Oh hello Lady Vala. I seem to have slept for some time. That little adventure of mine using the scrying and teleportation spell certainly took a lot out of me. I hope my services were not needed whilst I slumbered!
No no Tomlin, please rest.
And vala kind of looks him over
makes sure he's actually well
Tomlin:
Oh, thankee kind Lady. I am feeling much well rested now!
Vala:
Vala smiles and takes his hand. So very much has happened, but before we talk about the rest, I need to know about the man you were sent to collect. My readings have been... ominous.
and she gestures at a tarot reading on her desk that she keeps pulling over and over and over
5 card read. 2 people and then their past / present / future
The Seven of Swords/The Tower/The Three of Cups inverted
High Priestess (obv vala)
Inverted King of pentacles
when she, upset, tossed it away from her it landed over the card that represents her, covering her face
Did you find him?
Tomlin:
I found him not, but I did gather some additional information about him.
Your father must have done much to conceal his identity
Vala:
vala just holds his hand and waits and she's nervousss
Tomlin:
Supposedly he is someone largely unknown to the nobility of Neverwinter or Waterdeep
But he has claim to royal blood
He likely knows very little about his ancestry
Vala:
Where else would Papa even know to dig someone up?
If not Neverwinter or Waterdeep?
Tomlin:
He is most definitly from Waterdeeo
But unknown in noble circles there
Vala:
Tomlin, who's blood? Not the Alagondar's?
Tomlin:
Perhaps...
Vala:
Someone of noble blood, but perhaps not of noble name?
I wonder at what Papa would not do, Tomlin
It seems there is little, if power or gold are at play
Tomlin:
There seems to have been some questions about his bloodline, but your father seemed quite certain that if he could collect more information, the gentleman in question could be a claimant to some of the greatest inheritances in the entire region
Vala:
.... curious
Do you think he lives?
Tomlin:
His immediate family were no beggars but they were not among the upper echelons of Waterdeep either
I suspect they were skilled tradespeople, artisans, or perhaps guildmembers
But there are many of those in Waterdeep, unforunately
He also would have come into a great deal of wealth and comfort just before your father died
Vala:
Then that's how Papa would have met them. He always had his hands in the coffers of the Merchants Guild
Tomlin:
Your Papa seems to have spent a considerable amount of Silverton gold and influence into setting the boy up well in Waterdeep to keep him quiet, happy, and out of sight until his provenance could be confirmed
And until your betrothal could be finalized
However, after the tragedy of the Ruining and the less tragic death of your father
Much of that new money and influence would have dried up
Vala:
Vala chuckles slightly at that
Tomlin:
So I know not how the young man would have faired afterward
Vala:
Tomlin, there's a man here... a good man, but he reports to the Lords Alliance. My name may already have made it's way to Waterdeep
Tomlin:
He was quite young when your father discovered him and began hatching his plan
So I suspect the man-in-question would be somewhere around your age now
In the 30 - 35 year old range
Vala:
Papa was going to marry me to a CHILD
Tomlin:
Well, he was going to betroth you to a child
You would have been married when he came of age
Vala:
Vala is genuinely shocked
and Vala despises being shocked
She gets up and starts making tea to do something with her hands
Tomlin:
It is not uncommon for marriages of convenience or alliance or simple avarice to have considerable gaps in the ages of the bride and groom
But yes, your father had no shame
Vala:
So, I can't even count on him just dying. I come to realize I was somewhat, Tomlin
Tomlin:
In fact, I suspect he didn't even know the word
Vala:
TRULY
She puts the teapot down between them a little to hard and huffs
I wonder...
I worried that my name may have made it's way back to Waterdeep, but we have a little bit of waterdeep here. Nobility even
I may ask Sildar after this, he may know something...
though I doubt it. Politics seem to not be his purview
Tomlin:
Tomlin: Sildar?
Forgive me poppet, but my memory isn't as good as it used to be
Vala:
Hallwinter? He's the representitive of the Lords Alliance here in town. I suppose you haven't met yet. Vala's pouring tea
He's seems a very good man. He's been so kind to the townsfolk
and he's properly fit
Tomlin:
Oh thank you, it smells delicious after my long slumber
Halwinter!?
Vala:
and she smirks a little bc they used to have little tea talks like this with her mama
Tomlin:
He spills his tea a bit
Vala:
Tomlin?
Tomlin:
I did not know Sildar was a Hallwinter
That IS interesting
Vala:
The name sounded familiar but I couldn't place it?
