Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

"Did you hear that, Orryn?" Kellen exclaims, promptly redirecting her attention to her Aidwyn "The strong lady wishes to meet Jandar! she She must want to join us!"

"Of course she wants, Kellen!" agrees Orryn "Whoever travels with a baby-couatl must necessarily want to join our Order!"

"I'll run and call Jandar!" Kellen breaks into a quick run, disappearing inside the cathedral "You entertain the guests for a few seconds! In the meantime, let them tell you the story of the little one, so you can tell it to me later!"

Shortly afterwards, the gnome with curly brown hair returns, accompanied by a moon elf of notable stature, whose long silver hair, matching his long silver robe, does nothing to conceal his equally notable slenderness. The elf has embroidered Lathander's symbol on his robe: the sun that rises and flows without haste, with its own eyes, gold eyes, but flecked with purple, one by one, each of the newcomers.

"Did you see, Jandar?" exclaims an excited Orryn "There is a strong and courageous lady who wants to join us! She met me and Kellen, and she decided to join! And she is friends with this tiefling and this human, who are the parents of this Couatl! In truth, perhaps the lady wanted to join us even before meeting me and Kellen. It's always important to tell the truth, right, Jandar? But perhaps by knowing the two of us she was further convinced... After all, we told her of the Order of the Aster!"

"Yes, my good Orryn," the elf concedes, imperturbable "I don't doubt for a moment that you have spoken, certainly at length, probably no less than Kellen - and no," he forestalls the two, with a gentle but timely movement of the hand with long and thin fingers "at the moment I don't care which of you two spoke more - your value in trials requiring verbal skills is universally recognized throughout the Order".

While the two gnomes seem to be proud of what they perceive as a well-deserved compliment, Jandar, without changing his neutral and detached tone, begins to speak to you all: "Usually, in the dawn, beauty reigns, and the way is clearer. I however recognize that this sunset has brought an interesting concentration of news. A young Couatl... A Holyphant... Amazon's Guardian..."

After calling the name of the shield that Aidwyn is carrying, the elf, leaning a little on his long ash Quarterstaff, fixes his gaze on the features of the young heroine "You must be a descendant of my old friend Hippolyta Sharnshield, even if I don't find a lot of familiarity... In the nose, perhaps... But the rest of the somatic features you perhaps inherited from other families. You are however welcome, if you come to put the proverbial martial skill of the Sharnshields at the service of the Morninglord. For all of us of the Order of the Aster, the moment we began to live for Lathander was the dawn of our new life. Of our true life. A life of accepting the light within us, with the goal of one day being able to bring the dawn of a new era on the world; an era of peace, serenity, order, justice..." the neutral tone became more pleasantly warm, now "It will be wonderful - and it will be even more wonderful to accomplish this with you, my good noble lady. May I ask your name?"

Spira has a happy smile on her face as the two gnomes welcome her friend as a comrade and simultaneously prove most helpful in planning a romantic interlude with Darvin for the following dawn.  And like many a new mother before her, she quickly finds that her 'baby' is as apt at times to bring her consternation in the midst of her bliss as he is at others to bring her heart bliss even in the midst of calamity.  She is absolutely thunderstruck at the reaction of the two gnomes to Aedion, and the appearance of a priest she can already tell by all the signs must be high indeed in dignity and rank within his order has done nothing to soothe her nerves.  Calming Aedion and convincing him he hadn't done anything wrong and the nice priests weren't mad at him and of COURSE Mom and Dad still loved him and nothing in the world would ever ever change that had kept her very busy for a while; but now she finds herself profoundly grateful the moon elf's first attention is on welcoming Aidwyn.  It gives her time to huddle in a corner with Darvin as inconspicuously as possible, whispering over and over to him, "A couatl?  Do you know ... a couatl?  What does that mean?  What is our little Aedion...?" (Nature roll in log - 14)

Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

[[ OOC: Spira, although she now knows that Aedion is a 'Couatl', still has no idea what animal a Couatl is... Nothing 'natural' connected with this word comes to mind. ]]

Darvin is clueless too... "I don't know, my dear..." he admits "But he's adorable, and he's our boy. The rest does not matter".

However, seeing that the two gnomes have momentarily rested their tongues to let Jandar speak, the man-at-arms tries to get clarification from them: "Listen, Orryn, Kellen... My soulmate Spira and I have actually adopted the adorable Aedion - how could we not? He had no one to take care of him... However, we ignore his nature, which you seem to know more about. Could you explain to us, in a few, clear and slow words, what it is a 'Couatl'?"

