Independence Day (Graduation) Part 1 - 14/05/2024 - Kavel

Transcription Sending Letter

I woke up to discover that Wendy, who I understand to be a magical courrier, had kindly intercepted a Sending from my sister Sorrel that did not reach me. Wendy had transcribed the message for me in a letter with a note and the message details.

The Sending message was:

Dear Kavel Castiron,

You may only be familiar with me, Wendy, through reputation, as I have not delivered many letters to you. I intercepted a Sending message intended for you, that has failed to pass through from the Material Plane to the Feywild. It seemed important and urgent.
Please find the message and details below.

Yours sincerely,
Wendy

Message:

“Brother, help me, it has begun.”

Sender: Sorrel
Intended receiver: Kavel Castiron
Sent: 3am yesterday on the Material Plane
Intercepted by: Wendy

The Sending didn’t reach me because it’s tricky to use Sending Stones across different planes, and I was in the Damphenite Tangle with Natalie.

I showed Nathalie the letter expressing how the time had finally come; Sorrel was asking me to help with her outstanding business with the place that taught her her assassination skills; The House.

When Sorrel talks about The House, she always speaks about how dangerous it is.The House is made up of (obviously) very similarly skilled individuals to Sorrel, but also arcane masters with similar lethal, but magical talents. From time to time Sorrel mentions her old master, Callimar, and occasionally I am reminded of the stone she gave me that would bring me aid from those who support her in any port town. But mostly, if Sorrel talks about The House; she talks about how dangerous it is.

I told Nathalie, that there was probably a small percentage chance that I would die helping Sorrel. Nathalie was confident in my strength - and so am I; I only mention the possibility of death not for concern, but just to be realistic with my fiance. This said, I also told Nathalie I expect I will be back in the Tangle for my weekly chasm climb in a couple of days. We could then have a date night after my climb and when she has finished her duties for the day.

Nathalie was in fact happy that I had something to help Sorrel with. Nathalie reminded me that we have much to thank my human sister about, as Sorrel’s love for me, and her diplomacy in the Damphenite Tangle were both very key at a pivotal moment in mine and Nathalie’s growing love for each other.

Nathalie and I kissed passionately to say goodbye to each other. Then Nathalie waved me goodbye as I left the Feywild through her pair of our interconnected planar doors. I re-entered the Material Plane through my door in the courtyard of my home in the Dwarven Quarter of Daring Heights.

My good friends Mendal and Archie were sitting in the courtyard when I walked through the planar door. I greeted them, told them of the urgent matter, and then propelled myself into the air with my powerful flight legs, and set off to reach the Temple of Selune to meet Sorrel.


My Human Sister Sorrel Darkfire

Sorrel and I came to Kantas around the same time. We bonded well because we both had respect for each other’s strengths. Hers; stealth and deadly fighting, mine; strength and power. We became like brother and sister not soon after and have been involved in; many enjoyable, many deadly, many important, and many tragic moments of each others’ lives. In each and every case, we have supported the other like a; good comrade, and a good sibling.

It is a little amusing to think that my little human sister and I have in truth only known each other for less than five years. But, it feels like I’ve known her much longer, and I am much better, and much stronger for this. But still, despite knowing her so well, I still learn new things about her. For example, she is terrible at delivering speeches. When we gathered in front of the Temple of Selune, she delivered another terrible speech; the worst one yet.

As great as Sorrel is with; reconnaissance, espionage, trap-setting and deadly fighting, when it comes to giving speeches at the beginning of a mission she is; nervous, jumbled-up, awkward, and fidgety - just terrible. Thankfully she always has gifts to give out after her speeches, so we don’t tend to linger too long on how awful the speech was.

It is funny to think how diplomatic Sorrel can be on missions, when it’s called for. But, none of the talking skills she has for diplomacy seem to help her when she’s talking about personal matters, and with friends or loved ones. Her perceptive brain just crumbles. To be fair to my sister, she wasn’t raised by her parents when she reached her mid teenage years; she was raised in The House, a deadly assassin cult. From what I understand, bonds between your fellow cult team members were encouraged, but all ties and relationships elsewhere went undeveloped - this may go a long way to explaining why she is not good with speeches.

Sorrel’s parents sold her to The House. Sorrel understandably has resentment towards both parents.

We learned that Sorrel’s parents, both former criminals, had a change of heart towards continuing their life of crime working for Sorrel’s grandfather when they found three captive elven girls blessed by Selune that Sorrel’s grandfather intended to sell. Sorrel’s parents escaped the family business, with the three elven girls to protect them. But, crossing Sorrel’s grandfather and remaining alive was not something they could achieve successfully by themselves. So Sorrel’s parents, Leonas and Elsa, made a deal with The House; protection for the girls and themselves with the payment being their first born when the child comes of age.

The deal was made. The House killed Sorrel’s grandfather. Sorrel, when she reached her middle teenage years, was given to The House.

Sorrel did not know about any sisters. Sorrel was kept away from her elven sisters, who physically are older than her, but due to elven maturation are younger than her. The parent's decision. Probably to avoid the pain of the four sisters’ separation when The House came calling for teenage Sorrel.

