General Actions:
Cordoba - death of hero
Last modified by Paul Strong on 2010/09/17 19:34
Review
Johann discusses demonology with Stacy and convices her to assist in summoning her demon… Rehtor proves to be the expression of her fears and nightmares - a centaur spider… Marco wisely suggests that Stacy, Carina (Warding specialist) and Tom (futurology artist) are exfiltrated by the Grey company…
On to Granada
Train journey from Santiago to Madrid - a rather quiet journey where our intrepid heroes slept gently after a strenuous day… Madrid - Marco spends time on a private project… Convincing Vega with Johann's aid that the Five Rings wants him to invest in an Argentinian railway into the interior to the border of Chile… Marco puts himself forward as a silent partner… Cordoba/Grenada Visit to the Alhambra palace and Great Mosque of Córdoba (the Mezquita) - the party takes a guided tour - a skilled local boy picks the pockets of some of the tourists - Marco and Johann lose their wallets - Nell chases boy - precarious pursuit across the city demonstrating parkour… Nell finally catches up with her elusive prey and makes a new friend! Sinclair visits the chapel - he senses that something is very wrong - a feeling of utter darkness and despair - he enquires further and find that Monsignor Tomas is a regular visitor - arriving before dawn every day…
Nell visits the gypsy camp with Carlos… Carlos was rescued by them when he was very small… The old lady who leads the group agrees that his time has come - her people knew he was special and trained him… Nell is told that the cards show that she will face a great danger/opportunity "after the hawks have flown and the whirlwind is reaped"....
Party is staying at the Al Kali hotel… Johann spots both rogues as they try to enter via the window (01)…
Given the clues found by Tomas when he was a young priest - Sinclair discusses Carthage and various secret cults with Tomas… Both agree that the sign of Tanit suggests that the fell rites of the Phoenician lunar goddess may be the reason for the murders that Tomas witnessed… It is possible that she is hunting heroes… Marco heads for a night club and learns that the gang know that they are being hunted…
The party head for the Monsignor's palace and are caught up in the cult's assault on the palace… Battle ensues - 4 bodyguards vs 3 truckloads of Algerians - Nell & Carlos head for the roof and soon bodies are dropping though the rotunda like rain - a sorceror is present and the dead are raised as zombies (who was that cowled figure?)… Johann takes over the largest and My Shambly lurches into battle… Sinclair and Tomas head for the chapel…
In the altar room there is an entity forming… One of the dreaded Elder Gods that infest the green weave Realm… Tentacles erupt from the floor and figure sheathed in blood steps from the writhing chaos - Tanit, the Carthaginan Goddess of death… Sinclair steps forward and Tanit snarls as she realises that destroying her mortal enemy, Monsignor Tomas, may prove a greater challenge than she expected (Sinclair gives the old priest his sword to defeat the cult leader, Diego Romano)… Marco leads charge by the Foreign Legionaire bodyguards through the mass of cultists… An epic display of swordplay follows as the party (- Nell on the roof) and Tomas take on the sinister Romero and his fell mistress… After Tomas strikes the final blow - Tanit screams as she tries one last attack in her true form and is cast back into the void…
The party depart Grenada - taking Carlos with them - and take a train to Nice / Geneva / Innsbruck and then Vienna…
The plan is to investigate the Austrian order (Manfred Faust, the Viennese magician is the main target) - Carlos and Nell entertain themselves - Acrobatics around… they discover a strange weave near the Musikverein Theatre…
Marco visits Dr Meissner - One of the most respected magicians in the city… Meissner's sister, Birgitta, is an albino… Birgitta keen to help but her brother is having too much fun playing the role of the elder magi…
Meissner takes Marco to see the observatory - the night's magic is revealed by weave lenses and proves more spectacular than usual… Meissner discusses the concentrations he has observed… One is above the Musikverein Theatre!
Nell is impressed by the magician's use of true magic to enhance his trickery… During the display he casts a finding spell and discovers two of his prey! Nell volunteers to join the next trick and agrees to get into a vanishing chamber… Sensibly she jams the lock uopen and as she drops manages to evade the two beautiful assistants! Carlos finds himself evading guards in a balcony chase! Both are lost in a maze of corridors until Nell finds her way back under the stage… Carlos lauches her upwards and just manages to leap after her with an acrobatic twist… The magician casts a paralysis spell and hits Nell as she runs through the stunned auditorium but Carlos catches her and they escape!
