Cloudreach 9:44 Rifter Arrival

[faderifting]

WHO: New rifters & their rescuers.
WHAT: Welcome to Thedas.
WHEN: Cloudreach 10, 9:44
WHERE: Amaranthine
NOTES: This is the arrival log for all new rifters, open also to current characters who would participate in their recovery. New players can also assume everyone survives and arrives back in Kirkwall within a couple of days, but please note there will be a brief quarantine period when they won't be permitted to leave the Gallows, to get them up to speed while ensuring they're not diseased or otherwise going to kill anyone, before they're set loose on the city.

You were asleep—whether deeply or fitfully, falling unconscious for the last time in a pool of blood 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 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, bathed in the light of a flare of too-bright, greenish light you will find yourself hitting mossy cobblestones with an unforgiving smack. You're alive, and you're fine, except for 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.

Above you is a shifting, crystalline tear in reality; beyond that, gray clouds and a sea breeze, framed by the high walls surrounding the city you've landed in. There are people on the walls, some of them armored and armed, all of them briefly and collectively paralyzed by the sight below.

Don't let their terror go to your head. It's not you that has them intimidated, nor is it any of the humans (or Qunari) who are sprawled out on the ground around you, nor is it the assortment of unfamiliar—to them, not to you, perhaps to you it's very familiar—junk that's spilled out as well, most notably some flaming metallic debris and a giant wooden cross.

It's the beings that are coming out after you, almost as if in pursuit. Two are drifting, spindly things with six spidery limbs in addition to grasping skeletal arms, eager to grab hold of anyone who comes too close and fill their field of vision with swirling darkness and corner-of-the-eye glimpses of whatever frightens them. Several more most closely resemble trees, perhaps, with half-melted squids for heads—which might not sound particularly scary, fine, but their ability to dive into the ground and resurface anywhere with rasping screams helps on that front.

All of these things would like to kill you, and the people around you, and the people on the walls, and perhaps the other people screaming and scurrying into taverns and shops for cover. But you're not alone. Out of those same taverns and shops come people who do seem to know what they're doing; many are wearing a symbol that looks a bit like a hairy eyeball being pieced through by a sword, and at least a couple of them seem to know what they're doing. Almost like they've been waiting for you. In fact, exactly like they've been waiting for you.

---

AFTERWARDS, the grateful citizens of the City of Amarenthine might provide a drink, a meal, or a place to tend to wounds before everyone sets back toward Kirkwall. It's not a long trip, but one that requires boarding a ship to cross a narrow sea. It will be a rough, stormy journey, but there won't be any demons.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Inessa responds to the glance with a slight nod, and Garahel happily sniffs at that hand before he lets out a contented rumble at the ear scritching. It takes so little to appease him, and Inessa can't deny her pup that as long as he behaves himself. At that question, she shakes her head.

"No. We're both natives to Thedas. During our time allied to the Inquisition, though, I've seen many others cross over from beyond the Fade. It's still a strange concept to swallow; other worlds, and people crossing into Thedas through the Fade. Until a few years ago, it would have been unthinkable."

[exascendee]

Daniel frowns, working on processing everything she's saying and putting them in context. His mind is not working as quickly as usual. Other worlds, that's nothing new to him.

"Alright, uh, two questions," he says, and he's just going to go ahead and sit down if you don't mind, because while he's not actively bleeding anymore, he's still pretty tired. "What's this Inquisition, and what's the Fade?"

Because anything called 'the Inquisition'? Historically pretty bad. And the way she's talking about the Fade, it makes it sound like it's more ubiquitous than the Stargate, which is how he's used to traveling places. And possibly also something that had a role previously, just from the way she phrases it being unthinkable.

[circleprodigy]

"Fair questions, though I'll warn you that the answers will undoubtedly spawn more. I'll attempt to do them justice, however. Would you care for some tea?" As Garahel sits on his hind legs, Inessa reaches over for her teapot. Even if Daniel declines, she'll pour some for herself. Explanations always seem to come easier over a hot cup.

"The Fade is -and I'm glossing over much here- a metaphysical realm which overlaps this one. Where mortals exist here, spirits -and demons- dwell in the Fade. Mortals only visit the latter through their souls...when they dream or when they die. That is how it seems you and others like you have arrived; you were asleep, weren't you? And when you awoke, you arrived here.

