open: something grabs ahold of me tightly

[faderifting]

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

Comments

[perseverances]

Even this late at night and curled up in a warm blanket, Cullen still couldn't sleep. He had propped himself up on the floor of his tent, and even though he had found some shelter from the winds, it was still bitterly cold. He feared falling asleep for plenty of reasons, and after that latest shout, he knew exactly why.

The Commander was up to his feet within the moment, grabbing his shield and sword and bursting out into the cold night air. He shouted to those around him to gather arms, to wake and prepare for battle. The din of the charge ahead of him filled his veins with adrenaline. The lone archer on watch could only do so much and as fast as she could fire, several more got through to get close enough to camp.

Cullen lead the line, steel against steel clanging around him. The Red Templar sword struck his shield hard, much harder than it should regularly be, and while the templar raised his shield to block Cullen's possible attack, the Commander raised his leg to kick them back.

[the_effect_she_has]

She had to give it to the reinforcements -- she could hear them rising behind her the moment she let her second arrow fly. A moment later, she knew why. The Commander himself was on the field, which was enough for her to take a step back. With good reason, several had charged past her, and now she had two flanking her at close range.

She put an arrow into one, and then fended off the other's sword attack with her bow, before she could take her arrow and jab it through his helmet and into his eye.

She pulled the arrow out with a noise she wasn't going to be thinking about, any time soon, before she took aim and fired at another red templar charging in. Right, time to fall back and let the Commander and his shield take the forefront. The least she could do was thin more of the herd.

Arrows sang through the dark winter air, as she slowly came to the new front line.

[perseverances]

Once, these Templars could have been considered his brethren. Brothers in arms who took the same oath to defend the world for the chantry, against all that might go against her. It was one thing, to turn from their oath like Cullen did, to put personal health and beliefs to the forefront. But these men, these beasts that he now fought against, they were corrupt. He wasn't angry, no, he felt sorrow for them. He felt more hatred for their Commander, the one who used saccharine words to get them to join him.

Cullen's blade ran through one, and as he pulled it out of his fallen foe, he used the butt of the handle to push another back. He yelled to the front line to stand their ground.

[the_effect_she_has]

The one that was pushed back, staggered, lifted his blade and then choked on his own blood as an arrow came protruding out of his chest from the back. Katniss rolled back to the front line, hissing as an arrow found it's way into her own shoulder.

She didn't pull it out, though, just lined up the next shot as she shouted to the Commander, "It's a big push, ser! They might be trying something else down the line!"