Open Log

[circleprodigy]

WHO: Inessa, Garahel (her mabari) and OPEN to anyone.
WHAT: A new Warden arrives.
WHEN: Beginning to mid-Solace.
WHERE: Camp Shady, Skyhold. Specifics in prompts.
NOTES: I'll match formats!

Mabari nonsense included at all stages. Weisshaupt and what went on there will likely be referenced, so blood magic/demon-summoning/coup warnings in effect.

I. Camp Shady

There's a new arrival at the Grey Warden camp below Skyhold...well, actually two. Inessa arrives mid-morning, a pale, petite elven woman with a staff on her back and clad in what is unmistakably Grey Warden battlemage attire. Sometimes at her side is an adult mabari who in all honesty isn't that much shorter and considerably more muscled, adorned with kaddis markings. Faced with new surroundings and new people, he's regularly running off to have a look around but always returns to his mistress, perhaps with a new friend?

After setting up her tent wherever there's space (and perhaps double-checking to ensure that particular space won't be needed), Inessa could rest...but she's not going to. Instead, the young woman can be found looking for the nearest campfire to join or starting her own, just wanting to sit down and relax with Garahel and perhaps catch up on recent events. Or she can be found wherever the griffons are kept, observing them with quiet awe. Having seen them at Weisshaupt, they're not exactly a new sight and yet she can still scarcely believe they're real. A small smile forms on her lips as she looks them over, mindful not to get too close or make sudden movements. "Hello again. My, you've grown...."

II. Rotunda library and frescoes

The Grey Warden camp is nice, but there's one thing it doesn't have; stacks upon stacks of books. Inessa's a devoted Warden, but she was also raised in the Circle and if there's one thing she misses, it's the library at her tower. For the first time in over a year and a half, she actually has the time and opportunity to indulge, so she does...with Garahel in tow, of course. Having been instructed previously, the mabari actually behaves himself in this area, no running or barking or running over to harass the ravens in the rookery. Instead, he plops down somewhere reasonably out of the way to nap while Inessa inspects the stacks. No one topic is off limits to her, and soon she accumulates a sizable crooked tower at her table. Much of it involves magical theory or history, but lighter subjects are definitely possible. Varric's books were known even in the Circle.

At some point, because of her petite stature and a dearth of ladders, she'll swallow her pride and look over to the nearest (undoubtedly taller, unless they're a dwarf) person, and smile apologetically. "Excuse me, but could I borrow you for a moment? I need a longer pair of arms to reach a book for me."

Some time later, Inessa descends with a sated mind and a lighter heart. Upon reaching the rotunda below the library, she pauses to inspect the frescoes painted there. They had been noted before, but now that her greatest priority has been tended to, she can spare a little time for such things. The Siege of Adamant Fortress particularly captures her attention, unsurprisingly, and she lingers there, gazing solemnly upward.

III. Battlements

In what will become part of her routine, Inessa takes to strolling the battlements with Garahel before heading back to the Grey Warden encampment. It's a chance to savor the mountain view and stretch her legs, and let her attention-needy mabari get some petting from friendly soldiers and scouts. The direction isn't important, just the chance to clear her head and enjoy the brisk winds, a sharp contrast from the oppressive heat of the Western Approach.

IV. Wildcard

Catch her nearly anywhere. Perhaps she's discovered the vault library (and Garahel abandons her for the kitchen, since he can't fit) or is getting treats for Garahel at the kitchen. Curious Warden is curious and will want to see everything Skyhold has to offer that's not off-limits.

Comments

[serannas]

"Yes, I know. We were fortunate." But that's enough of that. She shivers a little and brushes her fingers against her side for a moment before reaching out to pet the dog again. Touching the place she was wounded has become a new tic she can't control when she thinks of the Fade.

"So as you can imagine, anything you could do to help the Inquisition will be seen as a way of saying thank you for releasing you all from the Calling."

[circleprodigy]

As curious as Inessa was about the Fade experience, she can see that pressure further for details would be unwise. Perhaps there's someone else more willing to talk about it, but for now she'll just relax and enjoy the presence. The fire is nice and Garahel is contented. It's not a bad first day in Skyhold.

"Well, we're capable when it comes to hunting darkspawn, as you might have guessed. My strengths are in ice and spirit magic, though I know a bit of hexes and minor healing. I'm no Spirit Healer, however, and would hesitate to recommend myself beyond fixing the usual battle scrapes."

[serannas]

"I'm sure there's plenty you could do to help," Ellana says. "I know mages are always useful in construction, to move large stone blocks or planks of wood. And it seems that Skyhold will forever be in a state of repair."

How long have they been here now, and they're still fixing holes and floors?

[circleprodigy]

Inessa smiles a bit at that, just glad to have some way to contribute. "Then I'll see what I can do to make myself useful there. Do you know who I must speak with regarding repairs?"

Garahel perks up and barks, but she pats him to calm him down. "Hush, that squirrel didn't do anything to you. Let it be." The mabari still watches it for a moment, but his mistress takes out a toy ball from her pouch and throws it in the other direction, prompting him to run and retrieve it.

[serannas]

"I think Gatsi the stonemason would be the one in charge," she says, tapping her lip in thought once she's spoken. "When he's not around the fortress, he tends to stick to the main hall, right in the front when you walk in. He's a dwarf formerly of Orzammar, and he has a beard and facial tattoos. You can't miss him."

She watches the dog run and smiles, before smiling back at Inessa. "He'll work up an appetite. Luckily there's plenty to eat here."

[circleprodigy]

"I'll be sure to seek him, then. Thank you." Inessa smirks as Garahel pauses and brings the ball to Ellana, expecting her to throw it this time. "Good. It takes a great deal to keep a war hound in peak shape, I've found. Don't let his whining fool you, though, never at any point is he underfed."

She tilts her head, remembering something she'd wanted to ask earlier. "And what about mages, how are they treated here?" Given her own status, the issue probably isn't a pressing one for her, but she's still curious nonetheless.

[serannas]

"Better than anywhere else save Tevinter, I'd imagine. People are still wary and judgmental at times, but we've settled in, and have just as much right to be here as anyone else. I think you'll be all right." If that was Inessa's concern.

[circleprodigy]

It was, a little. Not as much for herself, but Inessa does wonder and worry about the other mages, those without an order to protect them. She nods, a little reassured at that. "Wary I can handle. I'll be dealing with that for several reasons, as it is. But it's good to know that my fellow mages aren't treated poorly in light of their rebelling. I've had my doubts that such tensions would vanish easily, especially with Templars present."

Her demeanor and tone don't sour at mention of the Templars, though. She's just stating what she knows second-hand, without condemning them as a whole.

[serannas]

"I know what that's like, though I also don't have the Warden stigma attached to me." But replace Circle mage with apostate, and she's nearly in the same boat as Inessa.

"I should head back up to the fortress, but I'm sure I'll be seeing you and Garahel often enough, won't I?" She stands and gives the dog a farewell smile.

[circleprodigy]

Garahel barks, tail wagging. Inessa smiles and nods, not about to detain Ellana when she doubtless has plenty on her to-do list. "Of course. I think Garahel would be disappointed if he didn't at least get a game of fetch out of you at some point. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me."