Session 293 - A Milestone and Reflection

GM’s Observations

- This is the 10 Year Anniversary session. Believe it or not, Grant and Ethan are over a hundred years old now. The year in Realm 0 is 2060 and the game started in 1985!

* Image is the original art by Dashinvaine which was done for Grant and Ethan as part of the Lords of Gossamer Kickstarter back in 2013….. plus a superimposed cake.

- Of course in the real world David and I started this game on 24th July 2013 and we have been running this for 10 years. Yes, I know many people do run long games, but I have written up every session and posted it. I don’t know of anyone else who has done that.

- In this session I wanted to explore Grant’s motivations. I sometimes find it difficult to plan a story arc for Grant because David doesn’t seem to know how he wants Grant to develop or the challenges that he wants Grant to face. Grant is also very challenging because he’s X+1 Rank Warfare (so on a par with many of the elders), Dominant Rank Strength, he’s a Master of the Stair, an Umbra Master, the Shadow King etc… ie: this is a character with a great deal of personal power but that should not make life boring. Superman is not a boring character - he has the personal power to deal with most threats but he does face challenges which make the story interesting.

- Hence I wanted to give David a bit of rope in this session. The challenge here is that everyone else is off doing things. So what does Grant do when no one is calling upon him? What does he reflect upon? Does this quiet time give him some ideas as to what would like to do next?

- I think we’re about to see an inversion between Ethan and Grant. Ethan was always the one who was heading off into the unknown, exploring the furthest reaches of the Stair. I think he’s about to stop doing that. Instead, it will be Grant who leaves the known behind and ventures into the unknown. We’ll see….

- Regarding Ethan’s part in the adventure (at the bottom), David didn’t want to run Ethan’s introduction to the Winter Court so I just made stuff up to fill in the blanks. I have tried to keep it brief.

Major Characters

- Grant

Adversaries

- None

Adventure Hook

- None. This is deliberately a ‘day in the life of’ to see where Grant goes when there is no hook.

Background

- Time has passed since Hephaestus finished his Great Tasks and has become complete. Sophia is still recovering and Grant thinks it may take years. He feels that he has done all he can. There is a spark between him and Tinkerbell and they often go off on adventures together, however currently Tinkerbell has been distracted by one of Isabelle’s projects. The two of them and a cyclops named Brontes are working on a series of complex devices - they seem to be keeping their project secret from Hephaestus. Hephaestus leaves his workshop one day and he is dressed to kill (in a suit and wearing a tie!) He is clearly planning to have a night out with his wife. The team in the workshop pump up the music (Alice Cooper with a strong techno-beat) as soon as Hephaestus is out of the place. Isabelle, Tinkerbell and Brontes break out the ‘toys’ (gizmos that they have been building in secret) and Grant feels very much out of place.

- Grant would like to catch up with Ethan but Ethan has received a summons from the Winter Court. Ethan has put this off for some time but he has finally decided to see what obligations are involved in becoming Lord Wynterlyr. 

- Grant doesn’t want to go back to Marindar, and even Hilda is with the Visari children on Barida. He isn’t sure what he should do next. The only people who might need him are Lofwyr (the Dragon Emperor) and some of the Lords of Gossamer who are still trying to hunt down the Necromancer. 

Adventure Summary - Grant

- Grant decides to head back to Westgate Manor (Realm 0 - Earth). It is quiet on the Stair. He arrives back at the hidden landing. It feels like a very long time since he was here. He arrives ‘home’ and finds that there is a skeleton crew of ravens and cats still residing in the place. Ethan was here only a week ago and there is very little new mail. A young raven named ‘Zakath’ (GM’s note - named after a mutual friend of ours who passed away ~20 years ago) who speaks with a strong Scottish accent. Zakath fills Grant in on current events. When Grant talks about going to the pub to get food for lunch, Zakath talks about the ‘miracles of the interweb’ and ‘home delivery’. The cats and ravens get excited at this point and they make recommendations for Indian food delivery. A ‘pad’ is handed to Grant to make an order. 

