OPEN LOG: Establishing a Base in Kirkwall

[faderifting]

WHO: Many People
WHAT: Cleaning up Kirkwall
WHEN: Cloudreach 1-21
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: This log post is for characters who go early to Kirkwall to assist in preparing it for the rest of those assigned there. We strongly encourage IC discussion of things left to character discretion—someone should definitely do a crystal post to discuss what to do with the personal belongings left behind in the Gallows or what new form the statues should take!

Kirkwall once lived on the edge of the Tevinter Imperium and was home to nearly a million slaves. Stolen from elven lands or shipped from across the sea, all slaves fed the Imperium's unquenchable thirst for expansion. They worked in massive quarries and sweltering foundries that produced stone and steel for the Empire.

The city's complicated past is not easy to forget, history having earmarked many corners of the stone city. A ship approaching the harbor spots the city's namesake: an imposing black wall. It is visible for miles, and carved into the cliff side are a pantheon of vile guardians representing the Old Gods. Over the years, the Chantry has effaced many of these profane sentinels, but it will take many more years to erase them all.

Also carved into the cliff is a channel that permits ships into the city's interior. Flanking the channel are two massive bronze statues—the Twins of Kirkwall. The statues have a practical use. Kirkwall sits next to the narrowest point of the Waking Sea, and a massive chain net can be erected between the statues and the lighthouse, closing off the only narrow navigable lane. This stranglehold on sea traffic is jealously guarded by the ever-changing rulers of the city as the net trolls taxes, tolls, and extortions in from the sea.

—From In Pursuit of Knowledge: The Travels of a Chantry Scholar, by Brother Genitivi

---

Establishing a presence in Kirkwall is a delicate matter. First, there's Provisional Viscount Bran Cavin—a man so used to batting back friendly offers of entirely harmless occupation of the battered city-state that his first three responses to the Inquisition's leadership appeared to be slightly personalized form letters. Proving that the Inquisition is here to work and not to conquer will be a process. The first step in that process is the second reason the move is delicate: the only building the Provisional Viscount is willing to part with is the Gallows, left quarantined and unoccupied since Knight-Commander Meredith Stannard's famous crystallization into red lyrium in the courtyard. The Gallows have since overgrown with red lyrium. If anyone is going to live and work there, there's a lot of work to do.

↠ Cloudreach 1-3: The Journey There
↠ Cloudreach 3-4: Arrival
↠ Cloudreach 4-14: Haunted
↠ Cloudreach 14-21: Spring Cleaning

Comments

[pinprick]

"Oh." Those are fantastic insights. Nathaniel looks up at Anders to admire him for a moment before stealing a quick kiss. "You are brimming with wisdom, my dear. Alistair to Hightown, to make it think it is Val Royeaux, strong backs to Lowtown, and..."

He keeps peering up at Anders' beautiful face.

"What if Darktown had not only blankets, but some time with its old healer? I don't want to use you, love, but I would certainly let you use me in exchange."

[justice_is_blond]

He snorts at the trade offer, though there a little nervousness in his face.

"I've been thinking about slipping down there, seeing what's left of those who used to help me change location and stay ahead of the Templars and guard. The question to be answered here, though, is if you want the Wardens officially tied to that. It could help... Or it could set us back tremendously."

[pinprick]

"I would want that," Nathaniel answers immediately. "It would show everyone that you are still dedicated to the city you hurt. It would show you making reparations. I want the Wardens officially tied to that, to the redemption of someone associated with hurt. I want the people reminded of what we are."

[justice_is_blond]

He reaches down to take Nate's hand and squeeze it tightly.

"Not everyone will see it that way. But thank you, love. I'll do it." With such faith being shown in him, how could he do otherwise? "I'll try the two most likely contacts in the morning. If they want to respond, if they can, I'll have an answer in three days at most. In the meantime... anything else you'd like to tell me about your day? I'm here for you."

[pinprick]

Nathaniel presses his ear against Anders' heart, reveling in the sounds and smells of his love. How did he ever get so lucky?

"We have to at least know for sure that Jonas is gone. Otherwise there will always be questions, perhaps even pretenders. All trails have gone cold at Kal'hirol. And you know what's at Kal'hirol."

[justice_is_blond]

It always touches him when Nate listens to his heart. Anders does it constantly, easily to Nate as he's the shorter of the two. This takes an actual effort and it makes him feel warm and treasured. The topic... less so.

"Know for sure means going there." He sighs heavily, and then continues, sounding deliberately put upon. "Did you really just bring me to Kirkwall only to drag me to Kal'hirol? We could go for all three horrific K places and hit Kinloch Hold too. I hate the letter K. I officially vote to ban it."

[pinprick]

A polite chuckle, low in his throat.

"We will have to scout it first. See whether the nests have been rebuilt. We shall go to Kal'hirol, Alistair to Hightown if we can drag him there, perhaps...Bethany, to the Undercity with blankets? She does knit, and she's engaged to someone who could easily arrange for such a delivery. Then give Lowtown repairs to one of the young ones trying to prove themselves. Not Kain, he's not reliable. Ciri or Inessa, perhaps?"

[justice_is_blond]

"Both," Anders says after a beat. "They're both driven and sharp, they both deserve opportunity to put their skills to work with a direct target they can hit. It's fulfilling."

The current tasks of defeat Corypheus, reunify the Wardens, deal with the Architect, and find Jonas aren't. There's no end in sight. Organize people and resources to repair twenty residences? Straightforward and something that can be accomplished in a couple of weeks. Everyone deserves to have breathing room like that.

"And you're forgetting something. If you're giving Darktown back its healer," his voice turns mischievous, "I can't be running off to Kal'hirol. You have to choose one dark and cramped place to send me to as there's only one of me." Not like he wants Nate to go there without him, a healer is crucial, but there's teasing he can have while delaying the inevitable 'go back into the Deep Roads' order a few minutes.

[pinprick]

Nathaniel breathes a moment before responding. Not only is he relaxed, but he's getting sleepy.

"I'd elect for you to come with me to Kal'hirol. You know what we're looking at and what we're looking for. And we'll need a healer. The Undercity will also need a healer, but they needn't be a Grey Warden or a spirit healer or both. We will need both, if we plan to face the journey with much hope."

[justice_is_blond]

"One day maybe you'll take me somewhere nice." He's teasing, gently stroking Nate's hair as he clearly is starting to fall asleep.

"But if that's what you ask, then that's where I'll go. I do like making sure you get home safe." He moves to pull a blanket up and tuck them both in, relaxing as well. "And sleep safe. Sweet dreams, love."

[pinprick]

"I don't trust Kirkwall with you without me here," Nathaniel says softly. "I know you can take care of yourself. But I don't want to leave you behind."

That hand stroking his hair has him going out quickly. Then that blanket comes over them and his arms tighten around Anders for a brief hug before he closes his eyes and dreams.