[OPEN] a fieldtrip for the Wardens and friends

[mactears]

WHO: Loghain, Teren, any other Grey Wardens who feel like participating + anyone else who would have some excuse to be down in the Deep Roads (or at least can come up with a reason to join)
WHAT: Wardens & co. respond to reports of darkspawn activity in the Deep Roads beneath the Vimmarks, and encounter another surprise.
WHEN: Early May.
WHERE: The Deep Roads beneath the Vimmark mountains, close-ish to Corypheus' tomb.
NOTES: There may be a spot of violence. For prompts 1 and 2, feel free to thread with each other rather than just Loghain. For prompt 3, please keep all replies to one thread. Also, while this log is really of interest to Wardens and those who care about them, literally anyone is welcome to join. Honestly, just make up an excuse for your character and hop in.

I.  Traveling


What the Deep Roads lack in visual variety they make up for in the variety of different ways the environment can kill you. Death by ancient dwarven trap or consuming the wrong type of mushroom is as real a danger down here as getting murdered by darkspawn, which is likely responsible for Loghain's frequent refrain of, "Mind where you step."

When navigating through the roads, he seems inclined to keep to himself, either leading the way through the dark or bringing up the rear. Yet he isn't adverse to company, should someone choose to join him and strike up a conversation.



II. Fighting darkspawn!


The first sign of trouble comes in the form of a genlock scout who escapes into the darkness of a narrow cave crevice before he can be killed or apprehended. This is enough of a portent of things to come for Loghain to quickly issue some marching orders; any non-combatants in the group in the middle, kept guarded by those with combat experience who haven't undertaken the Joining. The Wardens, of course, will be the first line of defence against the oncoming assault.

It's a short-lived skirmish, with enough genlock and hurlock opponents to keep the Wardens busy, and perhaps a few to sneak past the line and engage the other armed combatants. Any injuries will need to be tended to quickly, however, because no sooner does the group have a chance to catch its collective breath...



III. Fighting... other Wardens?!


...then the sound of armoured feet clinking against the stone ground signals the approach of someone new. Several someones. When they come into view, it is clear immediately that they are Grey Wardens, given they sport armour identical to Loghain's and any other Wardens in the party. (There are six of them in total, if anyone is inclined to count:  three warriors including one sporting a great sword; an archer and a mage, and a dual-wielding rogue who looks like she used to slit throats for funsies before her conscription.)

It's unclear precisely how this encounter might have gone had Loghain not been in the party--but as it is, one of the newly arrived Wardens points right at him, shouts something in Anders, and then the fighting begins again in earnest.

"Someone take out that mage!" Loghain has time to shout, before he's otherwise occupied parrying a heavy blow from the largest warrior's greatsword.
 

Comments

Inessa Serra

[circleprodigy]

I.

Inessa is rather quiet as they proceed through the Deep Roads, less unnerved at what she's seen before and more interested in remaining alert. The same goes for Garahel, who grows less playful and more protective as they continue on their way. He often takes point, sniffing around and backing up Loghain's words by showing people where to step, making sure they all proceed safely even if they aren't the elf he imprinted on.

Though Inessa doesn't initiate conversation unless it's warranted, focused on their current task, she isn't unwelcoming either. Those that choose to walk beside her will be acknowledge with a small nod and murmured greeting, even Loghain.

II.

The moment a darkspawn is sensed, Inessa immediately casts Barrier over everyone in range. Garahel stands firmly before her; any darkspawn trying to reach his mistress will get a ferocious bite for their troubles. While that happens, she takes advantage of the cleansing rune embedded in her staff and fires it at the nearest targets.

II

[doneisdone]

It's no secret that Teren is protective of the younger Wardens, but even moreso lately she's kept an eye on Inessa, who had the misfortune of collapsing twice in her presence. Phylacteries or no, Teren is here to make sure the little elf has more than her dog watching her back.
She keeps a perimeter, shredding through the defenses of any darkspawn who venture too close and aren't already torn down by Garahel.

