Investigation Thread

[*EM-Adimarchus]

((I am making this thread so I can keep track of any PC investigation/RP involving my Occipitus campaign that is not already covered in the faction posts in the Godsmen and Doomguard forums. This thread's contents are not to be considered public knowledge unless the poster specifically says so.))

[*DigitalDragoon]

A letter arrives discreetly at the House of Six-Fingers from Factotum Quinn of the Sensates, requesting to speak with Maelfina about making an acquisition that may soon fall within her purview and to tentatively inquire if she needs assistance in her own project.

[*Nimiane]

[align=right][[ The following post is to be updated. It is not public knowledge ]][/align]

[align=center]Reconnaissance of the 507th Abyssal Layer; Occipitus - Odette Vieuxpont



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[color=414141]Geography[/color]

This particular Abyssal layer forms a large bowl at it's center, seemingly flat with a slight incline and barren of almost all forms of life, stretching out as far as the eye can see to the faint silhouette of mountains in the distance. These natural monuments seem to form something of a barrier around the area. Save for the plateaus that just upwards from the reddish earth, the environment could be considered empty and void of anything save for the occasional withered bush or carcass. These plateaus seem the most common area in which the patches of Celestia are able to break through, given it's connections to the former plane. Additionally, these inclines make for excellent scouting positions, and solid foundation for small constructs.

A number of small caves are also present around the vicinity of these plateaus, though they seem connected they are not easily accessible for anyone larger than hin stature. A larger series of caverns snake their way beneath the earth from a yawning chasm some distance away.

As one approaches the mountain range, the land becomes unmistakably swamp-like though strange in texture, a sponge-like spring underfoot with what may or may not be a blood-like substance. The ground here seems to shift and move at times, though whether or not this is related to the cysts that have formed there is unknown.


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[color=414141]Lifeforms[/color]

Based upon the original scouting mission, it was assumed the layer was void of all lifeforms as none were encountered. However, upon a returned trip for reconnaissance, signs of life have become apparent; though not in the usual sense. Fleshy cysts seem to contain paradoxical crimson behemoths, heads like the most viscous of wolves and wielding weapons of goodly aura. With further research upon return, it can be surmised such beings are of the Molydeus line and highly skilled in combat. They should be avoided where possible.

Though such is not my area of expertise, Quinn, the mage I enlisted to aid in identifying these cocoons, determined that they do in fact appear native to the plane. Additional notes stated that these cysts attempt to align it's contents to the plane itself, causing an alignment paradox in polarity. This results in swings between said polarity, which seemingly forces their nature inverse as well. Despite the ferocity of the behemoth in combat, it was quick to flee at the possibility of our intervention.

These cysts were originally only noted to be present within the caverns, though seem to have newly formed in areas once void. Their number increase as one approaches the mountain range, though these seem much older, and possibly dormant. Touching these cysts, to my understanding, leads to one being whisked elsewhere perhaps by teleportation or other magical means.


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[color=414141]Athux's Forces[/color]

Athux's presence has been confirmed in the form of Cambion scouts, a small number of which were slain by the behemoth. Regardless, overheard conversation mentioned the releasing of Vrok to test apparent plasma; wherever or whatever that is. Later forces of scouts were seen to be accompanied by Cambion soldiers. Both sets seemed lacking in scouting expertise, and were in fact quite sloppy in their abilities.

Upon tracking the footprints of scouting forces in a northerly direction from the portal to Sigil, it can be largely surmised that the portal being used by enemy forces lay beyond the swamp at the base of the mountain range. Though such was unable to be directly confirmed, it is believed said portal lay in the valley between mountains.


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[align=center]Predominant Figures.[/align]

[color=414141]Maelfina Six-Fingers[/color] - Mistress of House Six-Fingers, Hive Ward.
Maelfina's interest in the layer of Occipitus has been developing over a considerable time, with careful planning involved. Mael first approached me in the plans early stages after we reached an accord in terms of unofficial alliance and I agreed to see her task come to fruition. Her goal, as was explained to me, was based on the ideology that the layer would be claimed by she as her domain and in doing so, she would create a realm dedicated to the Godsmen believe system; a place of research.

