Session0035

Episode 0035 - The Purpose of a Lie
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**Setting:**

The College of Mimrinoth - May 19th-20th, 211 AW
**Synopsis:**

* The party sets up a meeting of the Paragons of the College of Mimrinoth to discuss their findings from their adventures.
* While awaiting the meeting, the party shops for magic items and does some research at the library, while Louche plays his newly-written psalm to cleanse himself of corruption, and Odell has a foreboding conversation with Grenfi Nackle.
* In the evening, the party reconvenes to meet with the Paragons, where they report all of their concerns from their adventures, including Israphel's plot to inhabit the Titan of Sapphrius Bay, Kamm's acquisition of the abyssal tuning fork, the events that transpired with the Morningstar and the Inquisitors, and the death of Duke Vincent Mason.
* Regarding Israphel's plot, the College makes plans to restore and utilize the Imlaq Colossus to destroy the Titan of Sapphrius Bay, hoping to utilize rune magic to power it.
* Regarading the party's concerns about Kamm, after some debate and discussion, Auvorix and the other present members of the Weavers Conclave agree to oust Kamm as a Conclave member.
* Regarding the Morningstar and the Inquisitors' acquisition of the Raven Queen's rites of ascension, Paragon Thalien Omadithas of the Circle of Divines downplays the ascension's significance due to the presence of the Divine Gate, though the rest of the council seems more concerned.
* Regarding the death of Duke Vincent Mason, the College sides with the party's argument that his death was not a murder, and agrees not to report them to the Empire, and also to provide them with magic licenses and membership at the College.
* Inquiring about the ousting of Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel from the Weavers Conclave, XVIII and the rest of the party learn more about the nature of his crimes and reasons for his ousting.
* After the council adjourns, Elrah Saevel - the Paragon of the Far Weavers - invites Malkoth to a gathering of conjuration students at his *magnificent mansion*, to discuss magic and receive the inheritance left behind by Natalie Shaw.
* At the mansion, Elrah Saevel lures Malkoth into a demiplane, where Malkoth discovers Lane Coronato shackled in a prison cell, protected by a lead templar defense golem emanating an anti-magic field. Malkoth collapses unconscious, his magical poison immunity suppressed within the field.

## May 19th

In the evening, Louche contacts Titivilus using *sending*, and tells him that he needs to speak with him urgently, requesting another *dream* spell meeting tonight. Afterwards, he asks Patches to prepare a *banishment* spell for the morning, to which Patches agrees.

Meanwhile, Odell spends the rest of the evening at home telling his parents and Nuraval Silverstone about his journeys and adventures, and shows them Syntithenai. Eridred Heskin recommends that if he is going to tell the Paragons about his journeys, that he should tell them everything in the interest of full disclosure and transparency, rather than hiding anything.

Later, Louche goes to sleep, and as expected, dreams of meeting with Titivilus. Louche says that he will not go to Sigil unless Mahadi is reinstated as his liaison and placed back into his authority, and also given weekly visits with him, beginning at 5:30am tomorrow. Titivilus says that fulfilling this request is not possible, restating that Mahadi has been reassigned. Louche pushes back, saying that he has leverage as the Trumpeter of the Apocalypse and could be asking for much more, as the only one capable of fulfilling the prophecy. Titivilus agrees to pass Louche's message on, but warns Louche against it, emphasizing that the orders come from Asmodeus himself, who is not likely to compromise.

Meanwhile, during the night, Malkoth attempts to cast a *contact other plane* spell, which fails, causing him to briefly lose his sanity.

## May 20th

Awaking early, before the Zenith, Louche awaits the arrival of the Mahadi. Mahadi never arrives, however, and as the Zenith approaches, he deduces that his request to have Mahadi reinstated has not been fulfilled.

