MOD PLOT: SHOULD GLORY COME AT SUCH A PRICE, Part I

[faderifting]

WHO: The Inquisition's Minrathous delegation
WHAT: A diplomatic visit to Tevinter's capital
WHEN: Mid Solace
WHERE: Minrathous, Tevinter
NOTES: Slavery cw. OOC post here.

I. SWEET DIGS

The Archon's palace is a vast complex at the northeast of the island, buildings of stark black and white stone drawn straight up out of the ground and shaped by magic alone. Ringed by a wall of the same, it is made up of the palace proper and dozens of outbuildings, stables, barracks, baths, gardens, and the like. The Inquisition delegation is housed in the guest quarters, a single long hall in one wing of the palace. They are not its only occupants: special emissaries from the Anderfels occupy several rooms at one end of the hall, and other visitors are scattered throughout—trade envoys, out-of-town courtiers, relatives and guests of the Archon. There is also a veritable army of staff, constantly fetching, carrying, cleaning. Skyhold will have sent stern reminders for the Division Heads to pass down to the rest of the party: assume you are being watched at all times and mind your tongue accordingly.

The areas of the palace open to foreign visitors are somewhat limited: aside from the Archon's personal apartments, several wings apparently house massive bureaucracy behind the throne, and guests are not permitted without an appointment and an escort. The library and hall of treasures are free to be wandered, though they are carefully guarded against theft or vandalism, and the gardens are lovely and imposing testaments to the wonders magic can wring from nature.

II. GUIDED TOUR

The delegation's first day in Minrathous is fully booked, beginning with a guided tour after breakfast. The tour focuses on the nicer parts of the city and is led by a friendly elven mage, Caeso, who works for the Archon—someone is trying to make a point, perhaps, about how high elves can rise, as long as they're the right sort.

Minrathous is ancient, and it shows, with not even the care and pride Tevinter has in its heritage able to stave off signs of wear. The buildings are enormous and dark, made largely out of black stone and metals, but they indicate a majestic history more than a majestic present. There are also signs of magic, everywhere. The foundations of many buildings seem to have been pulled up straight from the earth, rather than built on top of it, and towers and bridges that should have collapsed ages ago are permanently enchanted to defy gravity. While he doesn't take them inside any of the buildings, Caeso points out the Argent Spire, the headquarters of the Imperial Chantry and Divine; the Minrathous Circle, the oldest in Thedas; and the Ambassadoria, where dwarven ambassadors work underground to preserve their castes. Then he guides them through a colorful central market where they're able to have lunch around a fountain and enjoy open displays of magic and enchanted objects by street performers and merchants. He's happy to answer basic questions about the city and Tevinter in general, and after lunch provides everyone with maps that are, possibly, designed for tourists who aren't particularly trusted (or aren't believed to be particularly bright). They only show significant landmarks and the streets required to reach them from the palace.

III. FANCY PARTY

That afternoon, everyone is due back in time to dress up, fix their hair, fix other people's hair as needed, and sit down for dinner with the Archon—distant, at the end of the table, and quiet—as well as a number of members of the Magisterium and other notable figures, with an over-the-top sixteen course meal served by a quiet, respectful staff that may be slaves or may be servants. Afterwards, and after a break to allow a little bit of digestion, the entire group migrates to join even more guests for an evening of music, dancing, and mingling in a ballroom adorned with floating lights.

The locals will shy away from discussing anything too sensitive, like Corypheus' origins or Tevinter religion and politics, but they'll be happy to discuss history and to ask questions of the delegation. A southerner is as rare a sight for them here are a Tevinter is in the south.

IV. FREE TIME

Under the Archon's protection as long as they remain his guests, and despite what the maps they're given might suggest, the delegation has been given more or less free rein in the capital, with only sensitive areas of the palace, naval yards, and the Circle and Spire off-limits for casual visits. Minrathous is a city like any other: tightly-packed buildings, bustling streets, opulent theaters and rundown shops, markets selling vegetables and flowers and fabrics, cafés packed with students arguing politics or beleaguered bureaucrats taking tea, pristine gardens filled with elaborate topiary, or small squares of green tucked between buildings, flowering vines draped down their walls. Of course it's also like nothing they've ever seen further south: street performers here make common use of magic, not just breathing fire but shaping it into a flock of birds or a dragon in flight. Slave markets are kept to the outskirts of the city but those near the docklands are vast and busy. In the harbor, among the forest of masts of trading vessels from every corner of Thedas, sits the Imperial Navy, four ships always on guard at the broad mouth of the harbor, a reminder that this is a nation at war.

