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.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TDM FEATURES SNOW.

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, currently covered in snow and ice; 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, currently very cold. 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. In the snow!

II. KIRKWALL: A quick row across the near-freezing harbor will take you to Kirkwall proper. The city is built into the cliffs, from exclusive and wealthy snow-dusted Hightown at the top to impoverished Darktown in the abandoned mining tunnels below, where discarded waste is presently frozen into slushy brown ice. In the middle is Lowtown, home to taverns, merchants, and plenty of trouble to keep anyone looking for it happy. And a lot of snow. You’re welcome to spend your free time and your money here—but try not to annoy the locals too much, please, in case the Inquisition's welcome runs out. It’d be a shame to have to pack up and leave in all this snow.

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 Denerim, in the snow, pouring demons into the snowy 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 snow-covered road, or to gather samples out of the snow and take notes on the rift’s location once its closed, or to speak to prominent locals (in the snow) 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. And snow.

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.

There is no snow on the crystal, unfortunately.

V. WILDCARD: The whole of Thedas is yours to explore, from coast to uncharted wilderness filled with bears, and did we mention that there is snow? Anyway: choose your own adventure!

Comments

[hwaaaitsme]

Loki is less perturbed by their guides departure than Thor and doesn't bother bidding the man good day as they reach the restaurant--if it can be called that.

"This city lacks many things, just as you lack proper shoes," Loki tells him and walks through the door. The building is adequate from a structural stand-point, but this certainly isn't Val Royeaux and there is none of the charm of the open cafes of Tevinter. It's a tavern, plain and simple, but it is still a far cry superior to a ship's galley or the rations they'd taken with them for travel.

"Two," Loki announces to the waitstaff and gestures to a table. He has no idea what the courtesies in this part of Thedas involve and he is too hungry to wait around with the hopes that someone might seat them. He glances back for Thor as he moves and, thankfully, finds his brother has not lingered long.

For as mixed as his feelings about his brother's company are, Loki does appreciate having someone so large and imposing with him when dining in suspect places. He doesn't expect to be poisoned or attacked but then nobody ever does, do they?

"I wonder if they have menus or if I should simply think of something and demand it," Loki ruminates at a reasonable speaking volume. Apparently everyone in the south shouts in their taverns because he can barely hear himself over the din.

[thorndergod]

He's fine with Loki taking the lead here. Thor is physically imposing, but Loki manages an elegance when handling new situations that's beyond Thor... though cheerful boisterousness seems to help him manage most of the time.

Here, at least, are people talking and seemingly living rather than standing hunched up in the snow. There's color in their cheeks and animation in the way they talk, though the volume means he misses what Loki says after they've sat down.

"You must speak up, brother!" He's feeling better in the warmth and tosses up an arm to summon one of the servers. As soon as a slightly harried-looking woman comes over Thor is nodding to her and waiting for the expected bow. It doesn't come. She blinks at him, and he blinks at her. After a beat he straightens his robes and sits up straighter as well.

"What are you serving today?"

The woman exhales and runs through a list of a few options before Thor opts for a hearty fish stew, black bread, and ale. It's not Tevinter food at all, which in his opinion makes it better. He's traveling. Why stick to routine?

[hwaaaitsme]

Thor is, by far, more effective in places like this than Loki could ever hope to be. He watches as his brother summons the servant and cocks a brow when she fails to bow. Even Orlesian servants bow and curtsy on command; it is just how things are done...or, perhaps, not. She lists the meals they offer, an uninspiring fare to be sure, but there are a few items that are less than questionable.

Thor, naturally, does not select one of those.

Loki opts for something a little more edible but orders the same to drink as his brother. For all his faults, Thor is an excellent judge of drink and Loki has always made a habit of exploiting that knowledge.

The woman leaves without either bow or curtsy and Loki watches her dart back to the kitchens.

"We should seek out proper accommodations before we approach the Inquisition," Loki says to Thor, deigning to shout a bit over the raucous environment in the club. "In fact, given how loved our countrymen are in this part of the world, perhaps you should seek out the Inquisition alone.

"When you are inevitably arrested and shackled I will break you free and we can return home."

[thorndergod]

Now it's Thor's turn to roll his eyes. His brother had agreed to come, but now could not refrain from doubting. It is the way of things.

"We can split up if you would like to find an acceptable estate." He has faith in Loki's judgement when it came to nice things. While the man might cut corners in other places, he didn't there. "And then I will engage with the Inquisition and explain our purpose. They will have to acknowledge that they could use additional willing allies."

After all, the Inquisition had done worse. It had elves and Dalish high in its ranks.

"We are powerful, knowledgeable, and capable. And they do not wish to anger our house." In that, Thor has confidence. "We will simply need to figure out a way to reunite after our parting. We could meet here again at the dinner hour?"

Despite the distinct lack of any sort of respect, as demonstrated yet again by a young man dropping off their drinks and not even dipping his head. They were further from civilization than Thor had originally thought, it seemed.

[hwaaaitsme]

For all that Thor was overconfident, and it was often, Loki could find no fault with his logic here. The Inquisition had set up its base of operations in this place; surely it could use all the real influence and money it could get. Thor's confusion about meeting up is curious but Loki considers it.

"I suppose that will do, it is a more pleasant location than the ship," he adds. "Even if their servants are a bit...rustic."

His ale is surprisingly delicious, however, and had been poured competently with very little head. Loki drinks it eagerly, tired in equal parts of sobriety and travel, and finishes his pint quickly. It is strange that they are not served in ice, particuarly given how much of it the south has on hand, and he regards the metal cup with some curiosity.

"I wonder how we are meant to order another," Loki wonders aloud. Shattering a glass in Orlais had been both expensive and garish, but so was Orlais. It had summoned a slave as quickly as shouting might've done.

Perhaps they simply did not serve seconds of the same beverage.

"I know our mission here is to assist these people, brother, but do not give away too much of our purpose or offer too much aid upfront. Reserve something to surprise them with, if you can."

[thorndergod]

The drink is exactly what he needs after this journey, and Loki's wondering gets answered with a raised eyebrow. Why would Fereldan be different from Orlais? But before Thor can lead by demonstration, Loki is being actually confusing.

"Reserve something to surprise them with? Why not offer up all we can assist with right away, so they see us as valuable allies?" Subterfuge is not Thor's strong suit. For all that his father is proud of him, even Odin admits that his oldest son has one weak spot when it comes to maneuvering in Tevene politics. "If I tell them that I believe in defeating Corypheus and the Venatori and we seek to do so, what would go wrong?"

This conversation absolutely requires refills. So what if the thing is metal? That's likely just to cheapen the cost for the tavern. Thor throws his mug at the ground, a little disappointed by the lack of a smashing sound. For all of the oddness of Orlais' traditions, the sound had been satisfying.

"Another!"