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

Elros Tar Minyatur | Tolkien's Silmarillion | Rifter

[tar_minyatur]

The Gallows

He's elven tall - and looks rather like one, in honesty, although his hair is shorter than the other elves of his homeworld. He's more solidly built, too - broader across the shoulders, although the sword he uses is clearly of the same ilk as that born by those of his world here. It does, in fact, look remarkably like Maedhros' own.

As does his fighting style.

The massive blade he wields left-handed, and it sings cheerfully through the air as he runs through his moves, practicing. Feel free to join him.

Questing

There are dragons in this world, and Elros is a Dragon-slayer - it's in his blood, really. He's only too glad to get out and see this new world, and hey, if he gets to kill a dragon or two, so much more the fun! He's quick to laugh and share tales around the campfire, and he won't shirk from even the most menial of jobs. Sharing a tent might be a bit problematic, considering his size though.

Wildcard

Hit me

Questiiiiing

[seawanderer]

Of course there are dragons. When aren't there dragons? Maglor does his part in easing the tensions around the fires, but a painfully familiar voice intrudes on his awareness and he lets his songs fade into the night.

Gradually he inches his way closer...and closer, again and again until he's able to just sit and watch this magnificent half-elf. He tries not to be noticed in his staring, he just wants to be able to sit and listen and watch his precious fosterling. He doesn't dare get any closer.

[tar_minyatur]

He can see you, not!dad, you are the most unsubtle of all time. So the tales are going to turn towards his childhood. And he's going to exaggerate until you are forced to interrupt.

"I think we were about 8? And the spiders were... oh, probably about the size of a small pony. Smart too! Elrond started throwing rocks, and I grabbed a stick. We were surrounded -
there must have been twenty of them!"

There were 5, and Maedhros and Maglor had been right there along with all their guards.

[seawanderer]

He's being sneaky! And subtle! And that's just cheating!

Maglor frowns at each incorrect fact of the amusing tale that had struck fear in his heart at the time. Those spiders hadn't lasted more than a minute after getting close to those precious twins.

He has to bite his tongue to keep from scolding Elros for mis-remembering!

[tar_minyatur]

The MOST unsubtle and sneaky. And is not!

Elros just keeps going, his audience wide eyed.

"We couldn't see anyone else" No really, RIGHT THERE. "And we were terrified. Elrond managed to put out the eyes of one, and I hit it on the head. But another came up and grabbed me from behind and I was sure I was going to die..."

[seawanderer]

CHEATING!

And ridiculous.

And adorable.

...And sneaky. Maglor finally huffs and pulls on a very familiar and oft-used expression of lecture, drawing himself up straight even as he remains seated at the next campfire over.

"What the young lord means to say is his dear brother managed to poke out two of the eight eyes of one of the five spiders before Maedhros slit it's throat and the guards standing around with us, myself included, killed its fellows."

[tar_minyatur]

NOT.

Elros grins, smugly, and turns to wave at him.

"Oh, really? I suppose I was eight, and there seemed an awful lot of them... you'd best tell it properly!"

[seawanderer]

TRUTH.

Jerk.

Maglor casts a mock-irritated look Elros' way, folding his arms across his chest and letting his harp remain on his lap with its strings still.

"They barely touched you, Elros, and wouldn't have at all had you not tried to flee again!" Not that he disapproves of their escape attempts...but...still.

[tar_minyatur]

NOT TO INFINITY SO THERE.

"I had spiderwebs in my hair!" He protests with a grin and stares pointedly at the harp.

"You would have run too!" Straight out of the ring of swords that guarded him, dragging Elrond in his wake, trying to use the confusion to get away.

The Gallows

[castintoflames]

He sees him and his heart skips. This cannot be! Elros... Maedhros had said farewell to him, knowing the Elfling was entering a better life. His fëa had cracked, earning a few more jagged lines on that day and his heart had hurt too much for him to simply cry.

But it had been for Elros's own good.

For that same reason, Maedhros keeps himself shadowed, watching Elros spar and practice with a proud eye. He knows the skill well! It will surely keep him alive when the last Fëanorians dwindle to one.

[tar_minyatur]

Elros frowns, stopping, turning to look around at the prickle on his neck that tells him he's being watched.

