Phylactery Shenanigans

[circleprodigy]

WHO: Inessa (and Garahel), open to anyone else
WHAT: Suffering various spells, some with area of effect consequences.
WHEN: Over the next several days
WHERE: All over the Gallows
NOTES: OOC notes, CW for mage torture.

Library

Inessa is at her usual spot, books piled up around her table and Garahel curled up on the floor as she reads. It's a typical day, all things considered...at least until a certain point mid-afternoon. She had just stood up, deciding it was time for tea break in her office, when a wave of fatigue overcomes her and she abruptly slumps to the ground. Garahel, in the process of awakening when he heard her stand, falls back into slumber before he can so much as bark. Anyone nearby? Potentially have a sudden nap, as well.

Communal baths

A weary Inessa sinks into the water of the Templar tower baths, feeling the need for such relaxation more than ever. She leans back against the edge and closes her eyes, letting out a sign of contentment as she soaks up to her chin in the heated water. All is quiet for a while, but peace is abruptly shattered when a cone of lightning rips through the area, the water serving as an excellent means to conduct it throughout the bath. Inessa's eyes snap open as she screams, and for a moment nothing exists in her world but pain.

Central Chapel

Checking to see that it's unoccupied, Inessa quietly enters the chapel and takes a seat. That she does so mid-day is unusual; the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning are more likely to find her there, when she's unable to sleep. However, that need for solace has grown recently. Maybe a few moments here will give her the courage to face the rest of the day, whatever it brings.

She tries to clear her mind, on the verge of succeeding when a cloud of dark energy suddenly expands, blanketing the area. Garahel, seated on the floor by her side, barks in alarm but she barely hears him, overcome by the oppressive weight of the cloud and how it seems to sap the strength right out of her. It takes more than her own strength to fight it and she finds herself unable to move.


Rifts and the Veil office

The day is nearly done and Inessa is collecting her things, nudging Garahel with her foot. It's time to head downstairs for a meal before returning to her quarters, or at least that's the plan. When she hears a knock on her door, the Warden mage perks up and glances over the the door, raising her voice as she lifts her satchel from the back of her desk chair. "Enter." She can certainly take a minute, if it's important.

The moment the door opens, a deafening explosion rips through the office. Inessa is thrown clear off her feet, narrowly missing the chair but slamming against a bookcase as she rolls to avert it. Garahel, reacting quickly, yelps in pain as he tries to shield her from the flames. The singed mabari barks for help; maybe the person who opened the door is better off, or someone down the hall heard them?

Courtyard

Given the incidents that have been occuring, Inessa has tried her best to avoid the courtyard, especially during the busier hours. The magic leveled at her has become increasingly dangerous, after all, and getting others caught up in another blast of whatever isn't something she wants on her conscience. Nevertheless, it's not completely avoidable and during those times she's still not free from what plagues her.

At one point, she's passing through when a violent quake ripples through the area. Crying out, she slips and falls to the ground while Garahel likewise loses his footing. He growls, but that doesn't stop the ground from trembling and knocking them prone when she tries to move again. Deciding to stay put and hope it passes soon, Inessa crouches and glances around desperately just in case someone else is caught up in this as well.

At least at one point, it's not magic that can harm anyone else. She's the sole target, though that's little comfort when she's suddenly trapped in a collapsing cage of telekinetic force, unable to scream or even move as the pressure creates waves of pain throughout her body. Garahel whines loudly, hoping to draw the attention of anyone who can help.

Comments

{ rifts and the veil office }

[aceso]

With Rifters fading away, all the healers and researchers have their work cut out for them, and whatever is happening to the mages has to be put on hold for now. That only gives more time for conditions to worsen. Since she hasn't been exactly forthcoming about her condition to most, Christine turns to one of the people who can relate to what she's going through, to see if she's experiencing worse too.

