[Closed] Mercy for the Elves

[arlathvhen]

WHO: Beleth, Cyril, Merrick, Pel, Nari, and Korrin. Then Beleth, Twisted Fate, Velanna, Obi-Wan, Hermione, and Mal. Also Sina is there in their spirit and also over sending crystals.
WHAT: A bunch of people to do a Dalish clan to go argue with a Keeper and then a bunch of people transport a bunch of elves to the clan in question. Interracial politics abound.
WHEN: First part is around the start of Cloudreach, the second part is around the middle of Cloudreach.
WHERE: First part is Ylenn Basin, second part is Val Royeux, then all the way to the Ylen Basin
NOTES: The plotting post regarding this is here.

Comments

Part One: A Dalish Perspective

[arlathvhen]

Travel Montage

[arlathvhen]

[ This is just a general mingling log for everyone for chatting or whatever you want on the way to the Ylenn Basin, so I won't put up any prompts. Want to talk by the fire? Cool! Want to tussle with the local wild life? Go for it! Go wild. ]

Talking by the fire

[gatheringstorm]

[Glad to be on the road again, Korrin doesn't seem to mind being the odd one out. At least its all people she knows and is on friendly terms with, and for a good cause. A good cause that might need a little extra muscle, so that's where she fits in.

Warming her hands by the fire, the Vashoth mage speaks up after some of that travel soreness has eased.]

So, what should I expect when we get there?

[arlathvhen]

I don't know a great deal about Clan Dethani, besides what I have learned while speaking to their Keeper. But they seem to be the most open-minded of the Dalish clans I've contacted in Orlais. Or at least, the most practical, to recognize that city elves would be a good population boost.

[ Beleth shrugs, scooting closer to the fire. ]

Other than that--Each clan is a little different. Most Dalish have no problems with qunari. But most of us have never seen them, either. So--At the very least, I think that they'll be neutral. Curious, maybe.

Scouting

[samahl]

[They're all travelling together, but Cyril still has a habit of going ahead and looking for any signs of trouble. He'll disappear from the group and circle back around to join them again. Just checking and double checking for any sign of battle or demons, it's a habit he picked up from being a Hunter with the clan.

One of the times he comes back with some flowers and passes them around because, sure why not?]

[dalishious]

Merrick has been doing much the same, often crossing paths with Cyril. He sometimes shows up with some fresh game and cooks it for everyone later, but mostly he keeps an eye out for threats and dispatches them immediately. Right now he drops down from a nearby tree and lands next to Cyril, swiftly and silently; he can't resist showing off some of his assassin skills.

"Do I get one too?" he says sarcastically, nudging his brother.

[nadasharillen]

[Nahariel raises an eyebrow as the flower moves into her vision, but the gesture reminds her so much of Sina that she can't help but grin and accept it, tucking it jauntily--if lopsidedly--behind one ear before returning to her whittling.]

Serranas, Cyril.

Oh Hey a Dalish clan

[arlathvhen]

[ Beleth holds a scribbly map as they follow along the river. As they continue along, a few Dalish Scouts appear out of the woods, and approach the group. Beleth hands over a letter sent to her from the Keeper. They look it over and nod, then turn around, and lead the group

Clan Dethani is on the smallish size of medium as far as clans go, and the general attitude seems to be reserved, but polite. Most of the Dalish there are happy enough to speak to the visitors about general matters, but will in general decline to comment on their reason for being there, saying that it's up to Larian, their Keeper.

This section is mostly for mingling while they're visiting the clan and can expand across the entire time that they're there. ]

[gatheringstorm]

Can I touch your horns?

[That question, so tentatively asked by a small Dalish child, is a far cry from the smirking, giggly noblewoman at the soiree. Back then, she had been seen as little more than an exotic beast on display. Here, the stares were shy but also awed. Expression softening, Korrin kneels so that her horns are reachable for tiny elven hands.

And that's how she ends up as Vashoth transport for the Dalish children, their small hands grasping her curving horns as handles. Anytime she's spotted in camp after that, it's likely she has at least one on her shoulders at all times.]