Outside of specific missions, everyone is free to wander the city and explore, though they are given strict instructions to stay out of trouble—no matter what. They are also asked to keep their eyes and ears open as they do, to mingle and talk with anyone who seems willing, and to keep watch for anything unique on sale in the markets. Rare books, unknown potions, unusual enchanted objects should all be purchased if spotted: this may be the Inquisition's only opportunity to get its hands on the wealth of magical and historical knowledge hoarded by Tevinter (and reimbursements will be offered, within reason).

Potential agents are another invaluable commodity, and the delegation is charged with taking note of anyone who seems sympathetic to the Inquisition's cause and bringing their names and information to the attention of the Scoutmaster and her aides. Those capable of carefully sussing out the depth of that interest are to do so, but given the delicacy of the situation everyone should proceed with the utmost caution, and under no circumstances is any non-member of the Inquisition—no matter how friendly—to be trusted.

Comments

[tactical_alert]

Malcolm, for all his questions about how the Chantry goes about its business and how it interprets various iterations of the Chant of Light, has always been a good Chantry boy. Growing up as he should, and then joining the Templars, only to then be scooped up by the Seekers and devoting his life to the Divine and to the cause of the Seekers of Truth. Even if it leaves him feeling distinctly alone sometimes in Kirkwall. It means that while individual Vints have their redeeming qualities, Tevinter as a whole strikes him as a wicked place, people who spit on the Maker's words, whose ancestors marched into the Golden City and turned it black and defiled.

They are decadent and full of splendor, with their own Chantry and their own Divine, and he can't help but to think of Tevinter like Orlais, a flip side of the coin. It makes it a little easier to swallow, as well as his own particular interest in the diplomatic side of things. Watch everything. Be pleasant. Laugh at the right jokes, compliment the food, don't bring up politics. He's seen the Game played often enough that while they might not call it such here in Minrathous, he can recognize the similarities enough to play along. So. Naturally. He's going to take this opportunity to explore as he can, as much as he's allowed. One of the few countries he's never been to in his duties, he can't let this opportunity go to waste.

At the party, he fits in perhaps more than he'd like. His formal wear had often leaned toward black with a few accents and deliberate shine. He's updated this particular wardrobe a few times, be it for wear and tear, actual combat, or changing fashions, but the primarily black cut of top and trousers with the Eye of Truth stitched to the back in such a way with such a fabric that it catches the light without demanding attention, that stays the same. The details change with every ball, though, between Ferelden and Orlais and elsewhere. Here, it is gold that always shines brightest, so it is gold that he has seen fit to decorate himself with. Epaulets, a brooch of the Inquisition's seal upon his breast with a chain looping decoratively from it, a thin but glittering golden sash low across his hips. When in Tevinter...

As ever, he is someone with the ability to dance, and not too shabbily, but infrequently asks to do so. One might have to approach him first. But he's willing to eat, drink, and hold conversations, rather than stand stoically aside.

The library sees frequent use, making note of titles and authors, occasionally pulling out books to peruse through. He could spend a year in here straight pouring over it all, to get a glean of what they think, what they teach, what education they hold dear here. But he'll have to make due with what he can feasibly accomplish.

Naturally, he'll wander off the pitiable trail set out in the map into the city proper. He's a fine sense of direction, after all, and staying within the lines will do them no good. Smalltalk has never been his best skill, but he makes an effort, frequently, in the cafes of students or benches of those resting and watching the casual magic shows, the clerks in stores as he peruses the items. Whoever seems willing to talk to him, he talks to. Knowing who they might be able to trust--or use, at the very least--is paramount here, and he'll not take it lightly. But he'll not ignore a fellow member of the delegation should they want to catch his eye or ear.