An Uncomfortable Visit

Caelynn Xiloscient took three deep, calming breathes—-in through the nose and exhaling slowly through their mouth—-then quickly adjusted her robes, trying to make sure that she appeared presentable. Satisfied with her efforts, she reached out hesitantly and rang the gong-like bell at the door of the Sun Soul monastery, that faced the Hero’s Garden in northern Waterdeep. She knew her friends were right, that her best chance of finding a staff that carried a sufficient enchantment to be useful to them against the creatures that they had faced—-and most assuredly would face more of in their ongoing quest—-was to consult with other members of her order. However, she was still adjusting to her new friends impetuous nature. They would jump from discussing an idea to acting on it in the blink of an eye, all while Caelynn was just starting to roll the idea around in her mind. The pace of life outside the monastery was so much quicker than what her fifty years of study and contemplation in the monastery had prepared her for.

After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably only a minute or two, the monastery’s outer door—-thick oaken planks bound with black iron—-opened to reveal a young looking human male, wearing the robes of her order. A look of surprise flickered quickly over the human’s face, as he tried to reconcile the familiar sight of the robes of a Sun Soul monk that she wore, with the wholly unfamiliar appearance of Caleynn’s elvish features. After a few seconds, he seems to gain sufficient control of his thoughts to tent his hands in front of his chest, bow his head slightly, and stammer “Welcome to the Sun Soul Monastery. My name is Thadeus, how may I be of service?” She replied: “I am Caelynn Xiloscient, from the Sun Soul Monestary in Silverymoon. I am visiting Waterdeep, and wanted to pay my respects to your master. Might they be available now?”

Thadeus inclined his head slightly, and said “Of course, please step inside and I will check whether master Valeria is available.” Thadeus ushered Caelynn into the cool, sparsely decorated entrance hallway of the monastery, indicated that Caelynn should stay there, and disappeared down one of the three hallways that opened off of the entrance hall. Caleynn stood silently, trying not fidget until Thadeus returned. “Master Valeria says she would be delighted to speak with you. Please follow me.” Caelynn winced internally; she had been hoping that the master would be too busy to meet with her, giving her a plausible reason to not have to converse with a stranger—particularly one from who she was going to ask for a large favor.

Thadeus led her down branching hallways, past a communal dining room and the entrances to monks personal chambers, before ushering her into a medium sized chamber. The room was well-lit by windows facing onto the open practice yard at the center of the monastery. A woman wearing the robes of the Order of the Sun Soul stood with her back to the door—-busying herself with an earthenware teapot and cups. The woman turned—-Caelynn noted that the woman’s hair was graying, and that her face showed some subtle lines, suggestive of late middle age—-and greeted her “Welcome Caelynn, it is a pleasure to meet a member of our order from another monastery. I am Valeria. Will join me for some tea? I’m most interested in hearing news from Silverymoon and the rest of the world outside Waterdeep.” Valeria gestured to a low table surrounded by sitting mats in the center of the room, and said “Please, sit.” Valeria moved the tea set to the center of the table, sat down opposite of Caelynn, and poured each of them a cup of a fragrant herbal tea.

Caelynn sniffed her cup tentatively, and her nose was greeted by a pungent minty aroma. As Caelynn sipped the tea, Valeria said “Tell me, how is master Siora these days? And what brings you to Waterdeep?” Caelynn licked her lips and nervously, and said, “Master Siora was well, at least when I left Silverymoon a few months ago. As to why I’m in Waterdeep, I am on a mission given to me by Siora.”

Then, as if a dam had burst, words began to pour out of Caelynn as she recounted her last two months: meeting her new friends in Red Larch; defeating the crazed necromancer at Lance Rock; the sinkhole and the “Believers” in Red Larch; traveling to Goldenfields, and then to the Halls of the Hunting Axe where they had found Nazz’s mother Quilanna—-petrified but still apparently clinging to life; their journey to Waterdeep to find a way of reviving Quilanna; and their most recent side adventure at Brantifax Manor, with the ghosts and wereravens.

“So,” Caelynn said, “I am afraid that with all the supernatural creatures we’ve encountered, that my current weapon”—-gesturing to the initiates staff she had leaned against the wall before she sat—“may not sufficient, and that without an enchanted weapon, I may put our mission in jeopardy.” Valeria nodded and looked thoughtful for moment. “I believe I understand your concern. I may be able to help. However, I would ask a boon of you in return. I’m afraid that my current cadre of monks is split between those too old, or too inexperienced for service in the field. I would ask that you allow me to call on you to perform a field mission in the future, should the need arise.” Caelynn nodded in agreement, a tight feeling of excitement in her chest in throat—-she was sure that Valeria was going to refuse her request, and a possible future mission seemed a small price to pay.

Valeria gave her a faint smile, said “please wait here,” and exited the room. A few minutes later she reappeared, carrying a staff made from a dark wood, its well worn surface showing signs that had been well used in the past. “This is the staff I used to carry with me, back in the days I was still youthful and eager enough to travel beyond the monastery seeking adventure. Although it has seen much use, I believe it will serve you well.” Caelynn swallowed hard—-master Valeria’s own staff! She bowed deeply, and Valeria handed her the staff. It felt comfortable and well balanced in her hands, and although Caleynn wasn’t completely sure, she thought she felt a felt thrum coming from the staff. Valeria looked Caelynn in the eye, and said “I hope it serves you as well as it served me. May Lathander go with you.”