Vala scene setting:
Vala is a little hungover the next morning but she still gets up early bc has to make up for her missed evening prayers.
She again adds Tyr to her list and asks him to watch over orda and silverwing in death and his steadfast servant Sildar in life. She also asks him to guide her in her conversations with him so that she may give him any comfort she can after all he’s lost.
Tomlin still asleep but she’s fine by midday. She braids her hair back into a clara, puts on one of Edda's old dresses, and walks there.
Sildar scene setting:
Vala finds Sildar sitting at a table with two chairs in the large foyer of the Townmaster's Hall. The table set for lunch
Vala:
Vala steps inside and slows without quite meaning to. “Greetings, Sildar. Thank you for inviting me. It’s good to see you this morning.”
She smiles, soft and unguarded. “I hope I have not kept you waiting."
Sildar:
He stands, and says "Oh no, my Lady. Well yes, I was waiting, but there was no 'kept' about it. My thanks for taking time to share a meal with me."
I hope the repast will suffice. I had Toblin put together a simple picnic meal that would travel well. Nothing is hot, unfortunately, but the food from the Stonehill is always a sight better than my usual road rations.
Vala:
Vala smiles more broadly and says “I assure you, anything from the Stonehill is already a luxury compared to what most of us call a meal on the road. I think it sounds perfect.”
Sildar:
I rarely indulge in midday meal, but I didn't want to take you away from yours when I requested your presence.
Thank you again for meeting me here. I tire of my constant toil in this place, but there is so much to do... and so little time to do it
Vala:
I'm glad I could entice you into sitting still and taking care of yourself for once, she teases a little
If I may ask, what has you in such a rush here?
Sildar:
Oh there is just so much to do to bring about a change for the better in Phandalin.
Vala:
I thought it the redbrands, but your determinedness has not waivered
Sildar:
The townsfolk running the businesses have done an admirable job at keeping their hamlet vital and functional
But they have been doing so with some disadvantage I'm afraid
Vala:
it is remarkable to see it survive at all
Sildar:
And he looks up to the Townmaster's Residence
Vala:
but yes there are many.... and she looks up at the ceiling at the same time,,, disadvantages
then sees he did the same and chuckles a little
he truly is a shit
Sildar:
As far as I can tell there have been numerous... ill begotten actors at play here
He chuckles a bit
A shit is more than our illustruous Town Master deserves. Shit can at least grow grain.
Vala:
she snorts a little, takes a seat. the road has been hell on her manners
Sildar:
Oh yes, how rude of me! Please sit!
He pulls out Vala's chair for her
Vala:
she blushes and sits, thanking him warmly
Sildar:
He pushes her chair in, then sits back down in his
Vala:
So not just Wester and Albrek, it goes back further still?
just like, talking to will the blush from her face
Sildar:
He takes the linen cover off of the food. There are some small sandwiches of cured meat and cheese. A fresh herb salad and a small bowl of berries.
Vala:
This is delightful, Sildar. Thank you
she plucks a berry and waits for him to continue
Sildar:
The berries are quite good. I have no idea where Toblin found fresh berries this early in the season. The Good Folk never cease to amaze me
Vala:
Toblin is a man of many wonders, as are they all and she thinks of little carp and wonders what all he's seen
Sildar:
Anyway. As you mentioned, Albrek was only a small player in the threats to Phandalin.
Wester is a certainly a nuisance, but his involvement seems to be fairly incidental as well.
Please don't misunderstand me. The man is a public menace. But only in the shallowest of respects.
Vala:
Oh I understand
Sildar:
He is an avaricious but completely inept bufoon.
He seems to have possibly been elected by an accident of circumstances.
Vala:
My father's father was cut from the same cloth. There are worse things than slovenly ineptitude.
Sildar:
No one was particularly interested in taking the Townmaster's seat at the time of the last election, mostly due to the fact that the majority of the official business was being conducted through the Phandalin Miner's Exchange.
Vala:
So it's a vanity position?
or it was
Sildar:
Well, in Wester's case, very much so.
The position does carry significant powers and responsibilities that are enshrined in the village charter.
However, Wester has been either unwilling or unable to bring his powers to bear or fulfill his responsibilities.
Vala:
It would honestly be hard to say which
Sildar:
He seems to have mostly been soliciting "investments" into civic improvement that go nowhere. Luckily very few have bought into his chicanery.
Vala:
That's a comfort at least
Sildar:
Upon the arrival of The Redbrands he sort of fell into his own trap.
He met with the original leader of the Redbrands believing they were a chartered mercenrary company.
And when they took his size, they quickly realized how easy a mark they were dealing with.
One that could give them free rein with the entirety of Phandalin.
They scared him enough that I sincerely suspect he has not left his Residence since the day of that meeting.
Vala:
Even still?
Sildar:
He simply doesn't believe the Redbrands are gone. I think he may be a bit addled in the brain.