“Nnnno,” Orryn says sloooowly. “Hhhoww cccould we be ccclearr, in jjjussttt a fffeww wwwoorrrddsss?”

"Really!" confirms Kellen "To be clear we need at least an average number of words. Couatl are extraordinary creatures!"

"I had never seen one in person!" exclaims Orryn (unable to speak slowly for too long, he just reverted, if not to to gnome-speech speed, at least to human-speech speed) "And so your name is Aedion, little wonder?" the gnome turns to the baby-winged-serpent "I am Orryn, knight of the Order of the Aster, nice to meet you!"

From the way the gnome's face lights up, the two are probably now having a telepathic exchange.

Meanwhile Kellen then decides to move on to the explanation: "The Couatl are literally angels in reptile form! They are not original to this reality of ours, but to paradise. They are magical guardians and caretakers invested with important and sacred tasks by primordial forces of good. They are now rare, but incredibly faithful to their mandate - it seems that they are able to foresee their own death and, consequently, before it overtakes them they take care of... bringing into the world a progeny that can continue their task. From what you told us, however, evidently your Aedion must have been born late, when the one who generated him was... no longer in our dimension".

Aidwyn squeeze a little bit Solitude's hand when she first sees the noble elf coming their way. After doing it again, perhaps to let her know that she hasn't forgotten about her, or to give herself valor, or perhaps a little bit of both, she replies to the cleric. 

"Well met your excellency." she made a slght bow with her head "  I have traveled to the Temple, along with my companions, Zentroyma, Darvin, Spira, little Aedion and Solitude to, indeed, humbly ask to join the Order and pledge my life to the Morning Lord so I can protect and care for those who cannot do it by themselves better, Had I had any doubts about it, hearing these two fine gentelmen words would have been erased" she smiles to the pair of gnomes. 

"We do come from Longsaddle but I am afraid that I am not a member of such noble family or even that village. But first please forgive us for being here so late. We just arrived to the city and thought that I better present my case now rather than in the morning when you are surely busier. But I am ahead of myself, please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Aidwyn from the hamlet of Lowriver. I beg your pardon but I've never heard of the great Hyppolita Sarmshield after I found her shield. It is a long history but I will try to summarize it. We " she points to Spira while they talk to the gnomes " along with others, and trying to help an expecting mother that had lost the parent of her child,  managed to enter a centuries long sealed dungeon made by a obssessed wizard that held captive my friend " she points to Zentroyma " among others.Long history short, we succeed and Lady Martha gave the shield to us as a reward. All my companions agreed that it shouldbe me who bore it  I felt honored by the trust of my companions to entrust it to me. " She presents the shield " By your words should I understand that you actually met her?" she cannot hide her awe upon that fact " If that's so perhaps you should keep it? Or send it to her rightful heirs? I am honored to carry such a noble shield but I do not want to have anything that doesn't belong to me.. "            

Spira draws a long breath of relief.  "Thank you, darling, for being the one to ask.  I didn't ... quite know how to begin ...," she whispers to Darvin  before turning to Kellen.  "We're so grateful for your explanation!  And so long as you confine yourself to an average number of words without spilling over into the territory of the above average, and keep it as clear as you've been so far, that will do.  Let's step aside a bit so we don't distract your superior from the conversation he's having with Aidwyn.  ... * ..." 

She waits until Aedion is done talking with the other gnome so she can include him in the conversation.  "So Aedion, it sounds like you really are akin to ... I suppose it would be your - cousin? - Zentromya ...  in the sort of being you are, even though your physical body in this world is shaped so differently.  There are many different worlds besides this one, and one of us can tell you about them later if you're curious."

Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

"Yes, my good young Aidwyn," Jandar stretches his lips in a small but unmistakable smile "I met Hippolyta Sharnshield in person, when she still lived among mortals, riding far and wide and making every place she happened to pass by safer. A fiery heart like that of short-lived races, but a tactical mind that had nothing to envy of that of warriors of races who have centuries at their disposal to refine it. You must consider that I am a elf, young Aidwyn; for this reason it is not so strange that I have met this wonderful specimen of your race, which to you must now seem so distant in time. You humans, appear like butterflies in my eyes... Some specimens are splendid - so much so that one wishes the Morninglord would grant them to live forever among us - but in an instant the time of their mortal life comes to an end. And that wondrous beauty, while passing into the eternal existence of Elysium, among mortals still echoes within my heart - and the memories of future generations, of course".

