Who is this guy and why should I trust him?

I've only played the game once so far - I decided to do everything he asked. So, I can't tell you what happens if you ignore him, or refuse to follow instructions. But, by following the orders he gave, I got extra money. That's about it.

There is one objective (the last one he orders you to do): instead of loading the prototype into the client's van, you give it to them (The Lodge). Again, I got extra money but that's about it. The client was naturally pissed, and basically told me to go fuck myself, but there were no other consequences.

Would be interesting to know what happens, if you accept to do work for them, but don't follow their orders, though! Maybe they send a hit squad after you? No idea.

Who ARE they? So much talk about them and he's just a hipster with a cap. I think I'm near the endgame. Are there more jobs if you fail the other ones?

Just one of the many secret organizations in the Shadowrun universe I guess. I don't think they need an explanation. They have their motives. They need someone to do the dirty work. You are the little worker ant that will help them meet their goals. They don't need to tell you why they want something done. Your job is to do it, and cash in the paycheck.

I got three side objectives from him. While he was not that amused about my prototype choices (the main contract either, should had been more clear in what condition he wanted it :P ) he did gave me another side job on the next run.

I did not experienced any kind of backlash by doing his sidejobs.

edit:
Also his name is Duerr, which means Dürr, which means Twiggy.. *looks a a dict* and apparently a lot of other stuff. Not that it matters. ;)

Actually I think that's the Schatten dudes from the phone booth (they send you an email once you've helped them enough) - I won't spoil it except to say it's one of the most useful pieces of cyberware you can get for your character and it's completely free - and it doesn't cost any essence either!

I think The Lodge is supposed to give you a crate full of stuff which just appears in your safehouse if they like you enough, which I assume you complete all their missions to their satisfaction (you get no message about it so you have to notice it). In my latest playthrough I either missed it or it's bugged as I definitely completed all of their objectives but didn't see the crate. The stuff in it is nothing special though - one grenade, one medkit, and a fetish (which I was going to give to Dietrich for a mission but never used).

Yeah, I checked that again and you're right. I got these two quest lines mixed up.

Oh and that "crate" that I thought they give you - it appears they're SUPPOSED to give that to you, but I found that out by looking at Dragonfall in the editor. Turns out that for some reason it's not activated - I think due to a bug. Haven't checked since 1.2.5 though, but the 1.2.6 release notes don't have it, so I guess it's still not activated.

The code checks a variable indicating how much the lodge likes you - similar to the one that's set when you give information to the Schatten guys (at the phone booth). Like that one, you're supposed to get a reward when you complete at least two out of three missions for them. Unfortunately although the code that checks the variable is there, the variable is never actually added to when you complete objectives for them - so the check always comes back as if you'd never helped them out at all. :(

The Lodge is overall kind of sketchy. I didn't like the outcome of their first job. The game actually gives you the option of taking the high road just about every time, but if you help these people at all, you missed your chance. Dietrich will try to warn you if it comes up.

You do get a nice suite which gives you +1 on all attributes if you do all their missions or miss one. That's in Dragonfall DLC. I'm just now playing through Director's Cut and there is at least one new mission for them, called "Trial Run". I liked that one very much. In the DLC you just couldn't gauge how shady The Lodge really was. Director's Cut gives much clearer picture after that first run. I've decided to go ahead and do their runs no questions asked. It fits nicely with my opportunistic and unscrupulous ex-corporate security mage character.

You can also find some info about them if you ask around Kreuzbasar. Some people know a thing or two about them.

Yeah.

I've played both original and Directors cut, can't actually remember the specifics. But in original it seemed mostly like some extra stuff you just do and collect the paycheck.

In Directors, it was much more eewwww... I don't want to help these guys any more, definitely won't dare to doublecross them either... :(

I personally don't care how much shady is The Lodge as whole concept behind shadowrunner is a mercenary for hire in often illegal actions either spy, kill or datasteal. However they could pay more as before trial run I'm pretty sure he said fifteen (reasonably 15.000), not 1.500 or 15 is value how translates into 1.500... maybe just spelling error in game. That amount of cash isn't even enough for decent cyberware. ;p

"Fifteen" could mean fifteen hundred, which is a way people say things sometimes. 15k would mean 15,000. I don't remember the wording.

Also, you're putting most of your income to that there fund and only get to keep the scraps.
Can't remember if lodge payments were like that.

Anyway, I though that was a nice mechanic. You get paid big bucks but don't get to swim in money.