Vala:
Gods
Sildar:
Yes. Please do not misunderstand me. He deserves little pity. He's a charlatan, a thief, and a tacit conspirator with truly malicious entities.
But... an ineffectual one.
He chuckles slightly.
Vala:
But the people beneath him. No wonder you lock yourself away in here trying to right it all
Sildar:
My concern is the damage that has already been done to the township. Phandalin has grown enough to become a target, which we've seen from the Many-Arrows raiders that you and your friends so expertly dispatched.
The town should have an organized militia at the least. Perhaps even some rudimentary fortifications. That takes time, coin, and planning. Something that should already be in the works but is not. I fear that without significant investment and effort, the town could face many dangers come winter that could lead to her failure
.... or even destruction.
Vala:
Vala sits up rigidly at that
Sildar:
Phandalin has a long history of growth followed by ruin. I was sent here to keep that from happening again.
Waterdeep certainly has her eyes set on the fair little hamlet for its own reasons.
But it could also serve as a significant means to revive fair Neverwinter.
If whatever Gundren was so excited about pans out, Phandalin could quickly become a source of trade, political power, and stability that could serve as a waypoint from the east and south in supplying Neverwinter.
But without finding Gundren, that future is called into question.
Vala:
Vala chews her lip a little and thinks.
Sildar:
Phandalin has good bones. But the old girl needs to put some meat on them to really catch the eyes of her potential suitors.
He looks up at Vala and realizes what he said
Sorry, my Lady...
Vala:
Vala is looking at him extremely amused
Sildar:
I sometimes forget I'm not talking to my subordinates any more
Vala:
I've been on the road with Persi, Sildar
It's quite alright
Sildar:
Ah yes. But I hope I cast a little more of a refined shadow than that odd little monk
He smiles
Vala:
She looks at him a little more appraisingly than she means to and assures him he does
Sildar:
That reminds me, the reason is asked you to meet.
Other than to enjoy your company, of course.
Vala:
more blushing
Sildar:
I wanted to apologize for my comportment yesterday. Your revelation that you had found poor Orda and Silverwing simply took all reason from me. I felt as if I had been wandering the Fugue Plane for untold millenia and fair Kelemvor suddenly appeared and told me my soul had finally been claimed.
Vala:
Sildar
there is no apology neccesary
Sildar:
I appreciate your saying that, my Lady.
Vala:
I'm just sorry I could not do more for you, it is a sundering blow. I tried to pray over them...
Sildar:
Oh, no, no, my Lady!
You have done more for me than you can ever understand.
I had lost all hope of ever knowing what happened to two of the most important things I have ever had in my life.
I knew in my soul they were gone. But I knew not how. I feared they were each lost, alone and isolated, waiting for me to come to them and bring them to safety... or to their ultimate glory
Vala:
Vala listens very openly, she hadn't quite realized what this had meant
and very softly she says It was so, so peaceful. Her eyes are slightly misted.
I hope you understand why I had to show you
I do apologize for the invasion, Grandmere always said it worked best like that
that we let each other in around the eyes.
Sildar:
To know they were together in the end brings me a comfort that I find very rarely in this Era of Upheaval
Oh, I felt no invasion Lady.
Vala:
I am so glad, Sildar. I had worried i had overstepped
Sildar:
I have had my mind turned inside out against my will by means arcane and psionic. Those were violations. Yours was nothing but a blessing from fair Mystra
The coincidence of your rescue of the memories of Orda and Silverwing was very much a shock to me considering my work here in Phandalin
Especially in the location you found them
It brings some closure to one of the most tragic events in my life that inadvertently ushered in one of the happiest and most unexpected revelations
He sort of looks off into the distance with a somewhat melancholy smile
Vala:
Vala tilts her head curious
I find happiness oft blooms from sorrow
it is a wonderful thing. Though you seem almost sad, Sildar
Sildar:
Oh no, my Lady. Just... unsure.
I don't want to trouble you with my, um.... personal worries. You surely have much on your mind in preparing for the next leg of your pursuit into the wilds.
Vala:
Sildar. You are no trouble
I should like to think of us as friends, if you would like that. and she smiles at him very openly
besides I find myself with blessedly little to do now that Tomlin is back with me. He keeps very very busy, the batty old codger.
and she has just the fondest look on her face
I hoped to trouble you with a favor besides and I would be gladened to lighten your burden in turn
Sildar:
Oh, my Lady, you have already lightened my burden much, there is no need to do so more. And, please, a favor for a noble Lady of Neverwinter can never be a "trouble" in my mind. What do you wish of me?
Vala:
She laughs a little. I find myself to be Lady of Little as of late, but Tomlin...
and her smile cracks
he is all I have. I hate leaving him here, but he cannot come back on the road.
I find you are the only person I trust. Would you look after him?