At the offer of the shield, the elf observes it with a certain interest, lost for a few moments in his own thoughts... then he makes a slight gesture of denial with his head: "Although carrying Hyppolita's material inheritance would honor me, I am convinced that there may be a profound reason, if this inheritance has found you rather than me. Not to mention that at least I can already count on the not inconsiderable privilege of carrying her spiritual inheritance. No, my good young Aidwyn," the look of the elf loses nothing of his interest, in passing to the eyes of the young heroine "the very fact that you have made such a generous offer speaks for you (as if the fact that you travel together with a mortal herald of holy power and two creatures from the upper planes did not already speak for you). You will carry Hyppolita 'Riding Reaper' Sharnshield's material inheritance in this world - and I have a feeling you will honor it".

"You're right, the time you arrived is late" the elf's gaze shifts to the last rays of the setting sun. "But we must never forget that the night serves only to prepare us for the new dawn.  This has been so true for me... Please, all of you, be guests of the Order of the Aster this night. Stay here at the cathedral. The accommodation will be more spartan than that of the best inns, but your waking up at dawn will be unforgettable. And as for you, my good young Aidwyn, you will be able to spend the night in prayer in the cathedral, before the altar of Lathander. You, who from tomorrow will be its light in the world, tonight you will be the light before in his eyes. And tomorrow at dawn I and your future brothers of the Order will join you and welcome you among us".

"It's wonderful!" rejoices Kellen "Welcome among us Aidwyn!"

"Well, welcome tomorrow," Orryn corrects the other "when you become one of us in every way... But welcome today also," he then corrects himself too "as a guest, since you'll be staying at the cathedral!"

“Because you are staying, right?” Kellen asks hopefully "Don't make us waste all these 'welcomes' for nothing..."

"Of course she will stay!" Orryn nudges the other "After all, we were the ones who recruited her... she won't let us down!"

Meanwhile, Aedion had plenty of time to respond to Spira: "Of course I'm curious, mom! Tell me about these many different worlds! And when I grow up, you'll tell me what the great task for which I came into the world is! I will devote myself to it faithfully, mom!"

Aidwyn, still amazed by the fact that Jandar had been friend with Hypolita, accept the shield back with solemnity, and swallows all the questions that came to her head about the great warrior. "A better time will come" she thinks to herself and just says 

"Thank you Jandar. I will do my best to honor her and her legacy..."

Then she feels her stomach jump and her heart accelerating when she hears the high cleric words. 

"It would be a honor to stay tonight at the Cathedral " she replies, feeling her mouth dry "And of course I will submit myself to Lathander in prayer and meditation through the night... And if it is His bidding, I would be honored to join the Order of the Aster as one of you." She sounded more confident that she felt. She expected to make her plea to some high ranking member of the Church, such as Jandar, and she had made her mind up to it... but it seemed that she has to convice the Lod of the Morning himself to allow him to join his servants. Now that she thinks about it that way, it made sense... but still. 
As the pair of enthusiastic gnomes guide them, lead by the elf, towards the cathedral, Aidwyn thinks

"Zentroyma I am in trouble... I do not know any suitable prayer for Lathander... " 

With a smile in her eyes, Spira explains to her 'baby', "Well, Aedion, I believe that everyone actually has a great task they are called to work towards.  And if they do their best to do that, and not hurt anyone else or get in the way of their tasks, it's all that can be expected of them and they can forgive themselves the times they still don't succeed even though they tried.  But it's actually two tasks; because even the people who love you best can't know the fullness of your heart and soul like you do.  So you're the only one who's really able to find out for sure what task you're best suited for.  I can help guide you, and I'll do MY best to teach you all I can so you have the knowledge to make good decisions."

"But the worlds part, that's fascinating!  Mom was actually not a priest at first, and it was partly because I found this idea of infinite worlds so fascinating that I ... changed careers  A little hastily, or you might have met Dad a lot sooner -- well, anyway, what I kept being drawn back to was this idea that there's actually thousands and thousands of worlds, but each one is ...  ... filled with a slightly different kind of energy than the others.  After that it gets a little strange.  This energy means that somehow, some of them actually share the same area in space but can't see or hear or touch each other except by magic.  Others are next to each other so you can travel between them from one to another, again by magic.  And some of these ones that are next to each other are connected to ideas like good and evil, or law and chaos; so that everything and everyone from that world has the energy of that idea within them and feels drawn to everything concerning it.  You and Zentromya both come from the worlds of Good, though I don't quite know enough to know whether you're from the same one she is or not.  Maybe this priest Jandar would know more, though we'll need to wait until he's done talking to your stepmom Aidwyn so we're not rude.   Elves live a long time; and I can tell Jandar has risen to a pretty high rank in his god's priesthood, so I'd imagine he knows quite a bit.""

Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

"Oh, don't worry..." Zentromya is ready to respond telepathically to Aidwyn "I will suggest you some official prayers if you want... But Jandar probably means that you should meditate on your motivations and give thanks for your vocation, rather than you have to repeat the canonical prayer formulas. These are obviously important to internalize the dogmas of faith and to make the right concepts and the right way of acting our own, but they will probably be a more powerful help later, during your journey in the light of Lord of the Dawn. For now, you are instead deciding to begin your journey... and it may be more helpful for you to meditate and strengthen the motivations that push you to undertake it, or to reflect on the way in which you wish to operate to contribute to renewing this world with the beneficial power of dawn, of rebirth".

Meanwhile, Solitude places his hand on the young heroine's shoulder and proposes to her, with a light of tenderness in those scleraless solid-gold eyes: "If it pleases you, Aidwyn, I will keep you company during the prayer. It is permitted, right, His Eminence?" she turns for a moment towards Jandar, who, with a slightly intrigued and, at the same time, pleased look, nods yes.

The tiefling ex-prisoner then continues, again addressing Aidwyn: "I was one of the people you helped to start a new life, to be reborn... if you think that having me close helps you focus your intentions, I will obviously be at your side. But if you fear that I might distract you instead, I will leave you intimate with your god. Let's do whatever you feel best".

Meanwhile, Aedion continues to converse telepathically with Quspira and Darvin: "You are very wise, mom! I will learn everything you teach me and I am sure that growing up with you and dad I will discover my task! And all these worlds you speak of are so charming, mom! I'll be happy to talk to Jandar about it when he's done with stepmom Aidwyn! What a beautiful family we are, mom!"

"I couldn't have imagined a better one" smiles Darvin, passing an arm around Spira's waist, as the procession continues.

Jandar finally reaches the heart of the cathedral, where Aidwyn will apparently spend the night in prayer, in the center of the main apse , whose windows are made up of colored glass mosaics and will likely offer a breathtaking sight in the morning light. In the centre, behind the altar, the imposing statue of the Morning Lord is adorned with gems which will certainly have a great chromatic and scenographic impact. Some cleverly arranged mirrors promise interesting plays of light—as well as allowing Aidwyn to see herself, alongside the god she has chosen.

Jandar leaves Aidwyn there praying (possibly Solitude too, depending on what Aidwyn replied to her), which the two gnomes once again congratulate, then escorts the rest of you to cells that you can use to spend the night at the cathedral.. They are small, one room, and not too luxurious - but well kept and comfortable.

At that point, Jandar seems free, if Spira intends to try to ask him for further information on Aedion or, more generally, on the Couatl...

Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

The night of prayer passes peacefully... At a certain point, during a moment of meditation, Aidwyn feels the dawn approaching as if he could physically hear its footsteps resonating within his own soul. And the sound of each step is a line from a short poem:

From the day we're born
Life's beauty
of each new dawn,
creates new adventures
of hope.

The young heroine feels that those steps will guide her instincts. That she is no longer alone - and she will no longer be - a discreet presence at her side will help her shine even in the most desperate situations.

Then, Aidwyn has a brief vision...

A young human boy who, in the night, gets up without making a sound. He reaches his mother who is sleeping. Slowly, gently, without waking her, he places a kiss on her head. He goes out into the night. The earth seems to become liquid and, as he walks, for he starts gradually sinking in it, as if he's walking in water that becomes deeper and deeper. As he walks, sinking more and more, the sun rises and in the light of dawn... the boy stops, almost submerged, but not completely, with his head still hanging out...

The brief vision ends and the young heroine notices that the first rays of sunlight enter enthusiastically into the cathedral, colored by the windows and reflected by gems and mirrors... The walls of the cathedral are made of stone, that's for sure, at night it was easy to realize... but now, crossed everywhere by torrents of colored light, it seems that not them but light and color are the true essence of the construction.

The rest of the party members have since been awakened by members of the Order of the Aster and the other Lathander faithful who live and work at the Spires of the Morning, so that they can join Jandar and the others if they wish, as they enter in solemn procession towards the altar where Aidwyn concluded her vigil.

They have all meticulously polished their armor, then, upon entering, they in turn reflect the multicolored light, becoming an integral part of the play of light, similar to a host of celestials.

