The Oaths You Have Taken [Closedish]

[unbrokenoath]

WHO: The Wardens of the Inquisition
WHAT: The Wardens have a meeting to discuss various important subjects.
WHEN: Guardian 15 (ish)
WHERE: In the middle of a large clearing near Skyhold.
NOTES: The announcement of the meeting here.

The meeting place may seem like an odd location, but one thing is pretty clear--Anyone approaching the group will have to cross some very open terrain. The location isn't too hard to spot. Kaisa has used the space the bonfire had once been to construct a much more modest campfire, then managed to drag a half dozen benches out to circle it. There's a table nearby with the promised food--a couple plates of cookies and other pastries, some sausage and smoked meats, cheese, and bread to put it all on. While alcohol might have been appreciated, the subjects that need discussed are too important to attempt while intoxicated. Instead, there's several pitchers, some with apple cider, some with tea, one with plain old water.

Kaisa will be sitting on one of the benches as people trail over, sipping some cider and making small talk until everyone gets there. She's got paper and a pen, and will be trying to take notes on everything discussed. Though she'll be happy to fob the job off on anyone who would rather do it instead.

Comments

Introductions

[unbrokenoath]

"I guess I'll start." Kaisa stands up, giving a crooked grin to the people gathered around, and holding a hand up. "My name's Kaisa Daesun. I joined in Ferelden, spent most of my time there. 9:42 will be...my tenth year in the Wardens." She paused for a moment, then gestured to her dog, who was sprawled out next to the fire, fast asleep. "That there is Puppy. He's been with the Wardens for coming up on...four years now." And with that, she plops back down.

[twelvelabours]

There's something strangely amusing about this, sitting together, doing these introductions. He's not sure if it makes him feel very old or very young, to be honest, and something about it reminds of old lessons. And Kaisa doesn't help, really, the trouble maker. Herc's got a stick in his hand that he's been using to prod at the fire, the end a glowing ember, and he sets it down with a bit of a sigh before standing to speak.

"I reckon I've seen a few faces here before," Herc starts slowly, sitting up a little straighter as Max pushes at his hand, requesting a scratch to his neck that Herc only absent-mindedly indulges. "Hercules Hansen. Think I've been a Warden..." a glance to Kaidan, like he might be able to help him, 'part from the fact he's pretty sure he remembers when he was a fresh faced, young recruit. Herc's also pretty sure he, personally, was never that fresh faced. "Eighteen, maybe goin' on nineteen years. This handsome fella is Max."

Max barks, helpfully. Yes, he is Max. And he is handsome, yes. Yes.
Herc pauses a moment, and clears his throat. "If any of you worked with Chuck Hansen, he was my son. Max was his." A intake of breath, a nod, and after he sits Herc rests a hand on Max's head as the Mabari leans closer.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany held a cup of cider in her hands, thoughtfully turning the cup in her hand as they all settled in. There were a number of faces here she didn't know, but just as many that she did. She gave Kaisa an encouraging nod, flashed a warm smile at Hercules. That the older warden was even willing to step up first? Meant this had been the right decision.

She did reach over to squeeze the man's hand, because yes, she did remember Chuck. She gave Max a head-scritch, as well, before she rose to her feet, giving everyone a quiet, sincere smile.

"Good evening all. I am Bethany Hawke, and like Kaisa, I've been with the Grey Wardens for right around ten years." She looked around again, "A lot of you might have heard of my name, or my sister's. Yes, I am that Hawke's sister, but I really just prefer Bethany."

She leaned down, to open one of the two baskets she had brought with her, where a small and ugly black and white puppy stuck his flat nose out to sniff. "And this little fellow is Gamlen. Trust me when I say, the name is appropriate."

[byblow]

Alistair's mind is elsewhere—more so than usual—and there's no hiding that. He doesn't really make an effort. He looks tired and much less cheerful than normal, attention turned back toward the fortress, and it's clear he was only half listening to the other three speak when he notices a lull and looks back at the gathering.

