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

Courtyard

[wontforgetyou]

The longer that Jamie hung around the courtyard, the more it'd become evident to him that whatever was going on here, a lot of people were on edge. it hadn't made him nervous, not entirely, but it had made him wonder if it'd be such a good idea to ask the questions he wanted to after all. When the rather short man (or at least shorter than he was, although he wasn't tall by any stretch of the imagination) came down with the offer of a drink, the distraction from the staring was welcome enough that he didn't waste any time in following him into the tavern, settling down in a seat and not thinking too much about why Varric had decided now was a good time to get to know the strangers.

At least he seemed willing to answer questions, something he wasn't all that sure some of the others were willing to do. And while he had a lot of them, he opted to go with the one that was the most immediate on his mind, figuring that it was one of the easier ones to answer - and also the one that would determine whether or not he'd even get a chance to figure out what was going on with the rest of it.

"Jamie McCrimmon. And, aye, I've a question. One a scale of one to I should just put my arms up now and have done with it, how likely do you think it'll be the lot of us'll be put under arrest?" After a second or so, he let the corners of his mouth turn up a bit as he added a touch dryly, "Unless there's a betting pool on that one, too."

[hugeinorlais]

Varric laughed, sharp and deep, at the question. As far as first questions went, it was a pretty good one, and he couldn't help but approve of the indignation in this guy's tone.

"No pool on that one," Varric told him easily and had Cabot pour him a pint of watered down ale and another for Jamie. "I don't take bets when the odds are less than four to one."

"I wouldn't worry about it, though," Varric said and handed the human a mug. "Arresting people is a local past-time in these parts. I've been arrested at least three times. The real trick is doing something to deserve it first."

[wontforgetyou]

There was a snort at that, because when it came down to it he wasn't surprised at all. Not about the lack of a pool - although the odds were good to know - but because hearing that was something that was all too familiar to him

"Oh, aye, glad to know that things don't change much between worlds, then."

Apparently it was the same when it came to the ale - but right about now he'd take it, watered or no, and he lifted the mug in a toast to his benefactor. A a slightly lopsided smile appeared as well a moment or two later, one that was actually noticeable, rather than the tiny-looking thing that had turned up earlier.

"So what sorts of things would you say are ones where it's not deserved, then? Figure I should maybe see just if it's going to be exactly like home, then, or only a little bit like it."

[hugeinorlais]

"Not deserved?" Varric asked, a surprised lilt in his tone. "Well, personally, I've been evading charges for writing a popular book that everyone liked. You sass the wrong Seeker and--here we are--in the middle of nowhere on an adventure."

He shrugged noncommittally. It wasn't as if this were the oddest thing he'd ever done, true, but it was certainly up there.

"You'd think it'd count as time served at this point, but I digress. You're not going to deal with that sort of thing...unless you're a writer and you make friends with a Hero or two."

Varric took a swig off his own pint and tried not to grimace too obviously.

"Basically, the heavier the armor and the scowlier the person wearing it? Talk less, salute more, and absolutely do not try to lighten the mood. They really hate that. Also knock-knock jokes, straight out."

[wontforgetyou]

"Can't say as I'm much of a writer, no."

Or a reader, for that matter, although he knew how now, which would normally be an improvement. Whether he'd be able to read the books here, however, he had no idea. Maybe he'd have to go see about that at some point.

A thoughtful expression crossed his face as he brought his own pint to his lips, but when he actually took a large enough swig to taste the ale it slipped away, replaced with his own attempt to suppress the grimace that came along with the rather visible swallow - and then a slightly different look a moment or two later as he wound up having to clear his throat.

"I'll ah, keep it in mind, though. In case I do happen to need it at some point. Take it puns are probably right out too with those Seeker types, then? Whatever a Seeker is, anyway."