Jandar has at his side a short and skinny moon elf female with a soft face framed by long silvery hair; she this one solemnly carries a cloak in her hands. While everyone forms a circle around Aidwyn (including Orryn and Kellen, who nudge each other as they look at the young heroine in admiration), Jandar and the other approach her. The elven woman places the cloak, which bears the symbol of Lathander, the stylized symbol of the rising sun, on her shoulders, while Jandar declares: "Aidwyn, the symbol of the Morninglord is now immediately behind you... May you Always remember, when you walk in the darkness, that you are not lost in the night, but rather the ambassador of the dawn - the dawn that inevitably follows every night, no matter how dark or frightening it may be. Are you ready, therefore, to starting today your new life with us?"

Spira catches her breath as she files in with Darvin beside her, and Aedion flying with Zentromya in the procession before them just behind the moon elf priest and priestess.  Jandar had intimated to her that he had plans for both celestials in the ceremony.  She had risen high enough in her own priesthood to have been asked to join small delegations of Angharradh's faithful in municipal ceremonies involving several faiths, so she knew enough to bear herself credibly and teach her two beloved ones how to fill in any gaps in Jandar's instructions where things might be so familiar as to have become transparent through long use.  Given his previous patience in dealing with both them and the gnomes, she is not surprised how little he or the priestess needed to fill in.  But she has no idea if any specific role is planned for her or Darvin beyond their presence as Aidwyn's friends.  And thinking over the young heroine's many deeds on behalf of those who could not protect themselves, she considers that honour enough.

They all smoothly accompany the procession in silence and then wait unmoving for the two officiants to indicate what might be needed of them in the ceremony of initiation that now begins to unfold ...

Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

Darvin, who during the procession could not help but admire the spectacle of the Spiers of the Morning covered in light, while holding his breath waiting for Aidwyn's response, murmurs to Spira: "It's really beautiful... Do you know? I had never been there... Without taking anything away from the worldly pleasures of the taverns or... physical intimacy, I must say that the beauty that surrounds us now has something... spiritual. I feel so good witnessing all this with you... It seems" he smiles "that you open my soul, Spira".

Aidwyn had passed the night in deep thoughts.

She had a hard time to decline Solitude's offer to stay with her but she knew that the pull of their young love would distract her too much and probably fell into the temptation to rest her head just a little bit on the tiefling's shoulder and fall asleep. Her initial chain of thoughts were on this, and how fast she had become used to feel the warm body of Solitude in her arms while sleeping. But she had to focus on the reasons that had led her to that moment, to that decision. And Solitude was one of them, but not the only one.

She wanted to protect her, sure, but also the others, and after reminding the faces of all the companions in the recent adventures she eventually goes to Anita, the former zhentarim that imprisoned and abused Solitude. She stopped there, with the face of the young  woman picuted in her mind. Aidwyn had to be honest, not only with the temple she was kneeled, or the God that she was about to commit her life, but most importantly, to herself. She was still a little angry at the woman. Yes, she had repent, and the love that had born between her and Rash was pure and strong... they even were expecting... so it should be easier for her to forgive her for her past trasgressions, but she had to admit that even now she had to struggle not to hold a grudge against her. Not only for Solitude, but for all the people that she had hurt in the past. At least now she will work not to spread evil but good.

Perhaps that's what all of that was about. To make your best effort to make a difference in others lives and make their lives better. No... that wasn't enough... not for a follower of the Morning Lord, certainly not for her. She had to be an example. Through her actions she had to show the rest that another way was possible, that it could be harder sometimes, but that it was worth to walk that way, not only for oneself  but for the others. Of course there would be ones that coulnd't see it, or beyond redemption, like that other zhentarim. Those will find Aidwyn's shield and sword in front of them, ready to protect the ones that cannot protect themselves. But, given the chance, Aidwyn will always chose the path of non violence and redemption. She makes a mental note to become closer to Anita, and to really work on herself and not hold grudges, and find in her heart the strength to forgive and heal. 

Then, she prayed. Not the formal ones that the small elephant teached her before going to bed. She really prayed for the very first time in her life. She prayed to Lathander to give her that kind of strenght, to allow her to keep the will, the strong arm and the sharp eye to protect others and to be able to be where she was needed. She didn't want to fail her friends, to fail Solitude, to fail Him. So she prayed, with her heart and soul. Tears filled her eyes when the first rays of the rising sun entered the cathedral, as if it was an answer to her prays, the darkness of the vast chamber was receeding as the sun rised over the horizon and eventually, the light reached her, bathing the young warrior in its warmth. Now Aidwyn's tears were of gratitude and emotion, and her lips mouthed  "Thank you Lord. I will not fail you..."

