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allthisshitisweird2016-02-02 01:07 am
faderifting) wrote in allthisshitisweird2016-02-02 01:07 am
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TEST DRIVE MEME!
What if there is no tomorrow?
Only more 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 AND NOW ALSO ADDED KINDNESS TO ANIMALS (MOSTLY).
1. IF I GET SCARED, YOU'RE ALWAYS AROUND
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. THEY SAY WE'RE YOUNG AND WE DON'T KNOW
The Inquisition has, possibly, been a little too good at dealing with the Hinterlands' bear problem, and a group of concerned citizens--including young burgeoning naturalists, farmers concerned about the effect an unchecked population of rams may have on their crops come spring, and at least one woman who claims to be directly descended from bears--has taken issue. Maybe they're blocking your character's attempt to enter a bear-infested area. Maybe they've doused your character in bear blood. Maybe the bears they have been working so hard to save have cornered them in the wilderness and they're changing their tunes.
3. WITH YOU I CAN'T GO WRONG
The Inquisition's (cough Leliana's) habit of communicating by raven works out fine, usually, but this particular raven has gone a little rogue. It's not the raven's fault! She's young, she's trying. But she has very important information tied to her leg, and instead of delivering it, she's joined a flock of identical wild ravens to hunt for food in the snow. Recover her, somehow, without hurting her and making any spymistresses angry.
4. BEFORE IT'S EARNED, OUR MONEY'S ALL BEEN SPENT
The tavern at Redcliffe remains as busy as ever, filled with locals, travelers, and Inquisition members. But this month in addition to the usual free-flowing ale and rowdy conversation there is also a contest going on. Bakers have come from across the Hinterlands bearing their very best in an effort to win a coveted ribbon and the title of Best Cake. They pack the tavern and spill out into the surrounding courtyard when the weather allows, cakes sold off tables, out of packs, small chunks given away to whoever is passing and not paying enough attention to refuse. The votes are carefully guarded by several serious looking fellows in the back corner of the tavern. In addition to traffic issues, the cake madness has also caused an infestation of large local rodents, who have appeared out of their holes to devour the many crumbs. Legend has it that if they can be humanely eradicated from the tavern before the final vote is cast, spring will come early. No one in living memory has succeeded, but you are strongly encouraged to try anyway.
5. AIN'T NO HILL OR MOUNTAIN WE CAN'T CLIMB
Hunt game so you can rescue it before other hunters get there, kill demons or maybe just try to hug it out?, dig under the snow for herbs or plant some of your own to replace what others have taken, track bandits through the snow and see if they need a hand, deal with someone charging extortionist coat prices now that it's snowing and convince them to do the right thing, fall off a deceptively tall rock into the snow and admit it was your own fault, 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 so that you can give it a decent burial, climb trees or abandoned towers covered in snow and be careful not to knock them down, rummage around in empty homes to get out of the snow but leave a nice apology note, run from a dragon in the snow and promise not to trespass on its territory again, definitely don't kill any fennec foxes, set up camp and chat around the fire about your feelings because it's snowy and cold, give yourself a pat on the back (figuratively, or even literally if that's more your speed)-- the Hinterlands are your playground.
no subject
Aleron's riding by the area on a sturdy horse meant for long distances rather than sprints. He espies a barefoot Dalish first, and then the reason he's shouting. Being chased... by a bear. Maker, why? He has no intention to dismount and actually attempt to dispatch the bear by himself, but he's not about to leave the poor elf to become bear chow either. The horse might not be racing quality, but it can put enough distance between them and the bear.
Riding up to the elf's side, the Seeker reaches down a hand to help hoist Sorrel into the saddle behind him. "Come. We'll lose it."
no subject
So, he startled away from Aleron, looking up with wide, frightened eyes at the proffered hand, uncomprehending of the offer-- or perhaps, its sincerity. And then he ran. If the bear wanted a meal, it was going to have to choose one of them, and a horse had a lot more meat on it than an elf.
no subject
What in Andraste's name is that elf thinking? Surely he doesn't believe he can outrun a bear and a horse on foot. Especially bare feet. And while there is a mildly irate part of him that feels like he ought leave the lad to his fate if he's willfully choosing to spurn aid, that's a lack of action he cannot do. It would not be right to abandon him to the bear's hungry jaws.
Aleron kicks his horse lightly in the sides, urging it into a faster pace. No need to tire his mount until he's secured the bear's prey. Rather, he quickly passes Sorrel with an entirely bland expression, then wheels around into his path of flight.
"I will not leave you to perish to the bear. Don't be a fool."
And don't make him get off this horse to club the damned bear in the head and knock it unconscious. It'll only wake pissed off and out for blood. That does no one any good.
A pause as he considers a possibility. "You need not fear Valiente. He won't bite." Aleron wonders if the elf is afraid of horses.
no subject
Well, that's certainly something; this is definitely one of those kind of days. And here's the bear, come to investigate! What else can go wrong, Aleron?
no subject
Assessing the situation for what it is, Aleron reaches into his saddlebags and pulls out an apple to lob at the bear to get its attention. Yes the Dalish is treed, but if he can draw the bear away from a waiting snack, he can lure it a safe distance away then loop back. With any luck he'll startle up some wild rabbit or nugs to scatter into the creature's path as well.