spaceswan: (pic#9487284)
spaceswan ([personal profile] spaceswan) wrote in [community profile] faderift2016-09-18 03:12 pm

OPEN

WHO: Mac Journey and you there!
WHAT: Exploration of Skyhold, self-educating and existential dilemmas.
WHEN: The duration of Kingsway.
WHERE: Everywhere in Skyhold he can get access too, really.
NOTES: No warnings as of yet. Several prompts inside but feel free to bump into him anywhere! He's bound to stick his nose where it doesn't belong at some point.




Mac made it to Skyhold safely, accompanied by the lovely Miss Ellana. He learned most of the basics along the way, accepted his new palm and head accessories and decided sometime during the journey that he wanted to be part of the Inquisition, formally or otherwise. Anywhere people were in need, Mac was supposed to be there, and as far as Ellana said, the Inquisition was the choice to make. Fine by him.

Besides, they have a castle fortress and he's not about to pass up that opportunity.

Throughout the days following, Mac spends most of his time trying to learn about the world he's landed in and the people inhabiting it, both through literature and personal experience. As with all social efforts it's a bit touch and go; it's not made any easier for him being newly minted as a Qunari - or Rifter equivalent - and he certainly stands out with gold-plated ram horns, lime-colored eyes and long, undercut hair he painstakingly dyes a rich purple color.


Library

While terribly excited about the innumerable prospects available to him upon arriving at Skyhold, Mac is infinitely more intent upon the library, mentioned to him in brief. If is meant to be in the strange new world he has to do what any self-respecting Warlock would do: educate himself.

Back home the Guardian had scoured every library available to him and even gone on countless missions for the colleges to recover lost knowledge from the Ishtar Academy. He has a voracious appetite for knowledge (though a good many that knew him would say he wasted that motivation on his obsession with fiction and fantasy) and speed-reading is a talent he happily indulges. Thedas, as it turns out, is everything he had ever dreamed of and if he's going to inhabit the land for any length of time, being poorly educated is simply unacceptable.

Though certainly availing himself of other amenities available in the hold, Mac is most often found sitting on the floor surrounded by books, flipping through page after page, pale eyes scanning written words so quickly it's a wonder he can retain anything at all. His curiosity isn't limited to the written word, however, and anyone passing within range of him gets stared at without a hint of apology. He isn't trying to be rude, of course, but he's quite in love with everything and everyone he sees at present; that includes all those from the flashiest of Orlesian courtiers to the blandest of wool-wearing scullery maids.


Tavern and Kitchens

As it turns out, getting spit out of a green sky means you don't always come out the other side quite the same. Never actually having to eat or sleep back home was more of a dull fact than a boon and the novelty of needing to do both is unlikely to wear off anytime soon for Mac. As such he's always eagerly poking his head around corners and following the smells of local vittles.

There is nothing he's unwilling to try, however vile it might first appear, and his new appetite happens to be curiously large; he accounts it to his magic likely needing to be supported more by his metabolism and personal health now than the physics of his former home.

He's also never been able to enjoy the effects of alcohol and he's easily seen spending more time at the tavern during evening repast observing the effects on others while obviously longing to join in but being too unsure to try.


Healers

Injuries are a new thing for Mac, and they aren't at all welcome. While adapting to sleeping and eating regularly has been immensely enjoyable, having to actually heal from wounds is forcing him to question his usually more reckless approach to things.

Paper cuts, scrapes and bumps have been accepted as badges of newfound potential mortality, odd but harmless. The first time he endured a solid bruising left him bewildered but largely unmoved. The day he decided to hop down the battlement steps instead of walking the distance resulted in a tweaked ankle and limping. That was far more alarming. As a result Mac has endeavored to be more careful with his actions and person, but years of blindly barreling onward are difficult to change.