As the Zenith occurs, Louche plays his newly-written psalm, the Psalm of Absolution, designed to temporarily cleanse a creature of corruption by external forces. When he does, his eyes begin to glow, and the holy symbol of Aedra appears superimposed over his heart in golden light. In an epiphany caused by the psalm, he becomes aware that his own actions are normally influenced and linked with those of Israphel. He deduces that, as he has suspected, he and Israphel must be linked valkyries. He contacts Israphel using a magical *sending* and asks if Israphel noticed any change when he played the psalm, but Israphel states that he did not. Louche says that he would like to try playing the psalm on him when they next meet, to which Israphel tentatively agree.

After the Zenith, Patches shapeshifts into a dryad.

The party reconvenes at the Heskins' house, including XVIII, who brings XV as well.

At Louche's request, Patches attempts a *banishment* spell on Louche, who suspects that it might send him to the Outer Planes, but it instead sends him to a harmless demiplane.

Nuraval Silverstone introduces himself to the rest of the party. He expresses a special interest in Louche, particularly in his newly altered form, explaining that he is researching the existence of valkyries and that Louche could be the proof of his theory. He asks Louche for an interview later to discuss Louche's life and nature, to which Louche agrees.

XV explains to the rest of the party the tasks that have been requested by Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel: the retrieval of XX and Tamrius Grimm. While discussing these tasks and their plans moving forward, XV explains that he always knows XVIII's location. When pressed by Louche, XV also explains that he was not personally present for XX's "betrayal," as described by XV, only having learned of it later.

The party discusses whether they should bring XV with them to their planned meeting with the Paragons, and also whether they should tell the Paragons what they have learned about Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel during their travels. At XV's insistence and XVIII's agreement, they agree not to bring up Dr. Dippel in the meeting. Odell says that he otherwise plans to tell the council everything that the party has discovered in their travels, including Israphel's plot to inhabit the Titan of Sapphrius Bay, the prophecy of the Trumpeter of the Apocalypse, Kamm's acquisition of the abyssal tuning fork, the Inquisitors and the planned ascension of the Morningstar, his findings in rune magic, and the events which transpired with the death of the Duke Vincent Mason. He agrees not to discuss the Fable of the Thousand Year Door, at Frog's request.

As the party is discussing, Malkoth studies a *teleportation tablet* that he purchased the previous night, and discerns that its sigil connects to a location near Daimao's Castle in Kameshima. He tells the party about his findings.

Afterward, Eridred Heskin takes the party to the Circle of Templars to meet with Auvorix, the Paragon of Templars, to set up a meeting with the Paragons. En route, Nuraval Silverstone asks Louche about the holy symbol of Aedra over his heart, insinuating that it could be the evidence required to prove the existence of valkyries. Louche explains about the psalm of absolution, and that the effect is only temporary, but says that he could replicate it.

Arriving at the Circle of Templars, the party notices a chamber of anti-magic within the school. With permission from some students, Louche steps into the room, and notes that the effects of the psalm of absolution end.

The party meets with Auvorix, and Odell explains the party's findings and concerns to him. Auvorix agrees to convene a meeting of the Paragons of the College in the evening to discuss how to move forward. He also asks about whether the party wishes for the Weavers Conclave to be party to the conversation, noting that he, Thalien Omadithas, and Ursula Wolff - Paragons of the College - are also members of the Conclave. He also notes that Grenfi Nackle, another member of the Conclave, is currently at the college on research. Odell says that the council should remain a College matter, but that he will invite Grenfi himself. Malkoth asks about joining the College as a student, and Auvorix says that it could likely be arranged.

Afterwards, the party spends the rest of the morning selling and buying magic items in town, and accomplishing other errands. Malkoth registers many of the party's items through the Pathfinders Alliance in order to make them legal to sell.

During this process, the party visits the Circle of Architects - the College's artificery school. There, Odell and Malkoth commission magic items to be crafted, and Odell picks up an item that he had commissioned earlier. They also sell the powerful magical flail that they recovered from Drez to Jonas Lionwood, the Paragon of Architects.

Odell presents the item that he had commissioned - a magical earpiece that helps its wearer detect lies - to XVIII as a gift, referencing XVIII's questions about the nature of lies.

While at the Circle of Architects, Malkoth briefly visits the Circle of Rune Carvers and sells some *dust of longevity* to Mordus Moonbeard.

