Session 135 - Impersonation

GM’s Observations
- I’ve been doing full blown write-ups for a while. I’m going to cut those down again so that I can keep up to date, rather than being 10 sessions behind in writeups.

Major Characters
- Ethan, Grant, Abbie, Sophia, Macavity, Stolvir

Adversaries
- The Guardians of the Dragons’ Graveyard.

Adventure Summary - Part 1 (Raiding the Dragons’ Graveyard)
- Another four months has passed. Grant and Ethan have made multiple forays into the Dragons’ Graveyard. Each visit has been more difficult. They have dealt with Guardians of black stone waiting by the Door, Guardians of brown mist in the clouds, and Guardians of reanimated dragonflesh and bone. 
- During that time they have found the following:

• A powerful silver crown which enables the wielder to ‘see truth’ in all things. In fact, the crown shapes reality to meet the wielder’s view of ‘truth’. (This was found under the ground in a temple)
• A pair of magical pistols which do not require ammunition. (This was found in two boxes)
• An umbral device which enables the wielder to transform reality, but to use it is euphoric and addictive. (this was contained within a black umbral vessel)
• A set of plate armour which matches Ethan’s dragon shield and is just as impervious. Found in an underground tomb, it appears that it was once worn by a dragon’s champion. The sword and shield are missing from the tomb.
• A ‘bird-cage’ like device which can be used to imprison sentient creatures. Inside, a miniature demon lord rages.
• A great tome which contains drawings and musings about “The Infinite Staircase” and its many Doors. It appears to have been compiled by someone with an extraordinarily long life span.
• A bizarre organ-like machine which only makes sense to an Umbra Master. It appears to have many functions.
• A beautiful elven music box, which sings so beautifully that anyone who hears it is totally captivated.
• A pair of darksteel gauntlets which enable the wielder to manipulate shadow-stuff as if it had physical form.
• A strange reactor-like device which appears to be empty, but the technology level in this device is beyond anything that Ethan has seen so far.
• Finally, a Warptime Ring which enables the wielder to change, or even reverse time around them. This is the artefact that Nibazizjawlei told him of.

- Grant and Ethan have little reason to go off on other forays. They are quite comfortable exploring the Graveyard and spending time at home.

Adventure Summary - Part 2 (An Unexpected Diversion)
- Grant is deep underground in a heavily warded location when he receives an Icon contact from Drake. He was investigating the Umbral machine. Drake convinces him to come through to a place called Berutha which is unfamiliar to him. In this place the locals claim to be keeping something for ‘Lord Grant’. Everything here is small. The sheep are tiny. The ‘people’ are large rodents who appear used to seeing ‘giants’. A red-robed mouse named Fallon (who speaks perfect French) gives Grant a Dwimmerlaik-made Key. Fallon confirms that Grant left the Key with him, and they buried some his equipment. Grant orders it dug up and he finds a change of clothes, some non-perishable food, a deck of playing cards, a hip flask of brandy and a first aid kit. Grant thanks the Beruthans and gifts them with rain (using Gorgorin gently) to improve their crops.
- Confused, Grant doesn’t remember ever coming to Berutha although he thinks it possible as Umbra can cause blackouts. He asks Drake what brought him here and Drake has been looking into the White Hand. They are active in this area. 
- Grant goes hunting for the Door which the Key would open. He is unsure why anyone would want to impersonate him in this way. He finds the Door - it leads to an underground mine labyrinth. Exploring further he finds many dead Dwimmerlaik here. Long dead. This was an invasion force. Exploring further he realises that this is Heldon’s Pass which was heavily fought over by both Lords of Gossamer and Dwimmerlaik, but there appears to be no reason why he would come here. He contacts Lady Sophia and confers with her. He also talks to Drake and informs him what he has found. 
- Returning to Marindar, Grant interrupts Ethan and asks him to look over the items that were buried in Berutha. Ethan confirms that they were Dwimmerlaik-fabricated, but he believes that Grant was the last person to wear them. Grant thinks - he assumes that it isn’t a memory loss and that another Umbra Master is up to something. He assumes it is Bastiano as Bastiano likes expanding his empire and he has shown interest in Marindar before. Lady Sophia confirms that Bastiano is currently in Marindar - he has been coming and going for some time. Grant wonders if Bastiano wants him out of the way for some reason. He wonders about the Legendary Realm as he met one of Bastiano’s agents there. His thoughts drift to his wife Aethelwyne (whom he has not seen in some time).

Other Impacts
- By the time of writing this, it is clear that Bastiano is indeed up to no good. Ethan is quite oblivious to this - he is in love with Abbie and, let’s face it, this plot isn’t about him.