ZEITGEIST Cypherblade's Zeitgeist campaign

[Cypherblade]

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....

Spoiler

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.

 

[Cypherblade]

A bit of badly documented session, prepping the voyage to Danor and Vendricce

Spoiler

Lord Price-Hill strongly impresses upon us that we must not go so far as to get ourselves captured. Intelligence gathering takes priority—preferably in the form of documents, or possibly even a kidnapping if the opportunity presents itself. Infiltrating the planned meeting itself seems, to him (and to us), far too dangerous.

The journey will take a week, which gives us ample time to establish contact with the Obscurati.

“We could simply find their rings with Locate Object,” Ayleen suggests.
Felix counters that the rings are specifically warded against detection.
Unfortunately, he is correct.

Stover Delft is appointed acting director of the RHC now that Lady Saxby has disappeared. Lauryn cannot remain, so we will have to prepare the journey ourselves. We have seven to eight weeks before we board the train.

Kane allocates part of the budget to acquire a +1 breastplate and a +1 shield.
Other equipment can be supplemented as needed.

The train journey takes six days, and each evening stop is in a Danoran enclave with hotels and proper accommodations.

• First class: half a carriage with four beds, a private salon, and access to the dining car.
• Second class: compartments for six, no beds, but still access to the dining car.
• Coach: simply seating.

---

31 Autumn 500 AOV​

That evening we are assigned to guard the gala at the museum. Rock Rackus has invited himself and, naturally, brought along a number of fans and groupies.

Staf shakes his hand—subtly checking whether he is wearing an Obscurati ring. He also questions Rock about his supposed journey to the moon.

Rock claims he found a scroll in the basement of a library in some ruin. On the moon, during what he describes as an “orgy,” he allegedly seduced the Queen of the Fey, who rewarded him with his golden pistol. Of course, he cannot remember exactly where this happened—somewhere near the ziggurat in the Malice Lands.

He also points out artifacts recovered during that expedition. Bergeron had a golden seal shipped to Danor; Finona Duval was involved as well. That ziggurat apparently had something to do with fire.

Ayleen casts Detect Magic and Detect Planar Energy, but senses no significant magical items or any strong traces of recent planar energies.

Preparation for the Infiltration

Each week, each member may contribute 1 action point
(Maximum of 35 if everyone contributes consistently; crafting time does not count as contribution.)

Action points may be spent on:

• Secrecy: How we keep our preparations within the RHC concealed.
• False Identities: The quality and resilience of our covers on the train.
• Contingencies: Additional plans for complications along the journey.

 

[Cypherblade]

Ingame newspaper, half the articles are players input, half is my input.
Newspaper is in Dutch, but here's the translation:

Spoiler: Newspaper

ATTACK ON RHC CONFIRMS THREAT: FROM WITHOUT AND WITHIN
New information regarding the recent attack on the headquarters of the Royal Homeland Constabulary points to a troubling collaboration between extradimensional entities and the notorious Kell Cartel. Flint was thus confronted not only with a threat from beyond our world, but also with betrayal from within the city itself.

According to sources within the investigation, members of the Kell network facilitated the intrusion and provided logistical support for the operation. That criminal structures in Flint appear willing to cooperate with what experts describe as “extraplanar beings” has prompted sharp reactions in political circles.

The city administration and several members of parliament are calling on citizens and businesses to cease all cooperation with the Kell Cartel. “Those who do business with organizations that undermine Flint’s security indirectly contribute to its weakening,” reads a parliamentary statement.

Observers note that the Kell Cartel thereby confirms its reputation as a purely profit-driven organization, regardless of the consequences for the city.

THREAT NEUTRALIZED​

With regard to the extradimensional component, the RHC confirms that the immediate threat has been neutralized. At present, there are no indications that the entities involved remain active within city limits. The investigation into their origin and motives continues.

