I'm going to be running Tattered Fates for my acolytes soon, probably with minimal use of the Red Cages (it seems to me to be far too much like an enforced dungeon sequence)- although it will still be in the game, and feature some pretty brutal situations, just to make the revelation of Xicarph more jarring. One thing about the adventure is Heron Mask- the guy seems like a reservoir of untapped potential. I'm wondering if any other GM's actually like the character, and enlarged his part in any way, or did they just have him killed by the Widower at the end? I've already decided that he's figured out how to kill the Widower, and, without PC intervention, will do so. Furthermore, Heron Mask will be much more of a benefactor to the PCs, while the warnings given by NPCs about his intentions will be far more mysterious and vague. The intention will be to create the impression that Heron Mask is actually a "good guy" of sorts, as it will be him that leaves the PCs stolen gear at the marketplace in Xicarph, while he'll also intervene in the event that the PCs are attacked by the Widower. Heron Mask will also dominate lady Melua, and use her to tell the PCs to stay away from Gabriel Chase- for their own good, of course. If my PCs see through it all and kill him, then I won't manipulate circumstances to se to it that he's kept alive. The ideal outcome is that Heron Mask siezes the artifact at the end of Tattered Fates, preferably with the PCs aiding him against the Widower, and slips away in the chaos. His turning on them would be nice if it genuinely surprised my acolytes, so as a resulot, I've been slacking off on betrayals and double crossings in recent games, as well as having unambiguous villains, just to guide their mindset a little. Has anyone used Heron Mask extensively in their games, and if so, do you guys have any advice or opinions?

many, many thanks in advance.

Locque said:

I haven't run TF yet but I have to say I really like your idea. After all, it is Heron Mask that helps our heroes escape the beginnings of the Red Cages and gives them that dagger. Expanding on the mysterious "ally" role would really be interesting. However, the way the adventure is written the PCs should figure out everything in advance.

What you are planning seems to be a great use of the ethos of Quaddis. It's a place where everyone wears a mask and the PCs only have to blame themselves for trusting implicitly.

Also, Jackal Mask could be used more then. He kind of fades out of the story, but he is pretty much introduced as the main villain. In fact, he even thinks of himself as such. Perhaps you could have the PCs run afoul of some of the Beast House goons again but have Heron mask or his own Pilgrims help. After all, right up until the very end Heron Mask's and the PC's objectives are compatible and even if Heron Mask doesn't expect all that here is from the Widower he is smart enough to understand that he might need some backup.

I thought the Heron Mask was a fairly nice NPC, but hopeless in combat. How he was going to defeat the Widower is beyond me. However it is suggested to give him the Sorcerer talent and a couple of major Arcanas - so I gave him Seal Wounds and Hellfire (or whatever). Thuus he was able to last a few rounds against the Widower, and then actually defeat him (and kill a PC) using the Hellfire.

He then attempted to get away with the Widower's face, but the partys' Scum intercepted him and killed him in one round Good Scum.

Having him actually survive the whole scenario is tricky - unless he has some sort of invisibility/getaway power.

!MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD!

@Locque

Why is the Heron Mask using Lady Medula (in your version) to warn them away from Gabriel Chase? As far as I understand, the wants the pc their because one of them is of Haarlock blood and Haarlock blood is need to kill the Widower. If he dominates Lady Medula (which is from Haarlock Blood as well), why does he free the pc just and THEN asks them to "stay out"? Reverse psychology? Or didn´t he knowed that Lady Medula is Haarlock blood and wants the pc out as soon as he knows?

back2topic:
Your concept seems good since the Beloved is too obvious a plot device figure to be enjoyable (at least in my books). With your changes, he might become a little more important. Ever thought of him actually SPEAKING to the pc once they arrive in Xicarph? Talking, helpfull npc are gain the pc´s trust rather quickly. He as well might try to be helpfull in finding the white Scholar (he knows that the late Inquisitor had some-one still around..but does not know WHO and WHERE).

The meeting could be changed into a baltte scene where the Red Hands are actually fighting the Schola and the pc have to rescue him.

Talking "cryptic warning" :
Let the "Heron Mask" out of the warning. Simply tell the pc something about hidden enemies and machinations at work. The pc will during the course of the adventure be confronted with THREE other remaining power players:

- the Spiderbride
- Lady Medula
- the Heron Mask

Have some of the Venomous Ladies be present at Gabriel Chase. The Spiderbride is still the Assasine of the Haarlock clan and has an order of Haarlock left... kiling of the other of the bloodline. The She-Snakes are actually after Lady Medula. They are not after the pc, however. Even if he is of Haarlock blood, the Bride does not know it. Yet.

The only thing left is some kind of "scheme" for Lady Medula. Perhaps she knows of her Heritage and wants to be at Gabriel chase since she believes she can find some hints to "her Heirlock" in the manse?

The way I'm using the Beloved is that he shows up in the prior adventure at the auction. When things go to hell he grabs the brother, has his men do a holding action in the hallway while he completes a warp gate behind a locked door. Then on Quaddis he is attempting to setup the PC to fight the Widower then take on the the winner hoping for easy prey. I also buffed up him with a nasty warp weapon, and gave him some impressive mutant muscle men with good gear. On the balance he'll send some of his worst men after the PC with most of their good gear. If the PCs fail to gear up he'll send an "ally" with more gear to insure they are up to the task.

Dalnor Surloc said:

Sounds interesting..but who do you mean with "the brother"?

