everybody loves the HINTERLANDS!

[byblow]

WHO: Anyone
WHAT: A brief detour through Ferelden prior to the Kirkwall move
WHEN: Late Drakonis/early Cloudreach
WHERE: The Hinterlands & Redcliffe
NOTES: A lot of people were interested in stopping by the Hinterlands, so that's what this is! Everyone who might be assigned or would volunteer to go work here is welcome. Treat it like an open plot log. Just without a plot. (Also please note that the dragon mentioned here can't actually be found or hunted.)

They say that no one can take Ferelden without first taking Redcliffe, whose eponymous castle guards the mouth of the largest pass through the Frostbacks to Orlais. Maybe that's why the Inquisition is still here, well over a year after the last skirmish between rebel mages and renegade Templars. Making sure it doesn't fall again. (Or that if it does fall, more skeptical locals whisper, to make sure it falls to them.)

Whatever the cause, the green, hilly country around the village remains dotted with manned Inquisition camps, and there's plenty of work to justify a trip down out of the Frostbacks. The Hinterlands are overflowing with elfroot and other useful herbs, which is good, since the healers never seem to have enough. Hunting spring game serves the dual purpose of feeding the locals and supplying the Inquisition with leather for armor and weapons. For a different kind of hunting, there are still bandits and highwaymen taking advantage of travelers on the King's Road and in need of periodic reminders that the rule of law has been restored, sort of, mostly. And for all the progress that's been made toward rebuilding homes and replanting fields, there are still some locals struggling to regain why the war took from them—which isn't at all helped by a dragon that's taken up residence nearby, stealing livestock and scorching fields.

Not glamorous work, any of it. But on the upside, it's an opportunity to thaw out. The flowers are in bloom. The skies are clear. The water flowing through the rivers and creeks into Lake Calenhad is brisk, not too icy, and when the sun is out it's warm enough to swim. And the village sports a tavern and a number of merchants—many of whom are just there to sell fish, but not all of them. Not only fish.

Comments

Redcliffe

[lyriumcarved]

It's always worth relaxing at the end of the day, even Fenris can see the value in that. He's easing back into the way things had been while he was in Kirkwall, being somewhat more settled. Certainly more settled than he'd ever been. He's still not sure what to make of the impending return back there...

But for now, he heads in to the tavern, intent on getting a drink. When he sees Inessa, he at least makes an acknowledgement, a nod and then approaching only after she beckons him over. He doesn't want to intrude or anything, after all.

"How are you and Garahel faring? Does he enjoy the warmth?" Though who knows, mabari are so sturdy that he may well actually like the snows back in Skyhold.

[circleprodigy]

"I assume so, since he's practically a canine puddle by this point. Aren't you, Garahel?" The mabari in question raises his head and wags his tail, pleased at the attention but also not wanting to move right now. He's too comfy for that.

Leaning back in her chair a little, she sips at her tea. "As for myself, I'm well. I suppose this is a last hurrah before we leave Ferelden for the Free Marches." For Kirkwall. It's strange to think about, moving to such a notorious place. "What are your thoughts on the move?"

[lyriumcarved]

"The Inquisition has made its choice. Like all good soldiers, everyone will follow through with it. I expect before long it'll be more of the same thing in a different setting." There is that note of skepticism in his tone, because he really doesn't know at this point either way if this will be for the better. It may not worsen things, either, but that remains to be seen. He's not so attached to the Inquisition itself that it'd matter, though the Inqusition's goals on the other hand, certain ones, are kind of vital.

He shrugs. "As for living there? It's more or less what you'd expect."

[circleprodigy]

"...which is to say, it will doubtless an 'interesting' experience." Inessa sighs and takes another sip of her tea, frowning a little in thought afterward. "During my one brief visit to Kirkwall, I was disturbed by the thinness of the Veil. I don't enjoy thinking about the effect that has on those living within it full-time." Specifically mages, which hardly needs to be said but as a responsible mage, it's something always on her mind. "Varric has written about the city, but I want to separate truth from fiction. You don't share the same need to add flair, as far as I've noticed, so I would hear the truth without it."

[lyriumcarved]

"You have so much to look forward to," he says dryly. "It's true that Varric exaggerates in part, but some things aren't wrong. There are sections best avoided... Darktown reeks of disease and filth, and is a breeding ground for crime. Lowtown is a step up, but barely, and then there's the alienage... I wouldn't recommend visiting it." Yet, after a pause, he shrugs. "But there's something about the city that's liberating despite all of its bleaker qualities. I didn't mind living there, at the time. You should visit the Hanged Man if you get a chance."