FORCE EMERGES STRONGER FROM THE CRISIS​

Remarkably, despite the severity of the attack, the RHC appears to have emerged organizationally strengthened. The recent disappearance of former director Margaret Saxby takes on a different perspective in that light. An internal audit, completed shortly before her departure, reportedly found significant shortcomings in her performance in terms of coordination and oversight.


The force states that reforms have since been implemented and that operational effectiveness has noticeably increased.

LEADERSHIP UNDER KANE KELRIN​

Special praise is directed at the team of Chief Inspector Kane Kelrin, a veteran from the early years of the RHC. According to official sources, his unit played a crucial role in defending headquarters and neutralizing the threat within the city’s underground infrastructure.


Kelrin’s recent promotion is described within the force as confirmation of renewed and steadfast leadership. In a brief statement, he emphasized that “vigilance and unity form the best defense against both visible and invisible enemies.”


The attack on the RHC was a serious trial. That Flint remains safe today is, according to the force, the result of swift coordination, experienced leadership, and the determination to yield no ground.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN​

Staf Overflorijn, former inspector with the Royal Homeland Constabulary, has submitted his resignation following a recent demotion within the force. He will assume a leadership position within his family’s tobacco company, Overflorijn & Co., both parties confirmed.


Within the RHC, Overflorijn was known for his involvement in several sensitive investigations in Flint. The precise reason for his demotion was not publicly disclosed. In a brief statement, the RHC said the departure occurred “by mutual agreement” and that Overflorijn leaves the force “with recognition for his dedication and professional contribution.”

TIMING RAISES QUESTIONS​

The resignation follows shortly after the still unresolved disappearance of former director Margaret Saxby, an घटना that placed the force under both internal and external pressure. Although the RHC has confirmed no link between the two matters, several observers point to the remarkable timing.

Parliamentary sources emphasize that there are no official indications that Overflorijn was involved in the circumstances surrounding Saxby’s departure. At the same time, it is acknowledged that recent reshuffles within the force are taking place during a period of heightened institutional sensitivity.

An RHC spokesperson stated that “personnel decisions are separate from ongoing investigations” and that the force remains committed to transparency within the boundaries of the law.

RETURN TO THE FAMILY BUSINESS​

With his transition, Overflorijn returns to the family company, which holds a significant share in tobacco processing and distribution in Flint and surrounding regions. According to a company statement, he will focus on strategic expansion and internal organization.

Overflorijn himself stated that he remains “proud of his years of public service” and now wishes to focus on “sustainable economic development within a family tradition.”

Whether his departure is purely a personal choice or part of broader changes within the RHC will become clear in the coming months.

TOBACCO PRICES RISE SHARPLY​

Smokers across Flint were surprised this week when reviewing the price lists of their regular cigar and pipe tobacco suppliers. Several merchants confirm price increases ranging from five to as much as twelve percent, depending on origin and quality. Official explanations refer to “logistical disruptions” and “scarcity of selected leaves.”


The family company Overflorijn & Co., one of the most influential players in tobacco processing around Parity Lake, significantly expanded its storage capacity and distribution contracts in recent months. According to port records, several smaller producers were acquired or placed under exclusive supply contracts. Critics speak of a strategic consolidation that makes the market tighter than necessary.


A company spokesperson denies any form of price manipulation. “The increase merely reflects international market pressure and higher transport costs. We are in fact ensuring stability in uncertain times,” the statement reads. Nevertheless, independent merchants point out that alternative suppliers have suddenly become harder to reach and that certain blends appear temporarily available only through distributors affiliated with Overflorijn.


The timing fuels speculation. Shortly after internal shifts within the company — in which a former public figure is said to have resumed a role in the corporate structure — expansion visibly accelerated. Whether this is coincidence or the beginning of a deliberate repositioning of the tobacco market remains unclear for now.


For the moment, one thing seems certain: smoke is rising not only from Flint’s pipes, but also from the boardrooms where decisions are made about who controls the market — and at what price.

ARMY PRACTICES NEW TACTICS IN THE WEST BAYOU​

Unusual military activity has been observed in recent days in the marshy outskirts of the West Bayou. Units of the Risuri army conducted large-scale exercises which, according to official communication, are aimed at “adapting to unconventional threats and terrain conditions.”


