faderift | We come from the land of the ice and snow

We come from the land of the ice and snow

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!

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[If someone ever mentions Starkhaven around him, Jamie is going to be so very confused - although, to be fair, he's already plenty confused as it is. He can't even pretend to begin to understand what's happened to him, and he wouldn't blame anyone who'd wind up frustrated with him as a result.

The man's tone isn't frustrated, though, more the tone of someone who also isn't sure and doesn't want to take chances. And while it does get his eyebrows to arch briefly, Jamie doesn't want to pick a fight. Far from it - and after a moment, the corner of his mouth twitches into a small smile.]

Aye, well, I'm grateful not to be trying to walk up a snow-covered mountain, that's for sure. I've, ah, done that sort of thing before, so I'm not so bad off, really.

[Still, after a moment, he holds out his hand, for the other man to take a look at the mark for himself if he wants.]

To tell you the truth, though, I don't know what the difference is between having one of these mage-types look at it or have anyone else look at it. All I know is that it doesn't seem to be going away.

[Bruce settles down beside him and takes the outstretched hand, examining it quietly. He has heard all the other mages are stumped and Bruce is pretty sure he won't make any headway himself. Whatever these marks where and what relation they had to the rift that brought them here, that was something to discover in the future. Hopefully sooner than later.]

The best I can think of is that its presence has something to do with you being here. [A pause.] But I suppose that's already obvious enough.

[He lets go after that, giving the Rifter a once over, his expression somewhere between interested and cautious.] ...have there been any discomfort, though? I mean, anything that seems--magical in nature.

How am I supposed to know if it's magical?

[It's a touch more defensive-sounding than it should be, and that's really not fair to Bruce. The man's only trying to help. After a moment, Jamie gives him an apologetic look.]

Sorry. Look, to tell you the truth, the only magic I know of has been in stories. I've seen things I thought were magic, but they weren't really. They were clever tricks or advanced weapons and such. And even with that... [He shakes his head.] I've not noticed anything that fit any of the stories I've heard of. It ached some at first, but not so much now.

[Well, Bruce supposes he is at fault too for asking something that the rifter wouldn't know, but its hard to put it any other way. How else could he ask what he wanted to know?]

It's alright. [He tries his best to reassure him with a small smile.] It must be hard, suddenly coming here like this and not knowing what's going on. I wish we could give you answers as well, but...

[He trails off and glances down. If the Herald were here perhaps she would know better what to do - even if that idea sounded weird. But the Herald had been hope and inspiration to many, and to know that she was truly gone--it was difficult to take it in.]

Aye, well, I think if there were answers to give, things might not be what they are right now.

[That is to say, a bit of a mess. He might not have been here all that long, but it's been long enough for him to talk to some people and start to get an idea of what's happened. With the Herald gone, the Inquisition's lost a leader, someone who can bring people together. Only time will tell if they'll be able to recover. Questions not being able to be answered...well, that's the least of anyone's worries, and he gives Bruce a small, encouraging smile, as if to say that it's alright.]

Look, it's not the first time I've wound up someplace I've not been before and not knowing what's going on. You get used to it. Things'll get figured out eventually. I know that much. In the meantime... [He holds out a hand.] I'm Jamie. Is there something you think I can do to help, or should I just stay out of everyone's way?

[This rifter does seem quite reasonable, and overall understanding of the while situation. If he were in his place, Bruce probably wouldn't have been so calm himself. Being suddenly thrown into a place that you had no idea about at all without warning... surely that had to be terrifying.

He takes the offered hand and returns it with a handshake of his own, giving a small, hopefully welcoming smile. It's the least he can do, to be welcoming.]

Bruce. [He introduces himself quietly.] I can't say for sure what exactly you can do since I don't know what your skill sets are, but I'm sure you can figure something out in time.

[Sometimes it was terrifying. The rest of the time, though, there was a certain amount of excitement to it - and even if he'd complain about wherever it was they wound up, deep down he enjoyed that bit of adventure. Strange marks in his hand were another story, but so far it wasn't so bad. The welcoming smile was still welcome, and he gave Bruce a small smile of his own in return.]

Well, I'd been talking to that tall lassie with the horns that came in with us, aye? [While he's not sure Bruce would know who Korrin is specifically, he hasn't seen too many of those Qun-whatever they are around here, and figures that's a good enough descriptor for now.] She'd mentioned this Skyhold place wasn't in great shape. Now, I'm no carpenter, but I've helped fix the odd thing here and there. I'd thought I'd ask about that, maybe, but I'm not sure who to ask. Could always carry around things for other people in the meantime, though. I've done that a bit before, too.

[Bruce isn't entirely sure what 'lassie' means, but horns usually mean Qunari, so he assumes that's what the rifer is referring to. He supposes that people would find the Qunari rather weird, especially since most of Thedas find them strange in the first place.

