faderift | Way of the Knight-Enchanter

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Way of the Knight-Enchanter

WHO: Korrin, Pel, Araceli, Kas, and Katniss. Later Sam and Vivienne.
WHAT: Hunting down ingredients for her spirit blade and forging it afterward.
WHEN: At any point after the Kirkwall mission but before returning to Emprise du Lion.
WHERE: The Fallow Mire/Skyhold
NOTES: Stemming from her notice here. As Pel's goal is the same, she's welcome at all stages involved.

CW for the Fallow Mire portion: Probably violence and lots of flirting.

[Wisp essence hunting in the Fallow Mire]

Ah, the Fallow Mire. If there’s an area that further exemplifies misery, Korrin doesn’t know or want to know about it. The Vashoth mage frowns at the rainy, dreary bog ahead as though it had done something to personally offend her, but then in her mind that’s very true. She didn’t hold any pleasant memories from her last, extended stay and doesn’t expect this time to be any different. At least this time it’d be brief, if not exactly painless. Wisp essences means demon-fighting, on top of whatever undead are drawn to the slightest ripple in the marsh waters. She understands Vivienne’s intent in wishing her to acquire them by hand, but the fact that they’re easiest to attain here, in the place she’d have been happy to never set foot in again, is grating. But like it or not, it must be done.

“Let’s get this over with. If we manage a power run, we might not even need to camp here.”

[Forging the spirit blade hilt (Undercroft)]

Once returned -and Maker, that can’t happen soon enough- Korrin wastes no time in assembling the rest of what’s needed for the spirit blade hilt. As long as nothing urgent interferes, she’ll recruit Sam to oversee this project, not wanting all that effort to be botched and thus wasted. If this is going to happen, it’s going to be done right. Patience isn’t her strong point, though, so she’ll alternate between pacing, swearing (under her breath), and doing whatever needs to be done. ‘Determined’ is an understatement’, and she’ll be there however long it takes to see this through.

“...well, what do you think? Will it work?” It has to, right? There isn’t any better place in Thedas for this kind of crafting, outside fallen Circles or perhaps Orzammar. And she’d still trust a friend with this over a stranger any day, but those frayed nerves remain.

[Returning to Madame de Fer (Vivienne’s balcony)]

Only when she’s certain -through checking and re-checking- that all has been done to craft a worthy spirit blade does Korrin leave the Undercroft, making a beeline for Councillor Vivienne’s balcony. Whether this will or won’t suffice, she’d rather know now than wait another moment. And if it is, she’s more than ready to begin her true training. So whenever Vivienne bids her forward, she presents the spirit blade hilt, tense and silent until the First Enchanter’s opinion is given.

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Well. Everyone was right about the Fallow Mire. This place was damp, and horrible. Plus it smelled like mold. Everywhere it smelled like mold.

Katniss sighed as she pulled her hood a little more over her head as she came to Korrin's side. "Just point us in the right direction. Kas, Ara and I can do rear guard while you and Pel find your wisps."

She paused, and then stated simply, "Try ... not to hit a bog fisher?"

This time Araceli has remembered to wrap up warmer, gloves where she would usually go without, two pairs of socks inside her boots and a scarf wrapped around her mouth, hair braided around her head to keep the worst of the muck and weather from it. She's less afraid too, though it's still strange to think that a walking corpse can be something so routine whenever they do rise from the murky waters from a footstep getting too close.

"At least we know enough of the paths this time," she murmurs just loud enough to be heard over the rain, something none of them could claim last time. "We can take turns scouting ahead too, just to make sure we aren't about to run into trouble."

Maybe looking for missing scouts and having to fight the Avvar have coloured her thoughts on this place but better safe than sorry.

"I remember reports of wraith sightings near or around Granite Point. Let's aim for that." At least it isn't too far from the main Inquisition camp in the area, and it'd spare them the envious glances of those unfortunate enough to be stationed here for the time being. She nods to Katniss' suggestion as that makes sense, even though it deprives her of ogling Araceli when possible. Sigh. She'll content herself with providing a nice view instead, swaying those hips a touch more than she would here and there.