The West Bayou, known for its dense mists, unpredictable tides, and treacherous peat grounds, forms a challenging training area. Witnesses report mobile pontoon bridges, light artillery tested on floating platforms, and infantry units maneuvering in small, independently operating groups. Cooperation between regular troops and specialized magically assisted scouts was also reported.


An army spokesperson emphasized that the exercises are “purely defensive in nature” and fit within a broader modernization of doctrine and equipment. “Recent events have shown that threats are no longer limited to conventional battlefields. The army must be prepared for diverse scenarios, including urban infiltration and operations in difficult terrain.”


Military analysts point out that the focus on small-scale, flexible units deviates from the traditional line tactics that Risur employed for decades. The emphasis appears to lie on rapid response, improved coordination between land and water components, and securing infrastructure in vulnerable regions such as the delta around Flint.


The exercises are expected to continue for several more days. At present, there are no indications that the maneuvers are linked to a concrete threat. Nevertheless, they underline that the security situation in and around Flint continues to evolve — and that the army is visibly preparing for a new reality.


Security experts stress that the incident demonstrates how real such threats can be, and how necessary a well-funded and decisive security service remains.

 

[Cypherblade]

Session 30

Spoiler

A leak within the RHC has been exposed: secretary Candace Coman has been clandestinely passing information to Hank Gallagher of the Flint Observer. We reported her indiscretion to Stover Delft, the new deputy director.

The new newspaper edition is out, by the way. It covers, among other things, the attack on the RHC by a threat from other dimensions, supported by the Kell network. Members of parliament have sent a strong signal: they are calling on citizens to cease all cooperation with Kell! Hurray! The immediate extraplanar threat has been neutralized. The RHC receives praise: Saxby has disappeared, reportedly as a result of the audit. Special commendation goes to Chief Inspector Kane Kelrin and his unit.

Staf Overflorijn is also mentioned. Following a recent demotion, he has resigned by mutual agreement and will take up a leadership position in his family’s tobacco business. He will focus on strategic expansion. Tobacco prices are rising sharply—by 5 to 12 percent—due to logistical disruptions and monopolization (which the tobacco company, incidentally, denies).

The army is practicing new techniques in the West Bayou (located just west of Flint), with exercises aimed at unconventional threats. The army must be prepared for a wide range of scenarios. Thirty days ago, we also received a letter from an officer requesting permission to study the bodies of the slain extraplanar creatures—a request we granted.

Kane spends time crafting a story that he is going on holiday to visit Ashcroft (he almost pulls it off—14 on a DC 15 Deception check). He also practices the arts of butlership. Kane investigates possible spies and discovers that he himself, Staf, and Felix are being followed when they return home. He attempts to determine who is responsible. All three tails turn out to be Kell men.

---

85 Autumn 500 AV

Our aliases:

• Staf Overflorijn remains himself
• Cassius Goldfinger (= Felix)
• Nick(olas) O’Tyne (= Kane)
• Barbara Stanwyck (= Ayleen)
• ??? (= Sarïa)

With an RHC vessel, the Roscommon, we sail to the Yerasol Archipelago. We depart very early and attempt to leave unnoticed. After four days we arrive at a tobacco island, Castro. Staf gathers samples of five exclusive varieties of tobacco leaf.

90 Autumn 500 AV

From Castro we sail aboard a tobacco export ship to Beaumont. Ayleen notices a plume of black smoke on the horizon. A steamship? An hour later, nothing remains visible. Along the way we pass Rivenstone, an island that once served as a pirate base founded by a gnome named Colmar.

We discuss which compartments to book. Staf, Felix, Ayleen, and Kane will take a first-class carriage; Sarïa will travel second class.

That evening, Felix and Ayleen notice that the ship seems to take a slight impact. They alert the captain, but nothing is discovered.

