Madame Illia Silverdew

"I tell you, it may be a family business, and old man Silverdew might have built the structures and maintain them, however you should trust me when I tell you that Illia is the head of that household. It might be a family business, but Fletch defers to his wife for certain."

One of various whispers about the Silverdews, the only gnomes to call Spruce Point home, overheard before in the Pine Pillow-House.

A prominent individual within the community of Spruce Point, Illia cuts quite the figure most any day she is seen, most often at her business. She always dresses in relativel flair, though has embraced a more rustic twist, embracing Suranthi culture in many ways. When out and about, as most any Suranthi, she wears layers, designed for warmth, however she is always one to dress with a bit more flair and color than many, making much of her clothing herself, as well as they dyes she uses. Where she will most often be seen, however, at The Pine Pillow-House, she is oft dressed a little more garishly, long skirts, formly dresses, and simple but elegant jewellry. She cuts a regal figure, with raven black hair spilling over her shoulders, oft obscuring her shoulders, and conveniently framing the cut of her dress, with long eyelashes, a light bit of rose stain on her lips, perhaps, though not always. Her caramel eyes, warm, inviting, with a sparkle of wit and kindness.

She is well known for being a personable and approachable individual, friendly and well spoken, easy to get along with. This is not so much an act, however it is a mastered skillset. She is the type of business owner in an entertainment establishment whom will cozy up to wealthier sorts, and people of note, sharing a goblet of wine with them, making small talk and chatter, however it is all in pursuit of what is perhaps the most valuable of currencies that she collects.

Information. Though yes the business needs to be profitable and that is constantly under evaluation, beyond merely currency the pay Illia Silverdew collects, an unspoken but to a degree understood open secret, is information. Her staff trained under her, and honing these skills, are amongst the best information network one could hope for in regards to Spruce Point and its citizenry, and even guests. It is no accident of business that Illia and her husband chose to buy land and build this particular establishment so close to the busiest gate of the town five years ago when they arrived here. Nor an accident that they are merely across the gate square from the town's Constabulary. Most certainly it is no accident that the first place Sheriff Nardirsson or any of his constables will recommend to travelers and merchant types or carriage drivers and shipping crews to seek lodging and a hot meal is the Pillow-House.

Illia herself, knowing the value of information is actually quite secretive about her own and her family's, as is her husband Fletch. She does not hide it, as such, and if asked, she will happily regal you with some mild knowledge. She and her husband met ten years ago, both 'leaves on the wind' to hear her tell it, but they 'settled each other's breeze, and drifted to find home and set down roots.' To hear her tell it they settled in two or three other communities around the Fir-Jeim Valley region for a few months at a time, but it never felt right. Until they arrived at Spruce Point, that is.

Illia welcoming new hires

"The spoken word is a uniquely interesting currency, for its value is not truly determined by the words alone. Its value is in the potential uses of the information it provides, and what the possible payoffs, rewards or other benefits of being privy to that information could be. We are not just in the business of food, drink, or comfort, recreation, and relaxation. These are skills, tools and benefits we provide and charge for it is true, however in truth the coin is but one price, the lower, guaranteed return of investment to provide stability. Those services we provide are also, universally and wonderfully, the lubricant of lips and tongues. You aren't in the business of being a doting servant paying little attention, you are in the business of being alert, attentive and most importantly, sharp of mind and wit. Because beyond all else, we are in the business of information. We are in a small town that is consistently growing year over year. More growth, more business, more coin, more moving parts. The more of all those things there is, the more valuable and greater prices can be charged for information.

So remember, you are no mere servers, tenders or bedding companions. Those are services you sell for pittance to get through the day to day. Where you will ever have the opportunity to get rich however, is in the courtesan and confidante business. Build rapport. Create regulars, sell trust. Its a game you see, and we got in on the ground floor, and you are among those working for us in these lean but important early years. Someday Spruce Point will grow much larger, as it does year over year. For those whom have kept their ears to the people and know their dirty laundry, their wants, needs, struggles and successes, and with the wit to know how to....let us say manage or manipulate that information in the right ways, there is fortune and wealth to be had. That is the business we are all in, and we will all reap the benefits. But only if we play the game, so move carefully, and watch out for each other."

A speech anyone whom has worked as one of her 'courtiers' be it server, masseuse, or bartender, will have heard as part of the job proposition when she has decided to give them a chance.

In recent weeks a mild change in her behaviors has become apparent to particularly astute regulars and members of her staff, specifically, the wines she would normally partake in whilst shoulder rubbing with various guests and clients in the common area of the Pillow-House being switched for various fruit juices or goat's milk with mint leaves. Though the rumor is not spread like wildfire quite yet, the idea that Illia is pregnant has been floated by at least one or two people in conversation. The woman herself however, dances around any query as of yet in regards to this noted change in taste, oft vaguely brushing it off in a fashion of wishing to try something new, or some other such deflecting answer. If members of the staff know anything, they to are keeping their mouths shut,