Session0059

Episode 0059 - The City of Doors
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**Setting:**

Sigil - June 15th-17th, 211 AW
**Synopsis:**

* After investigating the ransacked home of Natalie Shaw, the party discusses how to proceed, lacking any concrete leads on how to rescue her from the Mercury Company.
* Later, the party visits the workshop of Logic, who offers them the Conjuration Anchor and some other magical rewards if they prevent Granite Vashar from winning the upcoming election for Governor of the Lower Ward.
* Next, the party heads through a door to the Astral Plane to meet with Israphel, in hopes that Louche can convince him not to go forward with his plans for the Titan of Sapphrius Bay.
* Amongst the ruins of a githyanki fortress, Louche and Israphel discuss their future, and Israphel ultimately refuses to abandon his plans, vowing to take over the Material Plane even if Louche won't join him, and *plane shifts* to the Material Plane.
* The party spends some time in Sigil discussing how to proceed, and the potential of interfering in the upcoming election. Gregarian Advantis reveals that a banquet will be held in the coming days, where members of the Quorum, including Preston Reeve and Granite Vashar, will be gathered.
* While awaiting and preparing for the upcoming banquet, the party shops for magic items and participates in an exhibition battle at the Glorium Colosseum, while Louche makes preparations to host a street party in the Market Ward.

## June 15th

The party searches through the ransacked home of Natalie Shaw for any notes or other potential clues to here whereabouts, but finds that everything of value or interest in the home has seemingly been taken.

The party spend some time discussing their plans. Louche briefly fills Gregarian Advantis in on the party's various interests in Sigil, including the prophecy regarding the Hells' apocalyptic plans, their relationships with Israphel and Natalie, and their interest in meeting with Logic in search of the Conjuration Anchor. The party also expresses a desire to rescue Natalie, now that they've discovered she is missing. Louche also suggests that the party should go to the Astral Plane to meet with Israphel.

Gregarian Advantis shares what he knows about the Mercury Company - the soul slavery company that he suspects has abducted Natalie Shaw. He explains that the company is operated by yugoloths, though he doesn't know any specific names associated with it. He says that the company is located somewhere in Sigil's underground, though he doesn't have a specific location. He does, however, know of some doors into the underground, including one near his shop in the Market Ward.

Malkoth finds a yugoloth walking the streets of Sigil nearby, and asks him if he knows anything about the Mercury Company, offering money in exchange for information. The yugoloth, who identifies himself as Vazzoran, doesn't know much about the company outside of what the party already knows. He does reveal that the company uses a magical brand to subjugate their soul slaves and make them magically compliant. Malkoth offers Vazzoran more money if he finds the name of someone associated with the Company, and Vazzoran goes on about his business.

Meanwhile, Odell asks Gregarian Advantis about the shadar-kai - the Raven Queen's celestial ferrymen of the River Styx. He asks if the shadar-kai ever spend time in Sigil outside of their work, and if it's possible to speak with them. Gregarian explains that they tend to stick to their work, and rarely speak to anyone.

After some discussion, the party decides to head to Logic's workshop in search of the Conjuration Anchor. Gregarian Advantis shows them the way. Along the way, he tells them about the Quorum - Sigil's council of leaders - and the upcoming election for governorship of the Lower Ward. He reveals that he is a member of the Quorum, and shares his own political leanings, expressing a desire to affect some common good, while also keeping his own business interests lucrative. He shares some information about the two candidates in the upcoming election, Granite Vashar and Preston Reeve, and also tells them that Logic - who is another Quorum member - greatly dislikes Granite Vashar, due to the regulations that Vashar promises to enact regarding the creation and sale of magic items and weapons.

The party arrives at Logic's workshop, where they head inside and meet with Logic. Malkoth asks them about the Conjuration Anchor, and Logic confirms that they created it. They describe it is a magical power source that can be charged with spells and other magic to store great amounts of magical power for various applications. Malkoth shows Logic some of Kajido's salt, asking if it could be used to power the Anchor. When Logic expresses curiosity about the salt, Odell explains how it is refined from Material Chaos, referencing Kajido's notes. Logic confirms that Material Chaos or salt could be used to power the Anchor.

