The Annulment at Dairsmuid

[foxsays]

WHO: Araceli Bonaventura, Korrin Ataash, Malcolm Reynolds, The Outsider, Aleron Darton, Kas, Anders, Malcolm Reed, James Norrington, Ellana Ashara, James Kirk; Rivaini npcs
WHAT: The Annulment at Dairsmuid; arriving at Rivain to meet with Araceli and her mage contacts that requested aid from Templars hunting them down. When Araceli goes to bring the group to her contacts, they're informed that the Templars have abducted the mages forcing the team to return to the Circle at Dairsmuid to rescue them and kill the Templars responsible
WHEN: 15th-20th Solace
WHERE: Rivain; Dairsmuid
NOTES: OOC posts here and here, sending crystal announcement; violence, discussions of annulment, probably going to need warnings for language; I'll edit as I go, if people can bring things to my attention, I would appreciate it
Starters will all be below, subjects in headers

We of the Dairsmuid Circle wait now, behind barricades. I have sent word to our brother and sister mages of this outrage. When they break through, we will not die alone.

—Final journal entry of First Enchanter Rivella, slain in Dairsmuid, 9:40 Dragon

Contents;
Arrival at Dairsmuid
Meeting the Mage Contacts
Team Dungeon Crashers
Team Templar Crushers
Aftermath of the Rescue
Timestamp; Dairsmuid Adventures
Epilogue

Comments

arrival at Dairsmuid;

[foxsays]

[After a journey by land and by sea, arriving at Dairsmuid is no doubt a relief to those who heard Araceli's plea for aid and came to the rescue. On horseback they ride through the mountains and over rough terrain until they take ship for the last leg of the journey.

The arrival at Dairsmuid is at first light, the promise of heat already in the air as the sun turns the sails to gold as the sailors call out to one another. Araceli waits at the docks, hands on her rapiers as they disembark, ready to take them to a nearby tavern for a quick drink before the next stage of their journey.

Feel free to thread out all your travel and arrival interactions, and to ask Araceli anything you didn't get to over the sending crystal before she takes you all to meet her mage contacts!]

OTA

[justice_is_blond]

1. Casual

He takes the horseback riding in stride, for once not complaining when he winds up with a very sore rear end. He's quiet, expression neutral, for that leg. It's on the boat when matters change. There's a look of awe on his face, and he spends as much of the trip as he can looking over the side.

"I've always wanted to travel a great distance by boat, to the point where all you can see is water." He's told a few people this. He'll tell more if they seem the slightest bit interested. They don't even have to show interest. They just have to stop long enough for him to get the sentence out.

2. Business

The budding warmth of the day feels fantastic, especially after the snowfight. He hadn't been sure he'd ever get the cold out of his bones... but that's not really what's on his mind. Instead he's watching the harbor, listening, keeping an eye out. There may be people who know they're coming and who would want to stop them.

"I'm not seeing anyone acting suspicious on the docks. Are you?" Granted, he really has no idea if all the bustling and activity is supposed to be happening. Due to a lack of shouts and yelling, he's assuming it is.

3. Tavern

He's sticking with water. One ale won't be too damaging, but he wants to be as capable as possible tomorrow, or even tonight if something comes up.

"Is there anything you think someone should know about Rivain that I might not?" Araceli obviously knows a lot of things, but who knows what other random information is out there?

[gatheringstorm]

On the Way

Korrin's not excessively fond of horses, never has been, but it's still faster than trying to Fade-Step north so she puts up with it. (And maybe wistfully pretends they're nuggalopes instead.) For her part, she's grim and unusually quiet, her mind on the mages in Rivain. She sticks closer to Kas and Mal, and remains as far from Anders as possible. He may not be possessed anymore, but she wants nothing to do with him.

On the boat, her mood seems to lift a little, glad to be spared further horesback riding and knowing that Araceli is on the other end of this last stretch. She leans on the railing, one hand holding onto the dragon tooth hanging from her neck. Upon hearing someone else's approach, she glances over and (as long as it's not Anders) smiles. "I don't think I said it before, but thank you. It means a lot that you're here to help."

The Docks

Korrin tilts her head up to the sun, savoring the rising warmth as though she can bottle up and take it back to the ever-frigid Frostbacks. If only magic allowed for such possibilities. But she's soon distracted by the sight of Araceli at the docks and the very moment the ship is secured, she'll rush over with tunnel-vision. Anyone else in her way had better move aside or likely get knocked over. She knows they have a job to do, and she won't delay them, but her kadan has been missed. To demonstrate that, Araceli is getting lifted up and spun around the moment she's within reach, ready with a kiss the moment she sets her love back on her feet.

