Kalen, Caged

**Side Quest - Completed**

Seeking the identity of the individual who took out the contract against Trevyan, the party sought out Luna's contact and friend, Kalen Maedril. Kalen, as both a day job and a disguise, worked at the Cicada House, which provided him with access to its upper-class clientele. However, he was not there when you arrived—apparently having been taken to the Circle on the orders of the Chantry. At least, that is according to the spirit of GLAMOUR, which is hardly the most trustworthy source.

Luna has vowed to seek out Kalen and free him, with Nadia and the rest of the party agreeing to help her. Some expressed sympathy with the desire to help her friend, others still seek answers from him. Regardless, it appears that any attempt to win Kalen back will involve crossing under the watchful eyes of a Chantry infiltrated by strange spirits.

After sending a letter to Bieranas Maedril, the hahren of the Tantervale alienage and Kalen's great-aunt, Luna was invited to speak with her so that she might provide the name of a contact who could help. After traveling to the alienage and witnessing the fact that the vhena'dahl was missing, Luna was given the name Anaelin Sarthala, Enchanter of the Circle and former ally to Cade Arvale.

After seeing an opportunity with most of the higher ups in both the Chantry and nobility distracted with their war council, the seven of you decided to take the chance to investigate the Chantry. Luna was able to introduce you to her contact, Anaelin Sarthala, as well as encountering her uncle, Caliban Alfreya. The two of them agreed to help you—Anaelin revealing that prisoners of the Circle were kept suspended in the Hanging Forest—a system of cages beneath the Rushriver Bridge. Caliban offered to take a lifeward amulet and bring to Kalen, as well as news that you would be coming to rescue him that night.

After witnessing Nicolette dodging over the rooftops of the compound, and being accosted by the spirit of GLAMOUR in the form of one of Nadia's friends, you were able to leave the Circle safely thanks to Akaraad's swift talking.

Determining that you would need a ship in order to reach the Hanging Forest, you relied on Volka's contacts to secure one. You ended up hiring one Serafina Savecchio, captain of the *Merry Merise*, to smuggle you back under Tantervale's walls.

After a fierce battle between the cages and chains of the Hanging Forest, you were able to best the templars guarding Kalen, releasing him from his bondage. You also freed a noblewoman you identified as Mildred Ghantour, promising her that you would return her to "those who cared for her". However, your final attempt to release a prisoner—an elf you identified as Finley—backfired upon you, as it was revealed to have been GLAMOUR, there apparently to bait you. In the confusion, Luna was sent crashing down into the Minanter. Briefly possessed by Guilt, Luna finally regained control when Vara pacified the spirit within her.

With Kalen and Mildred safely in hand, you fled the Hanging Forest, the ringing of alarm bells following you as you made your getaway in the dead of night.

*This quest was completed at the end of Session Seven, on 2020.11.28.*