When the door is opened, Christine cries out and drops to the ground, gripping the door frame with one hand as the other reaches out, ready to cast. The flames seemed to flare up, then vanish, so she scrambles to her feet, heading to the bookcase as her eyes glow blue.

"I will fix this. Hold still." Whatever injuries Inessa may have suffered, Christine is here to heal them, and Garahel's singes too.

[circleprodigy]

For a moment, all Inessa can register is the ringing in her ears and the sharp ache centered on her sides and shoulder, every breath prompting more pain. Her unfocused gaze begins to clear as she realizes Christine's above her, that soothing energy seeping into her battered body. Her breathing comes easier, and she begins to regain some sense of her surroundings as an appreciative Garahel licks Christine's hand and then Inessa's cheek.

"I...Christine?" She tries to sit up, the mabari nosing under her arm to support one side.

[aceso]

"Yes," she answers gently, still working on Inessa until she's sure the woman is in stable condition. Then she turns to Garahel to check and see if the flames hit any skin, or if only his fur was hit.

"I--" Christine falters, before looking at her friend with a devastated look. "I believe I must have caused this. When I opened the door, it was like a spell was cast. Fireball, I think. I swear it did not come from my hands, but it seems to make no difference with my phylactery being used."

[circleprodigy]

"Maker, my ears are still ringing...." Brushing her hair back -burnt hair is all she'll be able to smell for a while- she looks past Christine to the singed carpet and squints, trying to wave away the wafts of smoke. From the scorch marks left behind, closer to her desk, she...can't be certain. Fireball is a spell that can be cast at range, so it really could have been cast through either of their phylacteries.

"...maybe? It's hard to tell. But I know you wouldn't have, if you'd had any control. Likewise with me." She turns her attention to the mabari and strokes his head gently. "My poor boy. I'm so sorry you were caught in that." Garahel's skin is a bit singed, near his nose, on an ear and on a paw that he lifts up for Christine to examine. He lets out a soft whine, all tense and alert for worse trouble.

[aceso]

Taking the dog paw in hand, Christine is quick to heal the skin back up both there and the other singed places. When her eyes stop glowing, she reaches out, wrapping arms around Garahel in a hug before kissing the top of his head. It's an image she never would have made two years ago, but things change and Garahel is her favorite dog after her own. It's also an exclusive club, because she's still not very fond of dogs beyond these two exceptions.

"In either case, things are becoming worse. It is why I came to see you. I know we must cure the Rifters first, but I came to see if any plans are being made to find our phylacteries yet."

Baths

[doneisdone]

It's late, and almost no one is here, which explains Teren's presence. Operating under the assumption for the past twenty or so minutes that she was the only one here, she's given quite a fright by the violent, electric popping sound accompanied by a shriek; wrapping a robe quickly around herself, she hurries to the source and is sickened by what she sees.

Teren's first instinct is to haul Inessa out of the water, resulting in a nasty secondhand shock via the charge in the little elf's body, but she weathers it with a grunt and deposits Inessa on the floor. There she begins to pump at the girl's chest, staring fixedly into her eyes, waiting for a sign of life, breathing shallowly herself and significantly more frightened than she's been in recent memory.

[circleprodigy]

At first Inessa is inert, but Teren's efforts begin to pay off. The small elf snaps back to the world of the conscious with a pained, gasp, chest heaving as she coughs up the small portion of water swallowed when the blast hit. Her eyelids feel heavier than they ever have, but she forces them open a bit, still working on focusing them. Her voice is little more than a strained croak.

"...hurts...." Everything hurts and any healing on her part will have to wait until her head stops swimming.

[doneisdone]

Teren pauses and sits back when Inessa vomits the water, then immediately leans forward again to quiet her, afraid the elf will tax herself in trying to speak.
"Hush now, my girl," Teren says in a too-quiet, steadying voice, looking around quickly before finally spotting a towel she can use to wrap Inessa. There may not be time to wait for a healer, she'll have to carry her and won't have her catching her death out in the cold.
It was so recently that she was helping Inessa to the tower from the courtyard, and Teren curses herself for still not being as strong as necessary, though she is able to get a grip on her and heft the girl partially over her shoulder. "Where's that mutt of yours," she whispers, taking one shaky, plodding step at a time.