- A moped turns up 15 mins later with plenty of food. The ravens and cats let Grant eat first (it is very good) and then the animals dive in and gorge themselves. It is a merry (and messy) affair - many napkins are used to clean up the aftermath. Grant notes that the ravens and cats have their own credit card and their own side business. Zakath remarks that they are running a surveillance business which has been very profitable. Their best customer is the King (they are ‘On His Majesty’s Secret Service’). This surprises Grant and he asks what year it is and who is on the throne. He is surprised to find that it is June 2060 and that King George VII is on the throne. It’s another sign as to how much time has passed since he and Ethan first walked onto the Stair (GM’s note - in Session 1!) Grant realises that he is over a hundred years old!

- In the afternoon Grant has a look around Westgate Manor - he finds that much of it is undisturbed but some of Ethan’s possessions have been removed. Books, clothes, that sort of thing. Grant decides to walk into town. 

- Fiveways hasn’t changed greatly. Many of the old buildings are still there, including the pub and the clocktower. There are some new buildings - apartments, office buildings and a new school but the population hasn’t dramatically increased. Grant goes looking for faerie paths and finds that there are some nearby, but none have been recently used. He also goes looking for signs of the Shoggoth that used to hang around Westgate Manor but it seems to have moved on.

- Grant heads to the Tipsy Elephant. The pub hasn’t changed much. The jukebox is still there. There is a beach/cocktail themed night planned for the evening. Someone has scattered sand on the floor and there are two large potted plants that resemble palm trees. Grant orders a pint and is recognised by the bartender as Prince Grant. Tom gives him the pint for free and begins telling Grant about others from the Legendary Realm who have settled in the Fiveways area. Many of them catch up at the Tipsy Elephant on Tuesdays for ‘Lost Legends’ nights. They chat for a bit.

- Grant settles down in the pub and relaxes with a beer and a meal. A number of people come into the bar after 5pm for an end-of-week drink and a bit of relaxation. Grant is startled when he hears the jukebox play one of Abbie’s greatest hits - but it is a cover with a disco beat. Later on, a band arrives. Grant listens to two sets of music while the twenty and thirty-somethings talk and dance. Finally, he has had enough and decides to go home.

- Leaving the pub, he decides to shift into crow form and observe the township from the air. It looks very peaceful but he does notice some things that are different. There are hypersonic planes in the skies; and a large satellite passes overhead that Grant can clearly see with his crow-eyes but he has no idea how long it has been in orbit.

- Returning to Westgate Manor, Grant looks through the newspapers, trying to understand current events. The ravens still get a physical newspaper delivered every day, even though in the year 2060 most media is electronic. He finds a reference to the satellite - it’s called Haven 1. He finds out more about world politics and significant events. He also reads about what the magical community is doing - it seems that magical theory is taught in universities, but only very few have the ‘spark’ to actually do something usable with it.

- Grant sleeps in his old bed. It has been ages since he has been here. It feels nostalgic to be back here but he doesn’t feel like he belongs here. It feels old and stale. This isn’t who he is anymore.

- The next day Grant thinks about Sophia and how she is probably lost to him. He wonders about Aethelwyne (GM’s note - she was first introduced in Session 115) and whether she still lives. He returns to the Sparrowhawk, an airship that travels from one kingdom to another and finds that it still services the same route. Some of the decor is the same as Grant remembers but there has also been refurbishment. Grant heads from Florin to Dinar to Guilder and hears that Aethelwyne is still alive and in good health. She is now an old woman, with many nieces and nephews but she has never married. Grant sees a photo of her - she still has the same eyes but her face is old and lined. It is a stark contrast to his own apparent age - he still looks like he is in his mid-twenties. Umbra gradually shifts him but he has grown accustomed to resetting himself back to what (he thinks) is his original age and form.