[circleprodigy]

The darkspawn remain as persistent as they are gruesome, but Garahel and Teren's aid prove to be effective and buy Inessa some much-needed time. Realizing some area of effect spells are what's needed more than cleansing runes, she concentrates on her rift magic. After some careful targeting, she creates a small rift to draw in the darkspawn toward it. Their low, guttural laughs become pained grunts as they slam into each other, only for Veilstrike to slam them into the ground. Some still move, but they should be easy pickings for Teren.

[doneisdone]

Teren dispatches them with the precision and ease of a butcher, slitting throats one by one as she strides through the mound of disoriented, lurching bodies. Mages are frightening, even friendly ones, but they do have their uses; as she passes, with a quick slash of one hand, Teren casts Inessa a little nod of recognition. Nice work.

II

[in_death_sacrifice]

Kain tenses up when that familiar sensation of the darkspawn's presence strikes him. He's already gotten his sword drawn before the first of them come into sight, ready and willing in his reaver way to take the hits that come. Then he leaps into action- quite literally, in this case. Eager to keep putting his newly perfected skills to use, Kain jumps, flipping around in the air to come striking downward at his first target. It's a pretty athletic feat of tumbling, and seems to be effective so far, as he ends up with an opening to stab at the downed creature again. Of course, the other darkspawn nearby disagree, one of them hissing as it turns its next attack on him.

[circleprodigy]

Though Inessa would love to watch Kain at work, particularly employing those newly perfected techniques to use, this is on the time to be a spectator. As the darkspawn shift their focus to him, she concentrates and a set of glittering ice mines form just beneath her targets, promptly erupting to encase those unfortunate enough to be close. She'll follow that up with Stonefist at one of them, leaving Garahel and Kain some targets as well.

[in_death_sacrifice]

One of the darkspawn's attacks connects with Kain, who simply uses that to bolster his strength. He's feeling that dragon's blood in him now, more than ever, and these foul creatures are an excellent target on which to unleash it. It's a good thing Inessa is taking out some of them, though, or he'd soon enough be overwhelmed.

He keeps his attention on the ones he's engaged with, finding another moment to fling his sword straight at the one that's being especially persistent in fighting him. The sword stabs straight through the darkspawn, and Kain wastes no time in bounding forward to re-grab the hilt and start pulling it out. The darkspawn stumbles and Kain strikes a blow to cut its head clear off.

But, of course, there's more yet left to face.

I

[justice_is_blond]

"I feet where I step," Anders replies as he kneels down to take a closer look at the mushroom he's just been warned about. It doesn't look familiar, which means he's pulling out his knife and carefully slicing off a piece to slip into a vial. "If I minded where I stepped it would get messy and painful."

Loghain gets a smirk that says yes, Anders is slightly proud of his really stupid joke as the vial is stoppered. He stands back up, slips the vial into his belt pouch and the knife back into its holster before dusting off his hands. "I could start watching where I stepped, but I'm old and it's hard to learn new things at my age."

[doneisdone]

[1/2]

[mactears]

[2/2]

[mactears]

...Maker save him. At his side, even Primrose emits a low whine of distaste.

(the dog is judging you, Anders.)

"...I could start watching where I stepped, but I'm old and it's hard to learn new things at my age."

A snort, and, "at your age," muttered under his breath in a decidedly 'if you're old then what does that make me' tone of voice. He holds his torch up to better illuminate the path ahead of them. "We'll be sure to put you out to pasture once we get back to Kirkwall," he rejoins dryly, catching Teren's eye briefly before he forges on ahead.

[justice_is_blond]

No dog can judge him.

The smirk grows at Loghain's tone, words... and glance. It's nice to see what's between them progress, and he fires a smirk in Teren's direction too for her look of annoyance. Their reactions only fuel him. Which they might know if he's being honest with himself.