Tomlin:
I believe he would be Sir Sildar now
Vala:
she looks at him quizzically
he is. He... has lost much to come this far
Tomlin:
As you know my family have been in the service class for many, many generations
To your family, of course
Vala:
and how lucky we are for it, and she smiles at him
Tomlin:
That said, lineages such as ours intersect with many others over generations as well
The Helders and the Hallwinters have been in service in Neverwinter for centuries
And have had plenty of time to get to know one another
I remember the day when young Sildar left our fair city, seekign even greater glory in The CIty of Splendors
The Hallwinters have been in service to Neverwinter since before the Alagondar's ruled
Vala:
Vala is rivited
Tomlin:
They are a military family, producing some of the finest military leaders in the entire Sword Coast
A Hallwinter led a great deal of the combined forces of Neverwinter and Waterdeep in their last major defeat of the dogs of Luskan
When they were attempting another one of their endless wars of conquest
I haven't seen Sildar since he was a boy, but I have heard of some of his exploits
And some of his tragedies
He is a very good man
Vala:
Tomlin, we just found Orda and Silverwing
I... I told him today
he is, possibly, the best man I have ever met
Tomlin:
And while he is most definitely a Knight in service to The Lords' Alliance, he certainly is not a fool
He knows when to report things to his superiors and when to keep his mouth shut around nobles
The Masked Lords of Waterdeep are not known to always be the most reliable, even-handed, or selfless of men and women
I know not those names specifically, but I do know he lost his mount and his squire a number of years ago
And that loss almost killed him
Both literally and figuratively
Vala:
She smiles sadly
and nods
he...said it had been a long time and he knew them to be dead
but I worry
Tomlin:
It was during Waterdeep's Wyvern Spire Campaign... oh 12 or 13 years ago now
Grim times
Vala:
Vala sighs. Oh Sildar. Why do the best always get the worst
Tomlin:
He would know much more about the details of the campaign and what happened
Vala:
and she looks at Tomlin so fucking sad thinking about what his life was like between the ruining and now
Tomlin:
But one of the many reasons Waterdeep could and would not help more in the rebuilding efforts of Neverwinter was because they had to undertake that campaign
To open up the trade routes so supplies could make it to Neverwinter
The High Road had been besieged by wyverns, goblins, and even a terrifying green dragon for years
And someone had to put a stop to it
Vala:
Gods I slept through so, so much
Tomlin:
You have no idea my Lady
Vala:
Vala tops off their tea, wraps a throw around Tomlin
sits back down
Tomlin:
I have only recently learned about the goings-on outside of Neverwinter from the time of the Ruining to the recent
From the Waterdhavians brought to our city by Lord Neverember
Vala:
Vala's eyes narrow a bit at that name. Tomlin, sometime, I would very much like to know what you make of the new Lord of Neverwinter
Tomlin:
Truthfully Lady, I know little about the man himself
He has brought a great deal of stability and coin to our struggle
There was a marked improvement in the city
But largely in the Protector's Enclave
Vala:
It seems few do. When I was sneaking about the city those scant weeks between waking and leaving, no one knew anything of him only his power and the change it provoked
Tomlin:
I know he has tried to push his reach into the other Districts, but there are entrenched entities elsewhere that are VERY difficult to dislodge
Vala:
Home is.... much changed
Tomlin:
Ah yes
The estate has certainly seen better times
But the bones of the old girl are still strong!
Vala:
Even the district. Thugs in the streets!
That they are Tomlin!
Tomlin:
Just like those housed in this... shambling mound!
He shakes his leg bones
Vala:
Vala laughs like she hasn't in a long time
Tomlin:
Ah, it is good to see you smile and hear your laugh again, my young Miss
Vala:
I am so so lucky you are here Tomlin
Tomlin:
There has been so little of that in my life for some time
I lucky you, Lady!
I thought you lost!
I thought everyone lost!
Vala:
We will find more, together I hope.
Tomlin:
The only thing that kept me going was my service to the remaining people of Neverwinter
And a great deal od brandy, I'm afraid to say
Vala:
It does not suprise me in the least that you found new purpose
Tomlin:
He looks around suspiciously
And leans in close
Vala:
and we all need a little... softening
Tomlin:
And says "do you want to know a secret?"
Vala:
whispers always
Tomlin:
"You CANNOT TELL A SOUL"
Vala:
she solemly holds out her pinky
they did this when she was a girl
Tomlin:
He takes it and they pinky swear
He cups his hand over her ear
And VERY softly whispers
"Your father's wine and spirit cellar unexplicably survived the destruction"
"Myself and the beggars of Neverwinter have never drank so well!"
Vala:
Vala laughs again, so hard she cries
That... that is the best end that could have EVER come to Papa's collection
she wipes the tears from her eyes
and pulls him into a hug
You were the best of us, and I'm so so glad you're here
Will you stay with me? I hope to rebuild the estate, but until then...
she looks a little sheepish
gestures around the little room
Our manse has seen better days, but I find myself making do
And I need to get back to Neverwinter there's just....
something is going to happen
I can feel it
and it's not done yet
Tomlin:
Oh I cannot even IMAGINE what your father would have thought about me drinking his Moonshae Almond Brandy straight from the bottle and sharing it with the townsfolk stainding watch on The Wall!
I will be with you until my end, Lady
Vala:
He rolls in his much deserved grave
She hugs him again
Tomlin:
However, wherever, and whenever it may come
Vala:
Many long years, I hope. In a fine bed with a glass of brandy.
she kisses him on the top of his head
Please do not ever teleport to me again you could have died you lovely old man
Tomlin:
Oh yes, I know. The mage who sold me the scrolls warned me. In fact he called me a "crazy drunk codger"
I do feel bad about not warning those adventurers who agreed to come along with me
I wasn't in my right mind
Vala:
Tomlin!! Were you drunk when you teleported?
