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 filled with bears. Choose your own adventure!

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

Mages.

[He slowly holds a hand up, but doesn't cast yet. For the Rifters Anders has some patience.]

Would you like to see me do something? Fire or ice would be the simplest, seeing as we're indoors.

[resplendissant]

[He had heard there were mages. Heard, but not believed it. From his understanding, most who claimed to do magic were simple trickster, using sleight-of-hand and, at times, science to impress others.

Louis is sceptical, but turns his attention to the man. His hands come to rest behind his back.] As you will.

[justice_is_blond]

[Anders smiles, privately glad that the reaction isn't fear. His hand glows blue and the temperature drops a little around them as he forms something simple, a light fall of snow that very deliberately does not land on the maps. In fact, as it melts in the warmer air, the small barrier he's cast over the maps can be seen from the drops landing on it and sliding harmlessly to the ground.]

I'm a healer by trade, that's most of what I use my magic for, but why limit myself to that?

[resplendissant]

[It must be a trick of the light. There must be some explanation for it.

He reaches to touch the falling snow, a frown growing on his face.] How is this done? [His eyes lift sharply to the other man, even as he schools his expression to remain calm.] It is indeed a clever trick.

[justice_is_blond]

[His face falls a little.]

Trick? It's... I'm a mage.

[Anders shakes his head and the snow stops. Clearly he needs to do something a little more dramatic, but that something can't damage the map room and needs to not get him in trouble. Ice isn't doing the trick, and as well as he can contain fire there's nothing that's safe and dramatic with fire. He exhales with another shake of his head.]

Are you injured at all? A cut, a strain, is something aching? That, at least, you can't dismiss as a trick.

[resplendissant]

[Mistaking the offer for a threat he steps back suddenly.] I am well, there is no need.

[His eyes are quick to sweep the room, to look for accomplices, hidden doors, mirrors... They stop on the man. No, he tells himself. He cannot suspect a plot against him here, where none know him.]

Tell me how it is done, if it is no trick. [He does not apologise.]

[justice_is_blond]

[The man is jumpy. It makes Anders evaluate the demanding nature in a slightly different light, as well as the way the man holds himself. Some lordling, then? Possibly from a large family, or just with a lot of enemies. He's familiar with the latter... but that's part of why he's careful to not be too demanding.

Anders crosses his arms.]

I tap into the Fade and channel its energies in whatever way I see fit.

[It's an obtuse explanation on purpose.]

As I said, I'm a mage. It's magic. Healing and ice are different schools of magic, but they're both from the same source.

[resplendissant]

And this fade is the source. [All his life Louis has heard of how God uses his power to bend the world to His will, but he has never seen it used in such a manner.

And the man does not appear to be dissembling about it. Hm.

He puts together what he has gathered- if this man's people are mages, that implies that not all can use it.] Not all people can use these energies. What is different about you?

[justice_is_blond]

[That's better. Some of the annoyance leaves his frame.]

We don't know, exactly. To hear those who worship Andraste and the Maker tell it, we're curses because our parents sinned. Obviously I don't believe that's the case. Some non-Dwarf people simply wind up touching the Fade at all times, most only touch it while sleeping. And then Dwarves don't touch the Fade whatsoever.

[Anders shrugs and uncrosses his arms.]

Why are you right or left handed, whichever one it is? We're as close to answering that question as we are to answering why someone is a mage and why someone else isn't.

[resplendissant]

[It is a fair argument, one that he will accept for now even if he does not understand it all.

He does not understand how God works, and yet he trusts in Him.

Setting his hands behind his back once more, Louis inclines his head in a slight bow.] Forgive my rudeness. I have- I had many enemies at my home and I find myself slow to trust here, where I know so little.

[justice_is_blond]

[He considers the man before giving him a nod back.]

Apology accepted. I've a few enemies myself.

[A beat, and his expression goes wry.]

Perhaps more than a few. I'm Anders, and I strongly object to mages being caged. It hasn't made me popular. Has the, [he gestures at the map,] tour of sorts helped? I've a little time left if you've more questions.

[resplendissant]

I have many more questions, unsurprisingly. [That would not go away for a long time, he hazards.] But your guidance has been appreciated.

[He almost forgets to introduce himself, he's seldom had to before.] My name is Louis.

[justice_is_blond]

Very unsurprisingly, Louis. Ask away, I'll do what I can to answer.

[There's always a steep learning curve for Rifters, but Anders enjoys teaching. He'll do what he can.]

[resplendissant]

[It is jarring to be addressed so familiarly.

But being jarred does not serve to have his questions answered. He steps back to the maps.] Which nations support the Inquisition?

[justice_is_blond]

It's more that they'll tolerate the Inquisition and accept that it's trying to fight Corypheus. The Inquisition is a power in its own right and no one knows where it may go after the battle is won.

[There's no 'if' for the battle being won - either they're victorious or they're dead.]

For that, Ferelden, Orlais, the Free Marches in general though Starkhaven is not... pleased, Nevarra, Antiva, and Rivain.