- Grant receives an Icon contact when the Sparrowhawk is approaching Dinar. He accepts the contact and finds that it is the Dragon Emperor Lofwyr himself. Lofwyr offers the normal pleasantries and then says that he is entertaining someone who would like to meet him. Grant accepts the invitation and leaves the Sparrowhawk.

- Grant finds himself in one of the Dragon Emperor’s audience chambers. Lofwyr likes modern buildings and this feels like it is one of his skyscrapers. Lofwyr smiles, thanks Grant for coming and introduces Grant to Aphrodite.

- Aphrodite is beautiful and dressed in a power suit. She smiles. 

- Lofwyr offers a polite farewell and excuses himself. Grant gets the distinct impression that Lofwyr enjoys Aphrodite’s company and he would rather stay, but Aphrodite has asked for a private audience with Grant. Grant takes a seat and asks how he can help.

- They talk for a while. Aphrodite seems curious about Grant and asks him a range of questions. Grant is polite but also careful in how he responds. Aphrodite clearly has knowledge that Grant is an Umbra Master (possibly via Ares) and she knows that Ethan wields Eidolon. She asks if it is possible to unmake what they have made, querying whether it is possible to return Hephaestus to his previous form? Grant answers candidly that he doesn’t know - he has never tried to break the divine before. Aphrodite doesn’t press further on that topic. Instead she shifts the conversation to the battle with Ares. She admits that Ares will not speak of how he acquired the scar to his face but she assumes that Grant inflicted it. She finds it fascinating that Ares has been beaten in personal combat. She warns him that if this is true that Ares will likely seek revenge. She also teases that she finds it quite ‘stirring’ to meet someone that has beaten Ares. There is a temptation there but Grant realises that pursuing it would likely create conflict between Hephaestus and him. Aphrodite seems pleased to have met Grant and talked with him. It is clear to him that she does not particularly want Hephaestus as a husband. He may have improved himself but she doesn’t want to be bound to any single person. Grant suspects that there may be further trouble from her in the future.

Adventure Summary - Ethan

- Meanwhile, Ethan leaves Abigail’s side and journeys to the Winter Court. He wears Lord Wynterlyr’s ring.
1. Ethan travels to Edenspire, Lord Wynterlyr’s castle which is built into the side of a mountain and overlooks numerous alpine valleys. He meets Whistler, a gangly, old snow-elf with an unnaturally long beard. Whistler has been effectively managing Lord Wynterlyr’s estate in his absence and quickly accepts Ethan as Lord Wynterlyr. Ethan gets the impression that Whistler is extremely competent and an exceptional organiser. Whistler tells him that many of the others from the Winter Court will not be accepting of him.
2. Whistler mentioned that the Ice Dragon who served Lord Wynterlyr was slain during the Dragon War, but there is a young Storm Dragon in the north who may be willing to engage with him. (However, he notes, Ethan has a reputation as a Dragonslayer so it may be difficult at first)
3. Whistler believes that the Snow Elves will follow Ethan. The peoples in the valley below will offer tribute as they have always done so. The Frost Giants will follow him if he is strong enough. The Ice Wolves (werewolves) will almost certainly try to kill him and take Lord Wynterlyr’s Ring for themselves. The Cold Maidens will only respect a Lord who has lain with one of them in their icy embrace for a day and a night. Then of course there are those from the Court itself who will be looking to see if this new Wynterlyr is like the old one. There are rivals (such as Baron Fain, who claims a portion of Lord Wynterlyr’s lands), there are some old allies and there is the Queen herself. Queen Mab may accept Ethan, or she may not.
4. Ethan finds that not everything is cold and bleak in this land. It is autumn in this realm and the valleyfolk are preparing for winter. They have already sensed that Lord Wynterlyr has returned and they will be preparing offerings. It is cold on the high mountains but the sunlight still penetrates the Edenspire and Ethan finds it a comfortable place to be. (He doesn’t feel the cold whilst wearing Lord Wynterlyr’s Ring)
5. Ethan settles into the Edenspire and seeks to understand more about this place and its politics. Whistler is a good mentor and seems to appreciate that Ethan is interested in learning. On the second day a delegation arrives from the Snow Elves. They offer a simple pledge of loyalty and Ethan asks them what they might need of him. They are clearly not used to being asked and give him a terse answer (as if they are afraid that accepting an offer of help from Lord Wynterlyr would require an obligation in return). Ethan finds these ways very strange.
5. Days later, Ethan hears whispers that the Lord of the Ice Wolves is on his way to challenge him for the right to rule these lands. While he contemplates this, an invitation arrives from Queen Mab to a Feyball. He is invited as Lord Wynterlyr so that he might be presented to the Court.