Her hands shake a little and she clasps them in her lap to hide it.
Sildar:Oh, my Lady. Your trust in me is flattering, I must say. I was planning on doing that anyway.
Vala:
I had not been thinking much of it all until I saw him again and now... she sighs. I just worry I suppose.
She's suprised he had thought to do this already
thank you sildar. I can't tell you what it means to me to know my only family is safe.
Sildar:It may be some time until I can arrange for safe passage for him wherever you'd like him to go, but as long as he's in Phandalin, he will have my sword and my shield at his side.
Family, my Lady? Is he of your blood?
Vala:
her eyes go misty.
No... I...
I'm the last
but he good as raised me
He's been a part of the family as long as I've been alive
Sildar:Ah... I see.
Vala:
It feels foolish to treat him as less
Sildar:I must say, my Lady, you continue to surprise me pleasantly.
Vala:
she cocks her head a little at that
Sildar:I've known countless member of the "noble" class in my days
And I dare say few of them live up to their official distinctions
Vala:
Ah, I know the women you speak of. My Mama, savras keep her, had her salon of clucking hens and Papa his braggarts clubs
Sildar:Especially when their own hides or kin are not on the line
Vala:
I found myself too busy suppose
Lucky, though it didn't feel so at the time and she laughs a little
Sildar:I will protect good Tomlin as if he were a Silverton under my official charge
Vala:
She places her hand lightly on his I cannot thank you enough. I will rest much easier knowing he is safe.
He spoke very highly of you, as it were...
and if you're aminable to plum brandy I'm sure he could spin you a tale
He does love to drink and talk, and odd as it is to say, he is quite good at it.
Sildar:I've yet to find a spirit I'm not amenable to, my Lady winks
Vala:
She laughs, crinkling her eyes and blushes a little at the wink
Then before she pulls her hand away, tightens her grip slightly and assures him, We will find Reidoth, and the location of the Castle and the Forge. We will find Gundren.
And we will save these people
She looks very determined for like
how she looks
Sildar:I know you will Lady. And the Blessings of Gods of Protection will go with you, I am sure.
Vala:
This Phandalin will not fall. and she smiles. We wont let it.
[she includes sildar in this "we" obv]
Sildar:I will do what I can here to ensure that Phandalin is in the best way it can be for when you return.
With our combined efforts, I believe Phandalin will be worthy of recognition and protection in the Alliance.
Vala:
She stiffens at the mention of the Alliance
but forces herself to relax
I truly hope so. Phandalin could truly be a gem of a hamlet under a fair hand
Sildar:He notices her change and seems a bit surprised
Oh, she's already a gem, my Lady
She just needs the powers that be to notice her polish
Vala:
hear hear
Sildar... when you write to the Alliance about this place... about us...
she's twisting her hands in her lap
How do you identify us?
Sildar:Us, my Lady?
Vala:
My... compatriots and I
Sildar:The townsfolk of Phandalin?
Oh, your Party!
My Lady, the Alliance has little interest in the details of the lives of everyone living in or passing through Phandalin
He leans in and whispers
And, frankly, it's none of their damned business
Vala:
Vala breaks into a genuine shit eating grin at that and fully relaxes
Sildar:I am an agent for the Alliance
But I am also a free man
I make decisions for myself, not for them
And what the Lords of Waterdeep or the lords of any other place do not know, will not hurt them
Or you
Or ANYONE I care for
That's why I've placed so much importance in my mission here
Vala:
You're... you're making a safe haven
Sildar:He looks around
Now we're onto something, my Lady
There will always be Lords
For good or for ill
Vala:
Vala mutters there will always be Landers
Sildar:But they can't always be everywhere
Vala:
Vala takes that in thoughtfully
Sildar:That's the job of the foot soldiers
And the functionaries
Vala:
And vala smiles and says "and their loyalty isn't always to lords"
Sildar:The Lords have no idea what we tin soldiers do on the ground
As long as they hear what they need to hear
And those soldiers... and their families... and anyone under their guard can be better for it
And left alone
If done right, Phandalin can be a good place to raise a child
Vala:
I could not think of a better place to call home
Sildar:A child who will not know the influence nor the neglect of some Lords
Vala:
Vala presses her nails into her palms a little at that
There would be no more noble goal
Sildar:But, if done with the appropriate finesse.... she can still know their protection
He considers that idea very intently
Vala:
Sildar you're right. With Neverember to the north and the Lords of Waterdeep to the east
Sildar:And then realizes he is saying it out loud
And sort of pulls himself back in. Like he was saying something he shouldn't
As in, shouldn't be said aloud
And he sort of looks around suspiciously
Vala:
Vala casts the message cantrip
and speaks softly in his head "no spies here, my confederate"
and winks at him in real life
[he can respond anytime she does that it's how the cantrip works]
Sildar:"perhaps not HERE, but mages have a way of hearing without being there"
and he winks back
Vala:
Vala sighs and says no safe haven yet, then
Sildar:Yet.
