allthisshitisweird | TEST DRIVE MEME!

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TEST DRIVE MEME!

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!

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It's a good thing Korrin is at the docks at that particular time. A couple of unhelpful dock workers just laugh, but the tall horned woman shoots them a Look as she strides past, pausing by the barrel and taking hold of the dwarf woman's hands to help get her out.

"Ignore those fuckheads, they're not worth it. Are you hurt at all?" She looks her over once there's a chance, grateful for her habit of always bringing at least one healing potion with her. Kirkwall always seems to demand it, for one reason or another.

Having not really seen Qunari on many occasions (and the ones she had weren't always favorable), Minka's eyes widen as she's pulled free. Still, isn't there some saying about not biting the gift hand that feeds your mouth? Maybe? She doesn't know for sure, but she thinks it applies here. Even if this is one of those weird converting Qunari, she should at least be grateful to be freed from the barrel.

"Thanks." She pauses to rub at the backs of her knees, where the tendons or whatever's back there hit the barrel pretty hard. "Kinda hurt, but it ain't nothing I ain't had before."

"No problem. At least there's a bar nearby, helps take the edge off." Korrin straightens, and nods politely. "Korrin Ataash, member of the naval project for the Inquisition. You looked a bit lost. Maybe I can help." At least that's how it seemed to her, and since she's an unfamiliar face, that likely means she's new.

"Oh, yeah. I remember that now. City changes a lot." She gives Korrin the once over, accessing if she's on the level before saying, "Minka." Just Minka. They don't often do last names in the Carta. Last names are for stuffy noble houses in Orzammar or kalna Merchants' Guild families.

"I just got here and I don't really know what's what. Need a job. There are divisions, but I don't know one from the other to know where I should go." She shifts awkwardly from one foot to the other. "I'm good at running messages. Know anyone that needs stuff delivered?"

Korrin nods, thoughtfully. "Pretty much all the division heads need things delivered for them, so that's an easy way in. As for the divisions themselves, there's four; Forces, Scouting, Research and Diplomacy. If you've got even a passing talent for any of those, there's a place for you. And it's not as though they don't train people, either. I'm in the Forces division, myself...which currently doesn't have a head, but that's will definitely change soon."

Minka makes a bit of a face at the listing of divisions. She's a terrible rogue, even though she favors the bow, so scouting's out. She can barely read, so research is out. And her form of diplomacy is keeping her head down and hoping she doesn't piss anyone off.

"I guess forces could work. As long as it's more than just soldiers?" Because boy, does she suck with a bow.

Korrin chuckles. "I'm a mage, so yeah, I'm sure. As long as you can fight or assist those fighting, it's the place to be. Some people hang back for healing support, or as suppliers, but most of us end up on the battlefield, one way or another. In the downtime, we lean more towards guard duty, construction work, armory maintenance...whatever needs heavy lifting or has to do with troops and supplying them. Sometimes it's more fun, when we get to test out prototypes for armor and weapons."

"I can fire a bow, I guess?" Not well, but that's the thing about ranged fighters. Every ally in front of you is too busy swinging swords and daggers to notice you missing all your shots, right? Maybe?

"Don't think I want to test that stuff. If it fails, I'd get fucked up." Frowning, she considers for a moment, looking very serious and like she's doing long division in her head. Which she isn't because hoo boy, who has the brain for that? "But it pays well, yeah? Being in a division?"

"Eh, that's what tonics are for. And yeah, it pays decently. If you stay in the Gallows or the barracks at the docks, you get free living space, and likewise a lot of day-to-day expenses you don't have to worry about. Finding stuff on missions helps compensate, too; as long as it's not something the Inquisition is researching, they don't care if you claim it."

"Really?" Minka's eyes light up in pure delight. Something that's hers and doesn't get taken away? But then the look disappears, to be replaced with a look of suspicion.

"Wait, like what? What sort of thing could I find and keep?"

"All sorts of random shit. Weapons, coins, potions...hell, I even managed to wrangle a herd of nuggalope back to Skyhold and got to keep one. Best mount ever." How could it not be, with horns like hers. "Just leave the red lyrium alone, unless you're going to destroy it or you're part of the red lyrium project and have the equipment to safely take it back for study."

Okay, this is actually amazing. It might be obvious from the look on her face that Minka isn't used to this sort of treatment. They'll just let her keep money she finds? Animals? All that shit?

"Wow," she breathes out, unable to come up with any other words for a moment. "This is-- this is for real? The Inquisition is like this?" Her eyes drift back towards the Gallows before she thinks of something and her attention snaps back.

