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

[wickedchase]

Rumors always travel. I am not one to point fingers, but it is more propaganda than outright belief. Some of the villagers seek reason to lash out. Some have been quelled by the reminder of the Chant of Light, but others follow with their rage.

I believe the demons are coming from the west. That is the extent of my knowledge. You may wish to speak with one of the merchants for more specifics.

Half a dozen, some with more dire injuries than others.

[the_effect_she_has]

Can you tell me, when the trouble between the Dalish and the villagers began? Surely for this amount of rage, as you say, has a story ... but if the merchants know more I can ask them..

[She frowns as she looks towards the Chantry, then reaches into the satchel at her side. She takes out a few healing potions, and herbs she had picked on the way.]

Here, for the wounded men.

[wickedchase]

I'm afraid they've been here longer than myself, but I will share what I know.

A few decades ago, the elves came into the region. The villagers were unaccustomed with outsiders, let alone Dalish elves. As I understand it, there was a disagreement among hunters of both sides. Blood was spilled for man and elf, and the grudge lingered ever since.

Men will go into the forest and never return, or they return with savage injuries.

[At the gifts, the Sister smiles warmly, accepting the potions and herbs.]

Maker smile on you. We're fortunate the Inquisition saw fit to come for us.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss listened to this tale - in this, it did not differ at all from what she had learned from the Clan. There was a disagreement in the forest, and people on both sides died. Like ... idiots. Now the humans feared the elves, and that had kept them out of the forest until now.]

I see. Thank you, Sister, for the clarification ... and your blessing. I promise the Inquisition will get this sorted, as quickly as possible. Please let the other Sisters, and the villagers, know. I am going to go speak with the merchants.

[Perhaps one of them had known someone in the hunting party, and could give her more details. She moved towards some of their stands, looking for someone who had been here for more than a few decades.]

[wickedchase]

[On the plus side, it does appear to mean that the Chantry will value the decision of the Inquisition in this region. That can sway some villagers, undoubtedly.

The herbalist has already has his conversation with Korrin, which does leave the leathers merchant. Her store, unfortunately, is incredibly barren and she looks a bit frustrated when Katniss approaches.]

Don't got much of anythin' in stock 'less you want nug hide.

[the_effect_she_has]

[One corner of Katniss's mouth lifted, before she twisted her bag around.]

Actually, I was looking for information -- and I'll trade you some fine deer hide for it in turn.

[She flashed her Inquisition pin once more.]

[wickedchase]

[The Inquisition pin raises a brow, but the promise of deer hide is more promising.]

Y'got my attention, Inquisition. What do you want to know?

[the_effect_she_has]

We're here looking into the rift in the area - trying to close it. We've heard some rumors about the Dalish clan being responsible ... but mostly because it is bad blood between the village and elves, over some hunting party years ago? Do you know what happened?

[And there she is slowly rolling out a perfect deer hide for the woman to inspect.]

[wickedchase]

[The deer hide gets her attention first, but the merchant would not forget what Katniss seeks to know. She leans against the counter as she inspects the leather with interest, and with approval it seems.]

Aye, I remember what happened. Weren't part of it myself, but my brother told me. He was part of that huntin' party over twenty years ago.

Elves just came into the lands from only Maker knows where. We ain't ever seen a halla before. The horns and hide could have earned us some extra coin.

So they killed what they found. Knife-ears didn't take kindly to it. They argued. Heated words became knives and swords at each other.

That, Inquisition, is where it started. Mayor knows. Mayor remembers. Elves been fuckin' demons in those woods ever since, and we're starvin' while they make nice by the river for each other.

[the_effect_she_has]

[Katniss listened to the entire story, word by word, before her breath caught at word halla. They killed halla - oh for the love of - no wonder the Dalish hunters were furious. It would be like walking into a Fereldan village and casually stabbing a mabari. You don't kill the symbol of a people.

Her gaze narrowed slightly, and she closed her pack up, leaving out the deer hide.]

Thanks. Which way is the mayor's house?

[A pause.]

Just a friendly piece of advice - knife ear isn't a phrase we like with the Inquisition. Kind of like if we called you a 'shem'. I wouldn't use it again while we were here.

[wickedchase]

[There's a pause from the merchant. She doesn't seem much in the arguing mood, not when Katniss has supplied her with leather and a possible way to mend this mess.]

As y'say. Haven't given it much thought before. Elves, then.

Mayor's home is north, just past the dry fountain. You'll see the sign on his home marking him.

[the_effect_she_has]

[She nodded her head once more, and headed north as the woman bade, looking for the house with the sign on it. This could have been the Hinterlands, all over again, but she swallowed that down hard.

This wasn't her parade. This was Fate's.]

[wickedchase]

[Fortunately, it's not far to go. Past the dry, old fountain, and there's a small plaque engraved on it:

In Memory of Enrique
Loving Son

As promised, the mayor's home is there, clearly labeled. Mayor Bowen.]

[the_effect_she_has]

[She looked at the name for a moment, before she respectfully took a moment to ask for peace for Enrique, from the Maker. Then she squared her shoulders, and walked up to the Mayor's door, knocking on the door firmly.]

[wickedchase]

[Eventually, the door is answered by Mayor Bowen, his face full of tired, angry lines, his facial somewhere between a beard and stubble. He peers down at Katniss, and his eye catches the Inquisition badge.]

Heard Inquisition was in the area.

What is it you want?

[the_effect_she_has]

[She dipped her head respectfully - the man's a Mayor after all.]

Scout Katniss Everdeen. We're here to help close the rift. I'm just here gathering more information about some of the rumors we've heard, about the Dalish somehow being involved. I understand there was an incident, years ago, and one of your local merchants let me know you might be the person to talk to.

[wickedchase]

[Mayor Bowen frowns, tapping his fingers against the doorframe.]

Go on, then. What are you lookin' to ask, scout?

[the_effect_she_has]

I need to know what happened on the hunting trip, ser.

[She kept her face, and her eyes, blank of any emotion outside of faint curiosity.]