faderift | Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening

WHO: Katniss Everdeen, Samoel Gareth, Korrin Ataash, Christine Delacroix, Cremius Aclassi, Kain, and Merrick Ashara
WHAT: Various missions in the Emprise du Lion
WHEN: Second week of Haring
WHERE: Emprise du Lion - Saharain, The Bone Tower, the Mines, then lands surrounding.
NOTES: Warning for Violence, Death, possible NPC

death, and grumpy elves

Enjoyed the trip from Skyhold to even colder Emprise du Lion? Good, because now, it's time to get down to work.

1. He will not see me stopping here - The Bone Tower

The lay of the land is important here - the Inquisition Forces need proper mapping and a good idea of where the Red Templars might be dug in like ticks. The best place to get a vantage point? The Bone Tower.

Which ... just happens to be crawling with Red Templars, but luckily for this scouting party, they have their own fair share of rogues. Merrick and Katniss plan on climbing the tower, undetected, so they can better map the area. With Sam as back-up, what can possible go wrong?

2. To watch his woods fill with snow - The Mines

Yet the Bone Tower is not the only place with a heavy concentration of Red Templars. There's been speak of them in large numbers in the local mines -- and many a family member has disappeared through those wooden gates and not returned. Korrin is off to see what she can find there, and she's going to drag along some protection as well. Will you be joining her, to see just how far the Red Templars have gone?

3. My Horse Must Think Me Queer - The village of Sahnaria

And in the midst of all this, the snowy little village of Sahnaria, with what few survivors there are to the suddenly harsh weather, and those who are traveling to the mines, and never returning. Should you travel here, information is key. Who knows, you may find yourself beset with demons, who have been preying on the survivors here. Perhaps you should speak to Mistress Poulin, about their recent troubles.

4. To stop without a farmhouse near - The Red Templar Camps

Yet the road beyond the village is beset with dangers - of the red lyrium kind. Red Templars have camped up the entire road, all the way to Suledin Keep itself. It is important not to be seen, as to not give away the mission. Christine believes she can get close enough to get a better idea of what they are doing here - but she cannot do this alone. Who will go to find out the Red Templar's secrets?

5. Between the woods and the frozen lake - DRAGONS

The name says it all. Are you trying to keep hidden from the winged beasts? Are you staring up at them in wonder? Are you wondering how they would taste in a stew? Consider talking to your other teammates about the winged threat...

6. The darkest evening of the year - Attack at the Camp

They have all been as careful as they can be, but even 'peaceful' looking camps get curious eyes on them. Especially ones with an eye for violence. There is a crunch of snow behind them, and the sound of a branch breaking. Arm yourselves, scouts. Something is out in the woods, and it is coming for you...

7. The woods are lovely, dark and deep - Sulevin Blade

Katniss and Merrick now spend a great deal of their time together, trekking through the snow and setting traps, so they can get a better idea of the scope of the forces here. Their defenses, and their like. That doesn't mean that they don't find the interesting side journey, now and again ...

8. But I have promises to keep - The Warden Fortress

This particular ruin is right between the Bone Tower, and one of the largest camps of Red Templars. Still, the Inquisition Command would like to know what is inside. Do you dare find out?

9. And miles to go before I sleep - open slot for whatever!

See the description! For camping nights, for talks on patrol, for shenanigans. Post it under the heading of 9.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"So that's why you drink lyrium potions. On my world, the mages use something called ether to replenish their power... but it doesn't hold the same dangers." He's finding things here and there that he can sort of relate to, that he can understand by having some sort of equivalent for them.

He stares some more at the eerie red stuff. "Nor would I take such a risk, either. Potential death is one thing, but losing your mind..." He shakes his head firmly. "The more I hear about these Templars, the more excessive their methods seem. There must be a better way to dispel magical threats than that..."

Excessive is absolutely a good way to put it. Templars, in her opinion, use excessive means in everything they do. Perhaps the most troubling thing here is the fact that some turning to red lyrium isn't even much of a surprise.

"Yes, but like most people, the quickest route is the one they turn to. It has not gone well for these Templars, and they must feel it is too late to turn back now." She pauses, wondering if those who haven't fully erupted in red crystals yet can be cured. "Death will be their only release from this."

“Their only release and a welcome one. We’ll be doing them a favor by ending their lives.” Even the thought of having some other influence in control is disturbing to him, and seeing it here before him makes him even more determined to do something about it. “With enough of our forces… we could surely decimate their numbers, perhaps get rid of them entirely. Although I wonder how many join their ranks every day…” If they grow too strong, that’ll be a problem. They definitely need to do something about that.

