Adventurers of the Inquisition: A Dragon Age RP (started)

[Tortilla the Hun]

It was apparent that the planning had concluded, with a few members already nodding off. Berund made his way downstairs to the welcoming bowl of stew. He allowed himself time to eat and get comfortable, and by the time he was soaking up what was left with his bread Marsha was already talking about making preparations.

"...you ought to give them something to do, if you've got a plan they ought to know, there're plenty of them waiting downstairs."

Thinking he may as well be the one to inform the townsfolk of what they could be doing, Berund quickly wolfed the rest of his meal and walked towards the crowd. He stood on a chair and cleared his throat. He soon realized that even on a chair he wasn't a great deal taller than some of the patrons. He'd just have to hope they'd hear his voice all the same.

"All right, everyone," the dwarf began. "I have some good news an' some bad news. Bad news is there's an abomination lurkin' around with ill intent. It plans to kill an' consume every livin' body in this town. We suspect it is the cause of the wolf attacks an' the drake's presence. There's no tellin' what else it's got in store, but I've no doubt we'll see that in the very near future. Now, the good news? This isn't all that terrible of a place to hold. But if we wish to hold this place, we'll need every able-bodied man and woman to arm themselves.

"We'll also need to fortify this inn and the buildings on either side. So go to yer homes, grab yer tables, yer benches, every loose plank ye can. The windows need to be boarded an', if it can be managed, a decent path from here to the two closest buildings. From what I understand, there's a few archers among ye. Fetch yer bows an' all yer arrows an' bring 'em upstairs. Find a window, that will be yer station. The others will have to keep here in the mess and protect those less able.

"Some volunteers to station in the other two buildin's would be helpful. I'd like to keep an equal number of mages under each roof as well. There's no sense in puttin' all our eggs in one basket. Any hunters would do well to find some places to lay traps in an' around the town. The less we have knockin' on the doors, the better. As for our group, it'd be best to split among the three points of defence. We may not have long to prepare, as there's no tellin' when the abomination will come. So let's get to work, shall we?"

 

[IFS]

"So... what kind of ritual is it, actually?"

"It's ah, it's a summoning of sorts," Jacques said "it's meant to let the shaman performing it contact a specific spirit, to speak with it, perhaps channel it for power."

He shook his head "The circle deemed it too close to possession to research," he continued "though the Avvar have precautions against becoming abominations in their rituals, it still seems a risky venture. I for one, while I find the practice fascinating, would never perform such a ritual, though it seems at this point we could use every advantage possible."

He frowned and looked up, examining Ash for a few moments before turning back to the translation "I wouldn't have taken you for a mage at first, though I can't see why else you would choose to ask about the ritual," he said "If you intend to perform the ritual I wish you luck, maker knows we'll need it."

With that he went back to scratching out the translation, occasionally pausing to wave over one of his students to ask them to fetch some object or herb.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

"Some volunteers to station in the other two buildin's would be helpful. I'd like to keep an equal number of mages under each roof as well. There's no sense in puttin' all our eggs in one basket. Any hunters would do well to find some places to lay traps in an' around the town. The less we have knockin' on the doors, the better. As for our group, it'd be best to split among the three points of defence. We may not have long to prepare, as there's no tellin' when the abomination will come. So let's get to work, shall we?"

Berund's speech was met with applause by many, though some murmured worriedly about the prospect of leaving so many buildings undefended, or of having to fight so closely alongside mages. Still when it came time to get to work there was little in the way of dissension, and the people quickly went to work distributing what weapons they had, setting up traps, and building barricades. The mages for the most part chipped in with the effort, through magic or simple physical effort.

Soon enough the small area they had decided to fortify was looking rather secure, wooden barricades blocked up the space between some buildings, and through ladders mages and hunters wielding bows had taken their places on rooftops. As the sun grew lower in the sky the mages set about generating simple magic lights to keep the encroaching darkness from growing too deep.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

A bit over an hour had passed when Jacques made his way over to Jarrett, carrying a small basket of various plants in one hand and the translation in the other. He nodded at the elf and set the basket at his feet before offering the parchment.

"There, it is done as best as I can manage," he said "the plants are not harmful, perhaps not even necessary, but the ritual calls for them to be burned as a part of it, the rest is fairly simple for any mage to attempt though I cannot be certain of the potential dangers of it."

He sighed "if you intend to perform the ritual then now would be the time, I doubt the abomination will wait much longer."

As if in answer to this statement the braying of wolves could be heard in the distance, echoing over the mountains. Some hunters began to mutter that they could see predatory eyes lurking in the woods. Still nothing had attacked yet, and the calm, however tense, was maintained for the moment.