Sinclair is informed about a series of violent murders by Dept X… All the victims were crushed but they also suspect a hunting horror is in the sewers…
Judenplatz & Ghetto
Meissner recommends seeing Rabbi Eli - Sinclair's contacts say that there are two Elis, a young enthusiastic character and an old mad one - the party decides on the old mad one
Eli is less mad than expected… He suspects that someone has summoned and created a Golem… A jewish spell than animates a clay vessel that obey's the creator's written instructions… The golem attacks are very deliberate… Eli says that the golem has been seen in the ghetto - it's huge and made to be terrifying…
The ancient jewish sages pass down the secrets - a family in the ghetto must know the spell and have the talent to cast it… Eli won't reveal Jewish heroes…
Sinclair checks file - one of the indviduals recently killed worked at asylum as an alienist, Hans Clinger…
Narrenturm Asylum
Sinclair visits the asylum - Johann and Nell sneak into the record's room - Sinclair prends to be an exorcist and starts a ritual to remove a possession on a troubled prisoner - Nell finds records - the alienist showed a jewish boy to Faust - Sinclair and Marco battle a man possessed with a powerful demon - lots of screaming - Sinclair in circle of salt, Marco circles round outside - Sinclair grapples the body, Marco hog ties him - finally the poltegeist is dismissed…
Carlos searches for Faust's house but while he doesn't live in the city but never leaves…
Karlsplatz sewers
The party takes a guide to the area under the Musikverein theatre - they encounter a nightgaunt - Marco weilds whip and lasso - Johann uses magic to disguise the party as friends and the creature is utterly confused! Marco does some wrangling…
The party continue under the theatre and enter the illusionist's lair - a chamber filled with the arcane tools of an illusionist's trade - Johann opens 3 cages and releases three children… Manfred appears on the balcony flanked by his two assistants (with delightful costumes mostly consisting of strategically placed feathers)… "Welcome..."
Surrounded by the impedimenta of a stage magician?s art, Faust can?t resist a little theatre? He indicates an ornate chair and Marco sits?
"Herr Doktor Faust, I presume?"
"Naturally… Thank you for bringing me the final pieces for my collection!"
Marco attempts to discern Faust's plan and discovers that the magician has discovered that he can cast powerful spells if he possesses five of the children ? a pentagram of heroes…
Prices are discussed but Faust?s requirement is too risky for the champions?
One of the assistants is a jaguar-sidhe while the other is an expert displacer? Johann activates his shields as Marco increases the pressure on Faust?
As negotiations fail the three children shift into ?old ones? (green weave zombies)?
Marco dives to avoid the spike in his chair!
Jaguar girl dives into battle? Johann sends out a mind blast to stun the creatures on the gantry but catches Nell in the blast area? Carlos defends her body while Sinclair takes on the Old Ones? Marco deals with Jaguar girl while Sinclair seizes an opportunity to spell slay Faust?s web of illusions? The mass turmoil shatters every spell in the area!
The Houdini box shatters and Faust collapses in a pool of water? Johann also finds his spells shatter as the turmoil explodes through the maze of tunnels? Sinclair and Carlos finish off the old ones (Johann blasts one from the ground)? Nell finds the real children and extracts them from a set of Chinese vases (9/10/5)? Marco ties up the Jaguar girl and gives Faust one last chance ? which the magician foolishly fails to appreciate?
The displacer escapes but the Hunting Horror is still abroad? Nell takes the Jewish child to the ghetto? Eli takes them to the child?s father?
Marco and Sinclair play a dangerous game of hide and seek with the Hunting Horror?
Nell convinces the father to help? Time is running out ? Sinclair gets close enough to be breathed on (93/98)!
Marco succeeds in temporarily wrangling the Hunting Horror? Sinclair heads for a tight spot? Marco and Sinclair take turns playing chase to confuse the beast?
Nell watches the golem descend into the sewers?
Sinclair draws his sword and prepares to sell his life dearly? The golem lurches into combat and smashes the creature in one almighty blow (08)?
Nell warns Eli not to abuse the golem?s power and he promises to put the creature into stasis?
The older boy is returned to his family? The five year old girl was stolen from a village where Faust pretended to be a travelling conjurer? A cu-sidhe is assigned by Sophie?
Meissner and Eli briefed by Marco? Carrot and stick approach? Birgitta keen to help in the defence of Vienna? Meissner tempted and Marco hints that the Council might help him if he behaves (or punish him if he strays)?
?You have potential to be a wise practitioner and to act justly??
Yggdrasil
The party heads for the Vienna gate after coffee and kuchen? The Council have returned to Yggdrasil to discuss the ongoing battle? Setheroth?s Realm has sealed itself or fallen under wishcurse (though some of his armies were trapped outside of the barrier and have offered their services to the council)? Ki?s Realm is under siege? The Djinn Gate looks as if it will open before the forging? The Hejaz and Yemen regions are in turmoil?
