But despite what you've been told

[mostlyvoid]

WHO: Cecil, Kevin, Sherlock, Maxwell, Korrin, Lenneth
WHAT: Four brave Inquisition members go to rescue a group of very odd people
WHEN: the next few days
WHERE: on the edge of Emprise
NOTES: Rescuers feel free to use the ooc post here to plot out how you want the rescue to go down. Feel free to make up camp details/NPC actions. Action will be split into three main threads: Captive chatter, rescue, and travelling (both coming and going). Rescue will be a group log, but for the others feel free to do one-on-one threads.

The report’s directions are clear, at least, which is good - how else would the scouts be able to find the camp in this cold, desolate landscape. Snow as far as the eye can see, but there are great red shards of lyrium breaking through the ground. The only sounds are the grunting noise of red Templars stalking their way through the construction site echos along the frozen grounds, and the freezing wind that bites through skin and fur alike.

Scattered among these fearsome foes are cages. They look almost like caravans - giant cages on wheels, with cowering, shivering figures within. A few elves, primarily humans, all cold and hungry and uncertain about their fate.

Within one of these cages, a tattoo-covered human is conducting interviews.

Comments

CAPTIVES

[mostlyvoid]

[mostlyvoid]

The first interview hadn't gone particularly well. The woman that shared the cage had stared at his forehead for a long time, and then started to sob uncontrollably into her hands, which was both very sad and sort of annoying because even after being comforted and offered a slightly awkward hug, she would not stop. So eventually Cecil had just shuffled to to the other end of the cage and tried to ignore the background noise of her weeping.

He tended to forget the purple eye tattooed on his forehead, rolled up as if trying to look at heaven, the rising sun behind it. He tended to forget the tattoos all together - but obviously strange, captive, traumatised prisoners didn't forget it as easily as he did. No matter. He had a fairly good grasp on the situation through the perspective of being one of those said traumatised prisoners, seeing as he was one himself. It was the rest of the situation that he was having trouble piecing together.

So he was sticking out a hand, trying to waved down one of the less lyrium-diseased looking templars, who happened to be quite handsome but that was neither here nor there.

"It really will only take a moment," He was imploring him, in a voice that was certainly not a whine. "Just a few questions, to soothe the general public."

[justdesert]

"He won't be distracted."

It's a kind of cheerful tone that's nearly sing-song coming from the man seated in a corner of the cage. Like Cecil, he's been but a hospitable little host in their temporary home away from home. Indeed, Kevin had taken time to embrace those nearest him, offering what comfort he could so that their strained sobs became quieter and quieter until they eventually fell asleep in his arms. A few had woken up since then and, eager to leave Kevin to spread his comfort, had fled to the other end of the cage. But one still slept, the girl's head on his lap. Ever so thoughtfully, everyone else was kind enough to leave him a precious few inches of personal space to allow the girl uninterrupted rest.

"They have a deadline to meet. No time for...pleasantries. Or entirely counter productive activities."

[mostlyvoid]

"It isn't distraction if it is important," Cecil pointed out, turning to look at Kevin to notice yet another person sleeping in his lap. Bizarre. He could have sworn it was the bald headed man that was currently cowering terrified on the other side of the cage, just a moment ago. Maybe Kevin simply had a very comfortable lap. "And I'm fairly certain that us having a better grasp on our current situation could only be more productive." He waved his hand for the templar again, but then sighed, his entire body sinking with the sound, as he settled in against the bars.

"Unfortunately, our captors cannot seem to be reached for comment."

[justdesert]

"At this exact moment, we seem irrelevant to their greater goals."

The girl was beginning to drool. With a smile frozen in place, Kevin reaches down to manipulate the angle of her head, letting the bodily fluid seep into her hair instead of his trouser leg.

"But, goodness. You are the curious sort. Aren't you."

[mostlyvoid]

"I'm a town crier," He replied, as if that should be obvious. "My whole job is to figure out what is going on and then tell people about it. That kind of work requires a little curiosity."

Like, for example, the curiosity about whether or not Kevin's smile was extremely creepy or just felt extremely creepy, but as there was no one here to gossip about it with out of ear shot, it would have to be a question for later. Plus, he didn't want to think about it too much, considering that if it was extremely creepy, there would be no where to run from it.

"Also," he added, frowning as he grasped the bars, looking out at their captors, "I've found that survival tends to require a little curiosity."

