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

Cremisius "Krem" Aclassi | Open

[kremdelacreme]

The medical tents
While there were mages, healers, assorted herbalists all bustling about trying to see to both the old patients and the new, Krem was one of the number helping to shuffle things around to make room for them all, dressed down about as casually as he ever was, leathers and mail on but armor left off for the time being. He was trying to be careful not to step on toes here and there, but it was inevitable that he should bump into someone sooner or later.

"Apologies," he said quickly without looking around, his armload of thin blankets in need of repair nearly toppling.

The Herald's Rest
When all was said and done, it was nice to be able to retire back to his uncomfortable chair in his quiet corner of the tavern. He was watching people come and go, nearly poking himself in the eye with a bottle as his head turned to follow one or two of them. None of them were paying attention to him that he could tell, for which he was grateful; making a fool of himself was most certainly not a spectator sport.

But here he was, rubbernecking. These people weren't from Thedas, not even from the world they new, and so many of them looked dazed and just as confused about everything and everyone else as the natives were about them. Maybe he should offer a hand to one or two of them? Just to show that not everyone in a suit of armor was going to squint at them.

When we said you needed glass I didn't mean-

[el_tybs]

Sam's exhausted by the end of it all. He hadn't had to see nearly as many people as the others, but all the commotion had quickly drained him. The hairs on the back of his neck were still standing on end at the weird sensations he picked up from those odd green marks, and the spirits were still buzzing in his ear about that one woman - she was an Elf right? Going to his pillow is out of the question with this restless feeling sitting on his shoulders, so like usual he goes to the tavern.

Upon entering his eyes immediately look over to where the Chargers are, which has become a bit of a habit for him. They are a constant at the bar, and it helps settle him down with how inconsistent the rest of the world can be at times - like today. Krem is the easiest to spot, mainly because of that one spot he had claimed for himself. The lieutenant looked a bit exhausted, and for the night Sam thinks it might be a good idea to just leave the man alone.

At least until he sees Krem nearly put a bottle into his eye. That was concerning; Krem had very good hand-eye coordination. It isn't long before he makes his way over. "Last I checked, the bottle goes into the mouth. You doing alright?"

[arlathvhen]

Beleth was no mage, and thus had been free of consultations. But she still watched and observed, curiosity and worry mixed in equal measure. It's a relief to get a chance to go to the tavern and relax. But apparently she's far from the only one who's been distracted by these new people, and was looking for a chance to drink some of that worry away. Krem was there, as he usually was, though he seemed rather...out of sorts.

That man that Beleth had met before, and helpfully dropped a bird's nest on already was there to comment, but she couldn't help but worry that Krem might not be feeling his best, either. So she drifted over, ducking her head politely to both Krem and Sam on approach.

"...Is your eye alright...? Do you need it checked?"

[kremdelacreme]

Krem was about to tell Sam that no, he was fine, and he'd stick the bottle anywhere he damn well pleased, including up someone's nose if they said anything else about it, but he stopped himself; that would be incredibly rude to someone that was only worried and trying not to make it look too serious. He sighed and put his bottle down on his knee, shrugging a shoulder.

"'m fine," he muttered, looking over at the rest of the bar's patrons. At least there weren't any fights breaking out. Everyone was probably still too much in shock, with the arrival of the Rifters and the discovery of the Herald's body.

Beleth's voice drew Krem's attention, and he looked around with a grimace. Did everyone see that foible? Of course that would be his luck...

"It's alright, really."

Crap I had overlooked this one <,<

[el_tybs]

Sam chuckles nervously at the look Krem gives him. Ah, perhaps he shouldn't have commented about the bottle bit. At least he doesn't find said bottle connecting with his head. Still, even though Krem says he's fine, it is obvious that the Charger is a bit out of it.

"You su-" he's about to say, but stops when an Elf comes up to stand in front of him. She looks familiar, but what he- oh! "You're Beleth aren't you?"

