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Rolan carefully opens the letter, his hands are shaking. He recognizes the official seal of Lorroakan on the back. The greatest wizard in Baldur's Gate had finally written him back after all these years of sending numerous letters. His whole future lays in his hands now.
He reads the letter and reads it again:
You are most fortunate, Rolan. Few catch my interest, but your letters demonstrate potential. I am willing to give you a chance. However, a warning - you must be willing to do whatever is necessary. Power is not cheap. And I'll not suffer weakness in my own student.
Lorroakan
Rolan can hardly believe after many years of hard work he would finally get an apprenticeship he always wanted. Not only wanted, Lorroakan, one of the most powerful and accomplished wizards, would be teaching him. Anything was possible now. His life could finally turn around. Eventually he could have the knowledge and power to see that they all had a better life and he could properly take care of his family.
I have to let Mom, Lia and Cal know. He rushes inside their house. It was technically their mother's and a modest house. Though, all that would change soon.
He stands in the living room, small but adequate, coughs, stands up taller and says in a deeper voice, "If I could have your attention, please. I have important news." He rubs his fingers over the letter in his hands.
"What is it, Rolan?" Cal asks as he sits up.
"He probably found a new way to annoy the chickens with his Thunder Wave," Lia teases.
Rolan teases back, "Hush you!" It's only met with Lia's giggles.
"Oh, I'm sure my little wizard has wonderful news about getting into Blackstaff," their mother proudly says.
Rolan shifts nervously and says softly, "Mom, you know we can't afford the fees to Blackstaff and they have never taken on a Tiefling as a student before."
She smiles softly up at him from her wooden chair, "It doesn't mean you can't be the first. Plus, we can manage. You are going to be an amazing important wizard to Faerûn one day. You are already an amazing important wizard and son to me."
He shuffles and smiles, "Thank you…" Her support always means a lot to him but he gets so flustered he doesn't know what to say. Personally he doesn't think he is that amazing but maybe one day he will be.
Rolan grins and continues, "It's even better, you are looking at the new apprentice to Lorroakan in Baldur's Gate!"
"Oh that's wonderful son! I knew you could do it," their mom says. She stands up and hugs him.
Rolan wraps his arms around her and says, "Thank you, mom…" He tilts his head up to look at his siblings and continues, "Thank you for always believing in me."
Cal beams, "Hey, Rolan we always knew you could do it."
Lia smiles, "Yes, ever since we were children and you were practicing your fireworks, we knew you would make it."
Cal asks, "So, are you going to leave us all here in Elturel and go to Baldur's Gate? When do you leave?"
Rolan pulls back and chuckles, "You three are coming with me. The city will be a much better place to live. There is so much we can do. We can find better accommodations. I will be able to provide for us. We have to stick together."
They all smiled and nodded.
Their mother says as she looks around the room, "It might take a while to find a place and move everything there."
Rolan scoffs, "Phfff…we can leave it here and come back for it when we are settled with our own place. There are a few places to rent in the city, I'm sure of it. We will eventually find the perfect place to live together."
Their mother walks over to an old but well kept piano and sits down on the wooden bench in front of it. She asks, "Even this old antique piano?" She hits a few keys and stops.
He takes a few steps closer to her and lays a gentle hand on her shoulder. He says softly, "Yes, by then I can magically portal everything, even the piano there safely."
She smiles up at him and pats the bench next to her. She requests, "Play with me."
He says softly, "I'm not as good as you."
She continues, "Please."
Rolan reluctantly sits next to her. Before he knows it, he is relaxing and playing with her as he has done many times before. She taught him how to play the piano. It always helped to calm him and focus, especially when she first adopted him.
When they finish, she hugs him and says, "You sound perfect to me."
He hugs her back. Then he stands up abruptly. He says excitedly, "I need to pack! We need to leave tomorrow." He starts to walk to his room he shares with Cal.
Cal yells, "Your one robe and sleepwear won't take that long." He chuckles to himself.
Their mom smiles and says softly, "They grow up so fast."
When Rolan reaches the door he feels the ground below him shake. He asks to himself as he looks around, "What the…"
He hears Lia yell, "Stop showing off with your Thunder Wave!"
He yells back, "That isn't me!"
Rolan starts walking towards the door as the ground beneath him moves. He cautions, "Wait here. I will see what is going on."
As he steps outside, he sees the sky grow black as The Companion, their second sun in the city of Elturel, engulfs everything around him. He sees lightning emanate from it as zombies and ghouls start sprouting where the bolts hit the ground.
The holy city split into three sections as cracks form in its wake. Trees falling and houses crumble, as the shaking continues. He holds onto the door frame as he tries to keep his footing.
When the disturbance stops, Rolan feels the ground slowly moving downward. He blinks a few times as he tries to determine where they currently are located. He knows they are no longer in The Prime Material Plane. His gaze turns upwards and he sees a hazy red sky. Fireballs hurl through the sky. He smells the air thick with brimstone. He can hear a clashing of weapons and yelling below him. He sees monstrous winged devils circling the sky emanating a high pitched screeching.
