PLAYER PLOT: The Least of His Children

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WHO: Nathaniel Howe, Felix Alexius, Anders, James Norrington, Kaisa Daesun, Fenris, Araceli, Inessa.
WHAT: A quest to rescue a slave.
WHEN: August 26
WHERE: Tevinter
NOTES: Will update. Plotting post is here.

The Mastermind: Nathaniel Howe
The Game: Green Goods
The Grifter: Felix Alexius
The Mark: Magister Leo Valerius is an ailing old man, but his mind is sharp. His main concern of late has been to leave his sons a good inheritance, though he isn't exactly straight-up greedy.
The Prize: Alavda Endris is a slave to Valerius. The bad news is that she almost never leaves his side. The good news is that that makes her easy to find.

The Plan: One team is sent in, with Felix dressed as a minor lordling and his entourage trying to climb the social ladder by schmoozing an old magister. Felix claims to be staying as a guest of a nearby lord (technically true) and only visiting for the day. Valerius must believe this boy is an upstart with no political value and too much money.

Another team performs a heist and gains the money Valerius keeps at this estate by pretending to be contractors hired to work on the floorboards in the room with the vault door (an appointment Valerius set up months ago and our team hijacked). Planting bees in the floorboards will clear the room of guards. Felix pretends to fall in love with Alavda and asks to borrow her from Valerius. If Valerius hesitates, Felix offers him more and more money until he consents. He has loaned Alavda to other lords before, and Felix's show of being petulant and stupid should help wear away any suspicion that this is a set-up. In that way, it's a basic hustle. Once Valerius consents, Felix then sends an attendant outside to fetch that amount from the money stolen from Valerius' vault. The entourage departs, claiming to be returning to the local lord's house. They leave with Alavda and return to Skyhold.

MAJOR OBSTACLES:

Alavda is wearing an enchanted collar which allows Valerius to locate her. If it is cut away or in most any other way removed, it sends a massive and lethal shock through her system. The team will need to find a way to remove the collar without killing Alavda.

If/when the collar is removed, Valerius will send people to find her.

Valerius has about twenty guards on his property.

The vault door operates on reacting to a specific keystone which cannot be found, but aside from the magical lock, the mechanism is still a mechanism. A good thief can crack it.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is vital that the members of this team keep their involvement and mission details secret before and after the mission. It must not get out that Inquisition members and affiliates were involved in hustling a magister.

Comments

The Journey There

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Make food, mingle, practice your upcoming role.

Arrival at the Base

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Valerius is not the only magister with a vacation home at the seaside. Felix's contacts have offered him use of a manor belonging to a lord who lives in Minrathous. That makes the cover story easier, certainly.

The manor is, as was promised, entirely empty. The cellar and larder are stocked, but there is no staff. If anything is broken, the bill will be sent, but otherwise there is free reign of the place, and a beautiful view of the ocean.

Everyone Helping Norrington Practice Keeping a Straight Face

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Because this is important.

Team Grifter: Meeting with Valerius

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Valerius' estate is one of many magister residences along the northern coast. Most are vacation homes of a sort, but Valerius' is his home proper, his estate in Minrathous occupied and run by his sons while he comes to his twilight.

He greets Felix and his entourage in his parlor, where he reclines on a chaise, dressed in a silk caftan, propped up with many pillows, and draped in shimmering blankets of bold colors. On his feet are slippers of soft fur. His face is pale, his lips nearly bloodless, but his eyes are keen. He may look a frail old man, but he is a Tevinter magister still. He has had people killed off-hand without even looking up from his tea. A cup of tea is cradled in his hands now.

"Forgive me for not rising to greet you," he says graciously. "Old age has no kindness. I greet you anyway, young man. Tell me what your name is, again?"

Team Thief: The Heist

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The word from a servant of a magister friendly with Valerius is that the entry to his on-site underground treasure vault is in the library and quite well hidden. The library contains guards anyway, as Valerius openly keeps a number of valuable artifacts on display for his guests. The servant did not see the door himself, but remembers seeing light and "hearing magic" when it was being opened out of his sight. So the library is guarded and the vault door is hidden and magically sealed within.



Piece of cake, right?

There is a wine cellar next to the vault, but it has no entry into the vault.

Rendezvous

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The rendezvous point is not the mansion they used as a base, but a spot along the coast, where a boat waits to sail them to the river and down it. Here, we will address how to get the collar off Alavda.

Will update this when the plot gets here.

The Journey Back

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Closed to Kallian, Anders, and NPC: The Reunion

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OTA

[circleprodigy]

An elf voluntarily traveling to Tevinter is not likely a common sight, and yet Inessa is doing just that. She remains close to the party as they make their way to the Imperium, growing quieter and more observant the further they travel from familiar lands. Perhaps there will be nothing to worry about and all will go as planned, but Inessa has survived by anticipating less favorable outcomes. Whatever tension lies within her, she doesn't seem to want to discuss it though. Any questions are usually met with subject changes, wanting to focus on the mission at hand. Garahel is a comfort at least, the large mabari taking point at times and scouting around for any sign of trouble. When he's sure there aren't any, he'll return for a treat and some petting.