 

[DarkRawen]

Ash listened intently as Jacques spoke. While he still didn't like the other mage -or any of them, really- he had to admit that Jacques knew what he was talking about.

"It's ah, it's a summoning of sorts. It's meant to let the shaman performing it contact a specific spirit, to speak with it, perhaps channel it for power."

"So it's an Avvar form of spirit magic? Or is it closer to---" he trailed off, he had forgotten himself for the briefest moment, and then shut his mouth.

"The circle deemed it too close to possession to research. Though the Avvar have precautions against becoming abominations in their rituals, it still seems a risky venture. I for one, while I find the practice fascinating, would never perform such a ritual, though it seems at this point we could use every advantage possible."

Of course not. That's why I have to do it.

Well, he didn't have to do it, but he wanted to try it out, make sure that they exhausted every option. Unlike the others, he could do little to prepare, perhaps carry items around for those physically weaker, or prepare himself, but there were enough people for physical work and he didn't need much to prepare, it took about a minute to prepare his armour and another to put it on, seeing as it was only a couple of pieces.

"I wouldn't have taken you for a mage at first, though I can't see why else you would choose to ask about the ritual. If you intend to perform the ritual I wish you luck, maker knows we'll need it."

"Well, I..." Ash started, trailing off. He hadn't expected the other to pick up on that fact, not because of Ash's curiosity. It was a mysterious -well, not so mysterious now that he knew what it did, but still- Avvar ritual, how could he not want to hear about that? Regardless of if he was the mage or not. A feeling spread inside of him, one of uneasiness and the need to defend himself, to get away from the situation and distance himself from everything, more so than he already did.

"Maybe I am a mage, maybe I'm not. It's not like someone showing interest in this kinda thing is proof of anything," he continued, evasive, pouting a bit as he spoke. "So don't go around making assumptions."

Of course some circle mage would say it like that.

For a bit, he kept holding an eye on the translation process, but his mood made everything shift around him, blurred, aggressive motions and shapes that only he could see, both due to that he felt like he was in danger, and something else. Ashtalan left not soon after, going back to where he had left his armour, putting it on before heading outside to help with the preparations. Jarrett would come find him when he was needed, it wasn't exactly hard to miss him. Besides, he needed to cool down, remember that it wasn't dangerous, that he wouldn't get harmed by these people.

Not unless I let them know about the truly troublesome magic.

At least, if he did the ritual, it'd make up for him not using his more powerful magic. Provided, it worked, of course.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

It started getting darker rather quickly, and when Ash was done helping as best as he could -still waiting for the ritual to be ready- he leaned against a wall, looking at the sky. Perhaps it was due to the darkness, or the stars that had started appearing in the distance, but his mind was calmer, clearer. The same couldn't be said for what he felt of the fade, it seemed restless, anxiously waiting, or perhaps preparing, for something to happen.

The ritual has to be translated soon.

If not, what was the point? Standing around, summoning spirits while the abomination was chewing on villagers? Ash closed his eyes, waiting for something to happen. The cold was refreshing, albeit, he still didn't care much for it.

 

[Athol]

After an all too brief nap, Kari joined the others in preparing the village for what was to come. Using her brute strength she helped drag barricades together, and once that was done she began running those villagers with hand weapons through some basic weapon drills. It probably wasn?t going to make all that much difference in a real fight, but it helped keep their minds occupied.

At the sound of the baying, she sent her charges to their positions on the barricades before returning to the inn. Going to where she?d left her gear, she applied a new layer of vitaar. ?I do believe things are about to get?interesting.? She said with a smile to no-one in particular. Vitaar applied and drying she climbed to the top of the largest barricade, her sword resting on her shoulder like a polearm. ?Alright.? She said loudly, her voice carrying across the defenders. ?Mages! Watch your fire spells. The wolves burn pretty good, but so do the barricades; if any of you know spells that cover a wide area try and cast them as far back as you can manage. If and when they hit the walls, stick to single target stuff. Archers! Don?t waste shots on ?maybes?, also, stay alert for anything that gets over. If you can?t deal with it from up there, call it out and we?ll deal with the leaks.?

 

[Protocol95]

"if you intend to perform the ritual then now would be the time, I doubt the abomination will wait much longer."

"My sincerest thanks. This is not doubt stressful, but rest assured, while I breathe, I will do everything I can to aid you all." Sternly looking at Jacques, Jarrett picked up the basket and translation. Respectfully bowing he made his way to Ash. It was obvious that he especially looked distressed among those at the inn. "Ash." Calling him as he made he walked to grab his attention, Jarrett had let his metaphorical mask down and looked as stressed as anyone else, perhaps more so. "Last chance to back out. Before you answer, do you know why I asked you to do this ritual instead of say, Jacues? I feel a tension here that I want removed if we do this."