"Alistair," he says, and rises half off of his bench like a polite nod toward their whole standing-up-to-talk agreement before immediately settling back down on the bench. (The first person to say Theirin will be his new least favorite.) "Twelve years. I've been in Orlais."

His dog—which is not permanently his and, possibly, not even really a dog—isn't here, but he spares a look for the others' that's a little less distant and unhappy than the ones he's been giving their humans.

[foodsofmypeople]

Kaidan is the first one here not to have a dog, mostly due to him being a Free Marcher rather than Ferelden. He's somewhat amused to note it.

"Kaidan Alenko here," he said with a faint smile. "I've been a Warden... too long," and here he glances over at Herc, giving him a grin. There was no way that he was ever as young as some of those here. "Nearly sixteen years. I know some of you, but not all of you."

He remembered Chuck as well, though it wasn't something he cared to linger on. "And oh, I don't have a dog, so don't think it's a pre-requisite. You Fereldens..."

[blightedson]

Felix is also free from dogs, because he's Tevinter and they tend to look down on anything popular in the South. He doesn't mind the dogs though. He's actually very curious about them.

"It's good that it isn't," Felix says to Kaidan. "It would have even you even more reason to second guess saving my life." He's teasing a bit, but there is sincere gratitude there.

He realizes that it's his turn now since he spoke. "I am Felix Alexius. I've been a Warden for... Oh. Less than a month? It seemed a very interesting time to Join."

[pinprick]

"I am Senior Warden Nathaniel Howe. A veteran of the Fifth Blight, technically. I've been a Warden nigh-on eleven years, mostly in Ferelden and the Free Marches. I'm very pleased to meet all of you, and see some familiar faces."

[paperwing]

The slew of who are you, where do you come from, what can you do questions were not unusual to Sabriel, given that her first interaction with Wardens, as a Warden - and not with Horyse, who Joined her - had been something similar to this; in Montsimmard, she was fresh-faced and new and they wanted to know everything. At least today's experience around the campfire involved everyone, and she felt more inclined to share it.

She knows some names, some faces, knows some from Montsimmard as well as here. Others just by reputation. She clears her throat as she stands, half bowing her head before she decides against it. "Warden Sabriel," she recites. "From Nevarra. I have been a Warden for nearly a year." For everyone elses vagueness of trying to remember exactly how long, she knows the exact date and likely won't forget it. "I- also suppose I am the Abhorsen, now, as my father was before me." Since that'll likely mean more to most of them, she's sure. And with that, she sits back down. "I am glad to see more of us who had made it here."

[bunko]

"I am also glad," Scipio seconds, and smiles at Sabriel as she sits down. There is little to smile about. A meeting, out in the cold of the open wilderness? Madness. But his boots keep his feet warm, and his two cloaks are good and heavy, and this is, apparently, an important discussion for all Wardens to attend.

That, and neither Scipio nor Rafael could come up with a good excuse not to be here. 'Anticipated frostbite' wouldn't pass; 'tavern doors wouldn't open' would be even weaker. Better this, now, than something worse later.

"And I am Scipio," he adds. While he has participated in meetings where names must be given, he has not often done so with his own name, his real name. It is, he thinks, a little strange. But nonetheless: "Scipio Marvello. And with me, as always, is Rafael. You may have heard of us. Just, not as Wardens."

Probably you have.

So Who's In Charge Anyway

[unbrokenoath]

"I know it's probably officially more complicated than this, but...If we're going to be taken seriously and get organized, someone needs to be calling the shots, and we should all agree on them." Kaisa shrugs. "I've been told Senior Warden Kaidan Alenko is in charge?" She nods to the Warden in question. "Which sounds fine to me, I've heard nothing but good reports on you, ser. Anyone else want to throw in their two bits?"

Re: So Who's In Charge Anyway

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"I have no objections to Senior Warden Kaidan Alenko." Bethany stated calmly, looking over at the man with a faint smile, before she looked around at Hercules, Alistair, and Nathaniel. "But then again, I'm not a Senior Warden."

One corner of her mouth twisted bleakly, "I suppose now would be a dreadful time to ask for a promotion."

