[Open] Irregular Mages Ahoy

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: Anders and Thor and You!
WHAT: Various adventures and misadventures
WHEN: Early to mid Bloomingtide
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Gonna put up some basic openings here first for either, then specific headers. Hit me up on plurk (Nadat) or Discord (Nadat#4647) if you'd like something for your dude!

Anders 1. The Clinic

There's a pause in the regular flow of traffic, enough that Anders is free to clean some of the slates leftover from an earlier class and straighten chairs and tables, moving steadily through the Clinic and greeting people by name or nod.

Anders 2. The Gallows Herb Garden

He's not alone as he tends to the plants and gathers a few sprigs of what the Infirmary's short on. Sprawled out in the sun, belly-up, is a tuxedo cat that's half-watching everything. A bit more active is a large orange fluff of a cat that's sneaking gathered herbs out of Anders' basket and piling them off to the side whenever Anders isn't looking.

Anders 3. Infirmary

He's here as usual, healing, providing potions and medical advice. Anyone dropping by gets seen to quickly, regardless of how he might feel about them. Any Rifters, though, get an additional question.

"Does your world have equality? Or some semblance of it?"

--

Thor 1. Tavern

Half the taverns in Kirkwall are closed to him, Tevinter, past conflicts, all that, but that just means that he's all the more happy this one is welcoming. Thor is loud and large and in a very good mood as he drinks his ale and chats with anyone who looks like they might tolerate a conversation.

In fact, if someone, some human or dwarf, is sitting alone, Thor will come over to their table, plop down, and order them a drink on him.

Thor 2. Lowtown

"It can't cost that much," Thor says to the shopkeeper, eyes a little narrow. He has a feeling the guy is trying to rob him... but Thor hasn't spent a lot of time handling day-to-day funds and expenses before. It's all been estate stuff that he signs off on. Haggling for a rather nice-looking cloak is a new challenge, and he finds himself glancing around to see if anyone will help weigh in on the topic.

Thor 3. Gallows

Evening is falling as Thor takes a guard post by the Gallows docks, leaning against a handy bit of wall and actively watching the people coming and going.

"Nearly curfew," he calls out to what looks like a Rifter considering getting on the boat. There's no heat to his voice. In fact, it sounds a little curious. He's wondering how the Rifters are taking the recent news and if it's chafing just yet.

--
[Feel free to make your own prompt for Anders or Thor too if you'd like.]

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

My friend. There's a brief moment of surprise on Anders' face. It sounds like his reputation has reached Iorveth's ears in a positive way, and that's a first. He shakes the offered hand firmly, friendly expression turning into a smile.

"Well met in return, Iorveth. I wish I could claim my dedication comes from some sort of high intelligence or deep well of understanding, but unfortunately it comes from a long experience with inequality and knowing and caring about more than a few people of other stomped-upon groups." By the sounds of what Iorveth is saying... "I take it the relations between elves and humans are as much of a mess where you're from? Or worse?"

Not like there's a lot of room for worse, but at least there hasn't been a glorified march against the Dalish for a few hundred years.

[aenseidhe]

"Worse. We're spiraling towards extinction." Which is the most direct and accurate way to put it. Humanity has been such a plague to them - their wars, their disease, their prejudice - that it's literally nearly erased them as a people. Very little can be done to help it, save a miracle that humans just leave them the fuck alone for a while.

But, given how unlikely that is, they fight instead. "But, at least, some of us make a point to going out with pride, if nothing else."

He's taking the head of at least one human king with him. Maybe a couple more if he can manage it while Nilfgaard comes invading again. As if Iorveth really gives a hot shit which set of humans rule the stolen lands they stomp around on. Oh, but if he could get Emhyr's head, that would truly be satisfying. For Dol Blathanna, for the Vrihedd.

"Regardless, experience is always a better teacher. Lessons aren't learned nearly so well without the ever haunting sting of pain and loss associated." Which is why he likes the brutality he employs. If they don't empathize, they'll at least learn the cost of their actions - their sons, daughters, parents, kings, homes and sacred places. Blood will have blood. "The elves of this world have a glimpse of a chance, should they learn well enough to unite, even with the other downtrodden, and begin thinking tactically."

[justice_is_blond]

Extinction. Maker. Elves are murdered here at a horrifying rate, but they're not at risk of extinction. Yet. Is it just a matter of time? He doesn't know, and the thought is more than a little worrying. ...But it's also not a thought he can do anything about today.

"They've had many lessons," he says quietly. His world's elves might not be as far on the brink as Iorveth's, but they've suffered. "As have the mages. And some still have not learned as they didn't not suffer in particular, or they saw other hardships outside and decided what they dealt with inside was not as bad. I've no idea how to help them find their motivation, or to help others help them as plenty want nothing to do with me."

It's understandable up to a certain point, and that point is where they unite or fall apart and it's rapidly approaching. The Inquisition will defeat Corypheus, of that he has no doubt. But will anyone be in a position to maintain what freedoms they've gained? That he's not sure about.

"Are there any specific tactics you have in mind?"

[aenseidhe]

It is exactly a matter of time, Iorveth would tell him, but then again, elves here have the advantage of regular procreation that the Aen Seidhe don't. Shorter lifespans, perhaps, is what's saved them from the fate of his own people.

It's the specific question of action that has Iorveth pausing to look Anders over. Many will listen to him rant on inequality, even sympathize and bemoan the fate of it with him, but few are so ready to see and commit to change to want to chase the details of it.

"Some. None quick, easy or bloodless."

That just isn't the way the world works, when trying to force change and win freedoms out from under the boots of others. But, it's possible. Even if in small forms, until a foothold is made, or a precedent set. Their chances aren't better only in the sense of survival of their race, but several other aspects that could win them a better life. Perhaps, if enough are brave enough to chase it.