faderift | MOD PLOT: NOT ALONE DO WE STAND, PART 1

MOD PLOT: NOT ALONE DO WE STAND, PART 1

WHO: Anyone who wants to attend
WHAT: THE GRAND TOURNEY
WHEN: Bloomingtide 20-27
WHERE: Wycome
NOTES: We'll be rolling one or two events per day, in the order listed, and posting the results here! That's also where you can find your diplomacy or espionage assignments and their results. There will be a second log post in about five days regarding the end of the tournament, to give people a place to RP about the competitions' results once they know them and to react to some other surprise developments, so leave some room for dessert.

The Grand Tourney is one of Thedas's greatest spectacles--all the nations of the world and plenty of others besides turned out to compete in this edition of the famous test of arms. The Duke of Wycome has granted the use of a broad plain outside the city, a vast open span of grass bounded on both sides by minor forks of the Minanter making their way to the sea, and split down the center by another. Scores of the duke's men have been hard at work since the announcement, constructing stands and arenas, the rough wooden rails and benches of the commons and luxurious boxes for the more exalted spectators, lifted above the masses and shaded by awnings, draped with bunting in Wycome's brilliant purple and gold.

Between and among the competition grounds are stalls and roving vendors selling anything and everything, most popular the vast open-sided tents filled with trestle tables and benches and neverending barrels of ale and wine as tall as a qunari. Stages of various sizes dot the grounds, hosting musicians, dancers, tumblers, performers of all kinds. Others wander through the crowds, putting on impromptu shows wherever it looks like there are enough people with free coin about.

A half-dozen new wooden bridges span the central river--more like a large stream, really--and connect the competition grounds to the camping grounds. Tents in all colors and styles are arrayed in rough groups, marked out with the banners of knights, houses, mercenary companies, kingdoms. The Inquisition has sprung for new tents for its delegation to make sure they look the part, dramatic black as a backdrop to the Inquisition banners that fly atop each of them, housing two to four people each. Nearest are some Orlesians with an array of brightly-colored silk structures, and on the opposite side, a mercenary company called the the Grizzly Legion, a particularly rowdy outfit, with banners market by a giant red bear, and bonfires and revelry late into the night every night.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The general atmosphere of the tourney is raucous and celebratory, but the rivalries inherent in the occasion seem less good-natured than they might have in past years. Nevarra seems divided into two camps rather than one, with a (not-yet-literal) line down the middle of their encampment and their crowds that's bridged only by the brave and slightly awkward few who still haven't chosen between the Pentaghasts and Van Markhams. And the Orlesians, despite rumors that the Empire is still struggling in the wake of its own civil war, seem particularly delighted to see their rivals teetering on the brink—some are even taking odds on how soon they'll be able to get Perendale back. But, of course, no one can rival Tevinter for smugness. If there was a fancy sword awarded for that, they would win it every year, and there's no sitting near their delegation without "overhearing" an unnecessarily loud conversation about the sorry state of the rest of Thedas.

Of course, not everyone is caught up in the affairs of surfacer empires: there are delegations from both Orzammar and Kal-Sharok, each apparently pretending the other does not exist, and the odd Avvar and Chasind who seems to think everyone else is being a bit ridiculous about everything. The most isolated attendees are those from the Anderfels, who stick close together and rarely speak to anyone else—not that anyone else seems much inclined even if they did want to. At the other end of the spectrum are the Free Marchers; this is the one occasion every-few-years when they look to one another as brothers, rather than distinct and often competitive nations.

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

The Grand Tourney's official competitions are scheduled to take place over five days, culminating with the prestigious Grand Melee and awarding of the Celebrant. Before then, the tournament progresses day by day through unarmed combat, archery, armed combat, and jousting competitions, each heavily attended by delighted spectators cheering for their countrymen and any foreigner who strikes them as particularly charming, plus the odd equal-opportunity heckler. A few extra fights break out here and there when tempers flare, between both competitors and observers, and when the alcohol flows more liberally at night the chance of trouble rises. But for the most part, the competitions are fair and the mood around them is celebratory.

