Open!

[dragoon_pride]

WHO: Kain and OPEN
WHAT: Getting used to things at Skyhold, preparing for the upcoming mission
WHEN: Between returning from the Mire and leaving on the war table mission
WHERE: Training grounds, and generally around Skyhold
NOTES: Content warning: Kain's sense of fashion.

Training Grounds

Of course, one of the first places that Kain checks out in Skyhold is the training grounds. Anything else can wait, it's more important for him to be at his best... especially with what they're facing here. He's still getting used to everything, coming to terms with the gods' war being over for him, and with the fact that it hadn't been the end he'd expected.

So Kain can be seen practicing with his spear, slicing up targets with the well-practiced ease of a skilled warrior. Every so often he throws in something probably a lot less... expected... like a mighty Jump or a blast of Cyclone. He's intent on what he's doing, but definitely open to sparring should anyone be around.

Around Skyhold

To go along on this mission, he's got to blend in. Which means that, unfortunately, it really isn't such a great idea to wear his typical dragoon gear out there. Way too noticeable for someone posing as a hunter.

He's somehow thrown together an especially garish combination of colors and patterns for his current attempt at "blending in". There's plaidweave of course, so much plaidweave, along with ring velvet, silk, ram leather... The whole thing isn't exactly... the greatest combination of patterns and colors (but since when has Kain known how to dress aside from armor?).

He doesn't seem to notice anything amiss as he explores the area some more. There are two main places he's most likely to be run into: He's especially fond of walking high along the castle battlements and towers, where he spends a lot of time. But he will also take a break for a drink later on in the tavern as well.

Comments

[dragoon_pride]

It does tell him some more information about the whole thing. The mages he's talked to made it sound like the Circles were a terrible thing, and yet the Templars seem to feel much the opposite. He can't help but think of home, and the mages he's known. He wouldn't want Rosa to be locked away in some Circle... but he certainly would want her to have the right sort of training... But then, in his world mages don't have to fear demons in the same way as here.

"That explains it... with such power, mages ought to understand and take caution with their capabilities... but the Templars shouldn't treat them like prisoners, either. This is the reason for all of the recent conflict, right? I've heard some about a war, and Circles disbanding...?"

[amygdalae]

"Those are the basics," Bruce confirmed with a nod, "The mages in the Circle decided to push for their own freedom for a life outside of the Circles, and the Templars reacted accordingly."

Of course, Bruce wasn't exactly clear on the specifics of that, since he didn't really quite keep up during his time on the run, but he understood enough to make something of an educated guess.

[dragoon_pride]

“Now we’re in the aftermath of that war? The way some talk, it seems almost as if it’s still ongoing in a way… They’ve found no resolution so far?”

Kain has to wonder about it, the whole idea still seems so strange to him. He couldn’t imagine Rosa being cloistered away somewhere, and wouldn’t want that, but if falling prey to demons were a threat… well… He knows what Cecil might think, as far as protecting her. But he knows what Rosa probably would think too, and it wouldn’t be staying back in “safety” for her supposed own good.

[amygdalae]

This time Bruce shook his head, again confirming the Rifter's thoughts. "If anything, its only gotten worse since the explosion at the Conclave. Though we do have a better idea now who did it some people still blame mages for what happened, and they lash back out accordingly."

It was a bitter, vicious, cycle, and one that wouldn't really stop until something truly did change - but for better or for worse Bruce couldn't say. Only time itself would be able to tell.

[dragoon_pride]

"People are often slow to change... and when they get stuck in a cycle of sorts, it's difficult to get them out." In more ways than one, he thinks, considering the literal cycles of war. But still. He's seen... similar, but obviously also different, on his own world. "So that explosion I've heard about... it wasn't mages to blame after all?" Again, it's mostly just rumors here and there he's picked up on, things which he hasn't had time to really piece together. It sounded like it sparked all of the rebelling and so on, but there's apparently more to it than that.

