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

[dissono]

( wild wood elves presumably have to cut up herbs as well, gervais presumes, prepared to be more glad for her skilled assistance than he is surprised by it. he worked alongside elves often enough in the circle -

though he is not fool enough to think that even in a circle, the difference meant nothing. not when his own accident of birth still mattered, still counted for something; the experience of a city elf in the white spire was not the same as the experience of the scion of a noble house.

but she poses his question back to him. he takes his time with it. )

For, for, for my own, ah, part.

( his expressions are barely there; long-ingrained steadiness, habitual understatement. he is a man who has spent his entire life holding still, looking harmless - it lingers even now. there is no great sigh, just a brief moment where his hand is still and flat on the table. )

I will, ah, write. I will write. A letter, to, ah, to -

to someone I, ah, hope will read it.

[eolasemah]

A letter?

[She seems surprised by the notion-- who will have time, if it's truly the end?-- but she doesn't discourage him.]

Someone in particular? Or anyone?

[dissono]

( unaware of the misunderstand, gervais can only presume her surprise to be - well.

the world is saved, and he wants to write a letter? it isn't particularly impressive, as plans for the rest of one's life go, so far as it seems to go. fair enough. )

I, I, ah. I would.

( a small gesture of his hands. )

I would, would, ah, would--

( his expression is slightly wry as he exhales. )

If, if, if I were to, ah, kneel, ah - I am, ah, am not a young man. I, ah, I might do, do, do myself an injury before, ah, I, I, have an answer. Better - better, ah, to write.

( will u marry me circle y or n )