Kingsway Rifter Arrival

[faderifting]

WHO: New rifters & their rescuers
WHAT: People fall out of a rift and get attacked by stuff
WHEN: Kingsway 8
WHERE: The coast of the Waking Sea in northern Orlais, just west of the mountains.
NOTES: The arrival log is open to all. Solas was able to alert the Inquisition to the general area where the new rifters would be arriving so people could be sent to pick them up.

You were asleep--deeply or fitfully, for the last time or just resting your eyes for a moment-- and then you were not. And wherever you were was not, anymore, replaced by nothing but the sensation of falling, tumbling into endless, bottomless nothing. If this were still a dream, you would wake before you hit the ground. You can't die in a dream, they say. In some worlds.

In this world, you're plunged down through warm, sticky sea air and full-body into salt water. It's shallow enough to stand and keep your head above the rolling waves--but you'll need to do more than that to live. Overhead, there's a flaring, shifting, green-lit tear in reality. Around you, there are a number of ghastly figures: some float above, hooded and rasping, poised to freeze the sea around you if you don't get out of it quickly enough, while others are spindly monstrosities that burst up from the sand and rocks beneath your feet and scream as they emerge from the water. Whatever arrived with you floats in the waves, slowly pushed toward the shore, or sinks beneath the surface. It may be wisest to leave it for now and collect it when the area is slightly less demon-infested.

To add to your troubles, there's a narrow splinter of light in the same sickly green as whatever brought you here, now glowing out of the palm of your left hand. It aches, a bone-deep pain that gnaws even through all the distractions.

But there's help, on the shore.

Comments

[conqueredhearts]

Turning his horse toward the rift, he held his glowing hand to it. It took only a second before he saw and felt the connection. Though it hurt, he never wavered and never showed signs of pain. Instead he just held strong until there seemed to be a sound and a sign of the rift vanishing from the sky. Looking toward his hand, he blinked a little.

"Hm. That is quite the trick I seem to have at my disposal!"

[serannas]

"It's just what we needed," Ellana replies. "Shardbearers are the only ones who can close rifts and they're spread throughout southern Thedas."

[conqueredhearts]

"This must be quite the problem for you then, my friend," he noted as he gazed down at her smaller frame. He was well over a foot taller than her but he didn't seem like one to use his size to intimidate all those around him. Rather he gave her a reassuring smile instead. "A good thing I have what you need to battle this! I am willing and glad to offer my aid."

[serannas]

"That is really good to hear! The Inquisition is a haven for shardbearers right now. We send people out to close rifts, and we're fighting a war too. We have a camp not far from here. We actually have it because of the rift. If rifters come through, we want to bring them back."

Now she points to the south. "Our camp is that way."

[conqueredhearts]

"Then allow me to give you a ride there." He laughed and turned his horse south. Despite the ache in his hand, he handled the animal beautifully, a sign the two had been riding together a long time. Smiling to himself, he surveyed the land they were on, getting to know it better as they went along.

"Tell me, my friend, is it only those of other worlds who bear these shards? From what I can tell you do not possess one."

[serannas]

"Mostly. But sometimes the shards are thrown out of rifts at natives who get too close." It's in fact a risk Ellana takes whenever she comes by a rift.

"We have people studying the nature of the rifts to try and better understand them and how to get you home, but it's been difficult so far. The rifts are still very mysterious."

[conqueredhearts]

"Is there a way to remove the shard from the body?" Somehow he had a feeling the answer was no since she hadn't immediately offered him a solution. Still, he felt he could at least ask. There was always the chance there was something that could be done even if it was but something enormous that could destroy.

Then again, perhaps that was why no one had done anything about it thus far.

[serannas]

"Not yet," she answers truthfully. "We have researchers looking into it, but no one wants to get things wrong and hurt anyone." Hopefully that answer will satisfy him.

[conqueredhearts]

"I can understand why this would be. And those of us who likely could have handled it are limited now. At least I assume others are since I feel my own abilities have become...altered." He would certainly be looking into how but he was aware that things were quite different.

[serannas]

"Yes, those with magic find themselves changed a little when they enter this world. Our magic comes from the Fade, and yours should to now." The researchers back at Skyhold can probably explain this better than she can. Unlocking the mysteries of the Fade is of interest to her, but she's been so busy she hasn't really had time to join their ranks and help out.

"There's the camp down there. The scouts are expecting us."

[conqueredhearts]

"How far is this place of operations from this camp? I could take you there as well after some rest since my horse can obviously carry us both."

And he certainly didn't mind. Even Bucephalus responded well to her, perfectly relaxed as they moved here. Iskandar was pleased with that actually, smiling brightly as if he hadn't just been magically transported through an ocean to a demon fight until he was now stuck in this world.

[serannas]

"Oh, about two days' ride. We'll all pack up and head back together. The reason we all came out here was to close the rift and collect any people who fell through." Solas being able to predict where rifts will form is very beneficial.

[conqueredhearts]

"That is a perfect plan then! I will gladly follow along with this!" He laughed delightedly, apparently having a good time despite the odd circumstances that he'd been thrown into here. Such was his nature though honestly. "Bucephalus can handle the ride easily. He and I have ridden further together in the past."

[serannas]

Ellana isn't sure what to make of someone who can laugh after what he's just experienced. Either he's the most jovial person in this world or any other world, or he's a little bit touched in the head. Who can say, really?

"It sounds like he's a good companion to have. Here; we have a pen set up on the left side. Would you be all right leaving him with the Inquisition's mounts?"

[conqueredhearts]

"He'll be fine. He used to stay with other mounts during my days as a King. Of course I still am one but my crown does not hold as much power in other lands and times."

He didn't seem to mind though and guided the horse to the pen. There he slipped off the horse then reached up so he could help her down as well. Once the huge animal was comfortable, he moved after the woman again. "There. He should be quite happy until we ride again."

[serannas]

"Really? You aren't the only king to come here from another world." She wonders if there is some power in the Fade that focuses on royalty or if it's all just a coincidence.

Now down off the horse, she leads the way towards a campfire. "Well, let's get you some stew and a bed roll to rest in tonight."


[ ooc: are we good to wrap up? ]

[conqueredhearts]

[ooc: Yeah! This should be good for that!]

"You have my thanks for this, my friend. I can tell I will enjoy my time here how ever long it is."

He laughed and followed after her. Perhaps he didn't know what power brought him here or why but he could at least live. Far better than to just give in to whatever distress might drag down others. For in the end he was a King and a King had to be the one his people looked toward. Whether they were there or not.