91 Autumn – 1 Winter 500 AV

On 1 Winter we arrive in Beaumont, in Danor. The place looks highly industrial; the entire city lies beneath a thick layer of smog. The wind here is much colder than in Flint, and that is not solely because winter has begun—we are also considerably farther north. There are imposing buildings, including the railway station. Tieflings form the high society in Danor, but many ordinary citizens live here as well, along with slaves—since slavery still exists in this nation.


There are ten days before the train departs. We find a hotel and reserve tickets for the train. As only one first-class compartment remains available, Staf and “Cassius” decide to share it.

Felix goes gambling, and Staf attends the theatre. We pick up some rumors: in Cherage, the capital, there are disturbances and riots, including arson. Hmm… sounds familiar. Felix and Ayleen earn well but spend freely, investing their winnings in “big living” to build their reputation.

11 Winter 500 AV

Two days in advance, Kane discovers that a fashionable orc traveling with his two children (from Ber) has booked another first-class compartment. He is a railway engineer named Damata Griento; his wife is Ejeca, the son is Taroo, and the daughter Dabo. It is a nouveau riche family.

On the 11th, we board the train early in the morning. The station is already bustling with activity. The last carriage is the dining car, complete with a piano played by a certain Dorus. Two train attendants approach us: a dark-skinned woman and a man. The man is Xorin Marchand; the woman is Malia Baccarin. She leads us to carriage 17, where the Griento family will be staying in the sleeping compartment next to ours. Carriage 18 also contains two luxury compartments, but they are still empty. The guests will undoubtedly board at one of the next stops.

At precisely 7:25 a.m., the train departs.

 

[Cypherblade]

Spoiler

The train has departed. Staf asks Nick to fetch Malia to inquire why the other first-class carriage remains empty. Malia assures him that those passengers will still board later today.

A sturdy human woman, blonde, heavily tattooed, with a striking scar running around her entire right biceps, walks from carriage 16 (second class) toward the dining car. She even carries a sword on her back. Staf is annoyed by the Griento children. The group tries to learn what other sorts of people are on our train.

After about an hour, the train makes its first stop. A very large, bossy woman (Elanor) boards, accompanied by a female slave (Isobel) on a chain. Another passenger is a slick tiefling cowboy dandy with two pistols at his belt, Oliver Boon, who takes a seat in Sarïa’s (Mel’s) compartment and immediately charms her.

Suddenly there is commotion: “Someone has died!” It turns out someone in third class has choked—on a peanut.

We spend most of our time in the dining car, where the Griento family, the blonde soldier, and Oliver Boon are also present. The blonde woman is named Briana, called Bree, and she used to be a soldier in the Danoran army. Her arm was reattached by Von Recklinghausen. There is also a dwarf in modest but fine clothing who is gambling with himself.

Oliver Boon appears to possess an expensive magical pistol. A charm offensive by Barbara is brushed aside. Versubak Tantalovich, the dwarf, wants to gamble with Cassius and loses 100 gold. He seems to be deliberately letting the halfling win. Barbara is not allowed to touch his dice either. Train attendant Malia advertises a safari in the Malice Lands: passengers can shoot wild animals and monsters with rifles from the roof of the moving train.

Nick tries to eavesdrop at the compartment of the large woman using an ashtray as an excuse, but she promptly comes outside. Once she leaves, the chief inspector manages to slip into the compartment unseen. He finds notes with addresses and appointments in cities along the train’s route.

That evening we arrive in Cherage. A curfew is in force due to social unrest. The city lies on three hills (Arlette, Belize, and Chloë). The city is a thousand years old—dating back to centuries before the death of Srasama.

Mel (Sarïa) tries to go out into the city with Oliver Boon, but Boon brushes her off with a cheap excuse. TOTAL HUMILIATION FOR SARÏA!

The train from the opposite direction also arrives. Most passengers go to the expensive hotel. From our group, only Sarïa/Mel goes to the cheap hotel. Kane/Nick remains on the train after buying the focus materials for a clairvoyance spell in a small shop. That evening he socializes a bit with the staff and learns that Xorin Marchand is the train engineer. The first-class chief and acting bartender is Marik; the pianist is Doris. Malia handles problems with passengers. In addition there are eleven guards and a cleaning crew of eight.

