TEST DRIVE MEME!

[faderifting]

I ROLL TO SEDUCE THE BEAR

Tucked between the massive Lake Calenhad and the icy Frostback Mountains in Ferelden’s chilly, hilly south, the Hinterlands are a region covered in patchy forests, small farms, and a bustling fishing village called Redcliffe. The region was recently the frontline of a war between mages and Templars, but the Inquisition’s military presence has restored order and is now focused on helping the locals and influx of refugees rebuild their lives. Whether you’re a recent recruit or a hardened veteran, a Fereldan local or someone who recently fell out of a rift from another world, you may be asked to go lend a hand.

I. FLOODS

A burst of unseasonably warm weather (in no way inspired by real life events) is initially greeted with relief, gloves discarded and scarves unwrapped—but followed within the week by severe flooding across the region. Maybe you’re sent out to help debris from a road or collect the bodies of those swept away. Or maybe you’re less lucky and instead there when the waters come, shepherding refugees to higher ground, or caught riding in the flow on a dislodged roof or log. Maybe there’s a bear on the roof with you.

II. TREASURE HUNTS

Given the lack of banks and lockboxes, when the people here have something they value, they often hide it—under the ground, in a tree, behind a waterfall. So here you are, with a sketch of some landmarks found on a body, trying to find… something. If you find it, it might be useful: weapons, runes, a stash of supplies. Or it might be someone’s box of racy letters and a request to deliver them to a now-married woman who will slap you on delivery.

III. BEARS

You have turned the wrong corner, forded the wrong stream, crested the wrong hill, entered the wrong cave. Maybe you are far from camp. Maybe you are in camp. Whatever has happened, wherever you are: you are being chased by bears. Did you provoke the bears? Are they huge? Babies? Fade-touched? Mage-controlled? What are they chasing you away from? What are they chasing you into? What do you plan to make out of their hide if you kill them? What do you think they'll craft out of your hide if they kill you?

IV. CRYSTALS

Members and trusted agents of the Inquisition are given access to one of the Inquisition's stores of ancient, mysterious sending crystals, allowing them to communicate instantaneously by voice. It's magic. And a magical excuse to ask everyone what their favorite constellation is in the middle of the night.

Or to call for help because you've been treed by bears.

Either way.

V. MISCELLANEOUS

Choose your own adventure! Hunt game, kill demons, gather herbs, track bandits, haggle over the price of armor, fall off a deceptively tall rock, get lost circling the same hill ten times trying to find a way up to the weird glowing skull on a stick you can see is up there, climb trees or abandoned towers, rummage around in empty homes, run from a dragon, cry over how cute that fennec fox you just shot was, set up camp and chat around the fire, knock yourself out (figuratively, or even literally if that's more your speed)—the Hinterlands are your Frostback Mountain oyster.

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

Good for you, seriously. Some have an easier time adjusting, for whatever reason. Still, if I can make it a little easier, I'll try through answering questions. Fair warning, I'm pretty biased about some topics.

[circleprodigy]

Sensible.

[She doesn't need to know his history to be aware that a little caution is a good thing for non-mages, when it comes to magic. As long as that lack of fondness doesn't entail attacking innocent mages, she's fine with it.]

That's an astute observation...and you're right, we can't be entirely certain of it. That's why I recommend that if you have anything important to say over the crystals, that you make the message private to the one you seek. The chances of it being overheard by the wrong people is thus avoided.

[timeforgotten]

[ Jamie is turning out to be a very sensible man. He can kind of see why he's handy in these sorts of situations.

What good is a map that can't be understood from any angle? What good is a treasure that hasn't even been described to them? Speaking of which, Adric shakes his head while he folds the map back up. Doesn't hurt to wander off a bit once in a while. ]

I haven't the faintest idea. For all we know, we could be wasting time hunting down someone's favorite hat stand. [ Now, if the Doctor were here, the one with the scarf at least, he'd probably find that very interesting. ]

I suppose the mystery is part of the appeal, though.

[timeforgotten]

I probably haven't changed, then. It's awfully strange for timelines, being brought here. There's no way to ensure anyone will be lined up properly.

[ He hesitates, for a moment. Time to make an assumption that's either horribly wrong or very accurate. One of the benefits of only really knowing a small group of people anymore is that it narrows the field. ]

I can't imagine the headache it must give you, Doctor.

[timeforgotten]

Well, you say that as though he doesn't egg himself on. I know I've been trying not to. [ It carries an amusement. Though the second statement is probably a lie by most definitions. Whether it was the Doctor with the scarf or the one he's gotten to know most recently, there's almost always a degree of egging on to be done. If for vastly differing reasons between the two. ]

[timeforgotten]

[ ... okay, this is definitely happening. Adric wasn't sure precisely what to expect, meeting the Doctor in another regeneration. Another face, another way of thinking and speaking and acting. Another strange, strange way of dressing. There's no way to know what sort of Doctor you've found until you've found him.

