that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar

[faderifting]

WHO: Dragon-slayers
WHAT: The three Inquisition teams face their dragony foes
WHEN: Guardian 28
WHERE: Emprise du Lion
NOTES: Violence, gore, etc. This log contains closed threads for the 12 characters who were assigned slots on the dragon-fighting quest. Each team has an info pack-type starter about its dragon below. From here it is up to you to coordinate OOCly and decide how you want things to go down, and to NPC the dragon as needed. It also has an open thread for post-dragon-slaying tavern boasting.

By the end of Guardian Judicael's Crossing is repaired, at least enough to send Inquisition agents across on foot. But there is another obstacle preventing them from reestablishing a link between Sahrnia and the outside world: three high dragons have taken up residence across the bridge in an area called the Pools of the Sun. Here, the only road out through the mountains winds between rocky hills, ruins, and statuary. The remains of three structures dominate the landscape, arenas commissioned by Orlesian nobility in ages past.

Each of the teams has been assigned a dragon, and given as much information about it as the Inquisition has been able to gather from a few cautious scouting missions. This consists of where it sleeps and its primary method of attack. Though Inquisition resources are not great, they have had mages working overtime preparing at least basic protections against the dragons' elemental magic. While not enough to prevent injury altogether, they do significantly increase chances of escaping without dire casualties. They have also been provided with a small stock of healing and lyrium potions.

The three teams have been chosen from among the most-suited of the volunteers, and are dispatched across the river together. They split off on arrival, each making their way to the dragon's location and, at a roughly simultaneous moment, beginning the attack.

Comments

[dragoon_pride]

"Nor could I imagine anyone being interested... unless they're deranged. Let's only hope these shards don't fall into the wrong hands." Someone who's on the side of demons, for instance. It could happen. There are people out there with such cravings for power, Kain has dealt with them.

He shakes his head, thinking as he sips some more down. "Not too different. Dragons are still dragons, no matter the world. There's a lot that's the same. This one was especially strong, though..."

[gatheringstorm]

"High dragons usually are; that's why they're such a threat, especially close to civilization. I hate to think about the further damage they'd have caused if we weren't here to stop them." Korrin shudders slightly at that, signals for a refill.

"Shards falling into the wrong hands is exactly what the Inquisition will be worried about, from now on. Any more people stepping out of rifts are likely going to be questioned more than you ever were."

[dragoon_pride]

“At least we finally battled them. I was almost tempted again to go out there on my own and face them… but I’m glad I waited for the group, this time.” He knows well that even the best of dragoons usually couldn’t take on a dragon alone. There’s just no way, you need strength in numbers.

He sighs. “I feel fortunate to have arrived when I did, then. Still, it’s wise to at least be certain that no one with destructive ambitions ends up with too much power. I just hope that they don’t overstep their caution and let it turn to suspicion and hostility toward all of us.” It’s one thing to take precautions, that’s well and good, but he doesn’t like the notion that rifters could be looked at with too much mistrust. Really, Kain would just as soon stop with the “rifters and natives” split. They all have a common enemy after all.

[gatheringstorm]

"If they do, I'll be loud and obnoxious in opposing them. I'm good at that. My girlfriend arrived only shortly before you did, and she's done nothing but cooperate with and help the Inquisition. If they say that's not enough...."

Well. That temper is already lurking in Korrin's eyes, and it wouldn't take much to unleash it if Araceli's freedom is threatened in any way.

[dragoon_pride]

Yeeeah they better not cause him any trouble.

"I care nothing for your world's political struggles. Mages, templars, the whole lot of it... Suspicion against our own does us little favors. All I care for is the fight against evil. I assume that's why I'm here." Perhaps no one directly brought him here like the gods had, but there could be some other reason, some other force that pulled him here. Who knows? He's not about to waste this new chance at life and redemption.

