Player Plot: I will call you home

[arlathvhen]

WHO: Beleth, Cyril, Merrick, and Ellana Ashara, Thranduil, Sina Dahlasanor, Metaari, Sam Gareth, Kallian Endris, Alistair and Ruby i think??? whoever wants to go
WHAT: Keeping Up With The Asharas, the reality tv show
WHEN: Backdatedish, around mid-kingsway
WHERE: The Heartlands of Orlais
NOTES: OOC post

Tel'enfenim, da'len Irassal ma ghilas Ma garas mir renan Ara ma'athlan vhenas Ara ma'athlan vhenas	Never fear, little one, Wherever you shall go. Follow my voice-- I will call you home. I will call you home.

Clan Ashara currently resides in a small valley nestled into the mountains, that seems idyllic for a Dalish clan. A stream runs through the valley, descending into a waterfall with the steep cliffs on one side, and sheer mountain walls going straight up on two other sides. The only way in and out is through a gap big enough to lead several aravels through. It's a defensible position, safe from any threats. Except the fade rift that has opened up just a little ways from the gap. The hunters can handle the demons spewing from it well enough, and there are always a couple stationed there to pick off whatever appears. But it's too dangerous to lead the aravels and noncombatants through, and thus, they are forced to wait. To compound the issue, there's a village close to where they're currently staying, and while both sides have kept to themselves, neither are pleased with the current situation. They've helped get a message to the Inquisition in hopes that someone will come take care of the problem, and now both are tensely waiting for something to happen to change the situation, for better or worse. And so the members of Clan Ashara, with their friends in tow, return back to their clan.

Comments

Traveling to the Heartland

[arlathvhen]

[[ A catchall for the journey to the Heartland! Fight bandits or bears, chat with your neighbor, deal with the crushing existential dread of facing your family, or whatever you want! ]]

[samahl]

It's one of the nights that they've camped and Cyril is sitting by the fire. To someone who doesn't know him, they'd see him casually lying back and enjoying the warmth of the fire, but those who are closer to him in this journey will see the angle of his limbs, the tightness in his jaw, the tension in his shoulders.

He has a lot of mixed feelings about going back home.

[arlathvhen]

As they get closer and closer to their destination, Beleth grows clearly more anxious. She doesn't say anything about it, never offers complaints or voices reservations, but she's twitchy and nervous. Often, she'll reach to fix her hair, go over her outfit, straighten any wrinkles. Her hart gets brushed whenever they have time to stop, bordering compulsive in her need to make sure everything about her looks impeccable.

She spends a lot of time pacing, muttering to herself, running her hands through her hair. This is great. She's so happy to be going home.

[kallian_endris]

The Dalish members of the group aren't the only elves showing nerves on the way. Kallian is also clearly anxious, distracting herself by being at the ready to offer what kindnesses she can to the others, whether with a cup of her own blends of herbal teas, or a story or a song.

When only paying attention to herself, though, she can sometimes be heard softly practicing her elvhen skills, the songs, the language lessons she's been taught. She often absently touches her face, all too aware of its unmarked nature. She's the only city elf in the group, and she wonders how the clan will receive her.

Reaching the clan

[arlathvhen]

[[ This will be one thread, for the purpose of greeting the Keeper and First, and having a chance to introduce yourself or introduce others with you. ]]

The fade rift looms in front of the gap that leads to the valley where Clan Ashara are staying, but can be skirted around for the moment by the small group. When they do, the hunters that are standing watch for demons notices, and calls to them. After a quick conversation, one darts off towards where the clan is gathered. As the group progresses into the valley and towards the clan's camp, a figure in mage's robes can be seen moving towards them.

Beleth lets out a loud cry, and jumps off her hart, face lighting up in delight. Still yelling, like a mature adult, she runs at the figure, showing no intentions of actually stopping when they meet.

[writteninblood]

As the rest of the party approaches at a more sedate pace, the figure seems to stop, as if he's heard something, then just as abruptly he is running towards Beleth. They meet in the middle, shouting, laughing, and swearing. It's pretty much the absolute picture of manners and maturity, right up to and including the part where Sorrel practically tips them both ass over teakettle trying to both lift and whirl Beleth at the same time.

He's definitely going to get an earful about spoiling the dignity of the moment, and you could ask him if he cares, but it's clear enough: he doesn't.

Clan Ashara

[arlathvhen]

Clan Ashara is on the larger size for a Dalish clan, numbering over a hundred elves. Unsurprisingly, there are a wide variety of temperaments and opinions to be found, particularly regarding their new visitors, who have been allowed to explore the camp. As the Inquisition pokes around, they can meet the various elves and get an idea of how they feel about the current situation. Or, you can just keep to yourself and refuse to talk to anyone, if you want. You might get bothered anyway, though.