Away from the main grounds, a few additional staging areas have been provided for events focused on magic—these are more sparsely attended, due to their unofficial nature and the fears of much of the populace that they might catch a fireball to the face if they wander too close, but enough people's curiosity trumps fear to form a thinner, quieter crowd. The two events open to mages, combat against fade-touched creatures and a version of the melee with teams that allow mages, take place in the early mornings, when they won't be competing with the official events for attention, and are most heavily attended by Tevinter mages who are very, very certain that they can't be beat.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I - ABOUT THE PLACE ( market stalls/carnival games )

( In Kara's world there's no end to entertainment that's meant to not only distract but fully immerse the people in anything that's not their day-to-day lives. Kara's used to sensory overload, but with it comes a generic quality of the same thing being relayed in different fashions. Whatever tastes you might have, it exists in the shallowest of forms.

So the tourney has Kara completely enthralled. It's not generic or shallow in the least bit. It's full of life and commerce, bringing so many people together rather than giving them a place to indulge alone. She flits from stall to stall. Still new and with no quite so much accumulated coin, she doesn't look to purchase anything. She just looks at all the brightly colorful and unique and sometimes fierce items laid out in perfect condition for sale.

a. Kara can often be found peering over clothes in particular, especially anything brightly colored. Her eyes go big in particular when she finds bright blues. She always puts everything back gently and as close to how she found it, meaning she folds it as best as she can before laying it back down. b. Or she can easily be spotted cheering on people playing carnival games. Especially when someone seems to be on a streak and has yet to leave the game. )

II - WATCHING THE SHOW ( in the stands )

( Kara's already signed up for a few events, despite seeing how great her competitors seem to be. While winning is always fun, she's just thrilled to be a part of something in general. So when she's not participating, she's eagerly watching from the stands. She tries not to jump up too often, so she doesn't block the view of those behind her, but occasionally she finds herself on her tip toes trying to see everything happening on the fields.

Often she can be heard muttering things to herself, usually along the lines of "damn, that's amazing" and "oh shit! people can do that?" There's almost no end to her excitement and appreciation of the skills of others. )

III - GENERAL MERRIMENT AND DANCING ( grizzly legion part )

( It's hard not to be lulled in by a loud and raucous group of people enjoying themselves. Kara is quick to throw herself into their revelries, and there's no amount of shyness when it comes to dancing. The music is entirely like nothing she's ever heard before, but that doesn't seem to stop her. Sometimes she dances in her own style from home, and sometimes she tries to mimic the dance of others.

As the night goes on, she may even make the mistake of challenging people to drinking challenges. Whether it's other mercenaries or other Inquisition, she doesn't seem to care who she challenges. Though, it's clear that the drink has already started to get to her head, and she probably shouldn't find this idea so appealing. )

IV - WILDCARD

( open to any and all other starters! )

[ Six has been taking part in the observations for a while now, watching the rest of the competitions that she isn't in for as long as they're on. She's a little bit scuffed from her own adventures in the unarmed combat but, more than anything else, she seems energised and excited by it all. She's just tall enough that she feels a little guilty about being anywhere near the front - being over six feet will do that and she doesn't want to upset anyone by standing in their view - and as she moves around to make space for herself she bumps into someone.

Oh, shit, people can do that? Six almost smiles. ]

Forgive me. I wasn't looking where I was stepping.

[ She doesn't think there's a need to ask if she's alright - it wasn't too hard a bump - but her eyes scan the woman over quickly anyway. ]

Nothing to forgive. ( Kara answers immediately without looking away from the current events. A joust it seems. Which both excites and scares Kara, as she's never seen a horse in real life before. She keeps worrying the horses might be hurt.

Another person goes down to the ground and Kara winces. ) Ooh. ( She tears her eyes away from the fiasco as it seems she has a second anyway. )

Not much room up here, so no worries. ( She grins to Six. Then scoots over, squeezing up close to someone on her other side that glances at her at the jostle and scoots just a little as well. She clears a decent enough space for Six. )

Enjoying the tourney so far?

