( closed ) player plot: the stars go waltzing

[eviscerates]

WHO: Adelaide, Araceli, Avery, Bellamy, Bruce, Ciri, Cosima, Daenerys, Jamie, Korrin, Lexa, Martel, Merrill, Ruby, Sabine, Teren.
WHAT: catch all log; the capture of shardbearers, their rescue, and related shenanigans.
WHEN: Gently timey wimey for flexibility, Team Rescue arrives at the outpost on the 10th.
WHERE: Orlais/Nevarra borders (roughly halfway between the Fields of Ghislain and Trevis), and then a Creepy Place.
NOTES: Log for the missing shardbearers player plot; ooc here & here. Only the travel threads for teams one and two are going up for now, the rest will go up on Friday :]b And to clarify - when I say party style, what I mean is subthread to your hearts content!
WARNINGS: HORROR THEMES. Abduction, experimentation/torture, forced ingestion of lyrium, implied past deaths/murder, violence.

SPEEDY LINKS

• TEAM ONE: travel to Craintellier
• TEAM ONE: rift two attempt & Venatori attack
• TEAM ONE: dungeons
• TEAM ONE: escape attempt — Cosima, Jamie & Lexa only
• TEAM TWO: travel to Craintellier
• TEAM TWO: post rift investigation — Adelaide, Bellamy & Sabine, Bruce, Korrin & Teren, Ciri & Merrill
• TEAM TWO: take the outpost — Attack & Distract & Stealthy & Stealy
• TEAM TWO: regroup & into the dungeons — plus a Lexa-shaped guest star
• ALL: finding your shardbearers
• ALL: boss fight
• ALL: epilogue & return to Skyhold — tba

click for bigger version. full map of Thedas here.

East of Perendale and south of Trevis, next to a river's winding course, there lies the bones of a fortress. It is an old and almost forgotten place, a dramatic, clawed seeming thing reaching up into the sky, harsh against the the rolling hills.

It is an ancient place, dating back to 660TE, a testament to an Empire suffering after civil war and grasping to restore its wealth and influence after it had been so shaken. It stands as a memory of grandeur, rather than an icon of it, and bears the marks of devastation and scarring that so much of the land suffered during the First Blight. It was all but abandoned thereafter, host only to the desperate and the greedy, and never for long. Once ornate mosaics now only hold flecks of gold, flakes that stubbornly resisted the hands of looters trying to pry them away. Other colours, reds, whites, greys and blacks, they all remain.

The site was chosen for its riches, sitting atop a mine that once held immense wealth, seams of gold that would bring wealth back into the Empire and help restore stability. Opulence, the central Tevinter staple (aside from slavery and blood magic, some might say).

But they dug too deep, and when the First Blight came so too did the darkspawn.

It has a new master, now, and he serves the Elder One. Parts of this stronghold may be in ruins now, but remember: it is not what lies on the surface that counts, but what lurks beneath it.


AD VICTORIAM, AD GLORIA.

Comments

blow connecting and felling timmy with GM permission

[fleurdesel]

Merrill's assistance is timely, and she will make a note to thank her later. For now she fights her way to her feet and scans the field, weighing her mana against her rage and what may yet occur. And then? Tim. Timoteus. A name for this frustrating bastard of a man. Adelaide has, quite frankly, had enough of this pompous Venatori Bullshit. People are missing, whatever they've been doing crackles in terrified thoughts in the back of her mind, and this fool thinks they are going to stand idly by and let him continue to spout this-

This-

She doesn't have words for it. Eyes blazing she shoves herself upright, stalking to this absolute spoiled child of a mage and hauls back with everything she has, slamming her fist into that venomous, lying mouth. The full of her weight is thrust into the blow and it hurts. It is not how she would see things done- but it is the one way she can be certain of silencing him. A suckerpunch does more than quiet him- it knocks him down literally, giving her time and room to slam a foot down upon his sternum and unsheathe the sword Martel gave her. The point rests in the hollow of his throat while her attention flicks to Gustavi. "I would listen to Steverinus were I you."

[gatheringstorm]

So much badassery around, so little time to focus on any of it. Korrin has to take advantage of that opening, wasting no time in activating her glowing blade once more. Her spirit blade can cut into nearly anything and what passes for gladiator armor certainly counts. Die already, random mook. She has friends to attend to, and soon.

[chainlightning]

Smaller than a human male, Merrill has three things to rely on to not be bested by Gus. One is that she's fast, slender; she drops her staff, all the better to wriggle out of his attempts to pin, to avoid any severe damage from the knife, though she can feel it slice some spots. She's also Dalish, which means she's been raised to do whatever she must in order to survive a scrap with any humans, and she hisses, kicking and thrashing.

The other is that he's not the only one with a knife.

The blade is freed from her belt and she thrusts it up, toward any part of the mage that she can reach.

[eviscerates]

Korrin's gladiator is down.

What remain are Steve with Avery's knife as his throat, Timmy with Adelaide's sword at his throat, and Gus wrestling with Merrill; he stills as Adelaide speaks, and when Steve squeaks out, "Gustavi, stop."

