Run Report: Alex - Isthmion - First Run

[Greg Nelson]

DM: Alex

Destination: Isthmion

The leader of several resistance cells, John LeMark, was killed, we went to investigate, ensure that his cells didn't activate prematurely.  Because John was immortal, we were able to discuss plan with him, but because his team all thought that all immortals were associated with Council of Light, we didn't have a good way to reintroduce him as their leader.

His underlings were known by letters: A (hotheaded), B (son of deposed merchant prince, most patient), C (daughter of ruling merchant prince), E, G (urchin boy), M.

Our two double agents went to Justicar Carter at Temple of Mavors who was investigating, introduced themselves as early vanguard of Council of Light.  Her investigation had confirmed that his death was violent (stabbed six times).  There were several other immortals killed in the city in the last 5 months, but they were all by blunt force trauma, and each time there were rumors of a dark gnome and a gold road somehow associated, but not with LeMark.

We held a meeting with the resistance cell leaders, who in John's absence had all coalesced (which meant that they were all at risk).  C did not show up.  We convinced the others to hold off for a day or two with their big resistance showdown, and in exchange we'd get them connected with the larger resistance movement.

The Council of Light sent three large ships with three council members (Vidoc, Viutran, and The Jackal) several squadrons of soldiers each with some immortals, totalling 500 troops.  This was far more than the 40 our double-agents had been led to expect.  (Bad info, or change of plan?)  Vidoc says they suspect ruling merchant prince (LeBlanc) of being in league with resistance.  Our double agents formulate plan to sacrifice LeBlanc, place his daughter (C) in charge of the city, and make it look like rebellion was quashed while actually putting it in better position.

After some intensive negotiation with C, we get her to agree to go with us to her father.  We meet in secret passage in palace.  He proposes to kill his secretary (who is immortal CoL informant) in such a way that sec'y witnesses who killed him and can give testimony (3 days hence).  Meanwhile, he calls upon the dark gnome (whom he has been working with in the murders of the other informants) to take him and us safely back out of the city.

Gnome uses ritual magical spell involving taking off his kilt and holding it up in the air with one hand, while sighting along thumb of other hand, and repeating "I have a secret" three times; this creates a doorway which leads to a golden path called "The Broomway".  We traverse the path (feels like walking through shallow water; surrounded by stars) LeBlanc takes a different route away, but we end up in what seems to be the remains of Godsheim.  (Note: look for "The Guide" book on map table for more key phrases.)  There are the ruins of a great hall, and a smaller hall that is still intact.

Within we find several gods including The Lion (drunk), Cerrunos (head cut off and hung on wall, but still able to speak with us), and Ratri (chained to lonely table in the corner).  She has a quest for us: if we will help her find the last of the Wyrd Sisters' tools so that she may carve the fatestone she still has, she can recreate this world.  She "promises" to also restore Cerrunos.  However, in order to get it, we need to find something for "The Dark One" (who might be Elddir - of The Guide.  If so, try to locate through Saiene).  He wants something that she can't get (because chained); he has access to the tool or knowledge where it is; and she has knowledge of a weakness of Gargravarr which we want to exploit.  (Or so she claims.)