Wintermarch Rifter Arrival

[faderifting]

WHO: New rifters and their rescuers
WHAT:
WHEN: Wintermarch 10
WHERE: The Southern Hinterlands
NOTES: This log is backdated intentionally to allow new rifters to also immediately play in Skyhold and have a few days to handwave acclimation and explanations, if you'd like. It's open to rifters and to any Inquisition members who would volunteer to recover them.

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 wake with a jolt when you hit stone, dropped from above by a flaring, crystalline green rip in reality that hangs overhead. Beyond it is blackness--no, if you focus, it's not emptiness, but stone, with the light from the rift reflecting on distant crevices and stalactites. You're underground. And you're not alone. There are two other people on the ground with you, and something with a deep, guttural laugh not far from you.

The source of the laugh is soon lit up with light of its own, arcing purple electricity rippling over a hulking body so large that humans don't quite reach its hip. It's the only demon here, but it isn't going to go down easily. And the only way out is a narrow tunnel that the demon is--demonically--blocking.

But you're not alone. There's that. The ground around you is scattered with weapons and belongings--maybe one of them is yours--and it won't be long before more people arrive, armed and armored and ready to fight.

Comments

[not_the_question]

The Doctor's face contorts a mixture of sadness and confusion. He usually likes to make sure a demon is actually a 'monster' before putting it out of its misery.

"Are you sure? I mean has anyone ever tried to talk to them? Maybe they're reacting to being brought here and are confused and scared."

Not that the Doctor is confused or scared. At least, not that he would ever admit.

[in_death_sacrifice]

To some extent, he can't blame him. He might have felt otherwise, before, but these days, after the appearance of rifters... he can see what he means. There are also occasionally mentions of lost spirits and such, those who genuinely don't mean to come out here.

"There are non-malicious spirits out there, and they can be spoken with, though caution is still advised, since many can be manipulative. In general, spirits and demons don't always have such good intentions... but demons are worst of all. They can't and won't be reasoned with. They embody some of our worst traits, too... rage, envy, pride, and so on..."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor nods in understanding. "The Seven Deadly Sins. Of course."

It made sense, even if he'd rather it to be another way.

"I'm sorry. You must think me naive. I just... I'm used to giving everyone a chance. Monsters don't always have to be killed in order to defeat them."

Otherwise, the Doctor probably would have been killed long ago as he's considered a monster by some.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Sins indeed. That's what demons prey on, they enjoy it, they revel in humanity's worst nature." He's always afraid of getting tricked by certain ones, especially Pride or Envy...

He looks at the other thoughtfully. After all, there are certain things like the treatment of mages which don't have clear cut answers here in Thedas. They certainly deserve more of a chance than they've typically gotten. "I can respect that. Believe me, if there were some other way, I'm sure most would take it. We made the right choice in giving you rifters a chance, after all, so sometimes it works. But with the likes of these demons... there are no chances."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor liked to make his own decisions about people in that regard.

"I would argue there are always chances. I always try to offer mercy, myself. If it's refused, well. Not much to be done for that."

But he makes the offer. Mercy is an important theme for him.

"But you have more experience with these creatures. I can respect your decisions, for now."

Until he's had time to formulate his own opinions about them.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Just be wary, that's all I can ask."

Kain has no patience for demons, but here in Thedas, it's just not something anyone can mess around with. "Demons can possess anyone, and that shard in your hand may make you vulnerable to it. If you possess any magic, that will do it, too." There was that one rifter who'd died after a possession, after all. "We have no tolerance for demons or darkspawn here, but your attitude could help when it comes to negotiating with people."

[not_the_question]

He nods.

"Peace is always preferable to war. I have no magic to speak of."

Well, not really. A lot of people might consider his telepathy, healing, or ability to see time-lines as magic, but it's just how his biology works.

"I will heed your warning, though. Being cautious is one of the reasons I'm still alive."

Until he throws it to the wind, that is.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"That caution can certainly help you survive Thedas. I can't possibly overstate the potential danger here." It's something that's necessary anyway, but for rifters even moreso. Maybe this one will have a chance. "I guess I'll break it to you right now, too... peace may be preferable, but some parts of this world have been ravaged by war lately. It figures, we have enough unrest to deal with, and now these rifts open up and spill people into the middle of it."

[not_the_question]

"I'll be fine. This isn't my first war. It's not even the first strange planet or time I've found myself stranded in."

It is however, odd to be here without the TARDIS. She would make everything easy.

"That said, I'm very good with rifts."

Since, generally speaking, that's how he travels.

"Just one question. In all of these rifts, you haven't seen metal creatures that look like pepper pots, have you?"

Because if this is somehow connect to the Time War, or if the Daleks are here, well, it could be very dangerous indeed.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Then maybe that experience will give you some advantage here, who knows...?" It can't hurt, anyway, having some kind of background with new and unusual worlds. Even if Thedas has its own challenges. Kain pauses a moment, considering his next question thoughtfully. "Plenty of demons... a wide variety... many humans, an occasional elf... but no, nothing metallic. I take it that's a good thing we've seen nothing like that, though?"

