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

Tavern

[gatheringstorm]

"You're so full of it. That couldn't possibly have happened." But by Korrin's tired and less-than-sober smirk, she didn't really care. After returning from Haven, she'd already had a hefty dose of reality, and so fantastic lies were preferable at this point. Less headache-inducing, too.

She raised her empty mug to signal another refill, then slouched back in her seat. "Go on, though. It's not fair to leave us hanging like that." As long as Varric continued telling ridiculous tales, he'd remain her favorite person in the tavern for now.

[hugeinorlais]

"I'm telling you," Varric insisted, loudly and exuberantly, "the whole lot of them started dancing! Like it was the Orlesian ballet! Snapping their fingers, high kicks, the whole production!"

To illustrate his point, and because such things seem like grand ideas when one is three sheets to the wind, Varric all but threw both of his arms out and did a haphazard (but fairly elegant, considering he was a dwarf) pirouette. Once he had finished it, he dove seamlessly back into his story and, just as seamlessly, hefted his tankard again.

"We couldn't believe it either," he assured the Qunari. "Honestly, if we hadn't had Broody and Choir-boy along, they would have tried to get us to join in."

"I've never seen Hawke go so pale, and when one of them tripped over her staff? They went down like a house of cards in a stiff breeze, just whoosh--" He swiped his hand across the table and made an ill advised sound effect to accompany the motion. "I'll never be able to take Hightown gangs seriously again--not that I did before, they're from Hightown, but that was just ridiculous!"

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin had just received her refill in time for Varric to continue, barely having a moment for a sip before she nearly chokes and snorts it back out. Thanks, Varric. She can't help but burst out laughing at his pirouette, unable to to have more from her mug for fear of choking on that as well.

It takes a bit for her to regain her breath, and she has to straighten up from her comfortable slouch to do it. Her body protests, but that's as much due to finally sitting down after a long day of trekking as anything else. The smirk is quick to return to her lips, though.

"That would almost be worth the trip to Kirkwall, just to see that in action." You know, if it was true. Which...nah, Korrin's not that drunk, but who cares? A story's a story. "But fine, an ending like that serves a free ale or whatever else you want. Fair's fair." And she gestures to the bartender to get him whatever he wants, on her.