Other Impacts

- None. This marks (hopefully) a new turning point in the campaign. I don’t know how long Lords of Gossamer will last. David jokingly told me that his game file for Lords of Gossamer is still ‘Test File 1’. He never thought it would go for this length of time.

Session 292 - The 3rd Great Task of Hephaestus

GM’s Observations

- I’ll detail how we ran the three events at the conclusion of this writeup as it would contain spoilers if I divulged it too early. 

- This was the last session of this story arc and hence we made a conscious effort to wrap it up in a satisfactory way. To achieve this, we focused on three key events and played through them.

Major Characters

- Ethan, Grant, Isabelle, Abigail, Lady Sophia, Hephaestus

Adversaries

- Ares, Aphrodite

Adventure Hook

- Not Applicable as this session focuses on three key events which we (David and Bruce) decided to focus on. Each event has its own trigger.

Background

- By this stage Hephaestus has achieved two Great Tasks and acquired both Courage and Wits. He needs to complete his third Great Task and acquire Grace in order to become complete.

- The Olympians celebrated Hephaestus’ achievements (GM’s note - in Session 290). However, not all of the gods are rejoicing. Aphrodite doesn’t want a new and different Hephaestus. She likes the status quo (and Ares being at her disposal). She would prefer that her husband fail. For obvious reasons, Ares also wants to see Hephaestus fail. He was unsuccessful on Barida and did not manage to stop the Lords of Gossamer there but is determined to try again.

- To prime the Vessel of Grace (which gives Hephaestus the start that he needs to attempt his third Great Task), Ethan has divined that Lady Sophia needs to be healed. She was taken from her home on Marindar, turned into one of Lord Wynterlyr’s faerie hounds and lost for a considerable amount of time. This is a formidable task given the significant trauma that she has suffered.

- Ethan gently tells Grant that Lady Sophia is alive and is recovering on one of the islands of Marindar. She is being tended to by Vidaniel, one of her closest friends. Grant is surprised and of course willing to help. He thought she was dead, or at the very least, lost forever. 

- Lady Sophia consents to seeing Grant, but she is a pale shadow of her former self. It’s clear to Grant that it will take her some time to recover.

In Focus - Part 1 - Ares v Grant 

- Time passes during Lady Sophia’s convalescence. Sometimes it feels like no progress is being made at all. 

- Grant cares for Sophia but it is different this time. Grant made a private sacrifice in order to open the Shadow Road and reach the Shadow Court (GM’s note - in Session 240). He chose to forget some of his deep feelings about Lady Sophia and as such, the connection between them is there but much has been lost. He knows that Sophia was important to him, but the person that Ethan recovered from the faerie well is far from what she once was.

- Tinkerbell doesn’t understand Grant’s interest in caring for Sophia (beyond the requirement to charge the Vessel). She doesn’t have the patience. Marindar occasionally holds interest for her but she doesn’t want to linger. She begins to hang out with Isabelle, who is spending more time in Hephaestus’ workshop. The two of them have a shared love of adventure and invention.

