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Message: <blockquote data-quote="gideonpepys" data-source="post: 5788418" data-attributes="member: 79141">Session 18Session 18 <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hideous flayed jaguars had been sent though portals from the Bleak  Gate to kill Nevard Sechim.  The unit was too far away to intercede, and  despite his brave attempts to deliver a warning over the screams of the  crowd, poor Nevard was killed, along with many of his followers. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Hacking their way through the skeletons that were also hidden in the  throng, the unit eventually succeeded in dealing with the jaguars,  exploiting weaknesses in their hasty contsruction - their efforts aided  by Swami Melanchol who had come with Saaladoor to the square.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Korrigan took control of security while Malthusius arranged for  Nevard's body to be taken to RHC headquarters.  Then the unit went with  Saaladoor to search the creepy warehouse.  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Swami Melanchol told them that a blonde-haired man had come through  the portal just as the golem was about to kill El Perro.  He had ordered  the golem back through the portal (with El Perro's limp body clutched  in its vice-like grip), and then set about shooting every potential  witness in the head: Dut, Capt Barnes, everyone.  He then took  the remaining evidence and left.  Swami got up the courage to see if  Saaladadoor was okay and discovered that he was only unconscious (hidden  under an avalanche of crates).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The unit found instructions on how to create a flayed jaguar fixed to the chicken-wire cage with a magnet.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They returned to RHC HQ where Stover Delft helped co-ordinate their response, and warned them not to go home.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Korrigan sent a similar warning message to Leon who was at home  recovering from injuries sustained in Dawn Square, at the hands of an  anti-Danoran mob.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">They sent police units to check out the factories mentioned in Le Brix' report, but these returned empty-handed.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Rumdoom arranged for a wealthy contact to send accountants to pore over the documents Malthusius had recreated.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Malthusius spoke with Nevard's spirit and heard the ful extent of his visions on Cauldron Hill.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Korrigan went to help his wife to the safety of her parents' house in the Ayres.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Uru tried to get to speak to Macbannin, who had promised him advice on the dark arts, but the mayor was busy. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Malthusius tried to speak to Le Brix. The following morning he  caught up with him in his apartment in North Shore.  Le Brix was  agitated and angry, but told the unit to come back later.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Korrigan kept his appointment with Morgan Cippiano, who offered to  help with the investigation in return for the release of the 'young and  impressionable' Bendick.  However, Korrigan chose not to share any  details of the investigation with him, limiting his usefulness.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The unit followed the golden canary to meet with Gale.  She told  them there was hidden activity in the Bleak Gate and gave them a ritual  to follow planar trails.  Gale also said her attitudes had been tempered  by Nevard, and that she sought an audience with Governor Stanfield.   She gave the unit a messenger wind to allow them to communicate  with her.  Gale was convinced that Nilasa's stolen documents would  point to her murderer.  She was keen to help the unit track him down. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">On the way back down the hill, Malthusius told Korrigan that they had been followed to their rendezvous by Leon. (Leon's player was absent.  He is, ostensibly, a martial scholar, but unbeknownst to the others he is in fact a vekeshi mystic and I decided to have him deliver their message surreptitiously.  Unfortunately for him, Malthusius' passive perception is out of control.) </li> </ul>I beat myself up (metaphorically) after this session because there were so many things I could have handled better on reflection.  After relative simplicity of the rumble in Dawn Square, there was a plethora of threads to follow up and all sorts of repercussions.  There were a couple of occasions where I felt I was stone-walling slightly, or rather, failing to respond in the positive improvisational way I try to, and simply cutting the PCs dead when they pursued avenues I didn't want them to. For example, when Uru went to see Macbannin, I should have taken the opportunity to have Macbannin ingratiate himself and offer assistance.  I'm kicking myself over that one!And when Malthusius tried to see Le Brix, because I already had plans for him I tried to put him off with 'he's not at the Consulate' today, but Malthusius was so determined (going to his apartment, leaving a message, going back the following morning) in the end I had to at least allow him to see Le Brix just to get him to stop!  For the life of me now, I can't think what I was afraid would happen, or work out why I was being such a sucky DM.Oh well... we live and learn.Interestingly, following the session, two of the group - playing Uru and Rumdoom - emailed me with their suspicions that Macbannin needs to be watched, despite that fact that they have yet to uncover any evidence that points firmly to him.  I wish I'd had him cooperate even more wholeheartedly now.</blockquote>

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