Test Drive!

[faderifting]

TEST DRIVE MEME

While in some alternate, tidier timeline, the War against the Elder One ended years ago, you're not in that timeline. It's 9:49, and the war continues. An enemy force partially occupies Orlais and has decimated several Marcher Cities, while the Chantry, aided by the Inquisition, has marshaled Orlais and the faithful of Southern Thedas into a new Exalted March against the army of demon-bound Wardens, Red Templars, Venatori loyalists, and darkspawn Corypheus has amassed. Rifts are still scattered across the continent, periodically spitting out strangers from strange worlds with green-glowing anchors embedded in their hands. There's no Herald of Andraste to save Thedas. Someone else is going to have to do it.

You're part of (or allied with, recently hired by, imprisoned by, etc.) an organization, dubbed Riftwatch, that split off from the Inquisition several years ago. Riftwatch consists of these otherworldly new arrivals, rebels and Wardens, and other people who want to prevent the apocalypse without necessarily marching under the Chantry's banner to do it. Their headquarters is an island fortress called the Gallows—formerly a Circle of Magi, more formerly a prison for slaves, but its new occupants have done a good job removing the more grotesque reminders of that past and making the place livable. Their goal is to do what the Chantry can't or won't do, to go more directly after Corypheus and the dark magic he employs, and to keep the Veil from coming apart entirely.

Maybe you're here because you want to help. Maybe you need the money (though there isn't much of it). Maybe you acquired an anchor and sticking around is the only way to prevent your hand from killing you. Maybe you've been sent by the Chantry or some other entity to keep an eye on everyone—they're rumored to be a lot of weirdos and troublemakers. Or maybe you're a new rifter and just going where the nice people with swords tell you that you need to go.

NOTE: This is a static test drive! We post them once per year or so and continue to use them for a long time, so you're never late. Current players are encouraged to track new top-level comments.

I. THE FREE MARCHES: Hasmal, Tantervale, and most recently Starkhaven have all fallen to the Tevinter incursion, leaving Kirkwall the largest city-state in the Free Marches to remain unoccupied. For Riftwatch, that means the war is closer to home than ever, and traveling anywhere north of the mountains runs the risk of running into enemy scouting parties. Perhaps you've been sent out to find these scouts before they find the unwary, or perhaps you're just trying to pass through unnoticed to Antiva or Rivain when you run into trouble. Or maybe you're more in the thick of it: joining the Free Marches armies in harassing the occupying army as best they can from outside the city, or slipping your way into one of them to gather intelligence or meet with an ally.

II. THE WAKING SEA: When Riftwatch isn't traveling by griffon or magic mirror, it frequently travels by sea, courtesy of a small assortment of allied pirate ships. So welcome aboard. The sea is choppy and frequently violent—violent storms, violent enemy ships, or both at once—and the crew may not have much patience for incompetence, so either make yourself useful above or try not to get sick below.

III. KIRKWALL: Even when enormous evil darkspawn are trying to take over the known world and you and your colleagues might be the only ones who can truly stop him, you can't work all the time. And when you aren't working, Kirkwall is there for you with its dingy Lowtown taverns, its flashy Hightown establishments, its market stalls and street musicians and cellars hosting gamblers. (Or maybe you can work all the time, and you're in the city to do some official shopping, try to spy on a suspicious character, or show a potential financial backer a good time.)

IV. SEND A MESSAGE: Each member of Riftwatch is assigned a blue crystal, small enough to wear around the neck, that can transmit voice messages, as well as an enchanted book tied to that crystal that can be used to exchange written messages. They're secure enough to discuss the war, if you'd like to get down to business, but loosely controlled enough to ask a question or play a game with only a few rolled eyes from people who hate fun.

V. WILDCARD: From the Gallows' library to the pirate islands off the coast, from Hightown's high-priced market stalls to the bloody frontlines of the war, Thedas is yours to explore.

Comments

[laruetheday]

[ It all happens almost too fast to register. One second Clarisse is upright, and the next she's on her back in the dirt with the wind knocked out of her and the other woman pinning her down.

So Clarisse isn't the only one who's fast, then. Fuck.

Still trying to catch her breath, she flexes her knife arm, testing Karlach's grip. She doesn't try to break out of the hold yet, though. She doesn't have a lot of patience, but she's not stupid. She'll get her energy back and wait for an opening.

She can feel the heat coming off the woman through her armor. If she wanted to, she could probably kill Clarisse just by bear hugging her. It's a disconcerting thought. She doesn't seem to be trying to hurt her, though. She keeps trying to talk to her.

Easy, soldier. It's clearly meant to calm her, but aside from a glint of recognition in Clarisse's eyes she doesn't give in for a second. That's how people get dead. ]

Get up and face me like a man, [ she bites out through gritted teeth. ]

[axetrovert]

Do I look like-

[You know what, don't answer that. Karlach bears down on Clarisse's arm when she tests her strength, showing her. If Karlach wanted her dead, she would be.]

