Welcome to the second round of The Silmaril Awards! Nominations have been cast, and now it is time to vote for the top choices!
What a wild ride this past week was! We opened the doors to nominations and did you amazing fantasy lovers deliver! The chaos and character love in our comments sections is one of the best parts of being a host. A humongous thank you to everyone who participated and made for such a fun week of shouting out your favorite characters, sharing the character love with us and one another, and, of course, making our TBRs grow to frightening levels. All good things, all good things.
This weekend we accepted the grand quest of tallying up all those nominations and seconds and now come to you today to reveal which characters made it to the top five in each category! In this second round, you will vote (via a quick voting form) to decide who is deemed number one on their category and is presented an oh-so coveted (and shiny) Silmaril!
That also means that all but 5 of my house guests can at last leave. I love a good party but…well. One’s ears can only take so much. 75 silver tongued individuals were nominated. SEVENTY-FIVE. Which means 75 smooth-talkers and riddle-weavers and singers of songs (some good, some…not so much) and charmers and often schemers have settled themselves in my house.
After hosting the Least Competent Henchmen, Most Mischievous Imps, and Most Magnificent Dragons respectively, I thought surely the Silver Tongues would make for a much calmer house party for once. WELL. There have been a lot fewer explosions (I take that back, Jayden has done quite a few explode-y experiments in the backyard >.>) and broken knick-knacks. But what this group lacks in chaos, they make up for in an endless array of dizzying conversation. And also singing. So. much. singing. The problem is they keep playing completely separate tunes at the same time making for a headache-inducing racket.
Calcifer has been grumbling in the fireplace all week and threatening to burn everyone’s bacon. Carswell Thorne has been shamelessly flirting with every female here. I’ve had to go to the grocery store every. single. day to buy tea because somehow Athelas drinks it by the bucketloads. The cookies also keep disappearing far too quickly… I’m not sure if that’s Athelas’ doing or JinYeong’s. I suspect it’s a group effort. The Cheshire Cat keeps appearing in random places and giving me jump scares. I’ve had to watch Vizzini very closely to assure he doesn’t put anything unsavory in anyone’s drinks. And I’m pretty sure Kaz and Artemis Fowl have been scheming up some less-than-ethical heists.
I’ve mostly been trying to keep everyone fed and out of trouble. One very welcome guest is Burndee who has provided an endless amount of desserts. Although the second he arrived he locked himself away in the kitchen and bangs and mumblings have resounded from within ever since. But cakes and pastries and all manner of other impressive confections appear regularly outside the door, so I guess I can’t complain too much. Though I am rather nervous to look at the state of the kitchen…
I’ve also found nightly karaoke games work well keeping this crew occupied…if not highly competitive. One would not think karaoke is all that competitive, but try doing it with 75 silver tongues!
It certainly hasn’t been quiet around here. But not all the company is bad. There have been plenty of stimulating conversations, if not many, many long debates. Perhaps I should have invested in some earplugs before agreeing to take on this category…
But I digress. Today I say farewell to 70 of my talkative houseguests, but five remain. And, well, it is still quite the group I will be hosting for another two whole weeks.
Top Five Nominees
The top 5 Silver Tongues of 2022 are…
- Athelas (The City Between series by W.R. Gingell)
This tea-drinking fae is as silvery-tongued as they come. Elegant, debonair, and with a gift of speaking so many things without ever giving away the meaning of what he is truly saying. Looking about middle-aged and most liking sporting a cardigan or houndstooth jacket with the best of them, you can usually find him in his favorite chair drinking tea, eating his favorite cookies, and watching the goings-on around him with a secret smile. He would never deem himself low enough to ever speak improperly…except when his adopted human pet whose use of grammar is far looser influences his tongue.
- Calcifer (Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones)
The fire demon who keeps the infamous wizard Howl’s moving castle running, Calcifer may not be a silver tongue in the traditional sense, but he very often finds ways to be clever with his words. After all, he hinted to Sophie many a time in many different ways about the curse he is under. Hot-headed and frazzled, Calcifer certainly keeps life in the moving castle interesting, but he is not above a good fireside chat (har, har). Just don’t make him angry…you may find the bacon charred to crisps.