The Tavern

The tavern is welcome and Korrin slouches a little with a contented sigh, after taking a long swig of a local brew. "Andraste's tits, I've missed the north. Skyhold's selection isn't terrible, if all you're into is southern brews, but it lacks variety. Remind me to take back as much as I can get away with."

[tactical_alert]

1. I'm On A Boat
Of course, going to Rivain the easiest and quickest way involves ship travel. He knows this. He knows this very well. And yet knowing it's coming doesn't help when they're actually doing it. Malcolm is sometimes restlessly on the move to try and distract and distance himself from his own feelings, and sometimes he's as far from the sight of water as can be, with his poodle friend quietly whimpering in unease and hopping into his lap.

Even knowing the vessel is quite safe, he can't help the feeling of being adrift, the thought of tipping overboard and drowning in the unknown depths. Combined with the unease he feels about the entire mission--something he speaks little about but is written plainly enough on his hardened features--Seeker Reed is not very happy company.

2. Don't You Ever Forget
Arriving at Dairsmuid at least eases him of the added tension of cold gripping irrational fear, but it does little for the mood he's taken on. The Circle (just a laughable institution set to make the Chantry happy, but exist it does) is farther out, what's left of it, but the city itself still rings all too familiar. He and Milady are alert and tense even in the tavern. ...Although Milady is perfectly happy to make friends and take a few table scraps, if allowed.

"What sort of contacts are we meeting, exactly? Friends of friends? Immediate though less magical relations of the mages? What will they make of such an...eclectic group of this?" Seekers and qunari and Rifters oh my.

[extramural]

the ship;
He has missed the sea. It's almost startling, how different he finds himself feeling around it; upon their arrival at the port he had lingered in the shallow water while the ship was being loaded, watching the slow lapping of the waves and minnows flitting about his ankles.

Upon the ship itself, he stays on deck, letting the wind blow through usually immobile hair. All sailors are superstitious, but they have similar songs to the ones he knows; it's enough of a common bond that they don't, at least, mostly point at him and wonder if he's a demon or not. He is thankful for it, mostly because it would disrupt quite a bit of the trip. He is far more thankful when there is a spout of water off one side, followed by a second smaller one -- a mother whale and her calf. Shallow waters make excellent nurseries, and his eyes are immediately fixed on the pair.

It doesn't matter who you are; coming close will result in the Outsider not bothering to look at you, but nonetheless speaking up with an almost uncharacteristic note of excitement in his voice. "Do you see them?"

dairsmuid;
He has to be more careful on land. A hat is found to hide his eyes, brim pulled low so that the black only looks like shadow. His travels with the Inquisition have added some color to his fair skin, but not quite enough to make him truly look like a sailor should one look past his manner of dress. Then there's the matter of the shard in his hand, as vibrant and green as ever. He is not the only one with a shard, of course, but he is especially strange even for a rifter.

He is always curious, but caution wins out, this time. He stays close, in the streets and in the tavern, to the rest of the group; he keeps his sword at his side and every once in a while he pauses, seeming almost distant, especially when a gull flies overhead.

[issala]

On the way ~

Kas is not a good rider, so it's a fortunate thing that the horse he was given was old and used to wonky teens with no equestrian skills whatsoever. It mostly just followed the rest of the group while the young qunari struggled to hold on and not look bothered.

He may fall off once or twice. Please don't laugh at him.

The ship ~

Right. He had completely forgotten why he had never gone back to Rivain after joining the Inquisition, too busy being excited to see his home again and to help people who really needed them.

...because he was horribly, unrelentingly seasick.

Back then, he had been found as a stowaway because of all his hurling - but at least he was on the ship legally and could groan on the side of the ship's reeling.

"Whoever invented the sea was a dumbass..."

Tavern ~

"Araceli!" Kas waves his hand as he sees her, almost tripping off the landing board to get on solid ground and say hello to her. "Are you alright?"