When asked, Logic refuses to divulge the location of the Conjuration Anchor, but says that they would be willing to either sell it for an astronomical price, or trade it for services. Specifically, Logic says that the party can have the Conjuration Anchor in exchange for preventing Granite Vashar from winning the upcoming election. The party asks why it is so important to Logic for Granite not to win the election, and they say that Granite's election would hurt the projected value of the Anchor, and of their other future business prospects. When the party hesitates and expresses some reluctance, Logic also offers to include arcanomechanical devices that will customize powerful magic items for the party in the deal.

Outside Logic's shop, the party discusses how to proceed, debating the ethical implications of interfering in Sigil's election, and the possible dangers of repercussion. They decide to go to the Astral Plane and talk to Israphel before making any decisions, in hopes that their need for the Conjuration Anchor can be avoided. XVIII, with a *detect thoughts* spell active, asks Louche what his plan is regarding Israphel. Louche says that he is going to try to convince Israphel to leave this universe with him rather than enacting his plot, possibly by challening Israphel to a musical contest to decide their fate. XVIII asks if Louche is going to start the apocalypse if this plan fails, and Louche says he is not. With their spell active, XVIII notes that Louche is telling the truth.

The party heads toward the door to the Astral Plane marked on the map left behind for Louche by Israphel. The hour growing late, Malkoth lends Gregarian Advantis his *wake-up pin* so that he doesn't require sleep, enabling him to accompany the party, all of whom are still benefiting from Louche's *psalm of awakening* and don't require sleep.

Along the way to the door, Louche asks Gregarian Advantis if Titivilus has been around. Gregarian says he has not, but that he'll look into it.

The party arrives at the door to the Astral Plane, and heads through. They arrive at the ruins of a githyanki fortress, where they discover the remains of dead githyanki, long-since pillaged and scavenged.

Near a collapsed watchtower in the distance, the party spots Israphel. As they approach, they see a more-recently killed githyanki soldier, as well as a slain young red dragon. From a distance, they deduce that these corpses were slain much more recently, presumably by Israphel.

A few members of the party remain hidden, while the rest approach, with Louche leading the way.

Arriving at the watchtower, Louche speaks with Israphel. Louche notes that Israphel's appearance has changed dramatically, as his wings and armor have all gone black, and his flesh has started to lose color. Sensing Louche's apprehension, Israphel asks if Louche is alright, and if he's been hurt in Sigil. Louche explains what has happened with Natalie Shaw.

Louche and Israphel discuss plans for their future, and Israphel's plot to rule the Material Plane. Louche tells Israphel that he does not want to rule, and accuses Israphel of ignoring his wishes. Israphel nonetheless remains committed to his plan, insisting that he wants to create a world where he and Louche can be free from higher powers, and that the only way to do so is to eliminate anyone greater than them. Louche pushes back on this notion, and suggests that instead the two of them should depart this universe and visit other ones using the Star Road. When Israphel resists this idea, Louche challenges him to a musical contest to determine who will decide their future. Israphel refuses, emphasizing his desire for vengeance on the world for all of the ways that he has been wronged by it over the centuries. Heartbroken, he says that if Louche will not join him, then he will enact his plans himself.

Louche tells Israphel about the *psalm of absolution*, and asks him to listen to it and be freed from Aedra's influence. Israphel refuses, and repeats that if Louche doesn't want to rule the world with him he will do so himself. He asks Louche if various powerful interests in the Material have plans to counter the Titan of Sapphrius Bay, including the College of Mimrinoth, the Morningstar, the Alviren Empire, and Daimao. Louche answers these questions honestly, insinuating that the only institution that has a plan for the Titan is the College.

Louche gives Israphel a wedding band that he had crafted for him, and puts one on himself as well. He explains that he had intended for the two of them to be married in Sigil. Israphel accepts the ring, telling Louche that he loves him, and that he is sure Louche will come around and change his mind. Afterwards, he disappears. Gregarian Advantis, watching from hiding, reads the signatures of Israphel's magical departure, and tells the party that Israphel has gone to the Material Plane.

Throughout the conversation, XVIII listens to Louche and Israphel's thoughts using *detect thoughts*, glimpsing the way their thoughts are intertwined and connected due to their nature as valkyries.

