Relationship between Caduceus and Caleb

Relationship
Caduceus and Caleb have very different points of view and goals, but get along well and frequently try to support each other.

History
Caleb was the first party member to formally welcome Caduceus into the Mighty Nein, not long after they first met in the Blooming Grove. They got along well almost immediately. Caduceus recommended that Caleb (and the others) rest in the Sour Nest rather than attempting to travel through the dangerous Savalirwood following the defeat of the Iron Shepherds. Meanwhile, Caleb continued to make an effort to include Caduceus in the group when they returned to Zadash, and checked in with him while they were on The Mistake. Caduceus told Caleb he was feeling as though he was being tested, and Caleb apologized for the difficult time the party had been having. The two of them discussed the nature of fate and destiny. Caleb also gave Caduceus the Periapt of Wound Closure that had belonged to Molly.

Caduceus trusted Caleb, particularly when it came to magic, and confided in him regarding some concerns about Twiggy. He also admitted he saw Caleb as holding a leadership position, or at least having an "air of authority".

In Felderwin, Caduceus took care of a panicking Caleb, picking him up and telling him the damage in the Brenatto Apothecary was not his fault and that Caleb would help fix the problem. He frequently was protective of Caleb, particularly regarding Caleb's experiences with the Cerberus Assembly.

After the party's experience in the Heirloom Sphere, Caleb asked Caduceus and Fjord about their experiences with religion and fate, as he felt that despite his personal beliefs the Mighty Nein seemed destined for something. Caduceus told him that he'd always known Caleb had had a destiny, and praised Caleb for placing others first during their time in the Folding Halls of Halas.

While Caleb deliberately withheld the full story of his final exam and breakdown from the clerics, once he did reveal it shortly prior to the party going to dinner at Trent Ikithon's tower, Caduceus told him that "We share a road with a lot of people. That doesn't mean that they're all the same, especially when you take a crossroads." He felt that Caleb had changed and become a better person, and that Trent's treatment had been abusive. After Trent destroyed some of the Clay family's house in his final attack on Caleb, Caleb told Caduceus he would help however he could in fixing it the next morning.

When the two parted, Caleb told Caduceus "Thank you for softening a skeptic's eye" and Caduceus told him in return, "Thank you for bearing the fruit that saved everybody.