[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

[swordproof]

"I will do what I can for as long as I am here." Six doesn't intend to be in place here forever - she feels trapped and chained, but being allowed to go on trips like this gives her some of the confidence to think that, perhaps, she might be able to last here after all.

The question, however, brings a soft smile to her face.

"A Paladin is one who has made an Oath to a God and is granted power as a result. I devoted myself to Sarenrae in the search of justice and honour, to protect those that cannot protect themselves."

[circleprodigy]

"A noble goal, to be sure. It's strange to think of a god who grants power and attention, when the Maker -or the Creators, to accommodate the Dalish- has turned his back on the world. There are warriors with otherworldly power -spirit warriors- but that's granted by forging a connection to the Fade rather than a god.

...how do you know they are gods, and not powerful spirits?" Not trying to provoke, her expression is honesty curious. She's still trying to wrap her mind around the notion of a god so heavily involved in mortal lives.

[swordproof]

"A Paladin seems most like those spirit warriors from what I have seen," and it's very little that she's actually seen. Six hasn't had a chance to interact with a huge amount of Thedas natives, mostly keeping to her own ilk, but she has no room to complain when she is being able to bear witness to new and exciting things.

Frowning at the question, she considers.

"Spirits cannot do the things the Gods of my world can do. I am certain of that. Spirits have power, certainly, but can they match a God?"

[circleprodigy]

"Not having met a god, I can't say with any certainty. That said, some spirits and demons are more powerful than others. Pride demons are intelligent and insidious, for example, whereas rage demons are rather straightforward and thuggish. Spirits are somewhat similar, based on virtues rather than vices. Power is often tied to their influence in the Fade or the physical world, but it can also be more complicated than that. Any being from the Fade is not to be underestimated."

[swordproof]

"I have yet to meet any being from the Fade, so I cannot make the comparison." Six pauses, thoughtful and considering. "I... Have spoken with Sarenrae. She came to me in a time where I felt as though I had nothing and offered me a gentle, warm hand. She recognises the nature of my heart and celebrates it. Imagine her not as a God but as a friend, there when she can be but there in thought when she cannot."

[circleprodigy]

Inessa listens intently, impressed and quietly a bit envious. If it's true, it's a connection no one in Thedas has had since the time of Andraste. "That must have been a great comfort to you. I hope you'll find your way back to a connection with her again."

[swordproof]

"Perhaps. I have been told that since she does not exist in this world I will have to forge new connections." It hasn't stopped her from praying, of course, as if that might be enough to have someone answer her, return to her, speak to her. "I will make do with what strength I have."

[circleprodigy]

An admirable perspective, of course, and Inessa can't help but smile a little more as this woman's drive is encouraging. Rifters with that level of resilience are more likely to thrive in Thedas.

"I am not among their number, but I think you might benefit from speaking with our local Spirit Healers. It's a mage discipline, so I don't know how well it would 'translate' for you, but each one is bonded with a spirit that aids them in their role. Compassion, Faith, Fortitude, and so on. If anyone would be able to give you insight on new connections, it's them."

[swordproof]

After all that she has been through Six has realised that she needs to be strong. She needs to be able to take care of herself, to stand up for herself, to prove that she can rise above the history of her parents, and that has kept her going. The keepsake in her backpack - the shards of a broken blade - are her new reason, a weight of a life taken too soon. It's what she clings to, even here in Thedas where he never existed.

"A Spirit Healer." It makes her pause. Healing had never been her forte, but she was capable of it - little bursts, here and there, but nothing that compared to that of a Cleric or Druid. "I will investigate it. It might be easier, if they were warriors, but it is a worthy cause all the same."