Not before her knife sinks deep into his side, and he yowls hopelessly, looking at Merrill with horror; it has not pierced his lungs, but daggers and torsos are not a great combination.

Their remaining gladiators are either still from uncertainty, or trapped in vines, making no move towards any of the party. Steve looks at Gus and then Avery. "Let me help him, please."

Timmy orders Gus and Steve to be quiet, and looks up at Adelaide. "My dear, surely we can discuss this. You are a mage. Please, order your slaves to stand down."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin backs up toward Adelaide, staff and sword hilt still ready for action. She'll loom over Timmy and scowl, because fuck you, Timmy. Opening his mouth was not wise, not around her.

"We're not slaves, you bag of dicks."

[fleurdesel]

"I am a mage. I am not your dear, they are not my slaves." Some manner of declaration beyond that is probably required. Something about them being from the Inquisition, that they ought to stand down, surrender, and tell them where the captured rifters might be. That is the diplomatic approach. That is the just, knightly approach- but knightly is Herian's shtick and Adelaide is long past the point of patience for diplomacy for people she likes, let alone peoples she has at swordpoint. Someone else can explain nobility and heroic intent.

All but trembling with tightly wound anger, frost taking over where tension has her still as stone, a vengeful figure carved of marble, ice fogs the blade and chills the steel where it meets his skin. Voice a low, dangerous rumble she murmurs. "I do not repeat myself, so I ask this once: where is my brother? Where is my wolf?"

[gatheringstorm]

"And where is my kadan? You'll want to answer that question, trust me." Korrin's voice is low and dangerous, her eyes hard and devoid of mercy. Her sword hilt activates, and she aims that glowing blade at him. If he doesn't talk, now, she'll be happy to demonstrate that she's as good as her word by plunging it into his smug face.

[eviscerates]

Timmy, handsome devil that he is, has a single bead of sweat rolling down from his temple. It all looks very dashing, he's sure.

A look at the... tall Qunari... was that a woman? He wasn't sure. Qunari all look rather brutish and similar. "I... do not know what a 'cardarn' is," he says, with a tone that seems like he is far more in control of the situation than he really is. To Adelaide, "the prisoners are in the dungeons, or in the Doctor's chambers. I don't know which is your brother, but," and he smiles very slightly, "the Doctor has found the wolf quite fascinating."

Glancing to the sword, "if you would? My friend needs medical attention. He's quite delicate."

[thecookery]

They're still alive! They're all still alive. Avery doesn't have quite so deep a connection to them as her allies do, siblings and lovers and all that, but the relief when she hears it is still stronger than she expected. Which is... hm...

"Then we trade them, right?" she checks with the others after a moment, not moving yet. This is so not her area of expertise, so she's going to wait for instructions from one of them before she does anything. "Truss them up like pigs, march them out in front of the gates, and demand our people back."

Even if it doesn't work, it'll definitely help with the "Distract" part of their job description, right?

[chainlightning]

Gus looks at her with horror. Merrill smiles, looking rather cheery; they've all stopped fighting, isn't that nice? She doesn't move, however -- neither pulling the knife out nor moving it further.

"If that idiot is willing to die, I doubt the others in the fortress are willing to trade our people for them. They're more useful if we keep them and bring them back to the Inquisition as prisoners."

There's a thoughtful hum, even as Merrill shifts enough to get her staff (while still being careful not to dig her knife in any more).

"Of course, if they keep calling the people around them slaves, they probably won't last that long." Beat. "And if that idiot," that's still you, Timmy, "doesn't start offering useful information, like who the Doctor is and what he's doing with them."

She leans in slightly, staring at Gus. "They are my friends, and you will regret it if anything permanent has been done to them."

[eviscerates]

Gus leans away from Merrill, which isn't really possible when you're lying on the ground, so just tries to smoosh himself back into the earth. It's not very effective.

Steve, quite eager to make sure his friend doesn't die, pipes up: "His name is Zoroastres Maris," he starts, ignoring a stern look from Timmy who tries to voice a protest in the face of Steve's information. "He is a researcher, wants to learn more about the marks that the Fade leaves on people. He thought that introducing lyrium might produce different effects, but he said local subjects were strong enough—"

A look to Adelaide, Korrin & Merrill, since Avery clearly isn't helping him. "Can I please treat my friend? We aren't researchers, we just help with fortress security." And, woefully, to himself, "I didn't even want to be a Venatori."

Timmy objects more loudly, "Steverinus!"

All in all, it's a great day for everyone.

Merrill's dagger removed with mun permission

[fleurdesel]

"Steve, keep talking." Adelaide spares a glance to Merrill and Gus and all that blood, eyes glowing blue. Better they not give an inch lest these fools attempt to take a mile. "Merrill, if you would be so kind as to remove your dagger from Gus' side and, perhaps, place it somewhere that will keep him cooperative?"