- Grant stays in Marindar to help Sophia recover, but there are periods where he feels that he needs to get away. Tinkerbell is only too happy to have her partner-in-crime back for shared mischief and they head out onto the Stair (or use Faerie Paths) for adventure.

- But sometimes Grant needs to go for a ‘long walk’ to clear his head. It is on one of these long walks that he is ambushed by Ares.

- Grant is walking along a section of coastal cliffs from one township to another. Grey clouds seeth above him. Below him, waves crash against a narrow section of exposed rocks. Without warning, a large section of the cliff collapses beneath him, sending him tumbling down onto the sliding slope and onto the beachfront. The war god Ares awaits him and Grant quickly finds that Ares is carrying a device which makes it difficult for Grant to wield Umbra. 

- What follows is a terrible battle amongst the crashing waves along the uneven rocky outcrops. The intensity of their battle seems to inflame the storm. Lightning crashes. The seas become rougher. There are further cliff collapses as the battle rages on.

* Image on the left is of Grant by Dashinvaine. Image on the right is by Stefan Kopinski which is part of the Mythic Battles Pantheon board game

- Grant already knows that Ares tried to kill Ethan and he has been expecting interference of some kind. He doesn’t hold back and neither does Ares. Ares seems to be enjoying the fight.

- Ares wields a sword and shield. Grant wields Gorgorin. Ares is relentless and seemingly unstoppable. Grant moves like the water, engaging when it suits him and then backing away. Grant realises that Ares has stacked the deck in his favour and yet Ares still does not hold enough of an advantage on this battleground to make the contest one-sided. Grant is still holding his own, despite being boxed in and unable to move as freely as he would like. Wounds are dealt by both but there are no decisive blows.

- Ares grows angry and frustrated. He was not expecting Grant to be as skilful an opponent. Ares channels rage into his blows and the two opponents cut loose, causing damage to the environment around them. The storm and seas boil with the energy cast off from the duel. Great brutal blows are struck on both sides. Then suddenly the unexpected happens and Grant has dealt Ares a serious blow. Gorgorin has cut through Ares’ helmet, taking a piece out of it and wounding the flesh underneath. Blood pours down the Olympian’s face and he is genuinely surprised, and for the first time, he considers that Grant’s skills may exceed his own.

- This unexpected blow changes the course of the battle. Ares fights more defensively and Grant re-doubles his efforts. Grant is physically stronger than Ares and Ares realises that he could actually lose this battle. He elects to withdraw and he dives into the crashing waves to make his escape. Grant half-expects Ares to re-emerge from the surf and continue the battle, but he is gone. Grant decides to leave hurriedly. He takes a moment to pick up the brooch clasp from Ares’ cape as a trophy and then shapeshifts into his crow-form and heads for the nearest Door. 

- Back on the Stair, he makes his way to Realm 0 (Earth). Once he knows that he is safe, he contacts Ethan to warn him of the danger. Ethan expresses concern and asks if he needs to be healed. Grant tells him that he just needs to rest. 

- Ending the Icon call, Grant contacts Lofwyr to fill him in. The Dragon Emperor listens and then asks quietly if Grant actually defeated the Olympian God of War. Grant confirms that it appears this way. Lofwyr accepts this without praising Grant’s accomplishment and warns him that Olympians can hold grudges for many, many years.

In Focus - Part 2 - Healing Lady Sophia

- Time passes. Grant returns to his task of trying to help Lady Sophia recuperate. Sometimes she wants Grant to be with her. Sometimes she prefers that he not be present. Grant suggests small gatherings to gradually introduce her to people that she has always felt comfortable with. Her sister Constance comes to visit. Ethan organises a birthday party for Hilda and Lady Sophia is invited. Slowly but surely, a glimmer of her old self can be seen.

* Image by Mictones on DeviartART

- Sophia does not discuss what happened to her. She doesn’t want to discuss how she was abducted or her experiences being imprisoned as one of Wynterlyr’s dogs.

