A Demon Walks Into A Bar

[Aeromage]

Tolva needs information, and the best place for that is (of course) the Nexus Tavern. Probably.

He reasons that if it doesn't pan out, he can get some awesome drinks.

He'll head on to whichever darkness/demon/suitably human-and-holything-free section seems most inviting to him, and will inquire about a deity of old!

Specifically, about the preferences, tenets and benefits of Dargannon. He's got a specific item that'd let him worship the old Nathryl, although he's not necessarily going to let that fact slip.

Echo-Epitaph of the Council of Netheryn- (Permanent Consumable, Permit, Devastation, X Gold) User's patron deity becomes 'Dargannon' regardless of whether this entity is normally a selectable patron deity; oversight to divine commandments may potentially be monitored by outside forces

[Lord Gadigan]

The Darkness section of the bar has a weirdly high concentration of large-hatted shadow-bird people in it. A frankly concerning number of them.

Tolva locates an adjoining room that serves as a smoking lounge for demons, devils, and other lower-planar types. The proprietor, Szath Smoketon, a Crocodile Devil/Smoke Devil hybrid, seems to specialize in smokable fare, but also serves a limited drink menu. There are apparently soul-cigars.

Does Tolva want to ask someone here (and if so, Szath or one of the patrons), or go elsewhere?

[Aeromage]

He'll ask Szath. The smoke-guy might know who else to ask if he doesn't know, after all.

Tolva's also curious about those soul-cigars.

[Lord Gadigan]

"Now there's a big name I haven't heard in a while. It's pretty much just the stories."

He goes into a recounting of the events of the First Ascension.

"Dargannon was a descendent process sent down from Higher Reality, budded off by the KIRGRA at the bidding of Gameri and Kensadi. Master Anandale of the Council of Netheryn sought ultimate power and sought to call him down to gain that power. As the Ascension progressed, Anandale's objective shifted to using Dargannon first to wipe out the Ascendants who were defeating his allies one after another. He built the Dark Utopia, which the Ascendants stormed, and, in his final moments, made the connection. He died, and the Ascendants fought a newly-summoned Dargannon.

So... there isn't really much to go on. He's a big ol' nasty power. Never really had tenets. Just served as an engine of overwhelming destruction that could bring all the multiverses down here low with a single expression of power. Power overwhelming and equal malice to go with it.

Most Nathryl, by nature, were focused on destruction. The Descendant Processes that managed to show up back in the day were the same. Dargannon came the closest of out 'em to manifesting full power down here. Gameri and Kensadi might have cooked up some nastier ones that stayed up above, but him doing that at the point he did it makes him the most important of the set - the one with the most impact that the most stories are told about, even if some of the other ones were stronger on a base level.

Why you asking? Intrested in the Ascensions? Trying to join up with Thandolmann or Naria? Sadly missed the boat a bit if that's the case."

[Aeromage]

"'course I'm interested inna Ascensions, they're fuckin' awesome! Annalotta BA guys are gettin' a shitload of powers frommem, so I figured I'd ask aboutem, y'know? Figgerout what kinda other stuff they have. Heard some hit up summatha real fuckin' big bads."

The little demon grins. Master of subtlety that he is, he then changes the subject.

"So, whassa deal with these soul cigars?"

[Lord Gadigan]

"Deliciously forbidden delight. All the rush and flavor of consuming a mortal's soul, but drawn out across the duration of the whole cigar rather than over in an instant. You interested?"

He offers one.

[Aeromage]

"Fuck yeah, I am!"

Tolva takes the proffered cigar and attempts to light it with a snap of demonic flame!

"Oh yeah. While'm here. Heard a buncha discs got fucked up by some weird shitty fiend-thing? Know if Disc 21 gottout okay?"