[Closed] The Order's Obligations

[lifeofendurance]

WHO: Aleron Darton, Malcolm Reed, Inessa, Bruce Not-Banner, Cade Harimann, Ingrid Kief, Jeannot Mercier, Sadira, Bethany Hawke, npc templars.
WHAT: Templars have been asked to clear out suspicious mages squatting in the old Circle Tower. The group is sniffing out the truth.
WHEN: August 15-20 (Backdated a smidge)
WHERE: Perendale, Nevarra
NOTES: More information about the plot may be found here. A link is available on that page for the original war table wiki page. Feel free to inject any local npcs you like. IC signups are over here.

The road to Perendale proves less than interesting. Dusty and bare rock, with the odd silver mine to break up the monotony of the road. A peculiar strain of goats are native to the area and they do not seem to care for strangers on the road. They express their displeasure by rushing the Inquisition's horses and butting them in the legs. Annoying, but thank the Maker, not so aggressive and violent to put an end to the travel days.

The road itself begins moving north through Orlais then turns west. There is something small of interest, however. Perhaps. If one is knowledgeable enough and paying attention. The houses en route have a markedly Orlesian style to them. The odd lion battles a dragon in statuary along the way. Clearly the territory used to belong to Nevarra's southern neighbor, lost in an ongoing squabble between the two.

Perendale itself manifests its Orlesian heritage all over the city. The main gates boast lions rampant, entrenched in battle against dragons. Residences and shops are painted in the same lively colors that one would expect to see in any number of Orlais' towns. Thus ends the similarity. There are no gilded masks anywhere to be seen on the occupants, however, the mode of dress is not outlandish. The accents rippling through the air are not of the lilting elision one hears in Val Royeaux, but far closer to matching that of Seeker Pentaghast. Even the smells wafting out of the local taverns are different, rich and spicy; not a whiff of some overblown perfume to be had. The streets are cobbled and moderately clean, at least in the better quarters of the city.

And off in the distance, just outside the city walls, stands the abandoned Circle Tower, with faint infrequent lights flickering in the windows.

Comments

[tactical_alert]

"Of course. Your complete care for this creature absolutely is no indication that, for better or for worse, it is yours." When it's not breaking stalls and potentially being a danger through Skyhold, it's funny. "And you seem to have broken it in to ride, which anyone could do to any animal that isn't theirs, naturally."

[amygdalae]

It takes a lot for Bruce to not sigh at that, but he does manage it. Somehow.

"I didn't break it in, it... let me." That was... probably the best way to put it. Bruce certainly hadn't tried anything to the effect of breaking it in, in any case. "I wouldn't force it if it didn't want anybody on its back." Because the dracolisk was certainly not his. It just... decided to stick to him, that was it. He really had no desire to keep it or do anything on a permanent basis.

[tactical_alert]

Yeah, he's not buying your semantics today, Bruce. "Any animal that doesn't want you on its back is going to find a way to get you off. Though most mounts won't run the risk of clawing you up if it doesn't like you. Not to say simply getting trampled to death isn't an unpleasant thought, but..."

[amygdalae]

Well, yes, Bruce certainly knew that much at least.

"Like I said, I didn't--do anything. I put the saddle, I got on, and it didn't react negatively at all." He even did it a few times just to be sure about it. Had the dracolisk given even an inkling of retaliation he'd have gotten off instantly. It wasn't as if he hadn't traveled around by foot before, so it had never been an issue for him.

[tactical_alert]

"Does our most patient of stablemasters consider the creature to be yours? I feel he has to have the final say in these matters. If you're responsible for it, it might as well be yours." He leans in his seat, propping his chin in his hand. "One of these days you'll admit to it. With no small amount of resignation, perhaps, but you will."

[amygdalae]

...Bruce has no idea if Stablemaster Dennet actually did think that, but honestly Bruce isn't sure if he wants to find out. Knowing the answer could very easily lead to a lot of... thing at his end. Things he honestly would rather not want to deal with, but if he really didn't have a choice...

"Let's hope that day doesn't come, then." He really should look into somehow making it accessible to the other people of the Inquisition, because really owning a mount of his own was just plain ridiculous.