---

Goodbyes that were unlikely to be final were traded throughout the academy following the graduation ceremony. Rilnia had said goodbye, while insisting slyly that it would not be for good. They enjoyed a very pleasant night together and the priestess of Wendonai made it plain that she hoped for many more. She made sure to tell Jevan where he could find her, though which window was left to mystery.

Satou had said goodbye, without any more words needed so far as he was concerned, whatever that implied. Da Hekar said goodbye, a tinge of hope in his as he returned home to find anew his place in the clergy. Billarius, Gul'tal, and Vahn'Galen all said goodbye, each slowly examining each other for telltale signs of continued grievance.

While giving his goodbyes, Jevan did his best to learn what he could of the situation with the Sorcere students; what he was able to learn was that the top graduate of that year was none other than Baenre, some much-younger nephew of the archmage of Menzoberranzan himself. Thankfully, it was not the top mage who was among the three who seemed to be waiting for Jevan outside the final ceremony... though who those three were and what their intent was remained a mystery to Jevan.

Whatever it was, the important thing was that Jevan had made it out of his stint at the academy alive, and much better off in many ways. None could doubt that the son of Freth was unsuccessful at Tier Breche by the standards of the academy, that was for certian.

Several hours after the final ceremony, Jevan was packed and ready to begin the journey home. It was a long descent from Tier Breche down into Menzoberranzan proper, but the stairway down provided a brilliant and promising view of the city he was now free in; or at least as free as any male noble could be.

After the descent from Tier Breche, the trek into West Wall was a long but not unpleasant one; the streets were under full guard with the knowledge that many newly-released students were wandering about, but it was a simple precaution and no outright hostility or unwelcomeness was shown; in fact the streets were practically bustling with people going about their business eagerly with the additional security keeping things civil.

Before he knew it, after a long and not unpleasant walk, Jevan strode up to the gates of House Freth itself.

A grand, if perhaps modest, compound built within and around the hollowed structure of a gigantic stalagmite, the current home of the Freth family was not the most impressive estate in Westwall--not with neighbors like Vandree and Duskryn--but it was home nonetheless.

The estate sat in complete and utter silence; guards were no doubt posted, but keeping hidden no doubt. As Jevan approached the gate, made of enchanted zhurkwood spears, swung open at the simple warming of his house insignia.

Jevan was a mere yard into the gate heading towards the main entrance when a large form came barreling out of the shadows straight at him; a bestial creature running on four limbs, making no attempt to conceal itself as it leaped into the air showing Jevan a flash of claws and teeth.

I assume this is a treasured pet come to greet a returning long lost master a la Calvin and Hobbes?

Jevan cocked his head and quirked his brow in mild amusement at the aggressive display of the guard animal. He didn't recognize this beast from his youth and it seemed unlikely it would know to treat him as a member of the family. Moments before it leapt, as it bunched its muscled haunches to spring, Jevan suddenly vanished and appeared far behind it (Misty Step). Then he rose effortlessly into the air well out of its reach, arms folded across his chest and foot tapping upon the nothingness beneath his soles (Levitate).

"I assure you I am expected," he said pleasantly. "You seem to have slipped your collar."

12:54, Today: Jevan Freth rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  Insight.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Tue 18 Jan 2022.

The creature emitted out a sound that was halfway between a staccato howl and laughter, not unlike the sounds Jevan had heard from the few gnoll slaves he had seen in his life.

It whipped around, seeming to follow the nose at the end of it's long snout and gave chase, making several bounds towards where Jevan floated before leaping into the air. Its jump, while impressive, had no chance of reaching the noble of course; as Jevan intended.

But then so.ething odd happened; the creature began to float... an almost identical mirror of Jevan's own movement, bringing it right up before Jevan's eyes.

While the creature had ran on four legs before, and indeed it had digitigrade legs to support such movement, as it levitated it began to straighten up into a more bipedal stance, though still with a slight curve or hunch in the back. It was not covered in white fur, but rather had a voluminous mane of white hair atop its head and growing down it's back. Two pure red eyes bore down at Jevan as it floated until the were even, with it towering over him looking down past is elongated snout filled with carnivorous teeth.

It grasped him with large, powerful hands that ended in sharp claws, but then even more unexpected a second pair of more slender, almost drow-like hands reached out from lower on its torso and just pawed at Jevan.

But most unexpected of all was the deep, rough sound that uttered from its throat, which formed into words! "Of course you are expected, I've been waiting for you brother!"

Jevan squinted at the half drow monstrosity floating mid air before him and tried to look past the maw of needle sharp teeth into the intelligent eyes behind them.

Faemyra would never receive him thusly even were it in the realm of her magic to do so, and he scarcely knew Bryndalyn at all...

"Xullin?" he said at last. "Is that you?"

The creature, Jevan's brother supposedly, howled again with wild laughter. "No brother, Xullin has not gone through some transformation! You are confused, let me make it clear.

I am Kaggan, your baby brother! I was born not long after you left but have longed to meet my fearsome elder!"

My he had been gone a long time. When Jevan had left for Melee-Magthere his mother had been with child and all the divinations had pointed towards another male heir. That was ten years ago now. The boy would have no longer been an infant but a child. Of course Jevan hadn't been expecting to be met by someone so... toothy.

"Well, I can see the strong family resemblance," Jevan remarked after a moment. "Kaggan. My brother. A draegloth no less!"

"You are to me what I was to Bryndalyn, a surprise ten years in the making." Quite surprising, really.

He smiled, and beckoned for Kaggan to follow.

"Well come on then, lets go inside! I'm eager to hear everything that has happened."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Tue 18 Jan 2022.

Kaggan smiles, an expression which upon his elongated, fang-filled mouth is most unsettling; "It's the chin, we practically have the same jawline. But mama says I'm gonna get bigger" a new sound gurgled from Kaggan's throat, which could only be approximated to a deep chuckle though it was more closely describable as an oddly aggressive series of croaks from a toad.

As the two land back on solid ground, Jevan is able to finally get a good look at Kaggan; fully two feet taller than Jevan already, it is hard to imagine him getting any bigger. He wore little clothing, really just enough for modesty and no piwafwi, so instead Jevan could see his house insignia pinned in his mane of hair.

With the demonic eyes, maw, and extra pair of arms though it was indeed impossible to miss him as a Draegloth, which would mean Kaggan was only his half-brother of course, with the other half being that of a full-blooded glabrezu demon not unlike the one being summoned by Angaste back during the graduation ritual. From what Jevan understood the union of a glabrezu and priestess, even temporary as it was, is harrowing too say the least and incredibly dangerous, as well as unlikely to provide any sort of outcome regardless. Draegloth were incredibly rare, and thus always treasured as a sign of favor from Lloth.

"I can take you to mama, she is waiting for you."

"Well I can hardly make mother wait," Jevan replied. "Lead on, brother!"

Kagan gives another toothy grin and lopes over to the door; walking on his hind legs make his arms seem incredibly long, making him seem rather childish and lanky despite his muscled girth.

He pushes the door open and leads Jevan through the foyer and deeper into the compound, floating up to the open landing if the second floor. He leads Jevan to. Ine of the places he would expect to find the matron mother, such as her quarters, her study, the temple, or even in times of planning the war room. Instead, Kaggan leads Jevan to the ball room, a large hall that could be alternatively used for festivities or, as it is being set now, as a host-worthy dining room.

Kaggan pushes the door open and bounds in excitedly; Jevan sees him heading to the opposite end, where he can see the backside of his mother Matron Mes'Baryana, seemingly giving some detailed and demanding instructions to a group of servants who dash around setting up some sort of new fresco and other decorations.

Jevan swept into the ballroom several paces behind Kaggan with his brother pulling ahead with every stride. For Jevan to keep apace he would have had to break into a run, and that would hardly be becoming. Regardless of Kaggan's seemingly boundless enthusiasm, Jevan had the sense enough not to interrupt his mother while she was 'working' and instead let the click of his boot heels across the open floor announce his presence for him as he made his way across the room. The room had excellent acoustics.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:00, Wed 19 Jan 2022.