Kas kept a close look on their rear (not Korrin's) as they walked, already really tired of this disgusting place and the wetness. To his credit, he's not complaining the slightest and instead taking his job quite seriously.

Clutching his new bow, he makes sure to wipe the wetness of the bowstring and keep it ready, the glimmer of the curved dragon wings lessened with charcoal and mud to not give away their position too easily. he would polish it for hours when he came home, but for now?

Time to be sneaky.

...he's not so sneaky when he steps on an arm left over by some undead and squeaks, but hey. That shit is gross.

Immediately upon hearing that squeak one of her rapiers is in hand, heart in her mouth because corpses go down easily enough but there's still something deeply unsettling about them. Questions she doesn't dare to ask yet about how they work, how common they are, others that might not even have answers anyway beyond guesses.

Still, she offers a smile, her laughter quiet but the rapier remains out now as her other hand settles on her chest as she tries to find her calm again.

"Perhaps if we come across any from before and have the time we might burn some of the remains? Leave this place a little cleaner than we initially found it."

That squeak prompts a sharp turn from Korrin, but she relaxes upon seeing that it it's just a piece of undead and not a whole one. Facing ahead again, she crosses the path leading away from the camp and turns onto a narrow stretch of 'dry' land.

"I can set them ablaze as we pass. It's not going to last that long, with the constant rain, but it's something.

Alright, this is where we have to be careful. Try to avoid the water, please. You know what we'll attract. If that happens, the point is for us to keep moving. Stop to fight everything in here and we'll be in the Mire forever."

"It's already going to feel that way." Pel doesn't like this place. She doesn't like any place where she can't keep dry. "If anyone needs dry socks, I have spares."

"Setting them on fire's gonna draw attention," Kas protests, no matter how much he'd prefer to turn it all into ash rather than randomly displaced bodyparts. "The light would be seen all over the mire."

It wouldn't be good to draw attention of more undead, demons or just plain insane people out here.

The teen keeps as far away from the water as he can, even jumping over areas with large puddles just to be safe.

Korrin nods with a wry smile at Pel, wishing this part of their quest could have been avoided...but since it can't, they'll have to get it over with as quickly as possible. She sighs upon hearing Kas, but...he has a point. Telling them to avoid the water and yet setting fires is counterproductive.

"Fair enough. We'll only do it if there's decent cover, otherwise we'll have to move on."

As long as everyone stays out of the water, the winding path to Granite point is fairly uneventful. Roaming demons and undead are too far away to notice them at the moment, for which Korrin is uncharacteristically grateful. She's only after one prey.

Upon closing in on the location, she casts Barrier over everyone, then blurs forward when spotting a green, vaguely humanoid shape. That had to be one of them. It's time to begin this.

With a sigh, she blinks at the shimmer that surrounds her courtesy of the barrier before she readies her rapiers, letting Korrin blur into the distance. This is her thing, Araceli is along more for spending time with her. It must surely speak well to her character that she would agree to come here to such a terrible place but she likes to think Korrin might do the same for her.

Like going to an Orlesian party one day.

As it is, she nods to Kas because with a bow he'll probably have to hang back anyway.

"Pick your shots, I'll cover you if anything comes lurching up our arses."

In most things magical, Vivienne is exceptionally critical, harsh even. If one is to execute something, it should be done with excellence or not done at all. This is no exception.

She takes the offered hilt and examines it quite closely. Different from hers, heavier, larger by a decent margin, less fine detailing, more in line with Korrin's personality. That is actually one of the most pertinent points. It should be far more suited to her potential student than anyone else in Thedas.

Silently she hands the hilt back to Korrin without commenting on it directly. She's interested to see how the Qunari handles it, treats it, and more importantly, it is Korrin's opinion on the hilt that will prove if it's acceptable or not. All she does is look Korrin square on waiting for a reply on the matter. Is she up to the challenge?

