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

[apostasia]

A bad habit of mine.

( he's taken pains to do so a little less, now; hints of snow white at his temples indicate one way he's done so, darkening his hair. but he's been busy, and adelaide's been busy, and he hasn't been to her to fix it since before he left skyhold - it isn't vanity, really.

if he's honest, he prefers his hair as it naturally is. but his hair is rather striking.

her offer - or the suggestion of one - merits an expression that has the warmth of a smile without being one, a glance down toward her. )

Perhaps we'll find something of interest to go and investigate.

[chainlightning]

[ He should meet Fenris, really. Just take a look at that glowing, bright blue lyrium and the white hair and maybe Martel will feel a little less like he stands out.

Though on second thought, Fenris might try to kill him. ]

There's always something! [ And her agreement is chipper, own smile definitely present. ] Dalish are wanderers, but we tend to stick to set places; I'd love to see more.

[apostasia]

( people trying to kill martel is an ongoing problem that he has largely brought on himself. )

There's much in this world to be curious about. I wouldn't want to too quickly settle myself in one place.

[chainlightning]

[ Fenris tries to kill everyone at least once. ]

If we go somewhere together, you'll have to be in charge of the map. I'm terrible at navigating cities.

[ And really anything remotely indoors-y and civilized. ]