"No no, that sconce need to be moved over there, so that it will better highlight the tapestry. Higher! That platter isn't suited for serving its decorative, put it over--"

Matron Mez'Baryana drifted off mid sentence as she turned her head to find the source of the clicking; her face incredulous at first until she looked upon Jevan and adopted a wide, benevolent smile. "My son! Champion of Melee Magthere; welcome home Jevan..." she greeted, sweeping her arms out to embrace him.

Jevan beamed and held out his arms, stepping into his mother's embrace. "Mother! You look as radiant as ever. Its wonderful to be home again after so long. I was just getting to meet Kaggan. What a blessing! The House's fortune overflows."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Thu 20 Jan 2022.

Mez'Baryana drapes her arms around Jevan and pats his back, a stiff, somewhat awkward and protracted embrace but as much as can be expected of a matron mother. Kaggan seems to let out a low rumble, watching them carefully and grins as Jevan speaks. Mez'Baryana smiles as she pulls away from Jevan, reaching out and stroking Kaggan's hairy mane much to the Draegloth's delight.

"Indeed. A few more years and he will be fully grown, woe betide our enemies then." She then turned, snapping her fingers angrily as a servant apparantly was setting the table incorrectly. The matron mother turned back to Jevan without missing a beat, "We were able to spectate you in the Grand Melee, a grand performance though I wish you hadn't allowed that Hekar whelp to get the drop on you. Never trust your back to anyone but family".

"I didn't realize you were in attendance, mother," Jevan said with genuine surprise. "That was a lesson dutifully learned."

"Were the other houses observing as well?" he inquired. If so he imagined Vahn'Galen was coming home to a very different sort of reception. Possibly Billarius as well, but only because the stakes were higher that close to the top.

"Perhaps, though you misunderstand. We were not there in person, the event is not for those outside the academy faculty. No, Xullin was able to show us in a divinatory fashion, one of the many perks of being such a talented graduate from Sorcere" the Matron said, giving a smile and wag of her eyebrows.

"But I digress, you orchestrated yourself well by winning, I would have expected no less from one of my sons. To make things even more interesting, House Baenre is going to congratulate us personally, at a feast here tonight."

"The First house will be feting us here tonight?" Jevan said with amazement. "That's magnificent news, mother."

"How might I be of assistance?"

Mez'Baryana tapped her delicate chin with her long and strong index finger for a moment; she was taller than Jevan by a half inch or so, and a bit more wide as well. She currently wore a very simple and rather roomy white dress, something obviously meant to be easily swapped out for more suitable attire. Her hair, similarily, was fine up in an elaborate bun, the mass of which belied the extreme length of her snow-white locks.

"I do have some tasks for you, but they can wait. For now, see about reuniting with the rest of the family, I dont want any awkward business while we have company."

Jevan nodded. "Of course," Jevan replied. "I'd be happy too."

"I understand the head boy of Sorcere is from House Baenre this year. Should we be considering to honor them in kind?"

Matron Mez'Baryana reaches out and gently touches Jevan's cheek. "Oh. My dear boy. The fact that you think they would consider that an honor or a reciprocal gesture shows how much you think of this house. But no, they do not."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:28, Fri 21 Jan 2022.

"Yes, mother," Jevan said, dipping his head in acquiescence. He'd meant more a gesture - clearly House Baenre was not about to open their compound to them - but there was nothing to be gained in protest. If his mother thought him simple but devoted that was likely one of the safer prospects.

Xullin was the golden boy - Jevan had no misconceptions that their relative stations had changed after his upset victory at Melee-Magthere - and Kaggan was the darling baby, albeit one capable of tearing a rothe apart with its teeth. Jevan would have to find his own place again, and that started by reintroducing himself to his siblings.

"I can see how busy you are. I will leave you be and go and find the rest of the family."

"Kaggan, stay with mother. You two have gotten reunited enough for now, yes? I feel safer with you near; I sent Jhannis away to take Alystia back to her mother and help clean the chapel, she was hardly being much aide here" Mez'Baryana said, stroking the draegloth's mane.

"Xullin should be in his room, helping with his spells as he sees fit. Kerrigan was meant to join Welverin in making sure the house soldiers are presentable, while Bryndalyn oversees the preparation of the feast in the kitchen. Oh, and Elengo should be about somewhere as well, you know how he is."

"Yes, mother," Jevan replied. "I will see you at dinner."

Deciding to take the introductions in order, Jevan took his leave and made his way to the chapel first.

The matron sighed heavily but allowed Jevan to take his leave. Jevan made his way towards the chapel, the occasional servant and house guard dipping their heads and averting their gazes respectfully as he passed. As he neared the chapel, he passed a familiar individual in the hallway; dressed in ornamental chain with long pink-dyed hair tied up in a ponytail and a pair of short swords strapped to his hips was Jhannis, head of the matron's guard and one of her consorts.

"Jevan, my boy! Welcome back home, I hope my cousin did not give you too much grief. I hardly know Houndarel mind you, it's been so long since I left the house" The drow male spoke enthusiastically, holding out one proffered hand to Jevan.

"Not at all, Jhannis," Jevan replied with a warm grin and ready hand. "Houndarel and I got along swimmingly. It was his last term as master at the academy. He has been called back home."

"Its good to see you again after so long. How have you been?"

Jevan's words gave Jhannis pause and he considered them for a moment. "All well and good then; of course Houndarel treated you well, he wouldnt want to disappoint me."

The Fey-Branche exile gives Jevan an exaggerated smile, then continues; "Things here have been well, perhaps too much so. Your mother hasnt left the compound in some time, and Kaggan is with her almost day in and day out. Altogether it makes my job easy, almost boringly so" he says, chuckling at the end.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:55, Tue 25 Jan 2022.

"A comfortable living," Jevan remarked with a grin. "And nothing to begrudge."

"Although tonight should bring some excitement. Mother just informed me we're expecting visitors."

Jhannis nods, "I've heard as much as well, hence all the bustle and bustle about. Must be quite the boon upon your graduation, huh? Think you can help spin the meeting in our favor?"

"I'd certainly be happy to help however I can, although I can't see my presence being sought for any negotiations that might take place tonight."

"Was there something you had in mind?"

Jhannis raises one eyebrow with some surprise or suspicion. "Well, even if they have some other agenda or reason for coming, your victory in Melee Magthere is at least ostensibly the reason for the visit. You'll be given a place of some honor at least. It could be your chance to make am impression, on your mother or on the first house. If you wish to capitalize in your success and turn it into a streak of course, I cant imagine you of all people would want to let it mellow and fade out like... others might."

Jevan's grin grew even wider. "Hardly. You know me, Jhannis. I'm only just beginning."

"You're right, of course. This buys me a ticket to the head table. But if the Matrons have proper business I don't expect it to take place in the dining room. We shall simply have to see how the night goes," he said with a wink.

If there was an angle there, it was a fair bet Jevan would find it.

"Of course! Just remember your dear old Jhannis, if you need anything then I am ever eager to be of service. So long as it escapes the concerns of your mother, if course..."

With that, Jhannis clapped Jevan's shoulder amicably and stood aside, offering him the hallway leading to the chapel.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:11, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

"Of course. Take care, Jhannis. I'll see you shortly."

Jevan took his leave and continued on to the chapel.

Jevan entered the house Freth chapel, a larger holy place than that the one in Melee Magthere and more beautifully adorned as well, though not as large of ostentatious as many of the other greater houses... and of course it was paltry in comparison to the temple within Arach-Tinilith. Still, the worship house of Freth was built to honot the Spider Queen and it did just that, with a large spider statue towering intimidatingly over the altar and looking down upon the gathering space as a whole; spider and web motifs decorating over nearly every inch of the most unholy of holy places.