"I don't know. The number of Templars depended on the size of the Circle, but I would say there were between thirty and fifty in each. Multiple that by..." And here she pauses to try and calculate the number of Circles, but that will take too much time. Instead she merely shakes her head.

"Well, there could be hundreds already. They could be stationed elsewhere. There was evidence of red lyrium in the Fallow Mire, after all."

That brings on a new concern. She undoubtedly knows more about this than him, being more familiar with the world. "Are we certain that the Templars with us will remain loyal? There isn't any chance of spies among them, or anything like that... is there? There's no chance the red templars could recruit or turn them against us?"

It takes one to know one, in a sense... Kain knows what it's like to be turned on one's allies in such a way. So he figures he may as well ask.

Her silence is probably as much an answer as he needs, but the delay is because she's thinking this through before she answers.

"Spies are everywhere," she admits. "But I think the Templars are now divided in purpose. There are those that still wish to serve the Chantry, and those who wish to serve Corypheus. Seeing what is happening to those who serve the latter, I cannot imagine that our Templars in the Inquisition would be eager to join them. Perhaps some Templars still out there in the world hunting mages might, but our organization is the far better option."

Kain had a feeling it might be that way, that there are possible enemies lurking closer than anyone would like to think. It’s good to know he’s not just being paranoid… but realistic.

“That’s a relief to hear… at least we know which Templars can be trusted and which can’t, for the most part. I’m glad that some among their kind can see sense.” He’s heard a lot about them being unreasonable and so forth, so this is something of a relief. He glances at the ones with the red lyrium in their skin. “And fortunately for us, at least these ones are all too obviously identified.”

"Indeed. It is a downside of which we may take advantage. The Red Templars cannot move freely among the common people because of their monstrous appearance, and so they cannot yet show themselves openly. That gives us time with which to study them for weaknesses."

Already an idea has planted itself in her mind. She must return to Skyhold as soon as possible to do some research in the library.

“At least we have an enemy that’s not subtle. That does make the job easier for whenever we’re ready to attack… I assume that’s a longterm plan, once we’ve gathered enough information? To swoop in with our forces and crush them?”

Kain is always one for the most direct approach possible, he’s a lot like any warrior in that regard. He does understand the importance of these missions though, gathering intelligence is just as important as making that strike. Still, he’s itching for a fight.

"I cannot say for certain what the Inquisition leadership will do, but I know they won't allow this to stand. Whether we crush them completely or end up driving them out, once they here of this, things will change for this region."

And the people here need something good to happen to them for a change.

Nodding, Kain feels like he can accept that much for an answer. There’s a lot at work here, and the Inquisition has a great deal to settle. It’s likely its work will never truly be done, even after the main threat is vanquished. it makes Kain wonder just how long he and the other rifters will be here… to see this battle through, hopefully, but what happens after?

“It sounds like they’ve been through a great deal already… that would be for the best for everyone here. And I suppose in time we rifters might find some resolution to our situation as well. Understanding the mark, at least…” He has no problems with being here, but the strange glowing thing on his hand still weirds him out.

"Yes," she says, sounding earnest in her agreement. "You rifters are important, for we cannot close rifts without you. But the means by which you traveled here are still a mystery. We must find answers for you. I know I would be terrified if I landed in a world that was not my own."

Of course, she doesn't want the rifters to leave before all the rifts have been closed, but she does want to see them safely returned home, if that is their wish.

Kain stares at the mark in the palm of his hand for a moment, and then back out toward the red templars.

"This may sound unusual, but for now, I'm fine with taking up this world's causes as my own. The rifts, the red templars, the demons... all of it. I'll fight for as long as I can." He's in no real rush to return home for a number of reasons, and really, this world seems to need all the help it can get, in a way.

"You are always welcome in the fight," Christine replies. She isn't sure if the Maker blessed them with the rifters to make up for taking the Herald away, or if this is just some strange accident, but she's glad the rifters are here.

"I think we've seen all we need to here. Shall we return to camp?"

It remains a mystery why they’re here, whether there’s a purpose behind it, good or sinister, whether it’s just a result of the rifts… Whatever the case, this is certainly better than where he just was. Kain takes one more long glance toward the templars, going about their business.

“Agreed… we should have enough to report on… and hopefully use that knowledge to take action soon enough.” He nods. “Let’s return.”

Stopping by the woods on a snowy evening

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