you readers out there) Ethan slowly takes control of the area. The creature continues to fight but Ethan is a paragon of relaxed serenity. As time passes, the creature becomes smaller and more concentrated. It becomes softball sized, then cricket ball sized, then golfball sized. It fights hard against him but Ethan’s control of the area is vice-like and Ethan has singular purpose - by using Eidolon to restore the natural order of the place, he hopes to eject the Erebus from this reality.
- At last it is nearly dawn and Ethan feels that he has almost won. The first rays of sun give him renewed strength and then suddenly the Erebus winks out, gone through a tiny hole in the fabric of reality little bigger than a one-pound coin. Ethan immediately sets to work to heal the hole itself and he feels enormous forces at work helping him to close the breach. The barriers here are very strong - the realm wants to be healed.
- The birds twitter with the new dawn. Ethan goes for a walk in the forest. He sees butterflies and he knows that he has done well here but he takes time making sure that all of the damage has been properly repaired before he goes looking for what drew the invader here. About a mile away Ethan finds a clearing and within it is an old tree. Investigating, Ethan finds that there is a knot in the tree about waist height and within there is a box about half the size of a shoebox. It has clearly been here a long time but the hollow in the tree has protected it from the elements (although it is partly buried under a layer of leaf litter). Taking it out, Ethan can feel that the Erebus damaged the enchantments on the box, but as a Warden Ethan is able to open it. Inside the box is velvet lined, and within is a dull iron Key. Ethan picks it up. It is definitely a Key to a Door somewhere in this Realm - on Earth, but a long way from here.
- Ethan heads back to his speeder bike and puts the box in the cargo compartment under the seat. Then he begins the trip home.

Part 2 - Tea and Biscuits
- Ethan arrives back in Westgate cottage late in the day. The cats and ravens are relieved to see him and they hastily prepare some tea and biscuits for him. Ethan is a little tired and he sits down in a leather-bound armchair in the study to relax whilst he reads through today’s newspaper and the clippings of Abbie’s exploits that he had only skimmed previously.
- After his second cup of tea, Ethan looks over the box that Shimrod gave him. He wonders if he should open it. It doesn’t feel dangerous but the name “the Breath of Eden” makes him uncomfortable - was Shimrod referring to the box or the contents, or perhaps both? Even the name suggests that what is inside could be a gas of some kind. Perhaps it is some sort of sleeping gas - after all the Dwimmerlaik could have been trying to capture him. With no answers, Ethan puts it aside and he pulls out his Icon for Abbie.
- Abbie responds quickly, and it is a pleasant conversation. She is pleased to find that Ethan is at Westgate cottage (rather than off-world) and they talk about catching for dinner soon. They talk a long time - Abbie tells Ethan that she feels that she is making a difference. She was trying to find a way to ‘give something’ to those who needed help, and she accidentally landed a hit. Only a few days after recording her first song “I’m not Alone”, she was out running as she often does at the local oval, and little did she realise that an old man had been watching her from one of the nearby houses and seen just how fast she was. She hadn’t really thought anything of how fast she was running and whether it might have been faster than normal - it simply hadn’t occurred to her. Apparently the man had made some phone calls, and somebody he called managed to get a BBC film crew down to the athletics track. One day she found a film crew there waiting for her, and somebody is asking her to run like she normally does. Abbie says that she wasn’t really sure what to do - she was embarrassed but these people seemed to be taking an interest in her and she didn’t see any harm, so she did a lap and that got the BBC sports reporter really excited. He introduced himself as William Scott, and he wanted to know who she was and given that she didn’t think it would cause any trouble, she gave her name as Abbie Powell. Well, says Abbie, it just got more unbelievable after that. He explained that she was only a three seconds outside the world record for a four hundred metre dash, and she then blurted out that she wasn’t trying to run fast. Well, of course Scott then encouraged her to try again, and she ran a second run - which Scott expected to be slower than the first, but as Abbie was trying this time, she broke the world record - just like that. Of course it was all unofficial, but the reporter asked straight up whether she was British and when she said she was, he said that there should be a place for her on the Olympic Squad if she was ‘clean’ with the Seoul Olympics only a few months away. Scott offered to make some phone calls and again, Abbie saw no harm in it so she agreed to the suggestion.
- Scott was still a little bit doubtful, but Abbie was not tired so she offered to run another 400m lap, and broke the world record a second time - not that it counts outside an official event but Scott was clearly impressed. He asked if she had heard of the Four Minute Mile - Abbie had not. He explained that only a few men had been able to run a full mile in under four minutes, and no woman had ever done it. So Abbie offered to give it a try, and she broke that too. At this point Scott could not believe it. He wanted to know where Abbie had come from, and why now. They went for a walk, he bought her a cup of coffee and they talked for a bit. He still found it difficult to believe, but if she was real and not doped to the eyeballs, then she had a real future as a professional athlete.
- Ethan listened patiently, and she explained that a lot happened after that, but the day before her first song was released, the BBC showed the news clip. The publicity was immediate - the record company even used the idea for making a video clip. They had her starting a race alone, and seemingly late - but she would catch them all up and they’d finish the race together. Abbie laughs at that.
- Smiling through the Icon as she seems genuinely happy, Ethan points out that fame can be a double-edged sword - she’s shown the world what she can do. Abbie says that she doesn’t want to hide who she is - she’s no longer the timid girl that Ethan rescued. She’s stronger now. Ethan acknowledges this and says that he admires her. He offers to take her out to dinner and Abbie says that she would love that. She reiterates that she loves him, but says that things are different now and she hopes that Ethan will accept that. Ethan says that he’s looking forward to getting to know the ‘new’ Abbie, and this pleases her. She wishes him good night and the Icon contact is cut.
- Ethan notes that some of the cats are keeping an eye on him. He puts Abbie’s Icon away and heads for bed. It feels strange being back in his room and he reminds himself to tidy up soon as Grant has done. Sitting on the side of his bed, he pulls out Grant’s Icon and initiates a contact.
- Grant is relieved to hear from Ethan as it has been days since he went to meet Shimrod. Ethan tells him about the ambush and how the Dwimmerlaik severed the Middle Kingdom from the Stair in an attempt to train him. Grant is interested in this because he thought it possible that the realm could be destroyed if severed from the Stair - but Ethan’s experience is that it is not. Ethan tells him about the box that he received from Shimrod - the so-called ‘Breath of Eden’. Ethan even tells him about the Erebus and how he defeated it. At last they discuss the Dwimmerlaik on the Stair and Grant agrees with Ethan. They need to be destroyed or at least driven away else their home is threatened. Grant strongly suggests that Ethan contact Cal or Yaeger Zane or even Greywalker - he counsels that it would be most unwise for Ethan to attempt this alone. Ethan agrees and says that he wants to gather Mordecai’s troops from the shantytown and Eldale. Grant wishes him luck.