[amygdalae]

The explosion... the one at the Conclave? That was the more recent one after all, so Bruce assumed that was what the Rifter was speaking of.

"It's hard to say, exactly. Corypheus might be the one responsible, but he is a mage in his own right." In that was it would be inaccurate to say that it wasn't the fault of mages, but in context that wasn't right either. "I suppose the best way to put it is that the explosion at the Conclave had nothing to do with the conflict." But its effects, of course, were far too prominent and far-reaching.

[dragoon_pride]

It’s good information to know, and he nods, interested. There’s a lot he’s still learning about… well, everything, including this world and various explosions.

“Corypheus… I’ve heard that name a great deal, as the one to blame for all of this. Is there no reason why we cannot make a more direct attack upon him? Is he impossible to reach? Surely everyone has a weakness…” It’s typical Kain-logic to want to turn it into some sort of battle, wage war, but that’s how he operates. There have to be reasons why such a direct approach won’t work, though.

[amygdalae]

Bruce did his best not to make a face at the question of a direct attack. He wasn't a fan of fighting, generally, though he does understand the necessity of it - not that it made things easier. But besides that, there were reasons why a direct attack was not favorable.

"For one, he has forces that are much larger and more powerful than what we have right now." The Venatori and the Red Templars were the proof of that, along with that giant dragon. "Secondly... there's not much information about him. It makes it hard to do anything." All everyone really knew was that his name was from one of the magisters in Tevinter than once entered the Golden City, but until then most had assumed that to be nothing more than a myth. The fact that it could be real, now, was pretty unsettling.

[dragoon_pride]

That’s… definitely not encouraging, even though they’ve been building their forces, it’s seemingly still not enough. Not knowing too much about him is also a bit of an issue. It’s a lot more complicated than he’d have thought.

“Then it sounds as if we must gather more information on him… and that we have a great deal to accomplish before we can take that action. I only hope we’re able to find out what we need to in order to destroy him before he does something truly catastrophic.” After all, in his experience these powerful evil sorts tend to be a really awful threat to the world.

[amygdalae]

"That's what the Inquisition is for." Sure, information and gathering more manpower is something that's going to be important, but as they do that they can still try their best to stop the threat of Corypheus from spreading too far out. "Everyone's doing their best to help, regardless of all that's happened."

That's something, at least, that Bruce can believe in quite a bit. For all of everyone's conflicts and disagreements, everyone could at least see the necessity of having a Thedas that still stands and not destroyed. After all if there was no Thedas, then there'd be no grounds to even fight on in the first place.

[dragoon_pride]

“That’s good to hear. I’m still learning about this world, but… I hope that all of the other conflicts can be set aside in order to defeat this ultimate threat.” That does seem to be what the Inquisition is trying to do, at least, from what he can tell. “I’ve battled adversaries before of a similar nature… it’ll surely take all of our combined strength to end this, when the time comes.”

It’s not his world and probably not his fight, but it’s becoming that way already anyway. In true Kain fashion he can’t just let this go without a fight.

[amygdalae]

Given the fact that if Corypheus succeeds there wouldn't be a Thedas any longer, Bruce was pretty sure that most people were at least willing to put aside their differences for this. After all, if there was no more Thedas a good number of people's problems really wasn't going to be applicable any more.

"I'm sure most have seen the necessity for it," he went with a small nod. "We may all have our opinions, but we all live in the same place."

[dragoon_pride]

That’s good to know. He hasn’t yet found out a whole lot aside from things he’s hearing here and there… but this helps, knowing that they’re well-focused on the task at hand.

“Good. It seems that those of us who arrived here were fortunate to end up here as well. I may not have any sort of stake in your world’s political issues… but… the battle of good against evil is a pretty universal one. A cause worth adopting.” It may not be his own world to be saved this time, but it wasn’t during the gods’ war either. He’ll fight with all he has for it. Taking some sort of cause on like this is good for him, besides. It gives him a direction.