Due to his inevitable learning curve, Mac shows up at the healers regularly enough, pouting and holding new bruises and cuts as he seeks aid for ailments he's never had to deal with. It's about the most sullen he gets, having to put his fun on hold to treat a cut or burn. On the upside, he's certainly garnering a lot more respect for medicinal arts.


Main Bridge

When the library gets a bit crowded - as it sometimes does with all the mages, intellectuals and other curious Rifters - Mac likes to sneak a book off to the bridge and tuck himself against the stones jutting from the parapets, feet dangling over the side. Often, however, when he goes here he spends more time looking out across the frozen valley than actually reading, lost in thought or lost in the view.


circleprodigy: (impressed)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-21 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
Peering at the weapon, Inessa nods slowly. She'll lean her staff against the bookshelf to hold his, turning it around to see it from all angles. "A beautiful weapon, to be sure. Though you may not need to give it up to work with a staff as well. Knight-Enchanters use a staff in one hand and a spirit blade in the other. Using their techniques or at least approximating them might be more beneficial in terms of channeling your magic."
circleprodigy: (more arm-crossing)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-21 01:51 pm (UTC)(link)
For a moment, Inessa stiffens when it seems he's going to use magic, since she's very protective about the library and its contents. But as no arcane energies burst forth, she relaxes. Garahel simply watches the display with interest, utterly calm. As Mac explains how his magic works, Inessa listens intently without interruption. Her brow furrows as she takes all that information in, definitely wanting to see it at work now.

"That kind of bond with the elements is...well. I can't say it's something that we have here, and that might be just as well. People fear mages enough without the notion of a constant, literal storm within. When it comes to element, ice is my affinity. However, I can't say I harbor a blizzard in the manner you mean. I can summon one, yes, but that's all. And I've yet to use lightning or fire for myself, though there's nothing stopping me. It's just that my focus is elsewhere, for now.

I can't say without us going elsewhere, but I suspect that the more powerful the magic is and the less it conforms to Thedosian magic, the harder it will be to bring forth and maintain. More spectacular results requiring more effort, and whatnot."
circleprodigy: (observant)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-22 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Her brow furrows at mention of 'space', and what this becoming entails. "You mean, you do not remember? Nothing from before? If that's consensual, it's quite the sacrifice." If it's not, the prospect is even more horrific, but Inessa's trying not to get ahead of herself.

"As for magic, I honestly don't know if you would be able to learn. No one in Thedas just becomes a mage, it's an inherent ability that you hone through years of practice. Perhaps your powers will translate to such, but I don't want to be the bearer of incorrect news, so please take that with a grain of salt. At any rate, it's more likely you would begin with something small and move up from there. A blizzard -or tempest or column of fire- take a lot of focus and discipline."
circleprodigy: (stunned)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-22 02:27 pm (UTC)(link)
In the midst of handing him back his sword, Inessa's eyebrows raise in shock. "You...your body was dead? This almost sounds akin to the necromancer order in Nevarra, but such mages can't return any life to a body once it's departed, only summon spirits to inhabit them. They're never anything you would mistake for a living person." Her curiosity gets the better of her manners and she regards him with new eyes...though the rift has obviously changed him already, so it's probably pointless. Still, though. "It seems a noble purpose, protecting all life. Does it trouble you, having a preset role, or does it give you comfort?"
circleprodigy: (scar)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-22 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
The habit gets a wince of sympathy from Inessa, who can't imagine having horns to deal with on top of an entirely new world. She shakes her head at said gloominess, even as Garahel reaches up to gently paw at him and bump against him for comfort. "There's no need to apologize, not to me. I'm a mage and a Grey Warden; I know well what it is to be separated from the rest of society. For good or ill, it's not my lot in life and I know it. Some would say just being an elf does that as well, though I'm not certain I would.