Sorrel’s mother later made another deal with The House when she learned that the elven girls were in danger yet again. Sorrel was included in the deal; this time not as the price, but as collateral. The deal was, if Sorrel’s mother died defending the girls, The House would then seek payment from Sorrel. This led to a team of us adventurers doing jobs for The House - I believe this was also the beginning of bad, cumbersome Sorrel speeches followed by gifts. Sorrel kept uncovering things she found odd about The House on each of these House missions we did. She was unable to reach Callimar, her head of College too, which she said was also strange.

I was unable to join my sister in her last mission with The House, a fact I deeply regret. My time now is split between Daring Heights and the Damphenite Tangle, and I was away when she needed me. I am glad Sorrel had the help of our many friends though. The House business is getting more deadly.

The House delivered Sorrel’s sisters to her, as part of the deal Sorrel’s mother made, that in case of her death; Sorrel would be her elven sisters’ protector. But now, the head of one of The House’s colleges, the person known as ‘The Beetle’ , wants the sisters for their power. There seems to be some power struggle in The House. I don’t understand it, but Sorrel’s College head, Callimar is said to be next likely to lead The House, but with a rival in The Beetle.

Callimar, I gather, normally comes if Sorrel asks for his help. I think Sorrel is his favourite student. But, he has not responded to Sorrel’s communication. Callimar did, however, give Sorrel his own magical bracers. This pissed off the courier, a House Specialist like Sorrel, House Specialist Alastor, who delivered the bracers to Sorrel. I asked if the bracers made Sorrel the new Head of Callimar’s House. The young House Specialist took exception to this and slit my throat. I bleed immensely. But, I am very strong and survived what would have instantly killed others. Velania magically sealed the wound for me. I was grateful.

Sorrel eventually killed House Specialist Alastor, along with a bunch of other fresh graduates of The House, who I believe were working for The Beetle, head of the House of Discovery.

Sorrel has now learned that her father is still alive. Sorrel has conflicting emotions about her father though; given that he sold her in a deal. But, Lyra, the prophetic sister, has told Sorrel she has to see their father.

Sorrel has conflicting emotions towards her father who she hasn’t seen in years. Sorrel has a strained relationship with Callimar; a sort of father figure instructor, who isn’t responding to her communications. Oh and I believe Je’Sathriel, ‘The Jackal’ who is a guardian archangel of Selune, and also a kind of spiritual father figure to Sorrel, is prohibited from helping Sorrel with House matters. I am not another father person to Sorrel. But I am her goliath big-brother. So when I got back to Daring Heights, I jump-flew as fast as I could to reach the Temple of Selune and be there for Sorrel like a big brother is supposed to.


The Other Temple of the Moon

Lyra, the prophetic one of the elven sisters, divined that the sisters should stay in the moon goddess temple, Minas Ithil, with the big white dragon and the sexy Drow people.

My new friend, and veteran adventurer, Veridian teleported us to the Sunset Spines to more easily reach Minas Ithil. We stayed there overnight, so Veridian could regain his magical reserves and be at peak magical-capacity for the journey to Baldur’s Gate; to see about The House, where Callimar is, to deal with The Beetle, and first on the list; see Sorrel’s father.

Caiaphas, the white dragon is much bigger now - I’m sure I could still lift him though.

Sorrel almost gave away her magical rapier to Aries, the fighty one of the elven sisters. I was close to having an intervention with my sister, because she keeps giving things away. She was sharing all her good potions at the steps of the Temple in Daring Heights, and then now her rapier! Aries thoughtfully refused the rapier and said she would only take it after Sorrel got back from Baldur’s Gate. If Sorrel even tries to give away her magic bracers or bow; I will have her head examined.


The New Familiar Meta

Much has changed since I graduated to veteran adventurer, and I am pleased with the changes I see. Case in point, the adventuring team Sorrel had put together didn’t just come with one Familiar, we had two.

My new wizard comrade, Archmage Veridian, a Transmuter wizard (I’m told) has a homunculus Familiar. The homunculus Familiar, Paraceleus, can actually speak, which is great. But, Paraceleus is a bit weird with its little flappy wings. I get the impression that Paraceleus leans into its weirdness, like maybe it's a strength?

I spoke to comrade Veridian about his Familiar - and I talked to Paraceleus too. I also noticed my halfling knight friend, Marto, had a Familiar as well, a sun parakeet called Gwen.

Marto knows magic, but isn’t a wizard. Marto is a knight who dabbles in magic, and has learned spells to compliment his martial skills, like this spell called Booming Blade. This is very cool. But equally cool is that he took the time to learn the Find Familiar spell, because he understands how essential a Familiar is to party composition. I was proud to see Marto with Gwen. I told him so. With adventurers like Marto, a Dawnland Adventuring team need never be starved of a Familiar like that one disastrous time in Hell. I am so proud of my friend Marto for stepping up and taking the initiative. But he shouldn’t have to. Step up Dawnland wizards! No party should be without a Familiar!


