Session 233 – Olympian Games

 - GM’s note: It has been a while since we saw Hilda. The last time we saw her was in Session 222. Ethan was concerned that he was being hunted and it wasn’t safe for her to be around, so she was being looked after by Antigone in the woods some distance from Central (on Marindar). Once the Dragon War was over, it made sense for Ethan to wait for the dust to settle, then to seek out his adopted daughter.

This session is a two-parter where we pick up the story about six weeks after the end of the Dragon War.

Personally I really liked this adventure because it was an excellent blending of a Greek Myth into the Lords of Gossamer storyline. It makes sense that Demeter would take a shine to Hilda. Demeter lost her daughter Persephone to Hades, whilst Hilda has chosen to remain a child and even wiped her parents’ memories in order to protect them.

Part 1 – Reunited with Hilda

- It has been six weeks since the end of the Dragon War. There has been time for reunions with both Abbie and Isabelle. All three of them feel a sense of relief that the nightmare is finally over and they can move forward, but there will be further challenges and hardships ahead. 

- Ethan returns to Marindar to assist with the cleanup. The devastation is worse than he expected. Whole sections of Central have been flattened or are just ‘gone’. There are so many missing. Central is not a large city, and he has spent enough time to know many people here. He knows many of the lost.

- His family has also been affected too. Ethan’s elder brother Ben was a member of the Marindan Defence forces and he was killed during the Dragon War. His other family members have survived but many of those who came with Ethan from the Legendary Realm have not. Those who did survive ask why Lord Ethan didn’t stand with them. They feel abandoned, betrayed.

- After a week helping repair and rebuild Central, Ethan decides that it is safe enough to visit Antigone and see how Hilda is faring. Luckily Ethan’s house in Central is standing – it was in one of the sections of Central that didn’t sustain any significant damage. Hence the magical breach in the house can be used to reach the woods where Antigone lives.

- Ethan steps through and finds the woods as quiet and calm as he remembered. There is no one home but he goes for a walk and finds her. She is calmly fishing with a spear and line down at the river. They talk for a while – Antigone left Central in the wake of the second dragon attack – it brought back bad memories for her and she decided to take Hilda out of harm’s way. She remarks that Hilda will be pleased to see her ‘father’ and they head back to the house. Ethan thinks it strange that Antigone believes that Hilda is in her house when he cannot sense her presence but he says nothing.

- Returning to Antigone’s house, they find that Hilda isn’t there. Ethan can sense that someone else has been here and he feels like it is someone with Olympian powers. There is a piece of parchment with golden lettering on it that is lying on the table. It is addressed to both Antigone and Ethan. The words are written in Hilda’s handwriting. She says that she is going to play with Aunt Demeter and not to worry.

- Ethan is surprised. He hasn’t met Demeter before although he knows who she is. Annoyed, Antigone says this must have only happened in the past few hours whilst she was fishing. Antigone confirms that Demeter has never visited before. Feeling the parchment, Ethan can tell that this was written by Hilda and she was excited, not distressed. She was not coerced into writing this missive but it doesn’t say when she will return.

- Both Antigone and Ethan are worried at first, but they decide that there is nothing that they can do in the short term so they decide to wait for Hilda to return. They share some tea, and they share stories. Antigone asks Ethan about what happened during the many months that he was away from Hilda. Ethan asks about what his daughter has been doing and whether she has been okay. As the day wears on, Ethan looks at the treats that he brought for Hilda to eat and they decide to eat some of them while waiting for her to return. Antigone suggests that when Hilda returns that Ethan should not take her back to Central – a young child doesn’t need to see such destruction.

- Late that evening, Hilda returns in the company of a woman who is much younger than Ethan was expecting. Hilda is very pleased to see her ‘father’ and gives Ethan a huge hug. Ethan thanks Demeter for bringing her back to him.

- Antigone appears calm but Ethan can tell that this intrusion has upset her. Hilda munches on treats and then goes to her room to retrieve her latest artwork to show Ethan. While she is out of the room, Demeter patiently explains that there was someone else here – a bird with red eyes. Hence she removed Hilda from danger. 

- Realising to whom Demeter is referring, Ethan thanks her. Demeter accepts Ethan’s gratitude and explains that her own daughter (a reference to Persephone) is not talking to her and she finds it refreshing to be in Hilda’s company. 

- Antigone also thanks the Olympian, and Hilda brings in some of her artwork to show Ethan. Sure enough, she seems to have uncanny insight as to what he has been doing of late – there are many drawings of him running from various terrors, but also one of him clearly coming here. Hilda knew that he was coming. 

* Image sourced from Google Images.

- As the adults talk, Hilda settles down with a new sheet of paper and some pencils and begins drawing again. She quickly sketches a raven with red eyes flying over what seems to be an endless forest – but there is something different about the bird this time. The raven looks sad, even lost. Ethan notes this but says nothing.

- Hilda gushes as she tells Ethan all about her adventures with ‘Auntie Demeter’. She’s been playing with other children but some of them had odd ears and ‘funny little horns’. Some even had wings. 

- At last, Demeter looks uncomfortable and a little sad. She moves to leave and Hilda bluntly asks if she can visit again. Demeter brightens at this and asks Ethan if he would allow this. It is clear that Demeter is finding it difficult to be parted from Hilda – she seems quite fond of her. Hilda also seems keen to spend time with ‘Auntie Demeter’ so Ethan agrees to this. Demeter is taken aback by this, and she offers him a small hand mirror which can be used to communicate with her. She then leaves, fading from view as she walks out into the woods. It is as if the woodlands have simply swallowed her up.

Part 2 – The Trouble with Hermes

- Goodbyes are said to Antigone, and Ethan thanks her for looking after Hilda. Ethan then reaches out via Icon to Isabelle, a connection is made and they leave Marindar. 

- Isabelle is very pleased to see Hilda and they embrace. Isabelle shows her some of the clockwork toys that she has been making for Hilda and she is very pleased. The three of them spend some time with each other as a family. It is clear that Hilda was getting bored living in the woods with Antigone and she is keen to embark on new adventures. About a week later, Demeter is mentioned and Ethan contacts her via the mirror. The Olympian is pleased to hear from Ethan and she welcomes Hilda to join her. 

* Image by Venlian on DeviantART

- The ‘playdate’ goes well. Both Demeter and Hilda enjoy themselves, and it gives Isabelle and Ethan some time to themselves. As soon as Hilda is out of the way, the ‘powertools’ come out and then begin working on Isabelle’s latest project together. (GM’s note – at least that’s what my wife and I used to do when the kids were asleep – out came the powertools and we started doing all of the work around the house that we couldn’t do while they were awake)

- But it is on the third ‘playdate’ some weeks later that things go a little awry. Before the time that Hilda is due to come back, Demeter contacts Ethan through the mirror – it makes a little chime when she calls. Ethan is surprised by the contact – he is enjoying a street meal in the Agora. Demeter asks if Ethan has spoken to Hermes since the Marindan Games and he says that he has not. Demeter does not press and says that she will be in touch.

- A few days pass. Ethan is loath to contact Demeter but he is starting to get worried. At last, he contacts her and asks if everything is all right. Demeter appears worried and says that Hermes has taken her on an adventure. Ethan asks where she has gone and Demeter explains that it is an old realm, a realm without doors – and there are many mythical creatures there. Ethan asks if they should be worried and Demeter remarks that the creatures there would not be a threat to Hermes, but he can be a little overconfident – and the creatures could potentially hurt Hilda. She doesn’t want to interfere but she is a little worried. There is at least one dragon in that realm. 

- Ethan frowns and decides to investigate further.