I've run 2 TEW campaigns: one in WFRP and one in PF1e P6 (the low fantasy PF1 mode, where players only go up to level 6). I have to say I had a MUCH better experience in PF1e, but that's not the point of this thread (don't hate on the post, one of the reasons is also personal preference xD).

I ran both at the same time. We just finished the first book in WFRP, and I'm wrapping up the Schaffenfest in PF1e. But I had the same problem in both, even with completely different players, very different personalities, and different play styles.

The differences between the two tables (feel free to skip)

I'll point out the difference between the two first and only then get to the problem — you can skip this part.

WFRP — tactically weaker players, but used to Grim Dark / Low Fantasy settings. They threw themselves into tough situations, born troublemakers; most of their characters distrusted everything and everyone and were extremely mercenary.

>Spoiler: Gideon had a field day at this table, it was amazing.

PF1e — more strategic players, new to the setting and to this style of fantasy. Altruistic and relatively kind, but not naive; they negotiate everything they can and write down every kind of information. Hard to pull one over on them.

>Spoiler: Gideon is going to have his work cut out for him with this party.

What both tables had in common

With the differences out of the way, let's get to what they had in common.

Spoilers from here on.

Both tables got extremely anxious about Kastor's "inheritance." That alone was enough to dictate the whole journey up to Bogenhafen: they kept discussing what to do with the money and the land, how they'd settle in after taking over Kastor's identity in the city, how they'd sell the land quickly to start a cattle business in Averland as an investment, how they'd blow it on booze and women...

For a good chunk of the trip through the Weissbruck canal and the Bogen river, the parties kept debating this blessed inheritance. In different ways, obviously, but with similar goals.

I got the feeling that, if I followed the book and Adolphus Kuftsos had pulled an ambush with a fake inheritance, it would have really frustrated the players, pushing them away from the city of Bogenhafen, the Schaffenfest, the characters, and even the campaign itself.

Think about it with me, GMs

We, as GMs, know that the high point of this fantastic campaign is how things unfold in Bogenhafen: the race against time, the fantastic enemies, the constant and ever-shifting danger of Gideon... We need to create an anchor in this city. And as much as I love Gottri and the excuse to head into the sewers with the three-legged goblin, if the players don't want to stay in the city because of frustration — or just don't care about it and its situations — none of that will matter.

The anchor the book gives you to tie the players to Bogenhafen lasts until the moment they set foot in the city. After that... it gets hard to keep them there.

The solution: make the inheritance "real"

The solution I came up with was to make Kastor's inheritance "real."

"Real" in very heavy quotes: the inheritance exists, the law office exists, Kastor's dead relative exists, but none of it will be handed over to the players because the relative's assets have been frozen.

The relative's death was orchestrated by the Ordo Septenarius over economic disagreements. Gideon took advantage of the inheritance situation and the relative's posthumous legal red tape to bring in someone with no ties to the city at all and use them as a sacrifice for the rituals; and he pushed the Ordo Septenarius to freeze the assets under the excuse of a "legal investigation" sparked by an anonymous corruption tip.

This way, Gideon gets more of the GM's creative freedom to act however he wants. He can be introduced to the players earlier, keeping a constant interest in them. And it also explains why he kills Adolphus, in case he hasn't died yet: he takes out a competitor who's chasing the same prey.

Gideon as a constant observer

I, for example, made Gideon a constant observer at the WFRP table. Gideon played the following roles:

• Tavern owner, well-read and articulate, even though his appearance was strange (I described him as Judge Holden: pale whiteness, very tall and strong — my players don't know Blood Meridian). He became friends with the players, and I made a point of having Gottri be a regular at the tavern; Gideon would run him a tab or even give him free drinks in exchange for washing some dishes. At this table, Gideon liked to observe his sacrifices and, in a way, befriend them. Sadistic!
• Mutant child at the zoo. Even with the players not trusting anyone, a mistreated child triggers a strong sense of justice.
• Stage/circus performer: a tall, effeminate, skinny man who made a point of acting out something tragic and looking right at the players. Because he was effeminate, they assumed he was just in love with one of them; I made a point of going with the flow, and Gideon started blowing a few kisses toward the party during his shows.

Gideon as a memorable villain

Gideon now has a path to being as much of a psychopath toward the players as he is toward Teugen. The players have no idea about the things he does to Teugen, like chewing garlic to make conversations with him unbearable, and he deceives him whenever possible. Gideon can now be a memorable villain not just for us GMs, but for the players too.

Timeline to implement

In case you want to implement it, here's the timeline of this story:

1. The Ordo Septenarius kills Kastor's relative over an economic disagreement.
2. The legal inheritance process plays out normally and the letter is sent to Kastor in Nuln.
3. Gideon observes this and looks for new prey for his macabre rituals.
4. Kastor acts according to the script.
5. The players act according to the script up until Bogenhafen.
6. Arrival in the city. If Adolphus hasn't died yet, he makes his approach in an enclosed spot, like an inn room or an alley. Gideon kills him by dragging him into an area out of the players' sight — something very "horror movie."
7. The players get an anchor to sort out their legal problems and investigate the city to claim their inheritance, which can be used as a bargaining chip in the next books.
8. The reveal of Gideon as the villain becomes far more impactful for the players, with him transforming into every person the players met while he gives his speech. I hope you enjoyed these ideas and that they help you run a more fun, dynamic table — and keep the players in the city solving the problems of this fantastic campaign.