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]

[He's glad for that decision, not exactly fond of discussing that after going through mage views as well. It wasn't the best of stories for someone who had lost people the same way. Deserting.

He looks at Stannis and nods.]

It's very similar. We see mages as the ultimate sacrifice to the Qun, and the Arvaraad are supposed to care for them just as much as they protect the people. Being a mage is not a sin, but dangerous.

[He pauses, listening to the Knight-Commander with a slight frown. Thoughtful, he looks at the ramparts.]

You think?

[theonly]

Not the impression that the Qunari give when we see them, but I'll admit that I don't know much about them. Something else to discuss at a later date.

[ Stannis nods in turn as he looks out toward the people milling about instead. More glaring than looking. ]

I do. If I was our enemy, I would send spies. If I was our enemy, I would crush who was here so that they would not yet be able to have the nerve to stand against me. But he does neither. That shows his stupidity and hubris, but we cannot expect others to be the same. Those that should be against the Inquisition should be killed once they leave these walls. [ A beat. ] I doubt the others will share my opinion and I cannot give my blade to do so.

[ He would look maddened or worse some power-hungry tyrant. ] So, what do you think of that job for you? Not the most pleasant but we do not live in pleasant times, and we cannot be as heroes that bards sing of.

[quietblade]

[He grunts slightly in reply, mulling it over inside his great horned head. Stannis had a point, but it would be hard to pull of in reality. It could cause more harm, especially to morale.]

It could work. Or people could become frightened in the wrong way rather than in the right way.

[He glances up at the main fortress again.]

It's something I could do. The Nightingale seems quite on top of things, however. If she agrees...

[Taas shrugs, grasping his axe.]

...I can take down what I'm pointed towards. Like before.

[theonly]

The people are already frightened. Let them be frightened over nothing when all our enemies are dead.

[ He has no idea what the Nightingale is up to, or how to contact her. He feels more comfortable speaking with Cullen on all things, but he lets out a sigh. ]

I do think she could always need another blade. I know that we shall in the coming days.

[ At this moment, someone may pat the Qunari's shoulder or some other show of camaraderie, but Stannis remains as he is and even takes a step backward. ] Like before. We'll see, though. There's still much to be done.

[quietblade]

[He's not surprised, really. Stannis wasn't the touchy-feely type, it didn't take much to see that.]

Much to be done... and more still, if this Inquisition is going to be able to kill an Archdemon and a crazed darkspawn.

[Taas smiles a little.]

The more interesting people I meet here, the more certain I get that you'll have a chance.

[theonly]

If a Grey Warden and a few companions can stop the Fifth Blight, I shall hope that we can do more with almost all of Thedas supporting.

[ What sort of creature of Corypheus that he would attempt to fight the entire world? Well, not the entire world. They have many who would stand with the crazed creature -- out of fear or foolishness ... or opportunity. All will die with him. ]

I am certain, as well. [ And he takes a step back. ] You have more to do than just chat me up on the bloodshed to come.

[quietblade]

Mmm. True.

[He glances over at Stannis again and smiles.]

Don't let me take up your time either, Knight-Commander. Do join me for a drink some time, however.

[He shifts his axe up on his shoulder, ready to see if anyone else wanted a taste.]