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

[fleurdesel]

While she'd seen him when she'd treated him to be certain, she hadn't truly looked at the whole of him- too focused on the sucking chest wound. Now, though, her eyes narrow. Unless the usual indicators are present- robes, staff, lightening from the fingers- a non mage can't always easily tell a mage from anyone else. A mage? Might. If they knew how to look. Adelaide looks now with lips pressed thin and a vague consideration for how to answer.

"Most mages light people on fire instead of attempting to strangle them. I suppose I should be greatful you did not."

[apostasia]

"It was an action of instinct rather than intelligence," he says, evenly, in the space where someone else with a gentler disposition and less pride might have apologised; his hand finds the edge of the medallion he's still wearing, an unconscious gesture, reassuring himself it's still there. Little about him suggests anything besides aristocrat or warrior - academic, perhaps, in this setting - but the medallion itself would call him what he is to an educated eye.

Or, at least, what he was.

"Most sorcerers are taught not to resort first to sorcery if their problem can be solved another way."

[fleurdesel]

"So you say." The explanation rather than an apology. Years since she's last spent any time around nobles but Adelaide can remember that particular trick well enough. Her siblings certainly used it on her plenty in her youth and the few times she's been unfortunate enough to deal with them now hasn't endeared the tactic to her in the slightest.

"So hand to the throat first, fire later. How efficient."

[apostasia]

"Frankly," he says, after a moment, "I don't recall ever being expected to use magic in combat, or, indeed, for anything that might be done another way."

Has he ever used it for simple tasks, or in combat? Of course - but rarely, in the latter, and usually to show off that he could, in the former. Magic is for things that cannot be done with a sword or a bit of flint. Magic is something esoteric and separate and about which he is very passionate, but - he can't imagine it being used so widely or openly in Elenia as it is here.

His brief encounters so far haven't left him with any illusions that that somehow means these people are more enlightened about its practise and those who practise it, but the point remains.

[fleurdesel]

"Are we discussing the nuances of magical theory and where they diverge in your world as adverse to mine? Is that what we are doing?" She'll need more wine- oh wait. She sips from her bottle and flips the book in her lap shut. Clearly this is how she is going to spend her evening. It could be worse.

She could be stuck with Alayre again.

"We were trained, here, for combat in case they had need of us while surrounded by those with the ability to neutralize our magic entirely for our own protection. The Templars." The word isn't quite spat out so much as it's spoken with a blacked distaste reserved for mortal enemies. "What cannot be done with a sword will be done by magic at the behest of whomever calls upon us to serve. As Chantry Law dictates-"

Another twist of loathing around the word 'chantry' "Magic is meant to serve man, not rule over him."