faderift | We come from the land of the ice and snow

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

Simon turns and looks over his shoulder, blinking quickly as his gaze darts up. It would be embarrassing to admit that he's never seen one of the qunari this close before, even though there are a handful within the Inquisition already, so he doesn't...though the surprise is probably quite clear on his face.

"It's, well, busy," Simon answers, though they currently have a moment to breathe, at least. "I was just cleaning up after my last patient to see what's needed..."

Which includes changing the blankets on his cot. It's not always necessary, but neither is the fear a bloodstained cot can inflict on a new patient as opposed to a clean one. The mage has the old set bundled under his arm and reaches for another--the last one, it turns out. He holds it up with a slight shake.

"...more of these, it turns out. If there are any to spare."

The human's surprise doesn't bother her, as long as his eyes meet hers and not her chest. He seems to be off to a good start, at least.

Bloodstains faze Korrin not at all, not after spending her life among mercenaries and then being one. However, she can see how that might present an issue with those less hardened, especially given that they've already had enough of a shock earlier. They might as well make it as easy for the stranded, marked folk as possible.

Glancing to the fresh set, Korrin nods. "There ought to be. I've been checking with others, so unless someone snagged the entire pile, you'll have what you need. Be right back."

She then departs, returning a few moments later with more in her arms. They're managed easily enough, as she's been doing this on and off for a bit. "Hopefully, you won't need many more. We did what we could to patch people on on the way back, though admittedly potions were running low after that rift battle."

The cot has been changed when Korrin returns, as neat as if it hasn't been used at all. A small bit of consideration, but one that Simon considers worth taking the effort for. Every little bit helps with the stress of so many unexpected arrivals. He looks up again and his reaction is easier the second time. There will never be any chest staring from Simon to worry about.

"Perfect, thank you..." he says, crossing over to take them off her hands. She's even taller up close, forcing Simon to crane his neck a bit as he looks up. "And I hope you're right. This is the longest pause between patients I've had, hopefully that means most have been seen to already..."

Though Simon may well curse his luck by saying so out loud, the mage takes the risk. Still, so long as no one bleeding is coming inside and she's mentioned being at the battle, Simon has to give in to some of his curiosity.

"How bad was the fighting?" he asks.

"Honestly, it could have been a lot worse. We lucky in so many ways; the demons that emerged from the rift before them weren't slouches, but on the other hand, no pride demons came with them. And of the rift-folk, most that I noticed at least had some combat experience. They were knew to the exact situation, but they could still defend themselves. I'd hate to think about what could have happened had they all been helpless."

Korrin shudders at that, expression grim for a moment as she wonders if they'll run into that very scenario later on.

"That isn't to say it couldn't have gone better, too. We weren't really expecting a battle of that scale, and our resources weren't able to accommodate that as well as I'd have liked. If this isn't an isolated incident, we'll have to do better next time."

Edited 2015-11-06 14:35 (UTC)

"I noticed that I haven't actually had any of the rifters as patients," Simon says, brow furrowing as it now makes sense if they know how to handle themselves in a fight. All the more impressive it it was against demons and they came out relatively unscathed. Of course he isn't the only healer Skyhold has, the others could have seen some wounded. But if he's right and they really are that skilled, he has to wonder if there's some purpose to their being here.

"Maker willing it won't be an issue," he breathes the name like it's a matter of course, not even thinking that the qunari might not share his view even if she agrees on the sentiment. "But to not prepare for it would be a mistake..."

The bedding is taken and tucked out of the way as he talks, voice raised enough to still be heard. Hopefully it will stay there and his cot won't be bloodied any more, at least not on this night. "...still, less work for me isn't bad news by any means. I'm glad you didn't come in needing help as well."

Mention of the Maker doesn't seem to bother Korrin at all, at least as long as the Chantry isn't mentioned as well. Her difference of opinion on the two is fairly significant. But then, most fellow mages she's met haven't had a high opinion of the latter so she isn't expecting that.

Korrin shakes her head, a wry smile on her lips. "My potion supply is gone, but I've been through worse. I know as soon as I sit down anywhere, though, that I'm not getting back up. So I had to make the rounds before that happens somewhere, most likely the tavern. Will I be seeing you there, after all this?"

The Chantry had a lot of right ideas, it was the execution of them that occasionally needed work. That was how Simon thought of it, but even he was quickly learning that was a gross understatement. He'd seen one of the alternatives in Tevinter, but he couldn't really say that it was better. The Qun's solution...he wasn't actually sure what the Qunari did about their mages. He was currently speaking to one so it couldn't be all that horrible, right?

"That's fair," Simon agreed with a wry smile. "Hopefully that comes soon...you don't want to push yourself too much."

As if he had room to talk.

"And providing I don't fall asleep while waiting for either my next patient or for this to quiet down? Yes, I think a stop at the tavern would be very nice."

"Eh, I have a lot of stamina. It's less about that and more that I'm not sure what else I can do, at this point. Everything seems to be taking care of itself, so...." Shrug. Korrin nods in approval at that last part, though, a warmer smile forming.

"Good, you deserve a break as much as anyone around here. And I'm buying the first round, no arguments." Anyone she can get to unwind with her always gets that offer, whatever her mood or situation. And after dealing with Haven, she's even more determined to make up for it.

Stamina, right, of course. Was that a Qunari thing, or...? It made sense, but all the same Simon didn't think it would be wise to come out and ask. Sometimes he managed to have tact. It helped that her ready offer to buy him a drink took him by surprise.

"Ah, well thank you...so long as I can buy the second," he said with a quiet smile. He'd have to check on River first, make sure she was all right with all the activity no doubt stressing her, but after that...

Also, if they were going to do this, something needed to be sorted out first.

"I'm Simon, by the way," he said, inclining his head in greeting.

He'll find out that it's rather typical for Korrin to buy a round or few when she can get away with it. Mercenary life pays well, so she can afford to be generous. Though she'll often call it a defense against boredom, since she hates drinking alone unless in a rotten mood.

She nods to the offer, readily accepting it. "You have a deal, Simon. And I'm Korrin Ataash, of the Valo-Kas company."

"Korrin," he repeated, smiling quietly. "A pleasure to meet you. Hopefully I'll be able to see you there soon..."

Yet no sooner had Simon said it he'd clearly jinxed himself. Another soldier came into the tent, scowling quietly and clutching a scrap of fabric to his arm already soaked with blood. One glance painted a clear picture: this was one of the stubborn ones, the sort who insisted their wound 'wasn't that bad' and that he didn't need to see a healer. Simon lifted his head and waved him in, giving Korrin an apologetic sort of shrug.

"Or maybe not so soon," he said.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We come from the land of the ice and snow

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject