FIRSTFALL RIFTER ARRIVAL

[faderifting]

WHO: New rifters & their rescuers
WHAT: People fall out of a rift and get attacked by stuff, as usual.
WHEN: Firstfall/November 14
WHERE: Somewhere a ways off the Imperial Highway between Cumberland and Nevarra City
NOTES: This arrival log is open to all. Solas was able to alert the Inquisition to the general area where the new rifters would be arriving so people can pick them up. Rifters can then either continue on with the main Inquisition caravan to Nevarra City or be escorted back to Kirkwall.

You were asleep--deeply or fitfully, for the last time or just resting your eyes for a moment-- and then you were not. And wherever you were was not, anymore, replaced by nothing but the sensation of falling, tumbling into endless, bottomless nothing. If this were still a dream, you would wake before you hit the ground. You can't die in a dream, they say. In some worlds.

In this world, when the afterimage left by a flare of too-bright, greenish light fades, you will find yourself landing with a wet smack. There is no avoiding the mud: this rift has opened up in the center of some unfortunate farmer's field, and all his hard work plowing and manuring has now been ruined, first by the rain that has churned it into a thick and especially fragrant muck and then by the arrival the rift itself, splitting the air mid-field and making it impossible to safely plant. And now, of course, there's you as well, tumbling out of the Fade and into the shin-deep mud.

The cluster of demons emerging from the rift seem at odds with the setting, strange stark shapes in this empty space, standing out against the grey sky. Some are tall, spindly stick-things with too many eyes who seem like they should tumble down the hill in a tangle of limbs but instead sink into the snow to anchor themselves and use the long reach of their arms to attack. Some are hunched and hooded with no eyes at all, others mere wisps of greenish light that float over the icy ground. None look friendly or familiar. Also unfamiliar is the narrow splinter of light the same sickly green as whatever brought you here that now glows out of the palm of your left hand. It aches, a bone-deep pain that gnaws even through all the distractions.

All around is more fields, except for an abandoned farmhouse a ways off, beside a windbreak of spindly trees topping a low ridge before the next stretch of pasture. As you find your feet, you may catch sight of a handful of figures in the distance, exiting the farmhouse and hurrying away over the hill. If anyone ventures to the farmhouse, they will find the remains of a camp, and may be able to locate a dropped notebook or what looks like pieces of some unknown scientific instrument, apparently broken in the rush to leave.

Comments

[seawanderer]

[...He is so doomed, isn't he?]

Were I to even think of forgetting, I expect I would have you there to remind me.

[tar_minyatur]

[ From the day he took them with him. Yep. >3 ]

You know me well!

[seawanderer]

[He sighs, feigning sorrow and more regret than even he really has.]

Unfortunately.

[tar_minyatur]

I am so glad we have an understanding. [ He says smugly and leans against him again ]

[seawanderer]

[Maglor curls an arm around him with a soft hum.]

Come along, as much as I enjoy sparring with you, yonya, we should find answers.

[tar_minyatur]

[ Internal fistpump ]

Mm, this definitely is not where I was before, and I would warrant it isn't where you were either.

[ He hugs back and then tugs Maglor ]

Why don't we see if we can find someone to ask?

[seawanderer]

[Shameless imp!]

Indeed not, for I was in the Grey Havens. [Let Elros think what he wills of that!

Maglor obeys the tug, planning to stick close to his foster son as long as he can.]

You lead, I won't stray.

[tar_minyatur]

[ The most! ]

You are finally sailing? About time.

[seawanderer]

I...Maybe...? [Maglor hedges, uncertain. Elros sounds so happy at the thought of him sailing...]

I was only watching the ships sail, Elros...

[tar_minyatur]

[ That gets a scowl and Elros thumps him ]

You had better stop just watching and get on the ship when you get back. Elrond will need you.

[seawanderer]

[Ow? But he deserves every single punch and doesn't protest.]

No he won't. He's going where he is safe. I will stay behind to watch after his children.

[tar_minyatur]

[ Elros whirls on him, eyes flashing ]

Don't you dare. Of course he needs you. I need you! You are the closet thing we had to a father damnit Maglor! Don't you dare punish us by refusing to at least go to my brother so he doesn't have to lose you too!

[seawanderer]

[Maglor stops too, staring sadly at this bright child he'd stolen the joy to raise.]

...I cannot change what I have and have not done. But I could not, I cannot take the chance that by stepping foot in a ship it would sink. Not with Elrond's life in potential danger. I love you both too much to chance it.

[tar_minyatur]

Fine then don't get on his boat, but don't you dare stay away. Get on any boat. But damnit, Maglor, my brother has lost almost everyone - don't you be one of those missing people too!

[seawanderer]

[Technically he could just walk into the sea and drown and the result would be the same :D]

Elros...I cannot promise, however much either of us may wish I could.

[tar_minyatur]

[ If he finds out you did anything so stupid he will come back to life to murder you himself ]

Does it look like I care? Promise me you'll go to him. By ship.

[seawanderer]

[Ok so he'll go do that so you have to come back :D]

So you would have me try, only to drown and fail?

[tar_minyatur]

[ That is not what he meant you bastard does he have to speak to Ulmo about this! ]

You are not going to drown and fail if I have to spend the entirety of my reign yelling at Ulmo about it myself.

[seawanderer]

[NO! Fear spikes through him and Maglor stares at Elros in akin to horror.]

You cannot! Elros please, do not do such a thing!

[tar_minyatur]

[ Elros crosses his arms and glares back ]

You can't stop me. And Ulmo likes us, anyway. He owes us.

[seawanderer]

That way of thinking won't help you.

[tar_minyatur]

But it might help you.

[seawanderer]

It is more likely to end with me drowning if I attempt to cross his waters.

[tar_minyatur]

If he does I will come back and yell at him myself, if Elrond doesn't beat me too it. They owe us. [ Elros snarls ]

They won't touch you if they know what's good for them.

[seawanderer]

[He reaches out suddenly to pull Elros close for a tight hug, more desperate than anything else.]

Be careful if you insist on this...You are too dear to me, Elros. And that is a danger in itself.