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]

[Looking up from the kettle, Inessa straightens. Her slight form is unimpressive and she's well aware, but she'll make the most of what she does have. Never one to shirk her manners, she offers a polite nod and smile, gesturing to the pair of seats available. ]

Greetings. Please, make yourself comfortable. I was just making tea; would you like a cup?

[Her mabari observes Solas and wags his tail, doubtlessly hoping for some petting but if he doesn't receive it will simply go back to gnawing that bone.]

[dirth]

[ Solas doesn't look like much either, to be frank, and he does not judge people entirely on their appearances. He looks like nothing but knows he is worth more - and he gives attention to those who can see beyond the apostate look. Perhaps this woman will be one of the few.

Walking over, he sits down, reaching to offer the mabari a gentle pet before he focusses on his owner. ]

No, thank you. I am not particularly fond of tea. Are you well?

[circleprodigy]

[A lack of fondness for tea is something Inessa can barely comprehend, but his attention to Garahel is noted with a small smile. Deciding her own cup can wait a little, she moves to sit opposite him. Her posture is impeccable, her gaze curious. She has no intention of dismissing him, especially not without hearing what he might have to say.]

I am, thank you. You may not remember me, but I am Warden Serra. I'm pleased you have returned to the Inquisition. How can I be of assistance?

[dirth]

[ There is no reason not to be kind to the animal, and Solas is well aware of the wisdom in a Mabari. The fact that she has one says something for her character, even if he is not entirely content with the path she has chosen in her life. ]

I came to speak with you about your research. I am curious about the progress you have made so far.

[circleprodigy]

[She nods, getting right to business at that.]

I am in the process of compiling a survey for anchor-bearers, natives as well as rifters, as well as setting up a project to regularly monitor them. I have put it up for review within the project, so you are certainly welcome to contribute with your own additions or notes.

There are also a couple of joint efforts with the Elven Artifacts project. One consists of a mosaic found within elven ruins off the coast of Rivain, that we believe might have some overlapping significance. Insight is needed there as well, and I have made copies to pass around for those within the project.

The other began in the Blackmarsh. How well aware are you of that particular area of Ferelden? [There's far more she wants to say, but first it would help to know how much Solas needs catching up, if at all.]

[dirth]

I see.

[ It's interesting enough, and certainly something he thinks he should be aware of, if not involved in. It dips in all the areas that his own research is particularly founded upon, and given his knowledge and expertise... He might be able to learn and do something. ]

I am capable of looking at the mosaics, if you wish. [ He's not going to go into a lot of detail about how much he knows and why, but he's content, at least, to offer the hand of friendship and mutual understanding. ] I know of the place, but do not know it particularly well. I have spent most of my time in the south of late.

[circleprodigy]

Yes, I'll make a copy available to you. With your breadth of knowledge, perhaps you'll see something we've missed. [Inessa could be prideful and grudging about that, but...she doesn't see the point. The Circle gave her a solid education, but it did not cover ancient elven practices and magic. If another has that knowledge, then it certainly makes sense to use rather than spurn it.]

The Blackmarsh is a strange and twisted land, an abandoned area visited by the Hero of Ferelden and most recently by myself and some of my project members. I am told the Veil was already thin before, but thanks to the Breach spawning those rifts, it was perilously thin until our shardbearers could seal them. Events of the past were brief, but as vivid as the present where it was thinnest. The full report is available for any in the project to see, but the significant portion is this: we were able to recover the orb used by the First, the awakened darkspawn which brought Cousland and his team into the Fade. It remains intact, but inert thus far. Given the Temple of Sacred Ashe's fate, we are proceeding carefully so as not to repeat that experience.

[dirth]

It is possible. [ And likely, but Solas has no reason to be too insulting yet - he still wants something, after all, and his knowledge will only get him so far. ]

I will read the report as soon as I can. [ The orb, though. Solas feels his throat go a little tight and he forces himself to remain calm and collected, betraying nothing but his own gentle curiosity, as if this is nothing but an academic pursuit instead of something incredibly personal and dangerous. ] Where has the Orb been placed? If it is possible for me to look at it I would relish the oppurtunity.

[circleprodigy]

[Curiosity is welcome and not discouraged, at least not Inessa's end.]

It's currently in the laboratory of the Elven Artifacts project. Given its important to both projects, I believe research will be a joint effort. If you wish to be a part of that, you are certainly welcome. What matters are results, and to that end I believe we'll need many minds at work on this.

[dirth]

I would be glad of the chance.

[ It has been some time since Solas felt anything close to hope, but he does what he can to smother it. It wold not do for him to appear particularly over-eager. ]

It is elven, and I suspect that I may be able to bring some insight.