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

[altusimperius]

"But we can't--" Bene catches Hanzo's sleeve before he can get to the door, his face pale. "If I-- they'll know it's..." His family, which would be a disaster if they set the Inquisition on his mother; worse yet, him.

Something occurs to him, and he gets a look on his eye that's almost deranged by his panic. "What if we don't," he suggests, in a fraught whisper as though this is a revolutionary idea. What if they just... let the Templars get executed and deny any knowledge of it?
As an afterthought, he starts to tear up the note into tiny shreds.

[eruit]

"No. I will not carry the deaths of Templars upon my shoulders." Hanzo has no love for Templars as an order, but needless death? When he knew he could do something for it? It is entirely dishonourable and he can almost feel the throb of it in his very being. He had almost lost Honour to such horror before; he had almost lost one of the spirits he loved so dearly. He is not willing to risk it a second time.

"There is no need for us to go as claimants. I am a member of the Inquisition and they are guests of the Archon. That should be more than enough to clear up the misunderstanding. If not then we shall improvise."

[altusimperius]

Flinching at the forceful response, Benedict hunches his shoulders and accepts the defeat, his mind still racing for alternative options.
"Do you truly think they'll cede to the Inquisition, a visiting organization that until recently has been overtly hostile to Tevinter, over one of Minrathous' own noble houses?" he asks, his tone biting, "only an Artemaeus will be able to get them out."

Though still very much afraid, his fear's manifestation has shifted from panicked to flustered. Finishing tearing up the letter, he stuffs the shreds in his pocket to deal with later, and lifts his dark, insolent gaze to Hanzo. "You have to make sure I survive this." Having found a cigarette in his pocket, he sticks it in his mouth and lights a match, still frowning, sulking. "Or she'll be after you next."

[eruit]

"I think they will know better than to risk the incident it will cause." Hanzo's not fool enough to think that the Inquisition itself holds the greatest of powers, but with the ties to the Archon and the strength it's been gaining, especially with Rifters... There is no denying that it is the best weapon they have. If the worst happens he knows that he can fall back on his name - the name that Benedict knows - but he does not want to give the Templars that weapon. If they're out of earshot...

He scoffs, shaking his head and pushing by the other man.

"Put that out," and he begins to make his way down the corridor. "I am not afraid of your mother. I have fought far worse than her and survived." As if Hanzo does not know how to survive a Tevinter family. As if he is not an expert in disappearing, in hiding, in becoming someone else. He had done it before; he is not afraid.

[altusimperius]

"Oh, so you're handling it then," Bene replies with a roll of his eyes, stopping in the hallway (and most pointedly not putting out the cigarette), folding his arms.
"Good luck, assuming they don't throw you in there with them."

[eruit]

"If you would rather I didn't attend to your problems I would be more than content to stay here, or perhaps visit the libraries. It has been some time since I have been home."

He very deliberately stops, turning to look at Benedict with a stern expression. It's the same one he would have given Genji, once.

[altusimperius]

There's a brief standoff; on the one hand, Benedict is firmly of the mind that no one can tell him what to do (even his parents never did, after all), that Hanzo is completely out of line expecting to take this kind of firm stance... and yet.
On the other hand, this could go very bad, very quickly, and Bene is at least not too big of an idiot to recognize when he has an ally.

Though he spends a couple seconds fuming incredulously at the older man, finally he huffs toward and past him, taking care to exhale a big puff of smoke right as he glances back to make sure he's coming. Off they go, but not happily.

[eruit]

The standoff does not last even half as long as the ones he used to share with his brother; those could last hours, the two of them training or studying in the same room with nothing but stone cold silence between them. This is easier; he knows that he is doing something Benedict desperately needs from him and it is going to put him in just as much risk - he can step away from the issue and not suffer for it. The same can not be said for Benedict.

The boy begins to move and Hanzo holds his breath through the smoke - that is familiar too. Slowly, he picks up his pace and follows, saying nothing. He has won and that is what counts.