- Occasionally Isabelle contacts Grant via Icon and asks how it is going. Grant has almost forgotten about the Vessel that is supposed to be charging. He placed it on Sophia’s island without trying to think too much about it. Grant reports to Isabelle that progress is slow, but it is happening.

- Increasingly, Grant spends more time away from Marindar than in it. Tinkerbell accompanies him for much of the time.

In Focus - Part 3 - Aphrodite Meddles

- Time passes. The Vessel of Grace charges very slowly. Ethan expects more interference from the Olympians (specifically Aphrodite and Ares) but the next interaction does not come at him directly. 

- Despite Abigail’s experience on Barida, which she considers a failure (GM’s note - see Session 289), she remains one of the Dragon Emperor’s top lieutenants. Abigail is originally from Meridian, a place once destroyed but the destruction was ‘undone’ by Ethan. Meridian is essentially a fascist modern world where duty to the state is more important than personal freedoms. She loves Ethan in her own way, but they have not always had a very stable relationship. She’s driven but has come unstuck multiple times when coming up against an adversary who is significantly more powerful than she is. She is a competent diplomat and manager, a competent sorceress and a famous singer on Earth 0 (who infamously disappeared without trace). She has long considered herself ‘married’ to Ethan, even taking his surname - but they have never been married.

- On Meridian, two of the Olympian deities are particularly revered - Lord Mars (the bringer of war), and Lady Venus (the bringer of peace). In Meridian society, Aphrodite (or Venus) is not the goddess of love and lust, but instead of peace, stability and desire. It is she who whispers in the ears of Lord Mars and encourages him to seek out new lands to conquer. It is she who inflames his desire, and when the battles are done, it is she who brings stability and peace until it is time to do battle again. 

- In this world, Lord Vulcan (Hephaestus) is a lesser deity who provides material support to the others. He provides the tools that Lord Mars needs to fight, and the industry for Lady Venus’ peace.

- Hence when Aphrodite goes to meet Abigail, she has already done her homework. She appears as the Meridians view her. Desirable, resolute, powerful. She simply makes an appointment and meets Abigail at her working base of operations in Turien (GM’s note - this world of ice and rock was first visited in Session 200 - it was Sturmvald’s base of operations). At once she knows that it is Lady Venus, and she pays her respects. She has also been forewarned by Ethan that Aphrodite (or Ares) could meddle so she has anticipated this situation.

- Lady Venus radiates charm. She is not interested in meeting the Dragon Emperor at this time, but she will at another time. Instead she wants to meet Abigail. She clearly knows about her relationship to Ethan, and Ethan’s relationship to Isabelle. After some small talk, Aphrodite explains that Ethan and Isabelle are working to alter the balance of power between her and her husband. (Abigail has no knowledge of what Ethan has been doing). She wants Ethan stopped and she is prepared to bless Abigail with ‘her favour’ in order to make this happen. The alternative would be to seek assistance from Lord Mars (Ares) which she would prefer not to do.

- Abigail is careful not to say ‘no’ to Aphrodite. She knows that Lady Venus can be vengeful to those who refuse her. But she also reveres the Olympians and she wants to help, especially if there is a way of advancing her own interests. Abigail and Isabelle have been friends for a long time, not rivals, but Aphrodite’s presence brings out her desire to be more than what she is, and to have more than what she has.

- Abigail agrees to Aphrodite’s bargain. The goddess smiles and gives her a ‘gift’ which will help her in her task. She comes close into Abigail’s personal space and kisses her lightly on the temple. She explains that this is her blessing, and she wishes her well on her undertaking. She leaves a parting gift - a small vial of what looks like honey. 

- Aphrodite departs and Abigail sits down and thinks for a while. She feels different, as if a mental block has been suddenly removed. Biting her lip, she knows what she wants now. She has been touched by desire and it has made the way forward crystal clear.