The Doctor he first met wasn't much for personal space, had those habits of arms around the shoulders and shushings and whatnot, ridiculous little things. The person he became kept a bit more distance than that. Hugging was not on the list of possibilities he'd had in mind today, funny enough.

Adric shoots the Doctor a sideways glance, brow contracting in a sudden mix of both surprise and great concern, before he ultimately sort of. Pats him on the back. It's all he can think to do for the moment. He's still trying to figure out if this is a pleasant surprise or not. ]

Yes, of course it's me, Doctor! I see I hardly needed to worry about accidentally overlooking you after all.

[not_the_question]

Me? Oh, you know me, complicated event in space and time. The headache comes from trying to read the timelines of everyone not from our universe.

[Yup, the Doctor, not that he'll congratulate Adric on getting it right. After all, he pretty much left a trail of breadcrumbs.]

[lyriumcarved]

[Fenris glances over at the man who's sat down near him. There is something familiar about him, admittedly, something which sets him on edge instantly. Had they met before? He may not know every magister on sight, but he does have familiarity with those who were among Danarius' companions... and many of their reputations unfortunately precede them.]

I usually play for coin, unless you have better ideas in mind. You're not from around here, are you?

[He's careful and cautious about this, wanting to dispel his uncertainty before he can relax.]

[romana2]

And how about you? Do the pair of you get on as well?

[Because Romana will always be fond of Adric. Always.]

[lyriumcarved]

[She didn't immediately mention the glowing thing, which is actually a good start. Fenris is all too used to the curiosity that others have, and having to explain it all. He's sure it'll come, undoubtedly, but one thing at a time.]

[The woman approaching him is obviously another warrior. So although she's a stranger, he's a bit less tense than he would be around a mage. He kicks at the bear to roll it over.]

Chest aside, it's still largely intact. The meat will be good and edible, as well.

[firstminister]

I was thinking of something more practical like provisions. But I would be willing to play for coins, if that's to your taste.

[After all, he wasn't without either this early in his arrival. He tilted his head at the question and smiled reassuringly.]

In the short time I've been here, I've discovered that very few people are actually from around here. There is great unrest throughout Thedas and Skyhold is the place to find shelter, answers, as well as to offer any help to the Maker's cause that one can.

[That was easier. He didn't have to lie at all about any of that. Even if he thought the people of the South were a bit arrogant to not consider the assistance the Magsisters could offer.]

[lyriumcarved]

I tried to save a man who'd been caught by slavers. Unfortunately, he perished in the attack... but not before giving me this map, which led me here.

[He definitely wouldn't have been as interested were it not for the circumstances. Running around following some vague treasure map seems a foolish endeavor at best. But, well, he could sympathize with the man's initial situation... and the fact that he'd died had made it all the more important to do him this favor.]

[lyriumcarved]

[Hm. +5 Approval Fenris can tentatively respect anyone who would agree with him about this. Someone who's not blindly trusting in magic has a good head on their shoulders. He may not know the voice coming through this thing, but... they don't sound unreasonable. So far.]

If that's how they're supposed to function... that's good to know. [In an emergency, on the run, something like this would have been very useful. Fenris can respect the practicality of this, even if he's still skeptical about having a magical artifact on him.] Though I would argue that anything worth saying of importance should be said in person. That avoids the possibility of interception all together.

[lyriumcarved]

If you want a more dramatic accounting of my exploits against the Venatori, you ought to bring Varric back here to tell it instead.

[It's a shame to hear that some others have moved on, but it's to be expected, too. The Inquisition needs a lot of help, all over Thedas, anyone can see that. He nods agreement to what she says, as he spreads his cards to look at them.]

That's a shame, we'll have to find some new recruits... What else has happened since I've been gone?

Fai D. Flourite | Tsubasa Chronicle | AU'd

[flowrite]

((ooc: I have Fai AU'd as a Seeker, still fleshing out all the details. There's a post on his journal with what I have so far, I'd be completely up for suggestions and whatnot. Also he's a complete dork, so. I'm sorry. Or maybe I'm not.))

II - Treasure Hunting

[There's no mark of identification on the tall, skinny man who's currently sitting back against the trunk of a nearby tree with a wooden lockbox cracked open in front of him. There's a patch over his left eye, but he carries no visible weapons. If anything, his silk shirt and embroidered boots mark him as an Orlesian, although when he speaks there's only the faintest trace of an Orlesian accent. He's very pretty, with golden blond hair tied back in a low, loose ponytail.

And he's giggling. There's a letter in his gloved hands, and he's giggling.]

Oh dear sweet Andraste, I don't think that's even possible....


V - At the tavern

[What do you call a pretty man with an eyepatch, a tricorn hat with a feather, buckled boots, a snazzy frock coat, and the biggest, cheeriest grin you've ever seen as he's strolling into the local tavern? A pirate. A fop? Really out of place. All of the above. Maybe just call him Fai.