Keeper Deheune

[arlathvhen]

Deheune is a middle-aged Dalish elf, the Keeper of the Ashara Clan, and held in regard among the Dalish clans as one of exceptional competence. She may not always be the most friendly person, but she leads the large, tumultuous Ashara Clan with a skill few others could manage. Despite her stringent expectations on the members of her clan, Deheune is fairly progressive for a Dalish, more open than many Keepers to interacting and trading with outsiders.

Sure enough, she's politely amicable to any of the visitors to her clan, and if asked, will step aside with anyone who wants a private conversation with her.

Atisha and Sulahni

[serannas]

Atisha is in her late twenties, with shrewd golden eyes and a near permanent frown on her face. She can often be seen standing in the background, arms crossed and a bow at her back. Eventually she moves closer to examine the newcomers, her expression very judgy. But if anyone comes to talk to her and tells her their name, chances are she says, "Right. Ellana's mentioned you." This is Ellana's best friend, though the two women seem as different as night and day.

Sulahni is a woman nearing fifty with white blond hair and fine lines around her mouth and across her forehead. She stays close to the halla enclosure, which is fitting because she is the clan's halla keeper. She can be seen tending to them, but at times she wanders away towards where the Inquisition is keeping their mounts. She might make a comment about "good breeding" or "healthy flanks" and it takes her awhile to get talking about any topic besides animals. If a non-elf comes too close to the halla enclosure, she quickly steps forward.

"Andaran atish'an. Ir abelas, but you may come no closer."

Keeper's First Sorrelean

[writteninblood]

Sorrelean is a relatively young elf, with no reputation greater than that he is the Keeper's only son, and one of a pair of twins that includes the Inquisition's own Beleth Ashara. He's friendly enough, but has a tendency towards sarcasm that sometimes gives him an irresponsible impression. Although he follows the progressive politics of his Keeper and clan, Sorrel makes no secret of his very Dalish isolationist bent.

Despite his outspokenness and quick-barbed tongue, he has good intentions, and is quite kind, at heart. If you have time to distract him from the family reunion, he's perfectly willing to step aside and have a chat.

Hunter Kali

[believeinthisone]

Kali is one of the youngest hunters of the clan. She was an infant when the plague took her parents and so was raised almost entirely by the clan as a whole. As the youngest of the plague orphans, she tended to be babied a bit, and grew up in Merrick and Cyril's shadows especially.

Since they left, she's come more into her own as a Hunter. She's one of the Clan who stays by the Rift to fight the demons, but she comes back into the camp to sleep and catch up with her brothers and friends. She can be found either of those two places.

thranduil being delighted at all these elves, come bother him

[rowancrowned]

He's made the token introductions, gone to see the halla, spoken with the keeper, and now he's perched on a rock near the edge of the camp proper, in sight of all the activity. In truth, he would be content simply watching- watching the elflings play, the cooks prepare dinner, the older children receive lessons. This is how it ought to be-- oh, he knows there's a rift spewing demons not an hours' walk away, and that half the world is embroiled in war, and also the whole matter of Corypheus, but-

This is pleasant. This is how things should be. Elves with elves, all of them well-fed and happy. He need not be a part- he only wishes to watch, and to hold this memory close, for when the fighting becomes thick.

awkward giant in your midst

[metaari]

Well, this has been extraordinarily awkward. Not that Metaari thought it wouldn't have been, he was fully prepared for it, but the reality is way different from anything his imagination could have conjured up for him. It got even worse when, somewhere along the way, he'd gotten separated from Merrick. Not that he isn't sure Merrick can't find him if he needs to--he kind of stands out--but it's significantly harder for Metaari to find him.

And so, just to make sure he doesn't say or do something to make everyone trust him even less than they probably already do, Metaari has found himself a very nice stump just on the outer edge of the camp to sit on and he's just going to be there in case anyone needs him.

To occupy himself, he'll at least tend to his bow for a bit. It usually helps him take his mind off of things.

Beleth

[arlathvhen]

If Beleth has any of the nerves that she felt on the way here, it doesn't show. She's an entirely different creature from the anxious mess that she had been, a social butterfly that flits around to different people within the clan. She's generally well received by most of them, and it's clear that this was the place that Beleth honed her skills at befriending people.

A great deal of her time is spent around her brother, and very little of it around her mother. In fact, if you didn't know better, you might begin to suspect that she's avoiding her.

Cyril

[samahl]

Cyril still has mixed feelings about being home but it's easier to pretend he's perfectly fine when he's with people he's been pretending around his entire life. Settling into the culture here is surprisingly easy.

Before the Rift is sealed, he spends his time coordinating when needed and making sure everyone is settled.

After it is closed and they are getting ready to leave, he goes through the motions of saying good bye and letting everyone know that he'll miss them.

When he's alone between that he spends his time trying to decompress and deal with all of the conflicting thoughts clouding his head.

