Maison des Cinq Portes
Overview
Maison des Cinq Portes (House of Five Doors) is the primary headquarters of the Aeternum Choir’s Lyon cell, located in the Saint-Paul quarter. An opulent mansion designed with occult principles embedded in its architecture, it serves as both Savarin’s residence and the operational nexus for the Choir’s Lyon activities.
Location & Accessibility
- District: Saint-Paul quarter, Lyon
- Accessibility: Discreet entrance; not advertised publicly
- Security: Guards maintained by Luc Fouchard’s Blue Sash militia
- Reputation: Known to the initiated as the home of Mathilde Savarin; to outsiders, simply an aristocratic mansion
Architecture & Occult Design
The building is structured with five main entrances, each aligned with specific harmonic principles. The interior spaces are arranged to facilitate acoustic resonance, with corridors and chambers tuned to specific frequencies.
Key features:
- Grand Reception Hall: Where Société Harmonique meetings are held
- Music Rooms: Multiple chambers with instruments and acoustic properties
- Private Chambers: Savarin’s quarters and inner circle sanctum
- Servant Quarters: Housing for the cult’s operatives and household staff
- Ritual Chambers: Underground or sealed spaces for private ceremonies
Role in Campaign
The Maison is the investigators’ primary target for intelligence gathering in Lyon. It is:
- Heavily guarded
- Architecturally confusing (designed to disorient intruders)
- Protected by both mundane and occult means
- Not directly assaultable in Chapter 2
Keeper Notes
- The Maison should be approached through intelligence and infiltration, not direct assault
- Its architecture is a puzzle; maps should be confusing or incomplete
- Discovery of specific details about the Maison’s layout or operations is a significant milestone
- Entry is possible through invitation (via the Société Harmonique) or through infiltration
Campaign History
Chapter 2 — Lyon
Charlotte discovered the Maison des Cinq Portes during the Silkweavers_Guild_Assault. After being bitten by ciimba in the tunnels, she fled and got lost, eventually finding her way to “Plan” on the tunnel map — Savarin’s headquarters. There she recovered a tome and handouts containing intelligence pointing to Herzfeld in Vienna. This discovery launched Chapter 3.
Connections to Other Files
- Mathilde_Savarin — Primary resident and owner
- Luc_Fouchard — Security commander
- Societe_Harmonique — Organization headquartered here
- [Chapter_2_Lyon](…/chapters/Chapter 2 - Lyon/chapter-2-overview.html) — Primary location in Lyon chapter
Relationships
- Led by Mathilde Savarin — Savarin's primary headquarters
- Hosts Societe Harmonique — Meetings of the Société Harmonique