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

"Nahariel of Clan Dahlasanor," she replied in turn. "What brought Clan Ashara to the Inquisition? Was one of yours hit with a rift-shard as well?"

She remembered too well the day Siuona had stumbled back into camp, face drawn and paler than usual, her hands clasped around her breastbone, the vivid green of the rifts pulsing beneath her fingers. It had been the first time the copper tang of true fear had filled her mouth. How many others had been wounded so? How many others worried?

The question has her frowning slightly before she shakes her head no.

"I didn't even know they could do that. That's terrible for your friend. But no, we came to help. Some were a little more keen to do it for reasons involving making sure the shems didn't mess it all up, but we're all very much dedicated to doing what we can. It's our world too. We all have to live in it, so we should offer ourselves towards the cause."

"That... makes sense," Nahariel replied, suddenly feeling a little ashamed that it had taken Sina's affliction to pry her out of the forest. They hadn't known much about what was happening, aside from the rip in the sky, and the appearance of the rifts. Her clan had thought themselves safe enough... and they were so small. Surely if they kept themselves safe, waited it out...

But they were here now. She could help now. She held up the gloves again, "Do you think the quartermaster would mind if I took these? I mean to make them into gardening gloves for Siuona; we'd like to restore the garden here."

Tilting her head, Ellana considered the gloves before smiling.

"Truth be told, he's a little scatterbrained at the moment. There is so much to do. I think he either won't mind, or won't even notice, and they'll be put to good use. I can't imagine he could object to that."

Nahariel flashed a smile in return, and tucked the gloves into her belt. "Ma serannas. If any of Clan Ashara know herb-lore, or just enjoy getting a bit dirty, that's where you'll find us."

She made a small bow of respect and then turned as if to walk away, but then paused and turned back. "If anyone you know of, I mean. Any of the Inquisition," she said, slowly. "I'm... trying to think of us all as a Clan. Even if not everyone ends up feeling that way. It's difficult, but," she shrugged, her smile wryly self-deprecating again, "so is anything worth trying."

"I don't know much, but I would love to learn more. And I don't know any healing spells, but maybe I could learn about potions and poultices?" She is feeling decidedly unskilled when it comes to all that. As the third mage in the clan, she's been taught how to control her magic and all the basic spells, but she has no specializations or knowledge of healing techniques.

Ellana brightens at Nahariel's plans. "That's a large task, but I wish you luck. This Inquisition is something special, and I want it to succeed. Part of that comes down to people just learning to get along and learning to respect one another."

"You'll make a better student than I, for a certainty," Nari said with a rueful chuckle, "Sina's tried to teach me for years, but I'm hopeless. I think I can make elfroot tea without burning it. Sometimes. She'll probably be elated to have someone interested in learning who could excel." Or she could be terrified that the time was coming for her to teach as Keeper Thalia had taught her. Either way, thought the hunter, her friend would probably be happy to see other Dalish.

As far as the Inquisition...

"It sounds like you know more about this than I do. What would it mean, for the Inquisition to succeed? Strong magic, to seal the breach? To destroy all the demons? I'm here to help, but I must admit, I don't really know what we're fighting for. To save Thedas, I hear, but... how?"

"I'm not sure about excelling, but I would try." Ellana doesn't consider herself able to excel at anything, really. She can do plenty of things well enough, but not in any exceptional way.

The question causes Ellana to stop and ponder it for a moment, before she looks around them to make sure no one else is in earshot.

"The Herald had the mark to seal rifts, and now these people who have just arrived also have marks on their hands. Maybe they could seal rifts for us. And the army that attacked Haven -- there will be more, led by Corypheus. We must stand against him."

Her mouth formed the name thoughtfully, but there was no accompanying flash of insight. Nahariel smiled wryly. "It seems I don't know our enemy--which is just about the worst way to hunt, or fight. Can you tell me of him, or tell me where I might learn more? I can read a little, if there are books."

"I'm not sure he would be in books," she answers, a tiny crease appearing between her eyes as she thinks over what she knows. "He seemingly appeared out of nowhere at Haven with his army. You could probably learn far more from one who was there and saw him firsthand. I came straight to Skyhold."

An entirely new beast, then. It was almost... exciting?

She nods, then steps back a pace and raises a hand in farewell. "I'll nose around. Thank you for the information--and the gloves. I hope to see you in the garden sometime and meet the rest of your clan--keep safe, Ellana of Clan Ashara." A brief smile, and then this time she was gone, slipping quickly around the corner of the quartermaster's tent.

We come from the land of the ice and snow

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