Into the DANGER ZONE

[faderifting]

WHO: All Rifters + the 7 natives who signed up
WHAT: Searching the ruins of Haven for survivors, an Inquisition crew finds something strange. And demons. It's kind of scary that the demons aren't the strange thing.
WHEN: Third week of Harvestmere, 9:41
WHERE: Haven
NOTES: We've broken rifters and rescuers (or "rescuers") into two groups. This log has an arrival comment for each group--you can start smaller subthreads beneath those rather than try to have an eight- or nine-person log, just incorporate surrounding chaos/fighting--and a third top-level set for the whole group's journey back to Skyhold

You were asleep-- deeply or fitfully, for the last time or just resting your eyes for a moment-- and then you were not. And wherever you were was not, anymore, replaced by nothing but the sensation of falling, tumbling into endless, bottomless nothing. If this were still a dream, you would wake before you hit the ground. You can't die in a dream, they say. In some worlds.

But there's no waking here, just a flare of green-white light and a jarring impact, barely softened by snow that lies a foot deep with an icy crust that cracks beneath the force of your landing. The wind is biting cold, the sun is bright, and you are not alone. Others thud to the ground nearby, as bewildered as you, and others run up who look no less confused for having their feet beneath them.

You are also not as you were: in the palm of your left hand there glows a narrow splinter of light the same sickly green as whatever brought you here. It aches, a bone-deep pain that gnaws even through all the distractions. Like that you're being attacked by monsters, some tall, spindly stick-things with too many eyes, some hunched and hooded with no eyes at all.

Welcome to Thedas!

Comments

[shocktroops]

[Lucan watches carefully as the young woman stares back and the look in her eyes is enough to send a shiver down his spine. The fear and confusion in Yuna's expression is one he has seen countless times before when facing down some of his past assignments.]

Maker's breath...

[Whatever witty follow up he had prepared to say was lost the minute the pain took hold and the green glow became visible. Was that the mark? The question comes to him instantly and unable to resist he reaches out with his free hand to take hold of Yuna's left arm. He draws it forward more roughly than he might have if they were not still surrounded by a few other demons to get a better look. Rumors had spread everywhere about the Herald and her ability, but Lucan had never seen it for himself and from what he could see during this quick glance was strangely similar.

By now the creatures on the battlefield are still moving and out of the corner of his eye he catches the movement of a shadow. He lets go of Yuna and motions to her staff on the ground.]

Questions like that will have to wait, my lady. When demons are not trying to kill us.

[fayth]

( that tug of her arm was enough to get her back up to her feet, where she now looked him over, searching his face for some sort of explanation that he likely didn't even have.

really, she's just grateful not to be on the receiving end of that sword any more, the tension in her shoulders relaxing just slightly as she takes her hand back from his grip. catching the same movement he must have in her peripheral vision, her head turned towards the approaching threat.

with a quick swoop to the ground, she gathers up the summoner's staff again, holding it out in front of her in a protective stance and instinctively moving closer towards him.

demons. is that what they were? )

I-- I can't summon here. ( it probably didn't make any sense to lucan what she meant by that, but yuna felt compelled into honesty all the same. with a half step back, she was just slightly behind his taller form. maybe it was time to try something different... )

Protect! ( -- she cried, raising her staff in the air, her spell crackled to life, a hexagonal barrier forming into a sphere all around lucan. well... it was something, at least... )

[shocktroops]

[Lucan was not totally lost to the term, many mages who were foolish and desperate often thought themselves powerful enough to bend spirits to their will. Those who were weak willed would even find themselves possessed. However, his own experiences would never hold up to the awe inspiring creatures that Yuna called to aid her battle.

He knows he should be wary, up until now only one person had ever appeared out of the fade. Lucan could not say if this woman was another Herald of Andraste, but thought that she could be was enough for him to show some restraint.

The barrier is erected just in time to shield them from an oncoming bolt of ice that is shot their way from a figure with tattered robes a few yards away. The ghastly creature floats just inches above the ground, it's rodent like face just barely visible.]

Barrier magic is appreciated but you wouldn't happen to know anything a little bit more warmer perhaps?

[Lucan was a fan of snow, it showed in his primal school of choice, but sadly so was their little ranged demon friend.]

[fayth]

( tearing her eyes away from lucan to focus on the new, ominous looking enemy, it was all she could do just to shake her head in response to his question. just minutes ago she could have helped with that, called forth a great fiery beast to help them, but now...

the despair demon seemed to sense her hesitation to act, lining up a stream of devastating frost magic aimed her way. holding up her staff in front of her defensively, yuna cringed as the magic made contact, sapping away at her strength. ) There's... there's one spell I know!

( one chance... ) Please, cover me! ( lowering her head, staff still held up in front of her, she began to chant... )