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

[gatheringstorm]

"So tempting...." Korrin's eyes might have glazed over at the description provided, not realizing until that moment how much she needed it. Damn Zevran and his ideas, now this was going to linger in hers even when sober. She just knows it.

But that bottle effectively distracts her for the time being and she regards it with wonder. "If I would? Tch, don't tease me. Be my hero and pour some, will you?"

[ombranera]

"As you wish." He cracks the seal and pours it with a grin, giving them both a small measure. "Trust me. This is for sipping- the kick is slow but thorough. You may very well fall out of your seat."

But oh, how rich and spicy it could be. How smooth, how sweet. A taste of home he is most pleased to share.

[gatheringstorm]

"Still worth it. And at least you'd have a nice view." Korrin flashes a grin, raising her portion. "To that bath house, hm? May the desperately-needed addition gain favor around here." And soon. Maybe someone should post a petition for it on the bulletin board.

[ombranera]

"Perhaps we might ask around? Find if there is much support and interest." That is how things are done in Antiva. Or they killed people until the point was made- but the Inquisition is not the Crows. He lifts his glass to hers and taps them together, sipping lightly.

[gatheringstorm]

"Well, I did meet a very lovely magister who seems to enjoy pampering herself. It sounds like just the sort of thing she'd support, wouldn't it?" Korrin takes a small sip, just sampling it at first, then a longer one. "Now this makes the trip worth it. You were right about the taste, it's glorious."

As for the kick, they would find out if her qunari stamina would overcome it. Korrin wouldn't mind if it did, though. This is not a night to be or stay sober, not for her or anyone else who returned from Haven.

[ombranera]

"Mmm. I do not know if it would please Fereldan and Orlesian nobles to know we are catering to Tervinter." Also: slave trade. But he sets such thoughts aside in favor of sipping his little slice of home and leaning, oh so casually, into Korrin's space. She is warm, she is lovely, and there's no reason not to enjoy a little closeness, no?

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin certainly doesn't stop Zevran from getting closer. He's provided her with excellent liquor and a distraction from her own thoughts, so why ruin the moment? At the comment about Tevinter, she huffs and shakes her head.

"We're not catering to Tevinter, we're catering to good taste. There's a difference. Though...I'm not sure there's a downside to pissing off Orlesian nobles. They already think they're too good for us, anyway."

[ombranera]

"When attempting to create an organization that means to save the world- having nobles on your side or in your debt tends to be better than having them against you." And these were Orlesian nobles. Fereldans were easier to understand and work around. Orlesians? Have their game. They are fortunate to have Leliana on their side.

[gatheringstorm]

Sigh. Why do you have to be right, Zevran? Korrin takes another sip, savoring the Antivan drink before grudgingly agreeing. "Oh, I know. Just let me have that fantasy of annoying them without repercussions. Besides, after trekking all the way up the mountains to Skyhold, they'd probably be more annoyed if there wasn't such pampering to be had."

[ombranera]

"I did not say they would have to be happy about helping us. But if it is in their best interest? They will. And it may burn them to do so." The brandy helps wash the bitter taste of politics from his mouth- it's all so much simpler in Antiva. Stab people until something gets done.

[gatheringstorm]

"Indeed. I'll drink to that." Korrin smirks at that and tries the same antidote to politics, because it's the only way she can deal with them. Her sigh is a more contented one this time, as she gives in to slouching. "Told you, I'm doomed to spend the night here. They better not have a brawl tonight, or I'll be very annoyed if I have to move again."

Her eyes flick about to the rift-folk and the others, though, noting tension here and there. It's understandable, but she's so not in the mood to deal with any of that. Let her slither onto the floor beside a handsome elf blanket.

[ombranera]

"I will make certain any brawling will happen on the far end of the tavern, so you may drink and slouch in peace." The last thing anyone should want is to wake a sleeping Qunari. Especially one near so lovely. Zevran tops off their glasses with the brandy and settles in a comfortable curl against her side, compact and feline.

[gatheringstorm]

"Thank you." For the top-off and that promise. Korrin sips at her brandy lazily, not minding a more relaxed pace. "Tomorrow might be a different story, though. I make no promises then, especially if anyone decides to use the wake as an excuse to be an asshole."

[ombranera]

"Mm. I intend to be nowhere near the tavern afterward. Nothing good will come of grief, ale, and hopelessness." For what else have the men here now that the Herald was gone? The strangers, 'rifters' some had spat, have similar marks but... who can say what good it will do them?

[gatheringstorm]

Zevran's not wrong, but caution has never been Korrin's strong point. "Probably a wise idea, but I have a feeling I won't be in the mood to be wise tomorrow. I'm just curious to see if an 'ox savage' has any more restraint than those supposedly more civilized." The answer: somewhat? She hasn't been known to start any brawls in Skyhold, but it wouldn't be an incorrect assumption that she wouldn't hesitate to react in kind.

[ombranera]

"Please do not break anyone, my darling Korrin- they'll make such a fuss and you might get blood on your robes." Then where would they be? Nowhere good. "But...bruising them should do nicely. Especially if they run their mouths. Honestly you would think they would learn better."

[gatheringstorm]

"You ask so much of me." Korrin sighs, shaking her head as she lifts her glass up for another sip. "But fine, if they don't wet themselves with a good solid glare, I at least get to bruise them while tossing them outside. It's a public service, really."

[ombranera]

"Only as much as I know you can manage, for you are powerful as well as patient when given cause." Maker knows she will not be given much cause merely by his asking- but it might be enough to avoid an outright slaughter. "Mmm. We should keep track of how many brown their trousers when you glare at them. Make a sport of it."

[gatheringstorm]

If there's ever a way to get Korrin to listen, it usually involves drinks and the gentle suggestion of a friend and/or flirting partner, so Zevran has a decent head start. "There are precious few means of entertainment around here, so why not? It counts as double if they're obnoxious Chantry folk or nobles...I'd say Templars, but I'm not that reckless."

[ombranera]

"Their reflexes are all different. Call 'abomination' around a noble? Fainting. Call it around a templar? Oh, the smiting, and not the fun kind at that." He leans further into her side, sipping his brandy while eyeing the rest of the room. "I am certain you could get a good amount if you tried."

[gatheringstorm]

"I definitely prefer fainting to smiting. Less messy." Korrin smirks as she glances around the area. "If anyone uses this as an opportunity to stir up trouble against our new guests, I might have to do it anyway. But I'm lazy tonight, so forgive me if I don't get a head start."

[ombranera]

"So far no one seems to be troubling them. If that changes I'll be sure you are the first to know." Anyone else he'd dissuade with a flick of a walnut in their direction. Stealing attention usually dissolves some conflicts before they begin. Usually.

[gatheringstorm]

"Good. I may not know what to think of them just yet, but anyone can see they've been through enough crap lately. Adding to that is just...crass." And Korrin sees no pleasure in punching down, especially not when plenty of those people had been eager to help in a point of crisis.

[ombranera]

"I cannot imagine how difficult it might be to wake in a new world you neither understand nor care for. And here we are in the middle of a crisis- finding them a way home may not be a priority for some time." Especially with the marks.

[gatheringstorm]

"When you put it that way, maybe they deserve a free round. I just happened to be there and I needed something badly afterward." Though she's not sharing the wonderful brandy in her hand, that's for certain. Korrin rarely gets a chance to splurge and besides, there isn't enough to go around.