Coedarian is commanding Ki?s defenders? Operating from Sophie?s Realm?
The enemy now carry a single banner? The Symbol of the Black Sun (a Lunar Ecplise)?
Sept 1915 - Battle of Loos and the Fall of Baghdad (see Hawkwood campaign)? The Five Rings are not actively hunting heroes but they are increasing in influence and power?
Marco, in discussion with Cynan and the party, decides to search for Arthur? Oberon summons the pitkähuilu player, Lyris Korpina (the raven), and suggests that she re-joins the search now that she has become a Guardian of the Hall of the Dead?
The party head for Astarte?s Realm and for Baghdad to talk to Cador/Hawkwood about the Battle of Camlan? Major General Hawkwood is a little surprised to see them but is happy to assist? Hawkwood confirms that the battle was in the North of England on the coast ? between York and Bamborough? The Saxons called it the White Settlement? The modern name is Whitby and the battle was fought in the shadow of an ancient holy site and the tiny abbey that protected it?
Hawkwood also confirms that the Round Table existed and was a segmented Roman design?
Hawkwood notes that Lancelot?s castle was a Bamborough?
After admiring Baghdad (Carlos recognises the feeling of the place!), the party heads back into Astarte?s Realm and through the Wiltshire gate? Off to Kings Cross to catch the night-train to the North?
The Night Train
Lyris searches the carriages and discovers that the party are not the only magic users on the train? Mr Larson & Mr Markus are carrying a selection of mystical objects? Gabriella Volpe is a sidhe by Lyris cannot discern her origin? Nell discovers that she has to dress in a sailor girl costume to sit in the First Class dinning car ? with Lyris as her governess? Larson and Markus claim to be making a movie! Nell steals one of Mr Larson?s fetishes? Lyris hands back his wallet and when he gets back to his cabin it appears that he dropped his fetish when he put his coat on?
Marco joins a game of cards and fleeces Markus and Larson? Nell & Lyris? search of the room show that they have a witch compass and a jade sacrificial dagger? Nell decides to steal Markus? blade harness for Lyris?
Marco chats with Gabriella? He realizes that she is a western Kitsune? Johann later confirms that Arioch?s pet kitsune was called Sionn and she was his top agent / assassin? Johann also confirms that Whitby has an unusual history?
In the morning, Sinclair & Marco discuss timing? Gabriella finds Larson & Markus arguing and calls them ?a pair of idiots!??
The Battle of Camlann
The party head up the hill to the Abbey and the country house, attacked by John Paul Jones, raided by Dracula and levelled by the Kriegsmarine in December 1914?
Beyond the Abbey is the house of Sir Josiah Templar? the enigmatic retired civil servant who is host to Markus and Larson?
The party hear the sounds of battle as they approach the hill and begin to see glimpses of the carnage? As they reach the central melee, on the site of a shattered Neolithic chamber tomb, Nell recognises Arthur and his knights facing Mordred in the final fatal battle than dooms Britain? She points to each in turn as is horrified to see her friends die one by one ? surrounded by the warriors of Arthur?s finest commander? Arthur slays Mordred but is carried from the field to the boat which will transport him to Avalon?
The fallen dolmen of the chamber tomb marks the site of a tomb of one of the Princes of the Winter Sidhe? He was overwhelmed and butchered by mortal assassins on his way to prevent the forging (Order 68!) and now his anger and hatred prevents the ghosts of the slain heroes from returning?
Nell decides to use Aislinn?s memory to link with Mordred but they must begin the dream again to understand how the disaster unfolds ? even though this process distresses Nell (watching Hawkwood fall badly wounded again and again is grim)? Once they have witnesses the key elements in the sequence they set up at the dolmen and prepare to summon the Winter Sidhe?s wraith?
Johan will shield, Marco will focus while Sinclair uses exorcism to deal with the ghost? Nell and Lyris will use the Hero Song to break the enchantment and convince Mordred to break the curse by shattering the dream narrative the heroes are trapped in? Nell hopes to remind him of his loyalty to Britain?
Sinclair?s plan shatters when the exorcism fails to contain the wraith? The goat intended to act as a temporary prison merely detonates (98)!
Marco, Sinclair and Marco are blasted backwards as the Winter Sidhe manifests before them? Johann manages to contain the first blast of lightning but his attempt to transfer the energy through his gyro-penny fails and the wraith gathers more and more power from the surrounding ghosts?
The wraith casually forces himself into Marco?s mind but the wily Argentinean holds the creature at bay with dreams of joy while Sinclair staggers into the weave nexus and slays the wraith?s master spell?
The entire fabric of the wraith?s magic shatters but the explosion rends a hole in the barrier between the mortal and spiritual realms and Sinclair?s soul joins the wraith?s on the border of the veil?
