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

[judgemewhole]

Interceptor is busy moving around Inessa, barking off any statues that might get some ideas about attacking her while she is tossing around magic. Look at him, he's practically a full mabari yet.

James is a full grown Templar, and it is that Death Hex that allows him to crack the statue into pieces, shattering under his shield, and the swing of his blade. He doesn't stop swinging, however, until the damned thing stops moving.

[circleprodigy]

Once that statue shatters, Inessa calls out. "Back away for a moment, all of you!" She's wanted to avoid wide-ranging spells before, the the longer this persists, the more likelihood of a fatality on their end. And since she doesn't want to set the Gallows on fire, ice it is. As soon as she's given a chance, Inessa casts Blizzard to slow down the statues and prime them for shattering. Garahel nudges Interceptor back, not wanting him to be caught in the frigid winds.

[judgemewhole]

James whistled to Interceptor to back off, even as he is gesturing the others to back off as well, so Inessa could do her literal magic. Interceptor whined, wanting to go on the attack, but with Garahel blocking him and his master calling him to retreat, he did just that.

[circleprodigy]

Good boy, Interceptor. Inessa will ask to give him an extra treat later on; for now, she'll take advantage of the cleared space to summon a biting ice storm. Any statues in the area begin to slow down, until frost accumulates and they're frozen in place. But it won't last forever, so better act fast.

[judgemewhole]

James did move then, and his entire body was a smashing hammer as his sword and shield bashed into the statues, crushing them to metal pieces.

Interceptor did his part, barking at Garahel to follow him as he ran at one of the smaller statues to slam into it and send it into the ground to shatter as well.

[circleprodigy]

The noise from the shattering statues was unreal, and Inessa would have covered her ears if she wasn't busy shielding her eyes instead. Afterward, for the first time in what seems like ages, there's a semblance of quiet as she peers around, a little dazed.

"...sweet Maker. Does anyone need healing?"

[judgemewhole]

"Interceptor." James reported, as he looked over at his pup. He has some lacerations, and James can tell he's favoring his front leg. Probably from where that damned thing bashed into him. He put up his shield, sheathed his horse, and went to go comfort his pup.

"You did well." He stroked Interceptor's ears, then smiled crookedly at Garahel. "You both did. Bigger bowls tonight, boys." He eyed the other Templars. "A few of them could probably use a spell or two, Inessa, if you would oblige?"

[circleprodigy]

"Interceptor, come here." Inessa gestures to him, as Garahel wags his tail at James. The larger mabari is sporting some cuts but his kaddis and battle experience have kept him in better shape, so he doesn't mind waiting his turn. Gently, she sends her healing energy toward the pup before straightening and looking over to the others.

"Of course. And you're right, they deserve a little extra. Good work, both of you." Bravery and skill in battle should always be rewarded, and she has plenty of mabari crunch treats to pass around. But first, healing those on two legs, not just four.

[judgemewhole]

Interceptor wagged his tail, curling up into Norrington's arms, looking up at his master with nothing but love and appreciation that he hadn't been hurt. Then he barked excitedly because extra food? Always a good thing.

"How many wounded?" He asked, as she finished up with the healing, "Anyone seriously hurt and just hiding it?"

[circleprodigy]

Inessa gestures over to one of the templars leaning against another, pale and drawn. "I suspect that one to have bruised or broken ribs. A true healer at the tents can assess better than I." She's not about to wade into unknown territory with the health of a patient at risk. Her role is to patch people up, not provide intensive, long-term care.

[judgemewhole]

"Well then ... Garahel, keep an eye on this one." He petted Interceptor once more, "I'll be back for him. Inessa, I'm going to get him to the healing tents."

He paused, as he rose, "Excellent work, by the by."