Thank you. [ Six just watches her, a strange sort of fondness settling around her. She has been isolated for the last few months, both here as a Rifter and in her own world, and to see someone enjoying something so avidly and without hesitance sparks something inside of her. All she can do in the end is smile, watching with the fondness of someone who feels older their her years.

The joust is her competition and Six is gearing up for her own venture - a little later, she's one of the latter in the first round - but she shakes her head as the person falls to the ground. The horse was unhappy, a bad grip - ]

There are more people here than I imagined. [ She didn't think there were so many people who would be interested, but her knowledge of this world is minimal - and she's learning more about Thedas from this than she did anything else she's attempted before now. ]

I am. It is nothing I have experienced before. [ A pause, then she moves forward. ] You are also having fun?

A fucking blast. ( Kara catches herself too late, making a face that looks somewhat horrified with herself. With a little more chagrin, ) Sorry. Used to hanging out with soldiers that have mouths like sailors.

( She shakes off the mild embarrassment at her own over excitement. ) But it's the same for me. It's nothing like I've ever experienced before. And so many people out here enjoying it.

( She leans on the railing and sighs as they start to clean up from the joust, the dehorsed man clambering back to his feet. ) I saw you earlier at the unarmed combat, right? ( There's a bit of hesitance in her voice, just in case she's gotten the wrong person. She didn't stop to chat too much during the event since she had gone first and had tried to calm down before next round. )

[ All it does is make Six raise her eyebrows - does she come across as a fair maiden of some kind? Her armour might be off, but she doesn't think there's any part of her that looks gentle or soft or possibly offended by crude language. ] I was a soldier and a mercenary for many years. I'm not offended.

[ At least she's clearly having fun and getting into the spirit of things, which Six can appreciate. Lifting her head, she looks out over at the competitors with a nod of her head. ]

I have heard of tournaments like this before but I was never able to attend. They were not held in my home and I travelled too much to do anything else.

[ Six mirrors her position, staring out at the people, the knights; she's considered one of them. A Paladin is no true Ser, not really, but... Here she is seen as something akin to it. ]

I was. I challenged Carver Hawke and he bested me. [ She doesn't seem terribly upset by the notion, even if she had been knocked out in the first round. ] You took part as well, didn't you?

( Knights still seem way too fancy for Kara, but that may have to do more with her being foreign to this type of world in general. At least Six doesn't seem offended. ) Nice.

Yeah, I made it past my first fight. Guy named Kain? I've never met him before, but he fought well. ( She sounds like she genuinely means it, too. ) The next guy's name was Martin. He pretty much destroyed me. ( She's got the bruises and a bit of dry blood still left on her forehead to prove it. She's grinning ear to ear, though. ) It was awesome.

( She sits back a bit now, still waiting for the next round of the joust to be prepped. ) Are you doing anything else? I have one more event, but if you're in anything else I can cheer for you.

( Which prompts her to suddenly remember to extend her hand. ) I'm Kara, by the way.

[ Six, thankfully, is used to this kind of world; her own is very similar to it and she welcomes that, embraces as much as she dares given her precarious situation. ]

I think everyone who entered was prepared for a vicious fight. I was impressed with everyone that put themselves forward. [ And she means that as well - Six has a great deal of respect for the daring and those that try. ] I think you fought well.

[ It all continues and Six watches, her eyes narrowed as she drinks in the set up. She's not the type who is going to ignore an advantage by checking out the competition, even if she won't do anything to sabotage anyone else. She's not that kind of person. ]

I signed up for armed, melee and the joust. [ She smiles, looking out over the field. ] If you would cheer for me I would appreciate it.

[ And, of course, as politeness dictates, she reaches out and takes her hand. ] Six.