The chapel was slowly filling with a dizzying haze as dozens of tiny streams of smoke worked to fill the space; the air smelling heavy of warm spice and a hint of brimstone. Across the chapel Jevan could see a drow woman dressed in the traditional spidersilk gown of a chapel priestess, offering prayers while lighting still more incense and preparing holy oils. Her white hair was long and curly, wore freely allowed to spill all the way down her back, and though she wore no armor and carried no weapons, she carried a small rod in one hand at all times. As she turned, noticing the visitor, Jevan could see the outline of a significant bump in her stomach as well.

"My dear sister," Jevan said, striding into the chapel and holding his hands out wide. "I've missed you. And look, another blessing on the way! Why Alystia was just a baby when I left."

"Jevan. Welcome home" Faemyra responds, leaning in with a curt embrace as he approaches. Her eyes glower at the mention of Alystia; "She still practically is; could not even keep her matron enamored longer than a few minutes before being dismissed" she says, her voice full of frustration.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:08, Wed 26 Jan 2022.

"Oh, Mother is just preoccupied. Tonight's festivities have her full attention. And besides, Kaggan is with her now."

"I'm surprised to find that Alystia is not here with you. I'd thought Jhannis had brought her over."

In response, Faemyra said nothing but her eyes floated up, leading Jevan's gaze past the forward portion of the spider altar; there, nearly two dozen feet up clinging precariously to the stonework with one hand and bare feet was a tiny, adolescent girl who scrubbed cautiously at the stone work with a tiny brush in her free hand.

"Oh. Oh! I see. Very industrious. The masonry needed a good scrubbing."

"Do you want me to take her off your hands? I was just making my way about the house and getting reacquainted. She can come along and you can focus on your work."

Faemyra narrowed her eyes, peering at Jevan. "What use would you have of her? After she failed to impress mother, none the less."

---

Go ahead and give me a charisma check with your next post, either persuation or deception depending on what you tell her.

"Why to help her favorite uncle get ready of course!" Jevan improvised. "I may not be a towering idol in need of polishing but as the reason for tonight's celebration its important I present the best face for the family."

"If she's anything like her mother she'll have a smart eye for style and decorum."

Natural 20. Tongue of a devil, this one.
11:44, Today: Jevan Freth rolled 27 using 1d20+7.  Persuasion.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Thu 27 Jan 2022.

Faemyra smiled despite herself, apparantly won over by Jevan's honeyed words. "Well, I suppose it would be a small favor for me to grant to my beloved brother upon his return home. Just dont go spoiling the child after she failed to please mother."

Jevan's sister then turned and looked up at the child more fully, who quickly attempted to look like she was working and not listening to the adult's conversation. Faemyra made a scolding his with her mouth, then shouted "Alystia! Get down here and greet your uncle Jevan!"

Quickly, though it wasnt clear if it was fear of reprisal from her mother, relief to get down, or perhaps showing off, the young girl stuck the brush she was using in her mouth and scampered down the stone work with all four limbs, deftly dropping the last several feet--more than her own diminutive height--before somersaulting backwards and landing on her feet.

---

10:32, Today: Fate rolled 22 using 1d20+2.

"Impressive," Jevan remarked in all sincerity. ”Perhaps it’s not mother she should be spending time with but Welverin. He could do wonders with such grace.”

Sensing his sister’s mood he added: ”And of course instill a healthy sense of discipline.”

He turned back to his niece.

"Hello, Alystia. I'm your uncle Jevan. The last time I saw you, you were a baby in your mother's arms. My how you've grown!"

"I need someone with good taste to help me get ready for tonight. Why don't we leave your mother to finish her preparations here, and you and I head back into the house, hmm?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:26, Thu 27 Jan 2022.

Alystia looked up at Jevan with trepidation in her eyes, but then glanced at the brush in her hands with disgust and finally her eyes creeped cautiously to her mother. Faemyra gave a short, wordless nod and Alystia looked back to Jevan and nodded eagerly, handing Faemyra the brush.

”Come along then,” he said, turning towards the chapel door. ”And not to worry,” he added for the benefit of his sister. ”I’ll make sure she comes back with ample time to get herself ready for tonight as well.”

He beckoned for Alystia to follow and headed back out into the hall.

Once they were out of Faemyra’s hearing he looked down at his charge and smiled. ”So tell me about yourself,” he prompted. ”I have ten years to catch up on, which is most of your life so far!”

"Well I dont like cleaning. Especially the chapel" Alystia said without hesitation. "I do like practicing flips and things like that, but I dont think my mother likes it because she thinks I'm too much like aunt Kerri."

She chews on her lip for a moment. "I dont remember you at all. People talked about you sometimes but I didnt think you were ever going to come back from school, like my biggest brother."

"SiNafay?" Jevan asked. "Him, I remember. I wasn't much older than you are now when he was called up to Tier Breche. Of course Sorcere is a longer commitment than Melee-Magthere."

"And there are worse things you could be than similar to your Aunt Kerrigan, though I'd never come between you and your mother," he said with a wink for Alystia. "Kerrigan is an accomplished woman and very skillful. I still have to say hello to her and to Welverin as well, but first we'll stop by Xullin's chambers."

Alystia blinks slowly for a moment, as if trying to digest the concepts Jevan had just revealed to her. To the girl's credit she seemed to accept it all readily enough; "Uncle Xullin never gets in trouble with Matron Mother Mez, what about you? He's always too busy to bother with me."

Jevan chuckled. "I got in trouble plenty," he replied. "Xullin never did have much time for children. I expect this was true even when he was one."

"You have to remember, while I may be your uncle I'm actually closer in age to you and to SiNafay than I am to Xullin or your mother."

"Bryndalyn is the only one of my siblings close in age to me and like you and SiNafay, I've never met her. She was already at Tier Breche when I was born."

After a moment he added: "And I suppose now there's Kaggan. I shall have to get used to that idea."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:30, Fri 28 Jan 2022.

Alystia continues to blink slowly and adds chewing her lip to the contemplation. "Auntie Bryn? She's nice, like you. I don't like uncle Kaggan... he's scary, and all drooly..." the girl shuddered for a moment.

"He is very drooly, isn't he," Jevan remarked. "Well I am looking forward to meeting 'Auntie Bryn'. You'll have to introduce me."

Alystia led Jevan through the complex excitedly, as if the Freth noble did not know where his brother's chambers would be. She seemed to enjoy recklessly throwing herself into the air as she activated the house insignia clipped on her blouse, floating between the floors.

Xullin, as the house mage, had a suite sequestered away near the top of the stalagmite; a multi-room affair, it was little surprise that there was no immediate response when Jevan knocked on the door. After a few moments and some additional knocks there was at least some response; in the form of an eye magically blinking open on the door. The spell, adopting the style of al all-seeing eye, peered around for a moment, looked at Alystia who waved shyly, then bore straight down at Jevan for a long moment.

Finally, the purple device blinked itself out of existence and the door opened; revealing not Xullin but the battle-captive Shurlae Shobalar. The ex-noble wore a set of wizard's robes that were parted just enough to reveal from her neck down to her navel, the multi-colored robes shimmering primarily purple and green like a silky oil slick poured over her rail-thin body. Her hair was short and worn in a pixie-cut, today it was a magically altered purple.

"Miss Alystia, a pleasure as always. And I'm sorry, you are?..." Shurlae looked at Jevan with big doe-like eyes.

"Jevan Freth," Jevan replied with a wink, not losing his good humor for an instant. "Truly, Shurlae has it been so long?"

"I've come to see my dear brother Xullin."

"Hmm, Jevan, Jevan..." Shurlae said ponderously, tapping her chin with one slender finger tipped with a manicured purple nail. "Oh, right! Jevan, I'm so sorry, I thought you had died... whoopsie. My apologies, you know, divination wizard and all time can get a bit muddled."

She threw her hands out in mock exacerbation. "Welcome home, of course. Xullin is deep in the midst of a ritual, but she should be done soon."