Tomlin:
Oh no no no
Well... I wasn't DRUNK
But I certainly wasn't as sober as a Paladin
Vala:
well who is?
miserable men
Tomlin:
I came to the conclusion that either the teleport would work and we would all win something from the day
Or it wouldn't and nothing would matter to us anymore
So I saw that as a win - draw
But the Goodly Gods shined on us that day!
Vala:
I cannot say that logic does not make sense to me
Tomlin:
Huzzah!
Vala:
she takes a little flask of brandy she found and pours a little into their empty tea cups
Huzzah!
Adventuring is strange Tomlin!
she has def already found a couple of his "stash" lol
Tomlin:
I certainly never expected to find myself on one
I've patched up plenty an adventurer in my day
And all of them seemed to be some sort of addled
Vala:
I fear I may be and vala smiles a little madly
Tomlin:
But sometimes a life chooses you and not the other way around
Vala:
that is certainly the way of it
and she starts chattering about their adventures so far and their companions and how SHE actually saved Sildar Hallwinter herself, healing him as he was thrown bloody off a cliff by a nasty little goblin
[as they drink and talk it becomes painfully obvious Vala's crushin ]
A few hours of talking and drinking later, Vala is flopped across the bed on her back, head hanging over the edge so the world has turned upside down, making her feel more tipsy than she is. Her fading chestnut hair spills all over the floor as Tomlin’s face swims gently in and out of focus above her.
Vala squints at him
Tomlin… you don’t think I’m barking up the wrong tree again, do you? Like I did with Louis. When I was a girl.
He never married, you know. And he’s a military man. Perhaps he simply prefers the company of men.
(no rush was just the first thought I had waking up this morning 😂 )
Tomlin:
Oh, my Lady, I cannot speak to his preferences in love or in lust. I do remember seeing him on the company of ladies in his youth, for what that is worth
Plumbing the heart of such a man will have to be another of your adventures I dare say
Vala:
Vala sighs and drinks her brandy thoughtfully
And after a little sober up nap in which they sleep through dinner, she and Tomlin go beg a late dinner off of Toblin
Vala asks if Sildar came to dinner, and if not, she asks if he'd send up a tray or give her one to deliver as Sildar has had a very trying day and she worries after him.
Tomblin:
Oh, Madame Vala! Always a pleasure to see you! We always have vittles on the fire for light night arrivals. Sir Sildar has eaten and retired for the night I'm afraid. He has kept a very regimented schedule since you brought him to town
I understand he is trying to bring some semblance of order to the Townmaster's hall
Vala:
I'm simply glad to hear he ate! thank you Toblin. It is unsurprising he keeps a firm schedule. Military men oft do
Given the inhabitant that is.... a tall order
Toblin:
He told me he'd " rather face down an ancient red dragon in single combat in nothing but his small clothes than spend another day in those damnable records but he swore by the unwavering eye of The Watcher that he'd finish the task he set out to do"
Vala:
Vala snorts at that, probably the most unladylike thing she's done since she got here
whispers under her breath to Tomlin I'd pay a pretty penny to see that
probably not a quietly as she think bc shes def still a little drunk
Toblin:
I could tell from the beginning that he is a supremely dedicated man
But his steadfastness in bringing peace and prosperity to Phandalin seems even more than that required for his station in the Alliance
Something about how he is approaching it seems both urgent and personal
Vala:
I concur, do you think he has some other motive? I cannot imagine it to be anything untoward
but his doggedness does speak to something personal.
I know there is little I would not do to create a safe haven in this harsh world
and she kind of looks over at Tomlin for a moment and thinks about what little she would not be capable of to have him back in a warm bed at the estate
Vala:
... for those I love that I have managed to not lose
her furrows brow smooths and she smiles. Perhaps he has something worth guarding still. The thought warms her after seeing his devastation over Orda and Silverwing. She really hopes she's right
Thank you as always for your care and candor, Toblin. You are truly a gem
Toblin:
Aww, thankee kind Lady. I am just a humble Lightfoot servant but I do strive to bring the warm hearth of my people's home too all goodly folk
Vala:
And you truly do. This inn is a shining beacon in the darkness.
and she smiles and inclines her head slightly to him and helps Tomlins drunk ass to bed
Toblin:
He gives you a beaming smile
Vala:
I assume his metabolism is terrible
and he's still sauced
Toblin:
I think i might have a nip of whatever Master Tomlin is having!
And he goes back into the stock room
Vala:
Oh before he does, Vala reaches into her dress pocket, winks and pours him a nip of Brandy
Toblin:
Ooo what have we here?
Vala:
A little of my father's plum brandy remains somehow and she smirks a little at Tomlin
Toblin:
Oh my lady but that smells better than anything I have even in my reserves!
Vala:
I hope it warms you and sweetens your dreams, kind sir. It is more desereved in your glass than it ever was in my Papa's.
Sweet dreams, Toblin. And she half carries Tomlin upstairs