• Mother vanished from Ghallengast within Azzagrat's capital city. Maelfina took over her bordello which was burned to the ground by Athux.
• Maelfina is answering to someone currently, but who? Sultra had to have come from somewhere.
• Has ties to Arborea through the Astral Deva Gryffienne.
• Has ties to the Doomguard through Mauric.
  ↪ Both Doomguard and Godsmen have been enlisted to aid in the take over of the layer. Mauric Ashtoret and Kala Ta'Kan appear to be the overseers for their respective faction's involvement.
• Maelfina may wish to bestow inheritance of the House of Six-Fingers upon someone should the campaign go according to plan.
  

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[color=414141]"The Three Ms"[/color] - As described by the Githyanki Sage.
"Once long ago, Maelfina of Three and Three came to me as you are now for answers...seeking someone...I am sure before this year is out one of your associates will do the same, and so the cycle will continue. Mistress, Motley, Mad...three M's all vying for the toy of the M under whose roof you now sit."

The Motley - Athux
"The Motley Son has many swords but no brains, the former you've met but only in battle."

• From what is understood, Athux's further attempts to take the layer are done without the permission of Graz'zt, and is acting of his own merit with a loyal army from Azzagrat.
• Athux was part of the machination that saw Adimarchus dethroned of his reign over Occipitus; disguised as an assimar paladin.
• He is not particularly smart, but very proficient in warfare hence why he is on the battlefield and not politics.
• Althux's troops are currently scouting the layer of Occipitus. Battle was waged on the summit of one of the outcrops where the Godsman foundations now lay.
  

The Mad - Adimarchus
"The Mad Prisoner is the most likely and plain."

• Adimarchus is a fallen celestial. When he attempted to invade Celestia with a demonic horde, he was cast down into the layer of the Abyss known as Occipitus. He was then lured into Carceri and imprisoned by Graz'zt and Athux's stratagem.
• He remains in Carceri to this day, but retains many of his followers still.
• Cultists of Adimarchus kidnapped and tortured the petite succubus Sultra of House-Sixfingers within the Gray Wastes. Clearly an attempt to gain information regarding Maelfina's campaign on the layer, but what? (aside from the upper hand in strategical confrontation)
• Hellspawn attempted to enter into the Gray Wastes through a rift. Severing the beast in half did nothing to stymie it's advance. This is bad.
  ↪ The portal seemed to open in response to power channeled through runes on the cultists bodies, even once slain. I should have taken the remnants of one destroyed, but no time. We ran.
  

The Mistress - Maretta, Mistress of the Counting House.
"The Mistress is one of three, and mistress to Sultra and Maelfina both."

• It currently stands unknown whom the Mistress is, Though it remains my belief that it is she who is tugging more strings than we realise. As mentioned, she reigns over both Maelfina and Sultra.
• It is believed Sultra was a gift to Maelfina from the Mistress. It is possible that such was a planted seed for information, but at this point Sultra appears loyal to Maelfina.
• There are a few possible personalities whom may reveal to be the Mistress.
  ↪ Thraxxia - Thraxxia is the daughter of Graz'zt, sister to Athux. In early scouting attempts, Maelfina mentioned her presence may make itself known. See below.
  ↪ Saureya - Little is known about Saureya currently. However, the Cultists of Adimarchus were attempting to extract information from Sultra regarding the aforementioned name and a 'test'. The Molydeus also spoke this name.
  ↪ Rhyxali - Improbable but not impossible. Rhyxali is the daughter of Pale Night, sister of Graz'zt and the Queen of Shadows. This only seems somewhat plausible if one takes into account the additional scouting presence witnessed during reconnaissance on the layer of Occipitus; none make better spies than the shadows themselves.
• Chief consort of the Dark Prince Graz'zt, and Mistress of the Counting House in Sanora, Azzagrat.
• Maretta is the mother of Sultra, as well as countless others whom have little value. Sultra was given to Maelfina as both gift and test to see if she could properly 'supervise' the succubus in addition the having eyes kept on her.
• According to Sultra, the Mistress seems to be "fond" of Maelfina and is going to great lengths to keep Graz'zt's attention away from her current campaign.
• The portal in the House basement directly links to Azzagrat, the key being the following words spoken in Abyssal "Hail the Dark Prince" (Dooool gda Goonb Bnootma)
  

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[color=414141]Domiel[/color] - As described by the Movanic Deva.
Celestia grieves for the loss of what was Venya and has since become Occipitus. Hope is retained, given Maelfina's connections in Arborea and her previous pilgrimage to Venya. Yet concern remains in regards to her intentions. It has been tasked that said intentions are investigated to better understand what the layer will become. There was also mention of the lost Eladrin children of Androlynne.


