[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.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa nods back, then straightens again as she senses some stragglers nearby. Setting down some ice mines before them, she'll hold her position. When they cross the glyphs, ice will encase them and leave them prone for the others. Any who somehow aren't caught up in it will get a Stonefist for their trouble.

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.