Clan Ashara's Black Halla

[dalishious]

The discomfort surrounding Merrick the minute he enters the camp is palpable. The other elves skirt around him, acknowledging him with an awkward nod or wave if they acknowledge him at all. While it's nothing he isn't used to--people give him a wide berth at Skyhold too--this is a different kind of rejection, a stark reminder of what he'd dealt with all through his childhood and adolescence since it happened.

He's been spending most of his time with Metaari, who is at the very least as uncomfortable as he is, but there are moments when he needs to back away and find a quiet spot to breathe. His anxiety is bone-deep, his mind buzzing, and he just wants to leave. He just keeps reminding himself he's here for Beleth, and that he just needs to collect his thoughts before he returns to everyone.

He perches on the bank of a nearby stream, watching the water move, occasionally running his fingers through its cool surface and obscuring his already rippled reflection. 'Just breathe, Merrick. In and out.'

Kallian - Come Bother the Cityborn

[kallian_endris]

Kallian's feelings being among the clan are mixed, truth be told. On one hand, she's been preparing for this for so long, and it's amazing getting immersed in her father's culture like this. But, at the same time... she knows she doesn't quite fit in here, being only half Dalish. She can feel the way some of the clan members stare at her. Some are curious, a few hostile, and some look at her with that sort of haughty pity reserved especially for city elves.

So, Kallian mostly stays at the edges of the camp, watching the Dalish with a sort of hungry longing. Of course, she'll offer a song or a story to any who approach her...

Clan Dahlasanor Emissaries

[arlathvhen]

[[ Placeholder for right now beep boop ]]

Isen'halaan

[eolasemah]

The legendary Isen (legendary to anyone who's spoken extensively with Sina and Nari, anyway) is tall, ginger, and easygoing in the way only a middle brother of nine can be. He wears the mark of Sylaise over one eye and is easy to smile, clearly the diplomat of the three. The instant his clansisters arrive he rushes to scoop up Nari in a bone-splintering embrace, with a much gentler one for the ailing Sina. The trio of besties has been reunited, however briefly.

To Clan Ashara he's friendly enough, but aloof in the same way the other two were when they first arrived. He's never met another clan before, and this one is far larger than his own. He is almost overly respectful, and at times appears almost suspicious, but masks it well with a good-natured smile.

Mirsedis

[eolasemah]

Wiry, blonde, and with a deceptively sweet face (at least the half that isn't covered in the blood red ink of Elgar'nan's vallaslin), Mirsedis has clearly been sent as backup for Isen and little else. If anyone embodies Clan Dahlasanor's reputation for hostility to shem'len, it's her, with her foreboding, half-feral gaze and habit of always staying at the back of any given group, ever watchful.
She wields a bow made from what no one can prove isn't human bone, and her traveling companion is an equally standoffish red fox named Malanor. If she's happy to see her clansisters, it doesn't show. As for Asharas, she'll talk to them no more than she has to.

Nymii

[nadasharillen]

Average height, with the mark of Dirthamen, and the musculature and carriage of an acrobat, Nymii makes three. Laid-back, with a carefree, infectious laugh, an easy smile, and some bit of humor always at the ready, she'll make friends quickly with anyone who'll let her; especially the Ashara children.

At odds with the breezy demeanor, anyone who makes careful study will note that when not engaged, her gaze turns to a cool, calculating examination of her surroundings. Smiling or not, her fingers are constantly occupied; rolling a coin across her knuckles, cleverly prying nuts apart, playing at string cradles, or simply making small pebbles "vanish" and re-appear repeatedly--the which she'll repeat tirelessly for anyone with an interest.

Closing the Rift

[arlathvhen]

Once they get settled, fed, and rested, they are politely (but firmly) asked to get around to closing that damn rift, please. Other hunters from the clan join them as they travel to the rift to finally close it and allow Clan Ashara to move on. As soon as the group approaches the rift, it crackles with magic, and sends out the little tendrils of light that mean that demons are coming.

Back to Skyhold

[arlathvhen]

[[ Another catchall! The Inquisition will be allowed to stay for a few days and then the clan will decide it's time to get a move on. This can cover anything from the time of actually leaving to the journey back. ]]

Sina Leaves Early

[eolasemah]

An unexpected missive calls Sina to visit yet another clan, and somewhat urgently at that-- it's Inquisition business, and there's a need for her specific brand of diplomacy. She stays long enough to provision herself for the half-day or so journey, and borrows a horse from a present member of the Inquisition. She'll be sending it back on arrival, assuming it knows which way to go, since she understands that she and Pel and Herian will be making their way back to Skyhold on foot.
A good part of the morning is spent packing with haste but care, and saying temporary goodbyes to those she'll see back at Skyhold. Clan Ashara receives more formal goodbyes, and a promise of her continued attention and assistance, should they need it.

awooo

[nadasharillen]

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

Nahariel's ears, on the whole, were not the drooping sort; but one could be forgiven for thinking the tips a little closer to the ground as she helped her clansister to put together a few small light packs.