It's Not A Pretty Thing To See [Closed]

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WHO: Julius, Petrana, Colin, Marisol, and Finch
WHAT: Winning hearts and minds
WHEN: Solace, pre-Tevinter expedition
WHERE: Ferelden
NOTES: Link to OOC post

With Orlais at war, things in Ferelden appear relatively quiet, apart from the seemingly never-ending stream of suitors attempting to catch Queen Anora’s eye. But the Inquisition has heard grumbling, low but persistent, about the news that the Inquisition will support mages’ legal right to inherit and hold titles. Sources have traced much of that grumbling to Bann Selwyn. He is not a particularly influential figure in his own right, but he has friends and allies who are inclined to take his point.

The Inquisition has managed to secure an invitation for a small group to visit Selwyn, along with his wife and his heir. (Thomas has only been the heir since the Fifth Blight; his older brother fell defending Ferelden from Darkspawn.) The information available is mainly that Bann Selwyn is a fairly ordinary Fereldan noble, with aspirations above his station, but hopefully a man to be reasoned with. The situation is not yet a problem; the Inquisition wants to ensure it does not become one.

Comments

On the Road

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The trip from Kirkwall is, by Inquisition standards, pleasant if not quite idyllic. The Waking Sea crossing is relatively smooth, and then it’s a long but undemanding ride more or less due south from Highever. The group has plenty of time to talk, about the mission or anything else, if they wish.

Arrival

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When the group arrives at Selwyn's home, they are met by servants; a human housekeeper informs them that rooms have been prepared and that the bann will give them time to freshen up before the evening’s feast in their honor. He has evidently invited a few of his more favored freeholders to join the family and the Inquisition’s representatives. The housekeeper then assigns servants (a mix of humans and elves) to show them to their respective rooms, which are not terribly near one another, by design or otherwise.

When it comes time for the feast, the Inquisition's representatives are shown to the castle’s grand hall, lit warmly by a large central fireplace. The table is well-set and no one is likely to go hungry, though the spread is nothing to hold a candle to some of the finer noble houses in Thedas. A few freeholders mill about, some with drinks in hand, conversing but not bold enough to approach the visitors.

A woman in her early sixties comes to meet them. Her dress is simple, but fine, and from her ease it seems certain she is the lady of the house. “Welcome, all of you. I hope you had a pleasant journey?” Her eyes linger on Julius, just barely longer than the others, but her manners are warm and genuine.

In The Castle (And Environs)

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[Catch-all for one-on-one threads. Contact me if you'd like NPCs.]