faderift | Skyhold

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That bit of sarcasm wins another frown from Sauveterre but he holds his tongue. No one can possibly dispute that he's a very patient man. Had possessed Knight-Commander Baratheon's temper, this poor mage wouldn't be conversing with him. Hell, the entire conversation probably would've never happened at all.

"You speak of the Elves and others hailing from the Inquisition?" Sauveterre let's out a slight sigh. "This is bound to be messy business but a mediator will be needed."

Sal has learned he can make the Knight-Commander frown in many different ways. He's tempted to keep pushing. Is there a breaking point? He decides he doesn't want to know.

"I speak of anyone who isn't biased toward one side or the other. If there is to be fair discussion, we need someone impartial present to keep the peace." He doesn't care if they're elves, humans, or Qunari or highly intelligent darkspawn.

Sauveterre is a difficult man to break. His entire existence up till now is surely proof of that. The Templar knows much of pain and twice more of suffering. It's difficult to break him but fairly easier to annoy him.

"I shall leave you in power of picking the mediator out of fairness. I do believe the Templar hold too much power to be trusted with that task, though I know of an qunari who may assist in this endeavour." He speaks of a looming bounty hunter he befriended not so long ago.

"Be sure to also pick those you deem fit to represent the mages and apostate both. I, along with a fellow Knight-Commander, shall listen to your concerns with full intent of easing tensions here. With Rutherford most likely present in these discussions, I shall give advantage to the mages to engage us in these talks."

A breath. "Does this seem fair?"

"Hm?" What. Sal's eyes go a bit wide, and... Yes. Fine. This is ... this is fine. Sauveterre is right. He agrees the Templars have too much power; it would be too easy to accuse them of planting a mediator who would act in their favor - true or not. He just thought his role would be done now, and the important matters would be handled by persons more, well, important.

He can do this. He takes a breath and nods. "Fair." He has an idea or two. But a little help won't hurt.

"Where can I find this qunari fellow?"

A look of satisfaction lingers upon Sauveterre's face as he regards the mage. It seems they've reached an accord. This is good since he grew weary of arguing with Salvatore. It's always pointless to argue with others, especially when more can be done doing otherwise.

"His name is Taashath. He's a behemoth of a man who acts as a bodyguard. I know of him fairly well but he's impartial in matters that involve Templar and Mage." He quickly says in hopes that the mage can remember all this.

"Be sure to seek him at Herald's Rest."

Ah, but look where that arguing brought them.

"Taashath. Behemoth. Herald's Rest."

Salvatore smiles, and hopes it hides the uncertainty crawling up inside him. Not just because he's accepted this task. This could be a great opportunity for discourse and being heard. Or a disaster. What if no one listens, or cares?

Sauveterre had listened. He hadn't dismissed Sal's concerns or opinions. Perhaps there were others willing to do the same.

Before taking his leave, he gives the Knight-Commander one last curious look and says, "Thank you."

Skyhold

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