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Within the Jagged Peaks; a series of high, jagged volcanoes, lied Skull Cave. Skull Cave lied at the peak of the most active volcano in the region, constantly spewing red hot lava like a freshly cut wound bleeding blood, falling down the volcano like a river off the side of a mountain.
Inside, on a black throne sat Pyratus. How he got here from Landor? Nobody knows.
He had set a barrier around the cave meant to turn anyone with an untainted soul into nothing more than a pile of ash before sending out invitations out across the multiverse. The letters were in black envelopes and stamped with blood red wax. He had used a strange loophole in the multiverse, enabling him to send out infinite copies to every tainted being in the multiverse.
"The guests should be arriving soon, Master Pyratus." Edgar said. Edgar, a wolf, was the lord of a blood cult, and one of Pyratus' most valued and powerful allies. They had known each other since Edgar was but a pup, where Pyratus took it among himself to father and manipulate the child into his perfect ally.
"Good." Pyratus said. "Bring out the wine. The trek here is long, and the guests will likely be thirsty."
"By your orders, Father Pyratus."

Erilyn was getting ready for the night ahead in a room she had rented when there was a knock at the door. She turned, feeling suspicious since she had not expected any visitors. "Who is it?" she asked, having just donned functional but well-made clothing and her armor. Pulling a strap tight on her gauntlet and throwing her cloak about herself, she listened for anything untoward. Her long ears didn't pick up on anything, but she still approached the door from the side. Her hair was in a braided bun tucked against the back of her head.

"Just a message, madam," one of the staff here at the tavern called, she recognized the voice. Opening the door, she looked down at the human and held out a long-fingered, black-skinned hand. He handed it over, his motions hesitant, her kept his eyes down. "My thanks," the dark elf told him, flipping him a copper coin and shutting the door. The envelope was unusual, though she did like the color of the wax. Sitting at the desk and using one of her blades to deftly break the seal, she took a look inside. But not before a simple spell to detect any curse that might be upon it.

Once her paranoia had been allayed, she opened and read over the invitation. It was intriguing, she had just finished a bounty and was ready for such an opportunity. But how to get there? The drow made arrangements with a wizard that owed her a favor, and he used a spell to send her not only through the multiverse but to the destination that the letter had come from. Before walking through the portal that the wizard summoned, Erilyn was given a lifeline back to her own place and time. It was a spelled object in the shape of a key. She had but to put it into any door, and she'd come back here.

A few moments later, Erilyn appeared outside the cave. Passing through the barrier with no issue at all, she was alert for any threat. This might be a trap, she needed to be cautious. But even as she kept a hand near the hilt of her shortsword, her instincts told her this was legitimate. "Hello," she greeted him once she saw Pyratus, "were you the one that sent the letter?" Her low voice still carried a trace of her drow accent, a severe tongue that had branched from surface elves long ago. Erilyn's tone was one of courteous inquiry, her silver eyes looked over those present and around the chamber.

"That I was." Pyratus said, looking towards the drow. He stood from his throne before he made his way down to her. "You must be Erilyn, no? I am Father Pyratus."
Pyratus offered his hand-paw to be shaken, looking at her with a toothy grin, a glint in his dull, corpse like eyes.
"I trust that you will not drop that honorific, elf. I worked hard to get it." He said. "The throats I had to slit were thick, and the people I had to manipulate were oh so stubborn."
His grin grew as he spoke, seeming to be quite proud of himself.
"How did you know her name, sir?" Edgar asked, holding a bottle.
"Don't question me, boy." Pyratus spat back, turning to the wolf aggresively and with an angered gaze. Edgar flinched and seemed to slink back, filling glasses and goblets in the background and trying to not anger Pyratus further. After he was sure Edgar had been frightened off well enough, he turned back to the drow and regrew his smile.
"Now, back to what I was saying before I was... Rudely interrupted." He said, glaring at Edgar once more. "We are pleased to have you here, madam. Please, have a seat! I insist."

