[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

[onlyhymns]

Argh, noise. Cade flinches when the dog barks, and then hesitantly gives the ball a toss, guessing that's what it wants. Hmm.

[circleprodigy]

Garahel tears after the ball, happy to show off for a new friend. When the ball bounces more than once, he leaps to catch it after the second time. That flinch doesn't go unnoticed, so when he returns, the mabari drops the ball and then nuzzles that hand, making his plea a silent one this time.

[onlyhymns]

The dog's enthusiasm elicits a small smile, even if Cade is still a bit afraid of him. He very nearly jerks his hand back when the muzzle draws near, but then holds himself still, tense and anxious. Several moments pass, and then he very slowly bends, watching Gaharel all the while, and picks up the ball again.
He gives it another light toss.

[circleprodigy]

The throw may not be anything spectacular, but that doesn't stop Garahel from doing his best to show off anyway. He leaps to catch it, barely stopping his stride as he darts back. When he drops the ball, though, he doesn't wait impatiently for the ball to be thrown this time, but flops down and rolls onto his back. If there's a better way to show that he's not going to hurt anyone, Garahel doesn't know it. It might also be a belly-rub trap, because how can he resist more of those. (He can't, ever.)

[onlyhymns]

A belly rub trap indeed-- the dog is on his back, but his teeth still have full access to Cade's arm if he decides to go in for it. Hesitantly, he reaches down, pauses, notes that no biting has happened yet, and reaches further to give the dog's belly a light pat. There there.

[circleprodigy]

That light pat prompts some happily wiggling, as Garahel's jaws go nowhere near Cade's arm. He whines softly, greedy for more. Surely Cade can manage that?

From the side, Inessa looks up from her book and smirks a little at her mabari's antics. Such a spoiled, greedy thing. But she has to admit, he seems to have a knack for bringing people out of their shells. The Templar could certainly do worse.