[samahl]

[Oh that is too cute. He grins and goes up to Korrin and the child on her shoulders.]

How does it feel to be so tall, da'len? [He asks the child on Korrin's head this but also glances to Korrin to make sure she's not annoyed by the situation. He knows Korrin is far more understanding than others but still he wants to make sure she's comfortable.]

Twenty Bear Asses

[arlathvhen]

[ It's been suggested that maybe that Clan Dethani would be more willing to acquiese to their request if they make a good impression on the clan. After all, most of them are Dalish, but they are still outsiders to the clan members. So after asking around the clan for what they could do to help out, a list of tasks for whoever wants it is made. Feel free to add more, but here are a list of suggestions:

-More elfroot is always useful.
-A pack of wolves nearby have been menacing the halla.
-The craftsman of the clan claims to have seen some possible ironbark in the woods. Go find it. ]

[gatheringstorm]

[Naturally more of an outsider than anyone else, Korrin is eager to help out and show the clan her good intentions. That and she prefers to demonstrate through action rather than speeches that she's sure Dalish don't need or want, anyway. So she'll seek out that pack of wolves, contributing by doing what she does best: blasting away with lightning. Once those wolves are in sight, it's Chain Lightning time and then she'll close in to attack the nearest wounded one with her spirit blade.]

[nadasharillen]

[A craftsman in her own clan, Nari immediately sets to talking with Clan Dethani's, and perks up at the mention of ironbark. She's never had the chance to work with it herself, but she's seen it at Arlathvhens and so knows what she's looking for. After a few brief queries of the craftsman--and of any hunter in camp who might have seen it on hunt--to get a vague direction, she's off to the forest.]

Arguing With The Keeper

[arlathvhen]

[ Keeper Larian is a stern-looking man in his mid-40s, and he summons the visitors to the river to speak privately. Once they all arrive, he sits on a boulder, staring at them appraisingly for a few moments before speaking. ]

Aneth ara, da'len. Clan Dethani are always pleased to host other members of the People--But I know that you didn't come for just a visit. As I promised, I'll allow you to make your case for us allowing these flat ears into our clan. But before I allow you to do so, I want you to answer one question for me.

[ He shifts around, and leans forward, face grim. ]

Our clan has little love for the Inquisition. Even if you come here as members of the Dalish, and not the Inquisition, you are still their agents, and are therefore still under suspicion. How can I and my clan be certain that you are not here under their orders, up to some kind of shemlen politics?

[mythalenaste]

Shems don't care about elves, hahren. [Pel puts it to him straight.] As groups, anyway. Individuals might, but not a whole organization. They don't consider us at all in their plans. Makes it easier for us to do things like this when they're not watching too close.

Part Two: Smuggling Elves for Fun and Profit

[arlathvhen]

What the Deal Is

[arlathvhen]

[ The people who have decided to come to Val Royeux with Beleth are gathered to begin the trip on the other side of the bridge to Skyhold. Beleth is there first, standing at the start of the bridge. Her hart stands next to her, packed for the journey, andnosing at the snow, or at her hair, or at anyone who looks like they might be amenable to petting or feeding him. Once everyone is gathered, she clears her throat politely, turning to face everyone. ]

Thank you, everyone, for coming here with me. And for coming to help me. Um--I think that most people know why you're here, but, um. I thought it would be good to make sure that everyone is on the same page with what we're going to be doing. I've been approached by a group of elves who live in the alienage in Val Royeux. They want to leave the alienage and join the Dalish. There is a clan in the Ylenn Basin who will take most of them, and I've secured passage from a dock in Lake Celestine to take the rest to another clan.

[ She bats Vaharel away from trying to snuffle her hair, and pets his nose. ]

Our task will have two parts to it. We need to get into the alienage, collect the elves in question, and get them out of the alienage. Elves leaving the alienage isn't technically illegal, but the guards might get fussy about a group of them, and I would...rather not explain what we're doing. Again, it's not illegal, but...well. What's legal and what's not is subjective, when it comes to elves, and when it comes to human nobles have to suffer their servants being spirited off to join the Dalish. So. We can always have the elves just leave in small groups, if it's required.