Portside House - Baldur’s Gate - Family Reunion

Vega, the more cleric bound of the three sisters, gifted Sorrel with a necklace that had the Darkfire crest on it. This was very nice. The necklace also has protection magic on it too. So, nice and also clever and useful. Lyra is prophetic, Aries is tough, Vega is wise. When it comes to speaking; Vega is the best of the three sisters. She’s likely the best speech-giver, too. In fact, I think Vega is probably the best speech-giver of all four of the sisters.

Veridian teleported us to Baldur’s Gate.

When we reached Sorrel’s parents’ house, we did some reconnaissance. The house and surroundings seemed clear of enemies. We entered the house through the side door. The place was unkempt. Mess everywhere. The man responsible for the dishevelled state himself looked dishevelled, unwashed, unengaged with life. He was also considerably injured, missing his right hand. He was Sorrel’s father.

Sorrel’s father, Leonas, sold one daughter to save three. Leonas loved his daughters, he loved his wife. Leonas’ relationship with Sorrel ended years ago when The House called in their payment. Leonas’ relationship with the elven daughters ended more recently, and in that same time period his relationship with his wife, Elsa, ended when she was killed defending their elven daughters against those who sought to use and bring them harm. Leonas had not escaped harm with the mutilation of his hand. No family, no wife; no meaning or life left. Not even seeing Sorrel walking through the door brought Leonas joy, which is very tragic, because it should have done. But the decision made before Sorrel was born has had profound consequences for this father-daughter relationship.

When Sorrel and Leonas spoke, words were at first terse. Sorrel has every right to be angry at her parents. But she was able to voice her respect for why her father and mother gave her to The House to protect her sisters. I would have liked very much for Sorrel to have had more time with her father, so he could see how strong Sorrel is, and tell her so. She may be terrible at speeches, but in the few words she could tell her father before he died; she showed a strong character that you only see the best speech-givers pretend to have. In Leonas’s dying seconds, Sorrel found strength to forgive her father for all he had done, not to please his elven sisters who had a better relationship with him, but because Sorrel is strong enough to forgive, and compassionate enough too, which is also a form of strength.

Goodbye Leonas Darkfire. I did not know you long. I hope you are reunited with Elsa in another world. Sorrel is now looking after the sisters. Rest easy Leonas and Elsa; my sister, your firstborn; has the strength to protect her sisters, and the strength to resolve matters with The House.


Portside House - Baldur’s Gate - House Specialists Reunion

The father and daughter reunion was interrupted by House Specialists. House Specialists not on Sorrel’s side - I have never seen any of those. There were five of them in total. All of them had been taking ‘extra-curriculars’. It seemed they were all taking Potions of Speed, or under the influence of the Haste spell. Beets, our fairy-warrior friend, took a hellish assault from a specialist with twin blades, who surprised us, and then vanished. One surprise attacker fired bolts at both Sorrel and her father. Sorrel must have been blessed by the gods, or one god in particular to have avoided the bolt aimed at her. Leonas, however, was fatally wounded. Velania, our cleric friend, did what she could for the pain. But, Leonas saw the situation as a chance to end his misery and grief, and join his wife in the afterlife; he did not want to survive. Sorrel found strength and character to forgive him before he died.

Whatever emotions Sorrel was feeling as she forgave her father, they did not interfere with her focus on the danger at hand. With lighting speed she loosed arrows at Beets’ assailant, sticking the specialist with arrows. Sorrel then darted out the door following Marto to face the specialists that had attacked and fled.

I had positioned myself on the other side of Leonas, by the window where one specialist had loosed a bolt. When Leonas passed, I took the time to close his eyes and give him dignity. When Sorrel hurried out the door, I took over for her with the specialist she stuck with arrows. The fingers I used to close Leonas’ eyes closed tight with the rest of the fingers of my right hand, as I balled up that fist and punched the arrowed Specialist in the face, breaking his jaw and leaving the Specialist prone and still.

Beets chased the specialist that fired the fatal bolt at Leonas. Veridian unleashed readied Scorching Rays at a specialist that appeared suddenly through one of the broken windows.

The new specialist joining Veridian slashed repeatedly at Veridian. These House Specialists are too fast and too deadly. I have heard that Veridian is able to bring rocks from heaven down from the sky and decimate a town. These archmages are very powerful in magic. But, not if they are slashed repeatedly and too often. It was my job to prevent that. This time with a thundering left straight, I punched Veridian’s assailant so hard above the ear it rang the specialist’s bell. Veridian was able to distance himself from the specialist. Grateful, my archmage comrade returned the favour and dispelled the magic affecting the head-ringing specialist. With the rapid removal of the Haste magic, the specialist fell to the floor out of breath exhausted with no coal left in the fire, and unable to escape my fists - this is why you don’t take ‘extracurriculars’.

Sorrel it seemed had called in a debt; two of the outside specialists died from arrows loosed from unknown parts. Marto and Beets killed the others - I heard evidence of this in the form of thundering sword slashes and mandible ferocious bites.

When Sorrel reentered the house, she gave the specialist I had pinned the choice to kill himself - this is apparently honourable to House members. I was hesitant, but the specialist died the self-inflicted honourable death he said he would. Before dying though, he said something promising to Sorrel, “we don’t all believe the propaganda they said about you.”