Viveka Blackstone: Portrait of a High Sheriff
INTRODUCTIOIN
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This series of High Sheriff Portraits has been completed with very few notes, mostly from memory. Any factual inaccuracies are my own; they are not intentional. Either I did not know or misunderstood the truth of specific events or time has eroded my memory.
My goal is simply to preserve and illuminate the tenure of the High Sheriffs under which I served. All opinions, reflections, and insights about these High Sheriffs are mine own.
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VIVEKA BLACKSTONE'S ADMINISTRATION
25-5-177 AR 17-7-179 AR
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I was not present for the entirety of this administration having arrived in Guldorand in 178 AR. Compared to the older settlements of Cordor and Brogendenstein, the city was still young. The wilds surrounding Guldorand were harsh, full of giants, rocs, and great bears. While I rarely ventured forth beyond the walls at first, the city felt strangely empty.
Daun and I joined the Garrison under Marshal Aleksander Hornraven. As the Garrison is only permitted to protect the city from external threats, I took to patrolling the walls. Daun began patrolling the countryside until I was confident enough to join him.
Training was minimal. On one occasion, we did venture forth with Hornraven, Blackstone, and Lieutenant Brauka Odaukar to the Temple of Auril. With their assistance, we completed our contract work, and realized just how desperately we needed more martial training.
Before coming to Guldorand, I had seen a post in Skaljard Village about a song contest for a Guldorand Anthem. Excitedly, I met with Lady Blackstone soon after arriving. She tried to explain the rather tangled intricacies of their government, the Founder's Council, and the Charter. It is "a promise to all", she told me. Those words so impacted me they were included in the anthem I wrote. I was told the Founder's Council were very impressed by the anthem, but the Lord's War soon consumed their attention.
THE LORDS WAR
As a newcomer, I slowly realized that there was little information coming from the government; public posts were rare. Then again, most of the citizens did not seem very concerned, so perhaps it was merely the way of things. My own understanding of the War is limited. I know Waterdeep and Amn warred with each other. I know each sought support from their settlements in Arelith, Cordor and Guldorand. I know there were traitors and skirmishes, and confusion reigned. Beyond that, little was clear to me.
If memory serves, Guldorand did not join either side as a settlement, though individuals did. Several members of our government enlisted. Aleksander Hornraven earned the status of noble for his deeds. Lady Blackstone returned a bit late from the War having lost an uncle in the hostilities. And when she returned, she faced an election challenge.
Ravnhart had called an election. I admit I supported her campaign. Viveka had done nothing wrong, but as a newcomer, I was frustrated by the government's silence. A more mature person might realieze that silence might signify a lack of problems, but I was not mature. Ravnhart was exciting and always up to something. I was young and excitement seemed more valuable than steadiness. So I joined Ravnhart's supporters during the election that Viveka ultimately won..
But Viveka's second tenure was short-lived. One day, she simply left. Whether grief over her family's loss played a role, I do not know.
Viveka was High Sheriff for over two years. Beyond the Lord's War, I recall little of political significance, but then I was not in a position to do so. I had moved from the Garrison to the Watch, but there was no government information shared with a lowly watchwoman.
Even years later when I became Archivist, there was very little documentation of her administration left in the archives. Was this a weakness or strength of the administration? One can take either stance. It may be that she merely focused on getting things done, rather than recording. And, with little in writing, it is difficult for enemies to gain anything to twist against you.
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PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
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Sometime after the war I believe, Viveka was poisoned. I did not know that at the time having only discovered it after becoming a Watchwoman and pouring through old reports to learn my job. (There was no training at that time.) Nothing was announced publicly, but I had noticed Viveka looking frail and her aides hovering closer than usual.
Viveka was quiet and private by nature; it was not in her character to publicize such an ordeal. She simply endured her symptoms until she recovered. Even the legal case against the poisoner was kept discreet.
Shortly after my arrival, I did try very hard to join in with the Guldorand Community. Viveka shared that Guldorand was planning a footrace from Brogendenstein to Cordor for anyone interested. She asked me to assist with the race and we set out to walk the path one evening.
I had not really explored the internal land area of Arelith. As Viveka led me down the Thousand Steps toward the falls, I was awestruck. Giants and ettins assailed us, yet Viveka did not flinch.
She was fearless.
On she marched with such confidence the giants seemed to quake in fear as she approached, only to strike them down with her spear.
I fired a few arrows but realized she needed no help. I doubt anything on the island could have stopped her.
As we entered the forest, battling giant spiders and orcs, a lone goblin called out to us to drop our gold. Though I wanted to fight the goblin, Viveka urged caution, so I dropped my pouches next to hers.
After we were far enough away, Viveka handed me a large sum of coin. I realized then she had not dropped all of her gold, just enough to appease the goblin. The I understood; this petite, quiet woman was not only a formidable warrior, she was just as wise.
Not long before she disappeared, the two of us escorted someone to the Misty Caverns. We stopped outside the cave on a hill overlooking Lake Minmir. She spoke, almost to herself. She mused about the loneliness of governance; how one can never quite sure if someone wants your company, or your authority and the doors it might open. How isolating that can feel.
There are many who say Viveka was a great leader. I cannot refute them. Being a leader is one of the loneliest, most difficult paths one can choose to follow, especially if one strives to do what is right before doing what is easy.
Wherever Lady Viveka is, I hope she has found peace and belonging.
Aria Aspenleaf Quan 188 AR
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ANTHEM
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And did our forebearers lay the stone
'Pon which we build our daily lives,
And did their toil and steadfast goals
Ensure their future kin survives.
Though separate people gathered here,
Our compact strengthened by virtue of will
For truth, for freedom, a promise to all,
This beacon of hope, Oh, Guldorand!
We stand upon this Eastern shore
A watchtower to those who yearn for peace
A guidepost bright, beheld by all,
Assurance that darkness will cease!
We will not shirk our duty here
To safeguard freedom through the land,
A life of hope and liberty,
A promise to all, Oh, Guldorand!
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Aria Aspenleaf 178 AR
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