Below this epic battle scene, in the centre of the battle, Nell reminds Mordred why he is angry? She reminds him that he only fought because he thought Arthur had lost his way and was no longer capable of being Dux Britanniarum? She tells him that both sides will lose if he fights and tragedy is inevitable? He recognises both Nell and Lyris (but is not sure why) and reluctantly agrees to meet with Arthur?
Inspired by Nell?s impassioned speech about the suffering of the peasantry, the heroes fight their desire to fight and Arthur finally realises that he can end the war by recognising Mordred as his successor? Marco intercepts Lancelot and even the turbulent Breton?s arrival cannot prevent the heroes from escaping? Nell reminds Mordred of the reason for his ambition before he fades? (Lyris asks him three questions ? Where is the Round Table? Near the White cliffs? Where is Arthur? Near the Table? How with the knights gather? Once they are needed, they will gather at the table?)
Sinclair and the Winter Sidhe Prince prepare for their final duel but the veteran templar remembers his oath and decides that the sorcerer/warlord cannot be allowed to join the enemy? With a cry of ?Deus Vult? he opens a gateway to Hell and drags the horrified creature through the flaming vortex into the Abyss?
The clouds scatters as the nightmare ends and the party realise that Sinclair is dead? His body glowing briefly before the rain begins to fall?
Nell collapses heartbroken? Her friends are all dead and now Sinclair has joined them?
Marco and Johann carry the body down into Whitby and arrange for a good Catholic burial for their friend?
The Seven Sisters
The team takes a train to London? Marco and Johann considered dealing with the Five Rings agents but decided that disappointing them was enough?
The Full Moon dominates London?
Sinclair?s sword is handed to the Craven Foundation? Felicity tells them that there are rumours of ?embroidery? based magic in Dover? Horace Parker of the Foundation is investigating?
Once in Dover they discover that a local mystic, Marian Simpson, has gone mad? The recent increase in magical ability has trapped the ?doors of her perception? open and she is a gibbering wreck? Some ?Harley Street? doctors are investigating? Lyris uses music to calm the woman? She tells them that she saw a winged creature under a hill, an iris of power and group of witches casting magic near the cliffs? Then she sleeps?
The Harley Street doctors turn out to be agents of the sinister Golden Dawn? One creepy researcher, Thaddeus Icabod Crane, an x-bow armed thug (with lovely bolts for killing magical beasts) and a scientist?
Marco overhears about their search for The Trio?
The three witches on the Seven Sisters are the obvious target? The Iris is inland? The tomb is just beyond the castle?
Icabod unnerved by Lyris, in nurse mode, when he comes calling for his ?patient??
The dragon needs blood and gold?
Shakespearean scene on the cliffs? Three witches prepare to complete their usual ritual? The team heads for the Seven Sisters?
They are not the first?
?Who approaches??
?We are friends and allies, Sister!?
?There are many that claim that ? who are you??
?Dr T.I. Crane of the Golden Dawn
?The Dawn are traitors and renegades! Come no further wretch!?
Nell scouts ahead while Lyris plays? Marco opens fire! Icabod dives for cover? Johann cages the others? The ancient order of witches that swore to defend England?s shores desperately try to complete their ritual as x-bow bolts fly? The thug is shot by Marco? Icabod is pin-cushioned!
Dr Franklin is understandably keen to cooperate? The coven members explain that Templar threatened then in the 1880s? The maiden admits having funny turn at the local RFC base? A training airfield that doubles as a place for testing tactics for zeppelin hunting?
The Coven and Horace join the party for tea? The story thrills and amazes Horace and he agrees to keep an eye on the dragon?
The party arrive at the RFC base disguised as a delegation from the Red Cross? The children simply extend their plan onto the airfield and explore? French cricket soon attracts pilots? Nell thinks two of the pilots have potential but neither are heroes? The Anglo-Saxon Great Hall turns out to have unusual panelling? The fabric of the chamber is partly made of the remnants of the Round Table? The whole place oozes fellowship!
Squadron Leader Duncan Macintyre happy to assist the delegation? The party enquire about locals and when they explore the cottages at the end of the airfield they discover the infant Arthur blissfully watching the aircraft take off? Arthur Drake? Nell looks him in the eye and delighted when he blinks in recognition and laughs? He is even happier when Nell sings while Lyris plays a ballad?
Arthur?s mum seems like a nice lady and next door another veteran hero, Regimental Sergeant Major Alan McKay of the Black Watch Rtd (Cai) seems set to become the boy?s protector?
Marco buys the cottages to ensure that the rent stays cheap? Dr Franklin is sent to the Craven Foundation? The Foundation adopts the witches?
