Lady Silverhand does not speak immediately.
Instead, she allows the map to be cleared, the last markers removed. The room feels smaller without it.
Then she looks up.
“There is one final matter before us.”
Her eyes rest on the adventurers, not the council at large.
“It concerns a name some of you already know.”
She pauses, then continues.
“Rey Stormsoar.”
There is a flicker of recognition among those who remember the early days of the cult. The roadhouse. The fire. The escape.
“Intelligence confirms that Rey Stormsoar survived the destruction of the roadhouse during the cult’s movements north.”
A quiet murmur passes through the chamber.
“She has since resurfaced. No longer acting openly for the cult, but not free of it either.”
Lady Silverhand folds her hands.
“She is seeking contact.”
That gets attention.
“Her message is simple. She claims to want out.”
She does not soften her tone.
“She also claims to have something worth trading for protection.”
A beat.
“Information. Leverage. Possibly more.”
Silence stretches.
“The council is not blind to the risks,” Silverhand continues.
“This could be a trap. A feint. Or an attempt to draw us into a false sense of control.”
She inclines her head slightly.
“It could also be an opportunity we do not get twice.”
Her gaze moves around the table.
“Rey Stormsoar is not offering herself to an army. She is offering herself to a conversation.”
She looks back to the party.
“She has specifically requested contact through those she has already crossed paths with.”
That lands squarely on the adventurers.
“A small group. Discreet. No banners. No escorts.”
Lady Silverhand sits back.
“If she is sincere, force will drive her away.”
A pause.
“If she is lying, force will alert everyone watching.”
She exhales slowly.
“The council’s view is divided.”
She turns slightly, addressing the room.
“So before any decision is recorded, this council must speak honestly.”
She opens her hands.
“Do we engage?”
Player Emotional Context (DM Reference)
Use these as internal guidance, not spoken text.
-
Dagult Neverember (Luke)
Suspicious. Sees Rey as a liability and a possible intelligence asset. Likely to demand safeguards and containment. -
Althaea Moonshadow (Nat)
Intrigued but cautious. Defectors often bring truth and danger in equal measure. Strong interest in controlled contact. -
Ontharr Frume (Jack)
Deeply uneasy. Believes repentance must be tested, not assumed. Will question whether offering protection compromises justice. -
Delaan Winterhound (Aaron)
Focused on intent. Wants to know why she wants out now, and what imbalance pushed her to this point. -
Rian Nightshade (Gemma)
Pragmatic and alert. Defectors are valuable precisely because they are compromised. Will focus on extraction and leverage, not trust.
Opening the Floor to Players
After a few seconds of silence, add:
Lady Silverhand looks to the table.
“This is not a matter of policy,” she says.
“It is a matter of judgement.”
She nods once.
“You may speak.”
Then, out of character, tell the players:
-
“You can respond as yourselves.”
-
“You can speak as your council NPCs.”
-
“You can argue for engagement, refusal, or strict conditions.”
Let disagreement happen. This decision should not feel easy.
Optional Pressure Lines
Use one if the table stalls.
From Rian Nightshade, quietly:
“People do not defect when they are winning.”
From Ontharr Frume:
“If she seeks absolution, she will accept scrutiny.”
From Althaea Moonshadow:
“If we refuse to listen, someone else will.”
DM Guidance
This agenda item should end with conditional consent, not certainty.
Even a decision to engage should come with limits, safeguards, or disagreements that carry forward.