That Vivienne didn't have anything to say initially is a good sign...right? Korrin knows the woman is just as likely as she is to hold back on giving her opinion, so if it was insufficient, no doubt she would know by now. For her part, the Vashoth mage is confident in the time and skill taken to forge it, so she doesn't mind a demonstration.

Taking back the hilt, Korrin knows it's time to demonstrate how well-suited the hilt and blade are to her. Having already tested its balance in the Undercroft, Korrin steps back and ensures that there's enough room before exacting a series practice moves. Are they perfect? No; though Korrin has a keen memory that's absorbed her kithmates' maneuvers, they all trained and fought with actual, heavier, swords. But the point is more to demonstrate how well-suited the blade is to her, how it feels like an extension of her arm as Vivienne demanded it be. Her reflexes are smooth, not showing perfection but potential. This is a weapon she could use and use well, with the proper training.

When Korrin is finished, she straightens, her expression firm. "I am ready to learn."

While there's a part of Vivienne that mildly bristles at that statement, if only because it is the privilege of the instructor to decide who is ready, it is a small part. Because Korrin is quite correct and her handling of the hilt was more than enough answer for the Iron Lady.

First things first, however. An interview of sorts, as an assurance.

"Tell me, how do you feel about the hilt? Be honest and detailed, if you please."

In Korrin's mind, her words are only underlining what her actions display. She glances down to the hilt, her pride at its craftsmanship evident. "I couldn't haven chosen better for its construction; Sam was definitely the right person to entrust with aiding me in this task." Gotta give credit where it's due, after all. "The hilt is the right size and weight for me, enough that it feels like an extension of myself rather than just a weapon. The design references my ties to the Valo-Kas, both those lost to the Conclave and those yet living; they're my reason for being here, and the reason I want to become more than that I am. I know I have a lot to learn. With this at my side, it seems possible to begin doing so on the right foot."

Vivienne nods once, looking her new student up and down again before providing her verbal agreement.

"I agree with your assessment of your hilt. Indeed, had you given any answer but the one you provided, I would have said you were not ready. A good sound beginning is an ideal start. I'll want to work with you in the mornings before you have an opportunity to tire yourself on your blade work and your forms. Once we've seen that properly established, we can move on to more advanced lessons."

"Mornings it is, then." That is the answer she's been hoping for, and Korrin can't help but smile. Her work is just beginning and she knows it, but this is an important first step. She won't take it for granted. "Thank you, for giving me the chance to prove myself. I'll make the most of it."

"Of that, I have no doubts, my dear." Whatever their philosophical disagreements, Vivienne has no questions whatsoever regarding Korrin's dedication to something she's made a commitment to. Why her very stubborn clinging to her personal beliefs, even in the face of Madame de Fer's own very entrenched values, speaks volumes.

Such a thought actually draws a smile from Vivienne.

"Now before tomorrow, I'd like to to review chapters one and two of the book I gave you. It is my intention to keep a brisk learning pace. Everything should be done correctly, but having the thrust of growing momentum will add volumes to your skills." Or it will break Korrin and that will be the end of that. But better to know sooner than later.

Vivienne's confidence in Korrin fuels her own, not that she's truly in danger of low reserves. It doesn't put her entirely at ease, though, but she doesn't want to relax. She wants to prove herself, and that confidence only redoubles her intent, honing that iron will.

At mention of the book in question and a growing momentum, she nods with no hesitation. If anything's going to break her, it won't be vigorous training. "I can handle brisk, though I'll allow my actions to speak for me better in that respect. We're at war, after all; this isn't a time for leisure anyway. What I learn now could make all the difference on the battlefield." Quick and correct; it's a tall order, but Korrin is more than up to the challenge.

Vivienne's reassurance that she has made a sound decision in this agreement grows by leaps and bounds. Certainly it would have been quite better had Korrin been Circle-trained, and now if she could only be made to see the necessity of it rather than dismissing it out of hand. Though if she changed her stance on those matters on a whim now, it would cause her no end of concern. No this is a right decision and a necessary one and she's comfortable with it.

