Session XV: Hell's Adjacent

Where a generational curse is heinously exploited...

General Summary

Seeking Answers

Lyariel Brighleith makes her journey across New Vespera until she finds the twilit city of Valuna. She sought guidance on how to hone her newly bestowed power, Shadrael's Gift. She acended the tower above the Twilight Cathedral until she encountered Twilight Seer Jasper Raya, fiddling with her astrolabe.
Jasper did not have all the answers that Lyariel sought, but was able to provide guidance into the nature of what the Seers are. They are chosen for their potential to understand and act upon the truth that lies behind the lies of religion and the mortal perception of gods. She was adviced to follow her visions down into the Temple of Sylvania, potentially to find whatever book an ancestor of hers had hidden in its deepest chambers. 
She further inquired into the danger that comes with being one of Shadrael's Chosen, learning that she will be forever hunted for her gift. She must keep a strong cloister of allies close, in fear that others may want to take the eyes from her. Jasper revealed her sworn protector, Nightseer Oryx Brune who had been silently watching from a shadowy bookcase at the edge of the chambers. With a scrying spell, Jasper also informed Lyariel that her group, the displacers were on the verge of a diplomatic catastrophe, advising her to aid them in their quest into Cinderseat.

The Gatehouse

After being escorted as a prisoner to the Gatehouse barring the outside world from the Mines of Cinderseat, Alexis Ryker found himself at the mercy of Lilith Ilfictus, who seemingly had the chance to turn in Ryker and return to her life as Head of Cryptology in The Hydra Collection. After a few words were exchanged, and a ballistae bolt was fired at Ryker, she had Dimension Doored him out of harm's way, solidifing her choice to aid those against the Empire.
After a second act of deception got Merton, the Keyman, to open the Gate, the Displacers sprung their trap and slaughtered all of the prison guards who operated the bastion and ballistas. After they surrendered, they took no prisoners of war, instead opting to execute them by kicking them into the void below. 
Within the Gatehouse, they found Joshua, a tiefling man and member of the Dead Men, a secret organization dedicated to hindering the Empire at any given chance. He said he had been detained for attempting to assassinate Father Verrick, a flagellant priest of Aelios who preyed upon the hopeless slaves. He was to be thrown into the pit as an execution. 
From here, the party made their way through the Cinderseat mines, encountering a mining party of 20 guards and an oversized hybrid mole which accompanied a large group of laborers. They were on their way back from a long days work, and with the help of commotion from the mines, they slipped through the main gate of Cinderseat with only one confused glance from a guard.

The Tattooist

Inside the Smoky Sips, where the downtrodden of the city drink away their sorrows, a hunchbacked tattoist named Kelaiden found permanent residence. Here, he used a gold tipped needle injector to insert a Stone and Gold laden ink into the skins of tieflings who wanted it. He also was the tattooist who initiates anyone who wants to be apart of the Dead Men, tatooing them with the symbol: a tipped scale with a skull on one end. He gave them insight into the town, about how the people are all but corpses wandering about, how the guards are always on vigilant watch, and how the priest in the Bloodletting Chapel converts the most crestfallen of the tieflings.
The Displacers all got tattoos from Kelaiden, as thanks for freeing Josua from his holding cell. From there, Josua wanted to finish the job on Verrick. Convinced that the murder of Father Verrick would inspire hope into the community, the displacers found themselves at the wooden doors of the Bloodletting Chapel.

Report Date

27 Aug 2024