Listen. I'm not what you think. I'm not a Venatori.

[Karlach's expression breaks, pained laughter bursting out of her, because really. Of all the things they could've said.]

I was a magister's slave. I ran the first chance I fucking got.

[laruetheday]

[ Hm, well, the only reason she has to believe that is that she isn't dead yet, but Clarisse still isn't convinced. She looks up at Karlach, sizing her up. She's very strong, sure, she can feel it just from the way Karlach presses her arm down when she flexes. But Clarisse isn't counting herself out yet. ]

Then somebody is going to an awful lot of trouble to get their slave back, [ she says finally, skeptical.

It's not like she hasn't personally met people (well, immortals mostly) self-important enough to do all this just because they feel slighted, but it's still a lot of effort. There are like three different factions all gunning for this woman. ]

[axetrovert]

[Karlach laughs again, a deep bark of rough anger, though she doesn't pull back. With the hand that isn't holding down Clarisse's knife arm, she reaches up to bang on her chest with a fist. Though there's no ring of anything metallic, her chest glows brighter. Hotter. It sounds sharp. The flare of it backlights her ribs, shines in her eyes to give them an unnatural glow.]

Lyrium device for a heart. Courtesy of Zariel.

She can't stand the thought of anything squirming out from under her thumb, but this is what she wants. Her little experiment.

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse swallows, her gaze moving from the woman's oddly lit up chest and then back to her face.

This is quickly turning into a situation she's not sure she wants to be a part of. Though she's loathe to walk away from a fight like this, it does seem likely that Karlach is being honest with her. And she's not going to murder a runaway slave with a fucked up lyrium device for a heart when it turns out they haven't actually done anything wrong. ]

Walk away, then. I'll give you a five minute head start. Pretend I never saw you.

[axetrovert]

[If Clarisse had any doubt about Karlach's honesty, the grateful relief that lights up her face and eyes should remove all doubt. It's the look of someone who hadn't expected to be believed, but truly needed someone, anyone, to see that she was telling the truth.]

Thank you. Knew you were a good egg.

[She unlatches her grip from Clarisse's forearm, backing off to stand. Makes a motion with her hand, thinks better of it.]

I'd offer to help you up, but I don't want to melt your fingers together. Before I go- where in Kirkwall can I find Riftwatch?

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse is getting back to her feet, sliding her knife back into her belt and brushing dirt and grass off her butt, when Karlach asks that question. She freezes in place, trying to think of what to say.

She's never been a good liar. She tries, but... man, it's impossible for her to turn off the part of her that gives herself away. If a facial expression could scream 'I know exactly where Riftwatch is because I am a Riftwatch', hers is screaming it. ]

... Why do you need to know that?

[axetrovert]

'Cause they're a real significant hair up the Venatori's collective arse, and I'd love to give it a good yank.

So I'm joining. Assuming they'll have me. And-

[Also.

Karlach reaches up and gestures at the glow in her chest.]

Heard you've got some real smart folks over there. Maybe they can find their way to doing something about this.

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse sounds a little doubtful when she says, ] Maybe.

[ Then again, Research is looking into all sorts of things that she doesn't understand and doesn't really want to. So maybe this woman is right and she can get her... problem dealt with back at the Gallows. ]

But it's not like they won't let you join up, if that's what you really want. [ She scratches at her temple and admits, ] We can use all the help we can get, to be honest. As long as you're not going to get us ambushed or something.

[ Again. ]

[axetrovert]

[Despite Clarisse's answer, Karlach looks heartened by the reply. It's a way forward, and a path means she won't be forced to claw one out herself.]

Fair. There is at least one bounty on my head. Zariel's doing, no doubt.

[A slight hesitation, and Karlach rests on her back foot, narrowing one eye at Clarisse and tipping her head.]

Assuming of course that. That's why you attacked me. Because sometimes it's just the horns.

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse looks offended by the implication that she might be, like, racist against people with horns. Excuse you, her godson has them too. And they make him ten times cuter, for the record. ]

You have a bounty on you because you're a murderer. That's what we were told.

[ She heaves a heavy sigh, because this was going to be a very cut and dry mission and now it's weirdly complicated. It's fine. It'll... probably be fine. ]

We'll just bring you back and you can explain yourself to the bosses.

[axetrovert]

[Karlach's heartened by the reaction. Anger instead of squirmy guilt is a good enough answer for her any day. Unfortunately, the average Marcher isn't as open minded as Clarisse is. And they'll see more of it when they get to Kirkwall.]

Well -- splitting hairs, that.

[But as they start, Karlach's face softens down to something heartfelt.]

Thank you. I won't forget this, you know.

[laruetheday]

[ Noooo don't acknowledge that she's being a good person!!! So uncomfortable. ]

It's nothing.

