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

[aceso]

"Because it holds power," she replies, her head tilting a little and a frown coming to her lips as an expression to show she doesn't hold any admiration for such power. It's twisted and wrong. Power for a mighty price: your body and possibly your soul.

"This Tranquil found a way to harness the power of red lyrium to benefit Samson without destroying him in the process. And by studying his armor, we finally put all the pieces together and were able to discover ways to destroy the red lyrium faster, and prevent it from returning: our runes."

[circleprodigy]

"A twisted power, with too high a price. And the destruction may not be immediate, but I can't imagine longevity is in the cards for one so garbed." Inessa sighs, not wanting to think about the effects such experimenting could have before refining the process. Stirring her tea as Garahel begins to snore, she listens without interruption, raising an eyebrow at the end. "Now that is progress, especially if it can assist with removal where we are now, or stop its advance."

At this point, they have to take what progress they can find. Anything short of others being infected might count as a win.

[aceso]

Christine really cares little for Samson's longevity, especially since he is unwilling to give up any useful information regarding red lyrium. It's unsurprising, of course, but it means not much of her research comes directly from what he knows, but what he is now.

She heaves a sigh, which in most circumstances she wouldn't release, because she must appear to be in control of a situation and not frustrated by it. Yet here in front of her rescuers, she can let down her guard a little.

"That is why I am here. Trust me, were the Inquisition not forcing me, I would have simply taught others how to set the runes and have stayed at Skyhold. But they are my creation, so I am forced to be here, and to stay here as well."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods, her gaze sympathetic. "I cannot fault you your reluctance. While I would not have minded a move where it nearly anywhere else, the history of this city makes it far from ideal. Perhaps when the provisional Viscount learns to trust, we might at least be able to claim residence outside our limited areas." She's thinking more of Bethany and the Hawke estate than herself, but Inessa can definitely see why anyone would be desperate not to live in the Gallows of all places.

[aceso]

"That would be something, at least." She muses over that with her cup raised to her lips, taking long sips of soothing tea. Kirkwall is a complete dump; there's no arguing that. But at least a place of her own in the city would mean she would feel more comfortable. Right now, she feels like she wants to leap out of her own skin being in this place.

"Perhaps I could find employment outside of the Gallows as well, so I am not always forced to be here. It is cruel for the Inquisition to demand this of its mages."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa sighs as she stirs her tea, more to give her hands something to do than anything else. "It is harsh, I won't pretend otherwise. At least we don't have memories of Kirkwall before to compound such issues, but that doesn't mean this easy to endure. When the bulk of the Inquisition is moved over, I suspect I'll hear of it if the Grey Wardens are taking residence elsewhere. Until then, we remain."

That's the long and short of it, for her. Whatever her thoughts on the matter, in the end it's her order that will decide and not herself. Christine will have more flexibility and for that, Inessa's grateful for her sake. "I can attempt to keep this kitchen better stocked when it comes to tea, at least. If you can afford to take a break from the Gallows, we won't mind company at the Lowtown market."

[aceso]

Inessa's words do shake Christine from her self-pitying for a moment. At least she has more choices than the Grey Warden does when it comes to where she goes and what she chooses to do. It would be worth remembering for the future. However, she doesn't make mention of this aloud, simply allows herself to feel humbled for a moment.

"I would be happy to accompany you both."




[ ooc: want to handwave lowtown shopping and wrap up? ]

[circleprodigy]

[ooc: Sure!]

"We'll be happy to have you, isn't that right, Garahel?" Inessa smiles as Garahel rouses and wags his tail a little, eager for a walk with two fine ladies. (And treats at the end of it, if he behaves.) She drains her cup, then moves to stand, feeling a little invigorated after that tea break. It may not seem like much in light of Kirkwall's numerous problems, but she'll take it.