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Fade Rift Mods ([personal profile] faderifting) wrote in [community profile] allthisshitisweird2017-12-20 08:53 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME!

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!

unshadowing: (11)

[personal profile] unshadowing 2018-01-06 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Which would be a concern to anyone but a Fereldan. Carver doesn't give a fig about the ice; he's out here in a thread bare long sleeved shirt and pants. It doesn't even cross his mind it'd be a worry.

Carver swings his sword around, getting into position. A shield proves a fun challenge. Rolling his shoulders, he debates his first move for but a moment before he runs at him, starting off with a simple sweep. Start out easy, work their way up.
insatiably: (015)

[personal profile] insatiably 2018-01-07 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
Julian would merrily suggest that Carver travel to Antiva sometime to enjoy the lovely weather where snow is never a concern. It puts him at a distinct disadvantage here, but it's nothing worth mentioning more than he already has. He's not going to whine about the weather he's training in. Why agree to be a soldier if you want to dictate what weather you'll be fighting in?

He waits for Carver's first move and reacts by backing up, shield covering as much of his body as he can. So far his boots have managed to grip the stones well enough. Probably because they're quality Antivan leather. Once Carver's sweep is complete, Julian comes back with a swing over his shield.
unshadowing: (11)

[personal profile] unshadowing 2018-01-07 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Listen now, don't suggest things that Carver might actually enjoy. That would ruin his image, and we can't have that now. (Someone please drag him to the beach. He's Fereldan and might swelter but Maker knows the man needs to enjoy himself).

Carver brings his blade up, just in time to block the downswing. He digs his heels in, grunting as he pushes back, hoping to reverse the momentum back towards Julian.
insatiably: (03)

[personal profile] insatiably 2018-01-07 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
Julian would love to take him to one! They could take off their shirts and watch everyone present trip over their own feet as they gawk at the pair. Plus the warmth on one's skin will make one mourn returning to colder weather.

"Nice!" Julian says on a strained exhale, standing his ground as best he can. He's tall and toned, but his biceps aren't quite as strong as Carver's; nor his shoulder and back muscles, so the blade gets pushed away a moment later and Julian covers himself with his shield again as he contemplates his next move, as well as whatever his opponent's next move might be.
unshadowing: (4)

[personal profile] unshadowing 2018-01-08 12:22 am (UTC)(link)
Good luck with that one, Julian. Carver's as stubborn as a mule.

That worked better than he expected, but Julian's still on his feet, to his credit. Carver nods to him, watching as he goes on the defensive. He's got a sturdy shield, and it'll take a fair bit for Carver to get around it. Now, if they were using practice swords - or if this was a true fight - he'd swing for the legs. He won't use his sword against his legs, but...

Carver moves, going to seemingly swing his sword. However, at the last second, he pulls back and shoots out his leg, hoping to hook Julian's leg with his foot and knock him down.
insatiably: (015)

[personal profile] insatiably 2018-01-08 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
There was a time when Julian wouldn't have seen the move coming. His very noble upbringing included proper training for duels and a fair fight on the battlefield. But he's also sailed with an Antivan merchant vessel and learned quite a bit more, especially when it comes to the unexpected. Pirates who harass such vessels always have a trick they throw in to catch their enemy unawares, and Julian spots it now, almost too late to do anything about it. He makes a noise of protest as Carver's foot finds its target, and the only moves left to him are to spring back (which is impossible because of how he's distributed his weight), or spring forward with his shield. Naturally, he chooses the latter, hoping that he doesn't actually connect hard, since this is practice.

The shield is pushed forward to block any follow up blows as he takes a moment to find his footing again. A moment too late and he would have had to take a knee as the leg was swept. He's not sure how lucky he'll be next time, but it raises the spirits to know he at least called this one.