faderift | closed.

The journey to Ansburg is not a short one, but it’s made somewhat shorter by the Wardens’ ability to go under the Vinmark Mountains rather than over them. One night and a couple of skirmishes with darkspawn later, they emerge from the Deep Roads in the wilderness between Wildervale and Markham, head north through forest and field to Starkhaven, and make their way along the river from there to Ansburg. They spend one night in an inn, sharing beds or sleeping on floors, and another in an apparently abandoned barn, but otherwise their shelter and bedding are only what they can carry. Meals are dried rations brought from Kirkwall or things caught or politely pilfered along the way. There are storms. There are very hot middays. And on the worst day of all, Alistair tries to cook.

So everyone can be forgiven, probably, if in their tired and sore and likely hungry state, the Warden fortress outside of Ansburg looks like the best thing they’ve ever seen in their entire lives. It has walls! Those walls probably contain a kitchen! And beds! Outside the walls, the Warden banner hangs with no apparent shame or apology. And the Wardens who come out to greet them look healthy, happy to see them, and distinctly unaccompanied by demons.

They’re led by a man with graying hair and a wide smile that, as if involuntarily restrained by propriety, stops just short of showing teeth. He’s scanning faces as he approaches the group outside the gates, nodding to those he recognizes. For those who may recognize him back, he’s Warden-Commander Humphreys. Protocol says he can’t salute until someone salutes him first, but the handful of men and women behind him are quick to do it, fists crossing to their shoulders in greeting.

[ One thread please! No tag order, jump in or blend into the background as you desire. This will be GMed/NPCed by me (MJ/Alistair) and/or Tori/Nathaniel. ]

Oghren never has been a saluting kind of dwarf so he doesn't really bother with any of that. Nope. He just hangs out in front of the others doing the thing that makes the most sense in the moment.

He's scratching his ass. Must have gotten a rash somewhere along the way. Not that he's had the chance to have a look at it though. Probably should get a healer to take a look at it but he's a bit preoccupied right now. Namely with the fact that people look like they're about to start doing greetings and such and...

Well, Oghren's not a polite person so sorry about that guys.

"Any idea where a dwarf can get a hole to piss in? Figured that would be nicer than finding a wall."

Okay so maybe he was trying to be nice?

Ever one to bear a stiff upper lip, Inessa has not complained about the hardships of the road. That doesn't mean she hasn't felt them, however. The weariness shows itself in her eyes and movements, and the way she perks up when their ordeal seems finally at an end. Real beds...and they probably even have tea in their kitchen. Truly, the Maker himself is smiling upon them right now.

Thinking about that as much about showing respect, Inessa salutes as protocol demands. Garahel at her side wags his tail but knows better than to rush forward for petting right now. Grey Warden business first.

It had not been the most pleasant few days of travel - especially after the incident with Alistair trying to cook. She should have insisted taking over. Alistair, when bid, could burn water. Impressive talent for someone who had no magic whatsoever. Bethany, however, had made the best of it, making sure she had brought on a few extra blankets for people to sleep on. Making sure that Alistar did not cook for the rest of the journey.

She was here to make sure things were pleasant. Which is to say, the moment after Oghren's opened his mouth and basically embarrassed all of them, Bethany steps forward with a brilliant smile and a salute, before she speaks.

"I think what Oghren is trying to say is - we are looking forward to your hospitality, and thank you so much for having us here. We're all a little rough from the road, so please forgive us for any shortness." A warm and dimpled smile, "As you well know, Warden Commander Humphreys, the way through the Vinmark Mountains is never a picnic."

"Pretty sure I said I'd piss on a sodding wall if someone didn't give me a proper place but sure. Could take a look at this itch on my backside while I'm there too."

Oghren. King of Diplomats.

This was why he did the fighting and left the talking up to other people. Sorry, Bethany. You were definitely doing good work there but Oghren was just...Oghren.

Bethany, well. Bethany winced. Noticibly. Well, now they thought that all the Wardens here were barbarians who needed to piss on walls more than they needed to show the proper respect to a Warden Commander so.

That was just a thing that happened.

She put her smile back on, and stated simply, "Oghren would like a bathroom and a healer, please."

Nathaniel salutes as well, giving Humphreys a small smile.

"Looks like some of us already feel at home here, Commander," he says easily. "Senior Warden Nathaniel Howe. We met years ago, but I think you were a Senior Warden then. It's good to see you've put on a little less weight than age, though I can't say the same."