Now the Lia Fiall? It was hidden by Macbeth?s adherents after the Battle of Lumphanan in 1054? The original chronicles are held in the archive at Glasgow University?
Train journey from Santiago to Madrid - a rather quiet journey where our intrepid heroes slept gently after a strenuous day… Madrid - Marco spends time on a private project… Convincing Vega with Johann's aid that the Five Rings wants him to invest in an Argentinian railway into the interior to the border of Chile… Marco puts himself forward as a silent partner… Cordoba/Grenada Visit to the Alhambra palace and Great Mosque of Córdoba (the Mezquita) - the party takes a guided tour - a skilled local boy picks the pockets of some of the tourists - Marco and Johann lose their wallets - Nell chases boy - precarious pursuit across the city demonstrating parkour… Nell finally catches up with her elusive prey and makes a new friend! Sinclair visits the chapel - he senses that something is very wrong - a feeling of utter darkness and despair - he enquires further and find that Monsignor Tomas is a regular visitor - arriving before dawn every day…
fireball sweeps palace
Nell visits the gypsy camp with Carlos… Carlos was rescued by them when he was very small… The old lady who leads the group agrees that his time has come - her people knew he was special and trained him… Nell is told that the cards show that she will face a great danger/opportunity "after the hawks have flown and the whirlwind is reaped"....
Party is staying at the Al Kali hotel… Johann spots both rogues as they try to enter via the window (01)…
Given the clues found by Tomas when he was a young priest - Sinclair discusses Carthage and various secret cults with Tomas… Both agree that the sign of Tanit suggests that the fell rites of the Phoenician lunar goddess may be the reason for the murders that Tomas witnessed… It is possible that she is hunting heroes… Marco heads for a night club and learns that the gang know that they are being hunted…
The party head for the Monsignor's palace and are caught up in the cult's assault on the palace… Battle ensues - 4 bodyguards vs 3 truckloads of Algerians - Nell & Carlos head for the roof and soon bodies are dropping though the rotunda like rain - a sorceror is present and the dead are raised as zombies (who was that cowled figure?)… Johann takes over the largest and My Shambly lurches into battle… Sinclair and Tomas head for the chapel…
In the altar room there is an entity forming… One of the dreaded Elder Gods that infest the green weave Realm… Tentacles erupt from the floor and figure sheathed in blood steps from the writhing chaos - Tanit, the Carthaginan Goddess of death… Sinclair steps forward and Tanit snarls as she realises that destroying her mortal enemy, Monsignor Tomas, may prove a greater challenge than she expected (Sinclair gives the old priest his sword to defeat the cult leader, Diego Romano)… Marco leads charge by the Foreign Legionaire bodyguards through the mass of cultists… An epic display of swordplay follows as the party (- Nell on the roof) and Tomas take on the sinister Romero and his fell mistress… After Tomas strikes the final blow - Tanit screams as she tries one last attack in her true form and is cast back into the void…
The party depart Grenada - taking Carlos with them - and take a train to Nice / Geneva / Innsbruck and then Vienna…
The plan is to investigate the Austrian order (Manfred Faust, the Viennese magician is the main target) - Carlos and Nell entertain themselves - Acrobatics around… they discover a strange weave near the Musikverein Theatre…
Marco visits Dr Meissner - One of the most respected magicians in the city… Meissner's sister, Birgitta, is an albino… Birgitta keen to help but her brother is having too much fun playing the role of the elder magi…
Meissner takes Marco to see the observatory - the night's magic is revealed by weave lenses and proves more spectacular than usual… Meissner discusses the concentrations he has observed… One is above the Musikverein Theatre!
Nell is impressed by the magician's use of true magic to enhance his trickery… During the display he casts a finding spell and discovers two of his prey! Nell volunteers to join the next trick and agrees to get into a vanishing chamber… Sensibly she jams the lock uopen and as she drops manages to evade the two beautiful assistants! Carlos finds himself evading guards in a balcony chase! Both are lost in a maze of corridors until Nell finds her way back under the stage… Carlos lauches her upwards and just manages to leap after her with an acrobatic twist… The magician casts a paralysis spell and hits Nell as she runs through the stunned auditorium but Carlos catches her and they escape!