( Kara gladly shakes Six's hand before looking out at the joust again, eyes a little wide. ) Nice to meet you, Six. And thanks for the compliment. ( Even if Kara does brush by it a little quickly, maybe somewhat shyly. She loves fighting and has some skill, but it's hard to think of herself earning that compliment. )

You're going out there again soon, then? That's impressive. ( Kara lets out a low whistle as she leans back again. ) I've never ridden a horse before, fighting on one looks even harder. ( It looked like that competitors for the next round were starting to gather up their supplies.

Kara nodded, grinning at Six. ) I'll definitely be cheering for you when your turn comes up.

It was due. [ As far as Six was concerned anyway. She's finding that people here are happy to compliment on skill and ability, but there are still some that look at her green hand and think that, perhaps, she does not belong here. Finding other people that she can stand near without feeling as though she ought to be ashamed is good. ]

Soon, yes. It's no great thing. [ It's true that she's a little sore and a little tired - so many events in such a short amount of time is bound to make her a little tired - but she shrugs it off. ] Horses are fine once they're accustomed to you. All the horses used in the joust are likely trained to perform well, so that isn't too much of an issue.

[ Turning her head back, she smiles. ] You have my thanks for it.

( As she explains how the joust "is no great thing" Kara makes a face like she doesn't believe her. ) If you say so.... ( She'll just continue to still be impressed with Six when she gets up there for her competition. )

No need to thank me. I love cheering everyone on. Just glad I have at least one more name to shout when it's your turn. ( While she doesn't find Six's name too strange, she does wonder if that's common where she's from. And with that thought another question springs to mind. )

Are you from this world or.... another one.... ( She shakes her head. ) That's still crazy to say out loud.

[ She doesn't expect to win - half the fun is in the adventure of trying. She's been given the option, so she's going to take it. ] I look forward to the challenge of it.

[ Glancing over, Six watches for a moment, hesitating before she offers a small smile and a nod of her head. ] I am glad to hear it. I will be wearing my sister's favour, so I think I will be noticable.

[ More than usual, but she's not entirely aware of just how much she actually stands out from a crowd given her height, face and Anchor. ]

I'm not of this world, no. I was brought here a few months ago. It is the same for you?

Colour coordination isn't often on Casimir's mind.

So it's convenient that someone's done it for him, undyed robes an almost uniform shade of pale, the sort the eye skips right over through the dust and traffic of the day. Evenly (as though it might be anything else):

"Have you done this before?"

Bought shirts.

No. I usually steal them. ( She winks at Casimir, even if she does think his clothes could use a bit more color in them, before gently setting the shirt she was looking at down. It's only a half joke, but she tries to dismiss the thought she might do so here. )

But really, mostly just kind of got what I got as a kid. Never really worried about what was fashionable. ( She touches the shirt she just set down. ) I don't know if this is fashionable here, but at home I'd wear the hell out of something like this. ( She grins at the mental image. )

[Maybe today is one of the rare times when the rifters don't stand out quite so.much as they might other times. Everyone is excited, everyone wants to be involved, and considering some of what Morrigan's seen here, they might not be the most oddly dressed.

She, after all, looks more or less ready for any funerals that might be announced.

Kieran in tow and eating some cake on a stick cleverly shaped as a dragon, Morrigan draws to a halt by some of the displays, glances over and smiles.]

Dwarven, perhaps from Orzammar. All of it enchanted no doubt in the hopes someone fighting in the tourney will win wearing a piece to bring fame to them.

[The stallholder, busy with another customer, doesn't hear and she's pitched her voice low enough not to carry anyway.]

Enjoying the festivities?

[ He sees her dancing, of course, and in a style unlike anything he's ever seen. He's leaning against a wooden pillar, his arms folded across his chest. He smiles and shakes his head as he watches, at first staying quiet. Then he clears his throat, and the smile widens. ]

I was hoping to meet you on the field. [ He says, while pushing off the pillar. ] But since fate did not allow...

[ He gestures at her feet. ] What do you call this move?

Edited 2018-06-01 21:59 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

MOD PLOT: NOT ALONE DO WE STAND, PART 1

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