[ She pauses again, pressing her hands together. ]

I apologize for not being forthcoming earlier. If you would prefer not to join me for this, I understand, and you are welcome to leave.

[wickedchase]

Well, well. You actually managed to convince some clans to take in the poor flat ears?

[Not a term he uses seriously, formed mockingly in his mouth as he says it. The snobbish behavior of clans regarding anything outside their own flesh and blood has always irritated him, after all.

This, in particular.]

I applaud you, Beleth. I'm sure they didn't make it easy for you. [He says that with complete honesty.]

Travel Montage Part Two: Electric Boogaloo

[arlathvhen]

[ This will cover traveling to Val Royeux, and then to the Ylenn Basin. It can be used for mingling, chatter, wrestling the local wildlife, catching Twisted Fate's hat on fire.

Just throwing out suggestions. ]

[wickedchase]

[Usually he's excited to visit the capital. Orlesian products, yay, but this is all business and so little play.

So otherwise, Fate is probably musing to himself.

Or his hat's on fire, which isn't cool.]

Let's Smuggle Some Elves

[arlathvhen]

[ The alienage of Val Royeux is, to put it plainly, small. Small, cramped, and dirty, the shining streets of the main city giving way to worn and cracked pavestones, and places that are just plain dirt and mud. The buildings are ramshackle hovels that, with the limited space, sprawl up several stories high. They tilt and lean at odd angles, like towers built by a large child.

In the middle of the alienage is the vhenadahl, a large tree spiraling up into the air, decorated with ribbons, the base of the tree surrounded by candles and little offerings.

Beleth looks around as they enter the alienage, expression bewildered and horrified, delicately holding up a hand over her nose. As city elves walk by, they stare at the group, particularly the three Dalish, standing out like tattooed thumbs. Beleth frowns, leaning against her hart as she digs out a letter from her pack. ]

We're supposed to meet the elves in the One-Eyed Cat--um. That's a tavern, I think...

[aintwejust]

Or a brothel. Probably a tavern though- didn't much thing elves got taverns in their alienages. Nobles don't like it when they feel like they're people.

[ Grumbling and bitter? Maybe. Maybe a whole lot. This ain't how anyone should live- it's worse than the one in Denerim by a long shot. ]

Probably gonna be further from the gate. Less likely to get trouble from guards if they can't hear shit.

It Gets Worse

[arlathvhen]

[ The group is about partway through the trip to the Ylenn Basin when the road they're taking enters a forest. The keen-eyed among them may begin to notice movement in the corner of their eyes, though whatever it is disappears before anyone can get a good look at it. After a little bit of this, a few bird calls sound--but it's worth noting, for those who might know, that the call is of an owl, a creature that should be sleeping right now. Could it just be your imagination? Or something more?

Beleth appears to be completely unaware anything could be amiss, busy chatting with one of the city elves about something. Probably something Dalishy. ]

[wickedchase]

[Despite all of his ego and pride in his appearance, Twisted Fate is well versed in traveling roads and knowing a suspicious call when he hears one. Too often bandits thought they could take on his crew back in the day. Too often, he was glad to prove them wrong.

He suspects this is going to be one of those occasions.]

Beleth. [His voice is hushed in a hiss.]

IT'S OVER

[arlathvhen]

[ You made it! Go you. Yayyyy. The group gathers at the dock on Lake Celestine, a ship waiting to take the elves away. Wish them well, go get a drink, or shove Beleth in the lake, do whatever you want to celebrate reaching the final point of your destination. The remaining elves who hadn't gone to the Dalish Clan in the Ylenn Basin are getting ready to leave, and are very grateful to the group for escorting them. There might be tears. Beware of snot.

Beleth stands off to the side of the dock, muttering to someone over sending crystal, but you probably shouldn't actually shove her in the lake. She's free for being approached for any final questions, comments, and commentary, however. ]