ZEITGEIST Cypherblade's Zeitgeist campaign

Cypherblade

Explorer
Hey folks,
In a couple of months I will start with the Gears of Revolution AP for my roleplay group.
So I'm in the middle of preparations and thanks to a lot of people here, I found a huge amount of advice and material to augment the experience of my players.
Thank you all for this awesome content!

On one thing in chapter 12 'The Grinding Gears of Heaven' I didn't find a satisfactory answer on the boards. let me explain....

In Chapter 12 Part 1, the party crash lands on Av and while trying to save some fey, Av breaks apart, consumed by the grinding gears of the Gyre.
In Part 2 there is some reference to Av as being plane 53 on the map which sits all way back, farthest from the destruction of the cogwheels.

How do I have to understand this? Is this a fundamental flaw in the AP? Did I misread this? Or are the remnants of Av thrown across the Gyre and will they be processed again in some distant future?

Thanks for clarification.

Hope to keep you all posted on further developments in short notice.
 

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Ayleen's audit report

I. Use of materials & administrative anomalies​


When asked why her consumption of residuum and reagents was higher than that of other field teams, Agent Fasthands explained that the majority of these materials were purchased through official channels. She states that, in addition, a specific error occurred concerning one of the medallions.

With respect to the 27 requisition vouchers issued in her name, several of which lack a clear justification, she provides a detailed list. She asserts that she correctly claimed materials as expenses and that the associated designs and sketches of weapons and magical applications are the property of the RHC. According to her, these are stored in the RHC archives and are available for consultation there.

Regarding documents and artifacts that were found during an earlier search at McBannin’s but later could not be located in the archive, she says she has no knowledge of this. She states that these were historical artifacts which were fully and correctly transferred to the archive.

When asked why certain magical creations were never officially tested or documented, she explains that in those cases the artifacts required lengthy identification. Due to the time pressure during operations, such testing was sometimes omitted, and she maintains this was never due to ill will or negligence.





II. Time use & mission impact​


When questioned about extended workshop hours outside of duty, Agent Fasthands replied that she does not log overtime. She emphasizes that she deploys her talents in service of the RHC and that this is done within the limits of her assignment.

She states that, aside from quartermaster Brasswel, she has never engaged colleagues to help her with forging or experimental work.


According to her, her craft has not delayed any mission nor influenced field decisions. She stresses that her workshop activities are always subordinate to the mission and usually take place in her free time.

When asked whether she is aware that innovation is not the core task of the RHC, she confirms that she is fully aware of this.

In response to the remark that she often works through the night, she states that she meditates every four hours. These rest periods are functional for her and ensure that she remains alert and does not make mistakes in the field.




III. Intent, provenance of materials & external contacts​

Asked about obtaining materials via private suppliers, Agent Fasthands answers that she has no specific external suppliers and that all materials are procured through official RHC channels.

She confirms that she does not receive rare ingredients outside official channels and that she does not make illegal purchases. She regards such practices as out of the question.

Concerning her alleged ties to the Kell Guild, she explains that these stem from youthful mistakes. She states that Kvarti Gorbatiy paid her bail at the time as repayment of his own debt, and that the Kell Guild later tried to use that situation to blackmail her. According to her, her superiors treated the matter only superficially. She was publicly attacked, which resulted in a physical incident after which she was healed by a companion of the late Nevard Sechim.

When asked whether this could have future consequences, she indicates that she was dissatisfied with how the RHC handled the situation. She does not rule out further consequences.




IV. Moral compass and improvisation​


When confronted with the claim that colleagues see her as a moral compass who at the same time pushes boundaries, she explains that she cannot give absolute guarantees. She always acts to the best of her judgment and asserts that inaction sometimes causes greater harm than taking action. For non-urgent matters she acknowledges that formal coordination is desirable. Working under a superior above Staf is not, in principle, a problem for her.





V. The destroyed medallions​

When asked about the destruction of two magical medallions, she states that one medallion is still in her possession and that the situation will be rectified. The other medallion was destroyed and, in her view, can no longer be restored.

Asked about alternative, safer methods to neutralize the evidence, she replies that neutralization was not necessary. According to her, the item was simply misplaced.





VI. Cooperation, risk assessment & team dynamics​

Regarding the incident during an arrest, Agent Fasthands states that she only ordered Staf to bring a protester to her. She believes Staf interpreted this instruction in his own way.

In response to the remark that she sometimes skips steps without explanation, she refers to the McBannin case and the incident with oil in the cellar. In that situation, she explains, there was severe time pressure.

When asked why she does not always share sufficient context with the team, she acknowledges that communication sometimes falls short, particularly under operational pressure.