Barbara and Cassius sit in the bar of the expensive hotel. Bree was there at first as well but later goes into the city. Twenty minutes later Boon also leaves the hotel, well dressed. Fifteen minutes after that, Tantalovich leaves as well.

Sarïa sees Boon in the very personal company of a short-skirted sixteen-year-old. Jealousy flares up intensely! She stalks the cowboy dandy (unfortunately not in black panther form, since that would not last long here in Danor) to a bar several streets away (the Wabe Dufone [spelling???]), where Bree is also sitting alone at the bar. Boon and the young woman flirt shamelessly, completely without restraint! The skirt-chaser notices Sarïa and winks at her. The filthy bastard, the disgusting chauvinist!

Tantalovich also happens to be here, seated at a lively table. After winning some money, he buys a round for everyone. Bree suddenly slips out through the back door, but Sarïa remains focused on Boon and his floozy! Meanwhile, Tantalovich keeps winning.

When Boon and his girl leave the establishment, Sarïa tries to follow them, but the alert cowboy immediately spots her. He drops off his date where he originally picked her up. THE WHORE!

Barbara and Cassius spend the entire evening in the hotel bar. It remains quiet until a large man (about two meters tall) appears. He looks shabby. He asks whether “the penthouse is still available,” but the hotel staff brush him off. Later Sarïa sees the same man climbing down the hotel’s rain gutters and fleeing toward the locomotive. He runs and jumps very athletically over this and other trains, and Sarïa eventually loses sight of him. It turns out he had taken a bath in the penthouse.

---

12 Winter

New passengers arrive to board the train:

• A tiefling who looks like a member of House Jierre boards. Others recognize him as Luc Jierre, brother of Lia and cousin of Nathan. He rarely appears in public. It later turns out that he stutters.
• He is accompanied by a Clergy of the Oracle, named Otavia. Elanor (the slave trader) claims she was probably purchased. She communicates using sign language because she is deaf.

Nick has the horn he bought yesterday decorated with jewels by Ayleen/Barbara (to serve as the focus for Clairvoyance).

The train makes an intermediate stop at a heavily armed border post with the Malice Lands. The clocks must be set one hour forward there. We feel magic flowing back into us again, and Felix in particular feels much better here.

The safari is prepared: a crate of rifles is brought out. Strange beasts roam here in the wild. Several passengers fire shots. Boon proves to be a very good marksman. Sarïa—OUT OF PURE JEALOUSY—throws him off balance with an invisible mage hand. On the roof of a carriage farther forward, the large vagrant stands shouting at the safari shooters.

That evening we arrive in Orithea. A courier approaches Staf and tells him that a crate is waiting for us. Several buildings have minarets—pointed towers—which appear to interact with the “northern lights” and seem to be a popular attraction.

Barbara and Cassius would like to accompany Tantalovich that evening, but he prefers to continue working on his mathematics. According to him, in this city-state gambling games can become unpredictable and even dangerous.

Sarïa follows Boon that evening as a panther. This time he picks up a 32-year-old as his companion. Staf goes to the address listed in Elanor’s notes. Before he leaves, he sees the large beggar approach Elanor and Isobel and recite a poem—remarkably, for Isobel. Elanor strikes him away with her handbag and the local police chase him off.

Barbara casts Detect Magic. Magical chaos strikes and blinds her for the rest of the evening. (rolling a nat 1 !) Cassius has to act as her chaperone when it becomes clear that Barbara cannot quickly shake off the magical chaos.

Sarïa again sees Bree slip out through a back door of the bar where Boon was sitting with his date. She follows the veteran as a cat. The woman goes to the docks and gives money to the dockworkers. Then she waits. A carriage drives past. Suddenly there is commotion where the carriage passed—crates topple over. Bree barely reacts to it.