Vala:
another big smile
she hasn't smiled this much in years. Her face is going to hurt tomorrow and she doens't care
Tomlin almost killed her with the cellar bit
Sildar:Can I ask you a personal question my Lady?
Vala:
Of course, Sildar. After everything, please feel free to ask
Sildar:Do...cough um pardon my indiscretion, did you have any siblings?
Vala:
Vala takes a breath and says, I think, to answer that question, I would have to answer others. Which I am happy to do but first....
she leans in a little close and whispers, Sildar, do you know who I am? Do you know what I am?
or was I suppose
Sildar:He again, looks around
And whispers, You are a Silverton. A noble of Neverwinter.... Possibly the LAST noble of Neverwinter
That's enough for me to know that you want very few other people to know that
Vala:
She extremely discretely pulls out her grandmothers pendant from the long chain it hangs from. It's like, the Alagondar crest but includes an open oracles eye in the center of the bulls forehead and she presses it into his hand
and she says I believe you knew my father. He likely... had others
Sildar:I've worked for nobles my entire life, my Lady. I understand you well.
megdeg — Yesterday at 11:27 PM
But I knew nothing of them
Why do you ask?
Sildar:I can't fully say, my Lady.
Familial relationships are strange things.
Vala:
That they are. and she looks at him quizzically
Sildar:Ties of blood suggest that there should be some inherent connection between people
More than strangers at least
Vala:
She smiles a little ruefully, but that isn't how it works at all, is it?
Sildar:But I haven't experiened that as such
I had 2 brothers
One younger, one older
But there were considerable years between us
It made us more akin to strangers in a way
I was very close with my younger brother, despite the distance between us being greater in years
Vala:
What was he like?
Sildar:He was... he was a very kind boy
Thoughtful
Vala:
She smiles sadly, noting the past tense. "He sounds sweet"
Sildar:He was. He died in the Ruining with the rest of my family, unfortunately
Vala:
She places her hand over his softly. Surviving is lonely work. I am sorry, Sildar.
Sildar:It's alright, my Lady, it was some time ago now
Vala:
I hope I feel that way, someday
Sildar:I do too my Lady
As uncaring as that sounds
It was the same with Orda and Silverwing
The pain was too much to bear
If it went on for too long, I fear I would not have been able to survive it
I was lucky in a way
For I did not have to bear it alone
Vala:
How do you mean?
Sildar:I shared my loss with someone who had a similar loss to bear
Vala:
She smiles at that. I am glad you were not alone, Sildar
Sildar:Thank you, my Lady
It makes my heart glad that you do not have to bear your loss alone either
You have found your kin
Even though he's not your blood
Vala:
She smiles truly then. Blood is not everything and Tomlin is worth a hundred Landers.
Sildar:It was very similar to my experience
Finding kin but not where you'd expect it
And it helped me considerably
I hope it will do the same for you
Vala:
Her smile goes very soft. I am so very glad you found family, Ser. I hope to meet them someday, anyone you hold dear... I think I would be honored to know.
and thank you for shielding my kin in my absence.
Sildar:If our separate endeavors in Phandalin succeed and the fates so align, I believe you will meet them someday
Vala:
I do feel victory in the air as of late
Sildar:Even here? Now?
Sitting downwind of... that?
And he nods his head up the stairs toward Wester's quarters
And slowly smiles
Vala:
She looks up and grins
the midsummer elections come, Sildar
things cannot stay as they were
and so far, we're winning
Sildar:Just a few tendays ago I thought my end was nigh in a stinking cave surrounded by goblins. Now I'm eating finger sandwiches with a fair Lady many would say is farther beyond my station than the Tears of Selune, so I'll certainly count my recent history as a win!
Vala:
And I trapped in some sham marriage like a gilded cage for all my days
she smiles and looks around
I much prefer freedom and present company.
Sildar:Aye, my Lady. As do I. For you and for all.
Vala:
She smiles at him
Sildar:I have kept you for your preparations for long enough. And I should get back to my mortal battle with the Shambling Mound of documents in the yonder battlefield.
We will speak again, Lady. And soon, I hope.
Vala:
She mock salutes him good luck in the trenches, ser.
Sildar:In the meantime, a piece of advice from an old knight.
Vala:
and I would be pleased to break fast with you any time
Valas ears are perked for any Sildar advice always
Sildar:Stay behind Orthanc. If I had a walking source of cover as large and formidable as him, I would have dedicated myself to archery rather than trying to lance my foes while diving face first toward my death at the ground.
Vala:
she summons a little orb of fire in the palm of her hand and says, raining fire from above it is then, Commander
Sildar:He smiles and gives her a small, sly salute from the edge of his brow and then walks toward the records room