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

[circleprodigy]

I'm Inessa, from Kinloch Hold. Do you remember? I was a few years younger, but ahead of your studies.

[Hopeful, but not excessively so. They didn't overlap that much, and there's a chance he might not remember the tiny elven bookworm/teacher's pet.]

[keenly]

I remember. [His voice is quiet, but he is actually relieved. Inessa will probably understand what he's trying to do here.] I do. It's...really good to know you're all right.

[circleprodigy]

Likewise. I do not take for granted finding my fellow mages from the tower, not when everything has been so...chaotic. [Between the rebellion, the Breach and other madness, every person she's lost contact with is a potential tragedy waiting to be heard about. That he's not one of them is a relief.]

...but yes, I can attest to the griffons. We were able to secure the griffons from the Anderfels, and they were brought to the Inquisition...in care of the Grey Wardens, of course. In fact, I am one of their Keepers and a rider of one in particular.

[keenly]

So you're a Grey Warden now? [Colin knows he's supposed to remember the Hero of Ferelden, but he never even saw the man.] That's...that sounds like it would be good for you.

[circleprodigy]

It is, thank you. I've wanted to be one ever since I was a child. [Ever since Uldred's rebellion and the Hero of Ferelden saved them all.]

I can introduce you do them, if you take care to follow my direction. And I take no credit or blame for their...eccentric names. That was the last Keeper's doing, and they will respond to nothing else.

[keenly]

[Colin's brain takes a weird turn, thinking she's still talking about the Wardens at first, but he connects it back with the griffons after a second.]

I'd really like that. Maybe out of claw's reach, though.

[circleprodigy]

A wise decision. I'll do my best to keep Potato from coming too close, though she does not entirely understand that she is no longer a lap-griffon. But I'll bear the brunt of that in any case, so you ought to be spared.

[keenly]

Potato sounds sweet. [She cannot see him making a face at the name, because who names a griffon Potato?]

[circleprodigy]

She is, but she doesn't know her own strength sometimes...or her weight. So if she's riled up, stay back and let me deal with her. Usually she's good-tempered, though.

[Yeah, the name is stupid. Inessa will forever mourn what could have been.]

[keenly]

Alllll right. [Gonna let Inessa make the call as to what good-tempered looks like on a griffon.]