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[align=center]Additional Figures/Hooks.[/align]

Saureya - As mentioned above little is known about Saureya currently. However, the Cultists of Adimarchus were attempting to extract information from Sultra regarding the aforementioned name and a 'test'. The Molydeus also spoke this name.

Thraxxia - Daughter of Graz'zt, sister to Athux. Thraxxia's name was mentioned in reconnaissance briefing with the possibility that she may show up. Maelfina stated that she was hopeful Thraxxia would be content to watch from the sidelines and that she should be given a wide berth as she has no desire to cross her. It was further instructed that should we meet, I was to lie and say we wish neither she nor Athux and harm.

Sultra - Petite succubus of the House of Six-Fingers with who I am quite familiar with. She often serves as messenger and informant both. She was kidnapped by cultists of Adimarchus and tortured for information regarding Saureya and the test. She is simultaneously giving away information too freely, while at the same time not sharing all that she knows. Sultra was given to Maelfina by her mother, Maretta; Consort of Graz'zt, as a test of the tiefling's supervisory skills.

Rule-of-Three - A cambion in league with Graz'zt. He often resides in Sigil.

Molydues - As mentioned in reconnaissance notes; fleshy cysts seem to contain paradoxical crimson behemoths, heads like the most viscous of wolves and wielding weapons of goodly aura. Additional notes stated that these cysts attempt to align it's contents to the plane itself, causing an alignment paradox in polarity. This results in swings between said polarity, which seemingly forces their nature inverse as well. Despite the ferocity of the behemoth in combat, it was quick to flee at the possibility of our intervention. One particular beast has made itself known on several occasions, and spoke of Saureya. The rest was unintelligible.

The Test - Who or what this is, is unknown. It was mentioned by the cultists of Adimarchus in their attempts to extract information from Sultra. The succubus claims to not know what it is. It is possible the test refers to that of Maelfina's own, the gift of Sultra in the attempt to guage whether or not she is able to take care of the succubus as expected. *a few splotches of ink marr the page, as if tapped thoughtfully* What if this is the test?

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[align=center]Current Courses of Action[/align]

• Return to Occipitus and attempt to track the Molydues.
• Speak again with Sultra, find out where she came from.
• Possibly find and question Rule-of-Three.
• Travel to Azzagrat under the guise of a succubus, pay the Counting House a visit.
  
  
  

[*A. Thereal]

For the count of a few breaths Nero just balked down at the veritable stack of parchment that Odette had pushed into his hands. Notes she called the small novella. The ghaele carefully read it over once, then twice for good measure, and cocked a smirk to tease the blonde bardess, "Impressive. I think you'll make a wonderful documentarist."

Of everything Odette described, the hard data, the people of interest, the understated courses of action boldly written at the bottom of the last page, it was the miniature succubus Sultra who was most easily within reach. Nero hated it, and the very thought of the pint-sized fiend drew a dark expression over his features, but this investigation wasn't ordinary. He and his secret employer would simply have to forgive the necessity of gleaning from the winged cretin. Besides, Odette was an effective intermediary between he and Sultra.

"I think we should start here," he decided, leaning toward Odette so that she could see the indicative tap of his index finger to the little fiend's name. "Milk her while she's still grateful." Carefully folding the documents Odette had provided, he tucked them securely away with the treatment of the valuable resource that they were.

Pushing up from the table that the pair had shared, Nero offered down an encouraging smile and assisting hand to his most unlikely of professional counterparts, and then set course for the infamous House of Sixfingers.

[*Nimiane]

Odette's response is a muttered cuss centering around the prospect of slaying paperwork dragons, and she rolls a stiff shoulder resultant of many hours hunched over a desk. Gods only knew how much she loathed having to write her own documentation, but she couldn't deny it's uses for keeping track of that which she constantly perceived.

"Milk her while she's grateful? That's ice cold, Nero. Even fer ye." A sun-kissed brow furrow faintly to the celestial's blatant disregard for fiendish life as she follows the gesture of a leather-glad finger to the parchment she had offered. Odette couldn't blame him mind you, the ghaele being what he was. Her own views were different, however, and the least she could do was offer courteous reminder and attempt to show the outsider a mortal's train of thought. Kindly but firm she advocated, "Try t'remember that the lass has had a rough time, aye? Nae t'mention she's always been counted among me allies an' friends. Dunnae mean ye have t'trust her; just be mindful, aye?"