Later, Louche interviews with Nuraval Silverstone, and shares his story, and the nature of his and Israphel's relationship in the Outer Planes. Nuraval explains that almost all of the records he has found pertain to the mortal lives of Louche and Israphel as bards in the Age of Arcana, and he has happy to hear more details about their lives in the Outer Planes. Louche helps to fill in the details, and also clarifies on some elements of the lore that Nuraval has found, including information about Mahadi, and tales of Louche that portray him as a nefarious actor in Sigil.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party finds Grenfi Nackle researching at the Circle of Divines. Odell tells her about the progress of his studies into rune magic, and explains that he was able to decipher the journal of Halimath Wasanthi, and is pursuing Avara Wasanthi's Tome of Rune Magic.

Grenfi Nackle tells the party that she has been tasked by the Alviren Empire with investigating the murder of Duke Vincent Mason using her proficiency in divination magic. She asks Odell for an explanation of what happened, indicating that she has already learned a significant amount using divination magic. Odell explains the events that transpired with the Duke, and tells Grenfi that the Duke tried to arrest them under false pretenses, and was conspiring with the Inquisitors and the Morningstar cult. Grenfi acknolwedges that she too has learned of the conspiracy, and explains that she is trying to redirect the Empire's attention to that angle, rather than focusing on justice for the Duke's death. She asks about the Duke's missing jaw, and Jack says that the party did not take it, insinuating that whoever did take it had reason to hide what happened. When asked, Odell agrees to speak privately with Grenfi, and to go on record and tell his story within a *zone of truth*.

Privately, Grenfi Nackle casts a *zone of truth*, and Odell recounts his version of events. While they talk, Grenfi says that she can offer Odell amnesty if he was coerced or under duress, expressing her distrust for the rest of the party members. Odell says that he would be willing to take the blame himself, and also says that divination magic would confirm that the party was acted on by Fate itself to do what they did. Grenfi balks at the possibility of using such an angle as a legal defense, and says that she will continue trying to direct the Empire's attention towards the Duke's conspiracy with the Inquisitors.

Afterwards, meeting back up with the party, Grenfi Nackle reports that she has started a dossier on divination findings regarding the Kameshiman war effort.

Odell asks Grenfi Nackle to join for the council of Paragons in the evening, to which she agrees. He also gives her a *sending stone* for them to remain in touch regarding future concerns.

Next, the party spends some time researching at the college library while they await the council.

Frog researches Kameshima's history and Daimao. He learns that Kameshima was formerly a kingdom of demons in the Age of Arcana, ruled by the demon lord Araumycos. Daimao was one of Araumycos' generals, and battled in the Gods' War. After the Severance, Daimao was not shunted out of the Material Plane by the Divine Gate, because at the time he was not a being of sufficient power to be removed from the plane. Since then, he has become the king of Kameshima, and has become increasingly powerful as he has amassed the worship of his followers.

Frog also searches for any reference to the Earthstar, but finds none.

Patches approaches Immanuel Belder, who is still researching at the library, though Patches does not recognize him. He asks for help finding information about Volus and Tamrius Grimm, and Belder points him to the right section of books. He also tells Patches to speak with Thalien Omadithas, the Paragon of the Circle of Divines, if he needs more information about Volus.

Patches researches and finds the location of where the city of Volus fell into the Tempest Gulf, west of the Golden Wastes. He learns that the flying city was formerly held aloft by divine magic, which was nullified after the Severance, sending the city falling into the sea. Notably, firsthand accounts state that a field of habitable air still surrounded the city as it fell, and plunged into the sea still encapsulated in this field. More recent records of adventurers trying to find the lost city say that it is now inhabited by merfolk.

Next, Patches reads some books about Tamrius Grimm. He learns that Grimm was a necromancer and alchemist from the Age of Arcana, though there is little information about him. Louche questions how Grimm could still be alive in Purgatory after a thousand years. XV says that Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel is in possession of Tamrius Grimm's clone, which has not animated; hence, he must still be living.

