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

[castintoflames]

Such noble sacrifices! Maedhros had made good use of the time, but, in the end, even if he was interrupted, he had not minded.

"I left because... I felt myself being torn apart and I did not know how to stop it." he embraced him again, holding on tight, "It started...with losing our brothers...and Morgoth...and losing Finno..."

[seawanderer]

He loved each one, really! Their brothers were all precious in their own way. Even now, after everything that had happened and all the horrors they'd done.

"You left because I wasn't strong enough." And he'd only gotten worse, with no one left to him. "I won't fail you again."

[castintoflames]

Maedhros would always accept them with open arms. Their deeds did not define them in his eyes; they would forever be the sweet Elflings that had followed his lead like baby ducks or excitable pups.

"No." his expression hardened, "Don't you even think that for a second, Kano. It had nothing to do with you. It was my weakness."

[seawanderer]

Maglor'd had only their ghosts, his memories of their brothers for so long. Both what they'd become, and who they'd once been.

Stubborn disbelief flashed in his eyes as he looked up at his brother. "You are centuries too late, brother. I love you, but you left me alone."

[castintoflames]

He was late in far too many ways. The deep-seated fatigue was returning the longer he simply lived, but he knew that fighting against it was paramount. No matter what, he must push forward.

"I know." he touched Maglor's cheek tentatively, "I was the last to leave you and...the last you thought would leave you."

[seawanderer]

He had to let Maglor help, clearly! Even if Maglor was broken and so very tired too...

He pressed into the touch and reached up to hold the hand to his cheek. He might be angry with Maedhros, but he'd never let go again, willingly. "I couldn't follow you..."

[castintoflames]

They needed to help each other and find strength in others. Maedhros swallowed against the tightness in his throat, caressing Maglor's cheek with his thumb.

"I am glad of that, though I know it caused you immeasurable loneliness and pain." he paused, "Do you still sing?"

[seawanderer]

Maglor had always been stronger when others had needed him. He could find the strength again, to keep going. He would.

"You have no idea," he whispered, eyes lowered to try and hide the misery in them. His lips twitch, almost bitterly. "Only to keep from being noticed."

[castintoflames]

As would Maedhros. Being depend upon was a great motivator, but he was determined to not need such a reason. Life alone should be worthwhile and he would find all the reasons to live and share them with his brother.

"You could tell me." he knew words hardly did any of it justice, yet Maglor had a gift in that regard, "We must change that."

[seawanderer]

Living just to live hadn't been enough for Maglor to not start Fading. Mostly because he'd had nothing left to live for. No reason. No one.

"I won't. Not here." Maybe never, he didn't know. "Some things cannot be changed."

[castintoflames]

Yet, in Maedhros's eyes, that wasn't so. Maglor's mere existence was - and would always be - precious. Irreplaceable. He had to prove that to him or, ironically, die trying.

"Not to me, you mean." and he understood it, though it made him sad, "I don't believe that."

[seawanderer]

Maedhros had always been the doting big brother. Maglor huffed out a breath and leaned against his brother, seeking strength and comfort from a source that had been dead to him for a long time.

"You were dead, Nelyo. It was bad enough when Finno died, but when you did?" He raised his right hand, showing his brother just how badly scarred it was. "I can't really play the harp now. It is enough I can still wield my sword, I suppose."

[castintoflames]

He reached out to cradle the poor scarred hand. If his heart wasn't already broken, the sight of it would have done it. Tears welled in his eyes so fast that he could not stop them from spilling over. He pressed his lips to the scars, willing them away.

"I never meant to take...everything from you." he had not realized that to Maglor, perhaps, he had been everything.

Everything left anyway.

[seawanderer]

He flinched but didn't really try to pull away. He looked at his brother unhappily and tried brushing the tears away from the loved and missed face.

"But it happened, Nelyo, and I have had to live with it. Now, all we can do is what we must. We are here, now, and it seems we have jobs to do."

[castintoflames]

He waved the touch away, wiping his tears with such force that his cheeks were left red. Anger at himself was boiling in his heart and he had to take a few breaths to keep himself from lashing out.

"Jobs." he echoed the word hollowly, "Wherever you go, I go. I have no interest in the duties appointed to us."

[seawanderer]

He flinched again and stepped away, turning to retrieve his sword as he struggled with himself. Maglor sheathed his sword and composed himself fairly well, he thought.

"It is something to do. What would you have us do?"

[castintoflames]

"Strike out on our own. Go into the wilds." Maedhros had an aversion of people and working alongside a decent number of them did not appeal to him, "You and I can survive on what the land offers."

[seawanderer]

He half-turned back to glance at his brother out of the corner of an eye. "I have been doing that for hundreds of years. Living at the edges, watching. Alone."

He might be angry, he might be hurt, but if going off on their own was what Maedhros wanted...Maglor would follow.

[castintoflames]

"You are not alone." he felt his face flush with uncomfortable heat. Either he would need to give in or -

No, he couldn't ask Maglor to give in. Which left him facing a very old fear.

"We'll stay with...the others."

[seawanderer]

He let out a sharp breath and shook his head. "I am not asking us to live beside anyone, Nelyo." He had trouble with that too.

"But...maybe...near enough to help out?"

[castintoflames]

"Is that adequate?" he did not want his brother compromising, "Should they need...help...I am in a better position to give it." and he could act in Maglor's stead if what was asked was too laborious or dangerous.

[seawanderer]

"Maybe. We could try..." But wherever Maedhros went, Maglor would follow. "We will give what help is needed." He wouldn't loose his brother again.

[castintoflames]

"Very well." he sheathed his sword at his hip and picked up the target he knocked down so violently, setting it back into position, "Will you have a meal with me, Kano?"

[seawanderer]

He kept his brother in sight, watching and trying to believe he wasn't actually, entirely insane. After all, away from everyone else, who could tell him Maedhros wasn't really there?

"What did you have in mind?" Not that it mattered what was put before him. He'd do his best to eat, for his brother's sake.

[castintoflames]

Maedhros took comfort in Maglor's tangibility. His mad visions were never solid no matter how much he wished them to be.

With the target back in place, he returned to his brother and briefly caressed his cheek.

"Stew would be nice. Some bread. Does that sound appetizing to you?"