CHAPTER 10: Vigilance and Harmony

Measure Tyrm arrived in Waterdeep, along with a Cormyrean war wizard named Morn Dundragon. In addition was a personal friend of the war wizard, the cleric of Helm known as Senior Steeleye Bor Chernin. Formerly of a Helmite order known as The One True Vision, he found his way to the outer planes in a magical mishap during the Time of Troubles and had since joined The Harmonium. They were both Measure Ones in the Harmonium put under his command. Both were not only loyal to Helm and the Harmonium, but native to this world and very familiar with Silverymoon. They had both helped the Helmite church and peace-keeping wizards known as the Spellguard in dealing with Red Wizards, whatever they were.

They left the troops behind in Arcadia, but once Measure Tyrm was ready for them, his cubic gate would return him home and Measure Romammon was prepared to send him back with a large portal that could bring his troops through. "Faerun is rich in portals and its magical weave makes it easy," he'd said.

Once in Waterdeep, the war wizard teleported them to the gates of Silverymoon, as the city had mythals that prevented those without a ward token to teleport directly into the city. Neither native seemed particularly bothered by the city as they walked through it, but Measure Tyrm was shocked. It reminded him a little of Arborea. It was not as chaotic as that degenerate plane, and here there were obviously laws, along with officers that enforced them. Yet many of the locals flaunted their individuality, and there were unseemly displays of art, music, and song far too common, along with frequent giddy laughter and gaudy use of magic. Fashions were colorful and individualistic rather than comforting in their conformity. The population was a mix of many races, especially humans, elves, gnomes, halflings, dwarves, and those of mixed blood, as well as more exotic races. But, fortunately, no kender.

The tallest structures were ancient trees that had been incorporated into the city itself, and each tree seemed different from all the other trees, just as each building was also unique, looking like a work of art. In some places, trees were shaped into intricate dwellings, and other dwellings not only had trees inside the building, but even growing THROUGH it. One place he passed was a tree with magically grown elven crystal and wood that made it for a large dwelling, complete with spiraling staircases and sculpted crystal bowls growing flowers all around it. The tree was on a hill, and the hill had been made into dwellings for halflings and gnomes. He could see dwarven pipes leading away in what appeared to be gnomish-inspired plumbing.

And all the foliage made it easy to get lost, though the two men escorting him knew their way around. It all made for a chaotic blend that gave an appearance of racial harmony and individual empowerment, though he knew such things were ultimately just pretty lies and evil temptations that led to destruction, and were the doom of rebellious children. He shook his head as the enormity of his task, of uniting all the cosmos under the Harmonium vision, momentarily overwhelmed him.

He was also shocked by the number of elves. Most of them were of mixed blood, like Sylvie and Panwyr, but plenty of full-blood elves abounded, most of them being of the moon or golden subrace. The moon elves, creatures of ethereal strangeness with delicate and finely chiseled features, made the fugitives Panwyr and Sylvie Starblossom look plain and ordinary by comparison. They seemed almost translucent in their moon-white skin with hints of icy blue where a human would be more tan or red. Their arms and legs seemed somehow longer, and their hands and feet were definitely longer and more slender than a human's. And they didn't so much walk as flow, stepping as a dancer would. They had the most variety in hair and eye coloring of any of the other elven types as well, though most had eyes of green or blue (very much like the fugitives he sought with moon elf blood), and hair that was bluish black, silver, or even blue.

But worst of all, so many of them that he passed were incredibly individualistic, quick to laugh and express joy at being alive, openly flaunting of their poor moral character, adorned with eccentric fashions (often with a mix of bright colors, and some showing more skin than it covered), and even public displays of song and dance, eager smiles and ready hugs, sometimes with members of other races. That nearly every single person who obviously was not full elf was of moon elf descent also said bad things to Measure Tyrm regarding the morals of the typical moon elf.

The golden ones, just as finely chiseled and delicate, at least seemed dignified and looked as if they were exercising patience with their moon elven cousins, though he saw a few look at them with open disdain (sometimes even more than they did those who were not elves), while a few seemed to bear expression of amused tolerance (many of these exceptions wearing golden robes & jewelry with a miniature gold rose or stylized heart on a brooch or necklace a common theme, or in their company, he noticed). Their clothing and styles were much more dignified, though a bit too posh (in a conservative sense) and painstakingly (or magically) achieved, in his opinion.

They also seemed to be more into contemplation, most of them writing or meditating in shaded groves rather than singing or engaging in shameful acts of self-expression like many of the moon elves did. They usually spoke softly and sparingly, which was different from the moon elves that seemed inclined to speak more, louder, and showing emotion. They didn't seem to be as accepting of non-elves as the moon elves were, but then Measure Tyrm wasn't particularly interested in mingling with the locals himself. They were at least as exotic as the moon elves, yet most of them didn't make him automatically think they were a cosmic mistake. He thought it might be worth offering them a chance at redemption by joining the Harmonium.

He was glad to finally reach the austere church of Helm known as The House Invincible, especially since there seemed to be no elves at all here, not even the golden ones. There was one half elf of moon elf descent that had come out just before he and the others went in, but he wore austere armor and clothes and something about him suggested to Tyrm's eye that he possessed a lawful heart. But now that they were here, it was time to stop gawking and carry out their mission.

Here, Steeleye Bor would do most of the talking, with Commandyr Tyrm playing "bad cop" if it became necessary. The war wizard was present in case they had the uncanny luck of running into the fugitives here, and would remain mostly silent and magically observing the proceedings, ferreting out subterfuge and chaotic intent.