Whenever they stop to make camp, Inessa is ready to assist, by now used to a much less comfortable life than the Circle in which she was raised. She's not much of a cook, but if anyone wants tea, there she shines. As much as they travel in a day, Garahel doesn't really need playtime to wind down now but that doesn't prevent her from playing fetch with him or letting him take the ball to someone else in hopes of the same.

While she makes a point to speak with everyone at some point or another, Inessa's curiosity about Tevinter will make Fenris and Felix a priority. When she's sure Garahel won't be attention-needy due to napping or playing with another, she'll seek them out with a polite smile and her usual soft-spoken tone. "Might I have a moment of your time?"

OTA

[circleprodigy]

Upon reaching the manor, Inessa wants to explore, so she promptly does just that with Garahel at her heels. He's well-behaved, but she nonetheless lectures him on the necessity of not making a mess. This is only on loan, and they can't just do whatever they please. There's a soft huff in response, but he complies. Expect him to exploit that later, because hasn't he been a good boy and don't you want to give him treats or belly rubs?

She'll keep him away from the larder, much more interested the presence of a study/library. Whatever books are located within these walls are likely to be very different from those approved by the southern Chantry, so she has to take advantage of the moment. Curling up in the nearest chair, Inessa could easily lose herself in a tome until she's needed.

The Grey Warden mage can also be found on the beach, watching Garahel chase the waves and taking in the sight of the unfamiliar sea. Without further company, she'll take her time and linger until her mabari tires. Company is welcome, however, and she will smile and pause for anyone approaching.

Open

[justice_is_blond]

A part of him has wanted to go to Tevinter since he was twelve, see the land where mages are ostensibly free, where there weren't cages for his people... but age and knowledge has dulled that desire somewhat. He no longer has protection from the mind control abilities of blood magic, and slavery is rampant there. It's not something he can accept anymore.

But still. Walking around with a staff on his back, in robes, knowing that no one is looking at him and wishing he was locked away simply for his magic, will be nice. He'd even be relaxed if it wasn't for the mission itself and one particular member of their party. Fenris' presence he understands, but he doesn't have to like it. He can't like it. The elf could choose to sell them out if he feels like it and Anders doesn't trust him, which is partly revealed in the way he glances over at the elf out of the corner of his eye from time to time.

The cause is important, though. And he's backing up Nathaniel, which is where he should be, so he'll deal.

Most of his time is spent in Nathaniel's relative vicinity, whether it's riding or they're camping, but he's not closed off to anyone approaching him. All of his time, though, is spent near Purrelden, whether she's on his shoulder or prowling for bugs or on his head or sitting nervously in her little box that he's strapped on to the saddle in front of him. It's time she gets used to running operations.

[justice_is_blond]

"It's beautiful," he says as he comes up beside her on the beach. Purrelden's in his arms, showing no interest in dropping down and dealing with the sand or the mabari just yet. That's all right. He likes holding her, and she'll probably be squirming around looking for adventure soon enough.

"Have you seen much of it before?" Personally, he may never wind up seeing the sea enough. If he could live on it... but the Grey Wardens had to focus on Darkspawn, and Darkspawn didn't tend to wind up on the coast.

[circleprodigy]

Turning her attention from the gleeful mabari to her fellow Warden, Inessa smiles and nods, offering her hand for Purrelden to sniff before she attempts any petting. She's more of a dog person now thanks to Garahel, but cats don't bother her at all. If anything, she remembers the mousers of the tower with fondness.

Her eyes turning to the waves, the slight elven woman thinks back. "I crossed the Waking Sea, from Jader to Cumberland. It had rained most of the journey, but I didn't mind since it was all so new, seeing nothing but water in all directions. Even the size of Lake Calenhad didn't prepare me for that."

It wasn't exactly a comfortable feeling, but the novelty far outweighed how very small she felt among the waves.

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Late afternoon and the day's trek has been particularly uneventful. Hours on end with nothing to interrupt the tedium but the crunch of the road, the air particularly stagnant. These aren't things Fenris would typically be bothered by in the slightest but he's been progressively edgy since they crossed the Minanter, and it's the prickling sensation of certain furtive eyes on him yet again that finally fractures his self-imposed resolution to ignore Anders entirely for the totality of the enterprise.

"If you've got something to say, come out with it before you wear a hole through my back," he snaps flatly, rounding on Anders with a pointed glare.

open

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They walk along for seemingly endless ages, the landscape sliding by, becoming progressively warmer, more tropical, as it shifts from the sprawling swarths of Nevarran countryside to the lusher, greener spans of the Imperium's outskirts.

Fenris' temperament on the journey thus far has been mild, congenial quiet for the most part but happy to engage lightly with his traveling companions as he flanks the outside of the caravan, eyes cast outward to the horizon or down at his feet, content enough to feel the road under his feet and the breeze on his face.

