faderift | Scallop the breastbone

WHO: Morrigan, open;
WHAT: Morrigan (and Kieran) join the Inquisition earlier than planned; she looks for tutors, tale of the Warden's companions present and assistance with her research
WHEN: mid-Haring
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Kieran is an npc and as such shall be shuffled off elsewhere quickly. Feel free to spot her anywhere around Skyhold looking suitably disgusted.

With one small boy practically dead on his feet, it had been easier than it might have been elsewise to arrange for suitable quarters for a woman and her son, perhaps easier than it might have been had she come in a rather more official capacity. True, the eluvian might have been with her then but things were rather less organised than she would have hoped and the rumours filtering into Orlais hadn't been wrong about the utter chaos. Even when Orlesian theatrics were taken into account. No matter, they were here, the last of her things that were too much for the two of them to transport safely would arrive shortly and doubtlessly she would be able to find a safe place for them.

For now, her priorities are getting the lay of the land as it were and it's not long before yet another mage is prowling through Skyhold though this one will look any Templar in the eye until they look away first if challenged, a woman clearly on a mission.

Tutors for her son for a start, she won't have him neglecting his studies. Seeking old companions or word of them next when she heard talk on the road that she'd have the truth of. And lastly, help with her own research and the not inconsiderable stash of very old, and very rare magical books she's lugged all the way here from Orlais, with two volumes kept always on her person lest they be lost again.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Have you been with the Inquisition long? I understand that numbers have swelled since the attack on Haven and the relocation to Skyhold, the name is certainly spoken more favourably than it was." Though without the Herald then of course some things had changed because had she truly been a false prophet? Had Andraste's chosen been lost to them? So much fear and doubt in the hearts and minds of what might have been the nation with the strongest chance of survival had Celene and Gaspard's wars and an elven uprising not shaken the balance of power.

Honestly the Blight had been easier to deal with. One small band and righting wrongs on the road, gaining alliances because the only real way was through. Yes there was strength in numbers but favours for treaties and fewer personal agendas? Far easier than even trying to feed and house a fraction of the Inquisition at present.

"I do have some skill with plants from growing up, I can see what I have in my own stock of seeds to allow for resupplying if needed if you know who I should hand such a list over to."

"I've been with the Inquisition for several months now - I joined it while they were still located in Haven." And as tiring as it had been, it was also much easier at that point. Back then it was easier to focus, to simply do his job because there was the comfort of having the Herald around. But then Corypheus attacked and Haven was razed to the ground and the Herald was no longer with them. A lot had happened and even more had changed, but even then the Inquisition still had to continue.

At the next part of her words Bruce gave her a grateful bow of his head. "You can pass it on to the quarermaster, I believe - and your help is very much appreciated. The attack from the abomination had destroyed the majority of the garden and its crops, so anything that can help replenish it would be great." At this point, with how much they have lost, just about anything that they could get would be greatly useful.

"And before?" It seemed a fair question after all, to find out what would prompt one to join such a ragtag thing when the majority of the world it seemed had collectively buried their heads in the sand or decided to keep their heads down, staying small and quiet if they hadn't taken up arms as so many had. Lyrium smugglers had never been quite so brazen before, nor had there been so many bandits and mercenaries upon the roads to prey and scavenge on what had been left behind in the Hinterlands now that they mages and templars were reduced to the worst of their rogue elements.

"This place has such history, such magic even in the very stones of the foundations, meant to protect it from evil. One would hope that all this is but a temporary blip and not a portent of what is to come, the first drops of rain to herald the storm."

Before... well. Before was a complicated thing, and one Bruce would rather not touch upon if possible. But she had asked, and Bruce knew better than to not answer and possibly draw unwarranted attention. Still--

"I had been mostly going around from place to place, offering my services as a surgeon where required." That much at least was the truth, even if his reasoning for it wasn't. "When the news about the Breach and the Inquisition started to go across I felt it would be for the best if I could come and put my services to help the ones who were doing their best to save this world."

So far though, that seemed like the best decision still--that is until the attack on Haven, then the Herald passing away and now this. Things hadn't been going too well in the last few weeks, and Bruce certainly hoped that would change soon. He nodded to Morrigan's words in agreement there.

"At least after this people will be much more vigilant. Hopefully, no more of this incidents will occur."

Living a life where you were known for the Blight in some circles and for your rather public position in others gave you a different sort of perspective on befores. Especially when people viewed Flemeth as but mere legend, superstitions of the Chasind.

"If you tire of the Inquisition, might I suggest to you the Exalted Plains. The long and bloody history of that place only continues though this time there are far fewer elves to be caught in the fighting. They would be grateful for the skills of a surgeon though in too many cases twould be like the Blight; one last moment before they finally succumb. The wounds of a common soldier are easier to treat, one would imagine, than the aftermath of demons." What she saw during the Blight stayed with her, likely stayed with them all; soldiers dead in the field from the civil war, weakened from blood loss and their wounds, sickened by the taint or whatever found them on the road.

She had no desire to see such sights herself but the world had forgotten so quickly the horrors of a Blight, of the chaos only war could bring.

"Yet vigilance may cause much of it - to be gawked at, to know what would happen to you should a Templar come. I have been called many things and maleficar among them, we both know that if I were the one to fall to fear what would come sniffing around. The Circle mages have risen to new heights and the fall...the fall is rather spectacular."

The Exalted Plains... Bruce has passed by it a few times, yes, although he's never actively stayed in the area, given the fighting that Morrigan had just brought up. Still, she did have her point - just as she also had her point about the Circles. Inherently the Circles weren't bad, but as with so many things, they had changed into something that weren't truly quite were what they were once meant to be.

"All I truly hope is that something like this doesn't occur within Skyhold again." Outside it was hard to say, but within these walls, at least, people should be safe. If even their safety in here was threatened, then it would be hard to maintain the slowly growing reputation that the Inquisition was getting. Not to mention that Bruce personally wouldn't like it himself - putting innocent people in danger was never something he liked a lot.

He tried his best to put his mind away from that thought and inclined his head towards her. "But anyway, thank you for your suggestion. I'll keep in mind, should I find a time for me to leave the Inquisition."

Scallop the breastbone

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