[circleprodigy]

"...Ciri." Inessa left Garahel with Ciri, not wanting to take him into the baths or be left to his own devices outside them. She's regretting that a little now, not wanting to make this more difficult for Teren. At least her slight form makes it easier than it otherwise would be, but she can't really offer assistance at the moment.

[mactears]

Teren isn't the only one who heard the scream.

Moments later the door bursts open as Loghain comes into the baths, looking far more prepared for a fight than anyone ought to be given the setting, but he stops, startled, by the sight that greets him; Inessa, obviously in some distress, with Teren beside her. It doesn't take him long to at least deduce that Teren needs some assistance.

"Here," he says to her quickly and comes over to ease Inessa's other arm over his shoulder, and get a grip around the small girl's waist. "Let me help. What happened here?"

courtyard

[ichaer]

"Nessa!"

It doesn't more than a moment for Ciri to realize something is amiss. One moment, she is raising her hand in greeting toward her friend and the next she is sprinting toward her as Inessa's face contorts in pain. Everything is forgotten as she sprints down into the courtyard, nearly knocking another agent over and ducking under the arms of another maid carrying laundry inside. Honestly it would almost be funny if Inessa wasn't in danger but she can't even think about that as she nearly slides toward her friend, reaching for her and face twisted in worry.

"Inessa," she mumbles unsure. She's scared, so scared of hurting her more. "Nessa, hang on. I'll get help so just hang on."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa can't move, can't speak, only twitch mid-air as the force of the spell presses down on her body. Her eyes have a desperate cast, though, as Garahel paces and whines next to Ciri. He looks up hopefully as she mentions getting help, tail wagging. Yes, please. He's not budging by Inessa's side while the spell persists, however.

[ichaer]

"Shit, shit— Anders!"

Although she hollers back toward the Gallows proper, her crystal is in hand and visibly shaking as she tries to get a grip on everything. Her heart is racing a mile a minute and she's not even the one being attacked. Still the fact that Nessa was being attacked is enough to put her into a state of panic.

"I need you in the Courtyard!" She calls, voice fall into a full panic. "Please. There's something... fuck, I don't know— there's something hurting Inessa!"

[justice_is_blond]

"I'm on my way," is the prompt reply.

'Something' means at least it's probably not elemental or primal, but there are still a lot of possibilities that can do a lot of damage. He's there in minutes, bags under his eyes and hair a mess.

"Describe what you observed," he instructs as he begins to cast. It's not absolutely necessary, but being able to seemingly help tends to calm down people who care about the injured party.

[circleprodigy]

Garahel barks when Anders appears, watching him hopefully as he begins to use magic. Make this go away, friend? Inessa can't comment on any of this, of course, but given the circumstances, it's safe to say she feels exactly the same. Every moment is pure agony.

Office

[unshadowing]

Just when Carver thinks everything's finally calming down.

He's walking back from an entirely different office, releasing himself from the temporary duties he'd taken on in the Forces division during the illness that spread about the Rifters and templars. Relaxed and off guard, he regrets that stance when the explosion hits and he nearly jumps out of skin in surprise. He immediately gets down on the floor, hands braced and ready. As he looks around, he slowly begins to get up and move, hand drifting towards his sword as he searches for the source.

When he comes upon Inessa's office door, smelling the acrid stench of smoke and something burning, he starts for it. Garahel's worried barks spur him on quicker as he steps inside. "Inessa?" He fans the smoke away from his face, coughing as he avoids the flames. "Shit - you all right? Garahel?"

[circleprodigy]

Garahel whines, a bit singed in places and rather tense besides. That fireball didn't just catch Carver off-guard. Inessa doesn't immediately respond, laying on the ground near the bookcase that she'd just slammed against. She winces and coughing, trying to wave away the smoke as she struggles to get up.