[ For a second Clarisse starts to extend a hand, but then she remembers the imminent third degree burns and awkwardly drops it back to her side. ] Clarisse La Rue. Forces.

[axetrovert]

[Ohhhh, the prickly type. Karlach follows that awkward attempt with a real grin.]

Karlach Cliffgate. And assuming all goes well, also Forces.

Think you could introduce me? Get the feeling that if I pop in alone, I could catch an arrow or two before I have the breath to explain myself.

[laruetheday]

Um, yeah, I think that's for the best. We all studied a woodcutting with your face on it. It was pretty accurate.

[ And it's not like Karlach is easily mistaken for just anyone on the street.

Hold on, before they get going, Clarisse has to collect her spear from wherever Karlach threw it off the trail. Once she grabs it, they can leave. ]

[axetrovert]

[Karlach laughs again, loud and cathartic, and it sounds like a way to release pressure more than anything.]

If Zariel's gone to that much trouble, she's working herself up to a fit. Mummy Dearest never did like losing.

[Though Karlach eyes the spear appreciatively, a respectful nod. Her palm and shoulder are still smarting.]

Sheer beauty, right there. Does she have a name?

[laruetheday]

Maimer.

[ Clarisse gives it a little spin as she makes her way back to Karlach and slides the spear into place against her back. She'd normally take any opportunity to talk about her weapon of choice, but, uh. ]

Zariel is your mom? [ That's confusing. ]

[axetrovert]

Lovely.

[Karlach would also much rather talk about Clarisse's weapon, but uh-]

Eurgh, Maker, no. It's just the way she acts, as though we should be grateful for her care.

[Karlach practically spits out the last word. Her eyes glow, the lyrium flames whispering along her skin. Even at several paces back, she's hot as a bonfire.]

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse feels that heat pressing up against her. It's like standing near an open flame, uncomfortable bordering on painful, and she's not even that close.

She wonders if it hurts, to have flames erupt from inside you. Figures the answer is probably yes. Then again, when her father had blessed her, she'd had flames and they hadn't exactly hurt. Not that she remembers, anyway. ]

Right. Got it. [ It's clearly a sore subject, so she isn't going to keep digging. ]

You can pretty much do whatever you want in Riftwatch, when you're not on duty. Go into the city or the mountains, if you feel like it. I do sometimes. [ This is so awkward. She feels so awkward. This is exactly the reason she used to shove kids' heads into toilets instead of give them the camp tour. ]

[axetrovert]

[Though Karlach's tone was harsh, it was for the subject, not for Clarisse herself. As soon as the conversation turns away from Zariel the rigidity disappears from her shoulders. She gives herself a small shake, a good sigh as she settles, putting away her anger like she would any other weapon. She and it are good old chums.

Right in time to listen to some truly dream-level shit. Karlach remembers freedom, but it's been a long time. Her entire adult life, actually.]

Really? Not so much as a by-your-leave?

[She laughs, full-chested and unable to suppress a shuffle of excitement.]

Can't wait to run fucking wild. But- [She holds a hand up, like she's physically marking a space between the two-] After I meet the new boss.

Please tell me he's not a dickhead. If he is I could deal with it, but hope springs eternal.

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse hides a tiny smile. She gets it. Not in the same way, of course, but she remembers how wild it felt when her quarantine ended and she realized that she could leave the Gallows without getting permission first. The freedom was exhilarating, and it still hasn't lost its shine a year later. ]

He's not a dickhead. Just don't expect him to act like he's your friend.

[axetrovert]

Hell of an improvement, that.

[Karlach can't seem to get the wide grin off of her face. It's taking all she has not to take the mountain pass at a full tilt run, now that they're so close.]

And the mages? Brilliant? Mad?

[laruetheday]

[ Look, Clarisse knows enough about the state of things in Thedas to know that the mage issue is... complicated. She also knows enough to know that she doesn't really know much. Not enough to speak on it. ]

They mostly seem like regular people to me. [ Which is the truth.

But also, look at her. She's an idiot from another world who has no clue what's going on half the time. ]

[axetrovert]

Good. Good.

[Karlach's riding high on the anticipation, on the excitement, and she turns that beaming grin back on Clarisse.]

And you, soldier? How'd you come to join up with Riftwatch?

[laruetheday]

[ Clarisse doesn't grin back at her. They're not there yet. But she does seem less like she has a stick up her ass now that the two of them aren't fighting to the death anymore, so... promising sign? ]

Oh, I... [ She holds up a hand to show Karlach the anchor shard in her palm. ] Got sucked through a hole in the sky and ended up here. Little over a year ago now. Riftwatch grabbed me right when it happened. [ She's going to leave it there, then figures they've got a little while more to walk, so she continues: ]

It's not like they forced me to join, but I didn't have a lot of other options. I don't regret it now, though.