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.
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