You were waiting for that day. Not because you longed to joined the famed Assembly, but to decline them.

If anyone asked you, you told them you studied magic because of your passion for clever creation, focusing on conjuration. But soon, your interest in all schools of magic had you successfully branching out, becoming a formidable spell caster with most magic. Except necromancy (no interest) and divination (well, obviously.)

But buried in your gut was the true reason you study magic. To restore the Netherdawn name.

Your great-great grandfather, Fabian Netherdawn was a renowned Transmutation wizard and illusionist, with a high proficiency in the elements and nature.

Through his efforts he single-handed saved a town from a storm and flood, by raising the water level of a nearby lake and redirecting it towards the oncoming wall of water. The town, now an island, renamed itself to Netherdawn in his honor.

And yet, his great desire was to join the Cerberus Assembly. To help not just one town, but many. To guide and advise the rulers of Dwendal towards a peaceful and prosperous future.

His notoriety forced the Assembly to meet with him. They congratulated him on his accomplishments and show of expert skill. But still, no invitation came.

But, as the family legend goes, it was when they invited another wizard, Fabian’s biggest competitor in school, Timothy Harkness, that things really went south.

Harkness lorded the association over Fabian his entire life. Fabian finally left Rexxentrum, and wandered, dedicating his life to helping others and lifting burdens in the more forgotten corners of the Empire and beyond.

He was mysteriously killed in Savalirwood, attempting to help discover the source of the curse that had plagued the land, leaving a wife and two children.

Your great grandfather studied magic, but followed his father’s example and stayed on the perimeter, never getting on the Empire or the Assembly’s radar.

Your grandfather moved the family to Zadash, to be near the Library of the Colbalt Soul and became a Sage.

Your mother inherited property in Rexxentrum about a year before you were born, and so your parents moved you, your sister and oldest brother back to Rexxentrum.

As you grew, you heard the family stories, particularly when your uncles would visit (Parish and Sebastion–Seb, for short). They carried on, and with each telling, would grow the feats of their great grandfather and the remorse the Assembly had to feel, not giving Fabian that invitation.

But the Netherdawns were not ruined by the lack of the invitation. They had done decently, really just merging with the faceless societies of the Empire.

And you couldn’t handle it. Being faceless. You had power, intelligence, skill, running through your veins. The Netherdawns are a powerful wizarding family, and you would bring that fact to light.

So you studied.

And practiced.

And accomplished.

Until finally, the word came.

You had your rejection prepared since you were seven.

Almost immediately after, you found yourself startled by the realization of what you had done. You had just rejected one of the most powerful organizations in the known world. A first, to your knowledge.

Your fear of repercussion occupied your mind for months, wondering when the other shoe would drop. Until the request came to hire Vanquish to seek out the Lobo Blackwell’s Time Ravage spell.

Relieved that there seemed to be no hard feelings and they were at least willing to work with you and your team, it did not lessen your distrust of the Assembly, and question why they wanted the spell. To what end.

You’ll find the spell, you thought. But you’d be da***d if you’d allow the Assembly their hands on it.