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

[ombranera]

"You have no idea." He curled his fingers around Simon's tugging his hand up enough to drop a kiss to his knuckles. A friendly kiss. A teasing one. The gesture was courtly and in most cases? Considered quite charming. How Simon would take it he could not quite say.

[noleechesneeded]

Simon was going to have to learn to see those sorts of things coming. He opened his mouth to say something, though he wasn't sure what, as Zevran tugged his hand up for a kiss.

"Ah--" he managed instead. His fingers squeezed Zevran's hand involuntarily, matching the lump in his throat bobbing as he swallowed. For someone who insists he's only interested in casual interludes Zevran certainly acted like he was trying to court the mage. At least that's how Simon took the gesture...it was the sort of thing he'd do to someone he was interested in, providing he ever built up the nerve.

Of course, what Zevran actually wanted was proving impossible to ever know. It left him feeling nervous again about what he could be getting himself into...but he tried not to start assuming the worst.

[ombranera]

"Another time, yes? Enjoy your evening." He squeezes Simon's hand as he stands, weaving his way back through the crowd. Always leave them wanting more- or leave them confused and flustered. Tonight would be more of the latter than the former.