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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.