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

[ombranera]

"I think perhaps we should drink and not discuss it." Sometimes not going over the mad thing from the day is the best way to handle it- especially if one has been grilled for answers for hours already. No need for interrogation here, just a pint and a smile and a ready ear for whatever it is Korrin feels like sharing.

[gatheringstorm]

That provokes a low chuckle as she shakes her head. "You'd have every right, you know, given how much I asked about the Blight earlier. In the interests of fairness, you could ask anything you like in turn." But the lack of a question barrage is somewhat refreshing, even as Korrin wouldn't object to sharing what she knows.

[ombranera]

"You have had a long day of being questioned. If I continue to be awash with curiosity? I shall know who it is I need to speak to." For now they drink, they dine, they rest. Korrin at least has certainly earned the right.

[gatheringstorm]

"Fair enough." Korrin raises her pint, then takes a long sip. "Though I should warn you; I might pass out on you if you insist on keeping me company. Not that this stuff is strong enough for that, but it won't be for lack of trying." Her drinking is usually social, rarely done to excess but right now she's lacking restraint as well as energy.

[ombranera]

"So long as you do not clip me with a horn? I do not think I would mind. There are worse reasons to have a lovely woman draped on me." Like if he is stabbing them. That is never fun. Ugh. SO much blood, so little time to leave before people notice the noble lady is missing. He'd rather not. But Korrin? He more than welcomes the opportunity.

[gatheringstorm]

"This isn't a prelude to horn cozies, is it? I'm pretty sure I can manage that, despite what I said over the sending crystal earlier." And horn cozies, while amusing, aren't likely to give the impression she prefers to give enemies. No one looks at those and thinks 'dangerous'. She shakes her head and smirks, draining more of that pint. "You're lucky you missed it, by the way. Sure, there was excitement to be had, but a lot of it was actually tedious."

[ombranera]

"Horn...cozies?" What? "You mean those knitted things little grandmothers make to keep tea pots warm- someone is making those for...your...horns?"

People are strange. Very, very strange.

[gatheringstorm]

The very image makes her snort in amusement. "Maker, I hope not. I've made enough comments about accidental goring that it's possible, but we need the resources on too many other things other than fulfilling a joke. Like raising morale, which, as you might have noticed, is shit."

The tavern's an excellent start, no doubt about that, but people will need more than strong booze to make it through this. As much as Korrin's enjoying that now, she can only hope that Krem isn't the only one to come up with ideas. Maybe when she's sober again....

[ombranera]

"Proper rooms for everyone, a bath house, some manner of steady entertainment. There is the one bard here, myself, and a handful of others but we only have so many stories." And he's better served being somewhere else when he can, honestly. But sorting everything else out would take time that they don't need to think on at the moment.

Tonight is for celebrating. "Ah, in the morning. For now? We drink."

[gatheringstorm]

Indeed. Korrin sets her mug down after a sip, sighing wistfully. "What I wouldn't give for a bath house up here. It doesn't need to be fancy, just a place where everyone can have a good soak and forget that we're in the middle of the fucking mountains. I can't be the only one hating that part."

The view is wonderful, but the South is too damn cold. It's a fact. "I don't suppose they got in that Antivan liquor you were talking about earlier?"

[ombranera]

"Saunas." He murmurs lecherously, as though it is something secret and filthy that must be spoken of in hushed tones. "What I would not give for a proper steam room. A soak, a scrub, a steam in the dead of winter? Nobles and diplomats would pay to stay here."

And that would be all the more coin for the Inquisition. Everyone wins.

"Ah, the tavern? No. But..." With a flourish he produces a bottle from his belt, finely shaped crystal with sealed wax over the cork. "I have some if you would like. I think you have earned it."

[gatheringstorm]

"So tempting...." Korrin's eyes might have glazed over at the description provided, not realizing until that moment how much she needed it. Damn Zevran and his ideas, now this was going to linger in hers even when sober. She just knows it.

But that bottle effectively distracts her for the time being and she regards it with wonder. "If I would? Tch, don't tease me. Be my hero and pour some, will you?"