"I'd have to share it with Bootsie, and we all know who would be Teren's favorite in that pasture. I don't think I could bear being second out of two. It would break my heart." A short beat, and then he adds, smugly: "and if you ever came out to visit me I'd be third out of three, and poor Bootsie would have to be second. Let's not try the pasture."

III

[doneisdone]

"Fucking typical," comes an angry squawk, and Teren surfaces behind the warrior attacking Loghain with her dagger embedded to the hilt in their back. The other one goes in as she tries to kick off and remove them both, with some difficulty considering how heavily armored the person is.

"You'd think there'd be a shred of loyalty among the bloody lot of us," she grumbles, almost conversationally. Like she's really one to talk.

[circleprodigy]

"Apparently not. It would almost be disappointing, had it not happened before." Inessa's lips form a thin line as she prepares her magic, preparing a golden shell that expands as her Haste spell takes effect. Hopefully it will give her warrior and rogue companions enough time and speed to make a difference against their fellow Wardens. There's no hesitation on her part; any anguish and rage is buried, leaving behind only calm, cold resolve.

Right, the mage. Inessa focuses there next, casting Winter's Grasp in hopes of encasing said mage for someone else to shatter.

[justice_is_blond]

"Loyalty," Anders snorts. How many times have they been betrayed by Wardens now? And him especially. He'll trust their little Kirkwall crew but others? This betrayal seems par for the course, though he wishes they didn't have a mage among them.

...At least the mage looks encased and busy, though. To be sure, Anders tosses up a wall of earth in the way, blocking him off. Whether he dies or not is his decision to make if and when he gets out of the ice and sees the wall. For now, Anders turns his attention back to their group, ready with healing should it be needed.

SIX.

[swordproof]

I.

Travel is not something new to Six; she had been camping and hunting for herself since she was barely old enough to hold a weapon and had been truly, completely independent from the age of fifteen. This is familiar territory now, trekking through places and settling down in the evenings, pausing to take watch, to breathe, to enjoy company that you would not have even considered before. Even now, with people that she thinks may well be like-minded, she feels on edge and uncertain, constantly reaching for the amulet that lies around her neck, constantly wishing that her prayers would be answered.

They never are.

Much like their leader, Six does not go out of her way to make conversation with anyone. She keeps her greatsword strapped to her back unless it's needed, she keeps her head high and her hair out of her face and she only seems to pause when they really do stop to rest at any point in time. When she can she kneels and prays to a God that cannot hear her, but is always quick to offer to help, to do something, to aid anyone who might need it, careful and gentle in her movements. Anyone speaking to her is also given a reply, but it's clear that she's not entirely used to being spoken to by anyone, especially not here.

II.

The order to stay back is one that Six seems to take with great frustration - she knows her skills are good, that she can stand up for herself and fight where necessary, but she's also well aware that the others have something that she does not. Without her powers, without her gifts, she is weaker than she has ever been and it is a good job to give her, defending those who cannot care for themselves.

She is stalwart in her defence of anyone who cannot care for themselves, greatsword drawn and eyes alert. Anything that comes near her - foul rather than friend, of course - is taken care of with quick, heavy strikes of her blade, either tearing through whatever limb she can reach to disable them or cutting through their spines and necks for a quick, painless kill. Torture, even killing those that are a risk, is not something that Six can abide.

When the fight is over she hands over the scarce supplies she has for healing and, while everyone else is being taken care of, spends a little time cleaning off her blade and tending to it before she turns to have a closer look at the Darkspawn. They're nothing like the fiends she'd seen at home and yet... She thinks if she still had her powers she would be able to sense the same energy from them.

"I have seen nothing like this before."

II

[circleprodigy]

After the brief battle, Inessa is checking in with everyone, particularly the non-Wardens of their group. Garahel accompanies her, the mabari uninjured. He wags his tail at Six as Inessa pauses nearby and follows Six's gaze.

"Now you see what we fight against, why the order persists even between the Blights. Darkspawn are our eternal enemy and if their numbers are left unchecked, this world will suffer for it."

