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

[chainlightning]

Not all of them.

[ See: most of the buildings in Lowtown and the alienage. ]

And if you're not sure what the sign means, it doesn't help, does it? I thought brothels must have had something to do with broth as well, based on the name.

[stabsbooks]

[ Oh, no. She actually nearly laughs at the mental image, biting back a sudden, startled smile. ]

I hope you learned differently before going inside and asking for soup.

[chainlightning]

[ Let it out, Cassandra. Let it all out. ]

No one has yet to tell me why it's called a brothel, but I did at least know what went on there.

Well, maybe there was more crime there than at other brothels.

[ Other, non-Kirkwall brothels. ]

[stabsbooks]

I have never thought to ask.

[ Not that she's given a lot of thought to brothels, in general. The reasoning behind their names or otherwise. ]

How do you find Skyhold? I trust you do not lose your way so often in the fortress.

[chainlightning]

[ Next time you're near one, Cassandra, check in for Merrill, would you? ]

It depends on where I am, really. The courtyard and gardens are fine, and I'm okay if I'm where I can see outdoors. But there are a lot of doors placed very close together, and I tend to pick the wrong one.

[stabsbooks]

[ sure thing. ]

I...suppose there are.

[ She frowns, considering. ]

Perhaps...if they were painted? That way they could be more easily distinguished.

[chainlightning]

Oh! That would be very helpful, yes! I mean, as long as there aren't five different doors that are the same shade of blue. They'd need pictures on them as well.

[ Skyhold could use some beautifying anyway. ]

[stabsbooks]

Pictures?

[ Cassandra has a sudden vision of Skyhold's doors painted brightly with intricate flowers and designs, accompanied by a sinking feeling that she has promised more than she meant to. ]

I am not sure that would be - allowed.

[ She can practically hear the question that will inevitably follow already. Please don't ask it. ]

[chainlightning]

They'd be very tasteful, of course.

[ Maybe they can get Solas to move his mural-ing to the doors, when he has been apped is around. Not that Merrill has ever met Solas, but. ]

I think it would likely help the visiting nobles, too! I mean, we wouldn't want them to get lost either. They might wander off a cliff and then we'd have to deal with that on top of everything else.

[ just u wait cassandra ]

[stabsbooks]

[ The corner of Cassandra's mouth twitches upwards, just slightly. ]

A few lost nobles might not be so bad. They may even learn something, away from their feasts and attendants.

[ She's kidding, sort of. She doesn't actually want any nobles falling off cliffs.

The paperwork alone... ]

[chainlightning]

Or they'd just yell a lot when they found people to yell at.

[ But she grins, at least before she realizes something and falters. ]

I'm sorry- you're Cassandra, right? I mean, I think you are, but I'd hate to be wrong.

[stabsbooks]

Oh!

[ She looks startled, and then mortified. Had she really been so rude as to not introduce herself? During this entire conversation? ]

I - I am sorry. Yes. I am Cassandra. [ She smiles in greeting, just a second too late to be natural. ]

[chainlightning]

[ It's okay Cassandra, Merrill is horrible at social norms. She just smiles back. ]

Well, it's very nice to meet you! And thank you again, for the escort.

[ and you are literally never going to get her to call you 'Seeker Pentaghast' now sorry not sorry this is your fate ]

[stabsbooks]

[ They're back at camp already, Cassandra realizes suddenly. It surprises her - she had not realized they had been walking and speaking for so long.

Her own smile grows warmer, and she nods down at the elf. ]

You are quite welcome.

It - was very good to meet you too.