“Lady Sunspear, may I have a word?” Darcassan had been lurking outside the Seldarine’s cathedral, just inside Everlund’s Mountain gate, for several hours, and was not only beginning to wonder if she would ever come out, but he was attracting the attention of the faithful who saw him on their way in to prayers and again when they left. “I’m not a lady, saer Ealoeth,” the stunningly beautiful sun elven warrior-priestess of Corellon Larethian, leader of the elven pantheon, scowled in a barely sociable tone. The church depended upon the patronage of noble houses like his, but just being seen with him could sully her reputation. “Recent events have taught me that nobility isn’t a function of birthright or blood… but of spirit and character, both of which I know you possess in spades,” he responded, knowing that she would likely be familiar with his reputation, and wouldn’t impressed by his flattery. “Which is why I’ve sought you out. I have a proposal for you from my house elders that I beg you to consider seriously before rejecting.” “What kind of proposal?” she huffed, quite sure that, based on the way he prefaced it and that they had sent him to deliver it, she would be rejecting this proposal without much consideration. “A marriage proposal,” he replied, receiving the shocked look he fully expected, he continued before she had the chance to rebuff him. “As I’m sure you know, my family’s moonblade fell dormant centuries ago when we failed to produce a worth heir. It’s been a point of contention for us with other noble houses, and a near obsession for our elders. Recently they attempted to coopt one through a convoluted scheme to marry Syntorri Mistrivvin to my cousin Haryk, so that their child would have her blood but the Ealoeth name. However, she defied her elders and fled into the High Forest with the sword. Their new approach is much simpler… and more honest. We’re seeking an honorable sun elven woman, like yourself, who would be willing to accept the challenge of redeeming our house by marry into it, awakening our dormant moonblade and bringing nobility back into our bloodline.” Elandra Sunspear stood in absolute shock; she could only believe that this was some form of sick jest. He couldn’t possibly be serious. Yet there wasn’t a hint of humor in his eyes and no trace of a smile on his face… in fact, he looked desperate. She’d always dreamt of being part of a noble house, but a respected one… not the Ealoeth, who, despite their wealth and political power, were widely regarded as liars, thieves and scoundrels. Then there was the way he had prefaced the proposal… he’d begged her not to discard it out of hand. Taking in deep breath to calm herself and center her spirit, she responded; “If this is a jest, it’s a particularly cruel one, as you know I’m an orphan who was raised by the church. I’ve never had a family of my own. However, if it is a serious proposal, the prospect of redeeming a noble house that has fallen from the path of the Seldarine and awakening a dormant moonblade, to be wielded in Corellon Larethian’s name, is an appealing challenge. But just who am I supposed to marry… you?” “That would be your choice,” Darcassan answered, surprised that she was actually considering it. He’d fully expected to be slapped across the face and banished from the cathedral grounds for life. “Every bachelor in the house Ealoeth will be made available for your consideration. There’s likely only a dozen or so of us scattered between Everlund, Waterdeep, Evereska and Evermeet, but they’ll all be called here for you to meet and evaluate in any way you deem necessary.”