faderift | The Cult of Andraste

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The Cult of Andraste

WHO: Dorian, Maria, Nerva and Twisted Fate
WHAT: War Table Mission: The Cult of Andraste
WHEN: Forward dated to Haring 5th, over a period of at least 3 days
WHERE: The ruins of the ancient temple of Andraste
NOTES: see original mission outline above, linked in 'what'. likely to involve a lot of violence and bickering and since dorian is here, sass

[Prompt below is for initial meeting / heading out on the quest thread. We can start other threads as we need them for later parts of the mission.]

It came as something of a relief, when Nerva was finally given a mission outside of the castle grounds. Skyhold had been something of a shock, despite her thinking that she had prepared for it. But the way the mages lived and worked here was unnerving, and dangerous, but she and her fellow templars were far outnumbered. Being able to get out into the world, do some real good, was an intoxicating idea. She was even smiling - albeit a small one - as she checked over her equipment and the gear they would require for the journey. She'd come to the gates early, just to make sure she had a good idea of everything that would be needed, what they were missing, and what would have to be done without. It was little more than a glorified scouting mission, but for Nerva, an important one. The loss of her connection to the Chantry had been a heavy blow, and anything she could do to help restore some of that connection, even if only for herself...

Well. She would gladly do it.

So she was far more devoted to the mission than mere duty necessitated.

However, that was very likely to change, once she found out exactly who was on the mission with her...

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Exploring the temple

There was something innately heretical about knocking down walls of an ancient temple, but orders were orders. The whole of the structure would stand as it had for so long, only the already crumbling stone blocking alcoves or rotting wood of doors busted in by her shield. It wasn't the most glorious work, but it was better the mages saved their magic for further attacks.

From time to time she stops to take a rubbing of the old runes. She knew at least one researcher back at Skyhold that may find them of some interest.

Abandoned Camp

Someone else had been there, recently. Not so recent she was concerned about an attack, but Maria is still scowling as she confirms the ashes of the fire pit are no longer fresh. It certainly supported the idea the enemy had defiled the temple. Or, even if it had only been random thieves, it meant there would be fewer resources for the Inquisition left to find. Now it was just a matter of searching the left behind items to determine which group it had been. And why they had left so much behind.

Or talk to her whenever! Make your own adventure

In terms of company, he's determined that being around Maria is probably best. He still feels rather undecided in regard to the Tevinter mage, and he's already on difficult terms, so to speak, with Nerva. Maria seems to have a fine level head, and that's something he can respect.

As she works, Twisted Fate stands behind, working absently on his map.

"Does it bother you? Being here. Considering all that's happened." And who Maria is.

Her first response is just an appraising- and, yes, somewhat suspicious- look over her shoulder at him. A self-named 'Twisted Fate' that had entertained himself with sassing at the other Templar of the group on the way here. Difficult to know where a conversation started by him, no matter how apparently direct, may be intended to go. But for now Maria takes him at face value, relying after she's kicked out the last bit of rotten wood standing between her and her current goal.

"It bothers me more we weren't the first ones here. Does just where we are mean anything to you?"

It's an expression he's often received and more than used to -- and frankly, a wise one, in his viewpoint. Trust is a rare and precious thing, and he would be more concerned if she did so blindly, considering everything. Still, he waits patiently for her response, making a small note to himself on the map.

"Well, that's hardly a surprise, considering what happened at Haven. More than a few people probably used the tunnels, suffice it to say." Her question makes him shrug. "And not as much as it does others, I suspect. I'm interested to see if there's anything useful here, and that about sums it up for me."

"Do you follow the elven gods instead?"

There is, of course, a knee-jerk reaction to recognize Andraste as the correct religion, but of all the things to argue over that ranks low on the overall list. Still, she's honestly curious if the man has any kind of religion. Having different traditions she can at least understand, if not believe in them herself. Having no faith at all was a different matter entirely.

The question earns a wrinkle of his nose, but he seriously debates on how to answer her clearly. Eventually, he shrugs; there isn't any harm in being honest to a point, he supposes.