That is not a long-standing phenomenon; three years ago, an ancient being tore open the Veil -what separates the Fade from the physical world- and this world has never been the same since. There are many rifts, much like the one from which you have emerged, from which demons have emerged, ravaging this world. Many -not only rifters, but natives as well- were struck and now bear anchors, from which comes our only hope of sealing said rifts."

She pauses and tests her tea with a small sip, when it seems cool enough. "As for the Inquisition, it was an organization original founded for another purpose; to resolve the Mage-Templar War if the Conclave fell through. When said Conclave literally exploded -the event that created the Breach and hence all the rifts- it also effectively decapitated Chantry leadership. Many leaders were lost in the destruction, so there was no traditional authority in a word suddenly gone mad. The Inquisition's stated purpose is to find the one responsible, defeat them and restore order. It has proven to be more of a long-term project than many of us anticipated."

[exascendee]

[Why oh why did I join just before my exams, tralala, sorry about the super slow.]

He would've preferred coffee, but he's not going to say no. It's nice and hot, at least, even if the caffeine content probably is negligible.

Alright, the Fade, possibly another dimension, cool. Spirits and demons are other-dimensional creatures, he's with you so far. He's been to other dimensions, and there was that Observer device they found while Daniel was ascended. Maybe this is somehow related to ascension too? Daniel isn't the hard science guy. Would've been great if he had Sam here, she's get this stuff in no time.

He hadn't stopped to think about the fact he was having a dream. That's pretty weird, actually. But this is far too coherent to be a continuation of said dream. If anything that, he'd guess some sort of virtual reality. But given it's been less than a month since he had his dreams manipulated by Osiris, so, it's definitely a little bit worrying.

He's going to guess the Chantry is some kind of church. The Templars presumably work for them, that's generally what Templars do. And they oppose Mages? Yeah, that still tracks. None of this is completely reassuring him that the Inquisition is good though, mostly because he's lacking in details. Restoring order could be such a euphemism. And he's always a little distrustful of someone who talks of 'defeating' others.

"And... you're a mage, yes?" he asks, frowning curiously. She did say she did a healing spell. "Yet you work for the Inquisition?"

[circleprodigy]

"I work for the Grey Wardens, first and foremost. The Inquisition has provided sanctuary to the remnants of my order that aren't warring among each other in the north, and we strive to repay that kindness.

In addition, the threat that faces this world far eclipses any political squabbling. Corypheus means to reach the Fade in the flesh, and that means he will create another Breach. As the last one nearly consumed the world before the Herald sealed it, his regard for any life not his own seems to be minimal to non-existent." Sometimes it's not about what's 'good' so much as what's the greater evil. As a Grey Warden, that's something she's had to learn time and again.

[exascendee]

Well, that's a sensible approach, isn't it? He's sure there's plenty that still focus on the political squabbling, though. He notes away the name 'Grey Wardens' as well.

"Corypheus being the one responsible then?" he asks, nodding to himself. Actually, that sounds a lot simpler. These things can easily turn into a witch hunt if you're not sure who to blame. And he sounds about as villainous as the many goa'ulds Daniel has fought (and defeated), so that's probably right up his alley.

[circleprodigy]

She nods. "Yes, indeed. Ages ago, he was as any other Tevinter magister. If legend is true, he was among those who sought to enter the Fade in the flesh -through vast blood sacrifice- and reach the Golden City, seat of the Maker. The magisters sought to become gods, but were cast down and became darkspawn. Their actions caused the First Blight, which nearly consumed the world. The Grey Wardens have been responsible for ending the blights ever since, of which there have been five so far. Corypheus must have been attempting to recreate the grand ritual of old...and Divine Justinia -the head of the Chantry- was his sacrifice. Her death remains a sensitive topic for many."

Inessa strokes Garahel's head, regretful but not mourning. It's been a few years and she never knew the woman, though it's fair to say she misses the stability lost.

[exascendee]

He could really do with a notebook to jot all these names down. At least there's no doubt about the meaning of blood sacrifice. So basically, they were trying to break into heaven? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea. He can't help but feel like this is a really interesting creation myth, though. He'd love to find how how exactly it relates to reality, and what exactly this Corypheus was trying to do. Sacrificing what he assumes is basically the pope would definitely put him in the villain category.

Daniel gives a long sigh, nodding to himself. "You have a library with books covering this stuff, right?" he asks, lips quirking in half a smile. "I feel like I'm gonna need to take some notes."

