The headline of the evening edition of the Waterdeep Wazoo was TWO SUNE? The article, written in the immediate wake of the Synod’s decision, outlined how the delegates had selected two relative outsiders, Varien Aether and Robert Trevelyan, to serve as co-high priests in the Temple of Beauty. For those gathered for the synod, a grand feast and celebration broke out following the formal proceedings, a bacchanal featuring only the finest food and beverages created by talented chefs, bakers, vintners, mixologists, and other culinary experts trained at the Temple of Beauty and beyond. The temple doors were opened wide and the faithful who lined the streets in celebration were invited to join in the festivities. As the guests mingled with delegates, the adventurers met with Nero of the Garden for an informal debrief before Bob and Varien could be claimed by the obligations of their new station. Nero explained that one of their first duties would be an ecclesiastical tour to introduce them to the high-ranking clergy at Waterdeep’s major temples, scattered across the wards. As news of the Synod’s deliberations spread across the city with each delivery of the broadsheets, the gifts and tributes began to flow in to the Temple of Beauty. These took the form of tithes, expansive floral arrangements, and sundry gifts and cards bearing well-wishes from political, social, and economic leaders from across the city. The Temple of Beauty’s gift shop did a roaring trade as artisans cranked out figurines of the new High Priests based on the official likenesses used during the Synod. Siegfried consulted with the sculptors to ensure that Bob’s likeness was just as dramatic as Varien’s pose. Nero of the Garden cheerfully offered his services to assist with the transition, though he longed to return to the one perfect moment of serenity and contemplation within his bottle. Tradition held that an ecclesiastical succession was quickly followed by a surge of inductees into the martial and holy orders of the Church, and his botanical services would soon be needed to cultivate the next generation of ruby roses to be handed out to the successful recruits. “I can assist with the selection of a candidate for High Exultant, to handle the day-to-day running of the church,” Siegfried told the trio. Bob nodded assent. “Good thinking, Siegfried.” Siegfried set about compiling a list of candidates who were good with numbers, had solid organizational skills, and who were clever, but not too clever. He knew it could not be Naes, because the First Heartwarder was prone to shirking that duty to go on missionary expeditions and crusades to grow the faith. Dhaera Darklight and Celia Orlyar, both of whom had stepped up to stand in the gaps left behind by the chaos of recent days, were both martial members of the Order of the Ruby Rose whose skills were better suited to battlefield and bodyguard duty than to bureaucracy. In spite of himself, his eyes were drawn to the stunning, shapely form of Sybill Amberglade, the red-headed, bespectacled buxom beauty who had more than proven her love of card catalogues and encyclopedic knowledge of Sunite history as the Temple’s scriptkeeper and loremaster. Though young, she had already found favour with Sune and had a stellar reputation among the temple acolytes, who, male or female alike adored her. Siegfried was largely immune to Sybill’s more obvious charms, but even he could appreciate the blend of beauty and brains that was likely to take the young woman far in the Church bureaucracy. Nevertheless, he pulled no punches during the interview process, demanding evidence of how the temple’s scriptorium had improved during Sybill’s tenure, how she would catalogue curious volumes of forgotten lore, the breadth of her research and archiving skills, querying about the extent of her budgeting and bookkeeping abilities, and so on. Impressed by her sheer capabilities in the role, Siegfried tasked her with hiring her replacement in the scriptorium, and then meet up with Nero and shadow him for a few days and thus step into the role of High Exultant, the Herald of the Temple. Meanwhile, Nero of the Garden gave Varien and Bob the inside track on the synod’s delegates. “Prior to your candidacy, Naes’s strongest supporters included his brother Tiberius, Malwe-sha of Chult, Thauna Maskalar, Vanera Ularyn of the Order of Adon and Raven Sommersrace.” “Bob had the other Sword Coast representatives, Mera Corynian and Alicia on-side, and lobbying efforts by Siegfried brought Adanja Feranos and Shandalara Sintertal into his orbit,” Nero continued. “So, it would appear that Naes had a slight advantage among decided delegates versus Bob, considering that another group of votes were tired up with the rivalry between Lady Morlain and Aumreya Uldarin. The only wild card was Summerglau Tristin.” Nero paused. “Now, Varien putting his name in changed the