A slightly different "tweak". The beloved is present (of course NOT wearing the "Heron Mask") but not for the auction but for the chance of learning something about the Haarlock or finding some item. As the wheels start to spin, he understood that somewhere here could/should be a member of the Haarlock bloodline. He will try to find out...but not for "bloodletting" him but to capture him and take him along through mentioned warp portal (a better version of the one described as a major arcana in RH).

This gives (after all) reason why it is the pc that he captured in the little trap that opens up TF.

Lady Medula's brother.

Gregorius21778 said:

Gregorius21778 said:

I never liked the segway into tattered fates. If one of the PCs really is a scion of Haarlock (fat chance) why do the other PCs not get dragged into the darkness during the introduction to the scenario? Furthermore, the setup is just unlikely: how do the Pilgrims capture the acolytes in the first place? They just happen to be accidentally dragged into the darkest conspiracy in the sector?

Instead, I made it so that their inquisitor set them up. He provided the pilgrims with the location of the acolytes living quarters as well as the means to sedate them by use of sleeping gas through the vents. He convinced the pilgrims that the acolytes were the ones necessary for this scheme by using mechanicus drugs to subtly alter their DNA to something that the pilgrims would detect to be related to Haarlock. The reason for these schenanigans were pretty good. What better way to foil the pilgrims then to make them think that they were abducting some fools, when the fools were, in fact, full blown acolytes. What better way to find out where the pilgrims were going and what they were up to.

Alternately, if your inquisitor isn't the type to set up his own employees or to engage in underhanded manipulation of heretical cults, one could simply use inquisitor Karkalla who had a political rivalry with the acolytes real inquisitor and hence used the PCs to flush out heresy while letting PC's real inquisitor suffer the costs. Sucks for Karkalla that he was found out when he attempted to monitor the situation personally.

The game is going ahead tomorrow, all is pretty much planned. Any ideas for scenarios/affectations over the coming few sessions to make him endearing/charming to the PCs?

Locque said:

First, forget about his appearance in the "opening scene" including a pit and a couple of spindle maws. If they see him, and him alone, they might start to doubt on him since he could have helped them out a lot more. Instead, leave a note with the dagger (by the corpse) and "that´s it". If the player later meet them and ask for "why" and "what" let him explain that "that is a complicate tale and we do not have time." Let him talk about the Widower and how "it" has to be stopped. That he knows about a person named "the White Scholar" but that he simply cannot find him.

This will, in addition, give the pc a chance to out-guess the Beloved...which they should have chance to! Otherwise, this will be as rail-roading as the opening.

"Help" the Beloved can offer:
Make him meet with the pc after they left the carnival. Perhaps incorporate the scene I wrote about "The Clock strikes.." and introduce the widower right and up front to the pc as long as they aren´t armed up (and are thereby likely to flee!).

As they flee together, he will tell them a meeting point. Talking about "help" in form of money he will claim to be " out of funds myself, it took nearly all I´ve got to get where I am know. But, since you seem to be no stranger to death and bloodshed, I know where you could get a quick coin ". Perhaps you have other ideas for the pc to make money, but this way you have a "plot read line" (the Beloved once to test the pc´s ability to fight, knowing that if they can´t make money with arena combat they won´t be much help against the Widower).

As "Papa Grist" sends them against the spider brider, the pc might be mindfull enough to have a look at here place first.They COULD see Lady Melua leaving the Brides place (with two "Manse Guards" as body guards and an Equeery to round up her retinue. She is on inquiry for the Haarlock Heritage). They could have either seen her before in Papa Grists place (she needs to ask herself around) or could see her later. So, their is a change the pc can interact with her.

He could although tip the pc to a racketeer at the "Wheel" so the pc do not need to "make" a contact on their own.

SCENE: Introduce the Mask and the Widdower

On the streets. While a lot of (drugged) revellers are lead into a dancing on a square where a strange clock was drawn on the surface of the pavement with bright chalk by a skilled artist.

The revellers dance to music, dancing in circles around the clock and pirouette around themselves. The music (played with fiddles, flutes and bells) gets more and more frantic, the song goes

"Dance! Dance!
Around it goes!
Dance! Dance on top of your toes!
Dance! Dance! Dance my friends!
Till the light / it shines and
The Clock Strikes (Number)"
Chours repeat 3x: The Clock strikes (Number)

The number goes up every verse and it gets more frentic every verse. Introduce the players to the scene on "ELEVEN! The Clock strikes ELEVEN! The Clock Strikes ELEVEN!"

The pc might notice some native around, looking to be shocked at the sight and leaving the area. If the players ask and get no answer, the Heron Mask will approach them kindly, explaining "and old custome... and an old superstition. The natives believes it brings bad luck if the clock strickes thirteen. That something bad will happen. Strange custom, isn´t it?" The pc will recognize him and has of course recognized them. Make them talk a short while, while the song goes on.

When the verse comes to "THIRTEEN!", the widdower will appear. Carnage will ensue among the dancing reavellers and panik will break out as the musicians and leaders of the dance reveal themselves as pilgrims and open up fire.

The whole seen was manufactured by the Beloved. It was a rite he developed that would arouse and attract the widower. His plan was to test the Widdower with a bunch of his Pilgrims to watch on and get a glimpse of his powers. That the acolythes made it out and onto the scene "just in in time" is sheer luck... or fate...but whatever it is, he intends to use it...