"...Carver?" She squints, trying to focus her eyes, then she catches sight of the flames on the carpet and books. Her eyes widen as she moves to stand, swaying in the process. Her ears are still bringing from the blast, but that's less important to her than the fact that her office is on fire in places.

[unshadowing]

With both of them having responded, Carver moves, grabbing a nearby blanket/towel/whatever the heck she has in her office and uses it to smother one of the fires. "Yeah, it's me. Maker's blood, what happened?"

[circleprodigy]

"It wasn't me! Not exactly--"

The rest can wait. Inessa gestures for Garahel to stay back, and begins summoning a blizzard. The forming clouds, cold winds and ice ought to put out most of flames, whatever Carver's not reaching. It's a dramatic response, but an effective one. She'll dwell on how to fix the utter mess later on.

[unshadowing]

It's rather painful, going from blazing hot to icy cold in such a short span of time. Carver grimaces, but endures as the blizzard spell puts out the rest of the fires. Once they're out, he tosses what he was using down and gives her a puzzled look. "Not you, exactly? Care to explain?"

courtyard

[lyriumcarved]

Fenris has just had Enough. He's so done with everything, after the past few weeks. At least his own issues have cleared up now, the itching and additional discomfort abating readily. It's just the pain that he's used to at this point. This also means the end of that quarantine, so he doesn't have to hole up in his mansion, irrationally afraid of being caught and trapped somewhere else unwillingly. He'd almost been entertaining the idea of outright leaving Kirkwall, but it hadn't come to that.

So when the earth starts shaking, he's so not up for dealing with it. "What is the meaning of-" He breaks off, as he stumbles and finally drops to a crouch until the quake passes. "Who's responsible for- Inessa?!"

The earthquake may have passed, but when he hears Garahel and realizes he's not alone, he figures out that something more is amiss than he'd thought. He hurries toward her to see what he can do.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa sits up again when she's certain the quake has passed, wearily pulling herself back up to her feet with some assistance from Garahel. The mabari looks up hopefully at Fenris, letting out a soft whine before she pats her companion's head.

"...that wasn't exactly subtle, was it?" She sighs, brushing back a stray strand of her hair. "I suppose there's no point in hiding it any longer. Someone has my phylactery; I don't know their identities, only that they seem capable of a wide range of effects, both Templar and mage-based. At this rate, I'll have to leave of face inadvertent harm to civilians...and doubtless they want this."

[lyriumcarved]

He heads over to do what he can to help her up, watching her with concern, frowning a little as she explains what's been happening.

"Then... it's entirely unrelated to what's been happening all along?" That's... certainly a rough deal, it's like the Inquisition in general can't catch a break, with one thing after another happening like this. "Magic yet again doesn't stop having its downfalls. Is there any way to disconnect yourself from it? Or do you have to physically take it back?" He doesn't know enough about how such things function, not entirely, so he has to ask.

[circleprodigy]

His assistance is appreciated and she murmurs a quiet thank you, Garahel padding over to lick his hand afterward. Hi, buddy.

"The latter, I think. I acquired a rune to ward against blood magic, but phylacteries must be different enough for it to offer no real protection. Who would have it now, I'm not certain...but I don't think we can narrow this down to Corypheus or his allies. It could just as well be rogue Templars or Seekers, Loyalist fanatics...." The list goes on and on, and she sighs, her head hurting just thinking about it.

[lyriumcarved]

He first ensures that Inessa is steady enough, before turning his attention toward Garahel, reaching down to pet him in return. These may not be the best of circumstances, but the mabari's presence certainly helps lighten the mood for the moment.

"There's nothing that blood magic hasn't ruined in some way... I wouldn't put it past any of the groups you mentioned." Which is pretty horrible to think about... but it's true, there are indeed others who aren't mages, who are just as terrible as the worst mages could be. "Is there any way to track their location?"