Kirk - OTA

[universal_charm]

1 - The Journey
Kirk was, by no means, the best rider. He was lucky that the horse he had been training on was able to come with them, otherwise he thought he would have more trouble. As it was, he managed a walk and trot fairly well. Anything faster and his ability to stay in the saddle came seriously into question. As it is, when it comes time to dismount, he does so with a very loud groan that was a mix of pain and relief. Human legs were not meant for this sort of thing, nor for so long.

Luckily, by the time they get on the boat, he seems to have somewhat gotten over it. He has a pack of cards and is happy to play with anyone who wants to pass the time, or chat. At some points he can be seen sitting near the front of the ship, watching the water rush by them, sometimes looking down to see if any creatures come along beside. At night, he is still there, this time looking up at the stars, sometimes laid out where he is not in the way of sailors.

If you're close enough at night, you might catch him singing under his breath - "This is Ground Control to Major Tom / You've really made the grade / And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear / Now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare.."

2 - The Destination
He seems almost sad to leave the ship when they dock. For the first time in a long while, he had felt near as home as he could someplace. It wasn't space, but it felt close, and it had been soothing in its way. Arrival in this place immediately sets him slightly on edge, knowing they were walking into a hostile situation, that they had a mission. It really hit now that they were here.

He sees Araceli and makes for her, at the same time taking a bandage form his pack and beginning to wrap up his hand to hide his shard. He didn't think it was a good idea to go flashing it here, and his blue eyes flick around, taking in their surroundings, the landscape. Their arrival doesn't seem to illicit much of a response, but you never know.

"Is it strange I don't like that it's so quiet?" he asked quietly of whomever was closest.

3 - The Sidequest
While ale sounds fantastic right now, he decides that water would be best. He asked for it warm, which seemed to confuse the barmaid, but she did as asked, and he let it cool before drinking. Never could be to careful, especially in a new area. He listens as the group talks, watching the crowd around them, doing his best not to fidget with his shard beneath the wrapping.

"So this is probably important for me especially - what are the ways not to make people mad at you here?"

meeting the mage contacts;

[foxsays]

[As soon as everyone has recovered and found their legs again, a young man joins their group to speak with Araceli; they leave Dairsmuid behind because it's not safe for mages. Not when there are Templars. Not when there is the threat of Qunari looming. Two small boats await them where they'll pass mangroves on their way to the temporary camp where the mages and their loved ones had fled to.

It's the aftermath of an uproar when they arrive, Araceli leaving everyone to find out what happened. When she calls for everyone, her face is grim: the Templars arrived when she left the previous night to await them all in Dairsmuid.

Time is of the essence but the contacts, upset and frightened as they understandably are will submit to questioning but they all agree on one thing: they have been returned to Dairsmuid so the Templars can finish what they started. The Inquisition must help them now or it will be too late.

Feel free to mingle as you see fit and to chatter to the contacts at the camp, or do some investigating - if you'd like me to npc let me know but you can npc the contacts yourselves like during the soiree!]

[gatheringstorm]

...well, shit.

[Araceli's news is met with a scowl. Of course it couldn't be that easy. The local Templars just had to slip in and fuck everything up, naturally. The only reason she resists saying that is for the genuine gratitude she has for those Templars/Seekers who actually came to assist in preventing a massacre.

Not one to stay idle, she'll pace around and do some investigating, hoping to pick up something of note before they leave. She'll also pause to gently question those contacts who don't seen even more on edge at being spoken to by a 'qunari'. Hopefully, her kind's greater presence in Rivain will make that easier, and though she's no healer, Korrin will still pass on what she can of available potions. Some she'll have to keep for the battle ahead, but she can spare a few.

team dungeon crashers;

[foxsays]

[The Circle at Dairsmuid still stands though the fighting has left many scars, misery and despair as likely to choke as the ash and dust. Araceli leads one group that splits away after recon work, heading down the steps as carefully as they can.

There are several mages bound in chains, all of them look exhausted and drained, more women than men with only three Templars in attendance. Two are clad in the heavy armour of knights though the armour is dirty and stained from their journey to capture the mages, and poorly kept. The third figure is dressed in lighter garb, a cruel man with an even more cruel smile.

He's trying to draw them into a discussion about just how much magebane it might take to actually start killing them off, and if it'll be different with the Seers, their laughter echoing off the walls.

If you want to do some recon work, feel free to start this thread using the blurb and build from it, let me know what extra npc details you need!

It's up to you how to handle any injuries you'll pick up, and if everyone fights or if some of them try to pick the locks and start getting the mages out of the firing line!]

