TEST DRIVE MEME!

[faderifting]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Maybe you’ve been around for a while, or maybe you’re new to the Inquisition. Maybe you’re new to Thedas, having recently fallen from a tear in reality and been collected by uniformed rescuers. Whoever you are, you’ve been sent to Kirkwall, to an outpost where many of the Inquisition’s members and allies work on some of the biggest mysteries and problems the organization must solve if it’d like to keep the world from ending, where “ending” means “falling under the power of an ancient powerful corrupted being who wants everyone to bow to him as a god.”

And just to be clear, it would like that. It would like that a lot.

I. THE GALLOWS: The Gallows is an island fortress in Kirkwall’s harbor. It’s been home to, in order: Tevinter slaves, a Circle of Magi, a lot of creepy red lyrium, and now the Inquisition, which has occupied the fortress with the provisional Viscount’s blessing. There are walls that still need rebuilding and corners that still need dusting, but for the most part the Inquisition has gotten down to business. There’s space in the stone-floored courtyards to train or spar; or, if your skills don’t lie in the realm of hitting things, there’s a large library and several offices supporting the Inquisition’s areas of research and diplomatic efforts. If you don’t know what to do with yourself, then by all means, ask; someone will definitely be able to put you to work.

II. KIRKWALL: A quick row across the harbor will take you to Kirkwall proper. The city is built into the cliffs, from exclusive and wealthy Hightown at the top to impoverished Darktown in the abandoned mining tunnels below. In the middle is Lowtown, home to taverns, merchants, and plenty of trouble to keep anyone looking for it happy. You’re welcome to spend your free time and your money here—but try not to annoy the locals too much, please, in case their welcome runs out. It’d be a shame to have to pack again so soon after arriving.

III. QUESTING: Barely had time to make yourself at home, did you, before you were sent away from Kirkwall again—but this time on a mission. There’s a rift outside of Markham, pouring demons into the fields, and the Inquisition has been asked to lend a hand. Maybe literally. If you have an anchor embedded in your palm, you’re needed to close the damn thing. If not, maybe you’re here to fight demons or guard against bandits on the road, or to gather samples and take notes on the rift’s location once its closed, or to speak to Markham’s nobility afterwards to make sure that they fully appreciate the Inquisition’s efforts. Regardless, it’s a long trip, so we hope you like campfire cooking and sharing a tent.

IV. SENDING CRYSTAL: Joining the Inquisition gets you access to the very latest in barely-understood magical communication devices—namely, a crystal, small enough to wear around your neck, that will allow you to communicate verbally with anyone else who has one. Or everyone else who has one. Say hello.

V. WILDCARD: The whole of Thedas is yours to explore, from coast to uncharted wilderness. Choose your own adventure!

Comments

[youwonscience]

Hey, at least you can be pretty sure I'd make the world's worst spy, so. My interest is entirely selfish, I just want to hear how you've been.

I am so sorry, i thought I tagged this back already

[dashing]

( Now, to a tavern. She spots one down the road and tilts her head to it in a silent question - there? - coupled with a step in its direction. Redirecting her is easy enough, mind. )

I am intact in body and mind, ( which is not the most illuminating response, and something in her tone says she is well aware that it's not very helpful. Herian has to think, and exhales before continuing on. )

And I suffered no disfiguring injury all the time I was away. ( Which is sort of another element of the same thing, isn't it? ) Though I did... feel the isolation more than I might have, in times past.

Pfft you're fine

[youwonscience]

[Cosima's tavern preferences are generally 'a place where you're unlikely to get randomly stabbed,' which is a shifting scale in Kirkwall, but this one will do well enough.]

Okay, 'no disfiguring injuries' is kind of a low bar for a mission going well, but I'm glad to hear it. Were you on your own the whole time?

[dashing]

( She does not draw attention to the ragged mess of her ear, left by her last encounter with a Dalish clan. Better to ignore it, to do no thing that might make this uncomfortable. Her fingers itch to check whether her hair covers her ear, but she resists. Vanity is not becoming a knight, and yet in the eyes of so many it defines them.
They've walked a few paces before she realises she had lapsed into silence. )

Aye, much of it. At times I might pass through a town or need to make exchanges, but for most of the work proper? 'Twas but myself and my thoughts for company. ( So time to dwell and run things over and over in her head. ) Alas, my skills in diplomacy may have atrophied. And you? I hope these months have not been lonesome.

[youwonscience]

I missed you, [she says, lightly bumping Herian with her shoulder,] but it's not like the Inquisition allows for a lot of 'alone time.' They've assigned me to t he research department, and I sometimes get sent out on field work if they need someone to close a rift or make detailed notes.

[Thus the aforementioned time-travel.]

Still rooming with Avery, because befriending someone who makes great food is a solid life plan, I think.

[dashing]

Is that so? I suppose I can see the wisdom in it.

( A moment, and she gently nudges Cosima's shoulder in turn, sways briefly closer— only to lean past Cosima, reaching over Cosima's shoulder to pull open the door to the tavern and hold it.

There is a pause before she speaks, one where there is one comment she might make, and opts to replace it with another. )

Does it satisfy your thirst for knowledge? I know you said much of your own learning was hard to translate to the expertise of Thedas.