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

Korrin nods in approval at his choice.

"We need all the healers we can get, so that will come in handy. I can't imagine what that involves, though. As for myself, mostly storm magic but a smattering of the others. I've thought about taking on a more specific role, though. Knight-Enchanters seem interesting, but that's just for Circle-folk, isn't it?"

Sam snorts lightly. "Involves a lot of spirit gibberish in your ear and looking particularly more tasty then the rest. It's a lot of fun." It had it's good points, but also a lot of bad ones. Rifts were particularly fun when near.

"Well considering the Circles are... well... I don't see why it would be limited to Circle-folk anymore. If you ever learn to do that you'll have to show me."

"Of course. What's the point in learning fancy new tricks, if not to show them off?" Korrin flashes a grin, ready and willing to be both flashy and useful. "You might have a point, though I don't know who around here is one, or would be willing. I'll have to fix that."

Taking a sip, she then shakes her head. "You must have a lot of willpower, to put up with that kind of attention."

Edited 2015-11-04 01:10 (UTC)

The smile this time isn't as cheerful as the others, trying but the mirth not quite reaching his eyes. "It's not so bad if you have other things occupying you. It does get tiring though, constantly playing along that edge."

He doesn't talk about it much, Korrin being the first of many. Lady LeBlanc was also a Spirit Healer so she knew troubles he faced, but she also already had a guardian spirit. He was very lacking until he understood more.

Korrin tries to imagine going down the same route, but interaction with spirits has never been her strong point. She's too wary of them and their potential for corruption to ever bond with one on that level. But that doesn't mean she isn't curious.

"It must be worthwhile in some way, though, or you'd have given up on it. Did the Templars give you a lot of crap for that sort of thing, dealing with spirits?" Not that it matters now, but before the Circles fell....

"Just ignoring it wouldn't do anyone any good. I might as well help people if I can. Just means I'll be much better with barriers and healing down the line, right?"

At the mention of Templars Sam makes a face. "Yeeaaa- it was complicated. There's a lot of crap from everyone really, Mage and Templar, both good and bad. Lost a lot of privacy because of it though."

"Ugh, I don't envy you there. I'm just grateful never to have been part of any Circle and the crap that comes with it, especially the Templars. Which isn't to say that I didn't have training, but you don't need a Circle for that."

At least she can live as an apostate here and no one cares. It's a novelty, as opposed to living on the road. But...she does get restless after a while. "Barriers and healing will definitely help. I hope that means I get to see you out there when I'm on assignment sometime."

"I can see the point of the Circles. Idly a place to learn, but... them too much like prisons to consider it a healthy learning environment. I did learn, but I also lost a lot because of it."

For a time Sam is just quiet, thoughts a bit far until Korrin mentions missions. He does smile for that. "Well maybe we'll get assigned together. That would be something wouldn't it?"

Korrin can concede to the notion of Circles as schools rather than prisons, nodding reluctantly to that. If such had existed when she first manifested her magic, perhaps she could have learned with other mages without sacrificing her family. As it is, she knows what she would choose otherwise.

She echoes the smile. "Wherever it is, I'm sure there'll be enough to keep us busy. Keep those barriers up and the healing magic flowing, and I'll blast anything hostile in our path."

Sam snorts at that. "You're going to have to leave me something to shoot. I'm not particularly good at just sticking in the back. Though I can play nice and do that too if it gets bad."

"Fine, have it your way. There'll always be extra bears or undead or whatever. I look forward to seeing what you can do to them." If he wants to show off, who is she to hold him back?

"Probably try to set them on fire. A lot of running from the bear. You know I never saw a bear until I joined the Inquisition? Now they're... all over the place." That was probably because bears didn't live on the coast. But he had always been told that they were a rare sight. Apparently not.

Korrin just shakes her head at that, never hesitant to complain about bears. "The Breach drove them made, I think. All those rifts, with all those demons pouring out; that had to have done something to them, didn't it? And I swear plenty of them seemed fade-touched, at least those I encountered. I heard about it affecting wolves near the horsemaster's place in the Hinterlands, too. At this point, I wouldn't trust any wildlife to leave us alone."

"Well if I start getting attacked by Fennecs I'll let you know. Once the cute ones start attacking you, you know things are bad." Because bears and wolves weren't bad enough right?

"Or nugs, can you imagine? I feel guilty enough whenever my magic gets anywhere near fennec or those, creepy as nugs are." Chain Lightning is not kind to those who don't get out of the way in time, oops.

"Thanks. I'll be having nightmares about that now; screeching nugs going for my ankles." Sam shivers at that and gives a frown. Creepy indeed.

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject