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

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!"

[castintoflames]

This is only the beginning of the anger, Maedhros knows. He breathes in, shuddering. His head is soon bowed, his face pressed against Elros's neck.

"A moment of weakness...or madness... It was not well-thought out."

[tar_minyatur]

Elros growls, his grip bruising, but he doesn't pull away.

"You aren't going to do anything of the sort again." He orders.

[castintoflames]

How can he mind? Even if Elros bites or claws him, he will take it.

"...no. I regret it thoroughly." he lifts his head to nuzzle the Man's temple, "You make a fine Man."

[tar_minyatur]

Elros headbutts him, although he still doesn't release his hold.

"If you do, I will drag you out of the Void myself ARE WE CLEAR."

[castintoflames]

He bites his tongue on accident, grimacing. Did he help raise a child or a goat?

"If you hit me any harder, you might have to fulfill your promise!"

[tar_minyatur]

A goat. A very angry goat.

Elros pulls away finally but only enough to shake him.

"Don't you dare joke about that you... you Stinker. Do you have any idea what that news did to Elrond, you bastard?"

[castintoflames]

An adorably angry goat. Maedhros rests his hands on Elros's forearms, eyes sparkling not with mirth, but with unshed tears.

"I imagine the same thing it did to you." he lowers himself to his knees, kneeling before the Man, "I was like the fire. I wasn't Maedhros or Maitimo or Nelyafinwë or even Russandol. I was fire and I couldn't feel anything but the most excruciating pain." his brow furrows, "I might have been destined to burn like my father - I do not know. All I know is the chasm seemed the only option left to me."

[tar_minyatur]

"Don't kneel, damn you." Elros scrubs the tears from his face and drags him up to cling again.

"You were always blind! We would have looked after you, Maedhros. Why did you never give us the chance?"

[castintoflames]

He will never feel anything but love and awe when in this one's presence. Maedhros wraps Elros up, unwilling to ever let him go.

"Because... You are more important. Arda needs you to rule, to heal. I only destroy."

[tar_minyatur]

"You do not" Elros punches him, unwilling to release him yet either.

"You did not destroy me, or Elrond. Don't be a fool."

[castintoflames]

"I did not because I let you go." he doesn't budge, "It is hard to remember why I did such a thing when you are here with me."

[tar_minyatur]

Elros looks up at him and glares. It's quite a good glare - he learnt it from Maedhros, after all.

"That's dumb. And I won't let you do it again."

[castintoflames]

The glare doesn't have quite the intended effect. Maedhros grins, helpless against such precious determination.

"I see before me a powerful King. Perhaps some of what I did was right."

[tar_minyatur]

Elros huffs, relaxing.

"I am newly crowned. Powerful is not what I consider myself. Terrified is closer to the truth."

[castintoflames]

"Good. Terrified is a good state to be in at first. It makes you wary and sensitive to any potential threat." Maedhros nudges their foreheads together, "I meant to protect you and your brother. The Oath took precedence when it should not have."

[tar_minyatur]

"I noticed." Elros growls at him, but nudges back fondly.

"But you taught me well. I will do my best."

[castintoflames]

"You will do better than I ever did." he smiles proudly, "I would happily serve as your guard if given the chance."