Part 3 - Ethan’s Army
- Ethan dreams of Abbie running. It is a good dream. When he wakes he goes downstairs and finds that the cats have prepared him a cooked breakfast (devoid of any cat hair). Ethan thanks the chefs and he eats heartily. He then goes to the garage to get his set of armour from City Seven (Realm 12) and a plasma rifle. His green R2 droid insults him as he checks the weapons, assuring him that he can take care of menial tasks like this without oversight. (GM’s note R2-J7 has always had a potty mouth, ever since Session 20)

- At last when preparations are complete and he has Eidolon-enhanced his entire kit, Ethan heads out onto the Stair. (GM’s note - it is expected that he has 1-2 points in all weapons/equipment via Eidolon enhancement at this point)

Grand Stairway Section 0 - Proximate to Home Realm
- Ethan crosses the Stair to look at the where the Door to the Middle Kingdom once was. A Door is still there, but it looks different. It is now a big heavy door recessed into the wall with a huge wheel which would take two hands to turn. Just by touching it, Ethan can tell that it is no longer connected to anything. It is now a blank Door and Ethan does not know how to change that. (GM’s note - he is not a Master of the Stair)
- With the plasma rifle in his hands, and the dragon-shield on his back, Ethan activates an ‘invisibility’ spell and makes his way swiftly to the shantytown.

Realm 69 - The Alphan Empire (Corrugated Iron Door)
- Opening the Door, Ethan feels his invisibility spell being disrupted and he chooses not to re-raise it immediately. Instead he enters the maze of narrow streets flanked by improvised and often rude structures made of corrugated iron and concrete debris. Ethan keeps a low profile as he seeks out the man that he met before (GM’s note - in Session 70). He senses that he is being followed - clearly someone was watching the Door. Ethan then re-raises his invisibility spell, waits until his confused pursuers appear and then reappears and offers to take them out of here if they are still loyal to Mordecai.
- His two pursuers are very different. One has a lanky body with short red hair, a snout on his face, catlike pupils, a ‘Wolverine’ style haircut and it is unclear whether this creature is male or female. The other is short and muscular with grey shiny skin. There are three beady black eyes in its head and it has a 2nd pair of arms.
- Ethan calms their nerves using Psyche. He asks if they are hungry - they clearly are - and he proposes that he take them to get some food, and if they’re suitably convinced, they can tell the others.

Grand Stairway Section 0 - Proximate to Home Realm
- Ethan persuades the two of them onto the Stair, and he leads them to a place that serves good food. Ethan offers to get them some weapons as well, but they settle for ‘food first’.

Realm 5 - The Bar (Brown Door)
- The bar hasn’t changed at all. It is morning here, and Ethan again uses Psyche to befuddle the bartender sufficiently that he doesn’t protest having ‘aliens’ in his establishment.

* Image sourced from www.safestyle-windows.co.uk/secret-door/
- While food is being organised, Ethan introduces himself and explains his purpose. He needs to get rid of some Dwimmerlaik - that gets their attention. He tells them about two others who went with Jodan, and he offers to get the group back together again. The two of them see little problem with this - there are almost a dozen of the Raven Legion in this area, and they have been simply trying to survive “since the Empress’ crackdown”.

