[closed] the smith of ferelden

[unshut]

WHO: Barrow, John Silver, Kostos, Ilias
WHAT: Mages, Templars and Swords - oh my!
WHEN: Vaguely Drakonis
WHERE: Ferelden
NOTES: OOC Post

It's said that the forge at Farrow's Crossing has been burning uninterrupted since the Steel Age. While that is almost certainly a fairy tale proudly perpetuated by Bann Egan, what is undeniable is that Farrow's Crossing is home to some of Ferelden's finest smiths. Weapons and armor crafted here are renowned for their quality, the production of which is fed by the mines located in the nearby hills. --Which is probably what drew a band of still-rebelling mages there. Doing anything to interrupt the flow of raw material from the mines to the forges could deal a real blow to the Bannorn's economic stability (never mind its pride and reputation), and so Bann Egan has offered a significant trade deal on arms from his forges to anyone who can root out the apostates and either send them packing or deal with them a little more permanently. He's not particular about where they go, but they can't stay here.

Comments

THE GREAT DEBATE;

[unshut]

Riftwatch is put up in one of the out buildings adjacent to the main house. What's been made abundantly clearly from the day's proceedings is that the Templars intend to take the mages from Farrow's Crossing. To what end? They haven't said. Meanwhile, the mages are officially more than happy to leave Ferelden under escort, but they'd much rather have it done under Riftwatch's supervision, thank you very much.

The Chantrys representatives have offered to cut Riftwatch a fair percentage of the arms that Bann Egan is willing to provide so long as they keep quiet with respect to what's happened here in Farrow's Crossing - they don't want any more unnecessary dramatics if they can help it, and someone might kick up a fuss if word of this were to get back to Fiona or the rebel mages of the Inquisition. Meanwhile, should Riftwach intervene on the mages' behalf, they'll miss out on the Bann's offer and find themselves responsible for seeing nearly a half dozen mages ready to talk shit to… anywhere else.

[hornswoggle]

"This is going to be difficult," John says, leaning back slightly in his chair. He's rested a hand on the table, but hasn't reached for either the simple far on his plate or the cup sat beside it. "We can't give up the mages, nor can we afford to lose the Bann's support, and I assume the Chantry Brother is aware of the latter, which weakens us."

Is he stating the obvious? He hopes he is, but if not, then all the more reason to make the parameters of their situation clear.

"And I would like to know how the Chantry knew to send those templars. As far as we know, the Bann didn't seek their aide."

But there's the trouble: as far as they know is not very far at all, and they have little time to try and find out anything further. Before they leave, certainly, but before they need to present some sort of decision? Unlikely.

"So," John says, finally lifting the hunk of bread from his plate and tearing off a piece. "Let's hear some ideas."