There's a sympathetic aside glance to poor Bethany, but other than that, Inessa bears Oghren's lack of manners with typical stoic silence. It's pointless to react, when he's just going to behave as he always does, and it's more important to focus on what's ahead. She dips a respectful nod to the Warden-Commander, as Garahel sniffs the air hopefully for any sign of food. He's starving, you see.

"Warden Serra, at your service. It's an honor, Commander." She falls silent again, content to observe even as she's silently hoping for a chance to get off those aching feet at some point in the near future.

Anders wasn't sure if he was relieved that Oghren wanted a healer who wasn't him, or insulted. It... isn't really the time to bother with it, though, especially as if Oghren wanted to mean an insult it would be obvious.

Especially-especially when he's a little too busy poking Nate's definitely not overly large stomach and then catching himself and saluting.

"I'm their spirit healer." Name? What name? He has no name. "I'll work on finding ways Howe he can lose weight, fear not." Put on weight. Please. At least they can have a real bed to work that out in.

Oghren is just going to be over here muttering about how he doesn't need a healer here when he has Sparkles. Just lots of muttering.

And looking at walls...

Alistair doesn't offer a name either, mainly because he knows Humphreys knows, and if any of the Wardens behind him don't know and never ask him about any Archdemons then that's just fine with Alistair. He does salute, though, while simultaneously shaking his head and looking into the void with a mix of exasperated amusement and apology.

***

But Warden ranks including a number of unruly ragtag outcasts isn't a condition exclusive to the South. Humphreys may be too dignified for it all, but he doesn't seem surprised or offended, either, as he returns the salute to everyone who bothered. He even smiles wider at the healer being handsy with Howe. Meanwhile one of the Wardens behind him even laughs, stepping out of their loose formation and jerking her head toward the gate to beckon Oghren to follow—to a latrine, most likely. Probably not to be sacrificed in any magic rituals.

"I'm honored to meet you," Humphreys aims in the approximate direction of the new faces, then, "and to see you again," at the old ones. "We have a lot to discuss, but let's discuss it inside. The cook has been waiting to spring into action for days. And—" He pauses a moment, with dramatic skill, as he turns and gestures back toward the gate to invite them forward. "—we have chairs."

Teren has been her usual self on the journey over: capable, surly, and a little overly protective at times, but only in her way of ranging about the group on the road and keeping her watch in the quietest hours of the night. She doesn't talk much, but partakes in meals and drinking and is unafraid to swat Alistair away from the meal he's botching, if only to prevent the whole campsite burning down.

She stands toward the back on their arrival, tall and still and dour as ever, her gaze flitting over every nook and cranny of the Keep when it isn't scanning over Humphreys. She's beyond trusting cheerful greeters, regardless of the mission. One hand is always free to snatch a dagger off her back should the occasion call for it, and she smiles at no one.

...though she does curl her lip when Oghren speaks up, because Oghren is the worst.

Throughout the journey Felix had seemed almost cheery, though not enough to hum or get annoying. He just in general had a pretty positive outlook when he traveled with Wardens. Sure there was sleeping on the floor, and traveling through the Deep Roads, and Oghren - but honestly all of that was better than being dead.

At first, he had hangs back, mostly to let the people who knew the Warden-Commander greet him first.

"Chairs are always welcome after a long journey," he comments lightly. When attention is given him he salutes and introduces himself simply as 'Felix.' He isn't sure if any of these people have heard about what his Father did in Redcliffe and would rather avoid that if he can.

Well if this is a trap he figures he's lived a solid life and he's told Felsi where he went. So at least if things go wrong she can scream bloody murder that the father of her child got sacrificed to some scary god or whatever. But anyway he has to take a piss and a latrine is probably better than a wall.

Or 'accidentally' on Teren.

"Heh. So I get a pretty girl huh? Stick with me and I'll show you what fun we could have after I take my piss." Classy.

After having just returned from a month-long ride there isn't a lot of thrill from Ciri to get started on another so suddenly but the fighting helps cull the boredom. She dislikes the Deep Roads as much as some of the others, too many thoughts and wondering about the future, but tearing through Darkspawn does wonders for ignoring things.

And when the Warden fortress finally appears, Ciri hangs at the back of the group and adjusts the weight of her sword with others handle the more formal introductions. There is no salutes from her and, in fact, her expression remains utterly neutral.

"A drink or two wouldn't be bad either after the horrors we faced," she muses eyeing Alistair. "And who would have ever guessed it would come in the form of cooking."

