[SPOILERS!] GM looking for advice how to put more main plot points into book 2

[Kyle_TheBuilder]

Ok, so again: spoilers, this is for those that already played Gatewalkers

Basically I am looking for ways to make Book 2 better. I already have ideas how to fix "escort" part, GMPC party part and how to make Egede more exciting part with less idiotic contradiction and anti-climatic subplot of Committee for Moral Rectitude.

However, here is what I need help with: I want to start giving some tips or clues that Dr Ritalson is a shady figure and that there is something wrong with him, this whole quest and Missing Moment stuff. Adventure BADLY lacks any build up to revelation in Book 3 that's its all Dr Ritalson plan. Also I would like to give more clues about players being behind kidnapping and Osoyo, but I dont know how to do it so I don't spoil whole thing. Maybe something with dreams? I don't know. This "plot twist" seems too much 0-100 for me. I don't have ideas how to make it more building up through book 2.

Any advice is welcome.

[Osranger]

I just skipped Egede because it was dumb. I rolled a shadow demon on the random encounter table afterward and played up that the party was being stalked by it as it sought to test them against weaker demons and possess someone.

For Ritalson you are a little late for this, but I started the party at Ritalson’s manor and made him kind of sketchy from the start, but seemingly helpful.

Ritalson’s stay block has dream message, so you can use that to keep him in the story narratively contacting and assisting the PCs. Also keep up the appearances of him in a monster suit. He shouldn’t ever be truly far away even if he is in the background imo.

[Curaigh]

There are dreams made reality in chapter two. I would reiterate those dreams as much as possible. Remember Sakuachi witnessed the party's shared dream. She might react (should) to them differently if you can throw in more hints. The haunts in Domora are a good place to enter these. Plus a white-haired & horned demon in the Sarkorian Scar could trigger this.

There is the letter from Ritalson waiting for them in Egede. Since Ritalson can invade the dreams of anyone with the mark I added a Gatewalker to the Committee for Moral Rectitude in my campaign. Therefore a NPC can be (unknowingly?) contacted by Ritalson. Something as simple as that NPC recognizing the party as the ones form the dream who have been to Seven Arches/Thinlands/Castroval/Starspire which the NPC should not know anything about.

Sakuachi or the reclaimers (again a Gatewalker in my campaign) might discover another Ritalson contact.

Yes for future GMs, have the party meet at the Ritalson estate before the adventure. :)