Skyhold

[faderifting]

WHO: Anyone & everyone
WHAT: Open post for business as usual around Skyhold
WHEN: The first couple weeks of Harvestmere, 9:41 (aka October)
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Please mark any necessary content warnings in thread subject lines. Also, make sure to check out the other log posts already made!

Far from the glamorous adventurous world-saving people signed up for, most of the hustle and bustle in Skyhold at present is cleaning. The Great Hall is a disaster, and crews are assigned to haul out the cracked and rotting planks fallen from the wide-open roof, and tear down the vines covering the walls. Ivy encrusts the main staircase outside and many of the fortress walls and is cleared in section while other groups assess or begin shoring up the stonework as it's revealed. There are scaffolding to build, materials to sort, crates to unload, tents to stitch together or set-up, and on and on and on, endless mundane chores vital to the survival of the organization.

When not hard at work, people cluster around fires across the courtyards. Many mingle freely, going about their business, running errands and messages, planning scouting missions, tallying up supplies, distributing or playing with the sending crystals that were found in a basement vault and which a group of mages have just today finished preparing for use. Once a good number have been passed around and the first Inquisition-wide transmission made messages start being broadcast; maybe you can help someone out.

The rebel mages and renegade templars mainly keep to themselves at opposite sides of the complex given the choice. Mages assist with healing and research and bicker amongst themselves about their options and their fate. Templars help train recruits in swordforms and basic combat techniques or spar with the more advanced and bicker amongst themselves about their options and their fate. Despite having all pledged themselves to the Inquisition, they still feel like separate factions and tension between them is palpable wherever they cross paths.

Like at meals, or the communal message board in the courtyard, or at the Herald's Rest. The mess hall/tavern is so new it still smells of sawdust, and its stock has been limited to one type of strong ale until today, when a shipment of West Hill brandy has finally arrived. The mood in the place is convivial in celebration of that, but there's still plenty of muttering, especially as the night drags on and the discontented get further into their cups.

Comments

[quietblade]

I did. I'm better off like this, even if I miss it, sometimes. I didn't want to join the enfeebled and injured under the Tamassrans care, useless to everyone.

[He scratches at his stubble a bit, nodding.]

You're definitely better off not knowing the details. They don't put soldiers on Seheron for more than a year or two. It wears you down to the bone to live through the horrors there.

[A pause, and Taas sighs slightly. She had wise parents, at least.]

...yeah, I lipread everything, my hearing is non-existent. Sometimes I have to guess with the context.

[gatheringstorm]

Good to know. If I'm not clear enough or you want something elaborated, just tell me. I won't mind.

[And she'll make a mental note not to look away when talking to him, since why make his job harder.]

I'm not saying this just to be nice, but I'm baffled that anyone would think you useless just because of that. From what I just saw in the training ring? You can more than hold your own.

...though I have to wonder what sort of system you have for bodyguarding, then.

[quietblade]

I can break down any foe I meet, but I can't hear my superiors give orders. That's why I was no longer able to be a soldier.

[The warrior shrugs again and then gives her a slightly amused look.]

My system? Stay close, read lips. I can sense some vibrations, too, so my employers usually stomp their feet to get my attention.

[He moves his arm, showing her the metal band there.]

...and I have this. It's made by a Tranquil and vibrates if my employer calls my name. Otherwise it's mostly the task of just being there, big and scary and observant.

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin leans in and inspects the metal band with interest, not having spent much time near Tranquil or their wares. Perhaps that was a mistake, though. It's an interesting idea, having some kind of alarm system.]

Does it vibrate enough to wake you up, if it's a multiple-day engagement? Don't tell me you never sleep.

Hm, so I'm guessing that the sending crystals don't do you much good, then. That's a shame, though perhaps they'll find a way to modify it so it's good for more than transmitting voices.

[quietblade]

[He chuckles; a deep, hearty thing.]

Depends on the job. Sometimes I don't sleep, but when I do, this thing does wake me. Thankfully.

[It had been a bit messy one time before he got it. he still got paid, but it had bothered him enough to find a solution.

Her mention of sending crystals confuses Taas a bit, and he gives her a look.]

Sending... crystals? They transmit voices?

[gatheringstorm]

[Reaching into her clothing, Korrin brings out the one given to her, currently attached to a pendant on a chain.]

Right. They seem to pass on long-distance verbal messages, though I haven't tested the range. For the most part, I've just heard a few voices from those in or around Skyhold. And one advertisement for the bar, naturally.

[quietblade]

Huh.

[He runs his fingers over it, thoughtful.]

If I buy you a drink once a week, will you sit and tell me what's been going on in those?

[gatheringstorm]

[Korrin flashes a surprised grin. Why the hell not?]

You have yourself a deal. There isn't much now, but as they get more widely distributed, I bet that'll change.

[quietblade]

[He chuckles again.]

It's a deal.

[gatheringstorm]

[She nods firmly to that, then glances around with a sigh.]

I should probably return from break before I slow things down, but perhaps tonight...?

[quietblade]

Don't let me hold you up.

[He steps out of her way with a smile.]

Rain check on tonight, though. Perhaps later this week, when more things have been shared over those items.