 

[Cypherblade]

session 32: Across the Malice Lands

Spoiler

Staf takes a carriage to the address from Elanor’s notes. Once again it is a house in an upscale neighborhood, with several carriages waiting outside. Clearly wealthy people live there, but the coachman does not know who exactly. Staf pays him to find out and report back when he returns to pick him up in an hour. Many notable figures arrive, often with bodyguards. Elanor and Isobel arrive last and are allowed inside after showing a card.

Staf approaches the other coachmen. He asks who lives here: a Mr. Berkhoff, a businessman in import and export. Confidently, Staf walks up to the entrance, but when he cannot produce an invitation he is denied entry. He then asks for the secretary, who informs him that tonight is a bad time. During the conversation, a loud cry of “Wow!” suddenly comes from inside the house. Staf eventually schedules an appointment for the 22nd.

Sarïa continues to keep an eye on Bree. Several dockworkers clean up the overturned crates. After the carriage has passed, Brie returns to the enclave, and the druid follows her back to the hotel.

Felix and the blind Ayleen speak in the hotel lobby. Felix wants to learn more about Luc Jierre. There are three brothers: Han (the sovereign of Danor, who has no children), Ian (the father of Luc and Lya), and Gan (the father of Nathan). At the front desk Felix asks whether there is anyone who can cure Ayleen’s blindness. He specifically asks about the woman who was with Mr. Jierre—the oracle—but she and her companion have already left the hotel.

Suddenly water bursts out of all the sources of fire, like fountains. Half a minute later the flames return. Everyone is astonished; nothing like this has ever happened here before. Half an hour later Cardiff Hengehill enters the hotel. Judging by his accent, he comes from Risur. As he walks up the stairs, he passes the tall man who is just leaving, freshly washed.

Later that evening Boon also returns, and half an hour after him first Elanor and then Luc Jierre and Octavia return as well. In the lobby Versubak, Brie, and Boon are still present, but the dwarf never once looks at the other two. Staf speaks with Elanor, who tries to lure him to her room, and he goes along with it. She says she can provide the ideal woman for him. Felix/Cassius, meanwhile, speaks with the oracle and asks her to help Ayleen/Barbara. She says it will be possible tomorrow, but not today.

13 Winter 500 AOV​

Barbara’s blindness has disappeared on its own by morning. At breakfast we hear that a young woman was murdered two streets away. Felix/Cassius thanks Jierre’s companion for the effort, but her help with the blindness will no longer be necessary.

The orc engineer Damata Griento does not look very happy this morning. Today the journey continues toward Trekhom in Drakr, but since we are still in the Malice Lands, monsters can once again be shot along the way. Brie strikes up a conversation with Staf, but he is rather curt with the Danoran. Unlike her, he cannot let go of “the enemy from the war.”

At one point the train suddenly slams on the brakes. Cassius/Felix nearly flies off the roof of the train, but Barbara performs her role perfectly and manages to grab him before he tumbles down. In the swamp to the left of the train something bubbles in the water, but that cannot be the cause of the emergency stop. A hydra-like creature rises up and attacks the middle of the train. One of its five heads smashes through a third-class window. The screams are audible all the way to us. Soon after, gunshots ring out—coming from even farther ahead than the hydra, near the locomotive.

The front section of the train is under attack by a group of men on horseback. They are the ones being shot at up front, and they themselves also carry rifles. A few of them jump into the cargo wagons: a bandit ambush!

Ayleen, Felix, Sarïa, and Staf run forward. Every few meters the hydra thrusts its head through another window. Each time it loses a head, but they keep growing back. Kane sees through the first-class window that the large man is defending the train against the attackers. When Staf attacks the hydra and Ayleen and Felix shoot at it, the creature retreats back into the swamp. It is soon followed by head-like monsters that leap out of the train windows. Felix reaches the wagon where those creatures were, where complete panic reigns. Sarïa begins administering first aid. Several people have been killed and wounded.

