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

[kremdelacreme]

Krem grimaces at the idea, himself. "I'd rather not think about that."

Pushing off after a moment, Krem disappears into the crowd, then returns with a pair of flagons filled with sweet-smelling mead, handing one over to Korrin. It was stronger than what they'd already been sipping on, and would do nicely toward getting them both too hammered to do more than stagger back to...wherever Korrin has her quarters. Or his, since it's not a long walk and he has a place he can set up a pallet for himself.

[gatheringstorm]

Her current drink is just about drained anyway, so she readily accepts the mead. It stands a better shot at helping Korrin on her quest to get utterly hammered, as much as a Vashoth can manage with human brew. "Thanks for that. I'll buy the next round. I'd say you were lucky to miss all that, and it's true, though I hope we'll get to share an assignment sometime. Training rings just aren't the same."

[kremdelacreme]

"Next time we're sent out, I'll find you and drag you along." Krem lifts his flagon, then takes a couple of swallows, coughing a bit then putting it down with a heavy thump on the top of his barrel. "If there's one thing good coming out of this, it's that these people didn't grow up with the same prejudice. Let them form their own opinions. It'll be good for everyone having a fresh point of view."

[gatheringstorm]

That Korrin can wholeheartedly agree with, and she raises her flagon briefly. "I'll drink to that. They didn't seem to mind the mage thing, at least; it startled the hell out of those not used to magic, but still, they seemed grateful enough for it when it was blasting their attackers. I'll take what I can get...and I'll hold you to that."

Nothing against other agents of the Inquisition, but the Chargers are mercenaries and it's a lifestyle and mindset she knows well. She might also be a touch lonely, thanks to being the sole representative of the Valo-Kas, but that's something she won't admit without more rounds of mead. It's probably more obvious than she realizes, though.

[kremdelacreme]

Krem won't call her out on that though. He likes having her around, no matter the reason for it, and after a moment he lets his wrist hang on the horn nearest him, lightly enough that it doesn't do more than nudge her head the tiniest bit.

"Tell you what. One of these days, we'll have to go out on our own mission. Just you and me wrecking shit in the Frostback Basin or somewhere up north."

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin glances up at that head-nudge, an amused smile forming as she notes that wrist dangling from her horn. No comment necessary, he can do what he wants there. She's comfortable enough with him that personal space isn't an issue, whether with horns or otherwise.

"You're on, Krem. There are plenty of things out there that could be improved by a maul and a lightning bolt. It's a public service, really."

[kremdelacreme]

"I wonder if there's a way to electrify a maul without killing me," he says thoughtfully, mirroring her smile. They could absolutely destroy anything and everything they came across, all on their own.

[gatheringstorm]

Her brow furrows as she gives that some thought. "Hm...a lightning rune could do it? I don't know the details of making one, but what do we have the Undercroft for, if not to find new and exciting ways to kill things? Besides, imagine the impression that will make."

[kremdelacreme]

He knows next to nothing about runes, except that they can be attached to things to make them more deadly to other things, and that's about all he feels he really needs to know about them. He raises his tankard to the idea. "I'll have to talk to one of the mages then, if they're not overly busy."