"I'd expect nothing less of Xullin than to be nose deep in a ritual," Jevan replied with a smile. "We'd be pleased to wait, wouldn't we Alystia? Better to catch him now than try again later and find out he'll be hours finishing."

"Might we wait inside?"

"Hm. Awkward" Shurlae stated flatly, tipping her head to the side as she did. "I mean, I have express permission to come and go as I please, but Xullin didn't say anything about inviting anyone else in. Not that it's my place to stop you either" she continued to look at Jevan with big, doe-like submissive eyes.

"I'm sure Xullin would insist," Jevan said with a grin. "Come on in, Alystia," he said, holding out his arm to bid her enter and then moving to follow swiftly behind. "Uncle Xullin will be along soon enough."

Shurlae narrowed her eyes a bit but dipped her head in acquiescence and held the door open for the two as they entered. Xullin's quarters were spacious for the limited dimensions of the house spire, and in fact opened directly into a reasonably sized parlor complete with a fireplace and comfortable seating for up to six or so individuals. There was a small counter-top bar against one wall, that was stocked with a carafe of drow wine as well as it seemed a lovingly half-emptied bottle of surface brandy.

Shurlae laid sidelong on a divan; "Well well Master Freth, you certainly have grown. You developed some talent for the arcane during your short stint at Sorcere? You're practically dripping with it."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:19, Fri 04 Feb 2022.

Jevan grinned. "I'm a quick study," he replied, making his way towards the bar. Jevan lifted the bottle of brandy, pulled the stopper and brought the cork up to his nose. "Delightful," he said after a moment.

Setting the stopper in place once more he put the bottle down and turned to address Shurlae directly. "I must have inherited some of my brother's natural talent. But unfortunately none of his singular dedication."

Jevan winked.

"What of you, Shurlae?" he asked. "You look delectable as ever. Have you been enjoying my brother's company?"

The brandy in Jevan's nostrils smells almost decadently sweet in comparison to the average Underdark spirits; dominated by apple with hints of smoked oak and the barest trace of vanilla, it is what he can only imagine a surfacer orchard might smell like.

Shurlae, recumbent upon the divan, raises one eyebrow in a curious look at Jevan. "Hmmm, just familiar and implicit enough to be insulting, yet complimentary and interesting enough to warrant lenience. Scandalous Jevan, I may be a houseless outcast but I'm still a priestess and you speak as if I'm sort of tramp" she said, returning one of Jevan's winks right back to him. Despite her words, she fails to notice or care her own indiscretion as one side of her already revealing robe slips, offering a glimpse at more of one tiny breast than was conventionally acceptable. Shurlae was one of the smallest drow Jevan had ever seen, shorter than any other female for certain, and so thin she probably didn't weigh a single stone even when wearing soaking wet robes... even if those robes were modest.

"Things here have been boring. Probably a safe judgment for one who's house and family line is utterly obliterated, but there it is all the same. Being Xullin's little assistant hasn't proved any more interesting even for all the... fringe benefits" she eyed the brandy as she spoke, though that was the only indication of any meaning she might be alluding to.

"Houseless," Jevan repeated. "You'll always have a house with us."

"And as for entertainment," now Jevan eyed Shurlae much as Shurlae had been eying the bottle of brandy moments before, his gaze deliberately slipping to the slit in her dressing gown. "Well, perhaps we'll just have to look a little harder for those benefits," he concluded, looking up to meet her eye.

"Care for a drink while we wait?"

Shurlae softened her look, possibly genuinely taken aback by Jevan's words. When Jecan's gaze lingered down her body and came back up however, there was no a sly smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

In response to Jevan's offer of a drink, she said nothing but offered a very slight shrug of one shoulder and her head, implying a gesture of acceptance.

The bottle of brandy however, had disappeared from the bar top. Instead, nearby Alystia held the bottle, having slipped it away unseen and now help it unstopped as she sniffed it much in the same way Jevan had before; except she crinkled her nose in response to the aroma.

---

Hate to be a hypocrite but my rolls are in the log. Posting from my phone so it is not easy/efficient to copy them over. but Alystia rolled *another* 20.

"The Dark Mother help me child, but you are quick on your feet," Jevan said with a grin. He took the bottle from Alystia. "Your mother wont thank me for pouring you your first brandy just before a celebration with House Baenre. A few more years, Alystia."

Jevan took two rock glasses off the bar and poured a finger into each. Heeding his own advice he refrained from pouring more. After all, he too had to be on his best game that evening. He handed one of the glasses to Shurlae.

Alystia handed the bottle to Jevan without protest, only cocking her head slightly to the side. "You said you shouldn't give it to me just before House Baenre comes. But then you said years. That's not fair, there's a big difference. The only fair thing is to split the difference; just after the celebration with House Baenre."

Shurlae giggled, and accepted the brandy. "Wish you were back at Melee Magthere with all those... sweaty boys yet?" she said teasingly.

"That would be fair," Jevan conceded to Alystia. "But alas I've only convinced your mother to let me have you until the celebration. Afterwards you belong to her again. I shall have to sneak you away again at a later date," he said with an indulgent wink for his niece.

"And no," he continued, turning now to Shurlae. "Not in the least. I haven't had a decent meal in ten years. Or a good drink for that matter." Jevan lifted the cup to his nose and savored the bouquet once more.

"Now this - this I could get used to. To new beginnings," he said, raising his glass to Shurlae.

"You're too big to be sneaky I bet I can do a better job at that" Alystia stated without hesitation.

Shurlae couldn't resist another giggle. She raised her glass to clink Jevan's, a movement that in her recumbent position once more compromised the integrity of her outfit though she still refused to acknowledge it. "New beginnings. Here's to hope it's not just the same old shit, new Narbondel" she said, then after the toast tossed back the brandy; not drinking it entirely but still draining more than she left behind.

"Oh ho!" Jevan remarked with a chuckle for Alystia. "Be careful what you wager, young miss! That sounds like a game for you and your uncle to play later."

"New Narbondel," he finished, raising the glass to his lips. As the brandy hit his tongue he closed his eyes and relished in the moment.

Alystia narrowed her eyes playfully at the challenge, then nodded in agreement.

The brandy went down smooth, somewhat tart on its own but delightfully sweet nonetheless. Soon after, the door leading further into the suite swung open; "Brother! Welcome home... I see you've helped yourself to the amenities, be my guest of course. I know Shurlae is hardly one to play the host."

Xullin walked into the room, eyeing the brandy in Jevan's hand. Jevan's brother matched him almost exactly in height, as well as the broadness of their shoulders. Xullin's hair however was died primarily a deep purplish blue though it still had a significant amount of natural white streaks throughout; he had cut it since the last time Jevan had seen him but it was still long enough to warrant a low ponytail to keep it close along his neck and shoulders. In addition to the hair, Xullin had magically added facial hair to his jawline and chin; Jevan knew that the unnatural beards were rather 'in' fashion among Menzoberranzanian noble mages currently. Xullin wore his in long, spiky mutton chops that were distinctly cut off from a narrow and pointed goatee; all the same blue and white as his hair. He wore spider silk robes but had shrugged the top portion off so it hung loosely from his waste, while his lean but muscled torso and arms were covered with arcane glyphs and symbols which he now was wiping off with a towel.

"My apologies for the delay, I wrapped up as quickly as I could without risking our safety, I'm sure you understand" he said casually.

"Brother!" Jevan replied merrily. He held out his arms to embrace Xullin as adults for the first time in their shared existence. "So good to see you again."

"No apologies are necessary. On the contrary, Shurlae has been a perfectly agreeable drinking companion."

"Would you care for a drink as well, or must you return to your duties shortly?"

