#v:inquisition

[dalishborne]

CONTINUED

@lrdvyke

A watcher, letting the events of Thedas pass him by in a comfortable silence. The land chooses a person, places them upon a pedestal to clean the messes of others, before it knocks them down as sure as anything that has grown too big, too fast. Vyke keeps it all in mind, but stays far from it lest he be swept up within the tide of its own change. Ah, but is that not what he is doing now? So close to Skyhold. So close to the very tidal wave, daring it to yank him out to sea ... He stares in that same silence down at the elf ( a Keeper, he thinks to remember ), someone who has been taken within the tides more than he has. There is a faint flicker of amusement that shifts within his pale eyes regardless, as his hands press upon a torn piece of bread until it is flat. ❛ You never asked for it, ❜ he says, a smile to his words despite no smile upon pallid features. A soft voice even if there is no helm now to muffle it. ❛ But I did. See? ❜

Revenelan squinted defiantly at the watcher, meeting his gaze head-on. She held his eyes while she shined a yellow apple against the mossy fabric of her chest, the sunlight catching the moisture on its surface. A sharp crunch echoed through the air as she took a big, hearty bite. The distant flapping of birds dispersing into the sky was the only other sound, creating a moment of suspended silence.

Revenelan eventually relented, breaking the silence. “Fair point,” she nodded, apple chunks bulging in her left cheek. She wagged a finger at the man, as if acknowledging an insightful observation. “I always thought it was more polite to introduce yourself first, you know? It helps establish trust.”

She swallowed the fruit with an audible gulp, wiping her free hand clean on the side of her mossy green robes. Then, with an offering, she extended her hand to the man before her, a Human gesture learned during her time with the Inquisition.

"In any case, my name is Revenelan, of Clan Aravun; I've come to Skyhold with my kinsmen. Well met," she said with a friendly smile and a glint in her honey-brown eyes. She couldn't resist driving her point home. "See? Doesn't that make you feel a little safer?"

[dalishborne]

CONTINUED

@seeasunset

❝Well,❞ Vasco started. Gloved hands gently moving the item. Rather, a book. Ancient even. The leather cover ready to fall apart at any second, alongside the paperthin pages. He held it up. Just enough for it to be seen. ❝I was wondering what this book is. I don't want to open it up exactly and unleash whatever monstrous entity lay within without knowing beforehand.❞ If there is any demon ready to be unleashed. One can never know if these types of stuff can or not.

"What?" Revenelan exclaimed in concern as she glanced around to make sure their conversation didn't attract the unwanted attention of Inquisition soldiers, many of whom could be former Templars. "Are you sure it is possessed? Gods be merciful, Vasco, you can't just go walking around with a possessed book like it's a souvenir!" While Vasco clearly handled the book with as much care as he was capable, Revenelan could not help but draw from the wisdom of her former Keepers, that enchanted tomes often help more than what meets the eye. From what little Revenelan could see, it was clear by the worn, chipped engravings that this book hinted at the extraordinary nature of the book. Her head began to pulse faintly, not an ache, but undoubtedly a reaction to the strange, ebbing energy the emanated from it. Revenelan chewed on the inside of her cheek, considering the tome with a mix of wariness and intrigue, then looked up at Vasco.

"So, you want me to handle maybe-unleashing a maybe-monstrous entity, in the heart of the Inquisition?" Revenelan narrowed her eyes at the elf. "What's the catch? Why are you so interested in this book, anyway?"

[dalishborne]

CLOSED STARTER

@seeasunset

The damp undergrowth squelched beneath Revenelan’s mud-spattered boots, the fresh scent of yesterday’s rain elevating the earthy aroma of the woodlands. At long last, Revenelan traversed beneath the boughs that had bore her; the leafy paths of the Dales, lush with flourishing trees of oak and birch, welcomed her home. 

