NEVER FORGIVE || closed

[staysail]

WHO: Julius and Darras
WHAT: Riftwatch sends some diplomats on a mission to deal with some pesky Fereldan lords.
WHEN: fantasy July
WHERE: certain Fereldan estates
NOTES: this job is gonna require charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. and maybe some blackmail. annnnd they've already written off Bann Ranulf icly.

Queen Anora has discreetly requested assistance dealing with a handful of Fereldan lords who are pressuring her to make demands of Orlais—including a formal apology and a pledge of reparations for the occupation—before committing to any official assistance in repelling the invasion. The Queen thinks that these demands are unlikely to be met, that making them and then conceding would result in a loss of face, and that failing to assist could ultimately jeopardize Ferelden and all of Southern Thedas. But pushing back too indelicately against the lords may make her look weak or indifferent to those among the populace who still remember the brutality of the Orlesian occupation. A team will be sent to investigate the lords clamoring for her to make demands to see if they can uncover any potential means to quiet them down, and then to do so, with violence as a last resort.....

Comments

[staysail]

With feeling, Osthrytha turns her head and spits on the floor to punctuate that leading question. "Not all of the blame, is that what your Lady Selwyn said?"

She sits forward in her chair, her piercing blue eyes fixed on the both of them. The dog at her feet turns a look up at her.

"Then her lord must be in a prettier parcel of land than I am if she's got room to be that judicious about it. But she isn't wrong, for all that. Orlais, they're the ones that I give blame to. But it wasn't them that cut up these lands like butchers. When it was done, the carrion birds came calling from all over these lands. Carved it up, moved bits about and tried to sew it all up again like that could give it life. No concern for any of our heritage, any of what we had by rights. The people loved my grandfather, y'know, and he loved them well. Same as my father. There's folk that don't live on our lands anymore that owe fealty to me, and they'd tell you as much if you asked 'em. Yet no one gives two shits about that. They all want to harp on about Orlais? Fine. I can dance to that tune just as well if it means they'll pay me mind."

[overharrowed]

A bit quieter: "Lady Selwyn lost her son to the Fifth Blight. I imagine what disdain she reserves is for the Darkspawn. But your point is well-taken, all the same."

He leans forward a bit as well. "I can't speak for all of Riftwatch, but personally, I've every sympathy for people who take a practical approach in a poor situation. So the question now is... will it serve your long-term aims? We're not here to tell you your business, truly. I'd be interested to hear your assessment of the situation."

[staysail]

Osthrytha's face doesn't soften at this old news of death. Her only reaction is a small nod.

"I'm sorry for the lady if that's the fate that befell her son," she says, with a firm air. "But we've all had hard times, so you'll forgive me for not weeping for him. I spent all my tears years ago. My assessment of the situation, as you've asked for so lovely, now--that's this. I don't give a shit how I get it. I want my land. I want what's owed to me. My grandfather lost it, and I mean to reclaim it, every molehill and stone. Is your Riftwatch going to give me that, eh?"

Darras resists the urge to give Julius a second sidelong look. Is Riftwatch going to help? Likely not. An unwelcome truth won't do, so--

"Not give," he says. "But help you? That one's more possible."

[overharrowed]

"You've been straight with us," Julius says, quiet but not soft. "So I think it only fair we do you the same courtesy. We can't promise you something that isn't in our gift. But what we do have, what we can offer, is connections. We're an international organization, which means we've goals across borders, but also ears across them. We're built on favors and gratitude, which means we know a bit about helping our friends. It's the coin we pay in, often enough, and it goes farther than the gold sort."

Intent: "You asked if we came here for your coin, and I told you honestly we didn't. So honestly, now... we came because you're in a position to do us a good turn, and because we think we can do you one in recompense."