crystal | there was a sound,

[broodypants]

It seems I have arrived when most are in Orzammar.

[A pause, that could either be excellent comedic timing or genuine awkwardness-- his flat tone of voice leaves it up to your sense of humor.]

Good luck with that.

The last time I was in this city, it had exploded into conflict. I was here at the heart of what has become known as the 'Kirkwall Rebellion'; before then, I here ten years. They were long and without peace. When the Circle rebelled, it felt... inevitable.

Perhaps things are more peaceful now.

[Another one of those weird pauses.]

Or perhaps the all the blood mages and abominations are in Orzammar.

I am Fenris. Ask what questions you wish. I do not know how many of you were here when this city became... what it now is. And I will ask in turn: Do you believe the city better for it? Less full of slavers and conjured demons?

This city was once famed for another rebellion entirely. How strange this most recent one has eclipsed it. Or perhaps this city is cursed to ever seek turmoil within its walls.

[So, yeah, he seems cheerful.]

Comments

[rowancrowned]

Have you observed the paths of the gutters in Darktown?

[broodypants]

My memories of them, though over a decade old, remain remarkably fresh. I think it's the smell...

I have not traveled there yet, but I will in time.

[rowancrowned]

They seem remarkably— what was the word Yngvi used? I cannot recall it now. Arcane, perhaps? Purposefully wrought?

In answer to your query regarding Kirkwall's nature.

[broodypants]

The city was built by Tevinter's hands. The old Tevinter, by the the Magisters who worshiped dark gods and their own lust for power above all.

I do truly believe, at times, we still walk the paths of their curses in every city street. Especially in the dark, small places. Suffering makes magic its most powerful.

[rowancrowned]

And yet this place has not been abandoned, but continues to bustle with life despite all that is underneath.

Will you lodge in the Gallows?

[broodypants]

It is a crucial sea port. That is why it was built in the first place. Location breeds necessity.

It's where all my things are.

[okayimin]

It did have a centralized Chantry that offered care for it's followers, which is a great deal more than I can say for the state of things currently.

[broodypants]

...They never rebuilt the Chantry? Is it still a smoldering hole? I must see this.

[The sound of a door closing. He is going to see this.]

[okayimin]

It's not a smoldering hole. It's a garden. Not a particularly useful garden, but there you have it.

[broodypants]

I imagine the explosive components must have damaged the soil, then.

[okayimin]

Oh, the soil's fine enough as is. And there's plenty that can be done to fix up that sort of thing. But no, what I mean is they don't use it for anything useful, it's just there to look pretty. They grow a lot of Crystal grace and then get mad when someone tries to put it to actual good use.

[ It's her, the someone is her. ]

[broodypants]

It's a memorial. If even I can understand that, you've no excuse.

[okayimin]

[ ugh, morals. ]

I understand it's a great waste that could be better used to help people rather than take up a load of space.

[ungovernable]

( amiably, ) Oh, Anders has not been with us some time now.

[broodypants]

[What does wild laughter sound like, from a man like Fenris? We'll never know, but briefly, the closest thing to it lives in the sounds between these crystals.]

[Fenris then gets a hold on himself, that small snarl of laughter recaptured.]

I'm sorry you had the misfortune of knowing him.

[ungovernable]

You knew him well, I take it. ( probably better than benevenuta ever did, holding him carefully at arm's length. )

[broodypants]

Ten long years.

If I could have stopped his... final work, I would have.

[ungovernable]

( the sound she makes is hard to decipher meaning from, but her words are not unkind: )

Thedas soaked in that oil a long time. There would always have been a burning ember to light it.

[broodypants]

Kirkwall especially. As I said, by the time it happened, it seemed inevitable. But many things that seem so are not. We are to blame for our lack of foresight, for any can change the future.

[justashotaway]

I did not know the city before.

But I have not seen many slavers or demons within Kirkwall.

[broodypants]

Not many? Or none?

[justashotaway]

They did not announce themselves.

[broodypants]

Can you not tell if they do not?

[justashotaway]

Sometimes.

The people I have met are not as you describe.

[broodypants]

What do you mean?