"Those two are not mutually exclusive," Xullin said, patting Jevan on the shoulder blade as they embraced. "I can visit for a while, the work never ends but it is not every day my younger brother returns from a sojourn of ten years. The brandy is excellent, is it not? Rather expensive, it hails from somewhere outside the City of Waters Deep, where the humans who prepare it likely only know of drow from scary stories they tell their children. Well worth the price of smuggling it from halfway through the world."

"Waters Deep?" Jevan replied as he reached for another glass and unstopped the bottle once more.

"Well its well worth the price. Here you are. We were just raising a glass to new beginnings."

"New Narbondel, brother."

Jevan took another sip.

"I have to thank you. Your former masters at Sorcere speak highly of you. The name 'Freth' is well looked upon in those halls, and my stay was all the more pleasant for it."

Xullin waved away Jevan's repetition of the city name, as if implying it did not really matter or at least he did not care to explain. He took the glass of brandy and tipped it, accepting the toast before taking a sip. He took a seat on a highbacked chair next to the fire, which roared to life with a snap of Xullin's fingers, burning a warming purple and blue flame.

"I am glad to hear. Headmaster Baenre offered me an instructor position there, it was difficult turning him down but ultimately my talents are needed here at home. I see you didn't let your time there go to waste... an interesting sort of magic you wield, Jevan."

Jevan smiled. "I learned what I needed to," he said modestly. "No one is offering me an instructor position of course, but then I'm just a simple swordsman and our needs are not complicated."

"Don't be so modest, you are a Freth and nothing we do is ever simple" Xullin said with certainty. "You said the masters of Sorcere treated you well, what of the students? Did they give you any trouble?"

Here Jevan paused with his glass part way to his lips. "Truthfully?"

"Not at all - until last night."

"You observed the Grand Melee. I embarrassed a few of the other houses on my climb to the top. The sons of Duskryn and Auvryndar in particular took exception. They tried to head me off on route to the ceremony, and they had three accomplices in Sorcere waiting at the gates."

"I gave them the slip of course," Jevan said, lifting his glass to his lips.

"But I can't help but wonder if I shall see them again."

"Duskryn and Auvryndar? Absoluetely. In one way or another, they're both practically our neighbors. As for the students of sorcere you slipped past? I doubt it. But mayhaps."


Xullin swirls the brandy around in his glass for a moment, looking into it and watching the liquid move. "There is a tradition among the graduating class of Sorcere. They're small classes usually, unlike Melee Magthere, so even the third or fourth ranked student often find themselves at the bottom of the totem pole. Those graduates will ire at their placement but have few options as to what to do about it; one way they make themselves feel better is by reminding themselves they are better than others. When the Grand Melee champion proves to be someone with skill in magic, they like to take them and put them through Sorcere's own rigorous graduation challenge, with some prize as promise to coerce them. If that was what they had in store for you it is better that you gave them the slip; such things while rarely deadly are stacked rather unfairly and designed to make the victim embarrass himself."

For some reason Jevan seemed to find this revelation uproariously funny. "Perhaps I should have let them corner me after all," he remarked. "Then I could have graduated at the top of two classes."

"I'm sure you're right though. Its only fun to play with a stacked deck when you're the dealer, not the mark. Ah well. They never got the chance to play."

Xullin shrugs; "They would have put you up against the worst in the class, so the best outcome would have made you look just as good as their worst, but yes they would have been playing with a stacked deck. Plus even if had succeeded you would have won foremost an enemy for a lifetime."

Still, Jevan's brother seems to likewise find the whole situation and Jevan's handling of it humorous, a mischievous smile tugging at the side of his mouth.

"But alast, you are out now. Free Freth once more. Tell me brother, what did you miss the most?"

"Competent servants," Jevan replied unhesitatingly. "One grows accustomed to good help and does not realize how invaluable their service is until it's stripped away."

Xullin frowned at the concept and nodded in agreement. "Well, if my predictions are right you should get a chance to fix that quickly..." Shurlae cut in, giving Jevan a sly wink.

"Yes, while at Sorcere I even had to refill my own inkpots... dreadful wasting of time." He said, shivering a bit performatively. He held his glass up to acknowledge a toast to better servants, then tipped it back for another sip. "What of the inverse?" he added, a somewhat more puzzling and interpretive question.

"Do you mean what do I miss most of Tier Breche now that I've returned?" Jevan inquired. "Or what did I miss the least in my time away?"

"To the former, I'm not sure that I know yet. I haven't been home all that long. There are some faces I will miss, certainly. Late night games of sava when I ought to have been in bed," he added with a wink. "But given the choice between home and Melee Magthere - well that's really no choice at all. I know where I'd rather be."

"And to the later, well," here he paused and took a sip. "When I left home I was a child. When I stepped onto the plateau of Tier Breche for the first time I was my own man. And all it took was one footstep. Such a strange thing."

He smiled and looked at Alystia. "Savor it while you can. There will be time enough for brandy when you're older."

Xullin raised his eyebrows, appraising Jevan's answers. "Well, I expect the fun was primarily being somewhere you shouldn't,  but let it be known my door is always available for an enterprising game of Sava. Dont play with Shurlae though, she cheats" he said, glancing over as the wizard who stuck her tongue out in response.

"Well then I'll either have to get better or play for stakes I can afford to lose," Jevan chuckled, eying Shurlae. "But you can be certain I will take you up on the offer, Xullin. Although perhaps not tonight. We still have much to prepare and Alystia and I must visit Kerrigan and Welverin next."

Xullin seemed to clock Jevan's demeanor and words towards Shurlae, then perked up as he caught Jevan's implication on his schedule. "Well if you must leave so soon, so be it. Please, take the bottle of brandy, consider it a gift to welcome you back home."

Jevan finished his drink and set the glass aside. "That's very generous of you, brother. Why don't I leave it here for now. I'll come back for it when we play sava."

"Mother has asked me to make the rounds. I wont be heading to my chambers for a while yet."

Xullin furrows his brow in thought for a moment, but nods at Jevan's proclamation. "Can't promise how much will remain in the bottle if you leave it within Shurlae's reach. But, good luck with the others. Come to think of it, I feel I haven't seen Bryndalyn around in quite some time; let her know I've missed her."

Xullin stood up, leaving his glass in front of Shurlae who put on an exaggerated pout towards Jevan. "Nice to see you again... Jevan! I'll remember it, promise, I'll have to if you're taking the brandy" Shurlae said teasingly, giving him a wink. "Hope things get to be more fun with you around."

Xullin paused at the door which led deeper into his suite, turning his head back; he seemed to be frowning at that. "Oh, and Jevan? Be sure to let me know if anything or anyone seems to be... out of place. House mage and all, I can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of our family."

"Of course," Jevan acquiesced with a bow of his head. "And I will be sure to give your love to Bryndalyn. Come along, Alystia! Lets go see your Aunt Kerri"

Alystia nodded and followed Jevan out; Shurlae blew her a kiss as she said farewell to both the battle captive and Xullin who only retreated deeper into his sanctum. Alystia began running as soon as the left, leading Jevan towards the house barracks and gymnasium.

Upon arrival, Jevan could hear shouts of orders echoing through the hall; Welverin's raspy deep voice calling out drill instructions. A group of the house soldiers stood at attention, awaiting inspection as Welverin walked the line with Kerrigan observing over his shoulder; the house guard was in full dress uniform, a sharp outfit of dark leathers but little in the way of practical armor, and with no weapons visible on any display. Welverin himself wore a similar outfit though more decorated and with a long saber hanging off his hip; one of his pant legs was tucked into his high boots as customary, but the other was cut short and tapered off as Welverin proudly displayed his artificial silver prosthetic. Besides that, the drow was a tightly wound mass of leathery skin an knotted muscles; his hair was shorn nearly entirely and a myriad of scars from previous conflicts adorned his pockmarked flesh.

Behind the weapons master, Kerrigan still wore her dark leather armor and a sophisticated crossbow on her back. Her hair was shaven on both sides and braided tight through the middle and along the back of her head. Neither she or Welverin, focused on the soldiers at attention, turned to notice Jevan or Alystia as they approached.

