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allthisshitisweird2015-09-30 09:21 pm
faderifting) wrote in allthisshitisweird2015-09-30 09:21 pm
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme!
You'll Never Leave the Hinterlands Alive*
Welcome to Fade Rift's very first Test Drive Meme! Use one of the prompts below or make up your own, and tag around! Have fun, try out the setting, generate samples for your app, coerce your friends into joining you.
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, early fall finds 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.
1. In the Deep Dark Hills of Western Ferelden
You have turned the wrong corner, forded the wrong stream, crested the wrong hill, entered the wrong cave. Maybe you are far from camp. Maybe you are in camp. Whatever has happened, wherever you are: you are being chased by bears. Did you provoke the bears? Are they huge? Babies? Fade-touched? Mage-controlled? What are they chasing you away from? What are they chasing you into? What do you plan to make out of their hide if you kill them? What do you think they'll craft out of your hide if they kill you?
2. There I Read on a Hillside Gravestone
The rebel mages and renegade templars have ravaged the Hinterlands, skirmishes breaking out all over. It looks like you've just missed one-- great spikes of ice melt slowly in the cool autumn sunlight and patches of grass and trees have been scorched away. Three bodies are scattered about, two templars and one mage judging by their clothing. You could bury them. Or search their pockets. Or track their friends. Or all of the above, if you're feeling industrious.
3. Won't You Walk With Me Out the Mouth of this Holler
Whatever task you were actually sent out here to do, you are going to be late. One-Eyed Jimmy asked so nicely for your help finding his prize ram, Lord Woolsley. It's been in the family for years, so smart for a ram, it's a good luck charm, their business has boomed with it around, and it's lived for so long, he just can't abide thinking of it getting eaten by some mangy apostate. And then he went and offered you money, too. How could you say no? Maybe you're still wandering, asking everyone you pass if they've seen a ram that looks like it's wearing an orangey-red sweater. Maybe you've found it and are chasing it around a lake or trying to lead it back to the village for your reward. Maybe you've gotten fed up and gotten out your sword to bring Jimmy a new sweater instead and discovered that lucky Lord Woolsley is a demon in sheep's clothing. Surprise!
4. Fill Your Cup With Whatever Bitter Brew You're Drinking
Just because the region's had a rough time lately doesn't mean the tavern at Redcliffe is any less crowded than usual. Bella behind the bar dishes out tankards to refugees and soldiers, scared villagers and angry farmers, merchants traveling through from Orzammar and Orlais and families fleeing the rifts in the foothills. It's packed, basically. The Inquisition has only recently extended its influence into the region, and while some have already seen the benefit-- demons killed, fighting broken up-- others are skeptical.
5. Spend Your Life Just Thinkin' of How to Get Away
Choose Your Own Adventure: hunt game, kill demons, gather herbs, track bandits, haggle over the price of armor, fall off a deceptively tall rock, 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, climb trees or abandoned towers, rummage around in empty homes, run from a dragon, cry over how cute that fennec fox you just shot was, set up camp and chat around the fire, knock yourself out (figuratively, or even literally if that's more your speed)-- the Hinterlands are yourFrostback Mountainoyster.
*Yeah, I had this stuck in my head. It's a good song!!
no subject
Someone's comfortable....
[She looks back up after a moment, nodding in approval.]
Very lucky. If it had ended differently, I'd hate to think what would have happened to Redcliffe. As it is, thanks to that magister bastard, mages who had nothing to do with that will still have a worse time here. Some of the looks I've gotten for carrying a staff....
[It's a good time to be tall and intimidating, that's for sure, much as she hates to play into stereotypes.]
If you want more of that tea, I'll buy a round since I want another drink anyway.
no subject
[He looks amused, watching the dog's shameless stretch between them before he listens to Korrin again. He couldn't quite get over the fact how fascinating it was to be speaking to a qunari, but Alim was finding he liked the person, too.
A thoughtful look passes over his features, and he's suddenly very grateful that he was late and missed the madness. He wasn't a hero as much as the one that cleaned up after heroes.]
There's always something that makes it dangerous to be you.