Furthermore, she indicates that she sometimes questions Lady Saxby’s role. She has little direct contact with her, but she has the impression that personal interests sometimes play a role, including in the dossier concerning Felix’s name appearing in the press.

She considers the Flint Observer to be a quality newspaper with a royal mandate, but believes it is dangerous to be loose with the release of information, as in the Rock Rackus dossier. According to her, ties between the press and Felix present a particular risk to the RHC’s functioning.

She states that she was not aware of a reprimand by Lady Saxby and notes that the RHC never formally responded to the connection with the Kell Guild.

Regarding Staf, she says she finds him a difficult case and deems him unreliable. In her view he does not act with malice, but frequently chooses the wrong approach.

Finally, she declares herself open to other arrangements regarding the use of magical means. She has no issues with Head Inspector Delft, but notes that there is little communication from Saxby. According to her, the team is summoned only to be sternly reprimanded and rarely receives positive feedback.





Evaluation Report – Agent Ayleen Fasthands​


Prepared by: Director Lauryn Cyneburg
Department: RHC Internal Control and Integrity Oversight / Slate
Subject: Evaluation of professional conduct, integrity and suitability of Inspector Ayleen Fasthands / Flint
Date: 10 Autumn 500 AOV


Assessment result: Good
Overall conclusion: Highly functioning specialist with exceptional technical value for the RHC

General assessment​

Inspector Ayleen Fasthands stands out as an exceptionally capable magical-technical specialist within Inspector Kelrin’s team. Her expertise, creativity and problem-solving ability far exceed the average level expected of a field agent. In multiple operations she has neutralized direct threats through effective improvisation and has tangibly contributed to securing team members and civilians.

Her work demonstrates a strong moral compass and a clear loyalty to the objectives of the Royal Homeland Constabulary. She acts under the conviction that doing nothing in crises often entails greater risk than controlled intervention, and this attitude has repeatedly made the difference during time-critical missions.


Within the team she is seen as a reliable and competent colleague whose expertise is often decisive when facing complex or magic-oriented threats.


Strengths​

  • Exceptional technical and magical expertise, with demonstrable added value for field operations.
  • Quick and decisive judgment under high pressure.
  • Strong loyalty to mission and team, with a clear focus on operational safety.
  • Creative problem solving in situations where no standard procedures exist.
  • Professional attitude toward hierarchy and collaboration with direct superiors.

Points of attention and improvements​

Although her competencies are indisputable, the audit identified several areas for improvement:


Administrative follow-up​

Her documentation and logging of magical creations and material usage remain below the desired standard. While operational pressure partly explains this, better reporting is necessary to ensure oversight, handover and accountability.


Communication within the team​


Ayleen does not always communicate decisions and improvisations to her colleagues in advance. More context and explanation — especially for risky interventions — would further strengthen team cohesion and safety.


Use of autonomy​


Her strong trust in her own judgment is an asset but requires balance. Coordination with superiors and formal approval for non-urgent experiments is recommended to avoid perceptions of overstepping boundaries.


External perception and sensitivities​

Historical associations and rumors (including connections to the Kell Guild) require ongoing vigilance. Although there are no indications of current conflicts of interest, transparency remains essential to prevent reputational harm to the RHC.


Final conclusion​

Agent Ayleen Fasthands is a major asset to the RHC. Her skills and dedication outweigh the noted issues, which mainly concern structure and communication rather than intent or integrity.

With targeted support on administrative and communicative fronts, she is expected to further develop into an indispensable senior specialist within the organization.

Recommendation: Retain in current position. Additional guidelines regarding reporting and material management are recommended, without restricting her operational effectiveness.

Funny there is some resentment towards Saxby, as we know what will happen very soon
 

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A new edition of the Flint Observer is circulating. All contributions from the RHC come across very well. There is also a new edition of the gossip paper Alarm Bell. The RHC, Rock Rackus, and the doom-minded dwarves all get a mention.


Audits:
  • Kane will receive a promotion. Staf is demoted.
  • Ayleen was criticized for a lack of explanation.
  • All magical items must be handed over to the RHC after the mission. Apparently, this did not happen for one amulet from Axis Island.
  • Will we ever be sent on a mission in Danor with Staf as a member? We will request strict instructions for such missions.
  • Restitution for the amulet: Kane, Felix, Ayleen, and Sarïa pay 160 gp each. Staf must go beg his brother.

The B-team reports the murder of Bergeron, the murder of an unknown individual in a water mill, the break-in at Saxby’s, and the disappearance of Xambria Meredith.