Regardless, I hope you find purpose and comfort here, among the Inquisition. Everyone needs a path, even if -perhaps especially when- all else is unfamiliar." It's the only way she could keep going, at times. Focusing on issues greater than herself has managed to put things into perspective, reminded her not to despair. She has to stop herself from rambling, though, not wanting to override his own experience.
circleprodigy: (entertained)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-23 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
That expression is unfamiliar to Inessa but she gets the general tone of it and responds with a dry chuckle while Garahel pants happily at all the petting. He'll never move away or get tired as long as there's someone to even partially pay attention to him.

"Well, I admit that even human commoners don't have an easy life. To truly be someone of influence and respect, you must be nobility or clergy...or both, preferably. Away from those areas, the path toward respect is decidedly steeper. You have to be twice as good to get half the respect and even then, if you make a mistake, you'll fall twice as hard. I'm not saying it's impossible, but very difficult." It's a good thing she's not really after respect, personally. The general respect afforded to Grey Wardens is enough to do her job mostly unharassed and so she'll take it.

"And...thank you, you're kind to say so. I'll refrain from spreading word of your poor taste." She smiles again, a glint of humor in those eyes.
circleprodigy: (smirk)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-23 03:44 am (UTC)(link)
"We do actually have some nobles of that temperament here, thankfully. Joining the Inquisition, recently reborn, is a risk and yet some see past that and recognize the need to counter the threat to us all. Those unwilling to cooperate or only seeking their own gain are unlikely to risk the wrath of the Chantry to begin with. And I can't blame you for avoiding politics as much as you can. Grey Wardens are supposed to be apolitical...but that is increasingly ironic, these days. Would that it were otherwise."

Glancing down at Garahel, she shakes her head, a smirk forming. "Now you've done it. He'll expect that sort of spoiling every library visit, instead of seeing it as naptime. If he becomes too feisty, I'll have to take him down to the courtyard."
circleprodigy: (amused)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-25 06:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Garahel looks back up, panting happily at the patting. "That's the thing, it's never just 'a little' with him. He needs more and more and more. Such a greedy thing." The mabari whines at this teasing, don't make him look back to new people!

"But if that doesn't deter you, you're welcome to pester him at any time. Mabari are war hounds and need a lot of exercise. Don't you, boy? And many, many games of fetch?" He wags his tail, though knows better than to bark in the library. "Speaking of animals: if you've time, you should consider familiarizing yourself with the mounts at the stable. Some of them, are more...interesting than others, and they might need some adjustment if you're to rely on them in the field."
circleprodigy: (neutral)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-09-25 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, I can never discourage anyone away from more reading. Ignorance is a large factor in a lot of the problems that Thedas faces, so the more you learn, the better you can decide for yourself. Just keep in mind that history is written by the victors. Some tomes have a decided slant to them, but comparing them with others might gain you a clearer picture. At least Ambassador Montilyet has promised she would make an effort to include more sources, not only the Chantry-centric ones."
circleprodigy: (smile)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-10-03 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Mac's rambling is listened to with interest, as Inessa has no intention of interrupting him or telling him to stop. One can learn a lot from people by just letting them speak as they please, and his insight seems to get her approval. She nods readily enough, a smile curving her lips.

"You need not cease on my behalf, or censor yourself. If I never wished to discuss such topics, I would avoid the library and the people within altogether. This discussion reminds me a little of my Circle days, when we would debate about issues of morality. But it's one thing to do so when cloistered away from the outside world, another altogether to confront them while a part of it. And I agree with your assessment, overall. Even the most devoted or stereotypical individuals might have surprising facets. You never know until you give them a chance."
circleprodigy: (curious)

[personal profile] circleprodigy 2016-10-04 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"That I can well understand. Even mages who aren't maleficar or necromancers are often lumped together, as though there aren't vast differences. We carry staves and are tied to the Fade, yes, but a wide variety exists outside those simple facts." Inessa shrugs, knowing she could go on forever about said differences and still not be certain she was covering everything.

"Here, you can at least shed some of that baggage. Those here aren't aware of such views unless you tell them, and though many still don't know what to make of rifters, you actions can help shape their views."