Odell researches the existence of oracles such as Qaz and Pepper, who receive premonitions from Primordial Chaos. He reads about theories of Primordial Chaos as a sentient entity, with a will of its own, which at times expresses its will through mortal people. Based on these theories, he deduces that the party's shared dream which led them to Syntithenai, Pepper's paintings, and the other elements of "fate" that have seemed to direct the party's actions, are Primordial Chaos itself expressing its will in the world through them. The party discusses using these findings as a legal defense for the murder of Duke Vincent Mason, and Odell tells them all about his conversation with Grenfi Nackle.

Louche, meanwhile, recognizes and approaches Immanuel Belder. He introduces himself and explains that he is Louche, reminding Immanuel of their brief encounter in Sigil. Belder seems somewhat apprehensive and reserved, unsure whether to trust Louche. Using his truesight goggles, Louche recognizes that while Belder appears to be the same age as he did in Sigil decades ago, he is actually much older. When asked about it, Belder says that it is a simple magical disguise using his transmuter's stone.

During their conversation, Belder becomes very standoffish toward Louche, regarding him very distrustingly and almost with hostility. He accuses Louche of being responsible for the hardships that befell Natalie Shaw, and those that have since befallen Lane Coronato and Malkoth. He openly expresses his distrust for Louche, and says that he wants to speak with Malkoth. When asked, he explains that he has found a way to help Malkoth control his infernal magic. Louche says that he wants to help Malkoth too, but Belder still doesn't trust him, and says to bring Malkoth to him. Louche also tells Belder that he is preparing a legal defense for Malkoth's case in Hillenbrook, to which Belder somewhat cryptically replies that such a defense will not be necessary once his work is complete.

After finishing their research at the library, the party regroups to head to their meeting with the Paragons. Odell warns the party that their magic items will be searched and identified for security, and they strategically choose a few items to leave behind.

On the way, Louche tells Malkoth about his encounter with Immanuel Belder.

Arriving at the council chamber of the Paragons of the college, the party's magic items are searched as expected. Notably, Louche is required to leave behind his truesight goggles.

In the council chamber, the party finds the seven Paragons, as well as Grenfi Nackle, sitting around a table. Floating above the table is an orb that the party recognizes as a *lorekeeper orb*. Auvorix activates the orb, identifying it as "Lorekeeper Veli," so that it can record the council.

The party are asked to introduce themselves. All of them use their full names and true identities. Notably, Gragnok identifies himself as "Gragnok Blackburn," not mentioning his Orion surname. Louche uses his full title, identifying himself as the Trumpeter of the Apocalypse.

At the council's request, Thalien Omadithas creates a *zone of truth*, and Odell once again recounts all of the party's findings and concerns within the zone. He omits the information that the party previously agreed to omit, and also does not mention Syntithenai.

As the conversation in response to this information begins, XVIII casts a *detect thoughts* spell to briefly glimpse into each of the Paragons' thoughts. Their most notable observations are that Grenfi Nackle is most interested in protecting Odell and rune magic, Thalien Omadithas is distraught about Louche's presence at the council as a devil, and Elrah Saevel is distracted by personal entanglements with Malkoth and Louche.

First, the council addresses the matter of Israphel's plot to inhabit the Titan of Sapphrius Bay and become the most powerful being within the Divine Gate. Odell suggests that action should be taken to sabotage the Titan before Israphel can occupy it, and Louche explains that Israphel is working with the spirit of Natalie Shaw in Sigil to develop a divine power source for the Titan. Elrah Saevel comments that powering an arcane titan with divine magic could prove challenging, but notes that Natalie Shaw could be capable of such a feat.

Jonas Lionwood agrees with the notion of sabotaging the Titan, and suggests using the Imlaq Colossus to do so. He explains that the Colossus is currently being excavated, and is in need of repairs and a new power source. Louche pushes back against this idea, suggesting that destroying the Titan is shortsighted, and might provoke Israphel further into enacting his plot. He also explains that he believes Israphel to be acting against his own will due to his nature as a valkyrie, and he would rather not harm Israphel if it can be avoided. The council argues both sides of these notions for a while. Louche also explains that he intends to use the Star Road to remove both himself and Israphel from this universe after it is all said and done.

