We come from the land of the ice and snow

[faderifting]

WHO: Open to all
WHAT: Thedas' strange new guests are delivered to Skyhold
WHEN: 25 Harvestmere (October)
WHERE: Skyhold main gate & courtyard
NOTES: This is Part I of a two-part intro event, Part II will be posted tomorrow.

A long uphill tromp through the snowy mountains ends at Skyhold, the distant fortress finally before them in all its tumble-down glory. There is time to admire the drop into the river gorge far below as they cross the only bridge into the castle; it is briefly backed up with traffic, several carts bearing supplies and visitors stalled as the portcullis is raised. Those coming to help catalog and unload the shipment and greet the guests, or otherwise present near the front courtyard, will find themselves witness to a far more interesting arrival.

Guards at the gate carry the word quickly, and more gather, though they make no move to imprison the strange people who fell out of a rift. They just line the perimeter and keep a close watch. Perhaps this adds a level of tension to this first encounter, but it also reassures the many who are unsettled by the uncertain turn of events and keeps in check those who might attack first and ask questions later. Others will no doubt soften the Inquisition's first impression, offering food, information, and other assistance.

Medical attention is available in the tented-encircled corner of the courtyard where the wounded from Haven are still treated. The quartermaster's assistant is called upon to provide spare odds and ends of clothing to those in need, and to issue blankets for all, though they are left to fend for themselves to find places to sleep.

Any mage willing to help is called in to do so and a cluster forms in one side of the courtyard to examine the rifters. They are objects of curiosity in general, but the marks on their hands are of particular interest, resembling smaller slivers of the Herald's famous mark. Despite their best efforts, no mage will be able to provide any real insight after this initial assessment. What the rifters and their marks are is a question they cannot answer today.

But one question is answered: in the midst of all the commotion, another Inquisition agent arrives from Haven, rushing in red-faced to announce that the Herald's body has finally been found.


OOC

It will be decided (partly for OOC reasons, admittedly) that the rifters will not be imprisoned at this point, but they will be watched carefully, and the guards are on alert for any strange behavior by people with glowing hands or strange attire. And of course, their freedom can be revoked at any time if they're deemed a danger. Though there are some OOC considerations at play here, you're welcome to ICly lobby for more or less freedom for the rifters, and things may change based on IC action/consensus.

Also: Part II, aka the log for the funeral/wake/etc. event, will go up tomorrow!

Comments

Re: Training~

[lennethvalkyrie]

Training grounds

[Idleness was not something Lenneth could understand, let alone relax into. From the moment she'd been awoken and called to service by Odin, she had moved from recruitment to training to purification of the land to recruitment and training again. Once she'd been released from examination, she'd stood aimlessly for a long and horrible moment, like a fish gaping silently on the land.

And then she heard the welcome sound of wood being punished by metal, and her steps found purpose again. The invitation to join in was beyond welcome, and it showed in her voice.]

Please.

[Swiftly, the Valkyrie unbuckled her blade, stood it against the wall beside the practice racks, and began to test the weight and balance of the dulled practice blades contained therein. Once she found something satisfactory, she took a couple of test swings, nodded, and paced to join the other woman at the pells.]

[nofury]

[ The woman came with her own weapon at least. Maria gives herself half a second to catch her breath from her latest assault on inanimate objects, then gives a faint smile as she steps away from the dummies and towards a dueling circle. ]

Maria Hill. Welcome to Skyhold.

[lennethvalkyrie]

Lenneth Valkyrie. [she replied, matching her pacing to the other woman's. A practice bout, then? If she were to be honest with herself, she was quite excited at the concept. Was swordplay practiced the same in Thedas? She imagined so; it wasn't as if there were too many ways to wield a sharp piece of metal, and the design was the same: pommel, hilt, blade.]

I thank you for your welcome. In my world, I doubt the same would have been extended. Here we wander with near-freedom, are let to bear arms and armor--you will even bout with me. I do not think I would be as kind, were strangers to pour out of holes in the world.

[As she reached the other side of the dueling circle, Lenneth swept her blade up in a salute.] It is pleasant to meet another warrior as well. I imagine some things do not change, world to world, and the feel of metal on metal is one of them. I could do with a reminder that this is... real. [from the salute, she grasped the hilt with both hands and sank to a combat stance, watching the other woman for the signal that they should begin.]

[nofury]

You're lucky, you got here during strange times. A year ago, the world was a very different place.

[ Circles still standing, no holes in the sky, only the normal threat of nation crashing against nation to cause unease. But now? ]

People coming from a rift are among the least of our problems now.

[lennethvalkyrie]

[She'll quirk a brow at that. Is it possible that here, in this world, Ragnarok is already upon them?]

A difficult time indeed... but it is always preferable to move forward.

[Lenneth eyed the woman across from her, trying to read her stance.] How does one begin practice bouts in this world?