Nix was alone in his castle, sitting in front of his wall covered in people's faces. He made himself a cup of tea and drank it while staring at his work. Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door. Who would dare interrupt tea time? Eventually, he got up and walked toward the door. When he opened it, he saw a small boy shaking. The boy quickly mumbled, 'F-for you...' and handed him the envelope before dashing away, afraid of losing his face.

As Nix walked inside with the envelope, he took a good look at it. He sat down at a table and used his sliver katana to tear it open. "Interesting..." Nix was intrigued, so he prepared to leave. How did he leave his universe, you may ask? He used an old magic book he took as a trophy after defeating a powerful wizard. He used it to open a portal to the other world and stepped inside.

Shortly after stepping out of the portal, Nix found himself outside a cave. He walked in, passing the barrier with no problem. He kept his hand on the hilt of his katana, knowing this wouldn't be the first time someone used a fake invitation to try to kill him. He then stood in front of Pyratus
"Hello. I assume you sent the letter?" he asked, looking around the cave. "Could've picked a nicer place."

Erilyn was very used to the dynamic that played out between a tyrant that would lash out over the smallest mistake, and someone who hastened to obey so as to avoid punishment. She had grown up with it as a drow, and approved of keeping one's subordinates in line. "I will not begrudge you what is rightfully yours, your title seems to have been hard won after all. Perhaps I will be able to obtain one of my own one day. It took a fair bit of scheming and time, but she had a long life span after all.

"Yes, my name is Erilyn Kendrix, fighter and cleric. I am interested to see what kind of proposal you have for us." She stepped to the side and made herself comfortable in a chair, leaning back, crossing her legs and accepting a goblet of wine from Edgar. Having been born a noble, she was used to accepting this kind of treatment. The dark elf had been cast out from her society, but perseverance had finally paid off and she'd carved out a comfortable life for herself. Quite literally.

The drow observed as Nix approached as well, this one appeared both mysterious and macabre. And lacking in decorum. These kinds of events often attracted at least one or two of those types, she mused to herself. Or perhaps he was sarcastic. Sipping from her wine tentatively, she decided to indulge in it slowly. Her silver eyes took in the details of the place and the scene, spidery fingers tapping along the stem of her wine glass.

As Nix entered, Pyratus turned his attention from Erilyn to the newcomer and quickly rushed to his side.
"Ah! You must be Nix Padal!" He said warmly, offering his hand in the same way he offered it to Erilyn. "Good evening to you, you can call me Father Pyratus. Have a seat sir!" He added, pulling out a chair for him.
"I apologize for the less than desirable location, but I had to pick somewhere as remote as possible. Wouldn't want any risk to be followed, no? The ash created from their bodies is such a hassle to clean up, and Edgar here already has enough work set out for him."
Edgar seemed to look up from his glass filling as Pyratus spoke. He didn't agree to any cleaning. He's the lord of blood, not some maid. But he knew better than to speak against the cat, and so held his tongue- lest he lose it.

"Ah, I see you already guessed I called you all out here for a reason." Pyratus said with a small chuckle. "Silly me! I thought I could surprise you! But to be fair, no one would call a group of schemers and murderers, who all likely have a dozen or so populations who want them dead, out to a remote volcano in a random universe for no reason other than wine and conversation."
The sphynx took his seat at his throne, Edgar rushing to hand him his own glass. "I, in fact, do have something I wish to discuss- although I wish to make sure all the people who could make time in their busy schedules of villainy to arrive first. Simpler to just say the proposal once instead of for everyone who arrives, no?"

Nix sat down on the chair. He took a second to observe Erilyn before turning back to Pyratus. He didn't accept wine from Edgar, instead pulling out a teapot filled with hot tea and a teacup, then poured himself some. He understood not wanting people to follow; he has had people or henchmen follow him in his plans before. "Don't worry. I won't mind that much."

"Nix looked back at Erilyn for a few seconds. He always thought Drows were an interesting race. He felt compelled for a second to take her face but held back. He did not want to be impolite. He was a guest here, after all. He may be a face-stealing monster, but no one wants to be a bad guest.