Afterward, the party spends some time investigating the ruins and collecting the remains of what's salvageable, including the dragon's scales and the githyanki's silver sword. Gregarian Advantis talks to Louche about what's happened, and what the next move is. Louche is unsure, his plans to depart the universe with Israphel having fallen through. The party speculates that Israphel is likely headed to the attack the College of Mimrinoth once the Titan of Sapphrius Bay is ready. XVIII suggests that Louche stop trying to be moral, as his morality seemingly pushes Israphel toward immorality.

The party returns to Sigil, except for Odell and Malkoth, who remain on the Astral for a while to do some research.

Back in Sigil, Louche starts making preparations to throw a massive street party in the Market Ward the following night, with some assistance from Gregarian Advantis.

Later in the night, Gregarian Advantis checks in with Loot and asks him to try to gather information about Titivilus, and the Mercury Company, with the priority being the Mercury Company.

Frog contacts Porcini using *sending*, and suggests some infrastructure plans for Kameshima.

## June 16th

The party reconvenes at dawn, and Louche plays the *psalm of alluring*.

The party discusses how to handle their deal with Logic, and the possible ethical qualms with influencing an election. Ultimately, they decide that they want to try to implicate both Preston Reeve and Granite Vashar in some kind of scandal that would prevent either of them from getting elected, and then hopefully prop up an agreeable third candidate.

The party parts ways for various business for the day. Lane Coronato stays at Natalie Shaw's apartment to keep an eye on it in case anyone from the Mercury Company returns.

Louche, with some help from Gregarian Advantis, makes preparations and drums up business for his street party in the Market Ward later tonight, leveraging the novelty of the party as Materials to garner interest.

Falgron, Jack, XVIII, Patches, Gregarian Advantis, and Frog go to the coliseum in Glorium and participate in an exhibition fight against demons for money. Gregarian, who up to this point has acted as a saavy guide to the city, is revealed to also be a capable fighter.

Malkoth spends the day at Every Ware, researching and scribing spells. While there, he observes Loot having a few clandestine conversations with a series of people with matching tattoos, who enter the store under the guise of being patrons, but seem to be informants of some sort. Malkoth asks Loot about these interactions, but Loot plays coy, claiming the individuals are just friends of his.

Odell and XVIII try to track down ledgers or records of souls that have passed through Sigil into the afterlife via the River Styx. They try speaking to the shadar-kai, but are ignored. Eventually, they return to Every Ware and ask Malkoth to contact Charon with a *contact other plane* spell. Malkoth agrees, and after they tell him their questions, he casts the spell.

Malkoth has a vision of arriving outside the Fortress of Memories in the Shadowfell, floating on the River Styx, before Charon pulls him from the water. On XVIII's behalf, Malkoth asks if Dr. Johann Conrad Dippel's soul is in the Shadowfell, to which Charon replies yes. He asks if the soul is trapped there, and Charon replies that it is, as it is paying penitence for its sins. He asks if the soul can be saved, and Charon says that all souls eventually pass through and into the afterlife.

On Odell's behalf, Malkoth asks if Nerull's soul still exists. Charon says that it does not, as the Raven Queen destroyed it. He asks if the parents of Thalien Omadithas can be reached, and Charon says it is possible, as they are in the afterlife. Before the vision ends, Malkoth invites Charon to Louche's party in Sigil.

Later in the evening, the party reconvenes and continues working on their plan to sabotage Preston Reeve and Granite Vashar. They forge a plan to fabricate a connection between Preston and the angels of Sarenrae who offer amnesty and forgiveness for criminals, which would alienate Preston from his donors in the prison industry.

Gregarian Advantis checks in with Loot at the end of the night to see what information he's gathered. Loot explains that their informants have found an apparent link between the Mercury Company and Ravaasta, an arcanoloth who is a member of the Quorum. Gregarian tells him to continue looking for more details. Loot also tells Gregarian that Malkoth seems to suspect their underhanded dealings.

Louche successfully throws his street party in the Market Ward. Gregarian Advantis capitalizes on the novelty of the Materials to get them invited to the Quorum banquet the following night.

Overnight, Jack has a dream of Avourel Orion, who tries to get Jack to tell him the location of Gragnok in exchange for releasing Djinni. Jack, not trusting Avourel will keep his word, refuses to help.