Rolan has only read about this place as part of his personal education to gain knowledge on whatever he could get his hands on. He felt the more knowledge the better. He is going to need it for sure. He isn't sure exactly how it happened, but he is certain The Companion that has kept Elturel safe for years transported them to Avernus.
He walks back inside as solutions run through his head.
Cal asks, "So what is going on out there?"
Rolan's expression is somber as he says, "I am uncertain how, but The Companion transported us to Avernus."
Lia teases, "You're joking. You can't be serious!"
Rolan slowly shifts his gaze between each of them. He solemnly states, "It's no joke. I wish it was, truly. We are in The Nine Hells."
He doesn't give them time to process everything and starts ordering them, "Grab packs! Put food and anything essential into them. We are going to have to make a run for The High Hall."
They all look at each other. Lia puts her hands on her hips, "Why?!"
Rolan turns to her and says, "We don't really have time for this, Lia." He can see she wouldn't budge until he tells her. He takes a deep breath and continues, "Fine! Any minute those creatures, devils, demons and anything else lerking in Avernus is going to make their way up here to us. The High Hall is our only chance for survival. It is a stronghold and can keep back anything that comes here. The Hellriders, The High Observer of Torm and The Order of the Companion will be there protecting citizens too."
Lia asks, "Can't we stay here? The cellar should be safe enough."
He says as he tries to instill some logical to the situation, "No. It's too easy for them to discover and we have no defenses there."
Lia says, "I just…"
He takes a deep breath, puts his hands gently on his sister's shoulders and says softly, "I understand, truly. Though, this will keep us safe. We have a better chance there."
She says, "Ok. Well, let's get everything together then."
Rolan smiles, "Yes the faster we leave, the easier it will make it to get there without anything stopping us. Come on now!"
Lia and Cal both nod as they start to gather what they need.
Their mom says proudly, "You are always so good at keeping them safe, even when they were small." She gently lays a hand on his arm and continues, "I'm so proud of you. I love you, my son."
Rolan smiles, "Thank you, Mom. I try…I love you too….now I need to get spell scrolls and a few items. Then we can go." He walks quickly into his room and starts shoving scrolls into his pack. A few of them he wrote out himself. His hands start shaking. He isn't sure he can keep them safe but he must. He can't lose them, they mean too much to him. His fingers brush over the letter in his pocket. Surly the apprentice to Lorroakan can do this. He wishes he had proper training but he is going on everything he knows. He hopes it is enough.
When he is done he goes back to meet his siblings and mother. He can see the concern in their eyes as they shift. He knows he has to keep a level head for them. He says, "We can do this. Just follow my lead. We might have to take a non direct route. Ready?"
They all nod slowly. Cal says, "Ready as we will ever be."
Rolan says, "Alright, let's go. Mom, take my hand." He reaches for her and feels her wrap her fingers around his gently.
She looks up at him and says, "We're ready. Lead the way son."
Rolan nods and they carefully sneak out of the house from the back entrance. He hopes the alleyway will give them some cover from being discovered. They make their way hiding behind rocks, fallen trees and alleyways whenever possible.
The whole family can start to see The High Hall in the distance. They were close.
On their path the ground has a huge piece of land split and creating a section of a small hill that they need to climb to cross over to the section of Elturel where the High Hall is located.
Cal and Lia slowly climb the hill to see if there is a clear path. Rolan watches them. He would rather it is him but he was never good at climbing. He asks softly, "Do you see anything?"
Cal says quietly over his shoulder, "No. I think we can make it."
Rolan is concentrating on his siblings and the path ahead, he doesn't notice anything else around him. He starts to feel his mother's fingers slowly slip from his hand and he turns around quickly as he hears her whisper his name.
His chest tightens as turns around to see a spear through his mother's stomach. Blood pouring down her body and her gurgling his name. Everything seems to happen so fast and in slow motion at the same time. He is frozen where he stands. He sees a demon on the other end of the spear pull her towards it. It is a huge thin goat monstrosity, except its head appears more similar to a Minotaur.
Rolan is shaking and hears her whisper, "Take care of them…love…." Though, she is cut off by the demon grasping her in its hands and tearing her apart. It discards her body parts and starts walking heavily towards him. He glances behind him and everything comes rushing through him as he casts wave after wave of thunder at it. Rolan screams as tears run down his face. The force is much stronger than he has performed before. Emotions flood his mind, he can't think. He only knows he can't let it get to his siblings too. He vaguely hears Lia screaming behind him.
He doesn't stop until he has exhausted himself and the demon is nothing but torn pieces in front of him. Rolan collapses to his knees and weeps, his voice too hoarse from screaming. Her body lays in front of him but there is nothing he can do bring her back. He breathes heavily trying to make sense of it as tears continue to fall.