[arlathvhen]

Beleth glanced over at Sam, and nodded. The guy she had dropped a bird's nest on. Whoops. "Yes, I'm Beleth. You're Sam, correct?" She glanced back over to Krem, giving him a worried look, then at Sam, cocking an eyebrow. Well, at least she had someone else to help her gang up on Krem and try to fret.

"Are you sure? I can get you some tea, if you need some energy. Or get you to a healer--" She stopped, then turned to Sam. "--You're a healer, aren't you? Look at him." Bossy, bossy.

[kremdelacreme]

Krem sighed at the two of them, pointedly taking another swallow of his ale. He paused with the bottle still at his lips and looked up at Sam, upon hearing that he was a healer rather than an ordinary mage.

Sam, he's not happy with you. Coulda pointed that out when he offered to fix you before.

"Don't actually like tea much," Krem replied to Beleth's offer, at least managing to look somewhat apologetic. "Nor do I need a healer. A poke in the eye isn't something to worry yourself over."

[el_tybs]

Sam visibly tenses when Beleth mentions the part about the healer. Well shit. Krem was not- oh look at that, Krem is giving him that look. Wonderful. Thanks, Beleth.

He even winces when Krem stresses the 'healer' part, not sure if the Charger is pointedly talking about him, or a healer in general. "Ah well... if there's nothing to worry over we might as well join you since we're here. Beleth I'd love some tea." Said all with a guilty smile. Going to play stupid about it unless it's actually said.

[arlathvhen]

She did something wrong. She said something wrong. Beleth knows as soon as she looks between the two of them, exchanging glances, and Sam wincing. Her expression turned worried, as she tried to figure out what she'd done. Was she not wanted? Were they trying to do something with just the two of them? That's what happened, wasn't it. She had totally just stomped her way in.

Except Sam was saying that they were going to join Krem, and asking for tea? Was he just being polite??

"I'll go get some." She replied quickly, ducking her head, and scurrying off to locate the tea. She didn't want to go all the way across Skyhold. Hopefully the bar would have at least a tea kettle? She headed over to question the dwarf barkeep, while keeping an eye on the other two.

medical tents

[amygdalae]

[The tents were familiar to Bruce by now, with how much time he spends there doing his work. With the rifters around things had seemed to get more tense, if anything, but Bruce tried his best to work with it.

Having just finished with his latest patient, Bruce had been making his way out, his mind whirling with thoughts of what to do next and what the near future held. There were the rifters, and the Herald's body had been found...

As occupied as he is Bruce doesn't really notice anybody in the way until he collides with another person ahead of him, and Bruce quickly catches himself before he falls down.]

Ah--my apologies. [He quickly as he reaches out with a hand to steady the pile of blankets before they can topple down.]

[kremdelacreme]

<sub>[Krem would have much rather occupied himself than sat around dwelling about the death of the Herald and her being found when all of these other people had arrived, and so he was there and he was distracted and running into Bruce wasn't all that surprising.

He steadied himself as Bruce kept his blankets from falling, grimacing some and adjusting his grip on them.]</sub>

Could you maybe take a couple of these? Be faster handing them out that way.

[amygdalae]

Oh--of course.

[Bruce quickly rearranges the things he's already carrying so that he can help with the blankets, taking a good part of it onto himself to aid in carrying them to wherever the destination was.]

Lead the way; I'll follow from behind.

[kremdelacreme]

_{[Krem nods to the section of newly-erected triage tents, stepping over a couple of bedrolls that had recently been vacated. He stops in front of one, kneeling there and placing a couple of them on the inside of the flap with a few words to the woman inside.]}

Don't believe I've met you yet.

_{[He says it over his shoulder as he stands up, continuing on to the next tent.]}

Seen you around, but that's about it. D'you come in with the rebel mages?

[amygdalae]

[Bruce dutifully follows behind without a word, watching with mild interest as the other delivers the blankets around, taking a good moment to remember where he had seen him before.

Of course--the Chargers.]

Ah--no. [He almost shakes his head, but then realizes there's no point in doing that anyway.] I joined when the Inquisition was first at the Crossroads. I'm a surgeon.

