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

IV

[circleprodigy]

[Grey Warden business always gets her attention, so have one curious mage.]

Ah, we have the Grey Wardens in common? Or did, I suppose. I would be interested in hearing whatever news you were willing to share, of course. More perspectives are always welcome.

[magerebel]

Sadly, beyond the amusing anecdotes, there really is not much to tell, though as of late there has been a growing interest in how I was able to rid myself of the darkspawn taint. I have few answers in regard to this as there are a number of extraneous factors involved. I suppose the second most popular inquiry is "what was Duncan like?"

[circleprodigy]

I admit to curiosity regarding the removal of taint; that is a highly significant achievement. If it could be repeated...but then, I suppose it would have happened by now. Even so, any information is better than none. What made you unique in this instance?

[magerebel]

I do not consider myself to be particularly unique, so much as an accident or some variation of a fluke. I was exposed to an artifact that accelerated the taint...and I suppose the only other thing that made me unique at the time was the fact that I had been pregnant.

[Not that a Warden getting pregnant was entierly unheard of, it was just exceptionally difficult.]

[circleprodigy]

Pregnant as a Warden...I can even begin to imagine what that must have been like. That it could happen at all, taint considering, is a minor miracle. Wait, an artifact accelerated it? Is it still available? Who would create such an item?

[Surely not darkspawn; they don't create, only destroy.]

[magerebel]

I suppose if you could imagine the most wonderful and miraculous thing and then give it a living form, then that's what it was like. Brief, too brief. [Fortunately they are segueing into a topic that she can navigate without being too cautious.] These artifacts, brooches, were being kept in Weisshaupt when last I saw them...and I could not say for certain if it was First Enchanter Remille or if it was the Darkspawn Emissary, The Architect, that created them. Regardless they are a darkspawn creation.

[circleprodigy]

...ah, now that makes sense.. [Perking up as she suddenly remembers earlier conversations.] It seems almost a contradiction in terms, intelligent darksapwn, but I have spoken with those who swear to them as a reality. And yet, intelligence doesn't beget benevolence, not with the taint. Why were these artifacts not destroyed? Normally, I would understand the value of research, but....

[magerebel]

I cannot tell you what the Architect was...unique, certainly, dangerous...without question. It was motivated to end all Blights forever...something that it thought should appeal to every Grey Warden. That is what those brooches were for. [It might have been so long ago, but her memories are as vivid as if it had been yesterday.] I cannot say if they have been destroyed or not, it has been a long time since I last inquired about them...but I suppose, if they have been kept for research it might be in an effort to understand how the taint works.