At the suggestions given Bruce frowns a little, trying to consider them - he's hardly anybody important in the Inquisition but he would like to help wherever he can. But with things as they were, sometimes giving that help or directing it was more complicated than it was worth.]

I suppose you could just ask around, if anything. [Just going around carrying things wasn't anything particularly dangerous, right?] But if you want more information you probably have to ask somebody else higher up, such as the Commander.

The Commander? Aye, that would make sense.

[Someone higher up would certainly know more, so he could definitely keep that in mind. Only problem is Jamie has no idea who to look for - something that gets him to pull on his lower lip with his teeth as he glances around briefly.]

Ah, don't suppose you happen to know what he looks like? Or his name, so I know who to ask around for.

Of course. You'd be finding for Commander Rutherford.

[The name is just as foreign for Bruce as it is for the rifter, mostly because Bruce just goes with 'Commander'. Names are kind of weird for him - he prefers to not use them unless he really has to.]

He's not too hard too miss. Blond, pulled back hair, has a scar on his lip. [Pause.] He's usually wearing a coat with a rather feathery sort of collar, if that helps with anything.

[Strange as it might be for Bruce, it definitely helps. There's a lot of soldier types around here, and any little detail is a good deal, as far as he's concerned.]

Actually, that'll help a fair amount. Thank you. Think it'll take me a fair bit to learn my away around this place, mind, but at least while I'm looking I can keep an eye out for him, too.

[But he can do that a little bit later on. For now, he turns back towards Bruce, his lips curving into a brief smile.]

You know, it's just occurred to me that you've been able to give me a few answers after all, but we've gotten away from talking about this mark. Was there anything else you wanted to know there? Or, ah, anything else you'd be curious about, I suppose. Seems only fair I try and give you a few answers in return.

[Bruce is glad to have helped, as much as he is able to; he knows that the Rifters must have it hard with all this uncertainty and being in a strange, foreign land. He himself isn't entirely sure about them either, but he won't deny them the help that they require.

He hesitates at the offer to ask questions back in return, though. Bruce is curious, of course, but he doesn't want to be rude either. He's sure they had to go through enough as it is.]

I was just... mostly wondering what happened to you before you arrived to this place. [A pause.] I mean, before you came out of the rift. How did you even go through?

[So many questions, too little answers. If there's even a hint of anything it would be better than nothing.]

[The questions are bound to come up sooner or later anyway, and Bruce has been a decent chap so far. He can't say as he minds them being asked. And if they can come up with some sort of reason as to how or why they'd been pulled here then it's well worth taking the time to answer those questions, at least as far as he was concerned. Whether he could answer them without sounding completely mad...well, that would remain to be seen. He's still willing to have a go at doing so anyway.]

A lot of things happened before then, but I'd say most of them likely had nothing to do with this rift thing. The last thing I remember happening, though, was that my friend and I had been put behind this thing called a force-field. It's...a barrier of sorts. You can't get out from behind it and people can't get in. We weren't going anywhere anytime soon, so I closed my eyes, just for a moment.

[At least he'd thought it was just for a moment. Maybe he'd fallen asleep. He wasn't entirely sure.]

The next thing I knew I was falling, and then I was in what was left of that Haven place with demons deciding they'd like to try and kill me. If there was some trick to going through, I've no idea what it would be.

Edited (icon edit) 2015-11-06 06:03 (UTC)

[Bruce listens to the rifter's story and takes in whatever details he can gleam from it all. There's a good number of things that he doesn't understand, but at least the gist of it is clear enough.]

I wish I could give you some answers myself. [He returns, once he's had some time to digest the story.] Even we don't know much about the rifts and the Fade.

[The only one who probably would have a semblance of an idea was probably Solas - who isn't present at the moment. Perhaps when he returned, then something could be arranged.]

Aye, well. I appreciate it, at least. Suppose it'll just have to be figured out as we go.

[Maybe when Solas when gets back, then he'll have more of an idea of what's going with the marks. But without knowing when that will be, however, there's not a lot he can do but try and get himself settled.]

Thank you, for taking a look anyway. I shouldn't keep you from your other duties, though. Was there anything else you needed for now?

Its the best we can do right now. [As with almost everything that's going on with the Inquisition, to be very honest.

He shakes his head at the question, giving the rifter a small smile.] I was the one who approached first, so don't worry about it. But I think that's about all I wanted to ask.

Suppose that's true.

[His mouth quirks into a similar smile - something brief, but genuine.]

Think I should see about finding my way around here a bit anyway, since it looks like I'll be here awhile. I'll see you around, maybe?

I'm sure we'll meet again eventually.

[Skyhold isn't that big of a place, after all.]

But if you need any help with that, too, feel free to ask. I'll do my best to help however I can.

I will, thanks.

[It's something he'll keep in mind, because Bruce has definitely been helpful. For now, though, he wants to go and see this place for himself - and hopefully not get lost in the process - so he lifts his hand in a friendly wave and heads off to go explore.]

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We come from the land of the ice and snow

it is perfect!!

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