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

[princeofconquerors]

Alexander tilted his head to the side as he listened to that tone. Someone didn't like their master at all. He'd seen that before with Servants and with servants. Which probably meant that Zapp was something of a terrible person or at least not very good to those who were under him.

"You don't like him very much, do you." You know, just to point out the obvious there since it was like there was a sign pointing at the elf screaming he didn't like this Zapp person.

[eternalsquire]

"He's lazy and stupid, and the longer it takes to find him, the bigger the mess I'm going to have to clean up." It's safe to badmouth Zapp. There aren't any nobles to overhear, and who is going to believe a child? "You're in my way of finding him while you're sitting on this luggage, making my job harder. Please climb down from the luggage."

[princeofconquerors]

"I'm not sure how me sitting on luggage will stop you. You'd have to find him before you can move it again." Logic! Alexander laughed a bit before finally hopping down from the luggage. Not because he was told to though!

"We can go find him together! Then you'll know where you're staying!" Two sets of eyes had to be better than one, right? "It can be like the hiding games children play!"

[eternalsquire]

Is there no escape? The child's almost as loud as Zapp to begin with, and Kif would very much like to put the luggage away and have a few moments of peace and quiet. Instead, now he has a human tagalong. Elf children are so much better behaved. They have to be. They could get killed for less.

"Fine," he says, moping a little. There's no arguing with Brannigan. If this kid has anything on the guy, then there's no arguing here either, and Kif has enough of a headache. "If it means you'll climb off the luggage, we'll go looking for him."

[princeofconquerors]

"What's he look like?" Alexander was really not paying attention to the irritation from the elf. Not that he didn't notice it, he just was ignoring it. There were far better things to be than caught up in how someone may or may not like you!

"Oh. Will the stuff be safe here?" Refugees might try to steal stuff, right? That would make sense anyway!