THE FALLOW MIRE

[faderifting]

WHO: Open to all
WHAT: The Inquisition sends forces to the Fallow Mire to deal with undead, plague, and missing scouts.
WHEN: Firstfall
WHERE: The Fallow Mire: Inquisition camps, Fisher's End, The Tavern, etc.
NOTES: For more information about the setting and RP opportunities in it, check out the OOC Post.

The trip down the mountains from Skyhold is no walk in the park, and south of the Hinterlands the land turns wet and miserable, subject to seemingly endless storms. Villagers have tried to carve out a meagre existence in the Fallow Mire, but their lives are under constant threat by a tidal wave of undead rising from the murky waters flooding much of the region.

The Inquisition has sent a sizeable force, and travel back and forth between the Mire and Skyhold happens as often and as quickly as conditions allow. The camp is a neat patch of tents on the largest bit of dry land to be found. "Dry" is relative; everything's still pretty muddy. There are several clusters of tents, tucked between rock outcroppings and abandoned buildings, the least leaky of which are being used to store what supplies the Inquisition has managed to haul in over the difficult terrain. Campfires are numerous and fill the area with a constant smouldering glow and low-hanging cloud of smoke that mingles with the morning and evening fogs. It's lovely, really.

Fisher's End barely even counts as a village-- just a haphazard handful of ramshackle buildings perched on the edge of the swamp-- but it does have a single tavern. It's a dreary-looking wooden shack like every other structure in the area, distinguishable only by the lamp still lit above the door and the sign that swings creakily in the breeze. Whatever was painted on it has long since worn away and been molded over. The place is just known as "the tavern" because it is literally the only tavern for miles and miles around.

Inside is dim and smoky from peat-burning fires in the two grates. There are a half-dozen tables with benches, none of which ever seem quite level on the uneven floor. The bar is tended by Thorolf, a grizzled bearded fellow with a local accent so thick he's almost unintelligible. No matter the time of day he serves a simple fisherman's meal of hard bread, salted fish, and a hunk of strong cheese. His cellar is stocked with exactly three varieties of alcohol: one ale, one wine, and one spirit, all of which are strong and dark. There aren't many locals left, but there are usually a few hunched over a mug or huddled around the fire.

Comments

bow chicka

[ombranera]

"So it is a very young flirtation, yes? A light one you wish to make deeper?" That could take some doing. The charger commanded great respect and quite a bit of attention- mostly of the elven variety. Sam would have to step up to stand out. Hm.

Here, perhaps, he could help.

*winks*

[el_tybs]

"Considering we just started... yes? And..." The second part of the question gets Sam to chew the inside of his cheek in nervous thought. If he was being honest? "...yes. Though I don't want him to feel like he's being pressured."

[ombranera]

"Ah, a slow seduction. That is probably wise." He nods in agreement, uncorking a waterskin he'd carried with him. "You do know how to do this, yes?"

[el_tybs]

That earns Zevran a stare and some silence. Did he know how to do that? "The slow part or the seduction part? I'm pretty sure I don't know the latter."

[ombranera]

"...We have much work to do, I fear, and no time nor space to do it in. When we return to skyhold? I shall teach you what you need to know." He reaches over to pat Sam on the shoulder. "When I am done with you? You shall woo the pants off of Krem. Literally, one might hope."

[el_tybs]

The pat on his shoulder is light, but for some reason it feels like a lot of weight was suddenly being put on his shoulders. "Ah... I look forward to working with you then...?" There's a small smile on his face, both excited and cautious at the sudden offer. Just what was he getting himself into?

[ombranera]

"We shall go slow. Baby steps. It is no easy thing and you were raised in a Circle. You do understand the basics, yes? Usually I can smell purity a mile away but purity is not inexperience."

[el_tybs]

That gets the smile on Sam's face to grow a bit wider. "Well technically I was raised outside the Circle. I just spent the obviously most important ones, when I would have learned this stuff, in the Circle." The bit about the purity though? That's an interesting skill you have there Zevran.

"I'd assume you'd start off with compliments? And I highly doubt I qualify as 'pure'."

[ombranera]

"You do not. You are inexperienced, not pure, though you are a kind soul indeed." He offers the skin of water to Sam with a grin. "Compliments, yes, but also casual contact. Touches to the wrist and shoulder, perhaps brushing the back of his neck as you walk by? Small, enticing things meant to stir the coals of his desire."

[el_tybs]

For a moment Sam blinks at the offered water skin before taking it and thanking Zevran softly for it. He doesn't drink from it right away though, giving it a sniff first. The last time he took an offered water skin it hadn't been water, and it had been quite an 'amusing' experience choking on the alcohol mid chug. Safe to safe he didn't out right trust some things when it was offered to him now. Satisfied that it is indeed water, he takes a drink, handing it back with a 'thanks' a moment later.

Enticing things. All of that was a bit hard when said man wore armor for most of the times he saw him. "I take it that casual contact is supposed to be done skin to skin?" Sam is pretty sure he knows the answer, but why not ask questions and just let Zevran teach him? He's still blushing by all this, but he's always been curious about learning about new things. This certainly qualified.

[ombranera]

"Ideally, but with Krem I think it will be less about luring him in and more making yourself known. 'I am here. I have your back. I will support you'. A reminder that he is not alone and that you care for him." Something done often to appear as though one cared for someone else- that much Zevran knows well. Actually caring about someone? Not so much.

[el_tybs]

Crossing his arms, Sam looks to the ground, taking in what Zevran is saying. It sounded easy enough to do, but actually doing it? He takes a moment to consider if he's actually done anything like that. "What would you do to do that? Is it a physical action, something you say, or both?"

[ombranera]

"For Krem? Probably both." Sometimes one is preferred over the others but a warrior such as Krem puts just as much weight to words as he does action. A double enforcement of intent seems best.

[el_tybs]

Sam waits for a moment to see if Zevran was going to give him an example, but guess he didn't have one. "I'll keep that in mind." Action and words. He supposed the hardest part of it all was going to try and not make it sound like he was a healer during any of it.