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[faderifting]

New Year...

...Same Old Hinterlands

Maybe the Inquisition sent you, maybe you came seeking the Inquisition. Maybe you fell out of a rift into this world last week and are still just trying to find your feet. However it happened, the first days of the new year find you in the Hinterlands. Tucked between Ferelden's massive Lake Calenhad and the icy Frostback Mountains, the Hinterlands are a hilly region covered in patchy forests and small farms trying to eke out a living between the boulders. Though somewhat remote, the area is rich with game and minerals and home to Redcliffe, a bustling town on a busy trade route.

Lately the Hinterlands have also been full of mages and templars and rifts, all threatening to turn once-peaceful countryside into a dangerous warzone. The Inquisition has set up several camps and sent personnel to try to restore order to the region, unwilling to let it slip into chaos. There's a lot to be done, some of it straightforward killing bad things, some of it weird and nebulous morale-building.

STILL WITH ADDED SNOW.

1. SHOULD OLD ACQUAINTANCE BE FORGOT

You have turned the wrong corner in the snow, forded the wrong stream in the snow, crested the wrong hill in the snow, entered the wrong cave in the snow. Maybe you are far from camp, in the snow. Maybe you are in camp, which is also snowy. Whatever has happened, wherever you are: you are being chased through the snow by bears. Did you throw a snowball at the bears? Are they huge and snow-dusted? Babies burrowing through the snow drifts and coming for your ankles? Fade-touched in addition to snow-touched? Controlled by cold mages who are hiding in the snow? Popping up out of the snow like a game of whack-a-mole? What are they chasing you away from in all of this snow? What are they chasing you into, other than more snow? What warm things do you plan to make out of their hide if you kill them in the snow? What do you think they'll craft out of your hide if they kill you in the snow? P.S. It's still snowy.

2. WE TWO HAVE RUN ABOUT THE SLOPES

Farmers have been forced to abandon their homes after a series of vicious attacks by wolves. Packs of them are roaming the foothills and stalking paddocks and even roads seemingly without the usual wariness of humans. Inquisition agents and local volunteers guard travelers through the affected region, hunt the wolves through snowy woods, and track them back to their cavernous lair in the edge of a canyon. Only eliminating the demons that lurk there will free the wolves from their influence and allow the area to return to normal.

3. AND PICKED THE DAISIES FINE

Winter snows freeze and bury the ground, but the need for healing herbs is as great as ever. Stockpiles are thin after the chaos of the last year, and Corporal Vale is desperate enough to send people out to search caves and hollows and cliffsides and beneath overhangs for any plants still clinging to life. The weather is brutal, the search tedious, the footing often treacherous, but that last patch of Crystal Grace could be a key find. Getting it requires clambering up a slippery hillside and stretching up to a ledge and hoping whatever creature lives in that foxhole beside the plant isn't at home, but it's worth it, right?

4. WE TWO HAVE PADDLED IN THE STREAM

With many roads through the hills and ravines blocked by deep snow, some crazy, desperate few have begun traveling by river. The ice is thick and jagged along the shores but in the center the water rushes, just deep enough for a shallow draft boat lightly laden. Supplies are carried down from the passes toward Redcliffe this way, a white-knuckle process that you, for some reason, have become involved in. Maybe you were hired to help fend off the bandits that haunt the calm shallows and try to demand tolls for passage, maybe you're paying your way downstream by helping port both boat and cargo around the steep falls, the mist so thick and cold it coats whatever it touches in a thin sheen of ice. Maybe riding a glorified canoe through rocky rapids and narrow gorges just sounded like a good time. Don't rock the boat!

5. WE'LL TAKE A CUP OF KINDNESS YET

It is still snowing, and the tavern in Redcliffe is still the closest and warmest place to duck into to wait it out, and not only is it packed to the gills but it seems that the First Day celebrations have continued within long past the dawn of the second day. The Gull & Lantern is so packed with thawing visitors that it's hard to walk from one side to the other, the owner has given up on telling these Fereldans they can't bring their dogs inside, every few minutes the group in the corner breaks into a traditional First Day song that will be stuck in your head for weeks, and that lady in the corner is almost definitely someone you've tried to kill before, or vice versa. But there's a fire going, and the bartender seems to think that giving everyone half-price drinks might prevent a brawl instead of causing one, and there aren't any demons indoors, so it could be a lot worse.