- Curdie (The Princess & the Goblin by George MacDonald)
Born as a miner’s son and bold at heart, Curdie uses his sharp mind to push back against the wicked goblins with rhymes and songs, frustrating the dim-witted creatures who cannot create poetry themselves. Curdie is wise of both heart and mind, knowing when to give wisdom or when to receive it himself. Down-to-earth, witty, and faithful, Curdie has both a silver tongue and a golden heart.
- Fflewddur Fflam (The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander)
A skillful bard with a magic harp, Fflewddur Fflam is the epitome of the silver tongue of fantasy fiction. Though he tends to use—shall we say?—a creative license when it comes to spinning tales, painting himself in a better light than is always the truth. But his trusty harp keeps him accountable by a string breaking with every lie. Choosing the adventurous life rather than ruling over his small kingdom, Fflewddur Fflam is a vibrant, flamboyant individual, but at the end of the day he is a loyal friend and faithful companion.
- Vizzini (The Princess Bride by William Goldman)
Priding himself in his wit and intelligence, Vizzini would, without a doubt, be the first to say he is very deserving of this award. He’d also be the first to say he’s far cleverer than any other living creature. The truth of which is…questionable at times. Though he does have a way of convincing others to do his bidding, he also does not always use words the way they’re supposed to be used…
And there we have our top Silver Tongues!
It will be, ah, interesting keeping them all entertained for the next couple of weeks. I’m grateful to have Curdie to aid in keeping the peace. Fflewddur Fflam will at least provide entertainment, exaggerated and with many broken harp strings as it may be. I think Athelas will behave as long as I keep his supply of tea fresh, and Calcifer is content enough grumbling in the fireplace. I’ll just have to keep an eye on Vizzini. I considered gifting him a dictionary to keep him occupied but I don’t think he’d take that well…
Voting Form
Without further ado, it is time to vote!
Voting ends Friday, September 16th at Midnight CST, so do be sure to make your choices before then!
NOTE: You do not have to go to each blog to vote. Each category is conveniently placed all together in a single voting form. BUT I highly recommend visiting each blog to be introduced to all the top nominees in every category!
Just know, though we sympathize greatly, we are not liable for any stress, weeping, or existential crises choosing between so many beloved character may cause. Such is the hardships of adventurers. Choose wisely, friends!
The Other Categories
Here are links to all the Finalist Announcements in each category!
- Strangest Character – Samantha Benedict
- Most Nefarious Villain – DJ Edwardson
- Wisest Counselor – Jem Jones
- Most Mischievous Imp – Kenzie Keene
- Most Faithful Friend – Sarah Pennington
- Most Magnificent Dragon – E.E. Rawls
- Most Epic Heroine – Jenelle Schmidt
- Silver Tongue – Christine Smith (You are here!)
- Most Majestic Ruler – Grace Taber
- Most Epic Hero- Jenelle Schmidt
Not gonna lie, I am immensely pleased with the top choices. I think the awards ceremony will be…interesting. *smile, smile*
The Award Ceremonies will run from September 19 – 30.
Jenelle will be kicking off the first ceremony on Monday, September 19th with the award for Most Epic Heroine! I’ll be revealing the winner of the Silver Tongues on Monday, September 26th.
In the meantime, if anyone wants to send me some extra tea for Athelas and logs for Calcifer to burn, I’d be forever in your debt.
Don’t forget to cast your votes HERE!
Speak your piece, fair questors! Are you pleased with the top choices for Silver Tongue? Is there a particular character you’re rooting for? Another hearty thank you to all of you for participating. You all make this event such a joy!
While I do wish Artham had made it to the top five, I can’t deny that I am DELIGHTED with the crew that did, and there’s only one who I’d be remotely disappointed with as a winner.
But also. We all know who I’m voting for. 😀 😀 😀
Artham came so close! He held a top spot for a little while there before getting bumped down. So maybe next year! But yessss. I love this crew so much. Dis gonna be funnn.
