closed || Quid Pro Quo

[nonsibi]

WHO: Bellamy, Church, Clarke, Cosima, Fenris
WHAT: Orzammar asked for the Inquisition to come fix Thedas' very first underground rift, and our brave heroes are just the heroes for the job. The Inquisition has also asked our heroes to heroically take the measure of those controlling the Inquisition's lyrium contract, in hopes of softening them up to renegotiate for a better price. And then there's that dead dwarf....
WHEN: vaguely Justinian
WHERE: Orzammar
NOTES: at least one dead body

starters for each piece of this mission are in the comments!

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Orzammar - the Lyrium Deal

[nonsibi]

[The reception in Orzammar is polite without excess or overt warmth. The Inquisition's assistance with the Rift was directly requested, so the arrival of said assistance merits fresh food and accommodations, but not much more than that. It's not a lack of hospitality but a lack of ability. If the dwarves of Orzammar could handle the rift on their own, they would have.

But the dual purpose of their presence here means they've got to find a way to talk lyrium while they're here. Before and after the work on the rift, there are three agents of the most powerful houses of the consortium to track down. Fortunately, they're all easily located. It's charming them which might prove difficult.]

the Lyrium Deal - Aderik Alticaen

[nonsibi]

[The brief provided by the Inquisition has this to say about Aderik Alticaen, the agent of Alticaen house: young, heir to his house, ambitious and creative, which means he's a tough sell but open to restructuring the deal if the Inquisition can make it seem worthwhile. Interested in wider affairs and expanding the family's reach. He's capable of persuading his mother to agree with his choices.

Aderik himself is found in a small candlelit chamber strewn with books, sheaves of parchment, and half-rolled maps with their corners weighed down by carved stone paperweights. He does not look up when they enter the room, but continues to read whatever book his reading, his head bent over the tome, so close his nose is nearly touching the page. He is using his thick finger as a guide, following along with the text--so they'll need to get his attention as well as his interest.]

the Lyrium Deal - Fenna Belnarek

[nonsibi]

[The Inquisition's brief on Fenna Belnarek has a few warnings: older woman, aunt to the head of the house, and very cautious and conservative. She has no interest in surfacer affairs, and disdains any dwarf who does. Her word isn't law, but her attitudes are a mostly a product of her house.

This means that the representatives of the Inquisition must come to her. She is holding court in a comfortable chamber of significant size, speaking to two other dwarves. All three look over at the newcomers. All three frown before Fenna leans in to offer a few last words, and then the party makes their goodbyes. They have to pass the party on their way out, and do so carefully, without making eye contact. That leaves them alone with Fenna, who settles back on the cushioned stone bench with a loud sigh.]

Well? Get on with whatever you have to say to me, and skip the pleasantries. I have an appointment a few minutes from now and do not have time to waste.

[Her hawkish gaze is a little like being stared down by an impatient schoolmistress. The only reason she's not tapping her foot is because she's sitting down.]

[nonsibi]

[Bellamy, before speaking, exchanges as surreptitious a look with his companions as he can. This is the part of their mission that he was not looking forward to, and whatever it says about Bellamy--that he would prefer to fight demons and work on closing rifts than trying to wheedle a trade deal out of anyone--well, it's probably not a surprise, what it says about it.

But: okay.]

Greetings, Fenna Belnarek, from the Inquisition.

[The stiff language of diplomacy sounds just that: stiff. If this is the wrong way to proceed, he doesn't know any better. His biggest forays into any kind of statesmanship have ended with pretty disastrous results, or with Bellamy just standing off to the sidelines, listening to negotiations.]

You know what we've been sent here for: closing the rift that's opened in Orzammar. We won't take up more of your time than we need to. We're here to start a discussion, on behalf of the Inquisition.

the Lyrium Deal - Varnar Dramold

[nonsibi]

[The Inquisition's notes on Varnar Dramold should give the party a good idea on what to expect from him: middle-aged, sweaty, sloppy, always late. But careful observation or intel-gathering will alert them to the fact that this is largely a ruse to disguise the fact that he's one of the shrewdest agents in Orzammar. The notes suggest that he is eager to extract even more money out of the Inquisition, not offer them a sweet discount.

In Orzammar, Varnar is everywhere and nowhere. Fellow members of his house are vague about where he might be found--eating, drinking, sleeping, just here a moment ago. It takes nearly the whole time they're in Orzammar for the party to find him--and really, it's him who finds them.

In a passageway while they're walking between one point and another, a stout dwarf comes stumbling along with his head bent. He is carrying a loaf of bread under one arm, a large leather-bound book under his other arm, and a lit torch in his right hand--and he is not looking where he's going, which means he runs straight into whoever is leading the way.

With a startled cry, he springs back and drops everything he's carrying.]

Stones! Oh-- your pardon, your pardon, I didn't see--

[The torch hits the floor but does not go out. The flickering light casts crazy shadows everywhere. The book hits like a weight. The bread strikes stone softly, scattering crumbs. It's the last of these that Varnar goes for first, as he digs a stained handkerchief out of the front of his vest and mops at his shiny forehead.]

By the Stone! I didn't see you lot there! Came sneaking up nearly out of nowhere--if I've damaged anything, you must send the bill to me. Ask anyone in Orzammar and they'll point you to me. Varmar Darmold is the name--

[lyriumcarved]

[By chance, it happens that Fenris is in the front of the group at the very moment the dwarf comes obliviously along. He gives an astonished cry, startled by the random collision. It's no harm done, of course, but still... Still. They've finally found the man they've been looking for.]

[About time.]

[Chasing this dwarf down has been an exercise in futility. Fenris has had half a mind to suggest they give up this useless chase, but here he is. He bends down to retrieve the torch and book. The words on its cover aren't entirely familiar to him... he still has much to learn. Though he does give it a curious second glance before offering it to Varnar.]

Nothing is damaged, and that won't be necessary... although we wouldn't mind having a word with you instead.