6. WILDCARD

Hunt game in the snow, kill demons in the snow, dig under the snow for herbs, track bandits through the snow, deal with someone charging extortionist coat prices now that it's snowing, fall off a deceptively tall rock into the snow, get lost circling the same hill ten times trying to find a way up to the weird glowing skull on a stick you can see is up there in the snow, climb trees or abandoned towers covered in snow, rummage around in empty homes to get out of the snow, run from a dragon in the snow, cry over how cute that fennec fox you just shot in the snow was, set up camp and chat around the fire because it's snowy and cold, knock yourself out (figuratively, or even literally if that's more your speed)-- the Hinterlands are your Frostback Mountain oyster, topped with snow.

Comments

[fightingdirty]

Lena smirks at Korrin's description. "Just can't stay back in a fight, can you?" she asks, eyes flickering to the hilt before she lets out a whistle through her teeth. "Blade of magic, you say? So now you're concentrating all that crazy lightning and shit you can do into a blade?" She nods decisively. "Good for you." It's obvious that Lena likes blades, especially dagger blades. But a sword blade of magic? Korrin's magic? That will be a sight.

"In a bit, yeah. I need to see what it looks like." So she can imagine Korrin's enemies shitting their pants when they see it.

"All right, I've heard about the politics and the combat, so now tell me about this someone you've met." The word 'someone' comes out with plenty of emphasis, a smile coming to her face.

[gatheringstorm]

Placing the hilt back where it as, Korrin grins. "I thought you'd approve. And you know me, if I don't do this, I'll end up on the front lines anyway, only with more scars. Not that I mind those, but I'll take the chance to be a little less of a 'squishy mage'."

That emphasis and smile from Lena cause Korrin to avert her gaze, for once actually self-conscious. And she's had plenty of people in her bed before, but this reaction was never associated with any of them. "...you've heard about people entering Thedas from the rifts, haven't you? It's hardly new information, at this point. They're not demons; believe me, I'd know the difference. Anyway, I rescued one of the first to emerge, a woman who you'd think was pure Antivan but knew nothing of Thedas or magic or our kind."

[fightingdirty]

Now Lena needs a minute to process all that. She doesn't give much of what she's thinking away in her expression, eyes simply darting across Korrin's face. She has heard about the rifts spitting out people -- so far only in Ferelden -- but the thing about them being not of this world is something she took to be nonsense. This is the only world there is, isn't it? These people just have amnesia or something right?

"Does she have a story to tell, about her world? I mean, other worlds existing? That's too damn heavy for my mind to hold." Lena shakes her head and takes a drink. It's unsettling to know there's more out there. Knowing there are some sort of civilizations north of Seheron and Par Vollen is creepy enough.

[gatheringstorm]

Anxiously looking for signs of Lena's opinion, Korrin's a little frustrated that such doesn't show in her expression. But not calling her crazy right off is probably a decent sign, so she'll take it. She'll also take another drink, a long appreciative swig.

"Oh, she has many, many stories. It sounds like a combination of Antiva and Orlais, at least her country. Mostly Antiva, though. Trust me, it's not less weird for me and I was there when it happened. She has one of those rift-shards, like all rifters do; a small piece of what the Herald had. I...try not to think about what it did to the Herald in the end. Unlike Trevelyan's, these rift shards have never been unstable, but I can't trust they'll stay that way."

And it goes without saying that she's terrified about what it could mean for her someone.

[fightingdirty]

"Huh." Which is probably an answer that will frustrate Korrin more, but Lena isn't so sure this is a good idea. A person from a different world, who has a shard in her hand like the Herald did? Doesn't really sound like a happy ending is going to result from this. But Lena's never been one to start preaching, or even to try and protect Korrin's feelings, because you live and you learn. You have to make the mistakes yourself instead of have someone prevent you from making them. There's no guarantee that this is a mistake, but from Korrin's voice, this doesn't sound like just an ordinary fling either.

"Well, you know what you're doing," she states. "Sounds like you've thought it all out already." No need to kill the good mood they have going here by speculating on what will happen if the shards become unstable. "She got it in her hand like the Herald did? Don't let her do anything freaky with it on you, just in case." Hey, she can throw out some sage advice from time to time, like Korrin not letting a green glowing thing connected to the Fade near her lady bits.

[gatheringstorm]

That first non-answer is frustrating, yes, but at the same time Korrin's just as glad not to get a lecture. One of the reasons she likes Lena is that she knows that won't happen. It probably wouldn't work, anyway; as stubborn as Korrin is, any lecture would just make her contrary and all the more determined to head down her chosen path. As it is, she's not sure what ending will come of this, but that won't stop her from enjoying the present.

In the middle of taking a sip, Korrin chokes at that last part. "No, I don't need a glowing green hand-vagina near...any of that. Thanks for the image, though, I appreciate it." She leans over and shoves her friend, not hard but not gentle either. Lena can take it.

[fightingdirty]

Lena lets out a loud cackle in reply to Korrin choking on her drink, earning them a few stares. She sways a little in her seat, pretending to be pushed more than she actually is.

"So what's this rift person's name? Otherwise I'll have to call her Greenie."

[gatheringstorm]

"Ass." Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Korrin rolls her eyes at the offered nickname, shaking her head. "How original. Her name is Araceli Bonaventura. Even sounds Antivan, doesn't it? I have weakness for dashing rogues and she's definitely that. Back in Skyhold, she's giving people parkour lessons. I'm not keen on trying, but I'll stay to enjoy the view."

[fightingdirty]

"Dashing rogues? And what am I: chopped nug meat?" Lena hams it up, looking so surprised and insulted by this revelation, as if she's ever wanted Korrin to have a crush on her. "She sounds fun. If I was there, I'd show the tall folk how to be stealthy. Kinda specialize in that." A seven-ish foot tall woman with horns that can sneak up on wolves and deer? Yeah, it's a talent.

"Araceli." She rolls the name around in her mouth, never hearing its like before, but agreeing it sounds Antivan. Now she smirks. "Araceli and Korrin. Korrin and Araceli. Well aren't you two just the cutest sounding pair? Warn me if you're getting hitched. I need to find a good wedding gift."

[gatheringstorm]

In no mood to respond maturely, Korrin just sticks out her tongue at Lena. So, there. "You can get an enchanted ice sculpture with titsicles. Araceli can't stop laughing about those ever since I told her about that Orlesian noble trend from a few years ago. Idiots, but at least they're the gift that keeps on giving in terms of insane stories to tell.

And that lesson of yours would have at least one pupil. I've befriended a young Vashoth scout who's all eager to prove himself. He's still small and slender, perfect for stealth-training."

[fightingdirty]

"Titsicles, huh? That should be my nickname for her!" Greenie was just a lazy nickname by comparison.

"Yeah? Here I thought you'd be the only one of our race there. At least you can look at someone else straight on once he sprouts up, or are there others?"

[gatheringstorm]

"Andraste's ass, you would do that." Korrin facepalms but also snickers. It's not as though she's any more mature, finding random moments to whisper 'titsicles' into Araceli's ear and make her cry with laughter.

"Oh, there's a few more, but they're all guys. You need to come with me and balance out all that. There's Taashath, a Tal-Vashoth warrior. He's deaf but can lip-read, and I'm gradually getting to realize that some mages can be trusted. Gorse...well, he had to go home, but I'm sure he'll be back. He's not a combatant at all, and seems to have grown up on this Tal-Vashoth farming commune in the middle of nowhere. Nicest guy ever, but his life just sounds so weird to me. And there's The Iron Bull. His cover is that of a Tal-Vashoth mercenary captain, but it turns out he's a Ben-Hassrath agent. The Qunari are worried about the rifts, so he's allowed to work with the Inquisition for now. I'm not thrilled with it at all, but there's the small hope that he'll end up going rogue."

[fightingdirty]

Lena settles back in her seat, listening to Korrin's descriptions. The Tal-Vashoth catches her interest, because anyone with the guts to get out of the Qun has her respect. And the farming commune... sounds way more peaceful than the community where her parents were raised. Then again, Lena's life near the farming community was pretty boring, so she can't recommend it. And the Iron Bull? That has her leaning back in, fingers gripping the edge of the table.

"You be careful, all right? He may be fine with people knowing he's Ben-Hassrath, but that doesn't mean he won't try some shit. Don't let him hand you anything. Could be poisoned with qamek." And if Korrin loses her mind, Lena will lose hers and rip that Qunari bastard limb from limb.

[gatheringstorm]

Korrin nods solemnly, thinking along the same lines and glad that someone else is seeing him for the threat he ultimately is. Even if the Qunari is behaving himself for now, she's been told never to trust a Ben-Hassrath and will hold that close to her heart. The life of a saarebas will never be hers.

"Oh, I won't. Fortunately, I haven't had much need to talk or even go near him, though his lieutenant is another story. He's a human from Tevinter, and he's become one of my good friends...but there's that tension now, thanks to Iron Bull. I don't think Krem really sees the true threat, to us or himself. I'm worried about what will happen when he gets caught in the middle."

[fightingdirty]

Her grip on the table loosens, but she stays hunched forward, a frown on her face.

"Must be pretty good pay to follow him and not worry about getting converted. But this Iron Bull will try it eventually, unless he might come around and become Tal-Vashoth, as you say." Usually there's a tipping point. An event occurs and a person can't deal with it. They can't submit to the re-educators anymore. And Lena can't see how being here in the South is going to give this guy a tipping point.

"Anyway, you know to look out for yourself." She raises her drink. "I won't worry too much." Yeah, right. She will, but she's not going to say that.