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

[lennethvalkyrie]

Lenneth's lips moved as she repeated the name silently, although no spark of recognition lit her eyes. Then she shook her head. "No. I thank you, but you would do better to keep it for the wounded. There are those who took more grievous hits than I, and it seems we have a journey ahead of us."

The Valkyrie looked up at the foreboding sky, heavy with clouds and rent with a jagged slash of green that her palm now echoed. She clenched her hand around it absently and let her gaze drop to trace the peaks of the range. The Frostback Mountains.

"The name will mean nothing to me, but it would still please me to know where we travel. If you may tell me."

[fleurdesel]

"It is quite a walk back to the hold." And with the newcomers, the wounded? It may take longer still. They all, to the one, had that mark. It made little sense but- perhaps a shade of what they were? A sign? Adelaide extended a hand to the woman, brow furrowed.

"Does it cause you pain? The mark. I could ease it." Not all would be bothered or wish for intervention. She could only do as much as she was permitted. "Skyhold, a fort in the higher rises of the mountains. It is...a little roughshod at the moment, full of the hopeful. People seeking protection and safety. The Inquisition will likely put you up there until we know more of what has happened."

[lennethvalkyrie]

"Only if it is no trouble to you," she replied, in the ever-infuriating way of proud warriors, "I have taken worse; and you seem to be the only healer to the lot of us. If it is a long journey to this stronghold, you will need your energy--and if something were to befall us on the way, we would need it then as well."

Even so, she offered the hand palm up, not wishing to seem ungrateful. "...You have seen it before then, this mark? Does it mean something here?"

[fleurdesel]

"None whatsoever." And there it was. The pride and tact of a warrior. Despite the rest of the day it was somewhat familiar and all the more comforting for it. Apparently no matter the world? Some things remained the same. It may make adjusting easier for these newcomers.

A pale blue glow surrounded Adelaide's hand as she cradled her patient's marked palm, eyes on the dull green glow and the pain it caused. A wash not entirely unlike a cool mist poured into and through the skin and with some luck? It would ease the pain and provide a buffer to prevent it for some time. Not long as there was no curing this, but easing the ache for an hour or so might do. "The others that fell through the rift have it as well. The Herald of Andraste reportedly had one and used it here before she died."

Or so the rumor went.

[lennethvalkyrie]

The Herald of Andraste... Someone important to these people? And she had died here--the site of a battle, perhaps? She had too many questions, and forcing them all upon a woman who looked worn with duty seemed a poor way to repay her hospitality.

The coolness spread pleasantly across the Valkyrie's hand--different from how she'd known healing to feel, but just as effective--and the bone-deep throbs eased to a shallow pulsing. Lenneth nodded appreciatively, allowing a small smile to touch her lips.

"It is well done. I will not take more of your time, if you are needed, but I would have your name." The words themselves were rather imperious, but the tone was kind.

[fleurdesel]

"Adelaide. And yours?" She hadn't had the time to learn everyone that had need of her in Skyhold just yet, but with the way these marks seemed to ache she couldn't shake the feeling she'd be seeing more of them in the days to come. Perhaps for more of the same, perhaps for something else entirely, but being mindful of who they were and what they needed wouldn't hurt anyone.

[lennethvalkyrie]

The answer she customarily gave mortals when she walked disguised among them sat in her mouth for a moment, but the armor of her office weighing on her shoulders served as a reminder that she was hardly disguised. And if she was, as Adelaide said, in an entirely different world, there was no need to dissemble at all.

"Lenneth," she replied, and there was something oddly elating about doing so.

[fleurdesel]

"Well met, Lenneth, though the circumstances are less than ideal." The name meant nothing to her, sadly. It was but a name for a woman that had fallen through into something not entirely of her world and not at all of her choosing. For that she had Adelaide's sympathy. At the very least she would do what she could to make certain these newcomers weren't jailed upon their arrival at the hold.

Well.

Most of them. One could probably do with a little time in a cell to cool his temper.

[lennethvalkyrie]

A faint smile at that. Less than ideal indeed--but good in some ways. Her name and armor did nothing to arouse suspicion here. As where she went she heralded death, she was no stranger to the fear and rage of those who clung to their mortal lives, to the impotent anger of the living who saw their loved ones taken. There was pride, in some, to have been chosen... but no-one left their world with gratitude. It was pleasant to be treated kindly.

"May I aid you, in return for your hospitality?" she asked, "Surely you have somewhat to carry that would ease your burden if carried by another."

[fleurdesel]

"Ah- if you do not mind? The water skin is heavy." The pack of poultices and potions was also quite heavy but that she wasn't quite comfortable handing off so easily. It was her job to tend to the health and well being of whomever needed her aid, and carrying the supplies was her responsibility.

[lennethvalkyrie]

Lenneth nodded in reply and held out a gauntleted hand for the skin, "Of course."

Upon receipt she hefted it and found it still had weight to it, although she suspected it was more a gesture of acceptance rather than out of any real need for aid. Even so, it was good to be of use.

"Shall I follow, then?"

[fleurdesel]

"It will be a long walk back to Skyhold, and the mountain paths are questionable at best this time of year. I'll be glad for the help." However much or little was offered, she would take. Though by the end of the first night the mood may sour or brighten depending- well. On how much the reality would sink in.

time skip~~

[lennethvalkyrie]

[ooc: At this point, Lenneth will simply follow her with the water and dole out whatever is needed as instructed. Any other help needed of a physical nature is given without pause. She is a rather taciturn companion, but will engage in polite conversation if prompted and answer any questions Adelaide has about how the mark feels or seems to be acting.

We could probably either fast-forward to camp in the evening, or if they make it back to Skyhold without incident, could do that bit too! Whatever you like~ :) ]