When the others came in and  the procession and ceremony began. She looked to Solitude, Spira and Darvin and smiled to them before being surrounded by the members of the Order of Aster and taken by the solemnity of the ceremony. 

   "I am ready" she replied to Jandar, kneeling. "I am honored that the Morning Lord accept me and I humbly join the Order of Aster. I swear that I will do my best to bring the Light of Lathander to aid those in their darkest hours and bring a new dawn to their lives." 

Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

Upon hearing the sincere tone of the words with which Aidwyn accepts to enter the Order of the Aster in the service of the Morning Lord, Jandar nods and smiles slightly: "I have no doubt".

He solemnly produces a rod bearing the symbol of the sun at the top and, with it, briefly touches the young heroine's right shoulder, then her left, then her heart and finally her forehead, declaring: "Aidwyn of Lowriver, I bestow upon you the title of Dawnknight. Today is the dawn of your new life with Lathander and us. You are welcome!"

All members of the Order present shout in jubilation, and the light of their enthusiasm, combining with that of the sun, makes the Spiers of the Morning seem even more resplendent. A joint celebration follows, during which you are all refreshed and have the opportunity to get to know those present. In particular, you discover that Jandar, although high-ranking within the Order's hierarchy, is not a cleric or a paladin, but an arcane-focused devotee of Lathander. The elf woman who joined him during the ceremony is called Corinna and she is his wife, however she combines the arcane arts with divine ones, a sort of mystic theurge, a factotum of magic. Both specialize in vampire hunting. The two small and talkative Dawnknight gnomes, Orryn and Kellen, are instead paladins of Lathander, as is objectively more usual for members of the Order of the Aster.

You are all welcomed as friends (even more so as the members of the Order get to know Zentromya - meeting a Celestial in Lathander's service in person is no ordinary thing for the lot of them) and Jandar explicitly tells you: "You are friends of one of us... as long as you are by her side, you will receive no worse welcome than Aidwyn herself, when you meet us".

Once you have finished celebrating the new Dawnknight, Jandar simply recommends that, from time to time, when possible, Aidwyn send word to the Order, the Spiers of the Morning, for any news of interest or to keep abreast of where he is operating and on what... after which you are left free to visit the spectacular towers of the cathedral, even those built in pink marble and from the height of which it is possible to have a breathtaking view of the City of Splendors and also admire the play of light of the sun reflecting on the cathedral roofs in copper, gold, and silver.

And you are also free to return to Longsaddle...

[[ OOC: Unless you want to do somethign else in Waterdeep first ]]

Darvin greets you with emotion and will promise Spira (after a sweet kiss) and Aedion to meet them at Martha's wedding, to join them permanently.

After that, when you are ready, you gather around Zentromya and...
...and the next moment you're on the Long Road, in sight of Longsaddle, on the very day you planned to return.

As the ceremony of initiation closes and her new comrades of the Order of the Aster welcome Aidwyn among them, Spira turns to speak to Solitude a moment before they join the celebration.  But the older tiefling seems strangely hesitant, unsure how to begin for a moment; or perhaps she knows just how she wants to begin but isn't sure how her words will be received. Soon, though, she makes up her mind and begins to speak.

"Solitude.  Of course this is yours to decide if anything is, but ... do correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing yours is a '"virtue" name you chose to symbolize your burden and your pain.  And I'm sure Aidwyn here intends to make sure you don't have to bear that pain any more for the rest of your life.  IF you wanted to change your name officially, this might be a good time, to symbolize the strength her love brings to you and yours to her.  OR if you wanted to keep the name as a symbol of pride, that even that couldn't break you all the years before you met her, I think a case could still be made that this might be an appropriate time to consciously choose and take on that meaning for it.  If you and Aidwyn agree, of course."