As if he doesn't have a care in the world, he saunters right up to the bar, rests his elbows on the bar and his chin in his hands, and bats the eyelashes of his one good eye at the bartender. The bartender patently ignores him--until the pretty man slaps enough coin on the bar to buy a round of drinks for the entire tavern. Which is what he promptly does.

What is a pirate/fop/whatever-the-hell-he-is doing out here in the Hinterlands? Who knows. Maybe ask him, since he just bought you a drink?]


V - Tree climbing

[Or more appropriately--tree falling.

The blond man working his way up the tree just ahead is skinny and graceful, and looks as though he's having no trouble scaling what should be an easy tree to climb. There are plenty of branches. There's not even a bear chasing him up said tree. Except just as his foot goes to press against a particular branch he hesitates, catching sight of something. Maybe you? Either way, he's coming right back down the tree now. In a big hurry.

Are you close enough to try to catch him, or are you going to get squished? Or maybe just stand back and laugh?]

IV

[in_death_sacrifice]

Welcome to Thedas, where the unexpected is typical. No, you won't be able to return home... at least not for the foreseeable future. I'm sorry to bear such bad news.

[By now, that's become a rather regular occurrence, though. Kain has to wonder what will ultimately become of all these displaced rifters one day...]

[battleswan]

[And this is why she didn't bring up the glowing. No spells being cast. Just an elf getting his hands bloody, killing a beast, being practical about what to do with the carcass. Svanhild approves and it comes in the form of a nod. The axe gets slung over her shoulder, clearly not needed.]

I've a spare knife if you want a hand cleaning it.

[dissono]

The, ah, the - there, ah, there are, ( the sounds are so similar, his emphasis is conscious, ) locals.

( which is so mild, but she takes his point, right. or rather: he took hers. and her hand, while he's at it; his are much larger, with staff-calluses and peculiar stains from ink and arcane potions both, but gentle. he is a deliberate man, and the things he does are done with great care - he soothes the mark with magic, a deft whisper of a thing, and holds her hand for no longer than it takes to achieve. )

[doneisdone]

"Does it," she asked, looking him over again, but doesn't push it-- she doesn't really want to think about it, all things considered. "Mixed company," she repeats, "you mean Nevarrans?"

[justice_is_blond]

[He's starting, slowly, to make known what he thinks should happen for mages after this, what he wants to see take shape, which is why he's not entirely surprised to hear another mage asking after it. Combine that with talk of White Spire, though, and Anders comes over to join the new healer sooner rather than later.]

You've just joined us, have you not? From White Spire, perhaps? I've heard it be mentioned in the same breath as you.

[dissono]

( gervais isn't hard to find, when one sets out to look for him - 'tall, broad ginger orlesian that takes roughly seven years to get through a sentence' makes him rather difficult to miss. he looks up at the sound of another man's arrival; he pauses at his work, when he sees who it is.

he wouldn't have known anders on sight some weeks hence, but in even the short time he's been with the inquisition, this particular rebel mage looms large, occasionally in the same breath as a woman in whom he still takes some measure of pride. it does merit a pause. )

I, ah. ( he doesn't seem uncomfortable, nor uncertain of the words he stumbles over; measured, rather, wiping his hands clean with a cloth and straightening. ) I am, ah, rather, I was, was with the Spire. For, ah, for - for many, ah, years.

Not, ah, recently.

( it's hard but not impossible to be dry through his halting words. no one is recently from the spire, survivors scattered to the winds. or to here, as it turns out. he would like to think others live, elsewhere, as he did; he wonders how lucky they could possibly be. )

[runawayprince]

[Noctis really was not built for this running thing, and yet here he is sprinting off while the sound of a bear crashing through trees follows the two of them.]

What made you think you could have a staring contest with a bear like that?! Don't they smell fear or something?

[The bear seemed to agree as it gave another angry snarl, trying to gain on them.]

[firstminister]

He offered a small smirk and shook his head.

"No, well not specifically, anyway. I meant in general. I've lived a rather... sheltered life."

While still true, that's getting harder to keep generalised.

[circleprodigy]

I agree, though the Inquisition's reach is far, at least in the South. We don't often have the chance for personal meetings, however more secure they might be. If we were a smaller operation...but then, we would be no real thread to Corypheus.

[gatheringstorm]

Absolutely, I'll pester people about that.

I don't know how close you've been to Orlais lately, but the Inquisition was there for the end of the Civil War. Celene still has her head, Gaspard lacks his, and Briala's now Marquise of the Dales. Not bad, all things considered. It only took the Freemen and Red Templars invading, and a hell of a lot of chaos.

Oh--and I rounded up a group to bring some nuggalopes to the Inquisition. We now have mounts with horns as awesome as mine. [Why yes, she's still smug about that victory. Discarding and drawing another card...there, that's a little better.]