Rift City Recap #23

Clover's Log

We’ve returned to Ronan’s friend, Veemix, since he clearly has connections to—or at least knowledge of—the Crimson Hall. He requested that we come back to him with a weapon blank for entry into whatever weapon-making contest is going down there, so Brendel crafted one for a dagger, using Residuum but not pure quality. To inspect the blank, Veemix calls a devil friend, who says that the weapon that wins the contest will save the world. No pressure.

While we wait to see if this blank will get us in the Crimson Hall’s door, we decide to scope out the area and see if there’s a better way to get inside. The problem is we are told it will cost someone dear to us if we go in. Oman makes me invisible, and I follow the devil to an alley, where he snatches a urinating man and pulls him into the dark. The man is nothing but a husk when the devil is finished, and a bloody bowl outside the entrance doors to the Crimson Hall tell the tale. Will we have to kill someone to even enter? Is the cost worth it? We debate this for some time, but the point is moot. While the devil took ALL the man’s blood, that’s not required. A little blood will do.

Finally, we learn Brendel’s crafting has put us on the shortlist to get into the Hall, and we will be invited to come make a weapon. During this conversation, we get the distinct impression that anyone who loses the competition will be killed, so we need to be even more on our guard. I have asked Takkar to keep an eye out for some more good gear, and he tells us that the Church is cracking down on runners. We will need to revisit the option of tampering with the rings, or removing them altogether. The only good news is he has also noticed that magic seems to be opening up. We will need every advantage, and Nyx is working to gain an edge.