faderifting: (Default)
Fade Rift Mods ([personal profile] faderifting) wrote in [community profile] faderift2017-04-02 10:59 pm

OPEN LOG: Establishing a Base in Kirkwall

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
kartereo: (10 Leaning on books)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-04-20 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
"Them setting themselves alight would be normal," he said dryly. "The dumb shit they get into is life or death, and for some reason, I feel some level of responsibility for that."

Some students were not so foolish, thankfully. But the ones that were tended to be the ones who went into a situation hardest, and had no sense that they were engaging in a bad idea.

At the bow, Waver simply extended a hand.

"And allow me to reinforce multiculturalism as well."
tallasaking: (Oh Really?)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-04-25 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"I used to think I had a hard time believing people were that idiotic -- but then I traveled." Tyrion drawled, before he looked up at the man with interest, "Are you a leader, then, of ... stupid people? Or are they students and are truly trying to learn something?"

He took the man's hand and shook it - then clasped his wrist briefly. He'd earned his warrior stripes by now. "Please to reinforce multiculturalism."
kartereo: (02 At a distance)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-04-26 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
"Depending on the day I had, I might say yes to either option," he said with a very dry laugh. "I'm good at analysis and being able to strengthen the natural skills of those that pass into my classroom. Unfortunately a combination of what I teach and the fact many of my students are from well off families who tend towards isolation means there's some particular strains of stupidity."

With hands shook, Waver then returned the bow. "With that out of the way then, may I offer to continue this conversation over a drink? Or am I distracting from prime business hours?"
tallasaking: (Time to drink)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-04-26 02:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah hah, yes, I have seen this strain of stupidity before." A shake of the head. "Inbreeding, and wealth, are always a dangerous and idiotic proposition."

Now, he perked, "Ser, there is never any business that cannot be done over a drink. In fact, they are usually preferred. Besides, it will be a good working lesson for you."
kartereo: (10 Leaning on books)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-04-26 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"Now, add magical abilities into the mix, and you see the world I occupy," Waver said with too much faux cheer for one man. "And why setting themselves on fire is just another Tuesday."

Drinks were far more important than a catalog of stupid things done by teenagers and twenty somethings involving magecraft though, and to that end, Waver's eyes began to search the street.

"Then question one: do you have a preference on venue, or should we roll the dice?"
tallasaking: (Time to drink)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-04-27 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"I am not entirely certain I want to imagine a world of inbred magical idiots. I feel like that would be something that would end in a lot of bloodshed." Tyrion tipped his head to the side, as if contemplating it. "Also that is a lot of fire."

He paused for a moment, his gaze thoughtful, "If you just want something to drink around here - Hanged Man. If you want something good to drink and don't mind the ambiance? The Blooming Rose, in Hightown.
kartereo: (03 Squinting)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-04-28 12:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Shockingly, the bloodshed isn't as much as you'd expect. Outside of ritual, families are kept in check by certain needs for secrecy, and the fact that politics let the adults get the murder urges out of their system." Which wasn't to say that bloodshed didn't happen. It was just mercifully tempered by certain expectations. "And it really is."

Waver took a beat, coupled with a thoughtful hm. "The Hanged Man then. I need to get back to wrestling ghosts later on, and don't want to stray too far."
tallasaking: (Lion Triumphant)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-04-29 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
"I see - so it is 'civilized', to use the loosest form of the word." His lips twitch up at the corners, before he follows out after down a side street.

"Then we will want to head this way." Yes, he also knew out to get there easily enough.
kartereo: (08 Performing magecraft)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-04-29 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, I'm borrowing that for when I'm home. Although I think I'd require more disdain in the tone." Perhaps as much as humanly possible.

Waver doesn't question why or how Tyrion knows the way. He's probably used the venue for business before, and to comment or question the knowledge would be nothing short of dickish.
tallasaking: (Lion Triumphant)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-05-02 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just make sure to add a sneer. Disdain always goes across better with a sneer." Personal experience, right there. He shifted their direction through the back-alleys, so he could nod from one spot to another.