Being a priestess, she naturally can't help beginning to imagine the details of the ceremony she has suggested; being a friend, she can't help first trying to guess what sort of name Solitude might now find more appropriate.  "There are all sorts of wonderful names that would fit your present self if you did want to change it.  Let me see ... Glory? ... Music? ... Joy? ... 'Love', of course, only that might make some complications between you and Aidwyn, you'd never know when she was telling you what she felt about you and when she was calling your name ... !!!"  The humour of this last thought combines with the joy of the occasion to finally overwhelm Spira quite, and she throws back her head in a peal of laughter she just barely manages to muffle in time to stop the echoes from being loud enough to shatter all the windows in the cathedral and bring the wrath of the Morninglord upon her.  Or at least the wrath of Jandar, Corinna and the rest of Lathander's clergy that would then have to pay for all the windows to be replaced if they didn't have sufficient glaziers among their own ranks to do the job.  And looking about at the rich and gemlike light playing about them in a glorious dance too intricate to be followed fully by the unaccustomed eye, she reflects that the sum she would in any case owe them for materials alone would probably require her uninterrupted labours for the rest of her life to so much as begin to pay off. 

As she catches her breath, she turns to Darvin, tears of merriment still coursing down her face,  "Oh, I hope you're not counting on me too much to bring out your spiritual side, darling.  I'm afraid deep down inside I'm still the same bawdy tomgirl Quspira you remember from school!  And that reminds me ... "  She takes his hand.  "We're a very new couple, and very new adopted parents to our little couatl baby.  I don't know if they're parents or not, but we seem to have another couple here with a LOT more experience living and working together.  As well as congratulating our friend the new Dawnknight, perhaps we could do worse than getting to know Jandar and Corrina a bit.  If they're not too busy, of course.  Their life together hunting vampires must be ... fascinating, if perhaps a little unpredictable.  And the tales say vampires sometimes hide in human guise within civilization (Arcana roll in log: 18), so our priestly friends might sometimes need to call on the skills we used when we were in the Berdusk Watch together.""

Party of Five now - Temple of Lathander

Solitude fixes its solid-gold crystalless eyes on the Soldier of Arvandor with surprise and interest: "You are very perceptive, Spira... Yes, 'Solitude' is the name I chose after finding myself alone, abandoned by those who had given me birth, in a world where the mildest feeling that others had for me was distrust".

The tiefling ex-prisoner's gaze shifts for a moment to the newly proclaimed Dawnknight, and then returns to fix the eyes of the cleric of Angharrad: "You're right; now my situation has changed - profoundly, thanks to all of you, but above all to Aidwyn. I think I owe her at least this - a change of name. It's a wonderful idea, Spira - your goddess can truly be proud of the good you are always ready to spread trough the world in her name - Aedion will have in you a mother who will have nothing to envy a true celestial".

And so it is that, almost by chance, Solitude takes the floor, during the celebrations for Aidwyn and, under the curious and interested eyes of everyone, declares: "Friends gathered here, forgive a brief interruption, to make you aware of a step that I intend move now, to crown this sacred moment. The dawn of this day is the beginning of Aidwyn's new life. And it is thanks to Aidwyn that I am here with you today to enjoy this dawn. It is thanks to Aidwyn that a new life has begun for me. I therefore wish that the dawn of this day marks the beginning of a new life for me too. From today I abandon my old name, 'Solitude', in favor of a name that better honors the gift I received. From today I take on the name 'Dawnborn'. And now," she raises a glass in a toast welcomed by all, "let's continue to celebrate Aidwyn as she deserves!"

The announcement is greeted with a warm ovation and those present are thus doubly satisfied, having begun not one but two new lives.

Darvin meanwhile is enthusiastic about Spira's idea: "Of course! Even if perhaps a little distant, like all elves, they really seem like a good couple... Let's have a chat with them!"

It's easy to find a moment when the couple isn't talking to other people and Spira, Aedion and Darin get closer to get to know Jandar and Corinna better. With moderate but sincere smiles and calm ways, both are happy to meet the much more impetuous family made up of a tiefling, a human and a baby-couatl... and so, while Spira has the opportunity to tell in more detail how she became a mother by Aedion, Jandar and Corinna gradually tell something about their past.

The two met nearly 150 years ago, when both were part of the vampire-slaying group known as the Foes of the Fang. This band was determined to defend their people against the growing undead threat that was previously all-but-unheard of to the people of the North.

The fight was not without consequences; many members met death... or a worse fate, over the years. The vampire threat was finally definitively reduced after a decisive expedition by the Foes of the Fang into Castle Khommel, a stronghold within the Greypeak Mountains, but while the couple emerged with their lives, their comrades all perished. Upon their return to the city of Waterdeep, the couple joined the Order of the Aster, continuing their crusade against the vampiric scourge of the North - as they still do, investigating whenever rumors reach them regarding possible vampire activity - rumors fortunately, nowadays much less frequent than in the past.

"And to tell the truth," Jandar confesses, at the end of the story "I myself probably should have followed Dawnborn's example and taken on such a name, given my past..." but for the moment he doesn't say something else and simply stares at the infinite for a few moments, as if lost in distant memories.