"You will need to practice those forms once we've gone over them, and continue practicing them until they become second nature to you. However, by the end of the week I'd like us to begin the process of showing you how to use the spirit blade to cleave through barriers. You'll be tested against my barriers for a start." And those are hefty protections indeed if anyone has seen the First Enchanter in action. She quirks a tiny smile. "Though I would ask you once you've established the ability to do so that you show some restraint and stop before you hit skin."

Practicing until the movements become second nature is nothing new to Korrin, who has done that with her staff up until now. She nods, expecting this and prepared for the less glamorous aspects of training. Time with the Valo-Kas was actually an excellent precedent for that; it's difficult to hold onto any notions of glory when she's seen people die due to overweening self-confidence and an itch to show off. That won't be her, not if she can help it.

She perks up at the challenge of making it past Vivienne's barriers, well-aware that it will be no small feat. And she returns the smile, nodding. "I've had to show restrain on the battlefield before, and I can do it again. Discipline is something that isn't foreign to me, I promise. And I look forward to the challenge."

The Undercroft. He doesn't spend a lot of time in this place except for when Master Harrit is showing him new techniques or testing out his progress, like earlier in the week when he had come to learn to use the metal Korrin had suggested.

Thankfully the Master wasn't here, overlooking him while he worked - though not too far if for some reason he needed help at any point - since he had enough of an audience as it was. Sam chuckles as Korrin practically flutters about asking questions.

"Easy Korrin, it'll be fine."

Edited 2016-01-21 22:40 (UTC)

"It'd better be fine. If I have to return to the Fallow Mire again, that place won't survive me." Korrin stops pacing and sighs, shooting him an apologetic look. "Sorry. I don't mean to make this any more difficult than it already is, and I know you're doing everything you can. Is there anything else I can do?"

Both to help him and so that she doesn't go crazy.

That... has Sam raising a brow and turning from his work to look at her. Well someone was rather snappish. Guess Korrin hated the Fallow Mire a lot more than he had thought.

"Well, guess you can tell me if the design is to your liking. Now would be the time to let me know if there is anything else you want me to do to it."

Her expression remaining apologetic, she nods and surveys the design. It's similar enough to her staff, with draconic elements indicating her status as a member of the Valo-Kas. It'll be bigger than the standard spirit blade hilt, but given her size, that's to be expected.

"Design-wise, no. I've thought about it over and over while heading over and on the way back, and I think this is as finalized as it's ever going to get.

...do you think this will be good enough for Vivienne? I don't want to give her the slightest reason to doubt me." It's already an uphill battle enough, given their clashing natures and the fact that Korrin isn't a Circle mage.

Sam gives a nervous chuckle when asked about Vivienne. "I'm not sure if I'm the most qualified of person to answer that. My talk with her was pleasant enough, but we don't see eye to eye on certain things." Ferelden and Orlesian for one thing, and Circles another. Templars had been an interesting subject.

"If she doubted you, she wouldn't be teaching you how to be a Knight Enchanter, right? I think the design needs to be for you and you alone. If you're able to wield it correctly... that will be the true test, yeah?"

Korrin nods, a sympathetic smile at that nervous chuckle. She thought herself immune to Vivienne's ability to intimidate, but then this Knight-Enchanter idea took hold and...well, so much for that. Now this woman's opinion matters and will shape the future of Korrin's career.

"Right. She said that it has to be unique and that it has to suit me; with the adjustments made, it should fit well for a person of my size. A regular sword would be easier, wouldn't it? It must be strange to forge half a weapon and account for the part that you won't see until it's done."

"Not particularly. The blade and hilt are made separate for the most part, so I'm just literally making half a sword and stopping there. I take it that the actual blade is going be all on you, right? That's why you got the wisp in the first place?"

Now that he thought about it, how was the wisp getting into the hilt? It wasn't a physical thing he could mold.