[kremdelacreme]

Ah, thought we might've picked you up from Redcliffe.

_{[Krem shrugged. At least he hadn't been entirely wrong.]}

You ever need help, I'm sure we can talk Stitches- he's our company healer- into at least helping with poultices and potions. Just...be sure to label what is and isn't supposed to be drunk.

[amygdalae]

I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

[He returns with a small smile. He has heard some stories of the Chargers' healer and what he did, and it would be good to have some help there.

He continues to follow as the other delivers and distributes more blankets, speaking up after another pause.]

How have you all been settling into Skyhold? Is everyone alright?

[kremdelacreme]

_{[Anyone playing healer for the Bull's Chargers would have to be damned good at their job, to keep the company fighting at top shape. Stitches was no exception, particularly as Bull's favored healer.]}

So far, we're all doing fairly well. Either keeping out of the way or offering help where we can.

_{[He paused to drop of the last of his own armload of blankets at another tent, then grabbed those Bruce was carrying and leading the way back to the main courtyard. There were people camping out there, and near the stables that could use the rest of them.]}

What about you?

[gatheringstorm]

If Korrin hadn't been among those who ventured to Haven, no doubt she would have been rubbernecking as well. It's rare when people stand out more than herself, but echoes of the mark that the Herald possessed would certainly manage that. That and their unfamiliarity with even basic concepts in Thedas, knowledge that even children took for granted.

As Korrin wound her way through the tavern, looking for an unoccupied spot to plop down onto, she caught sight of Krem. With a tired smirk, she headed over. The Charger's lieutenant was always good company, and that was sorely needed right now. So she leaned against the wall by him, cradling her mug. "You'll poke your eye out if you keep that up, you know. What I have would be safer."

[kremdelacreme]

When Korrin leaned against the wall beside him, Krem took it upon himself to lean his shoulder against whatever part of her was closest to his shoulder, reaching up and clinking his bottle against her much.

"But then if I do that, I can get an armored eyepatch, match the Chief," he replied, mirroring her smirk with a somewhat exhausted one of his own. "D'you just get back?"

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin chuckles at the image Krem provides, then takes another sip and nods wearily. She doesn't mind talking about what happened, at least not to friends. Random people...not yet, but maybe when she's less sober. "I'm not sure if I should complain about what happened or be oddly grateful for the distraction. Can I settle for both? I need both."

And more drinks, but not just yet. Now that she's stopped moving around, Korrin's body is protesting the very thought.

[kremdelacreme]

"Both sounds fine to me. Word travels fast, apparently these people have never even heard of Thedas? Gotta be a culture shock," Krem muses, then takes a swallow of his ale, glancing around at someone else going by. If they don't get Skyhold a little more up to snuff soon, they really won't have anywhere to keep everyone.

A glance up at Korrin, and Krem is out of his seat, offering it with a gesture. Sure he might not get her out of it again for the rest of the night, but they could worry about that later.

[gatheringstorm]

"They've never even heard of the Fade. You know, the place where they stepped out of? I had to explain that to them, too."

Korrin stares at the seat, strongly tempted but knowing where this could lead. "You know you'll need to pry me from that once I actually sit down, right? I'm not kidding, it's going to be that short of night."

[kremdelacreme]

"I'm...mostly confident I could haul you out of it if I needed to," Krem assures her with small smirk. "They must have just loved you. Can't imagine seeing qunari first thing would be comforting to anyone that doesn't at least know they exist first."

[gatheringstorm]

"Now I'm tempted to see if you can try." But fine, she'll take the chair for now. And if he wants it back, he'll have to see if his strength matches his words, or not. "Oh, yeah. I got plenty of 'what the hell are you' comments, or the equivalent. Someone even thought I was a demon, though she seemed to think that a good thing. First time for everything, I suppose."

[kremdelacreme]

"I suppose different realms would have different opinions on demons," Krem says thoughtfully, leaning on a barrel near the chair with his foot up on the brace between its legs. "They're in for a nasty shock when they see the actual demons here though."