faderift | Wintermarch Rifter Arrival

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Wintermarch Rifter Arrival

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.

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"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."

"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."

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.

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."

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?"

"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.

"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."

"These shards are being studied, fortunately... perhaps you can add to that cause, it's certainly needed. No one has figured out how to neutralize them, but I have hopes that someday... someone must find some solution." He can't imagine that they can just keep them indefinitely... Surely with Thedas' best minds working on it, and many of the most clever rifters... someone has to figure out more about them.

"Neutralised?"

He looks up to where the rift had been and back at his hand.

"If they can help with the rifts why would you want that?"

"Well... for now, they're of use, of course. But I can't imagine them being sustainable in the long term. Though who knows, perhaps once we've dealt with all the rifts, they'll disappear along with them."

So he can hope, of course. Kain isn't all that fond of having this thing in his hand, truthfully, but he's dealing with it as much as he can.

He looks back down at his hand before looking at Kain.

"I suppose that does make sense...."

He sighs.

"So, what happens to us now? Where do we go?"

"We'll head back to Skyhold... that's the Inquisition's fortress, one of the safest places we can be here in Thedas. Certainly one of the best places for rifters, too."

After all, there are a lot of forces out there who'd be glad to capture or kill the likes of rifters... the Inquisition really is the best ally that rifters have.

"Why would you say that it is safest for us?"

After all, just arrived and all. He doesn't buy anyone's input just because they say it. While he tries to give the benefit of the doubt, he will try to protect himself as well.

Yeah, for all he knows, he could be someone evil scheming to kidnap him and these other newcomers, he can see why it's hard to tell who to trust, on arrival.

"Because Thedas is full of dangerous foes. Not just the wildlife, though that's part of it. But there are plenty of groups out there who'd gladly see all rifters dead. Skyhold is a sanctuary, well guarded and defended. The people there... are more favorable than most toward rifters."

The Doctor hums thoughtfully as his eyes get a far-off look about them. "Someone said that once about a hidden street that I found. That was right before all the running, and screaming, and dying happened."

Clara's death (even if he can't remember that it was specifically her) is a 'not good' memory (at least as much of it as he can remember). Thanks for that. He shakes himself back to the present.

"Still, I suppose 'more favourable' is always better than 'less than favourable.'"

He nodded as if he had made a decision.

"Well, No sense in staying here all day, then. I take it you know the way?"

"There's no running, screaming, or dying... at least, not generally within the walls of Skyhold." He can't say the same for elsewhere in Thedas, and he isn't one to sugarcoat things, to avoid discussing danger when it's the reality of their situation. "I can't promise you'll be safe in battle, but you seem to understand that."

He nods, glancing around. "It's a short enough journey from here... let's return to regroup with the others, and we'll continue on our way from there."

"Everything is dangerous if you want it to be. I imagine that's not so different here. I've seen many battlefields in my life. I'll manage."

It's whether or not he'll be able to save others in the process that worries him.

He nodded. "Very well."

And he followed Thingol to the place where the others were gathering.

One more rifter added to their ranks. How many more in total will join them, he has to wonder... One more lost, displaced person here in Thedas. But he tries not to worry about that for now. For now, they most keep moving forward, dealing with the more immediate threats in their way.

"Then follow me." With that, Kain leads them off to the others.

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Wintermarch Rifter Arrival

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I've enjoyed this thread a lot, but maybe end here since we have two others? XD

same!! and also my thoughts too, very good ending point!