"A spirit blade hilt has a willing spirit bound that will weave mana into a blade of solid magic, on my command. So it's a team effort, sort of." Korrin tries to sound confident on that, but spirits aren't her forte. She's never had to deal with a spirit in this manner, even an echo of a weak one such as this. If it's not something she can grasp...but the Vashoth mage tries to push down any anxiety about this for now. Sam's doing his best to help and she won't repay that by freaking out on him.

"Sounds a lot like spirit healing," he says with some amusement, taking a moment to make sure the mold was secure. There weren't a lot of swords made with a metal hilt, but seeing as it was only the hilt that he was making there wouldn't be much to worry about. "You might want to consider talking with Adelaide a bit after getting this done. I'm sure she could give you some pointers on working with a spirit."

That she would have anything in common with spirit healing is something of a surprise to her, but not a completely unwelcome one. Korrin smiles a bit and nods to that, thinking along the same lines. "There's bound to be a difference between working with a free spirit and what's bound to a hilt, but I'd appreciate any tips. She might have worked with Knight-Enchanters in the past, too. I forgot to ask. Did you ever see them?"

"Me personally? No. I've heard some things, but I didn't know any personally while at Ostwick. Not even sure they trained any there. At least not while I was learning. Course it could be something the Orlesian Circles only did."

Checking the forge for a moment, Sam gives a hum before reaching for his gloves and his tongs. After letting Korrin know to stand back a bit, he pulled out the molten metal, watching it buble for a moment, before starting to pour it into the mold

Korrin observes intently, fascinated with the entire process. Not enough to take up Sam's creative outlet for her own, but still. She can certainly respect the craft, and the effort it takes to master it.

"I never saw any either, though with not being a Circle mage, that shouldn't be very surprising. Maybe that's why I didn't find a style to suit me until now. Healing and shapeshifting and all that have their purpose, of course. But it's not where I saw my own path headed."

Sam shakes his head slightly, still focusing on pouring the metal as he listens to Korrin. Once everything is done and tools set away to cool, Sam gives a sigh, wiping his forehead with the back of his arm, though it hardly gets all the moisture off his face.

"Are you admitting that there is something worthwhile coming out of the Circle, Korrin?" he asks with a grin, obviously teasing her. He knows how she feels about Circles, and he's not far behind, but he'll be quick to admit there was a lot there that he learned. "Gotta say, Knight Enchanter sounds quite interesting. Course so does Shapeshifting."

"Fine, I admit it. Happy?" Her lips twitch in response to the teasing, letting him have that one because...well, it's true. She didn't think much of Circles or their techniques, but this new path has proven to be an exception to her way of thinking.

"Shapeshifting...so you'd Skyhold's resident bear or giant spider? What a way to great visiting dignitaries. For that reason alone, I say do it."

He could push the teasing a bit more, but honestly it was enough. "Happy enough," he says cheerfully, pulling off the gloves and setting them off to the side again before looking over some of his tools.

At the mention of the giant spider, Sam makes a face, not at all enjoying that seeing as he wasn't a fan of spiders. Especially big ones. The bear though, that has Sam giving a light hum. "Not a lot of people here are 'fan's of bears. That would be interesting to see."

Okay, fine, bear it is. "Hey, I only hate bears that attack me first with all their relatives. With all that fur, you could end up being popular as a heat source. Just a thought. And I have a merc friend who's part Avvar and would absolutely envy you. He's huge and hairy and kind of a bear himself, only he'll never be able to shapeshift."

That's probably for the best. Asher is already a force of nature on two legs; he doesn't need four. She smiles fondly, though, appreciating that hairy disaster of a friend.

"Well as long as I don't end up as a bear rug on the floor of the tavern I might consider it. Because that would really ruin my day." He can already hear the jokes Korrin and Krem making about him with that as well.

"Oh, well, if it made your friend jealous I should certainly do it." Noting the fond look on Korrin's face, Sam takes a lean on the table, minding the hot metal. "So where's your friend now?"

"Don't worry, I'll protect you with my new spirit blade." Korrin crosses her arms and shrugs after mulling over the question for a minute. "Probably in some Avvar hold, fucking everyone who will have him, drinking obscene amounts of whatever and wrestling another bear just because he can, or finding a dragon to punch in the face. Reavers are...a little over-the-top."

