All things forbidden. All things dark. It is a place out of time, out of our world. It lies in the shadows of all things.
— Disciple of the Vault
The Vault of Geth is an extra-dimensional prison for things and entities of dark and malevolent power. Demons, possessed items, supernatural events are all caught and brought to the bowels of the Vault by its Disciples and their master, the mysterious Ruinous. The gate to the Vault lies in shadows and only a rare few are able to access this prison-dimenson - fewer still return. Not only are its wardens fiercely protective of their wards, but the realm itself is full with dangers as not all of its prisoners are content to stay shackled and quiet.
A Realm of Shadows
The Vault is a fear-shadowed pseudo-reality. It is a hazy, dark place, as insubstantial as thought. The Disciples and their master may possess some ability to alter the place, but none know for sure. Rumors hold that even Ruinous, for all his powers, has never been capable of crafting such a place. It was there long before he found it, an ancient shadow beyond reckoning. Everyone who has returned from the Vault describe the same place - physical darkness and grey mists, sharp nothingness of black that make the walls, floor and ceiling. The only light comes from the mist itself, swirling on its own accord. There is no wind, no sounds, nothing beyond the prisoners and their inmates.
Navigating the Vault is dangerous and difficult, depending as much on intent as actual travel. Without knowing what it is they are looking for, a traveller could walk for ages without arriving anywhere. The more precise the wanderer can envision his destination, the sooner he will arrive. Other wills compete with that of a traveler. Every entity in the Vault exert their own gravitational pull in the shadow-world, drawing the weak to them like moths to a fire.
It isn't clear if there is an constant geography to the Vault, or if it is all dependant on the traverls visualization. Certainly, the cells and tombs that keep the prisoners remain the same between visits, but only the wardens know for sure.
The Wardens
Lord Ruinous is the guardian of the Vault of Geth and holds with him a loose cult of disciples. All are sworn to defend and guard the Vault, but these days do little of the capture. Hunters and wizards, wishing to curry favor from the Vault's owner or perhaps some item from within the prison, bring things to them now.
Others do not think the Vault's guardians have such noble intentions. There are whispers of dark rituals and forbidden magic that draw power from the things imprisoned there, fueling some great working. Exactly what it is they wish to accomplish, however, is unclear. Those who look too deeply into the matter have a disturbing tendancy to vanish into the Vault, lost within its darkness.
Entering the Vault
Only those with the proper ritual can access the vault. It requires a bowl of pure rain water, a knife, candles and shadows. Only a few know the details from here and have learned the ritual from the Disciples - make a circle with the rain water, then light the candles and center. Once the day reaches twilight, extinguish all candles and step through the shadows that fall into the circle.
What the Disciples do not teach is that this is only half of the ritual. The other half allow access to the structures behind the veil and a measure of protection from t he things that roam the Vault. For those things, a visitor must instead rely on the Disciples, or their own strength of arms.
Plot Hook
The instrument of murder is undeniable. There's only one thing as cruel and wretched as what happened in that pub; but the gong of whispers have been locked away in the Vault as long as anyone can remember. The players must investigate the Vault itself and find out - is the gong still there? Can the Disciples be responsible for the murder?
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