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 prefer my face in one piece, too.

[It was always surprising to hear all these people finding him attractive or handsome. Usually it was all 'beast' and 'ox-man'.

Maybe it still was, only in the more fascinated kind of sense. At least it kept his bedroll warm.]

[el_tybs]

I'm sure you do. Well if you ever think you're in danger of falling off the ramparts you're more than welcome to take refuge at the forges. I'm the only one that sleeps in there so there's plenty of space. No beds but I keep some extra straw in the corner.

[Sam at that point rubs the back of his head.]

Better than broken faces and such, right?

[quietblade]

Sounds nice and warm, if anything. I'll definitely keep it in mind. Was born in a warmer climate, after all.

[He grins again.]

Wouldn't mind a bedwarmer.

[el_tybs]

[He agrees, smiling that Taashath will consider his offer.]

Well the forges do a good job at that.

[Completely oblivious, believing the Qunari is referring to the forges.]

Can't say I'm used to this climate, but I'm used to a bit of cold.

[quietblade]

[The way things had been going lately, Taashath didn't think he'd ever have a lack of bedwarmers. Everyone wanted a piece.]

Oh? Where are you from?

[el_tybs]

Ferelden. By the northern coast specifically.

[Course there was snow when the season called for it, but not quite the mountains had.]

[quietblade]

Huh. Slightly less severe, there.

[He smiles.]

Sounds like the forge is a good idea for you.

[el_tybs]

[Sam smiles curiously at that.]

Why's that? Is it the Ferelden bit or because of the cold?

[A chuckle.]

[quietblade]

Little bit of this, little bit of that.

[Taas snorts, amused.]

[el_tybs]

[Sam finds himself giving a small snort of amusement as well.]

Yeah, well. Also convenient. Finish work, head up some stairs and roll into bed.

[quietblade]

You work in the forge? I didn't think mages were the heavy physical work types.

[Aside from the Champion of Kirkwall, that was.]

[el_tybs]

[An amused smile with a small shrug.]

I get that a lot. Course half the time it's "Wait you can use magic? You don't look like it." My father taught me. I like the physical work, so I don't see why I have to one or the other.

[quietblade]

Heh. I think I like the idea.

[Which is a huge compliment from someone uneasy around mages.]

Less fire accidents.

[el_tybs]

Glad you approve.

[Sam smiles sheepishly at that.]

Ah, well... when my magic first appeared there were a couple incidents. I was young when it happened. None now though. Better control and all.

[quietblade]

You could probably handle the forge's fire from going out of control, too.

[Taas absently wonders how quickly he could jump into the well or the water trough if Sam turned on him and set him on fire.]

[el_tybs]

I'm not worried that that'll happen but I suppose I could do that if it ever happened.

[Sam gives a shrug at that.]

What about you? Besides sparring with the soldiers what have you been up to?

[quietblade]

I'm just... checking out the new people. Waiting for a new contract so I can leave.

[The more time he spends here, though, the more he doesn't want to leave.]

[el_tybs]

[Sam tilts his head at that. Perhaps if he knew Taashath more he'd be sad, but since he doesn't he simply nods in understanding.]

That's a shame, but I hope you find something. People are always looking at the bulletin board for odd jobs, requests, etc. That might be something to look into if you haven't already.

[quietblade]

Hmm. That is actually a pretty good idea. Another person told me there are messages by crystals as well, but I cannot hear those.

[el_tybs]

Ah. I suppose you cannot. Well besides others listing things you could probably put one up for yourself so people know you're looking to be hired?

[quietblade]

I was thinking of that. I'll keep it in mind.

[el_tybs]

Ah, well guess I wasn't much help in that case.

[He chuckles at that then quiets down.]</small] So, ah. Guess... I shouldn't take up any more of your time. I just wanted to tel you about being impressive. And I did that.

[quietblade]

I always appreciate praise.

[He grins again, clapping Sam on the shoulder none-to-gently.]

I'll take you up on that forge sleeping some time.

[el_tybs]

Oof...

[Sam teeters a bit by the clap on the shoulder. Jeez, Taashath is strong. Obviously he has to be with how he swung that weapon, but it was different in seeing and getting a taste of it.

He chuckles, mostly at how easily Taashath could probably toss him.]

Glad to hear that. I'll see you around then Taashath.

[For a moment it seems Sam isn't sure what to do, but eventually he pats Taas on the arm that is currently on his shoulder. Nodding his head he turns to go back to what he was doing.]