therookery | [Open] Introductions

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[Open] Introductions

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Kain Ventfort
RECIPIENT: Anyone/everyone!
WHAT: Inquisition newcomer trying out the crystals, getting weirded out
WHEN: Now-ish
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: If anyone wants to assume past CR, even if it's just acquaintances or vaguely knowing about each other, it's all good with me. (Especially fellow Grey Wardens or Orlesians from noble families).

[The voice that speaks has a light Orlesian accent, it’s definitely something which he couldn’t ever entirely get rid of over the years. He also sounds deeply annoyed. Seriously, he comes here with such good intentions and this is how he’s treated? Sigh. Sometimes he questions his entire life path.]

Is this how you greet everyone who joins the Inquisition? By acting as if you've seen a demon? [To be fair, there was only the one person who'd screamed 'demon' and fled fast. Most people who’d given him odd looks had taken a second glance, then shrugged and moved on, and in a couple cases they even apologized for some sort of ‘mistake’ they’d made. It's apparently clear enough to them that he's not who they thought he was. Still, the more annoying incidents stand out.] I’ve a terrible feeling I’m being put through some sort of initiation ritual. Believe me, I had my fill of such things when joining the Grey Wardens.

For those I haven’t met, my name is Kain Ventfort, and I’ve just come from Griffon Wing Keep to add to your warrior forces. I’ve been looking for a better challenge than I’ve had lately. I’m told I’ll find what I’m seeking here. [Redemption. He’s seeking redemption, and he’s also seeking answers to a very specific problem, but those aren't things he’s about to address in public.] Perhaps even an encounter with a High Dragon someday? What I wouldn't give to see one of them up close...

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[Even Inessa's sharp eyes aren't perfect, and the slight flexing is overlooked.]

You will not lack for challenges here; I made no exaggeration in my letters. In fact, I might have unintentionally underplayed it. So much has happened, and I cannot possibly do it justice on paper.

[She waits until Garahel is slightly calmer (though still very happy to see Kain) before moving to his side so they can walk together.]

...Ciri and I returned to the Anderfels briefly, with Senior Warden Alistair and others. What we saw was...not encouraging.

Then it seems I've come just in time.

[He'd been increasingly interested in the Inquisition over the past few weeks anyway, given what she'd written about. He frowns a little bit as they start moving along.]

What did you see?

We saw Corypheus' dragon circling Hossberg, though no sign of the magister himself. Wardens have replaced the city guard...though no other Warden mages are present. [A disturbed frown forms at that, definitely worried about their fates and knowing it could have been hers as well.] Tevinter has loaned some of its military out and they are visibly present inside of the city to "help" maintain order. First Warden Vidar now occupies the royal palace; we did not see him.

[She stares out onto the mountains, gathering her thoughts.]

We learned that the only surviving member of the royal family -three-year-old Prince Baldewin- was under the custody of Venatori. This could not be allowed to stand, of course, so we entered the fortress via secret passages and made our escape. On our way out of the Anderfels, we encountered a group of Venatori, giants, Wardens and darkspawn with latter two groups standing around with glowing red eyes. Investigating further could not happen, as it was imperative that we depart with the prince before we were discovered. But...it cannot bode well.

Great. An army of Vints. [Kain spits the word out with disdain, he may have become more open-minded to some other nationalities but he's not too fond of Tevinter and the dark things their mages can do.]

It sounds like further investigation will be needed at some point, though you did what was best, saving the prince. [He sighs.] Just knowing that Corypheus may have been there or nearby... [After all, the dragon's presence certainly suggests he's set his sights there anyway.]

[Inessa nods grimly, not fond of Tevinter at large and the Venatori in particular.]

If he was not, he at least had proxies. Either prospect is disturbing; Corypheus seeks to undermine our order directly, or is focused on another terrible purpose. But while the civil war rages in Orlais, I doubt the Inquisition will have significant numbers to send north.

Very disturbing.

[He makes a face, clearly displeased.]

An enemy of this magnitude cannot be allowed to carry on with... whatever he may be planning. I can understand the reasons, with the war, but... the sooner we destroy him, the better.

I couldn't agree more. I fear that waiting as long as we already have, and waiting even more...there might be nothing left to save of the Grey Wardens up north. We might be it, soon enough.

[A sobering thought, and Garahel lets out a soft whine, leaning against each in turn.]

It's bad enough what already happened... if it gets any worse...

[He trails off with a sigh, not wanting to know what worse would really entail. He reaches down toward Garahel for a moment of reassuring petting.]

I dread to consider it. I'm for as direct an approach as possible. The Inquisition has gathered quite an army so far, surely there are enough forces to deal with him.