RESCUE TIME

[mostlyvoid]

[gatheringstorm]

Close enough to have a view of the cages but far enough away that whispering won't be overheard, Korrin grips her staff and glances to the others with her. After all the watching and heartache, it feels good to finally be doing something about the cruel conditions imposed on the captive villagers. She's itching to go, but has worked as a group long enough not to just rush ahead without consultation.

"I'm ready to draw some attention, if those who can pick locks are likewise ready to make use of that. If there's anything else to say, now's the time." She's typically not long on patience, but also wants to give the captives their best chance for freedom. Should there be any last-minute notions that will turn the tide, she'll listen.

[lennethvalkyrie]

"And I am ready to ensure that the attention you draw has little effect on you," Lenneth replied, her quiet words accompanied by the soft hiss of a well-oiled blade coming free from its sheath. She checked the blade with her thumb, nodded grimly. "If we are able, we should kill them all in this attack. They cannot be saved from corruption now... only returned to the cycle. And it would not do to leave any able to pass along information about our capabilities." The Valkyrie thinned her lips, eyes flickering across the cages. "Or to follow us later."

"Agreed?"

[seesobserves]

This is the second time Sherlock and Korrin have been sent on assignment together, and Sherlock is finding he doesn't half mind working alongside the mercenary. She's practical, direct, confident in her abilities but all business when it comes down to it. None of this is anything he would have said to her face — but as a show of appreciation, he's been happy to pay her the same courtesy in return.

He's less sure about the rifter. Can't be sure about any of them, really, and that's the broader problem. But here she is talking about taking on the whole camp herself. No matter how sturdy that armor looks, he has his doubts.

"So long as they're not looking my way when you lop off their heads."

[dreadinquisitor]

Maxwell had never met any of the group before they'd been teamed up together for this rescue mission, but he settled readily in with them just the same. They were of the same mind - if not the same world - and that's what mattered to him.

Helping these people.

Pulling an arrow, he nodded as he shifted, readying his weight.

"Once we've got the cages open, I can provide cover for the villagers and make sure they get well out of the way."

[gatheringstorm]

Aside from Sherlock, Korrin hasn't spoken or worked with the others before, something which she now laments. It's always easier to function as a group knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses, and this mission must succeed. But it's also true for her that the best way to learn about someone is to fight alongside them, and she'll see their mettle soon enough.

Nodding to all that's said, Korrin manages a small, grim smile. "Then we're as ready as we'll ever be. Good luck, everyone." She nods to Lenneth, thoroughly agreeing about the Red Templars and ready to channel her rage about what they had done.

Seeing no reason to delay, Korrin then quietly moves away from Sherlock and Maxwell, not wanting to have them anywhere near her when she abandons stealth. That moment comes as soon as she's in position, casting Barrier over herself before straightening and drawing attention with her Chain Lightning spell. She needs to take out as many as possible, and has a few more spells in mind to affect that end.

TRAVELLING CHATTER

[mostlyvoid]

[gatheringstorm]

When the battle is over and the assembled group is clear of the Red Templars, Korrin's conscience is clearer that it has been for some time. Finally, at least some captives are now free. Not all, and she won't stop requesting aid until they were, but even one life spared such horror is a victory.

That isn't to say that there's any time to relax and savor it, however. Korrin knows they won't truly be safe until the region is behind them, so she'll do what she can in order to keep people moving. Gently, of course. If a cloak is needed, she'll pass it on; if fatigue is brought on by malnutrition, she'll take whatever is still in her travel bag and offer it without question. The Vashoth mage is fit and she can do without for a while, whereas others don't have that luxury.

Coming up to the nearest of those freed, Korrin looks them over with concern and slips free a healing potion from its place at her hip. "Here, have this. You need it more than I do."

[justdesert]

"Oh, that is so very kind. But I simply couldn't. They very thought of it makes me nauseous."

Kevin smiles, the expression not quiet reaching her eyes as he takes in the...individuals. Qunari he's more than accustomed to, were individuals he spent most of his remembered life around. But one with magic could only be one thing, and he would let the shivering individual behind him take the healing potion offered.

"But thank you."

[gatheringstorm]

That his smile doesn't reach his eyes isn't unexpected; this man had just been through a grueling ordeal and Korrin can only begin to guess at the extent. She nods, not about to press the issue. The last thing anyone from those cages need is someone else forcing decisions for them or prying. So she's fine with letting the nearest person have it instead, taking a moment to readjust the staff on her back afterward.

