Session 31 (SE)

Tinder

General Summary

The group finally approaches the eerily similar looking mansion to the one they first arrived at, this one supposedly owned by none other than Dublin Lanister. Under disguise of Seeming, the group attempted to enter the estate, pretending to be Ser Thiel of Belleview. This failed, and their lie was detected. they were allowed to enter the building and explore around, before being let in to meet their final destination.
To their surprise, they found none other than Dublin Lanister, but taking the shape of Mentirosa To their surprise, they learn that Mentirosa had been a front all along, and that it was Lanister himself who had been pulling the strings. Moreover, Lanister also intentionally left his name as a clue for the group intentionally, his plan being that they would eventually locate them. The group demanded to know Lanister's plans, and much to his chagrin, he revealed them.
Through winding interogation, it was revealed that Lanister was seeking a parallel realm known as The Dirge. Although the information he gave of this realm was unclear - that being a place of fallen gods and strange oddities unlike the world has ever known - they did learn some things. Namely, this land has always existed alongside the Material plane, and is very hard to access by even some of the strongest beings. Lanister's goal was to get him and his people - which he later revealed to be the Gith - to The Dirge, where they were intending to seek refuge and rest. Lanister also explained that many before had attempted to access The Dirge, namely through a grand arcanic ritual associated with the Pyres. These pyres, once activated, would consume large amounts of energy throughout the land, and thus puncture a hole into The Dirge, allowing for free travel. How this would happen, and what would actually occur if the deed is completed, even Lanister seemed not to know.
When consulted about his reasonings, Lanister revealed that he was serving two gods: The Patron and the draconic god Tiamat. He sought to free Tiamat, who was supposedly trapped within The Dirge; by result of this, Tiamat could go free, and Lanister's Gith could go down into The Dirge as their perceived reward. It was also revealed that Lanister was in service to a mysterious being known as Zinth. Even Lanister himself had never met Zinth, who preferred to pull Lanister's puppet strings, to which he gladly obliged as the objectives suited his own.
When consulted on why Lanister would reveal this information to the party, he admitted it had been the intention from the beginning. His original goal was to have the party light the first Pyre, and he was surprised the party had gone so far beyond this without further consultation, lighting a total of four before arriving. Lanister also noted that he had other adventurers seeking out the Pyres, meaning the group was not alone in this ploy, and others were likely equally fooled. Lanister gave a new deal to the party: work with him and his Master Zinth, and they would be protected. For lighting the remainder of the Pyres, the group would be protected from whatever was to come after the ritual is complete, and would be rewarded handsomely with great riches in the process. The group denied this out of hand.
Although Lanister refused to aid the group, he was not hostile to them, and allowed them to leave. When seeking to inspect his basement, he gladly showed them. A small room featured and altar and a intricate set of doors activated by a switch. When led by duress into the room, however, Lanister changed his plans. He activated the doors - shutting them - and phased out of the room leaving the party alone with his "strange pets." These pets were discovered in the strange catacombs surrounding the room, all the while a dark portal opened from a vile looking altar. In time, the creatures were slain, and Korva bid to Hazard - who seemed wearisomely aware of all of the events - to shut the portal. The group rested in their pain after the encounter, still trapped in the room.

Missions/Quests Completed

Find Dublin Lanister

Character(s) interacted with

Dublin Lanister and associated staff.

Report Date

15 Jan 2019