(OOC: I'm really deferring to Balassar on this as it's his family and I imagine he had some stuff he wanted to get done at home) 

Balassar just looks down as his sister mentions him staying "I mean if Alton and Silent are okay with it I could stay around a week and help out. Though we have some business we need to finish related to Alton." he just looks to his friends "It would be nice to rest up before we head out again, plus maybe we could pick up some odd jobs and better gear before heading out."

Balassar, your father looks at your armour - which I assume you have removed for dinner? - "Looks like you have some good quality armour there, but I might take a look at it. See if I can hammer out a few of the dents. The Platinum Dragon knows you were never bound for an easy life; I would be glad to hear some of your adventures. It's good that you're staying a while."

You spend the evening with Balassar's father and sister, and her friend Torn who remains mostly quiet, letting the family catch up. In time, Torn leaves and you settle down to rest for the night. You are not disturbed - there's no reason to keep watch in this safe, welcoming place - and you wake in the morning having completed a long rest.

Depending on what you want to do, we might play this period out in detail or as a sort of downtime - so what are the group's plans?

Alton nods, "I don't mind staying a while. I can go and explore a new city. Oh, and I'll be glad to share some stories about our adventures." 

(I'm fine with either playing this out in detail, doing a general summary of the downtime, or a mix of both.)

Balassar just enjoys the time recanting stories of their adventures to his family.

(I am also fine with either option)

The next day that they are free in Zadash, Alton thanks the Silverstone's for their hospitality and heads out into the city for some sightseeing. Of course the first places he goes to are food stores and stalls to see what kind of cuisine Zadash has to offer. While doing that, he will keep an eye out for any shops that might have supplies for adventurers and shops that might have interesting curiosities. If he comes across a notice board of some sort, he'll give that a peak too.

Balassar wakes up the next day and begins helping to fulfill some orders. As he works he will just ask to whoever is in the room "So anything new or interesting happening in the city, besides the crazy war efforts?"

Silent spends most of his downtime trying to help out the Silverstones where he can, and wandering through Zadash drinking when it becomes clear that he has very little talent for smithing. He keeps to himself and is often looking off into the distance eastward. 

After a few days he tells Balassar and Alton he wants to speak to them somewhere private, probably in his room in the Silverstone residence if they're staying there. He's got his rucksack packed and travelling cloak on with the hood up. 

No easy way to say this, lads. I'm hitting the road, alone. It's been real nice, running with a crew again. Reminds me of the old days with the boys in the Aurora Watch. But it's become clear to me... I gotta forge my own way. I can't take up arms against the Kryn in this war if it ain't self-defense. That ain't fair to the two of you with families here, people to protect.  See, I can't swear myself to the Empire, they've done too much to me and my old friends. And no matter what friendship we have... that's gonna divide us. So better we part with a smile now than bloodshed later, eh? 

I'm gonna go hunting for other Kryn soldiers who've crossed the border. Try to talk some sense into them, figure out what the higher-ups back home are ordering them to do, get some sense of why this stupid war's happening in the first place. Look for a solution, even. Could be a huge waste of time. But if there's a chance it'll do some good... I gotta try. And hell, maybe I'll find some sign of my brother up north. 

He shakes hands with Balassar and knocks his fist on the dragonborn's breastplate. Thanks for having my back, big man. And keep fighting the good fight. I know we didn't see eye to eye on everything, but you got courage and heart, lots of it. Inspired me to go my own way, fight for what I believe in. 

He claps Alton on the shoulder and shakes his hand. And you, Alton - I'll be carrying your tunes in my heart on the long roads. Thanks for keeping my head on straight - just wish I could return the favour. Make sure you find that treasure, eh? And make sure you keep him alive, he adds, pointing at Balassar. He turns to leave, then stops, rummages through his rucksack, pulls out his old lute, thinks for a second, then hands it to him. Probably going to be living rough for the next little while. Won't be able to take care of this as well as it deserves. Do me one last favour and hang on to it, will you? It was a gift, made some good memories with it. Ain't nobody else I'd trust to make it sing. 

Alton gives Silent a big smile as he shakes his hand, “I’m sure you will one day, and I will find that treasure, don’t you worry.” He nod, “I’ll do my best, and you keep yourself alive too. We all have people we need to get back to at the end of it all.” Alton gently takes the lute in his hands, “I’ll take good care of it, Silent, and I’ll make sure its song is heard in every tavern and inn we visit.” Alton then suddenly hugs Silent, “Take care of yourself Silent; it has been a pleasure and honor adventuring with you. Oh, if you run into my sister, Nara, on your travels; let her know you’re a friend of mine. Hopefully, she’ll help you out with anything she can.” 

