The Keep of the Twin Suns (session 41-43 or 54-56)

Dear Nori,
Not sure why I’m sending you this letter. You’ve already heard most of what I have to tell. However, I hope this makes us sound a little less aggressive and stupid. And it might be nice to be able to explain myself without being interrupted.
So, in my last letter I ended with us still being in the maze. We realised we needed more diamonds (why does every spell need diamonds?) and healing potions. First we had Fenrir give a speech about how we needed money to save Elturel. I stood in the crowd and donated the necklace I found earlier that morning. I don’t think the people needed the encouragement, Fenrir is pretty convincing, but I still like to think it helped our cause. Then we tried the quartermaster. He didn’t have any, so he sent us to the clerics. The clerics were busy with their new project, collecting blood so the vampires wouldn’t need to bite people. To Ron's horror Fenrir and I donated some of our blood (in exchange for the diamonds of course). While we were recovering I tried to drink some of the brandy the quartermaster gave us (with less blood I would be drunk real fast) but the stupid clerics didn’t allow it.
After the blood donating thing we decided to go to sleep so we would be fully rested for the attack. We wanted to attack the Keep of the Twin Suns to make sure they won’t be a threat to the marketplace people. However, after our rest Rhivaun showed up. He had some doubts about our plan. He said not everything is black and white. Although he didn’t really say it, he didn’t think this was the best course of action. After saying he trusts me and will follow me he left. Then we discussed it among ourselves. We didn’t want to attack innocent people. We decided to bring the hellriders with us to the east of town, but not to the keep just yet. We would first try to talk our way into it. Then we realised they had asked us a couple of weeks ago to bring the Creed. You know, the one the devil contract was hidden in. Considering we wanted a bargaining chip, and we don’t like the vampire anyway, we decided to steal it. Ron flew up to the library, which still hangs some 100 ft above Elturel for some reason. His mission was to find a book which looks like the Creed so the clerics wouldn’t notice the real one was missing right away. While we waited for Ron to come down, we noticed a human-sized blue figure and a smaller one, hanging around the upper level of the building. I messaged Ron about it after which he came down safely with an appropriate book. Afterwards I (and probably Fenrir as well) heard a voice in my head telling us to focus on the mission. I’m not too sure which mission they meant, but I assumed it was the people kidnapping mission. I tried saying we were focused on the mission, but I’m not sure if they believed or even heard it.
Anyway, our next step was stealing the actual Creed. Luna is great at these things, and Ron would make her invisible. Fenrir and Leo would make sure everyone got distracted. With a fistfight. In a temple. I know Torm isn’t afraid of violence or anything, but still, it feels kinda disrespectful. Anyway, I think the distraction would have been even better if the guys went in shirtless. I mean, when was the last time those clerics got some action? Although, to be fair, it wasn’t necessary. Leo turned into a bear and everyone wanted to see the fight. I think most of the people are bored and welcome any kind of entertainment. Luna stole the Creed without any problem.
Then we moved back to the east side of town. We let the Hellriders chill at the Antlers (or what’s left of it) and we moved on to the Keep of the Twin Suns. When we told them we had the Creed they wanted to take it from us without letting us in. We told them we wouldn’t give it to just anyone and they let us in reluctantly. They thought it was a big deal they let us in, especially since Fenrir is wearing armour with devil insignia and all. They also told us they don’t trust us. Which is fine since we don't trust them either. But they sat us down in the inn and they asked for Mattis to talk to us. The good thing about this was that Rons grandmother, who was missing, just like you, was sitting there. Ron still pretends to be though, but I saw him wipe away a tear. She seemed to be healthy and relatively happy. She couldn’t stand seeing Clove Ikaya again and all the vampires and such. She still remembers the horror of living under his bloody rule. I kinda understand why she’s here. I just wish we had known beforehand, so we hadn’t worried.
Anyway, after the heartwarming reunion we met with Mattis. I'm pretty sure I already told you, but I really can't stand that guy. He's so… ugh… I barely have words for it. Self-righteous I guess? The kind of self-righteousness where your path is the only right path no matter what. Where you have to starve to death because stealing is evil. Like letting people starve isn't evil. Ugh. I hate his kind so much. At least half of the conversation with this asshole was like that. “The marketplace people get what they deserve for working with a vampire.” Like they aren't desperate and trying to survive. Beside the self-righteous bullshit and the I don't trust you bullshit he said one interesting thing. Well, 2 actually. The first one was you. You were in the basement, doing self reflection or something. Actually, I still think he's trying to manipulate you. But I trust you. If you think you're safe you're right. The second interesting thing he said is that the Keep of the Twin Suns people haven't attacked High Hall. Which confuses me. A lot. But Mattis seemed honest. I do actually believe him. But if it wasn't the Keep, who did attack? Was there an actual attack or did Clove Ikaya just say so to get into High Hall? Was it someone else? So many questions. And the fucker didn't have any answers. By the way, did you notice his thumbs are wrong? That's weird, right? And he wears protective magic. He has a ring of mind shielding. Which makes sense, he seems like the kind of person who has a lot of enemies. He probably doesn't wear that armour just to compensate (although it is so over the top it definitely compensates some). He also had a magic necklace, which has a protective enchantment. If we could only figure out what it is for….
During the conversation, which took forever, Luna decided to explore the keep a bit on her own. Ron made her invisible at the toilet, and after that she found her way through the entire keep. She did so well no one noticed she had gotten into the basement (as well as every other part of the keep). The only downside was that after she returned Mattis actually let us in the basement, as long as we didn't disturb the people meditating. To be honest, we did have a look around, but we made sure to not disturb anyone. But Luna's successful side mission was made useless. We did explore the basement for a bit and we rested, until you finally came out of meditation.
I was so happy to see you! And a bit wary, since I still expect the brain washing thing. But as far as I could see you were traumatised but physically unharmed. I still have many questions, but everyone had just as many, or even more. I don't even remember half the things everyone said. All I know is you were really here and safe. I should have done more, hugged you or actually talked to you. But I couldn't. I felt like all the fear I've felt since I came back to Elturel washed away. Slowly, but with enough power to make me helpless. I hope the next time I see you I will actually be there for you.
After talking to you, we went back to the Antlers. You know, since we definitely didn't want to attack anymore. Then Fenrir realised something: none of the hellriders Clove Ikaya gave us are vampires. We aren't sure what it means, but it can't be good. Maybe he tries to take High Hall while we are busy. We ran back to the keep, asking Mattis for assistance against the vampire. Which should be a simple request. He hates vampires. He talked about how much he hates vampires for over an hour. Yet he didn't want to help. Stupid good for nothing asshole.
However, the discussion got interrupted when one of the Keeps’ soldiers stormed in because they got attacked by devils. You know, the ones we were supposed to help kidnap people. Or rather, the ones we planned on killing. The flying fuckers weren't anything we didn't expect, although they did fly off with a few people. They were with just too many. But since we know where they're docking, I'm kinda assuming Mattis will send (or perhaps lead) a rescue party. The Erinyes on the other hand, were tough. Bazelstein said you don't want to mess with them. I get that now. I mean, we still beat them, but those flying bitches hit hard. One of them (probably the leader) knocked me unconscious for a moment. However, Leo brought me back just fine. Mattis didn't seem nearly as effective against them as I expected him to be. I guess the armour really is for show only.
I guess we're going for the vampire now. Wish us luck, I think we're gonna need it.
Stay strong,
Your loving sister,
Caja