As the terrain changes though, so does Fenris’ mood. Tevinter begins to loom to the North like a weight on his chest and tension appears in the set of Fenris’ shoulders and in the tightness of his downturned lips, the set of his jaw rigid. His typically amicable silence turns to dour churlishness and he grows increasingly anxious, constantly casting disquieted glances out into the trees like he’s perpetually awaiting an ambush.

At night he’s posted by the fire, burnishing his blade or just sitting, legs pulled up as he stares saturnine into the flames, set apart from the group a little further with each camp.

[justice_is_blond]

His glance turns to a glare right back. Anders draws a breath to snap back... and stops, digging nails into his palm. This is important. It's important to Nate, and it's important to Kalli, and just because they have to bring this annoyance along doesn't mean Anders should disrupt things.

The second breath Anders takes is slower, forcing himself to some semblance of calm. "If you betray him, you will pay." He's fairly certain he doesn't need to say who 'him' is.

[justice_is_blond]

The cat sniffs and then bumps Inessa's hand, always greedy for affection. Anders smiles warmly at Purrelden before looking back at the water as well. Better she give affection freely than she be the type of cat that doesn't cuddle.

"It's amazing, isn't it? How open it is." There's wistfulness in his voice. "You've been in the Anderfels, so you've seen the openness of the sand there too. There's something magnificent about so much room."

Now a little amusement enters his eyes. "And this is likely warmer than Lake Calenhad. Do you know how to swim?"

[solutus]

There is a real possibility the grind of Fenris' teeth is audible. Anders thinks he would what, strike a deal with a Magister and deliver them up? In exchange for what recompense? White hot indignation flared under Fenris' skin and was instantly allayed.

His eyes narrowed. "Just because your moral fiber was eroded away ages ago doesn't mean everyone else is the same, you know."

[justice_is_blond]

"You're speaking to the person who came to the Inquisition and returned to healing, at great risk." Barely, just barely he bites back the question of what Fenris is doing in Skyhold beyond drinking and scowling and probably sleeping with Isabela. Civil. He needs to somehow be civil, and not disruptive.

"What are you getting out of this?" Because Fenris' motives can't be altruistic. They can't.

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Tevinter isn't a place Araceli had researched much beyond the history needed to fill in the gaps, not until before volunteering to come along but she once again finds herself uniquely grateful for First Day. Chance meetings at parties with Tevinter priests are uncommonly rare, and so she does have that, tempered with everything else to fall back on. Lux sticks close to her heels, not exactly made for tracking like a mabari but she knows what he's useful for.

A lookout that's lighter on their feet than anyone with two legs could ever wish to be? Lux all over.

Still, as someone that actually despairs about how terrible (translation: bland) the majority of the food seems to be for the trip, Araceli is more than happy to volunteer for the majority of cooking duties. Which is why she waves a hand in Inessa's direction, holding out a spoon to her.

"Can you come taste this? I don't want to burn your tongues off."

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"Oh, well pardon me, that definitely makes up for your self-justified terrorism." His hiss becomes falsely light as he pressed his hands to his chest mockingly. "It's alright everyone, he's here at great risk to himself! It's very noble. Someone ought to bake you a pie."

He scoffs, and pushes his hands from himself in a disgusted gesture. "Why don't you tell me, since you seem to have your own ideas about what I would do?" Because aiding in opening a channel to smuggle slaves out of Tevinter to freedom whilst simultaneously striking a slow-bleeding wound to the Magisterium apparently wasn't enough of a motive.

[justice_is_blond]

"They do make pies for me. They don't for you? I'm... No, I'm not surprised. Your demeanor is just so friendly they must figure you don't want pie." His voice is as sarcastic as it can get, because that's the best defense. He will not argue Kirkwall with Fenris. Not with someone blindly calling it terrorism.

"And unlike some, I don't ask questions I have the answer to."

[solutus]

Fenris rolls his eyes and rebuffs a retaliation suggesting perhaps it's only in hopes he might choke.

"I don't owe you any answers. At least my presence serves function. What are you here for again? Besides serving as Howe's tent warmer." The last bit slips out before Fenris can catch it too, capitulating to a level of pettiness he might've been ashamed of if it weren't Anders in the crosshairs.

[justice_is_blond]

Tent warmer. Now there's a sharper edge to his voice - Fenris has touched on something very important to Anders. It's a vulnerability, and Anders gets defensive.

"He loves me. I realize love is a concept you're not in the least bit familiar with. Just like you're not familiar with the logic of bringing a healer along despite how many times my magic saved your life."

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He ought to be above the flicker of satisfied glee to when it's clear he's struck a nerve, but there it is.

"I am not well enough acquainted with him yet to know consider that a character flaw or just a lapse in judgement," he shoots back, and actually does mean it. How someone could still trust Anders knowing full well the extent of his crimes brought to light all manner of questions regarding their acumen, in Fenris' opinion. "All I see is a liability. Maybe you'll decide you fit in well in Tevinter after all."