Session 284 - The False Greywalker

GM’s Observations

- I was surprised to see David introduce a character who could pretend to be another Lord of Gossamer and yet Ethan was the only one who decided to ‘take a walk in the other direction’. I don’t think I was metagaming (smelling a plot device) - Ethan also figured out that this was not the real person. I’m not sure quite what David is foreshadowing yet by introducing this character - we’ll have to see.

Major Characters

- Ethan, Grant, Cal, Cordelias, Jessamyn, False Greywalker

Adversaries

- False Greywalker?

Adventure Hook

- Regular poker game held by the Lords of Gossamer

Background

- The regular poker game is a social event in which the younger Lords of Gossamer typically meet to chat, share news and play poker. The stakes are typically weird and wonderful items that they have gathered throughout the realms.

Adventure Summary

- Ethan arrives at a 1930s-style hotel. He is well dressed for an evening out. The people of this place are almost human, but not quite. Their appearance is uncanny - they don’t look quite right to Ethan, nor does Ethan to them. Attendants greet him and he is ushered into the foyer. The vehicles in this place have a strong smell (like rotten eggs) - once inside, it doesn’t smell as bad.

- Ethan gets a drink at the bar. Grant arrives - he is also well dressed. They chat for a bit, and then Cal, Cordelias and Jessamyn arrive. They make small talk. Cordelias mentions that she is still spending time in Tyrnador - she is hunting for someone that won’t stay put - but she is interrupted before she can explain further.

- Greywalker walks in. Ethan doesn’t believe it - for starters, Greywalker disappeared and is supposedly dead. Apparently he’s been dead before. However, he’s not one of the ‘junior generation’ so it is a bit suspicious that he would simply walk into the poker game. Ethan studies Greywalker and is convinced that it is not the real person. He is definitely a Warden, but he is not Greywalker.

* Image sourced from Google Images

- They go upstairs to a private room to play poker. Drinks and snacks are made available. Jessamyn has brought a playing board with well-crafted game pieces made out of some sort of gemstone as her stake. Cal has brought some elven pins that exude a soft light. Cordelias has brought matching daggers. Grant has brought some metal orbs, each of which plays a different note when touched. Ethan has brought some orbs that contain minor sprites who are compelled to provide small favours when summoned. Greywalker brings a scroll that tells a story that is different each time it is read.

- In the introductory rounds, Ethan has increased his holdings of coins and gemstones. Greywalker and Cordelias are losing. 

- Over time, some of the magical items are wagered and bigger stakes are revealed. Greywalker offers a Key which apparently opens a Hidden Door into Middle Earth. Ethan is immediately sceptical and he concludes that the Key is cursed in some way - Greywalker wants to lose it. Cordelias produces a small shrunken head - the head is alive and grumpily talks to them. She says that it has a message, but she doesn’t understand it. Ethan considers anteing up Yaeger’s Belt but he doesn’t like this False Greywalker - he decides not to place it as a stake.

- As the games continue, Cal ends up with the Key to Middle Earth, and Grant heads up with the shrunken head. 

- They break for dinner and Ethan chats with Jessamyn. Ethan always likes Jessamyn’s company and she seems to enjoy chatting with him too. (GM’s note - the belt again? Maybe, maybe not) Jessamyn seems surprised that Isabelle isn’t with him - she was hoping to talk with her. After dinner, Ethan decides to opt out of the game and heads downstairs to the bar.

- Ethan wonders who the False Greywalker could be - and why the ruse? He contemplates the situation over a drink and concludes that he’s the only one who has noticed. 

- Ethan casts a simple Divination spell, and given the result is favourable, he decides to use Abigail’s Icon to contact her. She responds and is pleased to see him - she apologies that she hasn’t been in touch. Work has kept her very busy. They talk for a while, and Ethan tells her much of what has happened (except for assisting Hephaestus). Abigail is surprised that he’s accepted a position in the Winter Court, but she says that they should talk further about this - she has some information which may help him. Ethan is pleased with the idea that they should meet in person and talk soon - he misses her. Ethan mentions that the Divinations that he has done suggest that there will be danger for Abigail in the near future - not imminent, but not too far off either. Abigail is a little evasive but she says that not all diplomacy is easy. She says that she’ll ask for help if it gets ‘rough’. The contact ends.

- An hour has passed and Ethan hears a cry of dismay from above - someone isn’t happy with their hand. The poker game ends and the Lords of Gossamer come downstairs (except for Greywalker). Cal, Jessamyn and Cordelias leave. Grant joins Ethan and they talk for awhile. Apparently Greywalker got a Full House and won the pot - he reacted negatively to winning. Ethan asks what Grant lost and Grant shrugs that it wasn’t particularly important. Ethan remarks that the Lord of Gossamer who appeared to be Greywalker was definitely not Greywalker. Grant is surprised - he thought it odd but he didn’t think it wasn’t the real person. He asks if Ethan is sure and Ethan is very sure.

- They go upstairs to see where Greywalker is and find that he has vanished (presumably Iconed out).

Other Impacts

- None yet. The Olympians are not yet aware of what Hephaestus is planning. 

- Lady Sophia and Vidaniel remain on Tyrnador (while Sophia recovers).

- Yaeger Zane continues towards the Gates of Night on Tyrnador.

- There are no other interruptions (eg: Icon contacts, emissaries from the Winter Court etc).