every fire is a lesson learned.

[fightingale]

WHO: Leliana & characters for Antiva mission
WHAT: recruiting characters for the mission, if players are keen beans! if there isn't a starter for you then just contact me and I'll add one asap
WHEN: end of Cloudreach, just before mission departure
WHERE: Skyhold, various
NOTES: Warning for possible discussion of slavery, Venatori related horrors and other such things. I am still on hiatus so I am going to be hideous slow for a few days 8Db

starters in le comments ohoho

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

"Yes," Ariadne replied. She had a great deal of questions, actually. "But I think it would be better to wait until after I decide to sign on with you." There was, after all, the possibility that she wouldn't prove her mettle. Or that she wouldn't want to sign up.

But the probabilities for both seemed slim. Better to save the questions, then, for after she had a measure of credibility.

"For now, I guess I'll just ask what I need to bring. I don't have much."

[fightingale]

"Very well." A fair enough trade, Leliana's agents able to assess and offer feedback, and Ariadne able to ask questions.

Before she answers the question, Leliana holds out a small scroll of parchment for Ariadne. "This is confidential." Nothing that would endanger the mission should it be shared or fall into the wrong hands, but enough to give Ariadne an idea of some of the mission's nuances. In it was writing outlining information on the Orlesian and the the Merchant Prince. "For your eyes only, understand? Familiarise yourself with the contents and then burn it to ashes. As for what you must bring, I would recommend limiting yourself only to what you can carry and what is necessary. Simple clothes are best - the arrival in Antiva will be under the guise of a group of pirates. Bedding and food will be provided in Antiva, and some on the journey. If you are a hungry sort, I recommend taking rations with you, unless you can fish or hunt before you reach the boat."

[demonicbeauty]

Ariadne took the scroll, immediately unrolling it and reading it right then and there. Her gray eyes flicked back and forth rapidly, before narrowing in disgust. "Slaves," she muttered under her breath, with obvious distaste. It was a practice that still persisted back home. One she didn't like at all.

And not just because her people were more likely than others to wind up as slaves.

She read all the way to the bottom before rolling up the paper again. When she looked up at Leliana, there was a new fire in her eyes. Because Cole had been right. This was definitely a worthy fight.

There was new respect for Leliana.

"Simple I can do," she said, the corner of her lip quirking. "Surprisingly believably." Which implied not only her clothing, but her very countenance. Looks could deceive when it came to her.

[fightingale]

"Their safety is paramount. Once they are freed, I have people in Antiva who can begin the process of seeing them back to their homes, or somewhere else, should they have wish of it. Some may wish to return to Skyhold, but they are free to decide for themselves. My concern lies in ensuring they do not fall prey to others that would take advantage of their vulnerability, and finding out what Oleastro intended to do with them. The more information we can gather from his estate, the more we will learn."

The people of the Venatori are not, she has discovered, terribly forthcoming when it comes to interrogation. He may be different, of course, he is not a Venatori himself, but his ties to them rile her.

"That is good to hear. Being able to camoflage yourself in such a way is invaluable." She does not smile, she rarely does that any more, but there is approval in the quirk of her mouth. "If you meet with Maguerite in the courtyard she will do an assessment of your skills and see that you have any equipment that you might need, if that is all?"

There is a scout lurking in her periphery with what looks like a scroll, but she keeps her focus trained on Ariadne.

[demonicbeauty]

Ariadne rose to her feet in one graceful sweep. She gave Leliana a small curtsy. Not too deep, but entirely respectful.

"I thank you for this opportunity, my lady," she said. "And I will not fail you."

Said with absolute certainty.

Ariadne didn't fail.

[fightingale]

"Thank you for agreeing to the mission." She does not question the certainty - it shows promise, conviction, if nothing else. Sometimes that is the thing needed most.

A nod to Ariadne, and she turns her attention to the lurking scout. All would progress well. It must.