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

[fayth]

The blanket is more than a welcome sight for Yuna, who had stayed close to the fire, huddled together with her knees close. "Thank you..." she was grateful for the added warmth and took the blanket with no hesitation, wrapping it around her bare shoulders.

She supposed, she wasn't really dressed for the weather, reminded of her journey through the mountains of Gagazet. She was silent for a moment more, not even sure if she should speak -- it was obvious that she, among the others that had arrived from the rift, had caused problems for the people here.

"Um," Yuna paused, then seemed to finally make the choice to continue, "do you... always help out here? This is -- where people come to be healed, right?"

[noleechesneeded]

It certainly is a colorful dress, though it was true it isn't exactly practical for Skyhold. Even with the springs below heating the ground it still only 'warm' relative to the snowy mountains surrounding them. Simon offers an understanding smile, inclining his head and for a moment he nearly moves on, only staying once the girl speaks up.

There are enough healers around to make sure everyone in especially dire need is being seen to, so he decides quickly it can't hurt to take a moment. Simon's brow lifts as he crouches down next to her to make for easier conversation.

"Since I've arrived I have, yes," he answers. Rather than answer her second question, Simon's brow furrows with a concerned look. She doesn't look to be hurt, but it's possible she's been hiding it... "Are you injured?"

eek this is so hideously late im so sorry, it was lost in the mess of my inbox...

[fayth]

"No," she shook her head quickly, afraid to cause worry, "I'm fine, everyone's been so accommodating, I..." at least, everyone that she had run into so far. There were obvious tensions around the hold, but she had been fortunate enough to stay out of trouble, and despite the flashiness of her clothing, out of the watchful eyes of those that didn't quite believe they meant no harm.

"I wondered... if there was anything I could do to help, you see..." she trailed off, wondering if discussing her magic was even a good idea, but her desire to do something pressed her to continue. "Since -- I arrived here some of my magic seemed to be..." gone? sealed? "inaccessible. But I still have the power to heal so I..."

Wasn't offering what skills she still possessed the very least she could do?

S'all right! I'm happy to backtag.

[noleechesneeded]

So she was a mage...and now that she said as much, Simon could see how what he'd thought of as a dress could have actually been robes. It made sense, and her request certainly sounded sincere to Simon, but it posed something of a dilemma considering she was from the rifts. His lips thinned between his teeth, looking out over the fire for a moment and taking the time to make himself more comfortable kneeling at her side rather than just crouching down.

"And you heal with magic?" he asked, just to be certain he understood. "At this point any help would be welcome...but I imagine it would be best if you spoke to one of the advisors about it before jumping in and casting spells without warning. You don't want to startle any of the templars...even those of us who didn't come out of the rifts need to be mindful."

Not all of them were as mindful as they should be, in Simon's opinion, but the poor girl didn't need his political opinion making her more nervous than she already seemed to be.

♥

[fayth]

As soon as she'd said it, the regret began to sink in. The topic of mages seemed to be a rather tense one, and Yuna was beginning to quickly realize that. At least, it seemed, she had slipped in front of someone that was open to the prospect. "I do," it felt like a confession, and she looked down, flexing and relaxing her hands while she tried to find the right words.

"But... you're right. And that's certainly something I don't want to do. I admit I don't know all that much about stitching, but maybe... if I could watch someone that knows, and learn..." she looked back up at him again, her eyes hopeful. "Then maybe I wouldn't have to only rely on magic to help anyone."

And Simon, well. He sort of looked like he just might know what was what around here.

[noleechesneeded]

He hadn't meant to discourage her outright, just advise some caution... He hadn't been exaggerating when he said the Inquisition could use whatever help it could get. Surely if any of the rifters wanted to help they should be allowed, even if they were mages. It would just take some care...

Simon caught that hopeful look, tilting his head slightly as he considered a solution. He certainly had been with the Inquisition long enough to know how it worked, but he was miles away from being any sort of authority within it.

"Until it's safe for you to use your magic, certainly," Simon answered, looking back up at her. "We have a healer, Bruce I believe his name is...he works without magic. He's does good work too, from what I've seen. If you want to learn stitches, I would start with him."

It was something Simon meant to do himself, as much out of curiosity as a desire to learn how.

"Though if you wanted to learn a bit of herbalism, I could help with that," he added.

[fayth]

"Bruce..." saying it aloud would help her commit it to memory. Still new around these parts she knew that she would have to put herself out there if she hoped to be of any use to the Inquisition, though perhaps when she sought him out she would... avoid that whole magic thing. At least to begin with.

"Thank you, I..." whoops. It seemed to occur to her at that moment that she hadn't even introduced herself, or gotten his name for that matter. "Ah, I'm sorry," apologizing was her forté, "My name is Yuna. I... should have mentioned that earlier," before she started throwing all of this on him, at least. And with that, she bowed her head just slightly in greeting.

[noleechesneeded]

The sudden sincerity of the apology was actually sort of endearing. Simon caught himself smiling at Yuna as he also realized he was probably being too serious again... Hopefully he could be a bit more reassuring, though he resisted the urge to pat her on the shoulder or anything like that just yet.

"Oh, it's okay, there's a lot going on and...I should have introduced myself as well," he said. It was true that he had a bad habit of not, staying on the move with his sister and trying to avoid drawing attention, but it was really something he needn't worry about with the Inquisition.

"I'm Simon," he added, mimicking her almost-bow as best he could. "It's very nice to meet you, Yuna."

[fayth]

"Same to you," she beamed with a nod, seeming to feel a little lighter now. The affirmation that the help of rifters would be welcome was enough hope for her for the time being.

"You mentioned herbalism... that's -- sort of like making potions, isn't it?" Another practice that she wasn't exactly familiar with, but could guess at its uses. Although in her homeworld potions were used, she'd never had a hand in their crafting before... and not to mention how they might differ in a place like Thedas.

[noleechesneeded]

"That's it exactly," Simon said with a nod. "Potions and other remedies for when magic isn't available or appropriate for what needs mending..."

Mint did a lot more for an upset stomach than any spell in Simon's arsenal, for example. And even for more serious injuries, potions could do in a pinch to stem the loss of blood. Selling potions and enchantments was a major source of funding for all Circles, even the larger ones, and Simon had put more than his fair share of time learning how to brew potions in particular for the sake of the coffers.

"Keeping the Inquisition stocked is a never ending job," he added with a wryer smile.