"I'm sure the house guard had weapons when I left. Have we fallen on hard times?" Jevan asked with a grin as he approached. "Hello, Kerrigan. Hello, Welverin. I have returned, and I have young Alystia with me."

The two turned to look at Jevan, Welverin nodding to him in greeting while Kerrigan scowled. "No visible weapons when we have guests Jevan, we are civilized."

"Arms!" Welverin shouted, prompting the line of soldiers to each produce a short, slender blade and a hand crossbow from the hidden folds of their uniforms; holding them out for inspection.

Kerrigan didn't look directly at Jevan when she spoke; "Why did you bring Alystia? The barracks have been cleaned."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"Alystia is assisting me on special instruction from her mother," Jevan replied. "I'm afraid you can't have her."

"Very clever," Jevan remarked, stopping beside Welverin to take stock of the first guard in line. "And a smart looking uniform. It will show well tonight."

Kerrigan scowled at Jevan's tone while he looked over the first soldier in line. His short blade was lender and slightly curved at the tip, well sharpened and oiled as to not make a sound entering or leaving the sheath while his crossbow remained unloaded and slack. Altogether meticulously well cared for; however this did not save him from the sharp crack of a riding whip smarting him right on the forehead. Jevan caught only the slightest wavering of the male's focus--eyes turning to meet his own--before Kerrigan dealt the punishing blow. The soldier winced only slightly, returning to a perfect emotionless and presenting state immediately.

"I do not envy your babysitting Jevan, though I did not expect you to need help finding your quarters, or is she to help you pick out an outfit?" Kerrigan remarked casually, not addressing the swift punishment that had just played out; however she still held the riding crop, a thick but short leather whip meant for the giant lizards often used as mounts that Jevan knew Kerrigan did enjoy riding. "Perhaps you too should report for inspection prior to the Baenre's arrival, we can't risk embarrassment on the behalf of a child."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"I've been enjoying her company," Jevan said sincerely. He turned a fond smile towards his niece. "She's actually rather like you, Kerri, and I mean that as a compliment. Welverin here could do great things with her one day if her mother will allow it but that's hardly my place to say."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Wed 02 Mar 2022.

"Dismissed!" the old weapons master called, after finishing his inspection and getting a nod of approval from mistress Kerrigan. However, she immediately snapped her fingers at the reprimanded soldier from beforehand clucked her tongue in a manner that suggested not you, and he immediately halted any attempt to leave and returned to attention.

As the other soldiers filed away, giving the nobles the privacy appropriate for such a reunion, Kerrigan finally turned directly towards Jevan, not meeting his eyes but studying him up and down as if in appraisal. "What sort of compliment should I take from being compared to a whelp? Welverin taught me nothing, what I learned I did so on my own. Regardless, she destined for priesthood first and foremost and you would do well to remember that."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"You mistake my meaning, sister," Jevan replied. "The compliment is to Alystia for emulating the strong qualities of her aunt."

"As for Welverin, I at least credit him with my earliest education and it has taken me to the very top of Melee Magthere. All the more credit to you, sister, for accomplishing what you have without a tutor, but there is no shame in seeking out a mentor."

"Its why Tier Breche exists, after all."

Alystia nodded vigorously, seeming eager to please her aunt along with Jevan. Kerrigan however, only scowled deeper. "Is that what you say to convince yourself that your championship was a worthwhile endeavor? Cute, Jevan. We will have to see if your 'mentor' can keep us alive for another year, right Welverin?"

Welverin seemed to be doing his best not to engage the conversation and replied with a low "Mmmm," before adding "Worthwhile endeavor."

Kerrigan shrugged. "I don't like the sort of attention that this Baenre visit brings, Jevan. I'd prefer to be forgotten about until the time is right."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

"I suppose we'll just have to disagree, Kerri. I for one prefer to not be forgotten at all," he smiled disarmingly though he knew in advance that Kerrigan had dug her heels in and it was unlikely to have the desired outcome.

"I can see I've caught the two of you in the midst of important house business and I fear I've detained you long enough. Unless of course you have further need of us?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, Jevan" Kerrigan sounded off, shaking her head as if in disappointment. "So eager to run off, fawning over your little niece. You haven't even acknowledged your nephew" she said, tipping her head and pointing with her eyes at the 'soldier' who was still obediently standing at attention.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:15, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

Jevan squinted at the soldier. "Spirdor? My, but I never would have guessed. I can see it now though. You were just a boy last I laid eyes upon you, and look at you now."

Squinting at Spirdor, Jevan could still hardly recognize the man who stood before him. The sides and back of his head were nearly shaven in an undercut while the top was straight and combed backward neatly. He wore the armor and regalia of a common house soldier, no piwafwi in sight. But he was tall, currently at attention he seemed a hair taller than Jevan though it may have been the boots... in addition to the height, we was much more thick both in torso and in his appendages, having apparently both put on some muscle and failed to skip any meals since last Jevan saw him.

As Jevan spoke, Kerrigan circled around the other side of Spirdor, a conspiratorial frown on her face. Just off to the side of Spirdor where Jevan knew he would be aware of her presence in periphery but unable to see her clearly, Kerrigan lifted her hand to his shoulder. Out of one long black sleeve slipped a tiny, ruby-red spider that crawled with purpose off of her hand and onto Spirdor's shoulder.

"Yes, he's grown quite a bit. Still has much to learn and strengthen with, of course" Kerrigan said flatly, watching carefully at Spirdor's reactions as the spider crawled upon him.

"Why is he in the house livery like a common soldier?" Jevan inquired as he watched the spider step onto Spirdor's shoulder. "There's nothing common about his blood."

"He's the second son of a second line. Hardly a step away from common blood; if he does well, he can earn a place as a captain of the house guard..." Kerrigan said callously, watching Spirdor's reaction to the spider crawling. "Any better than that and well... who will have to worry first, you or Welverin? Hmmm..."

The tiny ruby red spider crept its way over Spirdor's collar, lightly touching his neck before beginning the vertical ascent. Spirdor, to his credit, only tensed slightly and managed to remain at attention.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:24, Tue 15 Mar 2022.

Jevan's gaze followed the spider's ascent. His cheek tensed only slightly at Kerrigan dismissive remark.

"If he does well it will be for the betterment of House Freth," Jevan replied tactfully. He wasn't willing to let Kerrigan pit him against Spirdor. Not yet, at any rate.

The spider continues its ascent, veering perfectly off course as it takes its first steps directly onto Spirdor's face; which manages to remain stoic passive even as the ruby arachnid traipses across his cheek.

Kerrigan however now only had eyes for Jevan, sneering at his likewise passive response. "Well? Didn't you say you had some other business to attend to Jevan? Spirdor may be here for a while. That or a very, very short time."

"Indeed I did," Jevan said, with one last look for Spirdor.

"We must be off. Good to see you as always, Kerrigan. Welverin."

"I'll see you tonight, I'm sure. Come along now, Alystia."

Jevan turned on his heels and headed for the door, only too pleased to be out of his sister's view. Bryndalyn was next in line. Hopefully that would prove to be a more enjoyable encounter.

Welverin nodded dutifully towards Jevan before turning to Kerrigan; "May I be released as well, your mistress?" he asked flatly. Kerrigan broke her stare at Jevan to turn to the weapons master and gave him a short nod at which Welverin took a deep bow and headed further into the complex towards the armory.

As they strode away, Alystia fell in step with Jevan. After they walked in silence for a bit and were well out of earshot she piped up; "She's scary. I'm glad she isn't here most of the time."

"Where does she go when she isn't here?" Jevan asked with legitimate interest. "Do you know?"

Alystia screwed up her face with thought. "I've tried following her but I'm not supposed to leave the fence. She takes lots of weapons though, and is usually gone for several cycles."

"Curious," Jevan remarked. "This is a regular occurrence then?"

Alystia bobs her head, nodding. "Yes, I've seen her less than Bryndalyn, even though she only came home last year. I think she only came home because of your return, I hope she leaves again soon."

"I'll tell you what, Alystia," Jevan said, leaning in conspiratorially. "If you come and find me the next time Kerri leaves, I'll see if I can find out where she's going."

"I'm allowed past the fence after all," he concluded with a wink.

Alystia gives a mischievous smile to that; "And you'll take me with you, right?" she says with a suggestively leading tone as if the concept was a forgone conclusion.

"We'll see about that," Jevan said with an equally mischievous grin. "Your mother would certainly never approve of it. Not if she knew anyway."

"That's what makes it fun" Alystia responded with a wink.

The drow child sprinted off ahead without giving Jevan a chance to respond, pushing through what he knew to be the doors to the kitchen. As Jevan caught up, entering the kitchen he found a busy scene before him as servants rushed about to and fro, preparing various dishes as well as things simple as eating implements meticulously picked out and carefully prepped for the evening. In the midst of it all was a woman Jevan had never seen before; currently kneeling down as she embraced Alystia.

She stood upright as Jevan approached, playfully shoving Alystia away by the top of her head as the little girl batted at her arm. Bryndalyn grew her hair long, worn up in a high ponytail yet the tips still flowed almost to her buttocks. Two bangs hung freely and framed her round face with the snow white of her natural hair, while her amber eyes studied Jevan as he approached. She was of a height with her brother, and a bit more broad-shouldered though otherwise a bit more thin in her curvaceous body. She wore functional if plain leathers at the moment, rustic brown pants and a jacket laced up to her neck. She gave Jevan a nod as he approached.

"So, should we introduce ourselves or simply pretend we've always known one another since we are family after all?"

Jevan smiled familiarly. "As the younger sibling I feel as if I almost have always known you," he remarked. "The family's favorite topic of conversation is family after all and I was the one here to hear all the stories while you were away. Speaking from some measure of experience though, the reverse is considerably more jarring. I for one was not suitably forewarned about Kaggan," he added with a wink.

"Its nice to make it official though. Hello, Bryndalyn."

"Making it official would be formal introductions, but we can do it your way. Hello, Jevan" Bryndalyn sad with a cool nod. "If it is any consolation, I knew not about Kaggan either; I find myself grateful that you have but two arms. Kaggan surprised me so fully that I banished him on instinct alone. The spell only lasted but a minute but mother's scorn went on for a week."

Jevan chuckled. "I stepped through the ether behind him and levitated into the air. You wouldn't believe my surprise when he rose up after me."

"Alystia here speaks glowingly of you," he said, gazing down towards his niece. "So far I have found her to be a remarkably good judge of character."

"Flattery, dear brother? And from that statement am I meant to reverse the engineering and assume that since she is currently accompanying you, that logic would extend back upon yourself?" she responded, her mouth turning up on one side as she let out a small laugh herself. "Alystia will think the world of anyone who will let her get away with what she wants" she added, giving the child a sideways look and wink while Alystia pouted in protest.

"That would make her a very good judge of character," Jevan grinned. "When I was her age, I wanted the same thing."

"She is accompanying me because I have stolen her away from her mother for the afternoon - with her mother's permission of course. I thought I could do with a young assistant while I get ready for tonight and her talents seemed so woefully underutilized scrubbing the chapel apse. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement."

"Learning how to manipulate males already, little Alystia? You will go far" Bryndalyn said, covering her mouth as she giggled. She then dropped the hand and gave the girl a stern look; "You'll go further though if you can tell me what's wrong with what your uncle just said."

Alystia's jaw dropped with surprise, but she quickly bit her lip in recovery as she considered it. "It is sacrilegious for him to imply that his own needs are elevated above that of tending to Lloth's sacred chapel" the young girl delivered in a lowered voice, looking down at the ground.

Bryndalyn nodded approvingly, then looked upon Jevan and raised both eyebrows as though curious to his reaction though she said nothing as of yet.

---

19:48, Today: Fate, for the NPC Alystia, rolled 15 using 1d20.  Wisdom Check.

"Well learned, Alystia," Jevan said. "Although I might suggest that in this one instance and one instance alone, both aims are the same. The goal tonight is to impress Baenre, and that is a house affair."

"To that end parading the guard, arranging the banquette and overseeing the meal preparation are all vitally important. As is presenting a refined face. Perhaps none are as rarefied as tending to the Dark Mother's rites, but without them the evening will fail. I assure you, Bryndalyn, I was entirely scrupulous and forthcoming with Faemyra when I begged Alystia's assistance."

"The chapel is in good hands, as are all of our affairs. Forgive me if it seems I implied anything more."

Bryndalyn considered Jevan for a moment, chewing her lip. "No harm is done, but I would be in a poor position indeed if I did not assure that Alystia was capable of recognizing such slips. We all want her to succeed when she inevitably joins Arach-Tinilith, no?"

Bryndalyn then turned, sweeping her gaze out around the kitchen at the various staff tending to a myriad of tasks all attempting to act as if they were invisible yet useful to the nobles. "Your flattery on the other hand is appreciated if misplaced."

"As is only expected and proper," Jevan said, bowing his head in acknowledgement.  "We all want the best for young Alystia."

He had been away at Melee-Magthere altogether too long, it seemed. Now that he was home he would have to be more mindful of his tongue again. It was a good thing Jevan was just as good at getting himself out of trouble with it as he was at getting into trouble in the first place.

When Bryndalyn turned, Jevan did as well. "Why do you say that?" he asked. "It hardly seems as though there is a dish out of place."

Bryndalyn turned back to Jevan, looking him straight in the eyes though without the usual sneer or superiority that most high priestesses adopted. "I graduated top in my class, Jevan. And I lived, when a quarter of top priestesses do not survive the final ritual. No offense meant to your ranking in Melee Magthere, all credit is due, but Arach-Tinilith is a different beast altogether. Yet I have hardly left the house in the year since my return, mother finds no use for my talents. Do you think the kitchen is a place of much honor in the duty I can provide?"

"Ah," Jevan remarked. "I take your point. No. I am sure mother appreciates your eye on the meal preparation tonight, but you could be doing much more I have no doubt."

"If it is not presumptuous of me to ask, what might you prefer to be doing? And I don't just mean tonight. Faemyra and Xullin would have had clear courses charted before them when they graduated from Tier Breche. And Kerrigan seems to have carved her own niche - and in her own manner and time to hear her tell it."

"I expect as the youngest siblings, barring Kaggan of course, you and I will have to find our own way forward and we won’t be invited to take the well trodden paths."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Mon 28 Mar 2022.

Bryndalyn screwed up her face for a moment, as if she hadn't actually considered the very thing she was complaining about. Her eyes looked around the kitchen for a moment before she bit her lip and adopted a different, more demure tone than the harsh one she used before; "You're right of course, this is an important duty and I suppose the nerves are just getting to me. I should speak so... unfairly without greater consideration."

Jevan gave a slight nod. "I understand."

"Should you ever wish to speak about it again though, I would be pleased to listen. I've been told I am a good listener. Sometimes I find it helps to put your thoughts in order simply to put them into words."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Mon 28 Mar 2022.

Bryndalyn chewed on her lip again and twirled a strand of her hair around one finger. "... I may have to take you up on that. It is your first day out of the academy and I still remember how it was when I first returned home, first time glimpsing freedom from both home and school yet not knowing what to do with it. Perhaps I can show you a place or two in the city I like to escape to from time to time? Help you get your bearings, and we can... talk."

"That sounds wonderful, Bryndalyn. I sincerely look forward to the occasion, and the opportunity to get to know you better."

He glanced around the kitchen before turning to regard his sister once more. "We should probably let you get back to your duties. I daresay Alystia and I have stolen enough of your time for one day. It has been a pleasure to meet you though."

Bryndalyn puts a hand on Jevan's shoulder. "Right. Be well, Jevan. Don't let yourself get stagnant" she says and then gives him a nod of affirmation before turning back to busy herself about the kitchen duty.

Jevan smiled and motioned for Alystia to follow. "Take care," he said, turning to head back out.

"Mother, Jhannis, Faemyra, Xullin, Kerrigan, Welverin, Bryndalyn. That just leaves Elengo. Lets go pay a visit, shall we?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:13, Thu 31 Mar 2022.

"I'm not sure where he would be..." Alystia contemplated aloud as the two left the kitchen heading out into the hall.

Before Jevan could respond, another figure turned the corner down the other end of the hallway; a tall, lanky drow with incredibly long flowing white locks that spilled out of his somewhat ridiculous hood; ridiculous for the fact that the hood was attached only to a set of shoulder pauldrons, ending in a flat-lying collar that tapered to a point no further than the top of his sternum. Besides that, his torso was bare, showing off an intricate series of silver tattoos done in a style reminiscent of ancient elven architecture... as well as a tall, thin torso of finely sculpted lean muscle. He wore tight-fitting dark hide pants along with high-thigh laced boots, and carried no large blade weapons but instead had a myriad of daggers strategically placed over various spots on his person.

"Jevan, what a coincidence... I was just looking for you" he said in a low, whisperlike voice that forced others to strain to hear him. There was no doubt that this was Elengo, the very spymaster that Jevan had determined to seek out.

Jevan was just about to remark to Alystia that Elengo would in all probability find them when the pair rounded the bend and whom should appear before them but the spymaster himself.

"Elengo!" Jevan said, breaking into a wide grin. "So good to see you."

"We were looking for you too."

"How have you been, my friend?"

"Busy, but alive. And you my boy? Don't even try to tell me you've been keeping out of trouble" Elengo said, reaching out a hand to clasp Jevan's wrist and allowing Jevan to feel the tightly bound thin blade in his glove as he did.

"Certainly not!" Jevan protested. "I just don't allow myself to get caught!" He took Elengo's hand and grinned.

Elengo tipped his head back with a hearty laugh, shaking Jevan's hand and patting it with his other. "So, let us not beat around the bush, boy. You've had time to start re-acquainting yourself around here. How do you find things?"

"How do I find things?" Jevan asked. He pursed his lips briefly in thought. "Mother is much the same, though she fawns over Kaggan. This, at least for me, is a new development. I don't consider us in competition though, so it does not overly concern me."

"For his own part, Kaggan is exuberant, and I expect seldom chastised. He is unfocused potential. Its too early to know how that will play out."

"Faemyra remains ever dutiful and proper as expected of the first daughter. My welcome was warm, if perhaps slightly formal. Her daughter Alystia has been an absolute delight," Jevan added, casting an affection grin towards his niece. "I can't say that I gleaned much from my encounter with Spirdor. He was not at his liberty when we met to put it mildly."

"Jhannis, is, well, Jhannis," Jevan continued with a wave of his wrist as though this were somehow self-explanatory.

"And my reunion with Xulin was very pleasant. I hope to engage his company again soon. Shurlae is also a treat, to be sure."

"Kerrigan..." Jevan slowed. What to say about Kerrigan? "Seems - pleased with her lot. I gather she isn't around much." Probably for the best, he considered.

"And Bryndalyn was delightful. I was quite pleased to finally make her acquaintance."

"Welverin on the other hand was extremely tight lipped. I expect I'll have to corner him again when he's not attending to his duties."

"And that leaves - well, you," Jevan grinned.

"I don't think anyone sees competition between you and Kaggan... though that may not mean what you think" Elengo said enigmatically. "Kaggan is to most in the house as you seem to have found your niece; a star to be eagerly watched for its precipitous rise."

"Welverin is always tight-lipped, it is one of the reasons he has lived as long as he has. As for the others... well, they will all require a special touch I'm sure... cannot say too much without giving it all away after all."

Elengo smpiled and dipped his head to Jevan's finishing lead. "Me? I am well, all things considered. Busy, as always. Menzoberranzan does not sleep, so keeping up with its every wink is a full time duty. Meanwhile, things within the family seem to be changing so much even if the house as a whole does not."

"That is in fact precisely what I mean," Jevan remarked. "I'm no Draegloth, and I don't aspire to be. Thankfully I will not be held to the standards of one either. It is enough to be me and all that entails."

"What things have you noticed changing within the family?" he inquired. "You've ten years of observation that I missed."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:37, Fri 22 Apr 2022.

Elengo tapped his chin thoughtfully for a moment, though his eyes peered at Jevan as if not only considering his question but also what he should reveal. "The thenid sui ha na-... we are waiting. Gathering our resources while growing in power... or some of us at least."

---

Jevan, with his languages, knows that thenid sui ha na- translates literally to 'law as it is'.
If you wish to see if you know more, you can go ahead and give me a history check, either with or before your post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:23, Sat 23 Apr 2022.

Jevan cocked his head, immediately intrigued ”Oh?” he prompted. ”Some are not then? Perhaps they have more immediate aims?”

Considering it, Jevan recalls that "thenid sui ha na-" meaning "law as it is" has a distinct ancient Elvish counterpart; "thenid sui ha ucita" which has a literal translation of "Law as it should be." The distinction between the two could purely be a matter of stating a fact of neutrality, or it might be signaling displeasure or even outright contempt... difficult to determine which however.

Elengo for his part, simply shook his head. "You misunderstand my meaning. Some grow in power... while others simply wait. Some may consider themselves stagnating or even wilting, though it would be mutinous if so."

”Ah, I think I get your meaning now,” Jevan replied. Although just who was gathering power and who was stagnating was not immediately obvious to him. He could guess, possibly, but it would be based on the briefest of all impressions and it would do him no favours to get it wrong.

”The vine must be healthy to bear fruit. Perhaps it needs tending to?”

Elengo tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps. Though any gardener must tend carefully, less they risk attracting the ire of the garden's owner who may think it a slight on their capability."

Jevan grinned. "Who are we if not careful gardeners, Elengo?" Jevan asked. "After all, we just want what is best for all concerned," he continued with feigned piety.

"Perhaps once tonight's festivities are behind us, you and I can sit down and more thoroughly devote ourselves to the prospect."

He looked down and affectionately tousled his niece's hair. "I'm sure it would just bore Alystia to tears."

"You two are plotting, I know it" Alystia said, narrowing her eyes though the effect was betrayed by a hint of a smile.

Elengo chuckled, and nodded his head. "Yes, tonight may be good. One must see what has been planted before they can plan for the harvest."

"Us? No," Jevan said with good humor. "We're merely catching up. Isn't that right, Elengo?"

"But come now. I've taken enough of Elengo's time. You and I should get ready for tonight. Your mother will be wanting you back at some point."

Elengo dips his head; "And still much catching up to do. Be well, young Freth and we will tend our garden yet. Miss Alystia, do see to it he is on his best behavior tonight."

The young girl sighed, then nodded and moved to follow Jevan. The evening loomed presently, and there was little enough yet too much to do beforehand. Before long, a long retinue of soldiers would be escorting none other than a Baenre up to the doors of House Freth...

---

(( If there is anything you would like to do before the dinner, now is the time to put it into motion. Otherwise, feel free to discuss how you get ready and what you wear for the event. ))

Jevan returned to his chambers with Alystia in tow, and set his finest vestments out for her 'approval' while he had the house servants draw up a hot bath. Rather than leave such an important decision as his wardrobe up to the whims of a child however (no matter how cultured and informed), Jevan gently guided his niece towards the choices he already had in mind and then congratulated her on her astute taste and acumen. When they at last reached a 'consensus' Jevan sent Alystia on her merry way and slipped into the warm tub to soak before the evening's festivities.

He was bathed, oiled and dressed with time to spare deeming it imprudent to show up to his own fete fashionably late and instead made a point of making himself available to his mother one final time before their guests arrived as a show of familial obligation.