The bandits climb back onto their horses and ride alongside the train, firing as they go. Then they suddenly turn around when our heroes approach. Staf does notice that they have loaded some sacks onto their horses. Near one of the wagons lie two bodies: a bandit and the tall man. The latter has been riddled with gunshots. His body turns out to be covered with large scars indicating that various body parts have been stitched together, though he has far more than Brie. His bullet wounds slowly close up, and the lead pellets pop out of his flesh! It looks like he had set up an improvised sleeping place for himself in this cargo wagon.

In total, three guards have fallen, eight passengers in third class, and one bandit.

The emergency stop apparently happened because rocks were lying on the track, but they have since vanished into smoke—undoubtedly an illusion.

The large man regains consciousness once his wounds have healed. When Staf experimentally tries to give him a small cut, he grabs the veteran by the throat. He has the same accent as Von Recklinghausen. His name is Mister Maple, and he says the doctor is his “father.” Ayleen persuades him to come along to our wagon. The theft took place in cargo wagon 3, while the fight with Mr. Maple happened in wagon 6. The stitched-together man confirms what we had already suspected: he is very interested in Isobel.

The train staff refuse to say exactly what was stolen. Staf explains that he used to be an inspector and insists on examining the body of the dead bandit. He brings his servant Nick/Kane along, who questions the corpse using Speak with Dead.

• What were you trying to steal? Gemstones.
• From whom? Don’t know.
• Who was your boss? Reddin.
• Where is your headquarters? In the Malice Lands.
• Was the monster that attacked the train under your control? No, that was a lucky coincidence.

 

[Cypherblade]

Trekhom, the inspectors finally start tailing some suspects.

Spoiler

Report “Secret and Confidential Project Commissioned by the RHC”
Reporter: Sub-Inspector Gustaaf Overflorijn

Bree approaches Staf and congratulates him on his impressive fighting skills, but Staf is not impressed. She says she would like to forget everything that happened during the war. Apparently she served on Axis Island. Barbara suggests settling things with an arm-wrestling contest, but neither of them accepts.

Nick O’Tyne briefly returns to our compartment to properly dress Mr. Maple (alias Andrei Von Recklinghausen) and speak with him. When Nick talks a little too much about his father, Wolfgang Von Recklinghausen, the big man becomes uncomfortable. Apparently his contact with his “father” ended in a physical confrontation.

Staf holds a discussion with the dwarf Versubak Tantalovich about the end of the different ages and the times one must prepare for. Cassius Goldfinger finds this somewhat dull and challenges the dwarf to a dice game in which Staf also participates. Staf wins, and in his excitement he accidentally calls Cassius Felix.

Barbara learns from Cardiff Hengehill, the man with the briefcase, that he is apparently a courier transporting something important.

Nick listens to Elanor’s room via clairaudience and discovers that her slave is kept submissive through specific pills she is forced to take.

The remainder of the journey continues in snowfall, but once we cross an iron bridge we enter Drakr, where we notice the snow is gray due to air pollution. At the large station, which has no fewer than eight tracks, about twenty Drakran soldiers are waiting (a mix of dwarves and humans, the latter being mages). A tiefling officer announces that everyone must leave the train with all their luggage because the wagons are to be replaced. As compensation for the inconvenience and the danger along the route, our tickets will be refunded.

While Staf tries to offer cigars to Octavia, Kane manages to cast Tongues. He can now “listen in” on the sign language between the two. Apparently they now know who the Risuri “spies” are. They likely learned this from their bodyguards. They say they will do the same thing as yesterday. Their bodyguards—Bree, Oliver Boone, and Versubak Tantalovich—always leave, presumably to go to a tavern. The dwarf invariably gets drunk, buys a round for everyone with his gambling winnings, and then rambles about various meaningless topics.

We also notice that the orc couple are having a marital dispute, and we see posters everywhere of Vlendam Heid, the founder of the Heid Eschatol. The great philosopher himself will give a lecture this evening about the end of days.