"Sometimes," Fate answers, his voice a fraction softer. "I'm a man of habit. Bit hard to lose that one, I'm afraid. Even if I wish I could."

As always, it's complicated. But she'd asked, and there it is.

"Please don't tell me you've chosen to believe in Fate itself instead."

Not with that name. But her tone is changing to a dry, couple possibly turn to amused one rather than flat out annoyed. She is generally interested in what the other members of the Inquisition actually believe.

That earns a sharp laugh from Twisted Fate, his grin wide and amused. He tips his hat back and looks at the templar.

"Maybe I believe the Maker makes Fate, therefore I believe in Fate." He chuckles. "Nah. If there's one thing I believe in, it's that you make your own luck. Everything else makes it hard to keep faith in certain things. Elven gods or otherwise."

"The world is such a terrible place?"

Punctuated by yet another but of rotten wood being kicked down- and a small cough following as dust blooms from the next room out of the freshly made hole. Even the cold couldn't stop all the antiquated shelves and jars from gathering dust.

"The world has its ups and downs, but I think I've seen enough questionable things to wonder if there's really a higher power out there. But then again, faith can do much to help someone, and I'm not far off from that either."

He shrugs. "It's a hard thing, isn't it? Surely you've had some doubts as well toward your Maker on occasion."

"The Maker's plan is more complicated than mortals can understand. Thankfully. If He were merely a man, I'd find it much harder to sleep at night."

And the first scrolls she touched turned to dust in her hand. Not a promising room. But you never knew. There may be some diamond in the rough.

"I'll start left, you start right."

It's briefly tempting to argue; complicated plans sounds like a cheap excuse, but then, he's a made who makes his own luck. He isn't here to debate religion, and he seriously doubts she's interested.

"At your order, then, madame. I'll keep my eyes peeled."

She gives him a small, slightly amused smirk before systematically going through her side. Nothing, nothing, a tiny scrap to be preserved, nothing. No matter how much nothing there may be, there was no excuse not to go over every inch as thoroughly as possible. It only took missing one important something to ruin a mission.

"Appreciated, soldier."

"Fresh, isn't it," Nerva said, frowning, as she watched Maria bend down over the fire. She made a rough click down with her tongue, scowling as she looked around them. It was hard to tell who it could have been - other than the fire, they'd left little behind. She shifted one of the burnt logs with the toe of her boot.

"Of course it is. Looters and scum."

"Not fresh enough. Trying to track them likely isn't worth the time."

Particularly as, though she's rather skilled at hunting down an individual mage hiding in populated areas, Maria has no real tracking ability of her own in terrain like this. Nor, she highly suspects, do any of the others.

She wipes her hand off on a pile of nearby snow, her own scowl still in place as she stands.

"But there may be some message or other left in their gear."

Nerva nodded in agreement as she immediately went to search what was left of the gear. She had no tracking ability either - though she was more familiar with the terrain, it simply wasn't her forte.

The first search turns up nothing and Nerva lets out a frustrated grunt before turning to the rest of it.

"They certainly left in a hurry," she grumbled under her breath.

"With any luck whatever they were running front took care of the lot for us."

Which meant there would be something for them, in turn, to fight instead. But she could use a good battle right about then. This entire mission had a way of putting her on edge.

"I would not put any faith in our luck," Nerva grumbled, but then turned her head to offer Maria something that was almost a hesitant smile. It had been a joke? Maybe.

"I'm afraid they've left little of use, however. A few supplies, a blanket--"

"And armor."

For a mage. She didn't say it, simply holding up the piece she'd found among the rubble.

"Of course that had mages. Nice to know at least one of them's undressed."

She was interested at the mention of armour, but as soon as she looked up and saw what kind, that interest turned to disgust.

"We should not be surprised. Who else would come to desecrate this place?" Beyond, of course, them. But that didn't count.

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The Cult of Andraste

Maria one on ones

explorin' the temple

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abandoned camp

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