Bethany has decided, in this brief little interlude, that acceptance is the better part of valor, and lets everyone do whatever they like to do in this introduction. Her lips might be twitching anyways, but she holds her head up a little. She's the Senior Mage-Warden, anyways.

It also gives her a chance to feel out any magic that might be around. She wants this to be a good visit!

...but the last time they wanted a good visit they got Weisshaupt or the Winter Palace so she is. Taking a page from Teren and Nathaniel's books. Polite, friendly, secretly cautious.

She smiles back at the Warden Commander's joke, though, and then giggles at Ciri, before she tipped her head down into a bow.

"You've never faced real horror until someone puts a bowl of 'Surprise Stew' in front of you." She dimpled. "Just let us know where we can stow our gear, and we will be delighted to join you."

No one's glaring, no one's shooting him suspicious looks as they put together the numbers and figure out who he is. It's nice.

Which means it's most definitely a trap.

At least he can try to help keep everyone alive, since he knows it's a trap and everything will go wrong soon enough. Maybe they can have chairs and food before they get attacked. That would be a pleasant change.

"Right. Lead on. Let's see what your cook is up to. Alistair, why don't we have a cook? Is there some rule that says we must have so many Wardens before we get a cook and nice chairs?"

It's always best to seem distracted and looking for luxuries when you know you're going to get attacked.

"We could always use Oghren as a chair after he's relieved himself."

After introducing herself, Inessa and Garahel slip away towards Ciri. She's always more at ease with her best friend at her side...which is not to say she's entirely so at this moment. Ciri's reaction and expression are noted, and though Inessa doesn't regret showing some manners, she can guess as to her companion's thought process. Anyone from Weisshaupt will never again be so quick to trust Warden authority, though she can hope for at least a few moments' peace before the other shoe is dropped. So, she'll wait to be lead to wherever and hopefully Garahel's curious sniffing around won't unearth anything awful on the way.

Kaisa, fresh from a lengthy trip that was about as pleasant as this one, had few complaints to offer. With Puppy at her side, she just went about doing what she can to help out, whether that be grabbing firewood, or making sure she doesn't try to cook. You're all welcome. But it's still a relief to see the Warden fortress, and there's a definite pep in her step as they approach.

She's quick to salute at the appropriate time, and looks like she's about to match the Warden Commander's almost-grin. Finally. Look at this place. An actual Warden fortress, filled with actual Wardens, and not a demon to be seen.

"Thank you for the kind invitation! It's so great to be here, you have no idea what it's been like, even in the Inquisition. Even before the Inquisition!" Apparently Kaisa sees absolutely nothing suspicious, because she's already gravitating towards the gate, and the other Wardens, Puppy right by her side. "There has been some real bullshit going on, have you heard? You've probably heard. But you haven't heard heard, yanno what I mean?" And unless stopped, she's just going to be sidling up to the other Wardens, hands propped on her hips, a friendly smile on her lips, and apparently ready to cheerfully gossip about every single thing that's gone wrong since Jonas disappeared.

Velanna per usual is lingering towards the back of the group, eyes narrowed as she takes in all the jovial greetings with suspicion. Things didn't turn out well the last time they met with a larger force of Wardens. Really things, in general, hadn't gone well for any of them at any point in the past year.

While others introduce themselves, she remains silent. Really, they should know who she is already. Even among the Wardens Dalish are rare, and she's also gained the distinction of being one who traveled with Warden-Commander Cousland. If they don't know who she is, then someone else can explain it to them, because she can't be bothered.

The fortress isn't the largest or most impressive one that anyone here will have seen—not compared to Skyhold, not even compared to the Gallows—but it's obviously well stocked and cared for, with large Grey Warden banners hanging from the walls and showing minimal wear. Few regions in Thedas have all that many active Wardens, save the Anderfels, but there are a few dozen here now, not counting those out working in the Deep Roads across the Free Marches. Several are out in the courtyard, practicing archery or swordsmanship in a way that's as much play as training; others seem busy but not too busy to smile in greeting or pause to watch the newcomers pass by with curiosity.

Once everyone has been fed and given a moment to rest their feet, Warden-Commander Humphreys invites anyone who's interested in more walking to tour the fortress with him while he asks questions and discusses his hopes for the Wardens-Errant. Anyone who doesn't think that sounds fun is free to explore on their own—and later, once the beleagured cook has managed to catch up with the extra work that so many guests create, there's a fairly boisterous dinner in the main hall, with amateur musicians and a small gaggle of baby-faced young Wardens eager to hear about the griffons. And other things! But mainly the griffons.