"Maybe" Corinna concedes, discreetly reaching for his hand. "But maybe not, in your case. Not even all that happened to you" she smiles at him "has managed to change you, in the end. You are still the same Jandar that I knew".

Aidwyn celébrates Solitude's decision and kiss her iwth tears of joy. 

After the celebration she promise to   Jandar to keep them informed of her whereabouts and adventures. After saying her goodbies to the members of the Order, the new knghited girl recovers the horses from the stables and gets ready to go back to Longsaddle. Once they are at city sight she jumps into her horse and says.

""Let's hurry I can't wait to tell the others everything that happened!" 

And sharing her excitement the horse launches forward, galloping towards the Manor as she screams of joy and the new white cape bellows behind her. 

Spira smiles at Jandar's revelation.  "I have a brother I left back in Longsaddle.  You remind me a little of him; you might find him ... interesting."  She says no more; and soon turns to Darvin as the celebration winds up.  "I know you have a lot to wrap up here before you can join me in Longsaddle for Lady Martha's wedding, dearest, but do try and come as soon as you can.  I think you'll agree we've been parted quite long enough.  Perhaps if I asked, they'd even ... "  Her voice trails off, but seeing that she was talking of a wedding ... and moreover, a very nice wedding where the arrangements have already been planned and taken care of ... the gist of her daydream is not difficult for him to follow.  And from the increasing brightness in her eyes, he suspects she's already added Aidwyn and Solitude to the ceremony and is busy merrily roping in all the other couples she now so plentifully knows, beginning with her own brother and Roxana.

By this time she has followed the new Dawnknight out to the temple courtyard where their horses are being held for them.  "All set, Aedion?," she whispers telepathically to the little couatl.  "Dad will join us as soon as he finishes arranging things with the Guard here.  But you have an uncle and aunt you haven't met yet, my brother Gaer and the woman he loves, whose name is Roxana.  They'd get worried if I was away too long, and of course they'll want to meet you as soon as possible.  So once you're settled in for the trip and our horses have started galloping,, cousin Zentromya will use her magic to bring us back where they are."

All together again!

“Oh, you can say that!” Darvin sighs "We've been parted really too long! I'll get to you as soon as I can!"

Before leaving, Aedion telepathically replies to Spira: "I really like dad, mom! What a beautiful family you gave me... I can't wait to meet uncle Gaer and aunt Roxana! I'm sure I'll like them too!"

And that's how, in the space of an instant, Zentromya makes you all disappear in an instant... and then appears on the Long Road, in sight of Longsaddle. And Aidwyn, under a not especially warm but still benevolent winter sun, starts galloping towards the Manor as she screams of joy and the new white cape bellows behind her!

The young heroine is thus the first to reach the Sharnshield Mansion, soon joined however by Dawnborn, Aidwyn (with Aedion who, for the occasion, flies close to her, curious to finish getting to know his own 'family') and Zentromya. In fact, among the first people you meet are Roxana, Gaer, Rash and Anita, who are talking about the trip Rash intends to make to visit his tribe (and 'deliver' the prisoner, Kunnari, to atone his faults).

[[ OOC: The party is now reunited... You can role-play the reunion for a while if you want... after all, each half of the party can have news to tell the other half, if they want. And when you're done we can proceed with Rash's journey. Aidwyn is going to propose to go all together, if I remember correctly... and I'd say she can ask you all in-game at this point. Whether to accept or not is obviously up to you. ]]

Just when they have dismount and after tapping the neck of her horse Aidwyn approaches to Spira.

"Spira, first of all I wanted to thank you for going with me in this journey. You've been amazing, as always. I want you to know that I look up to you... I mean... I admire you and I hope to become as good and efficient as you are... " she smiles to her friend "... so it meant a lot to me for you to come with me. I really appreciate your friendship and support. And" her smile gets wider even a little bit mischievous "Didn't want to intrude in your reunion so I did't say nothing earlier, wanting you two to have as much time for yourselves as possible but... I am so happy for you that you were able to reunite with Darvin. I am sure that he will do it in time to join us at the wedding, and if he doesn't make it he can endure your hangover! hahaha, but anyway he looks like a great guy and he is madly in love with you... I am so happy for you! " she embraces the Soldier of Arvandor. 

"Now, where is my little winged nephew? oh there you are... come come... let's introduce you to the rest of the family. " and entangling her arm with Spira's she turns to see the others approaching.