With that, the bardess drops her booted heel from it's position alongside her opposite thigh on the chair's surface and pushes herself up from the table with a screech of wooden chair on cobblestone surface. Draining the remainder of the amber liquid from her stein, it too finds it's place at the table with a satisfied thunk. With that, Odette nods to Nero's words and they depart for the Hive. "Let's see how she's holdin' up."

[*Nimiane]

Upon leaving the House of Six-Fingers, Odette had expelled a thoughtful breath and stepped out onto the cobbled stone streets of the Hive. Already she had begun thoughtfully sifting through the various granules of information given, parts of which lingered and weighed more heavily than others. The bardess couldn't deny that the influx of information was promising, but only time would tell if it was useful, let alone accurate.

Booted heels met grimy stone and carried the duo from bordello to table discussion; resulting in amendments to original notes.

[*EM-Adimarchus]

Quinn would receive a likewise-discreet letter in reply, indicating that she will be returning to the House later that cycle and will make some time to meet with him. ((Should be available this evening CST))

[*A. Thereal]

As usual, it took Nero some time to find a comfortable posture for his large frame upon a chair built for smaller people. Eventually settling down, and leaning forward to conspiratorially exchange notes and thoughts with his working partner, he shared all that he had suspected of Sultra's newest battery of information. After all had been said, fingers dipped into his doublet to produce Odette's pamphlet along with his favorite fountain pen, for he had offered to do all the writing to make some small amends for her own self publication, only to have both snatched away so that she could do so instead. "I think you enjoy that more than you let on," Nero teased his counterpart, while settling back to smile his amusement at Odette's ingrained need for control.

The blade of his pen scratched and scraped over the parchment, until at last the blonde bardess was content with her revisions. "I bet I know what you would like to do next," observed the ghaele with a meaningful drop of violet eyes toward the listed course of action. "But let's hold off on that just now." A finger crept forward, tapped the first of the objectives, and he added, "I think it's time I finally see the place, don't you?" Capturing up the dense pamphlet and pen and returning them to his person, Nero pushed up from his seat, and scanned their surrounds.

This next portion of the investigation required those already in the know - two individuals, in fact. Of the pair, the wizard named Quinn would be easiest to locate, likely at the Civic Festhall. The other could be any number of places. "Let's stop for some grapes and wine along the way," Nero taunted Odette in good humor once they had set off, "Occipitus sounds like a great picnic spot."

[*Nimiane]

"Fokkin' hate it! But better t'have all information at me fingertips than nae at all." replied Odette in wry honesty to the ghaele's tease over her organised amendments, the bardess standing to sling leather satchel once more over her shoulder and torso in one swift motion. True enough, she loathed the time and effort that went into note-taking; yet by comparison the lack or missing of information proved to be a bigger gripe. Odette was a woman who knew what and how she liked things, and she wasn't afraid to admit it nor would she apologize for it. Glossing over the fact that Nero was suggesting a course of action she had already decided upon, the woman instead offers a quip in reply to comment, "Iffen there's a picnic, yer the bait. Goin' t'stick out like a bloody sore thumb, ye are."

A return to the streets of the Hive saw aquamarine eyes scan the surrounding area habitually before setting off, boots scuffing lightly over the slickened grime from a recent downfall of waste-rain from the ring's opposite side looming overhead. "A message came frem Maelfina a few cycles back, through Quinn. Odd in itself that it happened behind our back but none t'less, a message." states Odette as they walk, tone quiet enough to not attract any unwanted attention but just loud enough to be heard by investigative partner. Two strides to the eladrin's broader one, the alleyways of the Hive slowly rolled by en route to the Clerk's Ward. "Somethin' along the lines of if we want t'visit her humble abode we need t'ask one of the Sensates fer some sort of token we borrow t'get through the portal? Now, by 'her' I assume that means Maretta an' the fact that Quinn said it were a key fer Samora, Azzagrat . . ."

Resplendent silhouette of the Festhall towering above, destination reached, Odette shook her head slowly and concluded with a mutter that was a culmination of thoughts expressed out-loud and directed mainly at herself, ". . . but that dunnae make any fokkin' sense, given the fact we already know the key fer the portal below. Unless Sultra were talkin' out her arse." Rosen tongue flicking once against the back of good teeth with a dampened click in thought, the bardess shook her head and announced with paced strides for the large oak door.

"One thing at a time. Fer now, that's Occipitus. Let's go pick up Quinnie."