[ The tour will be NPCed, so please group up into one log for that! You can make your own threads for the other two options. NPCs or GM comments will also be dropped into other logs during the party or exploration, but feel free to RP on your own, too. ]

ＴＯＵＲ —

A tour with the Warden-Commander does indeed, not sound fun but Ciri is nevertheless here. Perhaps it is out of curiosity for what he has to say or perhaps (and much more likely) it is to keep her sober for most of this experience. That is hard enough, and harder still with all her displeasure bubbling under the surface waiting to come out like an explosion. Lost in her thoughts and forcing the lid down on her feelings, she still manages to listen to what is being said among the group though remains notably silent.

ＤＩＮＮＥＲ —

The boisterous dinner is more her style because it makes it easier for her to blend into the crowd and most importantly: a chance to eat again. For someone so mad at everything, the food is definitely not suffering under her gaze as she picks and munches on the wide assortment of offered food. The drinks are great but, once again, she avoids getting too deep into the drink. That would lead to trouble and some of her fellows actually seem... excited to be here. It was strange to her when her thoughts are filled with the disaster that was Weisshaupt. A disaster that these Wardens were absently from while the Inquisition dived head first to save them. Somewhere near, she overhears a baby Warden is talking vividly about griffons and how lucky they are to be so close to them.

"This reminds me," she says picking at her plate filled with tiny cakes to whomever it unlucky enough to be near her. "We should have the others stuck out in Valeska's Watch and Griffon Wing Keep come to visit and see the griffons. They'd bloody love it."

"Right, so you can walk us straight into the dungeon," Teren intones when invited to 'take the tour', though she follows along at first, wanting it to be less noticeable when she splits from the group about ten minutes later.
She goes down a different hallway, gladly taking the opportunity to explore and deciding to root out whatever foul play is obviously at work here. Her snooping is as subtle as possible for someone who isn't even trying to stay concealed; on the contrary, she walks with purpose, inspecting the place as though she belongs there.

Edited 2017-06-16 16:49 (UTC)

There’s no out-of-place magic to sense—no weakness in the Veil, nothing to make any danger senses tingle. Humphreys is already turning to guide them into the fortress while the witty repartee about cooking and horrors and chairs goes on behind him—

(“If you want to go out and conscript a cook, Anders, and put them through the joining, then be my guest,” Alistair says somewhere in the background, wounded in a way that’s about 30% sincere. That was the best stew he’d ever made, and most of these Wardens are Fereldans, they shouldn’t be whining like a pack of delicate Orlesian nuns.)

—and some of his own Wardens linger to walk alongside the newcomers and listen, appreciative and curious.

“We heard there was an Archdemon in Ferelden,” one of them says to Kaisa, “and then we heard there wasn’t, and then we heard there was one in the Anderfels after all. That’s why we’re all here, though. We thought—well. We were going to go help. But the Anderfels—”

“Are a mess,” Humphreys supplies from the front, having apparently mastered the leadership skill of eavesdropping. “Like untangling a knot. If we pull the wrong string we might make it worse—you understand, Senior Warden,” he adds to Nathaniel in particular, looking back over his shoulder.

Ahead of them all, the Warden guiding Oghren to the privy snorts, but it’s half a laugh. “No one ever told me dwarves were charming,” she says. “And I guess this is why.” When there’s a clear line of sight across the courtyard, she points. “That way. And when you come out, the dining hall will be to your right. I’m sure you’ll hear us.”

[ OOC | Sorry for the delay xoxo. You guys can also tag this whenever you want! ]

Edited 2017-06-19 02:10 (UTC)

Ciri's not the only one whose mind constantly returns to Weisshaupt. Inessa holds a glass of wine more to give her hand something to do than because she's interested in imbibing, taking a sip only once every so often. The tiny cakes interest her more, though the majority of food on her plate is for the purpose of discreetly feeding Garahel so that he doesn't beg from others. With all the offered food and attention, the mabari is undoubtedly having the best night between the three of them.

Checking to ensure that Garahel behaves himself, Inessa turns her gaze back to Ciri with a small smile. "They would, though I think it fair to warn them of our griffons' quirks beforehand. I don't want my lap griffon catching them by surprise, or Buggie's biting, or Little White Monster's screech...."

closed.

I. ARRIVAL

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II. EXPLORATION

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Solo Asplorin'

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Dinner