Shalara Swordshigh

"Set aside your differences, and we may build something far stronger than the mightiest army, something that will outlast us all."

Shalara Swordshigh was the High Herald Old Night of Herald's Holdfast, an invaluable library of the heraldry and genealogy of known human, dwarven, elven, halfling, and gnomish peoples as far back as records can be traced.

History
Shalara Swordshigh belonged to Lady Alustriel Silverhand's Council of 12 Peers which helped rule the Silver Marches around 1370 DR. Old Night held the title of Member at Large. If Lady Alustriel died, Old Night would act as High Lady until the Council voted on a new ruler of the Silver Marches. In 1372 DR, Old Night Shalara was a member of the Heralds, who were led by five High Heralds, with the titles: Unicorn, Black Vizor, Crescentcoat, Old Night, and Red Dragon. Of these, Old Night was the best known among the public, because she ordered and managed the heraldry of all the Realms. This position was usually given to a great sage or wizard.

Personality
Quiet-spoken, Old Night Shalara said almost nothing in Council of 12 Peers meetings, except to provide lore and information on current situations in the North. She could perfectly recall and quote all the words spoken by the other Peers back at them, but played no favorites. She merely strived for clarity in thought and argument.

Equipment
Shalara customarily wore bracers of armor +4 and carried a rusty iron sphere (iron bands of Bilarro) at her belt.

Discrepancy
The Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised) sourcebook stated, "Old Night makes his home in the Savage Frontier in a hidden fortress known as the Herald’s Holdfast," which declared Old Night as male. In Streams of Silver by R.A. Salvatore, the author wrote, "An ancient man stepped into the room, older than anyone they had ever seen before," which also seemed to mean Old Night was a man. "Streams of Silver" was set in 1356 DR, and the Silver Marches (sourcebook) was set in 1372 DR, so my only conclusion is Old Night is a title and in the later sourcebooks, Shalara is the new Old Night.