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

[Isabela is rather on the periphery, hearing Varric spinning his stories. Oh, it's been a while since she's seen her old friend. It's also been a while since she's seen him this out of sorts.

Fortunately, if anyone is good at distraction, it's her.]

Varric, I've heard that story sixteen times, and I swear it gets taller every time. If you don't have demons dancing the remigold in the next version, I'll be terribly disappointed.

[She puts down a drink in front of him.]

Thought you could use that.

[He'd known he was drunk somewhere around the third pint. Cabot's ale was more water than alcohol, but Varric was determined to have a go of it. He was well on his way to getting truly pissed, an ideal state of being considering local affairs, when he had to stop and take stock of the situation.

That was a smaller glass of something stronger, either the brandy or some of Iron Bull's Qunari rotgut, and the person who had delivered it was Isabela. He stared for a moment longer.]

I...have not had enough to drink that I've started hallucinating buxom pirates. [Varric decided, aloud, and a wide grin split his face.] Rivaini! You're here too? Shit, everyone's coming out of the woodwork lately, aren't they?

[But wait, she'd critiqued his story and he'd lost his place.]

And the next version will have the dragon dancing the remigold, thank you. Maker knows it was more graceful than any demons ever were.

Well, you know me, Varric. If it involves a chance for gold or giggles, I'm there. And this place seems like it might offer at least one of those.

Especially if I get to hear stories about dancing dragons.

Speaking of, I don't think I've gotten a copy of your latest book, Varric. We'll have to fix that.

We come from the land of the ice and snow

Tavern

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