Test Drive Meme!

[faderifting]

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 your Frostback Mountain oyster.

*Yeah, I had this stuck in my head. It's a good song!!

Comments

Alphinaud Leveilleur | Final Fantasy XIV - 1.

[leveilleur]

[Bears. Alphinaud never been fond of bears.

Such creatures are rare to Eorzea considering all of the other manner of beasts that exist. The boy had never seen such grizzly creatures up close and never wanted too. He, of course, knew what a bear looked like but the beasts that prowl the Hinterlands quite different from your average bear. They looked somewhat demonic in design, almost as if tainted by something foul. Knowing nothing of this realm besides it's name, Alphinaud traveled over the sprawling hillside only for his journey for supplies to be halted by a pack of vicious carnivores.

Alphinaud had strayed from the makeshift camp in hopes of finding safer pastures elsewhere. The camp where he had called "home" for the last few days is in desperate need for supplies. According to the kind men and women who found him, they claimed they happened upon the boy at the entrance of some gruesome cave. He was unconscious at the time his rescuers found him and thankfully they came when they did. Without any idea as of how he came to be in this world and sporting a few injuries, Alphinaud found himself forced to accept the help of Samaritans.

He owes the people at the camp his aid for their efforts and vouched to fetch supplies for them. However, he didn't quite heed their stern warnings about the queer wildlife of this region. No, the boy simply volunteered himself without a second thought.

A fool's mistake.]

Goodness, they're enormous.

[antivanleather]

So they do tend to be. I would duck, if I were you.

[ An arrow to the eye is a fine way to slow a bear. An envenomed arrow to the eye? May down it entirely- provided he does not strike this boy along the way.

It'd be a waste of a perfectly good arrow- also the boy may die. Tragic. ]

[leveilleur]

[Duck? Thankfully it doesn't take the boy long to process that.

Alphinaud figured he would be met with danger sooner than later but this is utterly ridiculous. As soon as the boy dives to the ground a well timed arrow narrowly misses him. The youth might not as nimble as the Warrior of Light but he's no stranger to danger.

If anything, he's well versed in it.]

A-ah! Any closer and I would've lost an eye.

[antivanleather]

Normally one flees when faced with bears. [ Light, even conversational as he knocks another arrow and takes aim, letting it fly. At this distance? The arrow strikes true, downing a second bear. ] Or finds a tree in which to take shelter. One does not normally wander about the woods on their own, either.

[ Nevermind that he's doing much the same- it doesn't count. He is an assassin. It is expected of him. ]

[leveilleur]

Is that so? [The boy asks as he flees for cover behind a rather convinent log.] Then do you care to explain your presence here?

[Perhaps that came out a tad ungrateful but Alphinaud is actually curious as of why this ranger is roaming around here alone.]

I shall be more than happy to explain myself if we get out if this alive!

[antivanleather]

I am a hunter. I hunt bears. They do not hunt me. [ Another arrow knocked, drawn, released- one after another, each burying themselves in an eye. Blades are his first love, true, but some distance is more than respectable when bears are involved. ] The question is, little one, what are you doing out here?

[leveilleur]

You hunt these beasts?

[Alphinaud would've gave the hunter a look of disbelief hadn't the man opted to save his skin just now. The young prodigy is no hunter, not at all. While he knows a few spells here and there, Alphinaud isn't a fighter.]

The camp I left is in dire need of supplies. There's more wounded than healthy amongst them, therefore I volunteered my--

[Just as the boy attempts to explain himself one of the bears tries to swipe at him. Nimble like a hare, Alphinaud manages to get away in time.]

I shall explain later!

[antivanleather]

Among other things. [ The lot of them blinded would make the remainder a simpler task. Though it does make their attacks a bit wild- a bit more vicious. The boy slips back quick as anything, nimble as any Crow and Zevran finds his curiosity piqued enough to offer instruction while he takes out his blades to finish the fight. ]

First the eyes, then the throat. With how they bellow cutting it should not be so difficult. Keeps the kill quick and clean. [ Prevents undue suffering- which was a nice side effect. Zevran dodges a swipe all his own, the sharp edge of his blade grating against bone as he opens the throat of a bear over the hard packed ground. ]

[leveilleur]

[The boy glances briefly at the hunter once he speaks again. Start with the eyes, hm? Alphinaud decides to do just that.]