Sinclair is informed about a series of violent murders by Dept X… All the victims were crushed but they also suspect a hunting horror is in the sewers…
Judenplatz & Ghetto
Meissner recommends seeing Rabbi Eli - Sinclair's contacts say that there are two Elis, a young enthusiastic character and an old mad one - the party decides on the old mad one
Eli is less mad than expected… He suspects that someone has summoned and created a Golem… A jewish spell than animates a clay vessel that obey's the creator's written instructions… The golem attacks are very deliberate… Eli says that the golem has been seen in the ghetto - it's huge and made to be terrifying…
The ancient jewish sages pass down the secrets - a family in the ghetto must know the spell and have the talent to cast it… Eli won't reveal Jewish heroes…
Sinclair checks file - one of the indviduals recently killed worked at asylum as an alienist, Hans Clinger…
Narrenturm Asylum
Sinclair visits the asylum - Johann and Nell sneak into the record's room - Sinclair prends to be an exorcist and starts a ritual to remove a possession on a troubled prisoner - Nell finds records - the alienist showed a jewish boy to Faust - Sinclair and Marco battle a man possessed with a powerful demon - lots of screaming - Sinclair in circle of salt, Marco circles round outside - Sinclair grapples the body, Marco hog ties him - finally the poltegeist is dismissed…
Carlos searches for Faust's house but while he doesn't live in the city but never leaves…
Karlsplatz sewers
The party takes a guide to the area under the Musikverein theatre - they encounter a nightgaunt - Marco weilds whip and lasso - Johann uses magic to disguise the party as friends and the creature is utterly confused! Marco does some wrangling…
The party continue under the theatre and enter the illusionist's lair - a chamber filled with the arcane tools of an illusionist's trade - Johann opens 3 cages and releases three children… Manfred appears on the balcony flanked by his two assistants (with delightful costumes mostly consisting of strategically placed feathers)… "Welcome..."
Surrounded by the impedimenta of a stage magician?s art, Faust can?t resist a little theatre? He indicates an ornate chair and Marco sits?
"Herr Doktor Faust, I presume?"
"Naturally… Thank you for bringing me the final pieces for my collection!"
Marco attempts to discern Faust's plan and discovers that the magician has discovered that he can cast powerful spells if he possesses five of the children ? a pentagram of heroes…
Prices are discussed but Faust?s requirement is too risky for the champions?
One of the assistants is a jaguar-sidhe while the other is an expert displacer? Johann activates his shields as Marco increases the pressure on Faust?
As negotiations fail the three children shift into ?old ones? (green weave zombies)?
Marco dives to avoid the spike in his chair!
Jaguar girl dives into battle? Johann sends out a mind blast to stun the creatures on the gantry but catches Nell in the blast area? Carlos defends her body while Sinclair takes on the Old Ones? Marco deals with Jaguar girl while Sinclair seizes an opportunity to spell slay Faust?s web of illusions? The mass turmoil shatters every spell in the area!
The Houdini box shatters and Faust collapses in a pool of water? Johann also finds his spells shatter as the turmoil explodes through the maze of tunnels? Sinclair and Carlos finish off the old ones (Johann blasts one from the ground)? Nell finds the real children and extracts them from a set of Chinese vases (9/10/5)? Marco ties up the Jaguar girl and gives Faust one last chance ? which the magician foolishly fails to appreciate?
The displacer escapes but the Hunting Horror is still abroad? Nell takes the Jewish child to the ghetto? Eli takes them to the child?s father?
Marco and Sinclair play a dangerous game of hide and seek with the Hunting Horror?
Nell convinces the father to help? Time is running out ? Sinclair gets close enough to be breathed on (93/98)!
Marco succeeds in temporarily wrangling the Hunting Horror? Sinclair heads for a tight spot? Marco and Sinclair take turns playing chase to confuse the beast?
Nell watches the golem descend into the sewers?
Sinclair draws his sword and prepares to sell his life dearly? The golem lurches into combat and smashes the creature in one almighty blow (08)?
Nell warns Eli not to abuse the golem?s power and he promises to put the creature into stasis?
The older boy is returned to his family? The five year old girl was stolen from a village where Faust pretended to be a travelling conjurer? A cu-sidhe is assigned by Sophie?
Meissner and Eli briefed by Marco? Carrot and stick approach? Birgitta keen to help in the defence of Vienna? Meissner tempted and Marco hints that the Council might help him if he behaves (or punish him if he strays)?
?You have potential to be a wise practitioner and to act justly??
Yggdrasil
The party heads for the Vienna gate after coffee and kuchen? The Council have returned to Yggdrasil to discuss the ongoing battle? Setheroth?s Realm has sealed itself or fallen under wishcurse (though some of his armies were trapped outside of the barrier and have offered their services to the council)? Ki?s Realm is under siege? The Djinn Gate looks as if it will open before the forging? The Hejaz and Yemen regions are in turmoil?
Coedarian is commanding Ki?s defenders? Operating from Sophie?s Realm?
The enemy now carry a single banner? The Symbol of the Black Sun (a Lunar Ecplise)?