[amygdalae]

Bruce personally wasn't too sure if he could count any of the Rifer's circumstances being 'fortunate', but he could see where the other was getting at. At least with the Inquisition there was a sense of security instead of being lost in the foreign world they had been abruptly thrown into.

"I'm sure many feel the same way, too." Or else they wouldn't even be here at all, in his opinion. As shaky as the Inquisition's initial days were now they did have a cause that was worthy to many, and perhaps that was the most important thing.

[dragoon_pride]

That’s how it feels to Kain, anyway, for sure. He could have gotten by in some random wilderness, and he’d probably be happiest on a remote mountain dealing with dragons. But even that would have left him without a true purpose to set his energy on.

“At least it seems like most of those here are capable warriors knights or mages or otherwise… that’s also a stroke of fortune for the Inquisition’s sake. I’ve not met anyone lacking in skills yet, anyway.” Maybe that’s strange. Maybe it means there’s no coincidences here. But everyone he’s talked to pretty much have made him dismiss the idea of any gods pulling them here on purpose.

[amygdalae]

"Most people are aware what the Inquisition's goal is, so it's not entirely surprising." Of course there were still refugees, but a good number of them did have the skills to join too - although honestly any little bit helped. "As I've said, everyone does their part to help out in the group in whatever way that they can."

[dragoon_pride]

Which is good, that he’s ended up here in the midst of a bunch of forces already gathered, already set to their purpose. All that must be done is join in their fight. “I suppose it won’t do to become too overconfident… but it sounds like we have a lot going for us… perhaps what it will take to succeed in time. Though it always seems that when you conquer one enemy, there’s always something else to deal with…”

He can see a place for this Inquisition for a long time to come.

[amygdalae]

Bruce nodded to the words, easily agreeing to them - if the Inquisition did ever become complacent then that's where the failures would begin. That was something to indeed keep in mind.

"I'm sure we'll cross that bridge when it comes," is all that he said. No point thinking about that now when there was a more immediate threat to address.

[dragoon_pride]

"A good way to approach it. For now, we focus on what's in front of us... whatever that may entail." Kain isn't too sure what to expect, being so new to the world and its ways, but everything he's heard tells him it isn't good. There will be many battles ahead, he has no doubt.

[amygdalae]

Another nod, and then Bruce finally looked back down to his cauldron, seeing that the concoction was finally done and quickly took it off the fire to let it cool.

"There are a lot of good people here. Whatever it is, I'm sure they can pull through." He says as he goes about putting out the flames, tossing some sand he had brought with him into the open fire in order to smother it out.

[dragoon_pride]

It looks like any other potion even from home, for all Kain knows it could be anything. He vaguely wonders if potions have the same flavor as the ones he's used to... and thinks he'll probably find out soon enough, next time he gets into a tough battle.

"I'm sure they can. I'm looking forward to getting out there in combat along with them. There's no better way to get to know someone..."

[amygdalae]

"I'm certain you'll get your chance soon enough." Bruce himself wasn't a fighter but many others in the Inquisition was one in some fashion or other, and the Rifters had proven themselves helpful in their current situation. He was pretty sure that this one and the others would be taken well enough.

[dragoon_pride]

"I'm looking forward to it. I suppose I have the training grounds for the time being, to hold me over." He'll have to head there next, he thinks, get some time in training before the end of the day. Though that really can only hold him over for so long... he definitely will be looking for a new challenge soon.

we can wrap this up soon? :o

[amygdalae]

"That seems like a viable option." There never really seemed to be an end to the people at the training grounds anyway, so Bruce was pretty sure that the Rifter would be able to find somebody that would be willing to spar with him or whatever it was that the other wanted.

yep that works for me!

[dragoon_pride]

"It does. I wish you well with your potion-making... I've no doubt we'll be seeing one another around." Especially since this will be a regular place for Kain to wander. That and he'll definitely be in need of stocking up sometime, before he heads out.