Then suddenly feelings snap inside himself, determination and protection. He quickly regains himself, reality rushes back into his mind and wipes his hands over his eyes. He has to get them to safety. There is no time to mourn or wallow in his feelings. He has to keep them safe. For him, for them, for her.
He turns around to see Cal and Lia behind him. Tears spilling out the corner of their eyes and despair on their faces. He takes a deep breath and orders, "We have to go now! All that noise is going to bring more of them."
Lia screams, "WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE HER HERE!"
Rolan says, "We can't take her with us. We need to get to safety. We can mourn later."
Lia continues screaming, "NO, YOU SAID WE WOULD BE SAFE THAT THIS WAS THE SAFEST WAY! NOW SHE IS GONE…GONE!"
He knows he sounds cruel but he knows their time and chances for survival are dwindling too. He says, "Come on Lia. We don't have time for this."
Lia says, "No, we have to stay and help others…so they don't…don't….and stay with her…"
Rolan grabs her firmly with one arm as he pulls out a Fly spell scroll and casts it on them. He only has one and it in won't last long using it on the three of them.
Cal says softly, "Lia, we can come back later." He gently places an arm around her as the three of them fly over the hill.
Rolan can hear them both sobbing and it makes his heart ache. Though, he can't afford to not think clearly right now.
Once on the land above the hill they have a straight line to The High Hall. He says, "We have to run!" He manages to pull Lia enough to get her moving on her own. The three start running toward the nearest bridge that leads to the huge stone doors of The High Hall.
As they continue running they see to the left of them and a few paces behind them a group of Tieflings trying to make it to The High Hall too. They have a pack of four devils pursuing them. The devils look similar with green or red skin, long tails and beards that appear to be snakes. In their hands they have saw toothed glaives.
Cal gasps, "That's Bex and Danis!"
Lia says, "There is Alfira, Lakrissa and Lihala too."
Rolan stops running and turns around. He reacts spontaneously and pulls out a Thunderwave scroll, one he wrote. He casts it as he aims it between the Tieflings and the devils chasing them.
When the spell hits the ground it is in front of the devils, knocking them back and creating a ravine between them. The Tieflings loose their footing but quickly recover as they continue running.
He quickly pulls out another spell and casts Color Spray on the devils as he blinds them. He doesn't have time to keep casting and he needs to save the more lethal spells for when they are in more dire circumstances. He turns back around and orders, "Come on! That will keep them busy while we all make it to the bridge."
They start running again. Cal says as he glances at him, "Thank you, Rolan for saving them."
He sputters out, "It was the right thing to do." He feels more confidence in him building. He knows he is capable of keeping them safe, his siblings and others. He knows he can do this. He has the knowledge and strength of will. He can do this. He is after all the chosen apprentice to Lorroakan.
He glances at Lia but she doesn't say anything. He knows it might take her awhile to forgive him but he can live with that if his actions keep them safe. He promises silently to his mother, he will keep them safe. A couple of tears threaten to spills from the corner of his eyes but he wipes them away.
The group of Tieflings make it to the bridge first with Rolan and his siblings shortly behind them. The doors open and a Hellrider, Zevlor, ushers them in. "Come on. Get inside now!"
Once inside Zevlor says, "Follow the others down to the bottom floor. The stronghold is greatest there. We will keep these devils out."
He notices Rolan and his siblings, and asks, "Where is your mother?"
The three look at him with sad eyes. Rolan shakes his head and balls up his fists. Cal whispers as he glances down, "She didn't make it."
Zevlor says, "I'm..I'm sorry, truly. Everyone will be safe here though."
Rolan and Lia walk past him with out saying anything. Cal says softly, "Thank you." as he follows them.
Once they are on the bottom floor they make their way through the citizens of Elturel, hiding and hoping for safety. Rolan notices how the other mortals stare at him. He always has noticed since he was a child. Though, there is more hate in their eyes and he knows they will be blamed for all of this.
They stop in the back of the huge room with the other Tieflings. He hears a few saying, "Thank you." Though, it doesn't completely register to him.
Everything seems so incredibly heavy and wrong. Rolan gives way as he sits on a wooden bench in the back. He put his head in his hands so no one can see the grief consuming him. He feels Cal and Lia sit next to him, and he takes a deep breath as he wipes his eyes. He has to be strong for them.
Cal says, "Thank you for getting us here safely, Rolan." He wraps an arm around him and leans against him as his pack falls to the floor.
Lia whispers, "Yes…thank you for looking out for us, Rolan."
Rolan wraps an arm around each of them as they fold into each other, sharing in their combined grief of losing their mother. He vows, "I will always keep both of you safe, I promise." They lean against each other as silent tears flow. He holds his siblings tighter. He is thankful he has them still.
Rolan knows they will be safe here. He knows they now have a chance in The Nine Hells of surviving, and somehow he knows they will survive everything together.