- Ethan’s divination skills are highly advanced but he cannot accurately predict certain events where powerful individuals are involved. Despite keeping a relatively close eye on the people that he cares about, he does not observe Aphrodite’s interference. Normally on Marindar, Abigail’s Icon contact reaches him when he is looking for a book in the Forbidden Library. Ethan accepts the contact and Abigail invites him to join her. She apologies for being distant but she has had a revelation and wants to discuss it with him. There is something different about Abigail - something he hasn’t seen in her in a long time. Ethan agrees to meet with her. To his surprise, she suggests meeting on Midas (GM’s note - first introduced in Session 69 and visited many times). It is a place where they have had many relaxing adventures, swimming, diving and sailing together. It is so rare that Abigail suggests an intimate meeting that Ethan accepts at once.

- Two hours later, Ethan arrives in the lobby of the island hotel resort of Midas and finds Abigail waiting for him. She is dressed in a red top and black pants. She suggests that they have a drink and a personal concierge organises a table for them. In person, Ethan can see a spark in her eyes. She is different. 

- She proposes a toast to ‘us’ and they drink. She apologies for needing some space but explains that she’s realised that she wants Ethan to be more involved in her life going forward. This is music to Ethan’s ears - he has often felt pushed away or involved only when it suits her. She then explains that she’s realised that she can bring order and make a difference to many realms by helping better connect them. With Lofwyr’s resources, her brains and Ethan’s help, they can accomplish ‘great things’. She talks about connecting the friendly worlds from Marindar to Meridian, connecting to the Dwimmerlaik and the Faerie Courts and bringing about real peace and prosperity. 

- Abigail explains that this has only recently occurred to her. She has been trying to carve out a world without Ethan, perhaps to prove to herself that she was her own person and didn’t need him. Taking Ethan’s hand, she says that she wants him in her life and by her side. She wants him as a partner on this adventure.

* Image by Dashinvaine on DeviantART (the same artist who we commissioned to paint Grant and Ethan)

- Ethan is stunned for a moment. He wants this very badly (GM’s note - and he is ignorant that Aphrodite’s magics are working upon him. Perhaps she used the vial of golden honey. Perhaps not) and he tries to slow down the conversation. He asks questions. She sincerely answers. He looks for deception or that she may be ensorcelled but sees no sign of it. Over the course of drinks, which leads to a bite to eat by the outdoor pool, Ethan becomes convinced that she is serious that she wants a future with him, and she wants him by her side. She never liked playing ‘second fiddle’ to him, but things seem to be different this time. She seems very different. She wants him on her journey.

- Ethan admits that he wants to be with her, and he agrees to give it ‘a try’. Abigail’s smile is dazzling. She takes his hand and tells him that she has her own pocket realm which she uses as a private retreat. She offers to take him there and he accepts. She pays for the meal with golden coins and they leave Midas via a sorcerous teleport which she initiates. Once in her private domain, Abigail shows Ethan around. She has built an ultra-modern house into the side of a frozen mountain. The world outside the transparent glass appears cold and uninviting but it is warm and comfortable within. Snow falls gently into the valley below. She uses this place as her ‘Haven’ and she says that Ethan is the first house-guest. There are metallic ‘golems’ that she uses as servants but no people here. She thought about inviting Ethan here many times but has finally made up her mind today. They embrace and watch the snow falling in the world outside.

- In the months that follow, Ethan and Abigail enjoy an intimate relationship once more. Ethan turns his attention to connecting the notable realms (which will expand Lofwyr’s influence) and he largely loses track of Hephaestus’ Great Tasks. He occasionally talks to Isabelle via Icon but his attention is very much on Abigail. Isabelle feels largely abandoned and tries to focus on interesting projects to pass the time and wait for the Vessel of Grace to be charged. She wonders what has happened to Lucien and why Ethan is behaving so strangely. She considers it possible that Aphrodite has interfered and considers the possibility that either Ares or Aphrodite will target her as well. While she remains with Hephaestus, she hopes that she is protected.