[issala]

No more arguing, no more boasting or childishness. Kas is all business now, checking his bow and his daggers to make sure everything was good. This time he was not going to have a fucking episode. He was going to go in there, do his job and open locks just live Zevran had told him.

He was going to be a valuable member of this team and prove his nightmares wrong.

"How many more do you think there are?" He whispers, low and slowly to avoid being heard. "If we kill them, the noise might draw more. I'm fairly sure I can take one of them down with an arrow, but the other two might scream..."

team templar crushers;

[foxsays]

[With half the group slipping off downstairs to rescue the mages, that leaves the rest of the group to deal with the Templars once and for all.

Easier said than done; the barricades written about by First Enchanter Rivella, her journal passed to Araceli Bonaventura by a survivor and heralding all of this, are now being used by the Templars they were meant to stop. There are warriors and knights, and behind them there are several archers; they're ready and they're waiting.

The mages were defiant, they said help was coming. The Templars are spoiling for a fight.

If you want to do some recon work, feel free to start this thread using the blurb and build from it, let me know what extra npc details you need!

It's up to you how to handle any injuries you'll pick up and how the fight goes, if you do want me to npc anything since I won't be fighting in this thread, please let me know!]

[gatheringstorm]

Part of Korrin wishes she could join those slipping away, reluctant to leave Araceli's side despite knowing she's more than capable. She also wants to be there for the mages in particular, but she's no healer. Her best strength is on the battlefield and she knows it. Having spoken with Aleron beforehand, she feels more confident about confronting Templars as well. If they try to disrupt her magic, they'll have a Seeker to deal with...and an angry, horned Vashoth woman.

She lingers close to Mal as well. They've been through so many battles together that they don't even really need to think about what the other is going to do, adapting with ease. Knowing that stealth isn't her strength, Korrin won't participate in the recon portion unless they need a distraction then and there. (Which, to be fair, she's very skilled at rerouting attention via loud magics.) The last thing she wants is to compromise the mission in any way.

Recon

[tactical_alert]

This is more Malcolm's speed. Much as he is capable of charging into a fight and kicking some plated arses, information is always the first key to victory. He volunteers to help scout out the area, making silent hand gestures to Milady. Ever the Fereldan at heart, working well with a dog. They are quick, efficient, quiet, and he has some memory of the landscape. Of the barricades. He remembers the First Enchanter's last stand.

Any who are equipped for the job are welcome with him, though he warns that too many feet risks too much noise. They can join him in seeing how fucked the odds are on the outset.

aftermath of the rescue;

[foxsays]

[It's over.

At last the Circle of Dairsmuid is silent once more. There are bodies to be healed and bodies to be burned but the Inquisition has been successful and the mages are grateful once they finally make it up from the dungeon on shaking legs.

There are tears, unsurprisingly, after everything that happened here once when the Templars first came and now knowing they can live without fear. But to see their home reduced to such a state? Their libraries with knowledge to be found nowhere else in Thedas reduced to ash, artifacts turned to dust and rubble. They're in no state to do it but they still try to search the shelves for some fragment they might take with them to their new life, so it won't be lost again.

And at last, when all is said and done, it is time to leave the Circle of Dairsmuid for the final time, to close the doors on another unhappy chapter of history.

Folks can feel free to come and go between the dungeons and the main hall, explore as much as you'd like in the Circle, make your own threads, just a little post-battle breathing space.]

[serannas]

[ Ellana stays beside one of the victims as she searches for things to take with her. ]

Here; I'll help you carry some things, if you want. You can bring as much as you want back with us to Skyhold.

[ She tries to make her feel better with a smile. ]

As long as it can fit on the boat.

[ All her life, she's been warned about the Templars. While it's possible that if they found her in her clan they would take her to a Circle, it was always assumed that they would just kill her in the woods and be done with it rather than have to escort her back. Why make sure a mage eats or rests on the journey when they could just kill her and report back that they'd found no Dalish mages? Being with the Inquisition has opened Ellana's eyes in many ways, but she can't see these mages coming around to trusting Templars any time soon. For now, she helps this mage gather things together and take them to the main hall to place in a pile. Along the way she's available to talk to her fellow travelers. ]

[gatheringstorm]

[Once the battle is over, Korrin can be found burning said bodies in silence. If someone wants to say prayers, they're welcome to it, but she has nothing left in her for the Templars who would have massacred everyone. She then assists the mages in taking whatever tomes or other items that are undamaged enough to bring with them.]