[swordproof]

There's a quiet that makes her settle as she stares out over the battlefield, drinking in the sight of the dead bodies. She has never seen anything akin to them, and her eyes are wide and unsure, thoughtful as she tries to commit the sight of them to memory. They're deadly, dangerous things, she can tell that already, and to think...

"Only Wardens may fight them?" It seems so strange, to have one small army to fight something so deadly and dangerous. "Are there no more who can help?"

I

[justice_is_blond]

He watches her kneel and clearly pray several times. Faith is... not the easiest thing for him to put stock in, but there's a little bit of jealousy and curiosity about people who can. It's after she stands up from one such session that he approaches, hands in the pockets of his warm black robes and staff strapped to his back.

"Who do you pray to?" Other worlds, other gods. Does that shake anyone's belief? Or does it make them feel stronger in it?

[swordproof]

Faith is easier when the one you pray to responds and embraces you; before she had become entangled with Adrain she'd had very little time for the Gods of her world, no matter how important they were. Having felt Sarenrae, however, and having known her touch and her kindness... There is no way for Six to deny her. She cannot, not when the woman's symbol hangs around her neck, when her Oath binds her.

Lifting her head, she blinks a little, surprised at the question. There's a gentle, almost careful softness about her, like the calm before the storm.

"Sarenrae. I have been told she cannot hear me here, but I hope all the same."

Newt Scamander

[somethingwild]

I.

Newt jumps at the chance to travel and explore more of Thedas. He dislikes being cooped up in one place for too long, and so he volunteered eagerly when he learned that a group were making plans to travel to a place called the Deep Roads.

The change of scenery is refreshing; he feels as though he's back in the field back home, making more progress on the work for his book. He takes the chance to observe as much as he can as they make their way through the Deep Roads, making a note to come back when he has the chance to better study the environment proper.

He keeps to himself, mostly, feeling happier than he has in awhile to immerse himself so thoroughly in nature once again.

"Magnificent," he mutters to himself, smiling slightly.

II.

Newt remains in the middle of the group as the attack commences, but that doesn't mean he's entirely helpless. He casts spells where and when he can, making sure to aim carefully and to choose among the less powerful in his arsenal more often than not. Every so often, he takes a chance on a Stunning Spell. Some hit while others miss, but he's at least aiding in the battle, and even with the spells that miss, he manages to feel slightly accomplished, at least.

I

[unshadowing]

Carver's kept to the middle with the squishier non-combatants and non-Wardens. Someone ought to keep them alive, and he's got plated armor. And a big sword. With Loghain often leading or taking up the rear, that rules him out. So Carver trods along with them, ever alert for any danger.

...or any signs of slightly batty rifters admiring the scenery.

"Did you just call this all magnificent?" Surely he heard wrong...

[somethingwild]

Newt turns to the man who asks him a question. He nods, completely unabashed and straightforward in his affirmative answer.

"Yes, I did," he says. "I take it from your response you don't find it so?"

He hasn't gotten much of a chance to study environments such as this back home, so he means to enjoy every moment he can spend here.

"It's quite unlike anything I've seen here so far. I enjoy it."

II

[justice_is_blond]

After the battle's wrapped up and the worst of the injuries attended to, Anders makes his way over to the other mage.

"Excuse me. Your magic... Is there any chance you know a Hermione? Hermione Granger? The spells felt and sounded similar to what she used." It might be a lot to ask, expecting someone to know one random person who might be from their world, but it's worth the asking.

[somethingwild]

The battle itself is quick, or, at least, quicker than Newt expects. He manages not to have injured himself, which feels like an accomplishment given his experiences so far in this world. He's helping tend to the wounded himself when he hears someone addressing him.

"You know, you're the second person who's asked me about Hermione," he says, standing up. "I don't know her but I know, from what I've been told, that she's from my world."

"I wish I could have met her," he adds. "It would be nice, having more people from home." But he does have Tina with him now, so he counts himself lucky in that respect.