[not_the_question]

The Doctor nods once.

"Very good. They're called Daleks. The are the deadliest species in my universe. The are creatures designed with one emotion only: Hate. And they destroy anything that isn't Dalek."

Which is really enough about them.

"If you ever do see anything like that, you must tell me immediately. If they've found their were here, then even the multiverse isn't safe..."

Which means what he did in going back to save Gallifrey caused more damage than he could have possibly imagined.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"I'll keep that in mind. Something like that ought to stick out well enough, anyway... Are they that difficult to fight? Surely they must have a weakness?" While Kain will take the warning seriously about notifying him, he figures he at least should know what to do in case of an emergency... if they show up and he has no choice but to fight.

[not_the_question]

"They are mutant creatures kind of like an octopus, stuffed inside of a metal casing. Like a miniature tank they can wear. Very nearly impossible to fight. Makes your pride demon seem like a snap to beat. Best to just run..."

His sonic wasn't working so maybe they'd be easier to fight, but he wouldn't count on it...

[in_death_sacrifice]

"They're that impossible? Really?" He's rather surprised by that. Even something like a dragon may be difficult to fight, but not impossible. Never completely. Even Corypheus can't be impossible. "I'm almost impressed by that... who knew there would be something out there that's even stronger and more terrible than demons..."

But he'll take the warning seriously, knowing what may happen if he didn't.

[not_the_question]

The Doctor nods.

"They're like cockroaches. Do you have cockroaches here?"

He would go into information about the war, but that might actually not be a good thing to talk about.

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain makes a face. "A disgusting comparison, but one which I suppose makes as much sense as anything else. The last thing that this world needs are such pests. We have enough problems with the demons and such."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor nods once. "That was the impression I was going for. So, just... if such creatures arrive, you'll tell me as soon as you can."

Because, well if he can get dragged here, so can they.

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Right. I'll be sure to inform you. After all... it sounds like you'd know best how to handle them. I trust you have some way to actually defeat them." It stands to reason, to him, to let the rifter handle this threat from his world. He'd know their weaknesses and such best. It's the same, really, when it comes to rifters ending up against demons here, without experience...

[not_the_question]

"Well, we might be lucky. My sonics don't work, so it's possible their technology won't work either. Then it's just a matter of... cracking the casing."

The Doctor can fight all kinds of things. He's just gotten used to (and too dependent) on available technology.

"So... these pride demons. Are they the worst? That's the impression some are giving."

[in_death_sacrifice]

"Hm... I don't know much about technology, but I'm sure you're right. I'll take your word for it, anyway." Technology is much stranger to him than magic, some of the things that the rifters have talked about on their worlds. Magic is something that he grew up knowing about, though, even if he himself isn't a mage.

He makes a face, thinking about demons in general. "Yes, they're among the worst, they're one of the strongest varieties you'll encounter. Though all demons are dangerous, you must never underestimate them. All will attempt to possess people, but... some are more insidious than others. And if you're especially susceptible to what they represent... that can be a problem too."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor nodded accepting the information about technology. He wasn't so sure he was right. He would have to wait to get more information. He remained quiet as Kain talked about the demons. It was good information.

"Oh, well, I'm very good with demons. I'm sure once I learn to control this," he tapped at the shard in his hand, "I'll be able to help a bit more."

He wasn't really over-confident about it. Now that the fighting was done, it was time to figure out who was who and which side he belong to.

[in_death_sacrifice]

It must be so strange, to have to adjust to an unknown world like this. Kain can hardly imagine being in such a position. So while he doesn't really know what it's like, he can still sympathize anyway. He sighs, glancing at his own shard, received from being in the wrong place and time. That's something about the rifters that he definitely does understand.

"Yes. It can seal those rifts, which is essential for our fight against these demons. Some people's shards have even developed other powers, shooting off energy or blocking attacks... They have their uses."

[not_the_question]

The Doctor nods as he looks at the one in his hand.

"I can tell that it can do more than... what I can do with it right now."

He looks confused. As if he shouldn't have been able to tell that. He shouldn't know that, he just kind of does. He shakes it off.

"So, if they can do more, then there are people who can teach us how to use them, right?"

[in_death_sacrifice]

"It's a strange sensation, without any doubt. It's not always painful, at least, the worst of the pain is when it first appears. Over time, you'll get used to it... As for learning more, of course. There are plenty of rifters and a few other natives who've ended up with these things. Some who've developed those further talents."

Kain has never cared to develop anything further and tries to ignore his shard if he can help it. But he's heard plenty about their potential.

[not_the_question]

"Good. That's good."

He's distracted by it right now, though.

"I think I should like to know more about them, if I'm going to be here for any amount of time."