"Fair enough, but if you change your mind, it shouldn't be difficult to spot me. I'm probably the only one of my kind in the area, after all." She smirks a little at that, glad her height and horns are good for something when they've been more of a hindrance during her scouting mission. Being the only Vashoth around makes keeping a low profile difficult, to put it mildly. "And I have plenty to go around, so don't think you're depriving me."

[justdesert]

"It won't cross my mind. I promise."

Tal-Vashoth in the area were a rarity, even in these times of red Templars and other oddities. Kevin considered the tall female, content to ignore the rest of his fellow captives for the time being. They hadn't been terribly useful during the imprisonment, and seemed even less so now.

"The Inquisition must so wonderfully...open minded. To gather such a collection of. Heroes."

[gatheringstorm]

Heroes. That's the second time someone's used that word, and Korrin still doesn't know what to make of it in relation to herself, so she shrugs.

"You say it like there's the luxury of picking and choosing who gets to battle the great evil ahead, but it's not like that. Given that the Chantry thinks us all heretics and Orlais is too busy imploding to notice anything else, it's more a matter of pragmatism. Whoever's willing to do what needs to be done is welcome. Though I'll admit that kind of thinking has made acceptance possible, instead of a pipe-dream."

[mostlyvoid]

He was, admittedly, rather battered - but he had been somewhere in his own thoughts and hadn't noticed the Vashoth approach him, so looked a little surprised when she spoke. He turned to face her, looking down at the bottle, and then smiled with a very warm expression that most certainly did reach his eyes, and took the bottle.

"Oh! Oh, thank you. That's very kind." The smile only widened. "Though I wouldn't wish to be rude. Who should I be thanking...?"

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin smiled back, and it reached her eyes for what felt like the first time in days. After stewing in frustration over not being able to help a single soul in the area, this was a welcome change. That her height and horns didn't seem to be scaring him off improves her mood as well.

"You're welcome. I'm Korrin Ataash, of the Valo-Kas as well as the Inquisition. If you need any more, just ask. I have plenty to go around, so don't think you're depriving me."

[mostlyvoid]

Cecil didn't get scared off by much, frankly. Especially not when that height and those horns had just gone and saved his life. That and, well, he looked bizarre enough himself that nothing really phased him.

"Of the Valo-Kas?" He asks, tilting his head with interest. "I'm afraid to say I haven't heard of them. What are they? Or - I suppose - What is it?"

[gatheringstorm]

"It's a mercenary company, of Vashoth and Tal-Vashoth. I'm the only one directly allied with the Inquisition, but they'll come when I ask them." Korrin knows that much, without a doubt. Thinking of them brings a brief pang of longing, but she shoves it back. There's too much to do now and she won't lose focus.

Re: TRAVELLING CHATTER

[lennethvalkyrie]

After the fight, Lenneth had volunteered to guard the rear of the train, leaving the direction of their bedraggled party to those more inclined towards scouting. She remained fairly quiet and kept to herself, though certainly not out of a poor mood. Every so often she'd gather power to her fingertips and then let it go, a small faraway smile on her face.

[mostlyvoid]

"What is that?" Cecil asked curiously, with no lead up what-so-ever, as he pointed to the green shard in her hand.

"I don't think I've seen anything quite like it."

[lennethvalkyrie]

"This?" asked Lenneth, lifting her afflicted hand. She flexed her fingers away from her palm and faced it toward him to give a better look. "I know little. I have been told it is a shard of the Anchor--the mark the Herald of Andraste bore before her death. Like her, I emerged from a rift. Unlike her, I do not originally hail from Thedas." She said this matter-of-factly, and didn't pause afterward to allow for the sudden consideration of other worlds. Or, more likely, interruptive questions.

"All of us who came from the rifts bear them. They are weaker than the Herald's. Smaller. But they serve the same purpose. If those who bear the anchor shards work together, we may close rifts. I have seen it done--and aided in doing it myself." She stretched her fingers once, then let the hand fall to the pommel of her sword again. "More than that, I do not know. Its origin, if it has any other power, why we were pulled from our worlds, what was it did the pulling, whether or not we may return..." She lifted her shoulders in a brief shrug.

"If you find aught out with your questions, I would be well pleased to know."