"If you want to learn about the people, go to the worst parts of the city. That will tell you more than buying up any drunk in the local tavern. Although that's useful as well."
kartereo: (Default)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-05-03 12:54 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't think I would have forgotten it, but I appreciate the reminder." He had that down, although Waver's forte truly lay with being absolute exasperation. The latter came up more frequently in his life.

"Mmm. Although I might ask how do you balance the safety element since you know it is, indeed, the worst part of the city. Obviously carrying minimal money, but you know. Not everyone's good in a fight."

Waver was a beanpole, there was little doubt he was talking about himself.
tallasaking: (Lion Triumphant)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-05-03 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, one good sneerer must always help another." Tyrion stated solemnly, before he smiled softly and slyly, "Very simple. Look any person here directly in the eye. Do not break eye contact -- and then smile."

He tipped his head up, "Nine times out of ten, they think you have something in your pocket that can kill them. The tenth time - I tend to just flash my green, glowing hand. It works wonders."
kartereo: (Default)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-05-03 11:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"And for that tenth time, I would imagine that a green glowing hand would instead invite a swift punch in the face rather than people fleeing in terror," he admitted. But that was the part of Waver that tried to anticipate for the worst case scenario, so he had plans to work through it.

"Although I am always willing to bow to experience. Hopefully it hasn't come to that for you though, has it?"
tallasaking: (Oh Really?)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-05-05 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"You would be surprised - these people do not have a very strong 'fight' instinct. They tend to flee when they see magic. I believe the Templar and Mage war assisted with that paranoia." He shrugged elegantly, "I have yet to meet the tenth time, if that is what you are asking me."
kartereo: (07 With glasses on)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-05-06 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Hm. That is useful to know. I can't say I would have thought to test that out myself, given how I've heard magi are treated." It had given him full body shivers when he first learned.

"And it was, yes," Waver confirmed. "But I'm also rather glad you haven't."
tallasaking: (Default)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-05-09 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes ... it is quite unnerving. I mean, I come from a place where magic is so rare that we only have fragments of it left in the world. I think the return of magic would be cherished, not locked away in a tower." He muses, before he snorts, "Or ... they all might panic as badly as those here. Who knows?"

A faint smirk. "Let us hope our luck holds then."
kartereo: (08 Performing magecraft)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-05-10 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
Waver paused, then tilted his head slightly. "I'm going to take a shot in the dark and assume your world has nobility. I think the actual response is best determined by pondering this hypothetical: would they be inclined to want to destroy the return of magic in infancy before those with powers can threaten their own holds, or would they recruit powers to themselves to cement their position?"

It was a fun thought exercise, in a way. Of course, that was providing that Tyrion was game for it.

"In this place? I'm inclined to doubt it will."
tallasaking: (Now isn't that interesting)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-05-15 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh yes, my world thrives on nobility, and all that it entitles." Is Tyrion's rather dry response, "And I can answer that easily - they would recruit them. Every noble house is looking for the proverbial edge against another. Beyond that, we are at war with one another. No one would turn down magic if it would turn the tide."

That much he was certain of.

"Yes, I rather have to agree."
kartereo: (07 With glasses on)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-05-15 11:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Lovely. Because every poor mage would be a quick mark for assassination from rival houses." The idea of it causes Waver to wrinkle his nose. Something like that could all to easily have transpired back home if magi didn't decide to hide themselves. "Do I want to prod at the cause of this war, or is ignorance bliss?"

Good to know that a dim view of fortune seemed to be near universal.

"I presume you've been here longer than I have to make that kind of assessment?"
tallasaking: (Default)

[personal profile] tallasaking 2017-05-16 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"I could see that more easily than anything else." He paused, then sighed, "Why does anyone really fight a war in earnest? To get a crown, of course. So you can wear it for a few years and feel like you are somehow blessed on high -- but I have seen enough kings without heads or lives these days. They seem a paltry sort of reward."

No kingdom for him, thank you.
kartereo: (10 Leaning on books)

[personal profile] kartereo 2017-05-16 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Waver cringed. Nothing like a succession crisis to make life interesting, and by interesting he meant absolutely miserable.

"It almost seems like it'd be time to find a different form of government besides monarchy."