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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

i. he's dying happy

To anyone who actually knows Gareth, it's no surprise that the Library draws him in with its siren call of an absurd amount of rare books. A decent portion of his free time is spent flitting among the shelves, pulling out a book or two that looks interesting, and adding it to the pile. Occasionally, he can be heard muttering commentary on whatever he's grabbed.

"I thought the Chantry ordered all copies of this destroyed." or "I bet this book is worth more than Hightown itself."

And, of course, he spends plenty of time reading the books, and even has a notepad where he scratches anything of note that he finds interesting--after all, it's not like he can take these back to consult with later. As tempting as it is, Gareth is no idiot, and has no desire to jeopardize their entire mission over a few books.

And throughout it all, this is one of the times when Gareth seems genuinely, truly happy. It is, really, as if they'd unleashed a child on a candy store and let them have at it. The amount of knowledge stored here is beyond his comprehension, more than any one person could acquire in a lifetime--but he wouldn't mind giving it his best shot.

iii. party party party

Gareth can, under dire circumstances, scrub up nicely. Not nice enough to pass for a noble, but enough to pass, perhaps, as an eccentric but comfortable sage from a mysterious land, and that is good enough for the job.

The job being rubbing elbows with the various well-to-do locals. It's something that Gareth is surprisingly good at--though perhaps not in the traditional way. Certainly, in Orlais he'd never be able to join a group of scholars and engage in a friendly debate over the various categories nested within primal magic, and what kinds of magic deserve the label.

It's not an environment he'd ever pictured himself in. While the opulence isn't quite his speed, there's something so familiar to it. Almost like the Circle, if they'd been allowed to throw fancy parties.

He does break away on occasion, grabbing food, drink, and air as needed, and he's happy to chat with anyone who approaches.

iv. dance magic dance

While no one could describe Gareth as well off, he's brought with him a reasonable amount of coin, and he's happy to find excuses to spend it here. From book store to food stall, he flits around, ducking into anything that looks interesting. He doesn't plan on spending all his money in one place, though, and spends more time simply window gazing than shopping.

And, of course, he takes time to enjoy the street performers. Grabbing a skewer of some kind of grilled meat or another, he plops on a half wall and watches one of the fire dancers. It's not just entertainment, though. There's an intensity to the way that he stares, consideration at each hand movement.

Occasionally, he summons a little flame of his own, mimicking the movements of the performers.

It's strange, watching this, watching the people react. Not with fear or caution, but enjoyment. They know that the street performer isn't going to suddenly turn his flames on them, they trust that he'll keep the street from burning down around him. Does it even occur to them to worry? What must it be like, to simply accept magic as a part of life, as something that can bring joy and wonder, instead of a weapon wielded by someone to be feared?