game entirely.” Varien smiled. “Things began to move,” Nero explained. “Thauna jumped to Varien, Summerglau also was wooed, and Tiberius switched his vote to Varien, and so did Mera Corynian of Helm’s Hold. Bob maintained Rose-Tender Alicia’s vote, but once it was clear that the Lords’ Alliance had provided sizable donations to the local temples at Bob’s behest, that got Raven Sommersrace’s attention, and she switched allegiances to Bob.” “Interesting,” Bob said. “So that left Vanera Ularyn voting for Naes, as well as Malwe-sha, who did not change her vote,” Nero said. “Lady Morlain had her husband’s vote, and Aumreya remained isolated.” Bob felt that when it came to the Morlain-Aumreya feud, High and Most Beautiful Priestess Aumreya Uldarin came out of it looking worse, as a younger high priestess whose ambition exceeded her abilities. Her future in the church was shaky as this news would get back to Firehair’s House in Selgaunt. “Bob and Varien,” Siegfried said. “You should make your rounds with the delegates and thank them for their support, and I will take care of this little intrigue that Lady Morlain and Priestess Aumreya find themselves entwined in.” “Good idea,” Bob said. “Get them to make nice.” Siegfried summoned Lady Morlain and High Priestess Aumreya to a side office away from the festivities via an acolyte’s invitation. He turned invisible and shadowed the delegates as they made their way separately to the meeting location. They arrived in the office more or less at the same, but before harsh words could be exchanged, the invisible Siegfried kicked the door shut behind him and revealed himself. “Now, you know I’m not a member of the Church of Sune,” Siegfried said, leaning against the door as he faced the two bewildered priestesses. “But I do work with the two High Priests.” “Indeed you do, that much is clear,” Lady Morlain said in a controlled voice. “A lot of work that wouldn’t be suitable for them,” Siegfried continued. “But I’ll tell you who I am. I am Prince Siegfried Alagondar of the Royal House of Neverwinter. The behaviour exhibited by the two of you is wholly unacceptable and brings a bad light to the Church of Sune.” Lady Morlain was very cool, collected and level-headed, while Aumreya seethed with resentment just below the surface. Her cheeks were already reddening. “Allow me to make things very clear,” Siegfried said. “I sabotaged both of your candidacies at the synod today.” Morlain nodded and blinked, taking it in, while Aumreya was befuddled. “And let me be crystal clear, this was not work against you by Varien Aether, by Robert Trevelyan, it was a work done against you by each other,” Siegfried said. “Frankly it was as easy as turning two schoolgirls against one another, and you should be doing better than this. Sune needs more from you than this.” Aumreya’s expression changed into one of realization of the recent events, and a quiet fury began to well up within her as she comprehended how she had been manipulated into reaching for a prize she had no business reaching for. “Aumreya, you look like you have something to say?” Siegfried said. Aumeray opened her mouth, closed her mouth, and looked away. “No, no, please continue,” she managed to say. “You would not be here if you weren’t capable,” Siegfried said. “I know that life’s ambition is alluring, but life’s ambition is what got us into this mess, it’s what brought devils into our Church here in Waterdeep.” He paused. “Sorry, your Church. I’m just the one here holding the broom. And the fact is, the church isn’t out of the woods yet. There are more enemies to come. There’s a crusade coming. And Sune’s going to need the both of you to keep order at home, and keep beauty in the home, and keep love at home. And we can’t do that if you don’t have love towards each other. What I need the both of you to do is shake hands, make peace with each other, and go out there into the sanctuary and congratulate your two High Priests. Quickly. Can either of you do that, or do I have to report to the two High Priests and have them make a decision about your futures?” Lady Morlain knew when she was beaten. She stood up and was willing to give an embrace of contrition, while Aumreya, with only the slightest hesitation, bowed and gave Lady Morlain her proper due as a high-ranking, senior member of the clergy. All cattiness was set aside at least for the moment under Siegfried’s watchful eye as the two of them made up. “I thank both of you for your grace, and I hope the High Priests can continue to count on your support and good sportsmanship going forward. Please don’t give my brothers more stress than they need at this time. They have a world to save, and thanks be to Sune that the responsibilities that have fallen on them have not fallen on you, because I don’t think you’re ready to carry the swords they are being asked to carry.” He opened the door and let them