Eventually, Louche asks to step out of the council chamber to contact Israphel using *sending*. Thalien Omadithas objects to this notion, equating it to Louche effectively informing on this council to their enemy. She asks why the council should trust Louche, being a devil. She also notes that by Louche's own admission, he is a valkyrie, and not in total control of his will, and as such he could be unwittingly aiding in Israphel's plot. Eventually, Louche agrees not to message Israphel for now.

Jonas Lionwood explains that, arcanomechanically, the biggest problem with using the Imlaq Colossus is the lack of an engine, due to the fact that its divine titanheart is destroyed, and there is no divine power source within the Divine Gate from which it could draw its power anyway. Odell suggests developing an engine powered by rune magic. Jonas says that such a process could take months, but agrees to begin the process.

Louche asks what will happen with the Imlaq Colossus after it is used, concerned that it could be utilized to nefarious ends. After some discussion, the council votes and agrees that the Imlaq Colossus will be dismantled after it serves its purpose. Notably, Thalien Omadithas and Ursula Wolff both cast dissenting votes. Grenfi Nackle, though not a Paragon, also voices her support as a representative of the Weavers Conclave for dismantling the Colossus, stating that no one entity should have such a great amount of power, and alluding to Kameshima's development of airships as an example.

Next, the council discusses Kamm's acquisition of the abyssal tuning fork, and the party's other concerns with Kamm and Kameshima. Auvorix says that it's hard for the Paragons to know how to react without fully understanding what Kamm intends to do with the fork, insisting that on its own, having a tuning fork to the Abyss is no crime. Grenfi Nackle says that the Empire is planning a counteroffensive to the Kameshiman war effort, as Kameshima has effectively declared war on the Empire by kidnapping imperial senators.

The party suggests that Kamm should be removed from the Weavers Conclave. There is some debate and discussion, but eventually the present members of the Weavers Conclave: Grenfi Nackle, Auvorix, Thalien Omadithas, and Ursula Wolff agree that Kamm will be removed. Auvorix says that it will be done at the next meeting of the Conclave, within the week.

Next, the council discusses what they have learned about the Morningstar and the Inquisitors, and their plot to use the Raven Queen's rites of ascension to ascend to godhood. Thalien Omadithas downplays the gravity of the threat, saying that the Raven Queen's ascension required the slaying of an existing god in order to create a void in which to ascend. She further proposes that if the Morningstar were to ascend by slaying a god in the Outer Planes, then her ascension would not pose a serious threat to the Material Plane. Odell pushes back against this, saying that the Raven Queen herself exists within the Divine Gate in the Shadowfell by virtue of formerly being a mortal, so the Morningstar theoretically could as well. Other members of the council also echo these concerns. XVIII, reading Thalien Omadithas' surface thoughts with another *detect magic* spell, detects that she considers these objections to her reasoning problematic.

Regarding the matter of the death of Duke Vincent Mason, the Paragons agree that the College of Mimrinoth, based on the party's testimony, does not view the death of the Duke as criminal, and they agree that they will not turn the party over to the Empire. Malkoth asks for permission to join the College as a student - specifically to join the Circle of Far Weavers. After some discussion, Elrah Saevel agrees to welcome Malkoth as a student.

The party asks about getting spellcasting licenses issued for their unlicensed members. The Paragons, along with Grenfi Nackle on behalf of the Weavers Conclave, agree to streamline the licensing process and give them licenses at this council, provided they are all willing to swear the August Oath required by all licensed spellcasters - to do no harm to mortalkind with magic except in self defense. Jack and XVIII both decline to swear this oath and receive their licenses. The other unlicensed members of the party swear their oaths and receive licenses, including Pepper.