We begin at the Silver Swan, Flint’s most expensive hotel, where Bergeron was murdered. The receptionist refers us to his two bodyguards. Bergeron had not left his room for three days (since Saturday). When those three days were up, the bodyguards, Gerald and Francis, checked on him and found him dead. The bodyguards testify: the door was locked (the key was on the inside). The windows were closed.

Upon arriving at the room, no one is standing guard. The lock was forced (by the bodyguards) but not tampered with (confirmed by Ayleen). No magic is detected. A tiefling lies in bed, a large rust-brown stain beneath his head. The windows are still closed and locked. The bathroom is immaculate. Blood came from the corpse’s mouth, causing the pool beneath him. His jaw is crooked, broken. His brain is missing. We recall that at the fair, a Gidim monster pulled a dwarf through itself, and that victim was also left without a brain.

Bergeron is wearing a ring: gold with a white stone, inscribed “Old Bergeron Gold.”
On the desk lies a map of the continent, with two locations marked: one in the High Bayou, one off the coast of Ber. There are numbers, likely coordinates. Kane detects planar energy from Gidim, but no magical residue. Can those Gidim monsters (semi-real) pass through walls?

Bergeron’s suitcase (a wooden chest) contains ten magical Sending scrolls and has a false bottom, which turns out to be empty.

Kane attempts Speak with Dead, but due to the broken jaw the body cannot answer clearly:
The broken jaw makes speech difficult and only some words are clear.
  • What did the creature that killed you look like? “Wah wah wah” (—“six tentacles on…”)
  • What does the seal removed from the ziggurat do? “.... Outer world......”
  • Who was your employer? “I can’t say.”
  • What are the plans for the seal? “.......Ritual............”
  • Is Lya Jierre aware of your assignment? “I can’t say.”

We search the room one final time. In the desk drawer we find torn-out reports from the Bayou expedition journal: a description of the first room; the image on the wall with the beam striking the figure (and the stone already missing); a chamber of light with pillars and bridges of light that appeared and vanished over spear-filled pits. That puzzle led to a room with a map carved into the floor, with a construction for a tripod holding a prism that shone light onto the ancient map. This ziggurat (of Apeth) was found through a reference from the ziggurat of Jiese, which points to Mavisha, the water planet. They suspect that one of the two seals is actually a trap. We believe it was the one in the room where we ended up.

Did the Ancients restrict interplanar travel by creating the seals?

We realize that we still have not found Xambria Meredith’s expedition journal.

Kane considers contacting Von Recklinghausen via Sending to ask whether an expedition to the ziggurat off the coast is currently underway.

The second murder: the head of a golem was found at Parity Lake, in the basement of a water mill where metal was being smelted. The corpse is older. It lay within a large rusted ring. Kane detects energy from the Bleak Gate. No magic. The body appears to be several weeks old. It is human and male. Arms and legs were secured with a bent metal rod. This reminds us of Leone Quital.

Nearby lies an advanced golem head, extremely complex, according to Ayleen possibly capable of up to 150 instructions. Other parts are present as well, including a torso that has burst open.

The human corpse wore a necklace, of which remnants remain. This reminds us of the amulets needed to access the interstitial dimension. His skull was crushed by the golem. An old gunshot wound is still visible in his leg. A half-empty bottle of oil lies nearby. The corpse has oil in its throat. The bottle lies to the side without its cap. There is a brochure for sea voyages to Elfaivar (the eladrin lands). His socks bear the initials A.G.

The golem is man-sized, finely built, and made of bronze—very finely crafted.

Karlao goes to RHC headquarters to retrieve the medallions. Along the way, he briefly checks in on Saxby to see if she is all right.

Back at the water mill, Karlao attempts to descend through the iron ring while wearing the amulet. He sinks into the water. On a second attempt, he manages to emerge into the Stanfield Canal, but in a dimension with muted sound and light: the Bleak Gate. Kane signals him by tugging on the rope that he must return.

We decide to all make the transition to the Bleak Gate. We leave a note behind and brief Dima, who had brought us there.

In the Bleak Gate, we feel a connection—a thread—linking us to the entrance. Kane sees a glow in the distance, toward Nettles at the foot of Cauldron Hill. The thread pulls hard, it's hard to stay here, it feels like being pushed back to the Waking. Sarïa nevertheless notices that beneath the bridge there is a circular iron ring.

We commandeer a small boat and, wearing the medallion, pass beneath the bridge. We seem to enter a hazy pocket dimension—not the Bleak Gate, but an intermediate dimension. We make plans.

In addition to two murders and the break-in at Saxby’s, there is also the disappearance of Xambria Meredith. A lot of work. Even more reports to write…
 

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