Because of his past connection here, Steeleye Bor was able to gain them admission to the head priest, known as Vigilant Master Baerim Coraddor. Much like Steeleye Bor, he wore plate armor with an open-faced helm and the mark of a staring blue eye on the front of an upright war gauntlet painted into the chest. But whereas Steeleye Bor's plate was utilarian, Vigilant Master Baerim's plate was polished and enhanced by a red cloak and steel grey tabard holding a broadsword that seemed as inspirational as it was functional.

Steeleye Bor was talking to the solemn priest now. "Helm has taken a beating from upstart gods such as Tyr that seek to replace him, and has fallen from popularity by those who ignore His vigilance and instead focus on the alleged abuses by my order, the One True Vision. The vulgar masses also say that by doing His sworn duty, He kept the destructive deities in Faerun longer than they needed to be. They overlook that He was chosen over all other gods who had instead been stripped of their powers and cast down to Faerun. Yet Helm has shown me an opportunity for His worship to not only come back in popularity, but for His ways to rule supreme, in Faerun and beyond: the Harmonium."

"This is an order of Helmites?"

He shook his head. "Nay, but we are a growing presence within it. Unfortunately, so is Tyr, and other gods like Him, but that makes it all the more important that our church help with the Harmonium's vision. Especially as Helmite dogma and Harmonium goals blend so well together."

"Has the Harmonium established any footholds on Faerun yet?"

"Not yet, Vigilant Master. But it is only a matter of time."

Vigilant Master Baerim shook his head as he said, "I am not opposed to you, but I cannot betray the Silver Marches or its citizens in any way. My duty is clear and I will carry it out. The Silver Marches must be defended."

"Indeed it shall. However, we are not here to carry out subversion or a crusade. We are here simply seeking terrorists that have committed crimes against the Harmonium and are known to have family here."

"And that family would be?"

"A clan of elves known as Starblossom."

Vigilant Master Baerim's blinked and then shook his head. Finally, he said, "I cannot say I'm altogether surprised, as that clan has quite a reputation for scandal. On the other hand, they are well-connected merchants with alliances within this city, including its government, and from other cities and races abroad. Their clan extends to many regions on Toril, even in legendary Evermeet. They also have a renown bladesinger that prefers living in this city when she's not out doing whatever she happens to be doing. She's made herself popular with many people of various races in this city, and I understand that not only is she fond of her clan, but she has clashed with paladins of Helm and Tyr in the past, though not here in the Silver Marches. You must tread carefully if you go after the Starblossoms. And this church cannot aid you in doing so, for to do so would be to alienate many of the Spellguard and Knights in Silver, both of whom are members of our church, yet loyal to one or more members of the Starblossoms."

"We are not after the clan itself, Vigilant Master, but after two specific members: Panwyr, and his daughter Sylvie. A halfling by the name of Merla Bramblefoot is also wanted and was last seen in their company."

"Ah," said Vigilant Master Baerim, "now you're talking Alariana's brood. She has been a constant source of scandal for the clan for a good century now. I believe that she has never married and yet given birth to at least three children, each one to a different father. She's been banned from our church for pouring magical potions into our holy water. That caused many distracting – although admittedly harmless -- magical effects and could not be tolerated as it made us look less than vigilant. Her granddaughter, Sylvie Starblossom, is also on our list of troublemakers. The Spellguard also watches her closely as she not only learned to cast spells from a chaotic bunch of wizards known as the Harpells, but she's a known patron of a party guild of mischievous spellcasters in Silverymoon calling themselves the the Festive Arcanists." He frowned sternly. "I know and care little about Panwyr Starblossom, but I'd love to see the impious wizard he sired finally brought to justice."

"Then you'll help us?"

He shook his head regretfully. "Unfortunately, I cannot help you. I'd recommend that you speak to Talindra Starblossom, a Warder in the Spellguard since she doesn't count Sylvie a real elf at all and finds her and her half-elf father an embarrassment to the clan. Being a force for law and order in the Silver Marches herself, and as one who has been assigned to deal with Sylvie by Jorus Azuremantle of the Spellgaurd in the past, she may sympathize. It's said that she's the true ruler of her clan, at least within the confines of Silverymoon. But elves are clannish creatures, and as long as Alariana is sure to get involved in any troubles, then not even Talindra will aid you."

Measure Tyrm finally spoke up. "Are you certain that a Warder would give aid and succor to a known criminal?"

"No," admitted the Vigilant Master, "there is much I find redeemable about Talindra Starblossom, but elves of all kinds tend to have a strong racial loyalty, especially to their family, and doubly so when it's humans that threaten them. Moon elves in particular are also prone to throwing tradition to the wind, and have a habit of standing up to what they see as injustice and evil when they can. Given their wanderlust, lack of usual elven pretensions, and chaotic outlook, they sometimes treat paladins with the same distrust, even hostility, as slaver organizations and tyrants. They're not all that way, but many of them are. The Starblossom bladesinger is this way, and I'm glad she's off dealing with orcs right now on behalf of the Silver Marches rather than making trouble in the city." He shook his head. "At least the sun elves, or gold elves as most others usually call them, respect tradition and sanctity."

Measure Tyrm frowned. He saw why the baatezu hated moon elves even more than most other types of elves. "Is there any chance that the elf can be reasoned with, as officers of the law to a Warder of this Spellgaurd?" As pleasant as putting moon elves to the sword would be, especially those related to the kender-moon elf wizard, it would not get him what he wanted, and the wanton killing of anyone involved in law enforcement, even if they weren't worthy to enforce the law, was not an action for any Harmonium officer to take lightly. He had to sublimate his hatred and focus on carrying out his duties as an officer of the law.

After a moment, the Vigilant Master nodded, and said, "Let me see about that." Then calling a lesser priest, he instructed him to fetch the Warder on "a matter of diplomatic necessity" to The House Invincible.