Cast them within a veil of darkness and no less. [The youth mumbles ad he takes out his tome. The brief incantation causes a black smog to engulf the raging bear. It's a basic Blind Spell that lasts for about sixty seconds. Typically this would be ample enough time for Alphinaud's allies kill it but he's without allies here.]

I might be without blades but poison works well.

[On cue, that black smog suddenly shifts into a sickly green mist that cloaks the bear with sickness.]

[antivanleather]

Were I a mage I would do so-

[ Another step, another cut, quick and clean and merciful- as smoke envelops the last of the bears. It is unlike any magic Zevran has seen and with Magic? New is not necessarily a good thing. He gives the mass wide berth, frowning at it and the boy in turn. ]

...What manner of spell is that?

[leveilleur]

[The bear seems to unable to move for a time as the sickening green mist swirls around it. A slight smirk settles on Alphinaud's lips once the bear roars in agony. He had hoped to avoid using any sort of magic here thanks to the stern warnings he received at the camp. However, his hand was forced.]

Bio. [He answers quickly as he shuts his book closed.] It's a powerful spell that creates a troublesome smog of various plagues that rots any foe from the inside out. Quite a nasty end if you ask me.

[antivanleather]

Huh. That is a new one.

[ A miasma in such tight quarters is smaller than what he is used to seeing- but it does seem to be sticking to the bear and the bear alone. Fascinating. ]

Precise and devious. I like it.

[leveilleur]

[A faint smile touches the youth's lips as he approaches the hunter in a confident stride.]

May I suggest that you put the beast down for the sake of mercy if nothing else?

[The bear in question had become a withering mass of sickness thanks to the arcanist's spellcasting. However, this ailment won't last for long.]

You're much more proficient in your tasks as a hunter than I am.

[antivanleather]

If you are certain this 'bio' will not harm me as well. Most gaseous spells I know of care little for friend or foe, mealy the area in which it was cast.

[ Thank you Morrigan for that wonderful lesson. ]

I have been at it for a great deal longer, I would assume.

[leveilleur]

Fair enough. Be sure to finish the bear once the spell fades.

[Alphinaud instructs plainly before turning to watch the bear's actions. That fiendishly green smog lingers for a few seconds longer sapping the bear's strength further.

By now the creature is quite gaunt looking. That 'Bio' spell does a number on foes despite not being able to kill them outright. It's a good thing that the hunter hasn't neared it.]

Ah, there!

[The smog finally fades at last.]

[antivanleather]

[ The smog clears and the bear- looks terrible. More so than he'd expect from a mere miasma spell. Curious. As soon as he's given leave he darts in, cutting the bear's throat as he had for the others. Not the quickest death, nor the cleanest- but he does not let it weigh upon him. It is what it is. ]

I would recommend not sharing that spell were I you. There are a great many that would use it against the undeserving.

[leveilleur]

[The warning wins a somewhat alarmed glance from Alphinaud. As someone ignorant to the ways of this realm, the young prodigy knows to take that warning to heart.]

I'll be...more cautious. [He replies as he dares to come near the hunter.

The man looks almost Elezen despite his meager height. They're almost the same size by a few inches or so. Alphinaud had long noticed that the elfin folk of this land to be quite peculiar in both appearance and culture, but some things remain universal.]

You seem quite well traversed and if so, I'm in need of a guide.

[antivanleather]

In times such as these? It is the best option.

[ Leaving the cursed bear in a heap of blood and fur, Zevran turns his blades and his attention to the others, working the pelt away from the meat little by little. They came at a fair price- as did bear meat. The wolves would handle the rest. ]

I am indeed quite well traveled, though I am not certain you could afford my services.

[leveilleur]

[Alphinaud most likely lacks the gold necessary to hire this seasoned hunter but the boy hatches a plan as he watches the elf peel away at the bear's pelt. Yes, he may lack the gold but he can still hire this man.]

Name your price and tell me how many bears I would need to slay to buy your services.

[He's quite serious,]

[antivanleather]

...

[ He actually pauses mid slice to turn and stare at the boy- for it was but a boy he had saved and through the kindness of his heart (and need for pelts) that he had done so and not charged him a single copper. ]

You want to buy my services with bears. That I can kill quite well on my own.