Edited 2016-01-26 22:57 (UTC)

Sam sighs dramatically and holds his hands over his heart. "My knight in shining armor. Or I guess shiny blade in this case." He chuckles lightly, eyeing the mold for a bit. Still was going to take a while.

"... Oh. So sounds like he'd get along rather well here."

Korrin flashes a grin at him for that bit of drama. "Hey, I have shining armor too. Just not on me at the moment." She peers at the mold, nodding as her lips twitch at the thought. "With some, he'd get along great. The Chargers would love him, I doubt doubt it. Chantry sisters and Templars, on the other hand...well, he's not a mage but his grudge against them would certain would probably make some wonder about that. Really, though, he just hates the Chantry. His Avvar side's too strong for that."

Edited 2016-01-27 02:25 (UTC)

"Well can't like everyone I guess. So you said he's half Avvar. What's the other half? Not bear I hope." Noting that Korrin was looking at the mold as well, Sam hums and motions towards a bench. "It's going to take a bit. Might as well take a seat since we'll be on our feet for a while when it's ready."

"Ferelden, though it might as well be bear." Korrin often jokes that he's hairy enough for one, after all. Nodding, she pushes away from the wall and moves to join him on the bench. "Thanks, for this. As wound up as I am about wanting this to go right, your being here makes this a lot easier to deal with than I would otherwise. If you decided to go the Knight-Enchanter route, I'll return the favor and at least help you get what you need for your own hilt."

"Fereleden. Good to know that we're either being referred to as dogs or as bears." He's clearly joking, but it does seem to be a thing for him and his kinsmen to be referred to as some kind of animal.

"You're welcome, Korrin. Course I think Master Harrit is rather glad I'm dealing with this as well. He doesn't take well to others watching over his shoulder - just likes to be left to his work." Sam can only imagine the arguing him and Korrin would be doing. "And I appreciate the offer. Guess metal is taken care of, I'd just have to do the rest of it."

Korrin can imagine that arguing to, given her snort. No, she wouldn't just leave him alone when this is the creation that could make or break her new path. Absolutely not.

"Yeah. Lazurite is easy to acquire, but Vivienne insists on students getting their wisp essences personally." Which means the Fallow Mire. Ugh. She hopes you know the sacrifice she's making by volunteering to go there again, Sam. "Not that there are really any places that just sell it, as far as I know. Now I wonder what you'd need to impress a shapeshifting tutor with; bear pelts?"

Maybe Morrigan wouldn't require any of that, but Korrin has never bothered to ask her, not especially interested in that path herself.

You are a true friend to offer to go back to such an awful place, Korrin. Sam appreciates it.

"A bear pelt sounds like something I'd use to woo your friend, Asher." He's really hoping that it doesn't end up being a bear pelt, because he doesn't feel like hunting down bears. Course if that is the case... Sam might ask Korrin if she could call her friend over for that help.

"Maybe some hard to come by item or something. There's plenty of bears."

At mention of Asher, Korrin just lets out and amused snort. "All you'd need to woo him would be to say 'hi'. He's that easy." It's true, and Asher himself would say so if he were around to overhear them.

"Hm...or whatever Morrigan might want at the time. She's the only shapeshifter around, right? I can't say I've really spoken with her, though I have to admire a woman who does just as she pleases and gives no fucks about anyone else's opinion on the matter."

"Really? Just 'hi' is enough to woo him? Now I'm afraid to know what getting a bear pelt would mean." Probably a marriage proposal?

That definitely sounds like someone Korrin would admire, but he's not sure how well they'd get along just based on that fact alone. "Is she? I haven't actually talked to her myself either... though I suppose that'll change since I think she'll be going along on a trip Pel invited me to go along on. Elven ruins."

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Way of the Knight-Enchanter

Fallow Mire

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laaaaate sorry

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Balcony

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Forging the Blade

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