[byblow]

"You can have mine," Alistair says. Grumbles. It is a joke, though, however disgruntled the delivery. Also: "I didn't know Hercules was here."

He's the one who said Kaidan was in charge, he means. He doesn't care who is, much, personally, but he can count.

[pinprick]

"Kaidan or Hercules. To tell you the truth, I'm more comfortable with Hercules. He has longer experience. But I will follow either."

[paperwing]

"We have been operating under Kaidan and Alistair," Sabriel affirms for Kaisa's benefit.

She looks at Alistair. Before Kaidan, he was sort-of-not-really in charge. More because he was forced to than he wanted, but neither she, Scipio, or Rafael were candidates there. She'd always looked at Alistair as her superior, though. But then she remembers the incident at Felix's joining and, well.

Maybe they shouldn't put him in charge.

"I would follow Kaidan or Hercules," she adds. She doesn't know Hercules much, but if the others place him highly, then she'll place her trust in either of them. She looks to the two older men. "Perhaps the both of you is not such a bad idea."

Information-Are we all dying or what.

[unbrokenoath]

"I know that Senior Warden Nathaniel and Warden Bethany have some pretty serious news that we should all hear." Kaisa nods to the two of them. "But from what I've heard, other people have been doing research as well. As for me, I don't have much to contribute. All I can tell you is that the tavern talk in Ferelden is grim. Wardens vanishing isn't good news for anyone. And..." She hesitates, rubbing the shaved side of her head. "The further away from Orlais I got, the quieter the Calling was. It wasn't ever gone, but it wasn't nearly as obnoxious. I don't know what that would mean, though."

[pinprick]

"Please, just Nathaniel is plenty of syllables." Nathaniel rubs the bridge of his nose. "Clarel isn't the only one giving orders. Bethany and I learned of a Tevinter magister--Livius Erimond is his name. We infiltrated a Warden camp in Orlais and found notes. Disturbing ones. Erimond is no Warden, but he is giving a great many orders to them. He has Clarel's trust. He seems to be advising her, and his executive power comes from her. The last we knew, he was going to break off from the main force and head deeper into the Western Approach with a number of Wardens. The rest of the force is headed for Adamant. I do not like the look of him. He claimed to be helping Clarel, but with what motivation? Who approached who? If he approached her, how did he know about the situation, and if she approached him, what made her choose a Tevinter magister of all people?"

So About That Inquisition

[unbrokenoath]

"The way I see it, our best bet is to stick with the Inquisition for now. They're helping people, doing good work, and they'll probably keep us from getting dragged away in our sleep so people can use us like blood magic kindling." It's said lightly, but Kaisa's face is grim. "So, they're stuck with us, we're stuck with them, whatever. I guess this is just to discuss..." She scowls as she tries to think of the right words. "How involved are we going to get with this organization?"

[paperwing]

"If we want their help, we should help them in their goals in return. Saving the world and the people in it is not so unlike what the Wardens should be doing," Sabriel says, softly. Her focus is on the campfire, not really looking at anyone in particular. Is it really so different? Their ultimate foe, the biggest threat to Thedas, is a darkspawn. Their responsibility. "For those of us who were first here, the Inquisition has protected us since early Firstfall; gave us sanctuary, and made it so we would not be found. They at least deserve our co-operation and support."

But that wasn't truly Kaisa's question, was it? That's why Sabriel's looking at the fire. Some might even call her twitchy, or suspicious. She's voiced to Alistair that she couldn't sit around and do nothing in the past, that she had to help, that she'd take whatever punishment would be given when this was all over, but that was before the mage council. That was before she took a seat on said council. What was that about politics?

"I already have ties to the council of mages," she adds, even quieter. Maybe no one will hear her. "As a Councillor."

Anything Else?

[unbrokenoath]

[ If you have any topics you want covered that hasn't been mentioned here, feel free to speak up! ]

Illing and Chilling

[unbrokenoath]

[ Small Talk, mingling before or after the meeting, anyone wants to try sneaking in and get conscripted, or whatever general chit chat you might like goes here! ]