Wherever that is? Adelaide honestly doesn't care, for all that she gives the area south of his belt a significant look. Once the knife is moved she snaps- a sharp crack of blue energy flaring against torn flesh and skin, mending it in short order. It is numb for the duration of the healing, but no longer. It is not slow, it is not so precise as to leave no marks. If anything the lingering scar ought to serve as a reminder for Gus to not get caught in this foolishness again, to never underestimate an opponent simply because they're an elf.

Eyes still glowing a frigid blue, she taps her blade against Timmy's chest, point digging in faintly. She'll be horrified with herself later. "Is there anything else? Specificity is appreciated."

[eviscerates]

Let's join the Venatori, he said. We'll see the world, he said.

Steve sighs. "He's--"

"A genius," Timmy interrupts. That prompt healing of his friend, that attentive stabbing. And not just a healer, but a spirit healer. She adores me. How radiant. "Alas, much of his work is confidential. However, he has been refining his techniques for some time. I assure you, your friends have been part of the most sophisticated of procedures." A beat and, after a brief glance at the Qunari with her Spirit blade, he addresses the Spirit Healer. "What was your name, again?"

"He doesn't let others be involved unless they are his researchers, but there's been deliveries of lyrium, the normal stuff, for months. When the subjects come out of the lab they're barely coherent. Researchers stay by the dungeons to keep them under observation." Steve swallows, and glances at Avery. "That's all I know."

Finally, now he can breathe easy, Gus speaks as well. "One if them, the Avvar, is for a different project."

[chainlightning]

Lexa. Merrill almost jerks; luckily for Gus, the jerk is away from his balls. Still, it goes right back to its spot a moment after.

"Specificity," she repeats, sparks of electricity dancing over the hand not holding the knife as a reminder. She's trying to do some logistics in her head, though she's not particularly good at it. She'd like to try to take them as prisoners, but they need to get to the fortress and get their friends.

"The projects for the Avvar and the wolf," as Idiot smiled about Ruby, "and the fortress itself."

[gatheringstorm]

Adelaide may be horrified with herself later, but Korrin's never been more proud of her. The Venatori deserve no mercy, none at all. And if Araceli has been harmed in any way, they will deeply regret the mistake. Korrin eases up a little upon hearing they're alive, but only a little. The only reason they're not gutted is because she has better things to do.

"'Sophisticated'? Go fuck yourself. Give us facts, no commentary. Not if you want to save your worthless hide."

[fleurdesel]

"My name? Lady Adelaide LeBlanc of Comté Loire, Enchanter of the White Spire, Councilor of the Inquisition's Magi, Vexed Sister, and I have had enough of your self-important posturing, you pompous fop." The tip of her sword flits from the hollow of Tim's throat to resting between his lips. Clearly she has read one too many of Varric's novels, spent far too much time considering Martel's brief (and vague) discussions of the importance of theatrics in intimidation- and when to not. (The answer more often than not is to not and let your presence speak for you. It's a sentiment she can appreciate later.) "Speak plainly or I take your tongue. Have I made myself clear?"

He will be granted a single opportunity to speak and to say something of use before-

Well.

She hasn't considered actually needing to follow through with the threat. Should Timmy give a sign that yes, he understands and will cooperate? The sword tip flicks back to his throat.

[eviscerates]

"I don't know, just that they're held away from the others," Gus says around a gulp,  glancing downwards. "The Avvar tried to make an escape with two others, one sounded like he was from Starkhaven. Maris liked their spark, said these were his most vital subjects, that this group would lead to break throughs, I swear. The Wolf... he found out the Wolf is scared of silver. That's it, that's all I know."

He appears to be sincere, and if the relief in Steve's face is anything to go off, he's telling the truth.

Scintillating as this foreplay is, Timmy nods at Adelaide's demand. When he can speak,

"They are held in the dungeons, the easternmost branch. No matter what we tell you, you'll not be able to breach the gates. They require wheels to be cranked that need two men each. Even if you get inside, there are far more of our brethren than could be defeated with a party of this size. It would be suicide."

[thecookery]

Avery grunts, her lip pulling further with disgust the more these men talk. Bastards, the lot of them.

The situation is still tense of course, but the adrenaline has begun to wear off a bit, and her shoulder is starting to sting something fierce. She glances to it just long enough to note that she is apparently bleeding, though she doesn't even remember when she was cut in the heat of battle, and then her attention is back on the enemies around her and under her knife, in case of further trouble. She's not counting on it at this point, but better safe than sorry, right?

"And they won't even open the gates to save you?" she mutters darkly. "Sounds like you picked a real winner to toss in with."

[eviscerates]

Timmy shoots a look at Avery, but it's Steve that answers her, albeit quietly.

"The cause must come before all else. Sacrifices are necessary."

[doneisdone]

There's been little place for some good old-fashioned knives amidst all these flying spells, but Teren is still here. She has a way of making herself invisible without the use of magic, and throughout the interrogation she is just off to the side, a blade glinting in just the right angle of the tiniest amount of light, prepared to strike and vanquish at the first indication from one of the others.
Teren has few defenses against magic, but everyone dies when their throat is cut. She watches silent and ready, known only to those asking the questions.