Sept 1915 - Battle of Loos and the Fall of Baghdad (see Hawkwood campaign)? The Five Rings are not actively hunting heroes but they are increasing in influence and power?
Marco, in discussion with Cynan and the party, decides to search for Arthur? Oberon summons the pitkähuilu player, Lyris Korpina (the raven), and suggests that she re-joins the search now that she has become a Guardian of the Hall of the Dead?
The party head for Astarte?s Realm and for Baghdad to talk to Cador/Hawkwood about the Battle of Camlan? Major General Hawkwood is a little surprised to see them but is happy to assist? Hawkwood confirms that the battle was in the North of England on the coast ? between York and Bamborough? The Saxons called it the White Settlement? The modern name is Whitby and the battle was fought in the shadow of an ancient holy site and the tiny abbey that protected it?
Hawkwood also confirms that the Round Table existed and was a segmented Roman design?
Hawkwood notes that Lancelot?s castle was a Bamborough?
After admiring Baghdad (Carlos recognises the feeling of the place!), the party heads back into Astarte?s Realm and through the Wiltshire gate? Off to Kings Cross to catch the night-train to the North?
The Night Train
Lyris searches the carriages and discovers that the party are not the only magic users on the train? Mr Larson & Mr Markus are carrying a selection of mystical objects? Gabriella Volpe is a sidhe by Lyris cannot discern her origin? Nell discovers that she has to dress in a sailor girl costume to sit in the First Class dinning car ? with Lyris as her governess? Larson and Markus claim to be making a movie! Nell steals one of Mr Larson?s fetishes? Lyris hands back his wallet and when he gets back to his cabin it appears that he dropped his fetish when he put his coat on?
Marco joins a game of cards and fleeces Markus and Larson? Nell & Lyris? search of the room show that they have a witch compass and a jade sacrificial dagger? Nell decides to steal Markus? blade harness for Lyris?
Marco chats with Gabriella? He realizes that she is a western Kitsune? Johann later confirms that Arioch?s pet kitsune was called Sionn and she was his top agent / assassin? Johann also confirms that Whitby has an unusual history?
In the morning, Sinclair & Marco discuss timing? Gabriella finds Larson & Markus arguing and calls them ?a pair of idiots!??
The Battle of Camlann
The party head up the hill to the Abbey and the country house, attacked by John Paul Jones, raided by Dracula and levelled by the Kriegsmarine in December 1914?
Beyond the Abbey is the house of Sir Josiah Templar? the enigmatic retired civil servant who is host to Markus and Larson?
The party hear the sounds of battle as they approach the hill and begin to see glimpses of the carnage? As they reach the central melee, on the site of a shattered Neolithic chamber tomb, Nell recognises Arthur and his knights facing Mordred in the final fatal battle than dooms Britain? She points to each in turn as is horrified to see her friends die one by one ? surrounded by the warriors of Arthur?s finest commander? Arthur slays Mordred but is carried from the field to the boat which will transport him to Avalon?
The fallen dolmen of the chamber tomb marks the site of a tomb of one of the Princes of the Winter Sidhe? He was overwhelmed and butchered by mortal assassins on his way to prevent the forging (Order 68!) and now his anger and hatred prevents the ghosts of the slain heroes from returning?
Nell decides to use Aislinn?s memory to link with Mordred but they must begin the dream again to understand how the disaster unfolds ? even though this process distresses Nell (watching Hawkwood fall badly wounded again and again is grim)? Once they have witnesses the key elements in the sequence they set up at the dolmen and prepare to summon the Winter Sidhe?s wraith?
Johan will shield, Marco will focus while Sinclair uses exorcism to deal with the ghost? Nell and Lyris will use the Hero Song to break the enchantment and convince Mordred to break the curse by shattering the dream narrative the heroes are trapped in? Nell hopes to remind him of his loyalty to Britain?
Sinclair?s plan shatters when the exorcism fails to contain the wraith? The goat intended to act as a temporary prison merely detonates (98)!
Marco, Sinclair and Marco are blasted backwards as the Winter Sidhe manifests before them? Johann manages to contain the first blast of lightning but his attempt to transfer the energy through his gyro-penny fails and the wraith gathers more and more power from the surrounding ghosts?
The wraith casually forces himself into Marco?s mind but the wily Argentinean holds the creature at bay with dreams of joy while Sinclair staggers into the weave nexus and slays the wraith?s master spell?
The entire fabric of the wraith?s magic shatters but the explosion rends a hole in the barrier between the mortal and spiritual realms and Sinclair?s soul joins the wraith?s on the border of the veil?