[circleprodigy]

The long sigh is met with an understanding smile from Inessa and a sympathetic whine from her mabari. "Quite understandable and yes, we have a library at our base in Kirkwall. Numerous tomes cover Chantry lore, some more critically than others. If you want a nuanced perspective, I highly recommend the works of Brother Ferdinand Genitivi. He is a scholar with a prolific body of published academic chronicles. Those that might be most relevant are Thedas: Myth and Legends and Kirkwall: the City of Chains."

[exascendee]

Daniel mentally notes those down, though if you know how to look critically for yourself, it can be interesting to read the things that aren't as nuanced, just to see how they frame the propaganda and what's important to them. But that usually works better when you have a firmer grasp of the context.

"Thanks, I'll check them out," he answers with a nod. He had been debating whether to go with the group or try and poke around on his own, but honestly, he's just naturally drawn towards libraries, so that seems like a good place to start. The dog's whine reminds Daniel of its presence too, and now he's sitting comfortably sipping tea, it's easier to reach out and give him a little scratch behind the ears.

He realises suddenly that probably not everyone can pull those recommendations up at the drop of a hat, so he's thankful he apparently bumped into a scholarly type this early. "So, do all mages read a lot, or is that more a personal thing?"

[circleprodigy]

Garahel grunts happily as he's remembered, leaning into that hand. Inessa, watching that, can't help but smile a little. Her mabari deserves attention from more than just herself, after all.

"Well...it definitely is a personal preference, but mages who belonged to the Circle of Magi are often well-educated and lived most of their lives in a Circle tower. Said tower often possessed many, many tomes. So, many of them become prolific readers almost by default. The Circles fell a few years ago, thanks to a rebellion, but I still maintain an interest in whatever written works I can find that discuss the nature of magic, the Fade, or anything else of interest in Thedas." Once a bookworm, always a bookworm.

[exascendee]

"Suppose there's worse places to spend your life than inside a library, but if there was a rebellion I'm guessing there was a good reason for it," he observes, nodding to himself. "So, did you join the Grey Wardens after the rebellion, or...?" Lack of in-depth context makes it hard to guess these things, but he's gonna try anyway.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa pauses, uncertain how much she wishes to share, but an overview can't hurt. "...during, actually. My Circle fell and there was nothing keeping me there. I could have followed the rebel mages into the Hinterlands, but felt I owed the Grey Wardens a greater debt. The Fifth Blight happened several years before, and two of their own saved my tower. Since I no longer had a specific place in the world, I decided to repay them through service."

There's a lot she could add to that, but...perhaps when she knows him better and some spiced wine is available. "That's how I met Garahel, by the way. Pets aren't a fact of life in a Circle tower -other than cats acting as mouse-hunters- but after I had joined the Grey Wardens, I encountered a mabari kennel. Garahel imprinted on me, and has not left my side since." The mabari looks pleased with himself at that, wagging his tail a little and closing his eyes as she pats him.

[exascendee]

Daniel nods in understanding, and approval. It's a very noble thing to do, and possibly more productive than staying with the rebels. Oftentimes he's found with rebellions, once they've actually rebelled, they're not necessarily that good at rebuilding. And he's taken part in more than a few rebellions himself, through the years. Sort of kicked one off on what would become his new home, way back his time on Abydos.

"Yeah, libraries aren't necessarily the ideal place for dogs," he answers with a smile. "I can't really keep any pets at my place either. I have some fish though." Technically Jonas's fish, but Daniel's adopted them by now, and it's nice to have something in his office that isn't long-dead and ancient.

[circleprodigy]

'Noble' didn't end her mind, but 'productive' certainly had. She wanted her efforts to count for something, and that seemed more likely in an order with a long history, not a rebellion with strong potential to spiral out of control. There's a small smile of relief at his reaction, grateful for not being judged so immediately and harshly as she was with another rifter.

Garahel whines a little, and she huffs in amusement, stroking him. "You're not incorrect, and yet he insists on following me into the library whenever I research. As long as he isn't in anyone's way and leaves the books alone, I'm not strict enough to refuse him. Fish are certainly a less disruptive option; if you want them as companions in Thedas, it can be easily done."

[exascendee]

"Nah, I'm mostly just looking after them for a friend," he answers with a shrug. "And I'm usually too busy to look after anything more demanding. And regardless of what I could get, I'd have to find someone to adopt them after I leave."

While he's not sure how he got here, and he knows it wasn't by stargate, he's pretty hopeful about finding his way back home, even if it might take a while. He'll definitely have to stay for at least a month or two before he starts considering something like that.