Strangely enough, he now feels an odd sort of attachment to that place, even if he'd taken every chance to put it down back when he and the others would go there. There's this stray thought about whether or not Isabela might show up when he gets there... but... that remains to be seen. It's weird to him going back after all this time away.

[circleprodigy]

"I have no reason to visit an alienage, especially one that is not my own." Inessa shrugs, though privately has some mild curiosity as to their vhenadahl. Still, she's going to be extremely busy and there's no real time or motivation to venture that far from Inquisition territory.

"The Hanged Man...I suppose it would be worthwhile to see the heart of Lowtown, and all those stories. Perhaps we can accompany you when you visit." Inessa would rather have the company of a native, or someone as close to it as possible, when she goes and inevitably stands out. Attention is not something she wants to gain a great deal of, not in a Lowtown tavern.

[lyriumcarved]

"I... really wouldn't recommend it." He'd been, a few times with Merrill, and he was... unimpressed. It also really hadn't felt like a place he ought to belong to. The Dalish are not his people, but he doesn't feel any special kinship with southern city elves either. At least Inessa would understand that.

He nods. "You would be welcome at the Hanged Man, any time I'm there... and I would be willing to take you through Lowtown itself as well." He gets it, Kirkwall is easy to get lost in when you're unfamiliar. It's probably better to have someone around who knows it, to avoid accidentally stepping into unsafe areas.

[circleprodigy]

"It's safe enough during the day, isn't it? I would like to inspect the market for any supplies the Inquisition cannot bring, due to space limits." Inessa isn't too worried about pickpockets, though. She has a large, canine deterrent right next to her, after all. He isn't helping his image what with rolling onto his back for belly rubs, but Garahel can change moods in a heartbeat, especially when his mistress is threatened.

[lyriumcarved]

"More or less, and the market is usually bustling with people trading and selling their goods. You'll undoubtedly find what you need." Of course, Fenris is still glad to pet Garahel and give him those belly rubs he's after. Such good animals, mabari. "It may be a large adjustment for some. Skyhold is... isolated. Kirkwall is a port city, a major place for trade. There will be more people to deal with, good and bad."

[circleprodigy]

Smirking a little at Garahel's happy wiggling, she nods while turning her gaze back to Fenris. "It sounds similar to Denerim, at least. Granted, Ferelden's capital has a very different history, but the noise and crowds...well, I think we can manage. What about the land outside the city gates? Is it all just bandits or...?"

Varric's books certainly made it seem that way, but it's hard to imagine Kirkwall being the center of trade if bandits interfered with everything. Still, she knows enough not to go wandering on her own, mabari companion or not. That doesn't take a city-dweller's common sense to realize.

[lyriumcarved]

"There are the mountains, the mines... though the most bandit-filled area by far of Kirkwall's surroundings is along the Wounded Coast. Any stories you've heard about that area are undoubtedly true." Being a coastal area, it's just a natural place for all kinds of shady activity to happen, from all kinds of criminal sorts coming and going.

"If you keep your wits about you, though, you have no more to fear than you do while traveling through Ferelden. Just proceed with caution." Bandits are just part of life on the road, after all.

[circleprodigy]

"The Wounded Coast...such a charming name." Inessa shakes her head as Garahel grumbles at mention of bandits. "What do you know of the mountain areas? I know some who are less than pleased with the thought of moving to such an urban area. A mountain retreat could prove vital."

While Inessa herself prefers the comforts of civilization, knowing that Kain or other friends so inclined have options would ease her mind.

[lyriumcarved]

"I didn't spend a lot of time there, but only because the Vimmark Mountains are frequently overrun with all manner of creatures, whether animals or... more unpleasant things, such as darkspawn or wyverns. Still, I'm sure one could find a peaceful spot if they look. There are Warden structures out there as well. You may find that of interest." It's not really anything he cares about much, but he at least respects that it's one of her areas of expertise. "Have you heard much about Sundermount?"

[circleprodigy]

Her lips curve in a slight smile as she reaches for her tea. "I read Varric's book, so I have that perspective. Flemeth and the Dalish...though neither are present there now, right? I hope that means it will be a little less eventful." She would rather keep her distance from both the Witch of the Wilds and elves who would call her flat-ear.

[lyriumcarved]

"Good, then you're aware enough of what happened there." Without him having to go through the whole story, anyway. Flemeth's appearance, Merrill's clan, Merrill being unspeakably foolish, all of it. "I don't know what to expect there now, but I wouldn't count on things settling down completely. There's always some new threat, eager to move in when others are gone."