XVIII asks the Paragons about Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel. Ursula Wolff, one of the Weavers Conclave members who was present at the time of Dippel's ousting, describes him as a brilliant mind and a good-hearted person, who did terrible things in the name of a cause that he genuinely believed in. She describes his history as a healer and physician during the Pale Death, and explains that his own wife died giving birth to a child, who died shortly after of the Pale Death. He spent the following years ostensibly trying to treat and cure Pale Death victims. Only afterwards did the Conclave discover that he was actually performing brutal alchemy and necromancy experiments on children for years. According to Usrula, he would take children under false pretenses, cure them of the Pale Death, then never return them to their families.

XVIII pushes back somewhat against Ursula Wolff's characterization of Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel's actions, stating that they would be dead without Dippel's work, and asking if saving the sick children was wrong. Ursula clarifies that Dippel's crime was not his necromancy; rather, it was taking children from their families under the false pretense that they could not be cured, then not curing them and never returning them to their families, instead keeping them for experimentation. She also explains that not all of Dippel's experiments were Pale Death victims. She gives an example of one child who had been mugged and left for dead in the wilderness, whom Dippel took and used for experimentation rather than treating her and releasing her.

Jack asks if the Pale Death was ever cured. Ursula Wolff says that it was never really cured; it simply ran its course and eventually faded. The plague, she explains, is presumed to have been a fluke of Primordial Chaos.

When asked, Ursula Wolff explains that almost no records remain of Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel's experiments, because he destroyed them and fled after he was ousted. She further explains that the only way the Conclave learned of the nature of Dippel's experiments was that one of his test subjects, a half-elf named Valomir Quinn (whom Dippel had designated "XX"), escaped and brought the Conclave a ledger showing how and where Dippel acquired all of his test subjects. XVIII asks if Ursula still has the ledger, and she says the Conclave has retained a copy. She offers to retrieve it and meet XVIII in the morning to show it to them.

After the council concludes, Elrah Saevel approaches Malkoth and asks to have a private conversation at his office at the Circle of Far Weavers. Malkoth agrees and leaves with him. While walking, Elrah introduces himself, expressing his interest in Malkoth as Natalie Shaw's grandson, and expressing his affection for her and admiration for her life's work. He expresses some distaste for Lane Coronato, who in his view ostracized himself from his family name. Malkoth explains that he was left by Lane in Hillenbrook, where he studied magic under Immanuel Belder. He also says that Belder is currently in town, after Elrah mentions that the two are acquaintances.

Elrah Saevel asks Malkoth about his interest in conjuration magic. Malkoth explains the current level of spellcasting that he has achieved, and the instance of uncontrolled infernal magic that occurred in Hillenbrook. Elrah seems very surprised by how advanced Malkoth's magic is given the relatively short amount of time he has spent studying.

Elrah Saevel tells Malkoth that Natalie Shaw left her inheritance behind with him for safekeeping, and he thinks that Malkoth should have it. He acknowledges that she technically meant it for Lane Coronato, and that Natalie never even knew Malkoth existed. But he says that Lane has disowned his own family name and estranged himself, and that Natalie would want Malkoth to have what she left behind.

Elrah says that he is storing the inheritance within his *magnificent mansion* demiplane, and explains that he is hosting a few of his best students at the mansion for a gathering this evening to discuss conjuration. He invites Malkoth to the mansion to join for the evening and retrieve his inheritance. Malkoth agrees, and asks if he can bring a friend. Elrah says that he would prefer if Malkoth came alone, as he has promised his students a quiet academic night, and also because he believes Natalie Shaw's inheritance should be private.

Meanwhile, back at the council chambers, Patches asks Thalien Omadithas about Volus, based on the recommendation of Immanuel Belder. Thalien explains that Volus was the capital of Ayn Sitael before it collapsed into the sea. Patches asks about the Purgatory. Thalien corroborates that the Prugatory existed, but emphasizes that the city is long gone, and is nothing more than a ruin at the bottom of the sea. Patches asks her about the Phaelux Beacon and Tamrius Grimm, and she deflects and ask him about his interest in the topic, and what god he serves, referencing his unusual holy symbol. He replies that his god, also named Patches, wishes for him to help Tamrius.