We do. And I shall be voting for him as well. *grins*
75!? How were you managing to keep track of 75! I wouldn’t be able to… it’s enough to keep track of where all the best books are on the shelves…
Well, good luck anyways!
Faramir
It’s been an interesting week for sure. *nervous laughter* But thanks! After having 75 here, hooopefully I can just survive hosting these 5 for a couple of more weeks. We’ll see. >.>
Goodness gracious, Athelas, Calcifer, Curdie, and Fflewddur?? Excitinggg! And Vizzini seems like he wandered over from Villains, but accurate still. XD I love all these descriptions and I’m excited that there are so many characters I know making the top five this year! Voting is going to be so hard though. XD
RIGHT??? It is…quite the group over here. I probably should be worried, but I’m more excited. They’re definitely going to keep things interesting!
Goodness, yes! I’m familiar with so many of the characters this year too. How is one to choooose? *flails*
Eeep! I love the Silver Tongues so very much!!!
But goodness, what a difficult choice.
Though, let’s be honest, we all know I’m voting for Fflewddur. He’s mah boi.
This is SUCH a fun category! I am tickled I got to do it this year. I didn’t realize just how many delightful characters get nominated for it! 😀
But yes, sooo many good options. Man it’s been hard to vote this year. (Then again, when is it not?)
*sends some Aussie tea for Athelas, my favourite twisty silver-tongued fae*
Stay strong among all these tricksy smooth-talkers, Christine, the end is in sight! xD
THANK YOU! I think he’s getting tired of all my cheapo American brands. ;D
I shall try my best! Definitely considering some earplugs though… *cough, cough*
As an introvert, I just. cannot. imagine. hosting the silver tongues. That would be absolute torture. XD
My condolences on the short-lived-ness of your tea stocks, and I very much hope you can get Athelas out of your house when it’s time!
Thanks for having Cheshire part of the time this past week…now I guess it’s my turn to have him full time? Ah, well. *braces self for twice as many jump scares*
But also, how am I supposed to choose between Curdie and Fflewddur Fflam???
Lolololol! Even for this extrovert, it has been something. *nervous laughter*
Thank you, thank you. Your condolences are much appreciated. And it’s getting rather worrisome. He has made himself quite comfortable in one of our chairs…
Oh dear yes, I suppose he will be staying with you full time until the ceremony. Now you get my condolences. But perhaps he’ll take to terrorizing Howl, in which case Howl will probably try to trap him in some sort of spell or another and the two can keep each other occupied in mutual terrorizing?
There are so many good choices this year GAH. Best of luck voting!
ATHELAS! <333
Also the thought of all these silver-tongued characters competing enthusiastically at karaoke is HILARIOUS.
Was I absurdly happy that he made it into the top fave? Maaaaybe.
It has been a party over here for sure. *nervous laughter*
Oh my goodness. XD This post was INCREDIBLE, Christine!! I definitely sympathise with you on having all these characters infiltrating your house! It appears as though we had some overlap! Calcifer, Thorne, Cheshire… No wonder there were occasional moments of peace… They must have been going off to pester you for a bit!
Oh goodness, I’ve gotta say this Silm was hard to vote for. There were so many characters I love!!! Your cautionary note at the end was much needed. I definitely had an existential crisis or two, lol! I cannot wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeve for the awards ceremony, Christine!! The best of luck to you (and a tin of cinnamon tea!) as you keep your house together with such wonderful Silver Tongues as guests!
AWK. Thank you!!! So glad you enjoyed it! *grins* Well hey, you’re the one that took on VILLAINS that one year and now have all those imps running around your house! All the admiration to you for taking on such a task. These silver tongues have been loud but there have been very few explosions, so that’s something! This may be the first time I’ve hosted that will not involve using the house insurance…
But YOU’RE RIGHT. So many overlaps! Funny how the silver tongues are often the impish ones. XD
RIGHT?? Ugh. I had such a hard time. So many characters I just adore. *sobs* I am on pins and needles seeing who all won!
Awww, thank you! I am SO ECSTATIC for your ceremony. Your posts make me grin and cackle endlessly. I know it’s going to be amaziiiing! 😀