pass. High and Most Beautiful Priestess Aumreya left first, not quite in a huff, and High Priestess Morlain gave Siegfried a nod as she left. “Well played, Prince Alagondar, well played,” she said. “You clearly have the best interests in the Church and your compatriots at heart, and what is good for one is good for the other.” “The side of angels needs a few cunning devils to keep things moving,” Siegfried replied. “You played that role beautifully,” Lady Morlain said. She winked and walked out of the office in the direction of Bob, Varien, and the celebrating delegates. There was a receiving line of well-wishers in the sanctuary, and Bob and Varien soon found themselves shaking a plethora of proffered hands as they were congratulated by the synod’s delegates. Rose-Tender Alicia was about a hair’s breadth from proposing marriage on the spot, which Bob found quite amusing. Alicia was over the moon with the results of the election and pledged the support of the Crystal Cathedral in Neverwinter, and fervently hoped that she and Bob would be able to work closely together in the future, as Neverwinter and Waterdeep were closely aligned, geographically speaking. High Philocalist Adanja Feranos spoke of her concerns about the oppression and repression of her faith in Thay, confiding in Bob that she found it frustrating that under High Lady Ssaeral Shadowstar and Naes Inuus, the Church of Sune sent out crusading armies to every corner of Faerun except the Thayan region and its sphere of influence. “My brothers are sisters remain crushed under the heel of Szass Tam,” she said with tears in her eyes. Her expression brightened. “I am, however, impressed with both you and Varien and your zeal and martial prowess.” “Varien and I share your frustration with things that are happening in Thay,” Bob replied. “I’m sure with Siegfried’s assistance we can organize something to help ease the repression in the East. Well, West, but you know what I mean,” he smiled. “We will make things better soon.” Hearing Bob’s words, Adanja looked optimistic for the first time since she’d arrived in the city. Shandalara Sintertal from Dawndancer’s House in Silverymoon congratulated the two incoming High Priests, saying how much the temple appreciated the donation by the Lords’ Alliance in Bob’s name. “You know, I have a half-sister who lives in Silverymoon,” Varien said to the priestess. “He does!” Bob said. “If you ever need anything from us you can talk to Radegast De’ath in Silverymoon and she will get a message to us.” Shalandara smiled appreciatively, then her eyes widened at the name. “I’m sorry, Radegast De’ath is your sister?” she asked Varien. “Half-sister,” Varien said. “We share the same father.” “I take it the two of you are acquainted?” Bob asked. “I know Radegast!” Shalandara said. “That is, I knew her, when we were at school together,” she blushed. “College roommates.” “Of course,” Bob replied. Dammit, Radegast! He thought. “Radegast and I go way back,” Shalandara said. “I know that she recently went on an adventure herself, and I hope she was able to consult a map given her terrible sense of direction.” Bob chuckled. “You do know Radegast, then!” “That woman had trouble navigating her way out of a sleeping bag,” Shalandara said, blushing again. “Well, I shall look forward to renewing that connection. I shall look her up upon my return to Silverymoon." Raven Sommersrace, who led the Theatre of Joy in Crimmor, the City of Caravans in Amn, far to the south, approached them next. “I look forward to working closely with you and increasing the Church of Sune’s influence in Southern Faerun. If you could pry away a bit more coin from the Lords’ Alliance, as you apparently are skilled in doing, and direct its flow to the south, I could be instrumental in making great things happen with your investment for Sune.” She smiled dazzlingly. “But of course, money isn’t everything – I look forward to comparing notes on the themes of beauty and how our southern concepts of beauty align with your concepts from the far East. I hope that we can share our perspectives and chart a new theological course together that will sway the naysayers.” Bob smiled and nodded, impressed with her persuasiveness, and he thought that she would have a bright future in the Church and possessed wisdom and skills beyond her years. Aumreya and Lady Morlain also arrived to pledge their support. Ilbrar the Iron congratulated Varien and Bob as well, and mentioned how impressed he was with Bob’s ability to do pull-ups. It was nearing the dinner hour, and during a lull in the festivities, Siegfried approached Bob and asked if he’d like to accompany him to the Thann Family Villa in the North Ward. “It’s high time we visited my grandmother – she’s the best! She saved the world one time, you know. It’s just a short walk across Chasso’s Trot to Sashtar Street.” “How could I refuse?” Bob replied.