Kane asks Sarïa to shadow the Jierre pair. She jumps onto their carriage in cat form, and during the ride barrels are rolled behind the carriage to prevent possible pursuers. The carriage heads toward the harbor. This is a similar event to what happened in Orithea.

Damata Griento has disappeared after the train had already stopped. No one knows where he has gone, but it is clear he had an argument with his wife.

Staf wishes to broaden his knowledge by attending the lecture. The other investigators—Felix, Kane, and Ayleen—go to examine the rooms of the people who have left.

First room: Luc Jierre and Octavia​

Among all their equipment, Ayleen finds a magical lantern and three jars of oil, each in a different color. The three jars contain planar energy. The blue one comes from Mavisha. There are also red and black versions, but we do not recognize those. One lantern is missing, as well as three bottles. Using a scroll of Identify, Ayleen determines that the lantern is used to disperse energy from other planes.

The Lecture​

Heid speaks about life and the end of all things. At one point he asks who survived the attack on the train. Damata was present and stands up, because he has apparently brought dishonor upon his family. Staf initially listens very attentively, but he understands none of it, and his attention slowly fades… and fades… and fades…

Second room: Boone​

Boone’s room contains many weapons. We also find women’s underwear with blood spatters that appear to have sprayed from above. Is Boone a psychopath who collects trophies? Or could he be a vampire? There is also a faint residue of planar energy present that Ayleen does not recognize.

The carriage of Luc Jierre​

The carriage transporting Jierre stops near the lighthouse, and Sarïa hears voices. There are quite a lot of armed people present. Luc asks whether everything has been prepared, and together with his traveling companion he enters the lighthouse.

Third room: Bree​

Nothing unusual is found in Bree’s room.

Fourth room: The dwarf Tantalovich​

This room also contains magical residue on a small box that holds dice. There are also strange documents attempting to analyze the influence of planetary and lunar positions on games of chance.

At the lighthouse​

Suddenly red light shines from the lighthouse. The heads of the guards heat up and they begin to fight. The same thing happens during the lecture, and in the hotel Ayleen suddenly starts angrily berating Felix. For about fifteen minutes everyone becomes unusually aggressive.

A person with a Crisillyiri accent speaks with Jierre and says that “they will be able to expand it further.” The carriage then returns but first makes a stop at a workshop where trains are repaired or built. Jierre bribes one of the mechanics to mount the lantern he brought onto the locomotive.

Everyone eventually returns to the hotel, and the five of us head down to The Sea King for a while. Boone is again there in the company of a young lady, and the drunken dwarf once more treats the entire tavern—but Kane notices that he is nowhere near as drunk as he pretends to be.

When Boone leaves the tavern with his date, Kane, Ayleen, Sarïa, and Felix follow him, while Staf remains behind with the dwarf.

Boone wanders around a bit, and with assistance from Pipistrella, tonight in owl form, we track him. In a quiet neighborhood he leads his companion of the evening into an alley. Suddenly we hear frightened screams and rush forward. Sarïa tries to trap the villain with entangling weeds, but he is too agile. In response he fires two bullets into our druid.

Ayleen and Felix are, of course, experts at ranged attacks as well, and they take the creep down with two revolver shots and a volley of magical missiles.

Boone carries a magical revolver that also radiates planar energy. Goats are engraved on the ivory holster. Kane prepares to speak with the dead man—both to see what else we can learn from him and to ensure that no one else will be able to question the body for a week.

 

[Cypherblade]

The players saw Luc paying some folk to put the lantern on the train, so presumably they will find a way to remove it during the next day/night. Chances are high the plan will foil. Is it an option to bring forward the plan when arriving in Nalaam?

I also have the feeling they will not complete the voyage to Vendricce and will miss the part of the Crypta Hereticarum, which would be a pity. I could put the Vault partially in Nem so they have an access there and are able to return later to their world (if the lantern will be activated which I doubt), but in that case they certainly have to skip the rest of the adventure.
thoughts?

 

[Cypherblade]

players started to make their RHC badges, alas there was a typo in one of the badges.