GM’s Observations
- This session was a little different because David played the character of Isabelle rather than his normal character, Grant. The reason why this happened is that Grant chose not to enter the Gates of Night, hence it was important to focus on another character.
- This section of Stair has been foreshadowed in other sessions. It is a section of the Grand Stair where the living do not go and are not welcome. The Doors lead to the various realms of the dead. The Necromancer took his forces through the Gates of Night to an unknown destination. The late Jacob (a Lord of Gossamer) believed that the Necromancer could be a Lord of Gossamer himself, and the other Lords of Gossamer are considering the Necromancer to be a Stair-capable threat.
Major Characters
- Ethan, Isabelle, Grant
Adversaries
- The Dead
Adventure Hook
- Yaeger Zane has reached the Gates of Night. He contacts others before crossing the threshold.
Background
- Yaeger Zane has been travelling overland in the realm of Ventar to the Gates of Night. He has been journeying for many weeks and it was always expected that he would contact Cal (and others) when he reached his destination.
- Meanwhile Ethan and Isabelle have been trying to help Hephaestus to gain the qualities that he was not born with, and help him to achieve his heart’s desire of being respected by his mother (Hera) and loved by his wife (Aphrodite). This is no small task.
Adventure Summary
- Grant and Tinkerbell are in New Syrtis (on Mars) when Grant receives Icon contact from Cal. The news is that Yaeger Zane has reached the Gates of Night and confirmed that the gates are a Door to the Grand Stair. The huge doors are covered in carved faces frozen in anguish. Yaeger Zane is spooked by this and has sought advice before proceeding further. In turn, Cal asks for Grant’s thoughts. Cal wishes to contact Drake and Vala and seek their counsel. Grant asks for Cal to wait as he wishes to be given some time to think.
- In the Courts of the Shadow Fey the Shadow King (Grant’s alter ego) seeks counsel about the Gates of Night and what lies beyond. In his war chamber he talks with Macavity and asks what the Cat knows. Macavity clearly knows a great deal but he is still evasive and is unwilling to share. The Shadow Cat also visits Shylara (the elf necromancer) and the Blind Seer in his Tower. He already knows that the Multiverse is vast but these parties advise him that there are many realms of the dead that are connected to the Grand Stair. These realms are not easily accessed by the living. To cross the boundaries typically requires a necromancer - someone who is an expert in both the worlds of the living and the dead. Necromancers call these ways of crossing over the ‘Paths of the Dead’. Sometimes these ways are via the Grand Stair. They are difficult to travel because the dead do not like the living to use them.
- Thinking this over, Grant suggests that Ethan talks to Liliana. It has been some time since they have spoken (since the destruction of the Legendary Realm) but Ethan reaches out to her via Icon. Initial conversations are polite but Liliana is uncomfortable when Ethan asks about the Paths of the Dead. Liliana says that she has put necromancy behind her and she is trying to walk a different path. Nevertheless she shares a little of what she knows. She explains some of the rituals that necromancers use to reach the Realms of the Dead but also why necromancers seek to reach these realms in the first place. Often it is to recover something that has been lost, but the lure of power and control over the dead is something that slowly corrupts a necromancer. There is also the lure of lost knowledge and forbidden secrets that could be a temptation, and then finally the thought that perhaps death itself could be conquered or controlled in some way. Listening to Ethan’s description of the Necromancer, she points out that this individual is clearly comfortable controlling large armies of undead and he (or she) could be using the Paths of the Dead to move his (or her) armies around. The Paths of the Dead are far less travelled and it could be difficult to detect their movements except for someone who is familiar with them. Liliana will not help directly. She wishes Ethan well and asks that next time they should speak about more pleasant topics.
- Still in Hephaestus’ workshops, Ethan talks with Isabelle about the situation. They have completed the vessels required to harvest Courage, Wits and Grace but the vessels need to be charged. Isabelle is convinced that the Paths of the Dead is an opportunity to charge the vessel with Courage. Ethan agrees - his divination spells suggest that this will be very dangerous. Ethan doesn’t think that they will meet the Necromancer himself but that Isabelle herself will be put in serious danger. Ethan contacts Grant and says that he and Isabelle will be joining Yaeger Zane to enter the Paths of the Dead.
- Grant thinks over the situation. He has decided to go but wonders whether Tinkerbell will also want to join him. Tinkerbell has no desire to enter the Paths of the Dead but she’ll accompany Grant - she’s grown quite fond of him.
- The companions head to Tyvar (in Ventar). There, Ethan uses Ventarian magic to reach Yaeger Zane’s location. They are joined by Cal and Jessamyn.
- None of them like the look of the Gates of Night. The Door is quite an ominous sight. The group prepares to enter the Paths of the Dead. Grant, Tinkerbell and Jessamyn will remain behind on the Ventar side.
- When ready, Grant opens the Door. The smell of open graves fills the area. All is quiet, dark and still on the other side.
- Ethan, Isabelle, Yaeger Zane and Cal proceed cautiously onto the Stair.
- What follows is a journey through a section of Stair that resembles a tomb. There are occasional walking dead but they show little interest in the living, at least at first. Ethan has a bad feeling about this place but he is confident in his abilities. (He is more worried about Isabelle - the Divination did not look good for her). They journey deeply on the Paths of the Dead, overcoming many difficult obstacles. There are physical obstacles, but also lures which attract their attention which are traps for the living. At last they reach a red door which Ethan recognises. It appears to be the Legendary Realm.
- The Legendary Realm was apparently destroyed (or at least so damaged that the Door disappeared) during the last battle with Nicol Bolas. Ethan is certain that this is a Door to the Legendary Realm but if it is here, what does that mean for the realm on the other side?
- Proceeding through the red Door in pursuit of the Necromancer, the companions find themselves in deep trouble. They have reached the Necromancer’s lair and it is well defended. They come under attack almost immediately by fast-moving undead (gaunts) that are difficult to kill. A flying harpy picks up Isabelle and carries her off from the group. Cal is wounded. A great undead giant clad in armoured plates blocks their path and seems impossible to slay. The situation seems dire as they are attacked in waves and cut off from the Door. The undead numbers increase rapidly.
- Back in Ventar, Grant realises that something has gone wrong. The regular Icon contacts to report progress have stopped. Grant prepares to enter the Stair himself. He knows that they have travelled deeply and it will take him some time to reach them.
Other Impacts
- The vessel of Courage is partially charged. The vessels for Wits and Grace have been crafted but are not yet charged.