Meanwhile, Louche expresses his concern for Malkoth having left by himself with Elrah Saevel. He goes to the library, where he finds Immanuel Belder and asks for his opinion of Elrah. Immanuel says that he and Elrah had differences of opinion and haven't spoken since a personal falling-out about 30 years ago, implying that Louche was in part responsible. But he says that he wouldn't consider Elrah untrustworthy or dangerous. Louche can tell that Immanuel is withholding details, and asks him to speak in a *private sanctum*, but Immanuel refuses, expressing his distrust for Louche.

Later, Jack sends a *sending* message to Binti Redroot, who explains that she will arrive in Mimrinoth later that night. They make arrangements to meet tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Odell works with Nuraval Silverstone to start translating the journal of Halimath Wasanthi using the Codex of Halimath Wasanthi and making copies. They discuss working together toward the goal of crafting a rune magic engine for the Imlaq Colossus.

XVIII and XV talk about what happened after XVIII died 30 years ago. XV says that XVIII was disposed of along with other failed experiments in a pit in the desert scrubland. Not long afterwards, XX went missing, and Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel said they needed to leave his keep and flee, saying that they had been betrayed by XX and were not longer safe. They took all of the writings and experiments to the pit and burnt it all, and then fled.

Afterwards, Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel had found a new direction for his experiments, somehow involving Tamrius Grimm. XV says that he does not know the exact nature of these experiments, only that Dippel thinks that Grimm's work could lead to the fruition of his own. Together, they all went into hiding, where Dippel restarted with new experiments.

XV also explains that there are several other test subjects that survived and remain with Dippel, including IX, XI, XIII, and XVI.

XV expresses confusion about what Ursula Wolff said about Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel, and the ledger that was handed over by XX. XVIII says that perhaps XX will explain things, but XV says that he was warned not to trust XX. When XVIII expresses an interest in hearing XX's side of the story, XV says that he is required to prevent XVIII from making any decisions that would be harmful to them.

Meanwhile, Malkoth meets Elrah Saevel at his office at the Circle of Far Weavers. Elrah is accompanied by two other students, who introduce themselves as Stefaan and Midas. Elrah casts the *magnificent mansion* spell, and opens the door into his mansion demiplane. Inside, invisible servants serve the group drinks and food, as they discuss conjuration magic. Through their conversation, Malkoth deduces that his own progress in magic is more advanced than even that of Stefaan and Midas. Malkoth tells them about his trip to the Feywild, and offers them some of the drugs that he brought back, which they decline.

A short while later, Elrah Saevel invites the students and Malkoth to his office, where he gives Malkoth access to his book of teleportation sigils, connecting to various major cities throughout the Alviren Empire. Malkoth also makes note of a large painting of Natalie Shaw on the office wall. He mentions it to Elrah, and asks if they two of them had any romantic relationship. Elrah says that their romance was never requited, and expresses some regrets about their relationship.

Elrah Saevel tells the students to wait behind, while he takes Malkoth to go get his inheritance. He takes Malkoth down to a lower level of the mansion, where they approach a large vault door. Malkoth notes that it is unusual for a *magnificent masion* spell to be able to house objects. Elrah explains that the vault door itself is magical, and generates its own demiplane. He allows Malkoth to cast *identify* on the door to learn its full properties. Malkoth asks Lane why has has kept the inheritance under such extensive security, and Elrah admits that he has been intentionally keeping it from Lane Coronato. Elrah opens the vault door, and leads Malkoth through a portal into a demiplane.

Immediately upon entering the demiplane, Malkoth is confronted by a lead templar defense golem, standing guard outside of a prison cell, where he sees Lane Coronato shackled. Within the room, he also makes note of a few magical items and other objects sitting on a nearby table. Before he can fully process what he's seeing, Malkoth notes that the lead templar is generating an *antimagic field*, which causes all of his magical items to deactivate, including an *antidote pin* that is preventing him from becoming poisoned. With the pin deactivated, Malkoth immediately grows lightheaded and starts to fall unconscious, apparently poisoned. As he slips out of consciousness, Elrah Saevel tells Malkoth that he has something that he needs, and reaches to take the Imlaq Amulet.