Chapter 1: City of Lies

The four of you make your way into the Upper Hive. The air is cleaner here, and there's no strange liquids on the floors. As you go further, windows scattered throughout the out corridors let in actual sunlight.

You part ways here. Hector and Severian, you two make your way to the Sanctionaries Headquarters here in the Upper Hive. De Gael and McFelson make their way through the Upper Hive to the Apex, the tippy top levels of Hive Desoleum.

The Sanctionaries Headquarters is behind a massive gate, and the guards there stop Hector and Severian. "Ho there," one of them says. "State your business."

De Gael and McFelson travel through opulent corridors, being passed by gilded carriages carrying nobles going about their business. The hallways here and spotlessly gleaming, and you walk by a crew of workers polishing and buffing an area to keep it pristine. You finally arrive at a large wooden door covered in gold leaf, with a knocker shaped like a lion's head. You bang the knocker, and a servant in traditional livery opens the door. "Yes, how can I help you?"

The guard at the gate steps back, clearly surprised by Severian's demeanor. His eyes grow large at the sight of Hector's badge. He stammers for a moment, then scurries off. He returns a few minutes later, clearly cowed. "Please follow me sirs."

The servant gestures for McFelson and de Gael to enter. "Yes of course, I'll show you to the master right away." He leads you through the house, and you pass through an extravagantly appointed foyer into a sitting room with gaudy paintings on the wall and overly stuffed furniture. "Please wait here. I'll inform the master of your presence."

Hector and Severian, the gate guard leads you through the gate and into the massive squat building that is the Sanctionaries headquarters. He briskly leads you through several hallways, to a small office dominated by a large plasteel desk and comfortable looking chair. Sitting in the chair is a tall severe looking woman with close cropped blond hair and the pale skin of a lifetime hiver. "Hello," she says, rising from her seat. "I'm Captain Lucian. How can I help the Inquisition today?"

McFelson and de Gael, the servant returns with a rotund pompous looking man dressed in frilly finery. "Greetings friends," he says. "I'm Dresden Rosa. I'm afraid my brother is off world visiting some of our manufactories at the moment. I'd be happy to discuss business with you in his stead."

Captain Lucian shakes Severian's hand, then watches in confusion as the two visitors bicker with each other. "Yes the deaths uphive have been a serious problem. We can allow for certain occurances in the lower habs. However when the wealthy and powerful are threatened we are forced to take action. I'd be happy to provide all the details of our current investigation to you, as well as what information we have on cult activity. Our most promising lead so far is a noble named Lans Guljian."

Dresden looks at Mr. McFelson. "I believe it was quality control that sent my brother into the void. That and perhaps the chance to acquire an item or two that couldn't be found here on Desoleum Prime."