faderift | 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Courtyard]

Even after a lengthy discussion with Leliana, Josephine, and Cassandra, Cullen is still suspicious of the newcomers. Why now, why of all things, would a rift send them people not even from Thedas? Was this the Maker's doing, or was this some sick plot of Corypheus'? Cullen wasn't so sure what to believe at this point, but he did know that the other advisers were right; these newcomers needed to be given a chance.

He's off to the side, observing the organized chaos in the courtyard. The guards stationed around the courtyard are obviously on edge, but rightfully so. It's to keep everyone safe, and not just from the newcomers.

[Wildcard]

[Come at me, bro.]

Ah, someone that looks as though the are in charge. Excellent. Adelaide veers off her path to the healing tents long enough to wave and, with hope, catch his attention. She's weary from the walk and it shows in the subtle waver in her stride but her head is high and her shoulders back. This'll be brief as they both likely have far more important things to tend to. "Do you think it possible, perhaps, to ask your guards to not bunch quite so tightly around the healing tents while we tend to the injured? I realize some are from the rifts and it is all very strange but it is making some of us a little...anxious."

Twitchy. The word she is looking for is twitchy and nothing good has ever come of a twitchy mage.

No, nothing good has come of a twitchy mage, and Cullen has seen first hand what could happen. She does catch his attention, and when she approaches, she has his attention.

"It is possible, yes." He nods, looking to where most of the guards are gathered, and then promptly sighs. He sees what she means. He's quite sure that they mean well, but no one could get a breath of fresh air with the way they were huddled about.

"They still need to do their jobs, but how far would you like the perimeter?"

"And I understand that, truly I do. But a little breathing room would be greatly appreciated." Preferably a courtyard's worth, but that'll be impossible. "Fifteen feet?"

That seems reasonable enough. Not so far as to be out of reach if needed, not so close as to keep the mages twitchy.

"Fifteen feet it will be then, as you wish."

He grabs the nearest scout walking by, which is right about then, and leans in to whisper a few words to him. The guard seems to look at the Commander with wide eyes, almost as if questioning the order, but Cullen gives a raised brow as to why the order hasn't even been conveyed yet. The scout scurries off quickly, and within minutes the guards stationed around the healing tents are spreading out.

"I hope that suffices...?"

She's only momentarily surprised an argument wasn't made for ten. It's shaken off as she peers back to the tents, taking measure of the change. It isn't much but it's what she asked for- and it's what they need. Breathing room. The guards can still see and the healers can still work. "More than, thank you Ser."

Not all that certain of his title but- Ser's usually the safest bet. Adelaide offers a shallow bob of her head, a brief sort of bow before turning back to the tents. Work to be done, all that.

Walker had busied himself to and fro, grabbing what little he needed, a jacket and some blankets to help protect against the cold, some fresh bandages to change out the old, water and food as well as some whispers and stories here and there. It was then that his eyes caught the sight of another man, somewhat off to the side by himself, appearing to observe the commotion.

Something was...off about him, he seemed a bit different somehow. So he decided to approach. "Not joining the fun?"

"Making sure no one gets hurt," he replies curtly, but it's nothing against Walker. Cullen runs on far too little sleep for his own good, and that does no good when there are new twists and turns the Inquisition has to deal with with each passing day.

"Too many hot heads around here at the moment."

The man was probably in no mood for questions at the moment, but he would make him be in the mood. Maybe coffee exists in this world? Probably not, but it would make it easier to get Cullen fully awake and alert. Well either way, Martin doesn't take it personally and just as easily brushes it off.

"Then am I correct in guessing your their commanding officer?"

"Yes. Commander Cullen Rutherford." He replies, and while he's still not fully used to the title, it is one that he's been saying quite a lot these past few weeks so he might as well.

"And you are?"

"Captain Martin Walker." His own is said with as much professionalism as he could muster. He's probably a lot more used to saying than Cullen is.

"E-excuse me," Skyhold was going to take some getting used to. The castle itself was bigger than most of the villages in Spira, and that said nothing for the stronghold itself. Yuna had gotten turned around more than a few times now, and today didn't seem like any exception.

But this man -- looked as though he had a good indication of where things could be found. "Could you... please point me in the direction of the medical tents? I was hoping... I could be of some help to the healers there," and under her breath as she looked down, "at the very least."

Cullen doesn't want to give off the impression that he's unapproachable, and while he does come off like that some times, he does want to make the best effort to help everyone. She looks new, possibly a rifter, but he doesn't say anything in regards to it.

"The medical tents? Ah-" He pauses to point them out for her. "Down there, and you'll see quite a few of them. I hope they benefit from your experience."

We come from the land of the ice and snow

Cullen | OTA

Courtyard

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Courtyard broski

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

courtyard!

no subject