Below this epic battle scene, in the centre of the battle, Nell reminds Mordred why he is angry? She reminds him that he only fought because he thought Arthur had lost his way and was no longer capable of being Dux Britanniarum? She tells him that both sides will lose if he fights and tragedy is inevitable? He recognises both Nell and Lyris (but is not sure why) and reluctantly agrees to meet with Arthur?
Inspired by Nell?s impassioned speech about the suffering of the peasantry, the heroes fight their desire to fight and Arthur finally realises that he can end the war by recognising Mordred as his successor? Marco intercepts Lancelot and even the turbulent Breton?s arrival cannot prevent the heroes from escaping? Nell reminds Mordred of the reason for his ambition before he fades? (Lyris asks him three questions ? Where is the Round Table? Near the White cliffs? Where is Arthur? Near the Table? How with the knights gather? Once they are needed, they will gather at the table?)
Sinclair and the Winter Sidhe Prince prepare for their final duel but the veteran templar remembers his oath and decides that the sorcerer/warlord cannot be allowed to join the enemy? With a cry of ?Deus Vult? he opens a gateway to Hell and drags the horrified creature through the flaming vortex into the Abyss?
The clouds scatters as the nightmare ends and the party realise that Sinclair is dead? His body glowing briefly before the rain begins to fall?
Nell collapses heartbroken? Her friends are all dead and now Sinclair has joined them?
Marco and Johann carry the body down into Whitby and arrange for a good Catholic burial for their friend?
The Seven Sisters
The team takes a train to London? Marco and Johann considered dealing with the Five Rings agents but decided that disappointing them was enough?
The Full Moon dominates London?
Sinclair?s sword is handed to the Craven Foundation? Felicity tells them that there are rumours of ?embroidery? based magic in Dover? Horace Parker of the Foundation is investigating?
Once in Dover they discover that a local mystic, Marian Simpson, has gone mad? The recent increase in magical ability has trapped the ?doors of her perception? open and she is a gibbering wreck? Some ?Harley Street? doctors are investigating? Lyris uses music to calm the woman? She tells them that she saw a winged creature under a hill, an iris of power and group of witches casting magic near the cliffs? Then she sleeps?
The Harley Street doctors turn out to be agents of the sinister Golden Dawn? One creepy researcher, Thaddeus Icabod Crane, an x-bow armed thug (with lovely bolts for killing magical beasts) and a scientist?
Marco overhears about their search for The Trio?
The three witches on the Seven Sisters are the obvious target? The Iris is inland? The tomb is just beyond the castle?
Icabod unnerved by Lyris, in nurse mode, when he comes calling for his ?patient??
The dragon needs blood and gold?
Shakespearean scene on the cliffs? Three witches prepare to complete their usual ritual? The team heads for the Seven Sisters?
They are not the first?
?Who approaches??
?We are friends and allies, Sister!?
?There are many that claim that ? who are you??
?Dr T.I. Crane of the Golden Dawn
?The Dawn are traitors and renegades! Come no further wretch!?
Nell scouts ahead while Lyris plays? Marco opens fire! Icabod dives for cover? Johann cages the others? The ancient order of witches that swore to defend England?s shores desperately try to complete their ritual as x-bow bolts fly? The thug is shot by Marco? Icabod is pin-cushioned!
Dr Franklin is understandably keen to cooperate? The coven members explain that Templar threatened then in the 1880s? The maiden admits having funny turn at the local RFC base? A training airfield that doubles as a place for testing tactics for zeppelin hunting?
The Coven and Horace join the party for tea? The story thrills and amazes Horace and he agrees to keep an eye on the dragon?
The party arrive at the RFC base disguised as a delegation from the Red Cross? The children simply extend their plan onto the airfield and explore? French cricket soon attracts pilots? Nell thinks two of the pilots have potential but neither are heroes? The Anglo-Saxon Great Hall turns out to have unusual panelling? The fabric of the chamber is partly made of the remnants of the Round Table? The whole place oozes fellowship!
Squadron Leader Duncan Macintyre happy to assist the delegation? The party enquire about locals and when they explore the cottages at the end of the airfield they discover the infant Arthur blissfully watching the aircraft take off? Arthur Drake? Nell looks him in the eye and delighted when he blinks in recognition and laughs? He is even happier when Nell sings while Lyris plays a ballad?
Arthur?s mum seems like a nice lady and next door another veteran hero, Regimental Sergeant Major Alan McKay of the Black Watch Rtd (Cai) seems set to become the boy?s protector?
Marco buys the cottages to ensure that the rent stays cheap? Dr Franklin is sent to the Craven Foundation? The Foundation adopts the witches?
Now the Lia Fiall? It was hidden by Macbeth?s adherents after the Battle of Lumphanan in 1054? The original chronicles are held in the archive at Glasgow University?