Grand Stairway Section 0 - Proximate to Home Realm
- With the meal done, Ethan then takes them to Jodan’s weapon factory to re-arm.

Realm 66 - Jodan’s Factory (Grey Hatch)
- The duo quickly re-equip themselves. They take a pair of high-tech guns, plus low tech ranged and melee weapons as backup. The ‘Grey’ takes four small hand-axes. Ethan has gained their confidence by feeding and arming them.

Grand Stairway Section 0 - Proximate to Home Realm
- They quickly head back to the Shantytown. Grey and his friend agree to gather the others.

Realm 69 - The Alphan Empire (Corrugated Iron Door)
- Back in the Shantytown, Ethan can feel their anxiety in this place. Some of the people here are hostile towards the Raven Legion. As such, Ethan makes himself invisible and then uses Sorcery to protect a calming influence over the area so that no violence breaks out. Grey and his friend quickly gather the other members of the Raven Legion - there are three men, two woman, a slim teenager with old eyes and six aliens. One of the aliens is a lizard man with a humanoid face. One alien is dog-like, walking on all fours, but he carries a vest. One of the aliens reminds Ethan of the ‘Twi’lek’ from Star Wars (due to the tentacles on his head). Their leader is a muscular bearded man who has only a single arm, and has a severe scar across his face which cuts through his nose and ends with a ruined eye socket. They are all tense but methodical as they file out onto the Stair. Their leader is the last.

Grand Stairway Section 0 - Proximate to Home Realm
- Ethan asks the leader whether he would prefer to rearm first or eat. The leader gauges Ethan with his one good eye and asks for weapons. Ethan agrees to this, and they head to the factory.

Realm 66 - Jodan’s Factory (Grey Hatch)
- It is Christmas for the Raven Legion. Even their leader smiles as they break out the weapons, and the dog-man attaches guns to mounts laced into his vest. The leader asks Ethan whether what ‘Grey’ said is true - that he has Dwimmerlaik that need killing. Ethan confirms this and this makes him pleased. Ethan notes how professional the group is - each is an odd individual, but they seem to know their roles very well.

Grand Stairway Section 0 - Proximate to Home Realm
- Now rearmed, Ethan takes them to get some food.

Realm 5 - The Bar (Brown Door)
- Again, Ethan befuddles the bartender and the staff so that the Raven Legion can eat in peace. Ethan pays the bartender in gold. Sitting down, Ethan asks the leader’s name and he says that his name is Finn. (GM’s note - yes, I pointed out the similar to the recent Star Wars movie, but David likes the name so the name stays) They eat and drink, but do not drink too much. Ethan explains that two more of the Raven Legion are with Jodan only a short way away, and Ethan agrees to take the group to them. Even though these soldiers work for Mordecai, and they have no loyalty or allegiance to Ethan, the group is happy as they’ve been fed and rearmed and they have a mission which Mordecai would agree with. Ethan explains where the Dwimmerlaik are and to his surprise, Finn and the others recognise the location - an unoccupied Nexus. Ethan describes the adversaries (including the mechanoids) and the group knows of them, though they have not fought them before. Finn’s comment is that these machines have a tendency to get back up. They discuss tactics and Finn asks many questions. After an hour, Finn calls the group together and explains the plan. They head off, following Ethan’s lead.

Realm 72 - Eldale (Oak Door)
- The Door opens into a heavily wooded area. It is afternoon, and they begin marching towards Avelor. They arrive well before it gets dark and Carish is again waiting for them (as he can foretell the future, at least in this realm). Finn is quickly reunited with the other two from his team, but Carish advises Ethan that Jodan is not in residence. He left three days ago to see someone - something that concerns Ethan but he can do little about.
- That evening there is a reunion in the main hall. They have a hot meal together and Ethan reveals in conversation that there is a realm nearby called City Seven where he came under attack. Finn comments that it might also be more of the Raven Legion there too. During a lull in the conversation, Ethan steps away for a few minutes and contacts Grant via Icon to let him know what is going on. Grant appreciates the update.
- Heading back to the group, Ethan talks a little with Finn. Finn has started to trust Ethan. He is a personable leader and well liked by his soldiers. Ethan asks about Finn’s arm and offers to heal it. Finn knows about Eidolon and willingly accepts. Before long, all of them are showing off their scars and injuries so that ‘Doc’ Ethan can fix them. Finn’s injury is the worst though - his arm has been lost from the shoulder it takes some time to regrow the arm. However, Ethan manages it and the group is in peak fighting form once more.

And next session, Session 76 is where we see real bloody combat on the Stair across multiple Doorways…….

But now, some more LEGO Lords of Gossamer….. !!!

Welcome LEGO Abbie….. Part 1 of 4

Ethan: Welcome to Great Britain!
Abbie: Is it safe?