A Cruel Twist of Fate [closed]

[wickedchase]

WHO: Twisted Fate, Nerva, Korrin, Zevran, Beleth, Cyril, Ruby, Sera, Katniss, and special sending crystal guest star, Sina!
WHAT: A companion quest and elven relations all wrapped up in one.
WHEN: Post-Illness plot. The band of merry travelers will be gone from Clouch 23 to Clouchreach 28.
WHERE: Traveling to and from the Serpentine River.
NOTES: The plotting post.

Comments

ARRIVING: THE SERPENTINE RIVER - KALADOUN VILLAGE

[wickedchase]

[Sometime after parting from the clan, it's an opportunity to see the village before dealing with the rift.

The villagers are all human, and they are incredibly wary at the sight of all the elves. Nonetheless, their shops are available and they're ready to talk, if need be.]

[gatheringstorm]

[It's a good thing Korrin isn't an elf, then, isn't it? Perhaps. Well aware of how humans often perceive her kind, the Vashoth woman nonetheless hopes that her apparent outsider status will be useful. While shopping, she'll take note of anyone who seems approachable and see how they respond to inquiries on the the rift, the elves, whatever they'll tell her.]

[wickedchase]

[Many of the villagers seem a little hesitant to respond at first, but considering how clearly Korrin is not from the region probably helps.

The herbs merchant says:]

Mayor said that it were th' knife-ears in the woods. 'Course, don't blame him much for thinkin' so, seein' as what they done to his son was demon work if y'ask me.

Elves or not, rift's there, and folk more scared to leave than usual. Which is sayin' somethin'.

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin's not even trying to loom or use her height to intimidate...though the 'knife-ear' comment makes it tempting. Were it not for the nature of her mission, she would have introduced her fist to the merchant's face. But she needs them to talk more than she wants to give in to her temper, so her only response so far is her lips forming a thin line as she listens, crossing her arms.]

Understandable, though we have means of dealing with rifts. This isn't the first one to be sealed, and it won't be the last.

What did they do to his son, exactly?

[wickedchase]

[The merchant pauses mid-organizing of his deathroot, then looks a bit wary before he answers.]

Happened a long time ago. We needed meat, and village's too poor to make trade, so he led a hunt in the woods. Didn't come back after a couple of days, so we sent a search party.

Found 'em caught in a trap left by them elves. They leave 'em everywhere in there. Tried to save the mayor's son, but there weren't any fixin' that. Poor man passed on not long after we brought 'im home.

[keeperofmagi]

[This is one thing she can do, for him, without making things a hundred times worse. So she goes to the village, alone, from a different direction, to see what she can learn about their dealings with the Clan.

Her armour gleams, imposing and impressive, as she enters the small tavern and orders wine. Wine, and a silver piece for anyone willing to answer her questions about demons.]

[wickedchase]

[There's a man with a limp who eventually approaches her. She's clearly an outsider, for better or worse, than he knows what she's asking around for.

With a grunt of pain, he sits down across from her.]

Whaddaya wanna know, Ser?

[keeperofmagi]

I've heard talk of demons. [Nerva was never one to avoid the point, and though she wasn't a particularly good liar, in this case she could tell the truth and avoid it, in the same breath. And that was enough.]

I've come, hopefully, to help with that particular problem. As a member of the Inquisition. Can you tell me about them? When did they start appearing?

[arsebiscuit]

Tavern!

[ She's sprinting. Wariness was all fine and good, rifts, demons, dalish. She got it. But more important Sera getting back to civilization and earn a little good will towards their group through some liberal application of coin. ]

[wickedchase]

[Eventually, Twisted Fate follows, and he's sitting down heavily across from her.]

I did say drinks were on me. So, we should get started, eh?

[arsebiscuit]

Already started.

[The locals hadn't been too happy about about an elf wandering in will all the current troubles, but Sera had no use for gold outside of moments like this. So a round had been had by all, and then a few more just for her. Good way to get some gossip. Even better way to make sure no Dalish came chatting at her.

Just ex-ones.]

But, uh, the room needs another round from the flat-ears, yeah? The hell that stupid shite means.

[keeperofmagi]

[Nerva finds her later, after rumours had spread.]

Sera. Are you alright?

[arsebiscuit]

[ Sera looks down at herself, mock checking for injury. Just to be sure she grabs her tits- ]

Sure. All bits in place.

[ The is no caring what shits Dalish are.

Nope. ]

[gatheringstorm]

[After a while, Korrin joins in at the tavern because why the hell not. She heads over toward Sera's table, and plops down in the seat before her.]

Heard about what happened, with that stuck-up bitch. Have a round on me, alright? Then we can figure out a good 'parting gift'.

[arsebiscuit]

Tch. Sure they all got a fun new story 'bout the dangers of not being elfy enough.

[ She gives a scoff, but waves over more drinks. ]

Assholes.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss walks in, some hours later, and over to the table where everyone seems to be gathering and drops down on a bench. Without hesitation she puts down a gold coin and gets everyone another round of drinks, and her as much food as possible.

Then she looks around, and comments to Sera.]

You know ... this is the first place here that I haven't wanted to shake someone until their teeth rattled a little.

[arsebiscuit]

[Sera is more or less curled on the table at this point, only her knees on her chair. It had been...a lot of gold. And drinks. And singing. And...

She nods]

Shem. Of all the shit, yeah?

Re: ARRIVING: THE SERPENTINE RIVER - KALADOUN VILLAGE

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss sighs and squares her shoulders. Here, is another place where her heritage is going to do her no favors. Yet she promised, so here she was, and now she was going to have to find someone who might know what was going on around her with the troubles.

Which meant ... the Chantry, and the Chantry board.]

[wickedchase]

[When Katniss approaches the Chantry, there are Sisters who are more occupied in tending to the villagers than seeing to her at first.

Eventually, one does take notice, and hesitantly goes to speak with her.]

In Andraste's name, be welcome.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss flicked back the edge of her crimson cloak, showing off the Inquisition insignia.]

Thank you, Sister. I am Scout Everdeen, from the Inquisition. We're here looking into the Rift in the area, and we were hoping to get more information about it.

[eviscerates]

If this is how elves get welcomed everywhere I bet they must just feel warm and fuzzy all the time.

( Quietly, a murmur that isn't necessarily intended for everyone, but here's tension between her shoulders and she is going to make moves to keep up the rear, someone who at least appears human to stave off any sudden ideas folks might get about trying to pick off or pick on a member of their party. It's not likely, but then being attacked by winged monkeys in the Enchanted Forest hadn't been likely, either. )

[samahl]

Not everywhere, but many places.

However, from what Twisted Fate told me, these people have good reason to be wary.

[eviscerates]

( Ruby exhales, shaking her head. ) Yikes.

( Nodding a little bit, understanding, she looks back to Cyril. ) What's your take?

[the_effect_she_has]

Oh, in some places, we'd already have the local Mayor down our throats. Be glad we've got some authority to be here.

[Is Katniss's reply when she finally returned from her round of the village.] Find out anything?

[eviscerates]

Nothing that should be repeated in polite company, ( Ruby replies, an endeavour to be diplomatic. People here really don't like elves, suffice to say, and they express it colourfully. )

How about you?