Gratitude warmed her heart as her feet guided her through once-familiar paths, only to be replaced by a knot of sorrow and anger as evidence of the Red Templars’ corruption became more frequent. The vibrant, ancient trees that had witnessed generations now succumbed to the insidious touch of Red Lyrium. Their roots, once strong and nourished, now decayed, mirroring the corruption that spread through the land.

The sight of Red Lyrium, the jagged crystals protruding from the ground like a blight on the earth, it made Revenelan’s skin crawl. Each crystal pulsed with a malevolent energy, turning sacred places into haunting reminders of a tragic fall. It only strengthened her resolve to assist the Inquisition in mapping out safe-spots for their future outposts; and she couldn’t be more glad to do so with a friend by her side.

“Hey,” Revenelan put a hand on Vasco’s arm to draw his attention. Her gaze was set on the glimpse of a crumbling stone arch, only just concealed by the swaying branches of orange-and-green leaves ahead. The smooth head of an ancient statue peeked beneath it. Revenelan smiled, her eyes shone with a glint of hope.

“That arch there, it’s a tribute site to Mythal. I can’t see the whole thing, but it seems that it still yet stands unscathed. Shall we go together and say a prayer? All of this corruption...” Revenelan let her thought trail off, before turning to meet Vasco's gaze with a simple shrug. "We could use a break. I bet your sea-faring feet are ready to fall clean off your ankles after all this walking."

[dalishborne]

CONTINUED

@ode-of-odr

Raserei looked over at the elf. It was a question he was expecting.

"My sister and her kids, they are the only family I have, our mother died all too soon after I was adopted."

"Ah... my condolences," Revenelan nodded in understanding, taking a solemn moment of solidarity as she contemplated the weight of the Inquisitor's loss. She was surprised to note that his answer didn't shock her at all. Since joining the Inquisition's efforts, she had met many haunted by deep grief; it was a stark reminder that tragedy was all too common, all too widespread in the world. Her brow furrowed with a brief introspection, wondering if she had grown somewhat desensitized to the pain over time. With a shake of her head, she dismissed the thought. She could add it to her ever-growing list of things to dwell on in her own time.

Instead, she turned her focus back to the Inquisitor, in a rare moment of intimate conversation, she added with a touch of warmth, "Your nieces and nephews - they must be excited to have such a famous uncle."

[dalishborne]

“Whose blood is that?”

Revenelan regarded the Inquisitor with a nod, methodically wiping her curved dagger clean of the smears of dark blood on its blade. "Not mine, but it was consensual, so don't worry," she replied, the words slipping out before she caught herself. Her eyes widened slightly as the realization set in. While such an answer might fly among the Blood Mages she had grown up with, who did not share the taboo others felt around the practice, she knew it could be more perplexing than reassuring for most.

"Wait, no, it wasn't consensual," she backtracked with a frown of confusion. "... Which would be less cause for concern?"

[mackleford-blog]

mage-of-markarth continued

“Whatever you think is best. You’re the expert after all.” The Commander replied. “It would indeed be preferable to come out of this in on piece, yes.” He smirked.

He took the bow in his hand. It had been quite a bit heavier than Cullen had anticipated.

“Go easy on me.” He smiled, shyly. “And make sure I don’t fire into anyones leg.”

[mackleford-blog]

aryatrevelyan

Cullen wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly.

“You’re...” He was in shock, but couldn’t say that he was surprised. A smile broke out across his face and he hugged her close.

“Arya thats... This is wonderful!” The Commander kissed her, laughing a bit as he pulled away.

“A baby! We’re actually having a baby! You’re sure?”

[mackleford-blog]

|Two years later|closed RP

aryatrevelyan

“I’m sure things will go smoothly, Inquisitor.” The Commander attempted to reassure her. Although, it didn’t seem to be doing much good. It was clear that they needd to go somewhere more private where things didn’t have to be so formal. Cullen nodded towards her own sleeping quarters just a few steps away.

“Perhaps we should go somewhere more private to discuss the matters regarding Orlais?” He suggested calmly.