[gatheringstorm]

"And once Corypheus is dead? What then? Will you become a famous dragon-hunter? Or maybe a Grey Warden. Those guys don't care about politics either, only killing darkspawn. Just do yourself a favor and don't do it beforehand, since they don't have the best situation right now." To put it mildly. Korrin worries for her Grey Warden friends and their premature Callings, knowing how much of a strain that's put on them. It's better Kain wait on that, if he's even interested at all.

[dragoon_pride]

"Hunting dragons isn't bad. Though if I survive this time, who knows? I'm not entirely planning much for after that ultimate battle." He's not sure he wants to think about it, not sure he can think beyond this latest purpose he's thrown himself into. He shrugs, not exactly bothered by this fact. "I'll either go down fighting, or find a means to doing what I set out to do back home." Kind of impossible here, but he doesn't mind. He's sort of adapted a fatalistic attitude in the war... and it's stronger knowing that he's not home. It's not his world, so who knows where he'll end up this time if he leaves by dying?

[gatheringstorm]

"I'm aware that 'going down fighting' could easily happen for any of us, but let's not make that a first resort." Really, Kain. What is it with you and rushing toward death? Korrin's a mercenary and even she has more restraint...though he'd probably get along well with Asher. What a scary thought. "Fair enough, though. I suppose it's asking for our asses to get kicked if we start planning for what we haven't earned yet."

[dragoon_pride]

"It's an option, nonetheless." Really, he has no ties here. No connections. No reason to want to stay once the beast is slain and the demons are dealt with. He's all too certain that if he doesn't go out in a blaze of glory in the final battle, he'll just go on an extended camping trip and let the dragons do what they would. Yeah. He is an upsetting person sometimes. "And yes... we cannot afford to lose focus now on what must be done. What happens after that..." He ends the sentence with a shrug, gulping down the rest of his drink.

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin signals for more drinks, not planning on going anywhere. "'What must be done' is taking a lot longer than I thought it would. I'd figured that even if we didn't find Corypheus' hideout, that he'd come looking for us once he realized we survived Haven. But not a peep...yet. It's enough to make me antsy, wondering what the hell is so much worse that he's taking his sweet time to get it all in place."

[dragoon_pride]

"How comforting," his voice drips with sarcasm as he takes a long sip of the next drink. "In my experience, when an enemy goes quiet like that... that's the worst sign of all. I've never been fond of the sort that scheme like that." Give him one that does things more straightforward, coming out and attacking openly. The ones who plot can't ever be underestimated. "Do we know what sort of weaknesses he does have?" He's not sure he's ever gotten a specific answer to that yet, and if they're to strategize... they need to know that.

[gatheringstorm]

"Does a complete lack of subtlety count? He also relies on that red lyrium to give to his followers, but that's obvious. Other than that...." Korrin just shrugs, not having any solid information to give. But then, not many do. "The Grey Wardens had him contained forever. They might know something, but if so it hasn't spread past the advisors."

[dragoon_pride]

"Except this time, there's no stopping at containing. He must be destroyed, completely, or the threat to your world will never go away." Sigh. Well, this won't be easy, but then Kain has always wanted a challenge. Perhaps this is taking that notion a bit too far, though. "Hmmph. 'Your' world. There may come a time I need to stop thinking of it in that way."

Like the war, he may very well be here for the long haul, at least until his death. He wonders if the distinction of 'rifter' would even matter, after long enough.

[gatheringstorm]

"I hope so." Korrin smiles a little at that, glad to have Kain -and others- find their place in Thedas. "For now, though, let's focus on the victory we richly earned. Tomorrow's problems will still be there, but I won't spoil tonight by dwelling on them further. Besides, I need your help figuring out how to claim one of those dragons skulls. It'd look so badass in the main hall."

[dragoon_pride]

Kain smirks a little to that, loving the thought of having something as intimidating and amazing as a dragon skull in their midst. "Yes, we really should... I'd be all for helping you haul it in. Not to mention ensuring we all claim our share..." He definitely will be holding onto the claw he'd grabbed, some scales... "There should be plenty to go around, anyway."