WINTERMARCH RIFTER ARRIVAL

[faderifting]

WHO: New rifters & their rescuers
WHAT: People fall out of a rift and get attacked by stuff. This time, not everyone makes it.
WHEN: Wintermarch 11
WHERE: The foothills of the Vinmark mountains, somewhere between Ostwick and Markham.
NOTES: The arrival log is open to all. Solas was (as always) able to alert the Inquisition to the general area where the new rifters would be arriving so people could be sent to pick them up.

I. ARRIVAL

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, you wake with a jolt when you hit the ground, though at least it's reasonably soft. You tumble down onto a grassy knoll, a grey and chilly day in a piece of countryside that would be entirely unremarkable were it not for the rift that brought you here, and you, and the other beings that have accompanied you. There are other people finding their feet after a similarly sprawling exit, and there's a monstrous, horned beast with too many eyes and electricity rippling down its arms, tall, spindly creatures with gasping mouths and too many eye sockets that immediately advance on you and the people lying around you, and beyond them, flickering, ghostly wraiths that begin to throw bursts of green magic that saps anyone hit of energy and strength.

If that all weren't enough there's also a narrow splinter of light in the same sickly green as whatever brought you here, now glowing out of the palm of your left hand. It aches, a bone-deep pain that gnaws even through all the distractions. Given how many other things there are to take in, it may take some time for anyone to notice that one of the people to stumble out of the rift has not gotten back up. But nothing can be done for him until the demons are no longer trying to kill everyone present.

II. AFTERMATH

With the demons dispersed and the dust settled, there's time to regroup—for the new arrivals to collect their scattered belongings, for anyone who was injured to seek a healer or healing salves as needed, and to deal with the man still lying where he fell from the rift.

He isn't moving at all, in fact, just lying face down, and it's strangely difficult to focus on him. If you look away you may find your mind skimming over him entirely, no time at all required to simply forget that he's there until you look again or someone else calls your attention back to him. Which is especially strange because he should be a very striking fellow, extremely tall and quite broad, with gaudy gold and purple attire, some sort of robe fringed with fur that looks metallic but is soft to the touch. When he's turned over there's also the way his bangs and his eyebrows have been braided together into an elaborate netlike pattern over his forehead, which really ought to be more memorable. It's currently matted to clammy skin, as is all of his dark hair, drenched in droplets of bright pink sweat. His eyes are closed, and he will remain firmly unconscious despite your best efforts.

[ ooc | No attempts at healing the unconscious rifter, magical or otherwise, will have any visible effect. What's done with him is up to your characters. But we assume they'll bring him back with them instead of leaving him in the wilderness to die, so please make sure to let us know if that's not the case. The rifter is not an apped character or a canon character. We'll provide more information in a few days, but if you have questions in the meantime, you can ask here. ]

Comments

[extraverse]

Ignis follows most of that, and the things he doesn't quiet understand he can infer some meaning from just based on his own personal history. He isn't sure what a 'darkspawn' is or how it's different than a demon, but the word sounds like it can't be anything fun. The same could be said for 'Blights.'

"I can imagine," he answers though, because the idea that a country would have a terrible reputation based on their bad behavior is something he can relate to very easily. "Despite the fact that it sounds so foreign."

"On Eos, magic is the domain of the royal family of Lucis and the bloodline of the Oracle. It was a gift to those two families from the Six to help them battle daemons and the Starscourge. For us, magic is a symbol of hope."

[circleprodigy]

The tea soothes and revitalizes her as she listens, responding with genuine interest at the completely different roles and perspectives magic has in their worlds.

"So, it serves a rather heroic purpose? And no one fears two bloodlines containing such power? It's difficult to imagine power that doesn't have fear accompanying it on some level, at least in regards to Thedas. Even if possession wasn't an issue, I think it would remain."

[extraverse]

"Some do, certainly. Lucis has been at war for generations with the Empire of Niflheim and many see their motivations as centering around the Crystal that links to the power of kings," Ignis explained. "But the magic itself? No, I don't think many fear that. Some in Lucis even strive to gain magic as they train to join the King's closest ranks. It enables you to better protect your home and people."

[circleprodigy]

All that is very interesting, especially how Lucis doesn't seem to have followed in Tevinter's footsteps despite some interesting parallels. One thing in particular gets her attention, however.

"How does one gain magic?" As someone who lives in a world where that is always determined by birth, the idea is pretty foreign.

[extraverse]

"One would pledge loyalty to the King and then form a connection through him to the Crystal," Ignis replies, and then realizes that there is likely a lot there that needs to be explained.

"Though I'm afraid none of that is as simple as it sounds."