faderift | [Closed] The Order's Obligations

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[Closed] The Order's Obligations

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.

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"Well, wouldn't we all?" Bethany's lips curve up faintly at the corners, "After all who wouldn't want to come out of their book piles and help fight evil monsters that are thousands of years old? We did, after all."

"Exactly. They don't have to directly fight, either. If their research proved vital, they would gain all due acclaim for it." Inessa looks a bit wistful at that for a moment. "I do miss those book piles from time to time. Creating them anew at Skyhold just isn't the same."

"Which you honestly would think would be enough for any scholar ... but perhaps they are looking for more safety these days than glory." Bethany mused, before she gave the other woman a wry smile, "I do as well - for all fighting the darkspawn was ... it never compared to the library."

"At least the Circle we seek ought to have a sufficient one. I would like to save as many tomes as we possibly can; no doubt others will be just as eager to preserve their lore." The mages' lives take priority, of course, but the thought of all that knowledge lost is sobering.

"I just hope we have enough room on the horses to carry all of them - and the people we're hopefully taking with us." Bethany bit on her bottom lip, her brown eyes looking up and down. "I am not entirely sure we'll be have to ride double, all of us."

"If it's any consolation, I barely take up any space at all." Inessa flashes a smile, long since lost any sensitivity about her size and focusing on the benefits. "But more seriously, I'll suggest purchasing a cart, if there are enough tomes to be salvaged. The expense will be well worth the knowledge saved."

"Oh good, we can fit at least three on the back of your horse then." Bethany dimpled, her tone clearly teasing, and nothing else. She thought about it, and nodded, "I have a little coin left. What about you?"

"I can contribute a small sum. If I had realized beforehand, I could have scrounged together a bit more, but hopefully it will be enough." Inessa could get away with selling a few things she didn't particularly need once they hit town, if it came to that. She doesn't seem worried.

"I should have a few silvers on me -- you know we really might have to consider selling out our services." Bethany mused, clicking her tongue as she tugged her horse out of the way of one rampant goat.

"Just so we can afford to bring all the books with us."

Garahel soon rushes over to shoo it off anyway, barking up a storm until it flees. "As long as they refrain from taking action against the tower, I'll be happy to assist. We can hope that will sufficiently gain their interest, at least. There is that rift nearby."

Bethany smiles again, before she looks over at the other woman, "You were in a tower, were you not? Before you joined the Wardens?"

Inessa nods, thinking back. "Yes. I was taken from Denerim when I was very young, and sent to Kinloch Hold. It was my home until the rebellion started. When the Circle fell, I sought out the Grey Wardens. I owed them a debt, and could not pass up the opportunity."

She nodded her head slowly, her expression warming with sympathy, and a little bit of envy. "I do not envy you what your time in the Circle ... but the chance to choose if you became a Warden or not? That ... is a freedom I would have enjoyed."

That reaction has Inessa puzzled and she shakes her head. "You misunderstand. When I say the Circle was a home to me, I mean it. I thrived there, far more than I ever could have at the alienage. I had an education, access to vast amounts of lore. My time in the tower isn't resented at all, not when it gave me much-needed tools to survive and a sense of belonging I had nowhere else."

Now that caught Bethany's attention, and then she put her hand to her chest, "Oh, my apologies. I meant no offense ... I know quite a few of us who had no desire to go to the Circles. I'm happy that your time there was so happy."

A faint frown, "But ...were you not there when the Circle was attacked by abominations?"

Inessa nods, no offense taken but seeing the necessity of explaining what she can about Circle life. "Some experiences were far worse than others, I admit, but I cannot refrain from offering my own perspective.

...and yes, I was." Her voice is calm and even, but Inessa's gaze slides away. "I was a child, but I remember well what Uldred's rebellion caused. And I place the blame squarely on him and those who followed his despicable methods. I'm not certain I can ever forgive him for turning my home into a place of horror. Many others who bore witness and survived are of the same mind in that."

She nodded her head, one corner of her mouth lifting. "I always prefer perspective over half-truths, honestly, so thank you for sharing your own." Her lips press together with worry that she upset her fellow Warden, "Forgiveness ... it's not something that comes easy. Just remember that he was trying to do something. He failed, miserably, but his fate ... it could not have been a kind one."

"He didn't just fail, he showed everyone the very worst of what mages had to offer and dragged down others with him. The Templars were nervous for a long time after that. I don't think the Veil in Kinloch Hold ever really recovered, either." And it had been thin to begin with. Inessa sighs, shaking her head. "Whatever he endured, his methods were vile and unjustifiable. Blood-magic, demon-summoning...that has never lead to anywhere but disaster."

Bethany exhaled slowly -- she did not get to hear the story from someone who was actually there, outside of Anders. Anders himself had been, at the time, either locked away ... or in fact on the run again. "Well, coming from Kirkwall ... yes, I cannot help but agree. There has to be a better balance for all of us, so such things are not necessary."

Ah, Kirkwall. Inessa's expression grows sympathetic as she listens. "I've never been to Kirkwall, though from what I've heard from other mages about the Gallows, I'm quite grateful for that. How it must have been even a few years ago...I shudder to think. That is not at all what I advocate in reference to Circle life, nor would I ever."

"It was ... terrifying. I escaped the Circle myself by simply joining the Wardens. And when I say join, I nearly died from the Blight." She gave a wry little smile, before looking thoughtful. "I've learned a lot, about what it means to be a mage in different directions."

The thought of almost succumbing to that gruesome fate has Inessa wincing slightly. "I can see why you would envy choice, then. To be thus infected isn't a fate I would wish upon anyone. Was it difficult, adjusting to the Wardens because of that?" If the choice had been taken away from her, if she'd had no other option, perhaps she would have resented them...but it would take a lot to override her gratitude for what they did in her tower.

"... It was, I cannot deny it." She sighed softly, looking up the path with a faint sigh. "I am still looking for a way to, ah, cure the taint. Or at least prolong my own life, so I can ... well. Retire." One corner of her mouth twisted.

That gets her attention and she turns to stare, genuinely caught off-guard. "This would be the first time I have ever heard of that possibility. When I underwent the Joining, I was told it was for life. Is there truly a hint of subverting this?" Not that it sounds like Bethany has much to go on, yet, but still. Now Inessa's curious.

"Rumors, mostly ... and Fiona." The Grand Enchanter, the former Warden, who seemed to be the only Warden in recorded history to be able to step away from the Blight in their blood. "There has to to be a way -- I just have to find it."

She will, though. It's in the set of her jaw, her golden-brown eyes.

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