Balassar just looks at the collection of items and nods as Silent tells them what’s going on. He just takes a deep sigh “You’ll be missed my friend, what a hell of a fight it would’ve been through.” He says giving a faint smile as he takes the fist knock and then pulls him in for a brotherly hug “You’re family now Silent, both Alton and you. Even if we don’t see eye to eye on everything.”

He just reaches into his pocket and pulls out three identical emblems “Had my sister make these up, was gonna wait until we had a proper drink, but now seems like a good time also.” The emblem design is simple a capital 'I' in a circle with three jewels place around the circle in such a way they form a triangle “The blue ones for me, the black is for you, and the green is for Alton. It’s a rough design, but figured we’d be able to fix it up later if we don’t like it.” 

With that he walks to Alton and holds out another one with a smile.

(deleted)

Alton takes his emblem, "Thank you Balassar! I think it looks great." If there is a clasp or pin on the emblem he will attach it to the front of his armor. 

After Silent's departure, perhaps the following evening when the family are gathered for dinner, talk turns to recent events and the answer to Balassar's question.

"There's been a lot," Tarhun says. "You've heard about the attack, of course? Of course you have, who hasn't! Almost brought down the Zauberspire, if you can believe that, though I reckon they've fixed it up pretty good. After that, everything's focused on the war. To be honest, I thought you might have enlisted again, son. Bahamut is kind to an old man, and must have answered my prayers - you're a fierce warrior, but I don't want you fighting in this war - not in the army leastways."

"Are you looking for work?", Surina asks. "There's plenty to be had for fighters in the city, while the army and Crownsguard are busy with the war. They say there are criminal elements taking advantage."

Balassar just nods "Well we were conscripted for a bit...unless Alton has a better word for us being told what we would do. Though this way does bring better control of what we get to do." he just takes a swig of the drink in front of him "Of course we are looking for work still..." he looks to Alton "Unless you plan on leaving all of a sudden as well. We might need to open up to more members to our group though."

Alton looks up from his plate of food and finishes what he was chewing on, “No, conscripted is a good way to put what happened, or maybe coerced. Wait, one of those big spires was attacked? How did that happen? Balassar is one of the fiercest fighter I know! He scared someone so badly they couldn’t lay one strike on him when they dueled. Also, he can get as big as this house. If he had wings on the back of his armor he would look like a dragon!” He takes a drink, “I don’t plan on leaving, unless you don’t want me around anymore. I’ve still got stories to collect and there’s also a few other things to look into. Oh, didn’t someone mention that Zadash had a library of sorts. If that’s the case we can see about getting in to see if they have any information there.” He gives Balassar a nod, “As good as we both are, we could use some new adventuring buddies now that Silent left. I hope he’ll be good on his own. Oh, perhaps tomorrow night I can pay a visit to one of the taverns other adventurers visit and put on like a recruiting show. I can tell some of our tails of adventure to get people hyped up and then make a pitch to see if anyone might be interested in joining.”

Balassar just smiles and nods "Yeah, and I can drink 'em under the table or wrestle them to test their strength. We got plenty adventures left for the Wildemount Irregulars, or are we going with The Tarrasque's Abs?"

Alton chuckles, "That would be some introduction." He looks at the emblem that Balassar gave him, "I don't know... The Tarrasque's Abs just doesn't feel the same without Silent around." He turns the emblem over a few times in his hands, "This is such a simple, but great design. There's just something nice about the simple things in life. Why don't we do that? Make our name simple. The Irregulars. I think you had it right when you first suggested it, Balassar. We were, and probably will be irregular folk going out and doing irregular work; so it kind of makes sense." He tucks the emblem back on his person and gives Balassar a smile. "I think it works. And tomorrow we can check out that library and do some recruiting." 

The rest of the evening passes in peace amongst family. You feel a little strange at Silent's departure, but surrounded by the warmth of Balassar's family you don't feel too bad.

You sleep and wake, having completed a long rest. It is the 27th day of the month of Cuersaar, if you're keeping track. :)

In the morning, you have breakfast with the family. Balassar, you would know that the most likely place to find work would be the King's Hall, where there's a task board offering official jobs and other jobs not necessarily for the government directly but 'approved' - i.e. for rich and powerful individuals and groups. You would also know that there is a library, open to the public, maintained by the Cobalt Soul. I don't know if Balassar would ever have been there though.

What would you like to do?

Balassar just finishes his meal and looks at Alton "Want to go to King's Hall to look for jobs and then we can go to the library place."

Alton cleans his plate, "Sure, that works for me. Oh, maybe we can find a good place to eat for lunch too." He helps clean up after breakfast before he and Balassar head out.