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

[wickedchase]

Something like that. These days, it's Dalish for "blood traitor". Not a word I would repeat, my dear.

At the very least, it sounds like I'd be more comfortable with the expectations of your home than Tevinter. Though I suppose that's easy to say, based on my experiences. Grass is greener, and all that.

[That makes him chuckle.] Well, you're about to find out for yourself. [Twisted Fate starts to sort out the cards so that she can at least get a look at the suits.]

The first thing to understand would be the suits, and which ones are stronger than the other. In order from weakest to strongest: Serpents, Daggers, Songs, Knights, then Angels. That is the most important thing to remember when you're playing Wicked Grace. Follow so far?

[foxsays]

What a terrible thing to call anyone! [Her little intake of breath isn't an act, it would be the very worst sort of accusation where she comes from and her face falls, head shaking as if she can pretend she didn't hear a single word of it.] Betrayal is not a small word of itself, saying that of someone though...no, not a word I will repeat, but one I will remember.

[This is what happens when your father is literally a pirate preacher and your mother a holy prostitute though, blood traitor would be something that could not be forgiven.]

The grass is actually scrubbier and most of it is salt grass. [Bad jokes o'clock okay.] You would find many a fine hat there though, captains pride themselves on dressing to show their status, as flash as you please.

[Shoving her hair behind her ears, she leans forward to get a good look, nodding along. They have similar things, merlings, whales, sea snakes, captains for some games, as well as the usual hearts and spades, diamonds and clubs.]

A dagger cuts a snake, a song can stop a blade, a knight is armed and armoured, and angels are above them all.

[wickedchase]

[The reaction is a bit more than he'd have expected from her, but it earns a warmer look from Twisted Fate. He smiles faintly, shaking his head.] The older meaning was "trickster", something I could live with. But that's not the intent of the word these days. I'm not exactly a typical Dalish, I suppose. Still, I appreciate that.

[But onward to card games. Something he enjoys immensely.]

Good. That is a good way to remember it.

Now then: let's talk about winning conditions. An important thing to remember is that the game of Wicked Grace is over when the Angel of Death card is drawn. [He turns the card over to show to her.] Players will reveal their hands and decide who has won at that point, no matter what.

So there are a few ways to ensure your victory. The person who has the most cards of highest rank will win. For example, if I had two knights and three daggers, but you had two daggers and three snakes, then my hand would be better. If you had two angels and two daggers while I had two songs and two knights, you would most certainly win. You could theoretically... hold onto the Angel of Death card until you felt you had a strong hand, but that isn't exactly playing by the rules. [He winks.]