Conclusion

- Aphrodite also makes an attempt to interfere with Isabelle. She sends her son, Eros, to shoot Hephaestus and Isabelle with his ‘love arrows’, hoping to make them a match and give her husband another target for his affections. This fails miserably as Hephaestus expects it - poor Eros is caged like a bird in a gilded cage, and then sent home.

- In the end, the Vessel of Grace is sufficiently charged for Hephaestus to attempt his third Great Task. Lady Sophia’s trauma has largely been overcome but the wound will likely always be there. There is affection between Grant and Sophia but the spark between them is gone. Whatever was once between them has passed.

- Hephaestus attempts his third Great Task, seeking to be acknowledged by his mother (Hera) and loved by his wife (Aphrodite). Zeus summons Hera, Aphrodite, Hephaestus and Hermes to Mount Olympus. Many of the other Olympians also attend even though they have not been personally summoned.

- To his mother, Hephaestus acknowledges the wrongs that he has done (eg: tying her to a chair) and says that he is striving to be a better person. Hera acknowledges this and forgives him. Hera explains that she will be watchful and wary of him in future - she forgives him but she will remember it. She offers him praise for his efforts to improve himself and accepts him as her son. 

- Addressing Aphrodite, Hephaestus takes a lute and sings a love song for his wife. (GM’s note - it’s probably something like Bryan Adams’ (Everything I Do) I Do It For You) His voice is rich and stirring. He casts off his misshapen appearance as his song resonates over Mount Olympus. No longer stooped or lame, no longer ugly or craven, Hephaestus truly looks and sounds like a god remade. Via the song, he does not ask for Aphrodite’s love, but he declares his love for her. It is a beautiful song and when asked, he admits that he wrote it for it. Aphrodite admits to being moved by her husband’s song - she did not think he had the gift for writing song, nor performing it. She allows Hephaestus to take her hand, apparently pleased by his efforts.

- Zeus congratulates Hephaestus for his achievement. At this point, Hephaestus publicly recognises the help that he received from three mortals: Ethan, Isabelle and Grant. Hermes invites them into the gathering and Hephaestus thanks them for their services and companionship. He offers them his blessing and offers what boons he can provide. Zeus also adds his praise and thanks them for the service rendered to the gods.

- Grant notes that Ares is in attendance. Ares has a scar on his previously unmarked face - Grant has managed to inflict a permanent mark on an Olympian god. He realises that Ares will not forget this. 

- In the gardens of Olympus, Isabelle finds a moment to talk to Ethan. She asks him if everything is okay. The Great Tasks are completed and she would like to travel with him again. Ethan takes her hand and says that he would like to travel, but he promised Abigail that he would stand with her. Isabelle is greatly saddened by this - she was hoping that the Tasks would bring them closer, not drive them apart. She doesn’t know why things have changed for Ethan but she accepts his decision. (She has clearly spoken to Abigail as they are friends, but she’s been aware of a change in Ethan for some time). She tries to lighten the mood and says that she has some ideas for the next inventions and Tinkerbell has agreed to help. Ethan smiles and says that there will definitely be other projects that they will work on together.

Other Impacts

- Obviously Ares holds a grudge and he will return. The fact that Ares was wounded by Grant will also be noticed amongst the Olympians and there will be repercussions. Grant’s reputation (he normally keeps a low profile) will also increase as a result of this notable event. Wounding Ares cannot go unnoticed.

- Aphrodite is not so easily won over. She isn’t done with Ethan, Isabelle and Grant.

GM Notes

- Lastly, a comment on how this was run. We played through some of this normally, and we used Forged In the Dark (Vergence) rules for some of this. For example, Ares v Grant was a relatively evenly matched combat, and we were happy for it to go either way. So we rolled dice and David rolled a ‘Critical Success’ (ie: double-six). Hence the result would be a victory which was strongly in Grant’s favour. We talked this through and what that might look like.

- This concludes the Hephaestus story arc.