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

[el_tybs]

Ah, perhaps that was why that part of the name had stuck out. Not just because it was short, but introduced in a similar fashion that he often offered his own name. "Yes, but most call me Sam." There were actually only a few people who used his whole first name; mostly Christine when she was upset at him for something or Jim... for reasons.

"You must be the one that just got off the boat. It's good to see you. It's been a while." At least two, maybe almost three years at this point.

[hearher]

"It has, Sam. I hope you're well?" He glanced over Sam's body then, checking for any sign that he may have been injured or hurt.

The War had separated everyone from the Circle, after all, and it was important that when you met someone from your past that you checked on their well being.

[el_tybs]

The question has Sam chuckling softly, rubbing the back of his neck. He probably would be considered doing 'more then well' despite their circumstances, but nothing he was about to get into heavily right now. "I'm doing well enough."

The glance doesn't go unnoticed, taking a moment to glance down at himself, wondering what Car might have been possibly looking for on him. Besides the barely-there scar on along one side of his temple, and the pale scarring line half hidden under a sleeve, there wasn't much to indicate how much harm had actually befallen him over the years.

"And what of yourself? How did you find yourself here?"

[hearher]

"I asked," Carlos answered simply, and then smiled as he realized that probably wasn't a very detailed answer.

"Ever since the mages joined the Inquisition I've been providing support to their forces. You know, making sure people in their strong holds are healed and cared for. I learned a lot out there," he seemed rather proud of that fact.

"But then I found out all that has been going on here and I wanted to come." He dosen't admit that he specifically had found out that James was here and had wanted to see him again. That sounded too clingy, even to his ears. "I thought this would be the best place to help out."

[el_tybs]

'I asked'. Those two words certainly had a brow raising on Sam's face, looking as if he was expecting a bit more detail to come along. The brow lessened when Carlos seemed to realize that fact on his own without Sam needing to prod.

"You've been part of the Inquisition this whole time?" He hadn't realized Carlos had been part of the force of mages that had joined. Then again he had said strongholds so it was possible he simply hadn't noticed because he wasn't in Skyhold?

"Well... Kirkwall certainly needs a lot of help, not that most actually want it... or from us."

[hearher]

"I... was?" he says it as if he isn't sure. He had never had his heart in the Rebellion and even admitting it now was difficult to put words to. "I joined when Fiona made the deal with the Herald. I've been stations with different camps, working with their forces.

I suppose I did a good job because I was asked recently where I wanted to go. That's when I said Kirkwall."

He smiles at the idea that he can be of use but that falls almost instantly when he says that Kirkwall doesn't want them. "Who can blame them? They've seen a lot at the hands of magic and mages. And the Inquisition has both on their side."

[el_tybs]

"Definitely sounds like you've been a part of the Inquisition for a while if you remember a deal between Fiona and the Herald." The whole part that Carlos had come along through the Rebellion didn't seem to phase him in the least, not at all focused on a detail like that. After all he knew many who had come from it, or that so many arrived in many shapes and forms.

Sam sighs at that point, seeing how Carlos's smile fades when he mentions them not being wanted. "It's more... not wanting the Inquisition here as a whole, not just mages specifically. Someone I know who's from here was very... vocal about the everyday folk kind of not liking us 'taking over'."

[hearher]

"Has the Inquisition been taking over?" Carlos asked, a little concerned that it might be over stepping it's bounds.

[el_tybs]

"No?" It's Sam's turn to sound unsure. "I mean, there is a lot of us, but we're only here because we managed to make a deal with the Viscount. Just some don't feel like that's a good enough reason for us to come here; that and the temporary Viscount doesn't count for voicing what they all want.

It's complicated."

[hearher]

"Politics usually are," Carlos frowns at the description. It looks like he'd still have to deal with people distrusting him for just who he is. He should be used to that by now, but it still meant he could never have the best first impression.

"What have we been doing here?"

[el_tybs]

"It's tiring," the older mage says in agreement with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck again.

"Here in Kirkwall? Well we've pretty much taken the Gallows as our headquarters here - that took a lot of cleaning up." You wouldn't believe Carlos. "Having a foothold here helps with spreading operations further north as we fight this war. But more locally... some have been working on security; we've set up a location for healers to help not just our forces, but the people of the town as well."