[He touches them again as he talks through them.]

The Anderfels are currently a mess as some rogue elements have chosen to take the throne and depose the king, likely at Corypheus' direction. Tevinter is not formally allied with Corypheus, but there are ties there. And Par Vollen has a spy in the Inquisition who is open about being a spy. Please don't ask what sort of strategy that is, I've no answer for it.

[resplendissant]

[More names, more information about the state of this world. He needs a diary, perhaps, as even he won't long hold all this information when it's so new.

A wry smile appears at the mention of a spy, out in the open.] It's either incredibly foolish, or incredibly smart.

[justice_is_blond]

[He chuckles at that.]

I'd not call the Iron Bull foolish. But if he joins us in Kirkwall you may be able to judge for yourself.

[Anders looks at Louis again, studying him. There's a lot of things being said, and while he's working to avoid terms that would need deeper explanations, it can be overwhelming.]

Would you like to grab a drink and get away from the maps for a time? The Hanged Man's a decent tavern, a little dirty and a little loud but the crowd's not the sort to attack a Rifter on sight.

[resplendissant]

[What he'd like is a library of some kind. He'd like a day or two to learn what he can about these countries, their histories- their rulers and how they are connected.

But Louis has never been to a tavern, not one that didn't fall deathly silent on his arrival while the commoners were swept out the back door. And yet, Anders has said he's a divisive figure- would it hurt him to be seen with the mage?

He smiles.] A welcome offer, and one I'll gladly accept.

[justice_is_blond]

[Anders nods and heads for the door, figuring the man will follow him.]

I'll even buy your drink.

[It isn't like Louis is likely to have coin. He leads the way out of the Gallows, to the Docks, and then into Lowtown. Afternoon is starting to merge into evening which means the streets are full of activity. Anders waves back to a few who, perhaps notably, don't call out his name, but generally they move through the crowd fairly unnoticed, all the way to the tavern Anders jerks his thumb at.]

The Hanged Man, favorite of much of Lowtown. Ready?

[He has no idea what taverns are like where Louis from, and he watches the man's face to try to gauge how well this trip is (or isn't) going.]

[resplendissant]

[Is this what the streets of Paris were like, far from the houses of the nobles and their brightly lit houses? Louis seems at ease, shoulders relaxed and hands held loosely at his side, though his eyes are taking everything in with interest.

He's still looking out for anyone watching him closely. His valet is not at his side, his brother not at his back. He would be alone here, if Anders were to prove himself untrustworthy.

Following the jerk of the man's thumb, he smiles easily.]

Ready as I'll ever be.

[justice_is_blond]

[Anders moves to open the door but is beaten to it as a surface Dwarf stumbles out, already drunk enough to be singing loudly. He's left holding the door for him, Louis, and the confused dwarf until both humans are inside and the dwarf had chosen to become a temporary doorstop. There's laughter and noise inside the place, and Anders holds up two fingers for the server as he leads the way to a table.]

It's not too busy this evening. I'm normally not in here this early, there's always work to be done, but nothing is urgent tonight.

[The server brings over two large tankards and Anders trades him some coin before pushing a mug toward his guest.]

It's not the best Thedas has to offer by a long shot, but it's not the worst, either. Welcome to... here, Louis.

[He raises his cup in toast.]

[resplendissant]

To the Hanged Man. [It's not quite the most memorable toast he's ever made, but it's close.

He doesn't spit out whatever's in the tankard when he drinks it, but it's close. This wasn't champagne, that was certain. Coughing, he fishes his handkerchief from his pocket to hold to his mouth. Give him a moment, Anders. He wasn't as ready as the thought he was.]

[justice_is_blond]

[He can't help a snort as the man coughs, grinning for a moment before he takes a second drink and then sets down his own tankard.]

It takes some getting used to. Especially the first time you've had it. Kirkwall's ale selection leaves something to be desired. But it's not the worst I've had.

[A pause, and he glances over at the server dealing with a few other customers.]

Would you like some water to go with it, or can you manage?

[resplendissant]

[He coughs, mortification rising in him both at this unexpected revelation of weakness and at having been seen in such a state. A scowl crosses his face, ready to- what?]

There's no need. [His tone is firm, almost harsh.] I'd forgotten how much I dislike ale.

[justice_is_blond]

[Anders raises an eyebrow at the man's tone before mentally revising his impression of Louis' age. He might be expecting a little much here and so he takes a breath and drops his voice to be a little more gentle.]

I'd the same reaction my first time. It's not something to be ashamed of, but I'm sorry for the laughter.

I'd... It may not be how you're used to dealing with things, but I'd try to relax and enjoy the evening. You're in a world that will at times be unrelenting, automatically part of a group that many fear and hate, in a city that has a regular history of oppression, pain, and suffering. And everything is a thousand times more complicated than it seems on the surface.

[He shrugs and takes a sip of his drink again, trying to not be too intense. It does take work.]

That's not to say everything is awful. It's not. But I'd take what moments I can as I start to build a life here, because you are here now and there is no known path to leaving.