faderift | open: something grabs ahold of me tightly

WHO: Inquisition Forces
WHAT: Inquisition forces cross the mountains into Orlais to deal with Emprise du Lion
WHEN: Wintermarch 25 onward
WHERE: EMPRISE DU LION
NOTES: This is a mingle-style log for the Inquisition camps, local tavern, and general/open Inquisition work, etc.

This time they hike down to the west, but the trip through the mountains is no easier. The snow is heaped up about the road where wagons have pushed it aside, stomped into slippery pack beneath the feet and hooves that have gone before. Of the main track it is ankle deep at best and in places it drifts, waist-deep on a tall man and enough to bury a dwarf who hasn't come prepared with snowshoes. Everywhere the wind howls, biting cold, and the sky hangs low, a pale flat grey that makes it difficult to judge distances. Those who know winter weather call it a snow sky, and near-daily squalls prove them right.

They set up camp in Sahrnia, across the broad expanse of frozen river that has trapped the villagers here upstream. Tents pop up in rows and in the shells of tumbled-down buildings, fires blazing and thawing the ground to mud. When the supply wagons roll in they re-open the local tavern, brightly lit with flaking paint on the walls that might once have been colorful and patterned tiles on the floor that seems to swim like an optical illusion after too many glasses of the cheap red wine that fills the cellars.

Even deadlier reds hold the hills: Red Templar sightings have been frequent and it is said they are operating in several locations in the region in significant force. Some of these men and women have become hulking, crystalline beasts. Many others are in the earlier stages of corruption: red-veined and -eyed, aggressive and superhumanly strong, but still visibly human and coherent if spoken to. Red lyrium is even easier to find, jutting out of the ground or cliffsides, filling caves-- the Tower of Bone, a fortress that has stood for centuries, now threatens to split from the inside out. The area's wildlife was none too friendly before, but now the wolves and bears have begun to be corrupted by the lyrium and many will attack on sight, without provocation. (The snofleurs that bumble harmlessly around the river seem unaffected.)

Everywhere there are ruins: broken bridges, crumbling colosseums, and the great hulking mass of Suledin's Keep tucked between the distant hills. Scouts reported that Red Templars hold it as well.

RIFTER ARRIVAL - SAHRNIA - THE HILLS - TOWER CAMP - A HANDY MAP

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ No, Christine is not interested in joining him. She's interested in not being bitten in half. As he runs towards the camp, she is pointing people towards boulders and telling them to get as low to the ground behind them as possible. On seeing Kain and remembering his excitement about dragons during their scouting mission, she hurries towards him, a look of concern on her face. ]

Do not tell me you wish to fight the dragon? Surely we can bring in trebuchets or... something.

[Yes, Kain is definitely contemplating a bad idea right about now. But in his mind, he has nothing to lose and he has the ability to handle a dragon. Of course, he's definitely not thinking clearly about this, and overestimating what he could do alone against them.]

[He at least pauses when Christine shows up, one eye still off to one of the dragons circling overhead.]

Of course, that's what I intend. I don't need a trebuchet to launch me when I attack...

Oh, Andraste! The Inquisition needs to form a plan, not just have people throw themselves at the thing.

[ Her gaze lifts skyward as the dragon heads off, though it's probably just making another looping pass. ]

Please, take cover until there is at least a strategy.

[It's not the first time in the recent past that Kain has considered chasing off after dragons... and apparently he needs to be talked down from it just as much now too.]

There's little time to sit around making plans! The dragons are here, now...

[Kain turns his gaze fully to the sky again, watching, seeing the shape grow smaller for now, but all too ready for its return.]

I've fought dragons before... I know what I'm doing.

[Except really, bringing down a dragon is intensely difficult, even for a dragoon. And it's never done alone.]

And yet time we must take! If people are just rushing at it, they'll end up dead.

[ Her lips purse in annoyance, before she continues. ]

Here, or in your world? Because there could be a great difference.

In my world, but dragons are dragons. They’re similar no matter where you encounter them. I highly doubt…

[There’s a loud ROAR from one of the dragons as it comes soaring in, back again to terrorize the camp. Kain sighs. The war of the gods really has made him more reckless than ever. He knows it’s best not to charge out there alone… and yet… and yet something must be done. Soon.]

Look, it often does take more than one fighter to bring down a dragon… but that means we still have no time to waste in getting organized. We must act swiftly!

All right, all right! Let us at least find a Captain to see what orders we might have. They must have had some idea this might happen after we sent in our scouting reports.

[Kain sighs, still feeling that battle urge flowing through his veins.]

If they have any sense, they ought to get together a team to fight them... now. We mustn't wait. When dragons are stirred up like this... they aren't prone to stopping.

That would be best. I will stay here to look after any injured, but a team must distract the dragons and lead them away.

[ She looks up at the sky, a worried crease to her brow. ]

Quickly, now.

[ She gestures towards the main part of the camp where someone should be in charge. ]

Indeed so... and quickly, before they can do further damage.

[He can't stop watching the dragons, the way they circle through the sky, the looming threat they pose.]

Good luck... and thank you.

[After all, had she not made him stop and consider things, he might have taken a dangerous course of action.]

And to you as well. I know it may not mean much to you to say this, but may the Maker watch over you.

[ With that said, she'll head over to others who are hiding and try to find the best spot to lay low until she's needed. ]

...My thanks.

[It certainly may not mean the same thing to Kain, there's only one goddess he's ever pledged himself to and that's how it'll stay. But he can still understand and appreciate the sentiment.]

[With that, he's off, knowing well that he's got to get preparing. No matter what may happen, he's got a good feeling that a dragon battle is at hand.]

open: something grabs ahold of me tightly

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