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

[ancarrow]

"Not too much trouble." She sounds hesitant in replying, reluctant to admit that much of her seclusion came from her own fears of discrimination than actually experiencing too much of it so far since her arrival at Skyhold. When people learned of her skill with potions, she'd been mostly left to get on with it rather than it being assumed she would sweep the floors. "But I haven't really given anyone much opportunity to try."

[gatheringstorm]

That makes Korrin relax slightly, though she still seems ready to go into protective mode. "Glad to hear it, and I can't blame you. When you've dealt with enough shit already, who wants to open themselves up to more?"

She may not be an elf, but she has eyes. It's obvious enough to her how they've been treated. And she's an outsider in her own way, as a qunari. "If it helps any, I haven't seen much of that...but if I'm wrong, all you have to do is point me at whoever's being an ass. Most of the time, I don't have to do more than stare for them to get the message."

[ancarrow]

"I can imagine." She looks Korrin up and down, taking in her tall stature and horns, before looking a little embarrassed at herself for agreeing and worrying that the Qunari might consider her rude for doing so. "You haven't had any trouble then, I take it."

[gatheringstorm]

That sheepish look is noted and Korrin chuckles, nod offended. She brought it up, after all. "Not directly, no. The few who might aren't dumb enough to say it to my face, but I can see the looks, and know who they're muttering about when I hear the word 'ox'. It's fun being an outsider, isn't it?"

[ancarrow]

"Not exactly the word I'd choose," Eirlys agrees sadly. "But still, I'd rather be an outsider than the ones pushing us to the outside, any day."

[gatheringstorm]

"I'll drink to that." Oh right, that's what she was here for to begin with. "Want anything from below? It's no fun if I'm drinking alone."

And she might as well come back up here and observe for a big, if the elven woman doesn't mind her company.

[ancarrow]

A little red wine, if you wouldn't mind." And if there's any left - she assumes alcohol isn't right at the top of the priority list of supplies to bring into Skyhold.

[gatheringstorm]

For morale purposes, Korrin hopes otherwise. "Coming up. Given that everyone's likely having something stronger down there, I bet it hasn't run out." She heads down to fetch some mead for herself, adding the wine to her order. It doesn't take long before the Vashoth is heading back up the stairs, humming along to 'Sera Was Never' being performed by the bard. "Your wine, milady. I didn't catch your name...?"

[ancarrow]

Eirlys accepts the glass gratefully, raising it toward Korrin in thanks before taking a sip, impressed at the quality of the wine, although on second thoughts of course it would be far better than the swill they have access to in the alienage.

"My thanks. And it's Eirlys Ancarrow, of Gwaren. How about you?"

[gatheringstorm]

It also helps that the bartender knows that their liquor is literally the only thing keeping morale from being even worse, so having decent stuff is a priority. Korrin raises her flagon in turn before , leaning against the railing and taking a sip.

"Korrin Ataash, of the Valo-Kas company...and the Free Marches, though that's about as specific as I can get. Some of my crew were hired for the Conclave, so I've been here from the beginning." It feels like a lifetime ago, now.

[ancarrow]

"Oh Maker, you were actually there?" She couldn't begin to imagine how awful things must have been at the Conclave, and looks at her in an uneasy sympathy.

[gatheringstorm]

"Not quite. I wasn't part of the original security detail, but nearby as backup, if they needed it. And they did, but by the time anyone realized that, the temple was nothing but a crater in the ground." Korrin shakes her head, not her favorite memory but she refuses to avoid it either. Doing so would give it a power over her that she doesn't want.

[ancarrow]

"I'm sorry. Truly, I am. So many people lost..." And for what? At best a meaningless accident, and at worst the wrath of the Maker. "Did any others in your company make it to Skyhold?"

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin shakes her head, easing at the sympathy but also determined not to wallow. She takes another sip. "No. Plenty still remain, but they weren't in the area, and have other assignments. If we need them for something major, they'll be there. Until then, I told them I'd take care of this myself."