My dear Samorn,

I hope all is well with you at the Academy. I know you are excelling in your classes and your duties, but I do hope you have made some true friends there as well.

I am saddened to write this letter to you, but the worst has befallen Duwadi. As much as we wished and prayed for her to recover from the malaise that kept her awake but unresponsive, she passed shortly after you departed for the Academy. I know you blame yourself for what happened to her and Aawut, but please do not do so.

Your father and I should have known how hard it would be to resist impressing a visiting dignitary of his status, for we felt the same way with his family. We should have paid more attention during our trip through the fields and have known you would want to show him the woods you felt so at peace within.

I worry for you child. I know you are no longer ‘the Cloud’ as we called you in your carefree youth, for you became so driven after that traumatic event, but I fear that you no longer open up to others or let them into your life. Young Cyren has said nothing to us, but I saw his concern in the way he looked at you before you both departed. If anything, please at least let him know and help you through these difficult times.

Please write to us, your father and I (and yes, even your older siblings) miss you dearly.

Love,

Your Parents and Family

Letter from the Lakael family to Samorn

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Astoria the Just – God of Justice, Honour, War, Sun

Accounts from the northern empire suggest that pride was her downfall in the first Celestial War of Succession; by refusing to bend, she was forced to break Despite the current enmity between Zothiri and Io, records suggest that She and Vynderwynd were close in life Despite the current strong alliance between Zothiri and Vayeira, records suggest She and Cirithill were bitter enemies during the day of the first High Council

Her Children:

Luceri the First Born – God of Glory, Heroism, Command

Shared Progenitor: Vynderwynd the Wise Twin to Tyvaal the Favoured, God of Law, though He is often referred to as the Son of Vynderwynd... Said to be a great hero and unrivaled combatant After the fall of the High Council and the Celestial Mother’s departure, was the first to claim inheritance over the Celestial Throne This was disputed by her twin Tyvaal, and the two killed one another in their struggles over the Throne Believed descendants: the Lucerian line (current rulers, have taken the name Astoria), the Solarix line (Azreon)

Zawn Swiftblade, God of Victory, Battle, Light, Tactics

Shared Progenitor: Kassarah the Cunning Killed early in the first Celestial War despite being a merciless warrior and commander; cause of death is not made clear in the stories, but often suggests betrayal Believed descendants: Galo, Una, Bri?

Vulkhad the Tarnished, God of Mercy, Redemption, Healing

Little is known of Her. Left the Empire prior to the Celestial War with Her husband, Volonthios, God of Death, Son of Vynderwynd Founded Neceros with Her husband, but later betrayed him when he went mad with grief and power after Vynderwynd’s death, forming the Protectorate of Vulkhad at the cost of her life to stop her husband’s atrocities Believed descendants: Me! From Apricot Telemnar’s notes on identifying Arcadian nephilim