[ombranera]

"As you wish." He cracks the seal and pours it with a grin, giving them both a small measure. "Trust me. This is for sipping- the kick is slow but thorough. You may very well fall out of your seat."

But oh, how rich and spicy it could be. How smooth, how sweet. A taste of home he is most pleased to share.

[gatheringstorm]

"Still worth it. And at least you'd have a nice view." Korrin flashes a grin, raising her portion. "To that bath house, hm? May the desperately-needed addition gain favor around here." And soon. Maybe someone should post a petition for it on the bulletin board.

[ombranera]

"Perhaps we might ask around? Find if there is much support and interest." That is how things are done in Antiva. Or they killed people until the point was made- but the Inquisition is not the Crows. He lifts his glass to hers and taps them together, sipping lightly.

[gatheringstorm]

"Well, I did meet a very lovely magister who seems to enjoy pampering herself. It sounds like just the sort of thing she'd support, wouldn't it?" Korrin takes a small sip, just sampling it at first, then a longer one. "Now this makes the trip worth it. You were right about the taste, it's glorious."

As for the kick, they would find out if her qunari stamina would overcome it. Korrin wouldn't mind if it did, though. This is not a night to be or stay sober, not for her or anyone else who returned from Haven.

[ombranera]

"Mmm. I do not know if it would please Fereldan and Orlesian nobles to know we are catering to Tervinter." Also: slave trade. But he sets such thoughts aside in favor of sipping his little slice of home and leaning, oh so casually, into Korrin's space. She is warm, she is lovely, and there's no reason not to enjoy a little closeness, no?

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin certainly doesn't stop Zevran from getting closer. He's provided her with excellent liquor and a distraction from her own thoughts, so why ruin the moment? At the comment about Tevinter, she huffs and shakes her head.

"We're not catering to Tevinter, we're catering to good taste. There's a difference. Though...I'm not sure there's a downside to pissing off Orlesian nobles. They already think they're too good for us, anyway."

[ombranera]

"When attempting to create an organization that means to save the world- having nobles on your side or in your debt tends to be better than having them against you." And these were Orlesian nobles. Fereldans were easier to understand and work around. Orlesians? Have their game. They are fortunate to have Leliana on their side.

[gatheringstorm]

Sigh. Why do you have to be right, Zevran? Korrin takes another sip, savoring the Antivan drink before grudgingly agreeing. "Oh, I know. Just let me have that fantasy of annoying them without repercussions. Besides, after trekking all the way up the mountains to Skyhold, they'd probably be more annoyed if there wasn't such pampering to be had."

[ombranera]

"I did not say they would have to be happy about helping us. But if it is in their best interest? They will. And it may burn them to do so." The brandy helps wash the bitter taste of politics from his mouth- it's all so much simpler in Antiva. Stab people until something gets done.

[gatheringstorm]

"Indeed. I'll drink to that." Korrin smirks at that and tries the same antidote to politics, because it's the only way she can deal with them. Her sigh is a more contented one this time, as she gives in to slouching. "Told you, I'm doomed to spend the night here. They better not have a brawl tonight, or I'll be very annoyed if I have to move again."

Her eyes flick about to the rift-folk and the others, though, noting tension here and there. It's understandable, but she's so not in the mood to deal with any of that. Let her slither onto the floor beside a handsome elf blanket.

[ombranera]

"I will make certain any brawling will happen on the far end of the tavern, so you may drink and slouch in peace." The last thing anyone should want is to wake a sleeping Qunari. Especially one near so lovely. Zevran tops off their glasses with the brandy and settles in a comfortable curl against her side, compact and feline.

[gatheringstorm]

"Thank you." For the top-off and that promise. Korrin sips at her brandy lazily, not minding a more relaxed pace. "Tomorrow might be a different story, though. I make no promises then, especially if anyone decides to use the wake as an excuse to be an asshole."

[ombranera]

"Mm. I intend to be nowhere near the tavern afterward. Nothing good will come of grief, ale, and hopelessness." For what else have the men here now that the Herald was gone? The strangers, 'rifters' some had spat, have similar marks but... who can say what good it will do them?