"But what about shit they don't like? Things that will get you in trouble. I ain't here to do any of that, but I always end up fucking up somehow." At least that's what the Carta always told her.

Korrin raises an eyebrow, not seeing evidence of this incompetence beyond the barrel incident and really, that kind of bad luck could happen to anyone. "That's what competent leadership and training is for, you know. No one expects you to get everything right away, that's ridiculous. You listen and do your part, and I really doubt you'll be a fuck-up. As for getting in trouble, just remember that what you do in public reflects on us. Now that we're in a city and not in a fortress in the mountains, that reputation shit matters more. Believe me, it's not easy for me either."

Hey, you haven't spent beyond a few minutes with her. Sometimes it takes time to experience the full extent of Minka's incompetence.

Her expression is a bit doubtful at what Korrin says. After all, the Carta spent years trying to train her up to be somewhat useful and nothing really stuck. She's only still alive because the Carta needs couriers. Her not being a fuck up? Impossible.

"That's fine. Don't spend much time in public anyway." Underneath the covers is her domain. "But I guess you stick out more'n me, huh?"

That doubtful expression is noted but still, Korrin is not going to judge without seeing Minka's (lack of) competence for herself. Her expression remains neutral and she shrugs, figuring the dwarf just needs time to settle in, and a mentor to assist. That question provokes a soft chuckle and she nods.

"There still aren't a lot of my kind in Kirkwall, even almost a decade after. I'm one of the few that's bothered to come here on purpose, for the Inquisition. So, I get that a lot. It is what it is; I came here to do my job and I'm going to keep doing it, whoever's watching. If they don't like that, fuck them."

"I was here while the Qunari were stranded," she says, expression shifting to a frown. "You don't act much like them. They all had sticks up their asses." But Korrin? You're okay. Minka definitely doesn't get the vibe that you've got a stick shoved up there.

"So you're one of those not-Qunari, right?"

"Vashoth and nah, I've nothing to do with them. I wasn't born in the Qun, thank the Maker. Maybe I should tattoo my forehead with that, but I'm still not sure that'd be enough for some people." She quirks a smile, not annoyed at Minka. If she took offense every time someone asked that, she wouldn't have energy for anything else.

Personally, the only time Minka cares to consider if she's offending someone is if she's forced to be with them and can't run away. It doesn't cross her mind that calling Korrin a not-Qunari might be insulting. It's the truth, right? And better a not-Qunari, than a Qunari.

"Wouldn't work for people who can't read, or from a distance if they can." So she guesses Korrin will just have to get used to repeating herself. At least Minka is what people expect: surface dwarf = Carta or Merchant's Guild. Anyone who isn't either of those is the weird one; not her.

She takes a second to purse her lips and look around them. This area of the docks belongs to the Inquisition. There are plenty of humans around, but dwarves and elves too.

"Are there other, um... Va-somethings like you here?" Sorry, she wasn't listening closely enough.

"Eh, good point. I'll just stick to the usual disclaimer, then." At Minka's question, Korrin shrugs. "Not many, just some minor agents that just stop in to give news to the division leaders, I think. I'm the only one right now, but I'm trying to strong-arm some of my mercenary company into at least visiting. They've been cautious as hell thanks to the Qunari rampage, but I've finally worn them down into at least considering it."

Minka is used to being surrounded by fellow dwarves, and the thought of not being around them anymore is just... too weird to handle. But it sounds like Korrin is well-adjusted and a normal, functioning member of society. Unrelatable! Minka has never been down that road.

"Guess if they show up, they'll turn heads." They'll definitely make her do a double take, just to make sure they're like Korrin and not here to convert everyone. Never can be too careful.

"I'm used to more dwarves around. And less humans. And less elves. This whole thing is weird."

At least Korrin's well-adjusted enough to keep her issues on the inside. Whatever loneliness she feels, that's kept away from a newcomer who already has enough on her plate. She nods, with a faint smirk.

"Yeah, they definitely would. And you get used to the variety pretty fast, I think. When everyone's focused on furthering our cause, there isn't a lot of time for letting culture clash interfere with that. At least for the most part; I won't say it never happens, because that'd be a lie. That said, I think we're more cohesive than not."

"Right. The whole war thing." Sorry, did you think she was here to help? More like get help. Looking around to make sure she's not being watched, Minka points to her left hand, currently covered by a glove.

"I got one of those stupid green things stuck in here. I was told I had to come here to get it looked at, just to find out that no one knows how to get them out yet." She sighs in frustration. "So I'm stuck. They say it hurts less if you're around others with them."

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TEST DRIVE MEME!

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