"Who's there?" He carries himself tall and straight, eyes sweeping the courtyard, balance forward on his toes, blade down but in a position easy to bring to bear at need.

"Show yourself!"

And he speaks with a voice trained to command, exactly as he had been taught.

[castintoflames]

The not-so-small Elf - Man? - is commanding him. Maedhros feels like being a little playful. He takes his time extricating himself from the shadows, keeping his distance from Elros as, finally, he stands before him in the light.

"As you wish." he bows at the waist, straightening a moment later, "Elros."

He may not be as recognizable without his scars. Physically, Maedhros looks like he did as a young, somewhat carefree prince.

[tar_minyatur]

Almost as tall as Maedhros, now, what with Maedhros shrinking and Elros hitting his full adult height!

He stares, eyes drinking in familiar features.

"Maedhros?" He steps towards him, hand outstretched.

[castintoflames]

Almost as tall and far more handsome. Or so Maedhros thinks. He flinches away from the hand, but the love he feels for Elros is unguarded in his eyes.

"I am he no matter how my appearance has changed." he smiles carefully, "You have grown tall, child."

[tar_minyatur]

Elros takes another step, and then another, and then flings himself forwards. Better catch him, Maedhros!

"You're here! You old Stinker!"

[castintoflames]

He panics, envisioning Elros colliding with the ground. His body reacts without thought and he catches the Man, pulling him into a tight embrace.

"What are you - ?" he flushes and his lips twist, "I did not plan on being here."

[tar_minyatur]

MISSION SUCCESS, and Elros clings tightly in return.

"You stupid idiot how dare you go off and leave Maglor and us behind!"

The Gallows

[utulien_aure]

[For Fingon, there are ghosts in this youth's face.

Not all of it, of course. He's very much his own man, this great-great nephew of his- in more ways than one, really, given what Fingon's heard of him. But sometimes, out of the corner of his eye, it's Turno's jawline and Arko's smile, Maitimo's sword strokes, Makalaure's mannerisms. And there's a whole other side of the family, who must feel the same staring at his midnight hair and twilight eyes.

No wonder he chooses to leave us, Fingon thinks, I've barely seen him and I'm already carving him up for examination.

There's only one way, he knows, to get past that strange feeling of half-remembrance whenever he talks to Elros: and that's to meet him head-on, as more than a distant kinsman or a cousin's stolen child. So he calls out from the side of the practice yard:]

How would you like a new challenger, cousin?

[tar_minyatur]

[ Excuse, he is ninety and adult!!!!!

Elros looks up, and his smile is broad and welcoming, but the eyes asses carefully, noting family features which are echoes to his own, and putting that together with gold in dark hair to make the logical assumption ]

Hail cousin! I am granted quite estimable company today, it seems! [ The smile is eager ]

I heard that you were one of the best swordsmen Maedhros knew. [ Possibly, Maedhros was exaggerating ] I would be honored!

[utulien_aure]

[You just keep telling yourself that, kiddo.

Fingon can see him examine this new relative and shrugs. It's a good instinct for a king to have, all things considered.]

Oh, did he now? [He throws his head back and laughs: spending the next century talking up his good points is such a Maedhros thing to do.] Well, that's Maedhros for you. I am good- I'll go as far to say I'm very good. But he's the better swordsman, and always has been. On pure technique he'll win every time.

[He enters the training grounds, unsheathes his sword, and bows.]

[tar_minyatur]

[ He will just watch him!!!

Elros salutes him with his sword ]

I suppose there's only one way to find out, milord!

[ he gives no warning beyond that, lunging forwards eagerly ]

[utulien_aure]

Oh, you needn't call me that.

[He easily sidesteps that first lunge, an amused grin on his face.]

It'd be absurd here even if you weren't my niece's grandson.

[tar_minyatur]

Well, granduncle sounds a mouthful.

[ Elros retorts cheerfully and moves to follow, bringing the sword in low in a feint before cutting upwards ]

[utulien_aure]

[And that almost makes him feel older than the fact that Idril has grandchildren in the first place.]

You could try Fingon. I wouldn't mind.

[Fingon parries merrily; alright, this will be fun.]

[tar_minyatur]

Only if you call me Elros!

[ His eyes are bright and eager as he comes in close, testing to see if he can lock blades and push Fingon back ]