Hi,

Although I do not think Illumination is a fantastic adventure I always intended to run it as about my third or fourth adventure. When I first read it I thought it was going to be quite difficult to stop the party suspecting the abbot and Aristarchus. In an attempt to protect Aristarchus I introduced him into the campaign at the start of the second adventure as the groups primary contact. This has not exactly worked out. We finished todays session at the end of the day before the consecration. After from returing from a trip to the hills the group wanted to speak to the abbot. Upon hearing that he was in a meeting with Aristarchus and was not to be disturbed they over reacted somewhat. One of the guard players drew his gun on Lamark (who had shown no sign of corruption) and demanded to see Aristarchus as agents of the Inquisition. Aristarchus came out to give the player dressing down to be met with veiled accusations about the suspected corruption of the local clergy. Aristarchus asked for evidence of which the players had little. Eventually the situation was calmed down.

The players grounds for suspecting the clergy are fairly thin but to be honest they are correct (although the adept is even hinting that maybe Drusus is not quite as saintly as he might appear). Therefore I cannot imagine the section regarding the Steading house actually happening. Therefore they will miss a fairly big clue regarding the crow fathers weakness. Hopefully they may make a leap of logic regarding this anyway due to the number of eyeless things that turn up throughout the adventure. Even if they end up in a stand up fight against the demon I think they have a chance

My question is, has anyone run this and been able to keep total suspicion clearly aimed at the abbot and Aristarchus?

First, I have not run this adventure.

But I have an idea how you could still "steer" the pc´s into the meeting with Raine.

WARNING! HEAVY SPOILERS!!

okay...

After the fight with the Voicers and the hefty discussion between Raine and Skae & Artistarchus, have Esha direct a sentence in Ashleen to the acolythes. If they ask around in the camp later, they will find someone who knows enough Ashleen to translate (Inquiery +30). The words mean "Fate drawn in blood could be drawned in in blood". If they make some extra success, they find out the "drawn in blood" has the additional meaning of "destiny" in Ashleen dialect.
Esha had distorted Visions and knows that the pc will be important...but that there is a chance that they instead will turn to slaughter and spoil it. She does not know that it is HER death that could spoil it (for she could give a clue).

Perhabs this is enough to make the pc seek out Raine. Players can be oh so eager to go after clues.