TEST DRIVE MEME!

[faderifting]

TEST DRIVE: ORLAIS EDITION

I. EVERYBEAR I GO

Believe it or not, there are bears in Orlais, too. Stuffed ones posed in noble salons casting intimidating shadows as lords tell unlikely stories about how they bravely stared the great beast in the eye before they slayed it with a single shot. One comtesse keeps bears as pets in large pens on her estate, much to the distress of her nearest neighbors. But most common are the dancing bear acts found on street corners here and there. Perhaps there is some sort of special bear communication network that has passed on a message, because it seems like the presence of the Inquisition has inspired these bears to finally make a break for it out of servitude, and that is how you find yourself being chased by a bear in a belled hat down a narrow cobbled alley lined with street vendors.

II. OUI OUI MON AMI

The Inquisition's efforts are currently focused on Orlais, where a civil war is raging and intelligence indicates Corypheus seeks to eliminate Empress Celene, while the oppressed elven population's discontent threatens to bubble over into a second rebellion. The Inquisition's activities here are mostly political and designed to gather influence and information: endeavoring to make a good impression at the ball of an influential comtesse with ties to the Council of Heralds, or assisting with the reconstruction of the alienage district destroyed by fire. There are rowdy soldiers in taverns to eavesdrop on, and restless crowds listening to streetcorner speakers preach Celene's virtues, or Gaspard's, or lament the end of the world.

But honestly, who cares about any of that? Halamshiral also offers great high-end shopping. Priorities. Gowns, tunics, fur-trimmed cloaks, sleeves slashed and puffed with layers of bright-colored satin. Tall boots with gold spurs to clink as you walk. Veils, lace-trimmed smallclothes, perfumes, necklaces worth your weight in gold. If you have the coin, the shopkeeps have time for you. The slightest whiff of poverty will leave them cold toward you. They might even pretend not to see you, but hey: they work on commission.

Even among decadence and finery, there are signs of unrest. In an out-of-the-way village square, little Orlesian children gather to throw thick gold coins in a gilt fountain, with whispered wishes and giggles. All at once, a thief pushes his way into their circle, breaking the idyllic scene. He leaps into the fountain and grabs a handful of coin. Thin, dirty, ragged, hollow-eyed and, under the hood of his cloak, elven, he scans the now-screaming children -- and then takes off running.

“Stop him!” howls one precious Orlesian cherub, her rosy cheeks streaked with tears. “That dirty knife-ear took my money!”

Kids are just the cutest.

III. SKYHOLD

Skyhold is where people who don't like fun accents and life being a constant masquerade hang around repairing walls, filling out paperwork, and, on rare occasions, engaging in elaborate, color-coded team snowball fights.

That last occasion? Totally over. Now the Inquisition will see you work, work, work, work, work. Working to save Thedas is not all fun and games, and there are plenty of things to keep you busy in Skyhold. See that roof over there? It has a hole in it. Climb up, someone suggests, and fix it. See that hole over there, in the wall? Some drunk from the tavern fell through it yesterday, and it needs repairs. See that floor over there? It’s dirty. And here’s a mop.

If these tasks seem too menial and demeaning, perhaps you’d like to head up to the library and reshelve some books. Perhaps you’d like to meet a special friend there? The stacks are warm and cozy, and at least a little out of the way. Secret spaces are at a premium. But be careful: you aren’t the only one in Skyhold, no matter how many people shipped out to Orlais.

If warm ovens are more your style than warm books, try the kitchens. They could always use a helping hand - especially because one of the baby griffons has made its way down there. A sharp-beaked competition for your plans to pilfer snacks, but you’ll prevail, right? The griffon loves chicken, and the taste of your blood. Get her outside before she gets too comfortable.

Or just feed the dogs, you dirty Fereldan.

IV. WILDCARD

Thedas is a big place. Do something else in it. Maybe in the Hinterlands.

Comments

[provenforce]

Rey lets out a huff of laughter, shaking her head.

"Well if he is, he should really wait until the spoiled children leave before stealing their money. Advice from one scavenger to another." Not that Rey had ever stolen from children, but she'd considered it. It would have been so easy, if she could have gotten away with it back on Jakku. Plenty others had stolen things from her. If she'd let herself go there, she might've been better off.

"Can you tell me where you got that?" she shifts topics, gesturing at the kabob now. "I'm starving and that looks delicious."

[repackaging]

At the comment about stealing, Betia just raises an eyebrow skeptically and looks in the direction of the fountain where the kids were just throwing money away. For fun. Does it really even count at that point?

From the look of her, Betia definitely seems like she'd have a lot more in common with the thief than the noble children crying about having seen a poor person today. She's no elf of course, but she's dressed in plain, somewhat frayed clothing and doesn't appear to even own a pair of shoes. If she had any money at all, she spent the last of it on the food.

But hey! It is pretty tasty. In answer to the question, she simply points back the way she just came from, then pauses a moment before holding her meal out in offer, if Rey wants to try it.

[provenforce]

Rey understands that look, and rolls her eyes at it, nodding her head.

"They're still children," she mutters, for all the good it does. Even if they're horrible spoiled creatures that will grow up into horrible spoiled adults, making children cry for no reason is really just not a good way to deal with things.

The offer of the meal surprises her a little and she smiles, waving her hand in polite refusal.

"Thank you, but I'll buy my own. Being indentured to the Inquisition has a few financial advantages."

[repackaging]

Betia just laughs, taking a few steps backward and waving at Rey to follow.

[provenforce]

Her smile widens as she nods her head, falling into step after Betia.

"So since you clearly understand me, are you unable to speak?" She knows the question might be a little rude, but she's seen the full gamut of people and the way they speak or don't on Jakku. It wouldn't be the first time she's run into someone who doesn't speak.