If it's heavy, give it to me. I can handle it.

[She waves off any protests, not wanting already-traumatized mages to feel traumatized anew by leaving pieces of their home behind. Gathering what she can in the main hall, Korrin then goes to check on her companions and see if anyone needs help before departing. There's no lingering curiosity, no real drive to explore. As someone who had never been raised in a Circle, she might have done so before if circumstances were different. But all the death and destruction just has her desiring to leave as soon as possible.]

[tactical_alert]

You.

[His head snaps up from the spine of a half-burnt book, startled at the face of one of the mages, twisted with emotion. This, this is what he has been dreading. Not fighting Templars, not the sea travel, not stepping back into Dairsmuid, but this. Being faced with the pain and torment of someone who was there. Someone who recognizes him.

He straightens, squares his shoulders, tense and tight. Doesn't rest any hand on any weapons. Whatever happens now is deserved. The mage steps forward.]

I remember your face.

[His eyes dart away in shame but are drawn back to the mage's gaunt face from guilt, and accepting that guilt. Malcolm says nothing in return. There is nothing to say in return, to the dead apostates burning in the aftermath, to the texts desecrated, to the broken items trampled underfoot and knocked down houses and kicked in doors, to the screaming and terrified faces, to those that fought to the last. No apology is deep enough.

It's not often a mage he isn't friends with approaches him so easily, without fear. Should the man want to use his magic, Malcolm will offer no fight. Should he want to use his fists? The same. The Rivaini mage is taller than him by a few inches, though skinny. Malcolm is not afraid of him, just all that he represents. The twisted faces attacking him in the Fade. The culmination of years of horror and guilt weighing down on his shoulders, and perhaps finally he can let some of it go.

What he doesn't expect is for the mage's face to soften, for him to wrap his arms around Malcolm's shoulders.]

May the spirits bless you, serah. You looked in on us and declared the room empty that my mother and I could escape. She has since died of illness, but she died free of Templar blades and Chantry harassment.

[Malcolm freezes up, unsure how to proceed. The memory comes seeping back to him. The face, yes, he half-remembers that face in a darkened room, an older woman, protective around one another. He can feel a pull of magical energy from one or both of them, prepared to defend themselves. And he turned away, said there was nothing. He had tried to do what he can, even if it wasn't much, even if it was only deflecting Templars and his fellow Seekers where he could.

This man thanks him. Forgives him. Absolves him. Of everything, he expected this least of all. Shakily, Malcolm's arms find their way around the man in return, the embrace tightening as he feels the tightening of his throat, of emotions playing through him. He's prayed many times for forgiveness, and the Maker has sent it in the form of this free mage, alive and well.]

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ It's over, thank stars and Saturn's rings.

The sudden quiet means there is a short time to explore - after the victims are tended. He is not a healing mage or even a true medic, but he understands basic medical practices, enough to help those with wounds withstand the journey to better help. ]</sub>

How are you feeling? Anything hurting? It doesn't matter how small, tell me now before we move on.

_{[ Once everyone is taken care of, he moves on to helping the people gather the things they want, which gives him the excuse to explore a little on his own. He's never been in a Circle Tower before, and he cannot resist the desire the ask about little pieces he sees, sometimes picking them up to examine them. ]}

What was this for?

Re: aftermath of the rescue;

[judgemewhole]

[James keeps to himself - the mages need their space and their time to grieve. He'll assist where needed, but he has the feeling it won't be asked for. So he does the one thing he is sure that neither his people or the mages will do -- he gathers the bodies of the templars. They do not get individual pyres. They have not earned them. He puts all the bodies into one giant pile after stripping them of all valuables and burns them to ash.

After that, you might see him gathering up all the valuables and putting them in a singed cart. If you come to ask him, he's going into town to sell the lot of them on the black market. Whatever coin he can barter for is going to the mages and their families.

Later on, you might see him with small sacks of coin, gravely and quietly handing them out to each mage with a quiet, "To start a new life."

It is only after all this that he goes off by himself, off to the shore to light a candle, take out a small statue of Andraste and pray over it. Eyes closed tight, jaw clenched, as he murmurs his prayers in rapid fire grief.

[lifeofendurance]

[Aleron is never expressive. Always calm, always straightfaced, even in a fight. But as he combs the library, dismay wars with anger for dominance on his face. It should never have come to this. He can be angry about his fellows ordering this when it was not called for or necessary, but that won't bring back the dead, nor restore the knowledge stored here. He carefully lifts books and scrolls, hoping to find anything that can be salvaged, and absolutely sick that there is so little to be saved.

Later, once he's fully convinced there is no more to be plucked from the ashes of the libraries, he leaves to see to the burning of the dead. As the bodies are stacked and burned, he sings the Chant, from Transfigurations, in a clear baritone.]

[justice_is_blond]

[He works steadily for quite some time, healing one person after another, working mostly in silence. It takes more out of him than usual. Not the quiet, but the healing - doing it without a spirit's assistance is far more taxing and for the first time he starts to wonder about finding something to work with, and whether or not any spirit would work with him in the first place.]

There. That should do the job.

[His voice is hushed and solemn.]

Please be careful with carrying things for a time; anything heavy too soon, within a week or so, and you could have internal tearing again.

[If he had more strength, he could heal it completely. As it is, he needs to use what he can to get people stable.]

timestamp; Dairsmuid adventures

[foxsays]

[Of course it's not all doom and gloom in Dairsmuid; there's some time after the rescue before the ship comes to take people home to have a few adventures in Rivain.

Or if you don't feel like rushing back right away, Araceli is staying for an extra couple of days to celebrate her twenty-first birthday by the sea the way a Castilean should.]

{ the rivaini dalish }

[serannas]

[ Ellana has come to love Rivain, despite what they came here to do. The Templars exist outside of what Rivain is, and that is a place with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Not one person here has talked down to her, called her knife-ear, or treated her like she's lower than dirt. The elves are treated the same as the humans, and this is an experience she'll never forget. And when she asked of the Dalish that Fate told her about, she was told that they live not far outside Dairsmuid and happily trade in the city or in the woods.

Sadly, she learns they don't have a permanent community yet, and move wherever the need for food takes them, but it's lucky that they're so close by at the moment. Ellana needs to see them. And so a few days before their ship back is set to debark, Ellana lets the others know where she'll be and if they'd like to come.

The walk is less than an hour, and the path is clearly marked the whole way, until beautifully crafted hanging lanterns greet them, and there's a rustling through the trees. Two sentries drop down, carrying bows in hand, though no arrows are nocked. ]

Andaran atish'an. You certainly don't look like you're from around these parts. But I can see one of you is a sister.

[ He nods towards Ellana's face and her vallaslin of Mythal, while he has chosen June. She bows her head a little in return. ]

My name's Ellana, of Clan Ashara in the Free Marches. We're sorry to come unannounced, but we had business in Dairsmuid, and I've heard about you all the way back home. About how you want to want to make a permanent settlement. It's something I've always wanted myself, so I wanted to come see you.

Oh? [ He sounds amused. ] I'm sure our Keeper would love to tell you all about it. And your friends? Did they come here to hear it too? I notice you don't carry things to trade, so it can't be for that reason.

epilogue;

[foxsays]

[Thanks to the swift intervention of the Inquisition members coming to Rivain, the survivors from Dairsmuid are able to safely make it to the docks at last.

Even with healing efforts from the mages of the party as well as the supplies brought with them thanks to Adelaide LeBlanc asking what might be required, the survivors are still wobbly. Magebane is a terrible thing. Shock is even worse. Or perhaps it's the magnitude of what comes next: a journey across the sea and then by land, going to a different country where the situation is still so unsure as of yet. But there was a promise of a better life. A place where mages might be free and despair clings to them along with smoke from the burning of the Templars that tormented them for so long.

They wait long enough for those from the camp to meet them and to say their farewells because haven't they suffered too? It's an argument they won't budge from as they load their possessions onto the ship, reluctant to part with some items even when necessity demands it must be so. It isn't a happy farewell but it might not be farewell forever. One day, when the world is less mad, when the fires don't burn quite so hot, when Rivain remembers again that it has always been different, that is has always been freer than the rest of Thedas?

The Inquisition will not receive any true formal support from Rivain but those from the camp are going home again. They will speak well of all who helped, they will say that the Inquisition did not sit idle. That the Inquisition came in their darkest hour.

That is enough, perhaps, that is much more than any might have expected when even freeing the mages alone might have been considered a victory.]

[Farewell to Rivain folks, if you'd like to thread anything on the journey home, this is where to do it!]