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

[thesteelwolf]

"More." A soot blackened hand gestures to a spot well to the left of the barrel. "Toh eb Vat. Will be blow back."

Because why shoot only projectiles when you can also burn something at a distance without calling out the Saarebas? Once the Vashoth has stepped aside Issa squares her shoulders and squeezes a lever on the underside of the cannon. A spark, a hiss, a thunderous crack of force as something spirals in an arc while wreathed in flame. As she'd said a faint cone of fire belches out of the muzzle, singing the grass.

In the distance the charge envelops the bear in white hot fire, sparks shedding as it burns to death. "Nn. Too slow."

[gatheringstorm]

Left of the barrel, it is. Korrin puts up a Barrier spell just in case, grateful that she learned techniques to extend its duration. When the cannon is discharged, Korrin's eyebrows raise as she watches the spectacular -and spectacularly loud- result. She'd almost feel sorry for that bear, if its brethren hadn't harassed her more or less all day.

"...wow. Slow or not, that was awesome."

[thesteelwolf]

"Needs a short fuse." There is a sharp, metallic clank as Issa unhinges the rear of the cannon and taps out the ash. "Anything else on that hill need burning?"

If there is a target she does need to test this, trimming the wick at the back end of a different charge by an inch. "Next one will be louder."

[gatheringstorm]

"Loud noises don't bother me but if I'm going to be deaf for a while because of it, let me know so I can step back." Shading her eyes from the sun, Korrin stares ahead. "There's a smaller one, not a cub but about half-grown? Large enough to be a problem for the locals." And seeing the adult (mother?) on fire doubtless has it agitated.

[thesteelwolf]

"Eh, not deaf. Ringing? Yes. Deaf? No." She pauses for a moment while she slides the charge in place before lifting a hand and wobbling it back and forth. "Fifty-fifty not deaf."

Those are fair enough odds, yes? Yes. Issa flips up a small ring and lens attached to the barrel, peering down as she adjusts the trajectory and seals the back end. "Say when."

[gatheringstorm]

"Andraste's tits, what have I gotten myself into...." Muttering as she takes a couple of steps back and covers her ears, hoping to keep her hearing intact as much as possible. Taas has begun teaching her sign language, but she'd really rather not rely on it full-time.

"When!"

[thesteelwolf]

"Testing!" One of her new favorite words in Common, that. This is a test, they are testing, this test should be successful- the flame this time is a bright blue, blinding to look at when the click and hiss thunder through the wild. The reaction more immediate, a pull of the trigger rocketing the charge in a mesmerizing spiral to envelope the second bear.

"Much better!"

[gatheringstorm]

"Holy shit...." Used to flashy spells taking down her opponents, Korrin nonetheless can't help but stare when something outside magic manages a similar effect. Even with her ears ringing, it was worth it to stand there and watch the display.

"Those bears ought to be shitting themselves now. If that doesn't keep 'em away from camp, I don't know what will."