[It sounds a bit bitter, so he smiles instead and nods at her nice offer.]
...more tea would be great.
no subject
More of the same for us both.
[She raises her voice slightly at that, nodding to the bartender and grateful that he's not busy at the moment.]
You're not wrong on that, and I guess you'd know better than most. [What with being an elf as well as a mage. She's seen well enough how they're treated.] It's made life in the South a challenge, no denying that, but I don't regret it. The Inquisition has been good to me. Do you think you'll stick around, then?
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[He was still low on coin, after all. Most of it went towards herbs and flasks for potions, and the elf was saving for a better robe.
When their drinks were refilled, he takes a sip with a content sigh.]
If I may ask, what made your mercenary band decide to join the Inquisition?
[There seemed to be as many reasons as there were people joining up, after all. he wanted to help, and joining... might help him as well. Alim didn't want to be alone any more.]
no subject
Some of us were hired as security for the Conclave. I wasn't there -obviously- but I was nearby just in case they needed backup. [She sighs, taking another sip. Like just about anyone else, it's not a day looks back on with fondness.] ...and you know how it went, I assume. Only one person survived that explosion, and it wasn't a mercenary. I hated the thought of leaving when what lead to their deaths is still unresolved, so I stayed put.
no subject
[Losing friends, all the deaths at the conclave. It's a terrifying loss even to an apostate with no friends but an old mabari and, perhaps, the villagers he tried to heal and care for.]
There will be justice for it. I know it.
no subject
[Korrin manages a thin smile before taking another sip.]
At first, I thought if I'd just been there, I might have been able to make a difference. But it's more likely I'd have been killed with the rest of them, isn't it? At least I'm still around to see this through.
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[He smiles slightly, sipping his tea.]
It will make a difference, that way.
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[She leans back, with a comfortable sigh.]
Battle magic is really all I know how to do, but there seems to be no lack of a need for it. Putting more of those Venatori and Red Templars in the ground won't change what happened...but the less damage they can do around here, the better.
no subject
I agree. Those... things are corrupting everything, and we really don't want any kind of Tevinter bullshit involved in it, either. I have a deep respect for the people here, that are ready to fight.
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If you hear of or see any of them, let me know. I'd love to cut down on their numbers, especially if they're anywhere close to town. Inquisition soldiers are a help, but you never know what might break through to the refugees.
I don't envy anyone from that land who's actually here to help. At this point, that has to be an uphill battle on par with ours. More, if they're mages as well.
no subject
[Not that he was a coward or anything. He just knew his strengths and that he'd be completely useless in a fight with Venatori.]
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Fair enough, I can do that.
...speaking of places to run from, I would recommend against going to the northeasternmost area of the Hinterlands. I know I saw a dragon roaming around there and I wouldn't want anyone to get fried because they were in the wrong place.
[As fearless/reckless as she can be, Korrin's not dumb enough to confront that thing on her own, either. Maybe with help. A lot of help.]
no subject
[His face goes from excited to pale in one and he accidentally moves his foot, stirring the mabari from her sleep. She gives Alim a look and then huffs, rolling over to the other side.]
How big was it? Oh, Maker, did it have wings?
[Could it be a High Dragon?]
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Yes, it did and it was...big. Too big to be anything but a High Dragon, without a doubt. I only saw it from a distance, or I probably wouldn't be talking to you now. Let's just say Fade Step saw a lot of use.
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[He rubs a hand over his face, words failing him.]
...a real High Dragon, so close.
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[But it wouldn't take long for the dragon to reach Redcliffe Village, if it felt hungry enough to make the trip.]
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[Healer mode activated, awed dumbstruck elf deactivated.]
Is it still possible to find crystal grace in these parts?
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[When she knows him better, Korrin will more likely than not insist on going whether he likes it or not. As it is, she'll at least phrase it as a (strong) suggestion. They can't afford to lose even one healer.]
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[He was more worried about crazy templars and mages than normal people, to be honest. And dragons, obviously.]
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A valiant soul, I have no doubt. Still, if those bears are truly mad or fade-touched, it might not be enough. And it's a bad area to fall into trouble. I don't think the Inquisition has as much of a presence there yet.