Not if the city of Hossberg itself is being held hostage. I...there was another that we had attempted to rescue. A woman named Hilde, who was handmaid to the prince and his family, and had ciphered papers for us. Alistair and the others caused a distraction so that she could slip away...but unknown to us and herself, Hilde was tagged by an enchantment activated if enough distance was put between her and her handler. When that happened, she...exploded.

Bluntly put, I would not be surprised if similar measures were taken for the city as a whole.

[That's unpleasant, and Kain makes a face. Explosions were how he and Cecil ruined that apostate village, explosions and fire...]

A terrible fate. But no one could have known it would happen, as you say yourself. I'm sure they would continue to use such measures, but... everything can be fought somehow. There must be some way.

I hope you're right about that. What we need is to learn more about their methods; with the spymaster's people, perhaps we will learn of how to counter them before returning north. Not all battles are won by force.

You're right, of course. I appreciate our stealthier comrades, just as I do the more diplomatic among us. I for one will look forward to a time when I can charge in and put my sword to use. We must know their strengths and weaknesses, we must form our strategy around that information.

And we will. I refuse to go into battle unprepared if there are alternatives. If we don't make use of the information they collect, we are bound to lose the war overall.

[Garahel looks up and whines at them again, due to all this serious talk. Don't they want to play fetch with him or help him not starve? Inessa sighs and scratches him behind the ears.]

Yes, yes, I suppose we could bring Kain to the kitchen. But if we go there, you will behave yourself. No taking more than what you're given.

They'll undoubtedly give us what we need to take the advantage in this war. Once we have enough information, those of us skilled in force can start planning a truly strategic attack.

[He looks down toward the mabari with an amused (for him) expression. He nods, addressing Garahel.]

I've not been there yet, you can show me where the best food is kept.

[Garahel barks happily and starts them off, eager to show Kain...and get some food for himself, of course.]

Given the abundance of Orlesian forces and guests, you're bound to find many familiar dishes...but there is simpler fare to be had, as well. I know Skyhold is relatively isolated, but we're not lacking for much.

You know me, I'm hardly picky. I've started almost getting more used to whatever can be found while traveling and camping than the sort of things I'd have back home.

[Though there is a certain nostalgia value to cuisine from home, he'll give it that. He disliked certain aspects of it, but there's still a lot he misses.]

I'm glad we're well provisioned, anyway. That's a good sign for our success.

I hope so. Food alone won't win the war, but it will keep up morale and that's also important.

[She shrugs, leading them back down.]

And you know me; as long as there is tea available, I can weather any other hardship.

[Without it, cue one withdrawn and irritable mage.]

Not on its own, but it can often mean the difference between victory and defeat...

[He follows along, giving a faint smirk and a nod in response to her.]

Not even I'm reckless enough to come in between you and your tea supplies.

Good, you recall that lesson well enough.

[Inessa's lips twitch, amusement glinting in her eyes.]

...I'm glad you're here, Kain, truly. I worried for you, lingering in the Western Approach. That entire area felt...wrong, thanks to what the darkspawn did to it long ago. I understand the strategic value of that post, but even so, there's no recovering from that.

Worried? For me?

[As if he's surprised by that notion. Kain does somewhat understand why she'd say that though. After everything that had happened out there, there was a lingering foreboding of sorts. He'd encountered that stupid rift that led to his shard out there too. Even so, the desert areas of Orlais are as much home as the rest of the country, and he does miss it in some sense.]

Well... now that I'm here, you don't need to be so concerned. Though Thedas as a whole has never been entirely safe, anyway.

It hasn't, I can't deny that, but some areas are considerably worse than others. I would rank that among them.

[A small smile emerges as she nudges him lightly.]

And yes, you. Why would I not be? What we do is dangerous, wherever we are. More tha that, Garahel and I agree you have made a fine companion. We have no wish to do without.

[Garahel, waiting for them, barks his agreement.]

I suppose it would make it somewhere on my list of the worst, but its scenery is still some of the more impressive.

[He loves to be at the top of a high cliff and gazing downward at everything far below, the horizon wide open and seemingly endless... With a glance toward Inessa, he quickly looks away, fumbling for words for a moment.]

That's all too true, and I feel the same.

[He's working himself up to it, and though it takes a moment, he finally says what he's been holding back.]

...I've... really missed you.

[Knowing that Kain sometimes struggles to say what's on his mind, at least if it's not about fighting darkspawn or dragons, Inessa is patient with him. Those words bring out a warm smile from her, and she rests her hand atop his arm.]

Likewise, Kain. Now let's make it to the kitchen before Garahel wastes away before our very eyes.

[Kain looks over, managing a small smile for her, appreciative of that gesture. He doesn't get that sort of thing often, but then, there are few he trusts as much as he does Inessa. Or enjoys the company of, for that matter.]

I'm glad to hear that. [He says that quietly and more seriously, before returning to a more normal tone.] Poor unfortunate Garahel. This needs to be resolved at once.

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[Open] Introductions

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