 

[DarkRawen]

"Mages! Watch your fire spells. The wolves burn pretty good, but so do the barricades; if any of you know spells that cover a wide area try and cast them as far back as you can manage. If and when they hit the walls, stick to single target stuff. Archers! Don't waste shots on 'maybes', also, stay alert for anything that gets over. If you can't deal with it from up there, call it out and we'll deal with the leaks."

Ashtalan couldn't help but smile as he heard Kari's voice. She was doing a great job explaining what the villagers and mages should do. Not only because she was Qunari, like him, but because it was a reassuring voice to hear, hearing her speak put his mind off the fade and the hallucinations and all that, for the briefest moment.

"Ash."

Ash turned towards Jarrett, examining the other. He looked as if he was stressed, but then again, so did most others. Ash too, a bit less than before, though. The Qunari held back a remark about it being about time, and smiled instead.

"Last chance to back out. Before you answer, do you know why I asked you to do this ritual instead of say, Jacues? I feel a tension here that I want removed if we do this."

"There's a tension?" Ash laughed, a bit sheepishly, before nodding. "Well, I suppose there might be something. I'm mostly concerned about the attack, the fade feels... anxious, I suppose, and it's making me a bit anxious. As for why you asked me, I assumed that was because Jacques isn't the kind of mage that would attempt apostate magic, and I seem like the type who would. Or, I'm simply more expendable than he is, one or the other." He reached out for the translation, and read through it, smirking.

"Hm, yeah, I'd be able to do this. And I am going to, regardless of why you asked me, because I still think it's the best bet we've got."

As he waited for replies, standing up straight as he read through the instructions again, eager to try it.

 

[StormShaun]

With eyes slowly closing to the black dream, Von was surprised with the sudden movement. Struggling weakly, Von sighed softly as he was placed on the bed by the mage. Yet as his mind struggled to stay awake, his body told him that this was the most comfortable place he has laid on in months. Feeling like himself during his fifth summer of life, Von abandoned all hope of avoiding the sleep where his certain nightmare awaited him, and took pleasure in his current comfort. Finally shutting his eyes, Von's mind drifted to the Fade.

In front of him, his vision remained vivid. Golden fields surrounded him, being blown by gentle winds. It remained lifeless until his eyes met flax-coloured hair and a smile that could break his soul. This was not the nightmare that awaited him, it was the continuation of the dream. Once told in reality, a very long time ago. This began in his sixth summer of life ...

[hr]

Body lurched forward, face covered with blush. Von's mind came out of sleep with shock. That was not his ordinary rest, it did not contain the visions that had plagued him many times before. Slowly looking around, Von wanted to see if anyone was with him, yet, the room was empty, leaving him to hear his own ragged breath. "That was ..." He huffed, mind reminding him of that dream. Shaking his head, Von remembered that time was long ago in a land that was before the latest Blight.

Rising from the bed, Von's body buzzed with energy, waiting for the new day of adventure and death. Looking down, his eyes met his armour, still covered in Drake blood and whatever ooze that came from the demon-kind. Unequipped the metallic suit, Von left himself in casual wear, with his unique dagger at his side. Organizing his supplies in the room, he spent the next couple of minutes cleaning his equipment, and entering a new entry in his journal.

Blonde fields awaited weary eyes.
Giving escape from the hunters that followed.
All forgot, except the two from that day.

"It was her."

Shutting the book with a satisfied thud, Von nod as he placed the journal back within his bag, and left for downstairs.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

Berund's ears were met with the familiar sound of wolves. The moment they had all prepared for was drawing near. He was ready himself, his armor secured and maul in hand. He hoped the fortifications would be enough to keep at bay whatever the abomination intended to throw at them. Then there were the townsfolk to consider. He didn't think many of them to be experienced fighters, even with Kari's training. Sure, they could swing a sword with less disarray, but there was no telling how they'd fare when their lives depended on hitting their mark. The dwarf couldn't help but feel that he may have sentenced some of the people to their deaths by having them fight. Though he reasoned that surely they would rather die protecting their livelihoods than simply submit, and cast his negativity aside.

Taking position on the roof of the inn, Berund was allowed a clear view of its surroundings. With any luck, the cry of a beast getting caught in one of the traps would warn of their advance. It was only a matter of time before the enemy would be in sight. Next to the dwarf was a man looking over one of the fashioned barriers. He was shaking, and Berund didn't think was due to the cold. "Breathe deep, friend. It helps." For some, the wait was the real killer. The wait could cause blades and bows to waver. The wait could break spirits and minds. It was this wait that the dwarf had become very familiar with. His hands did not waver.

 

[Protocol95]

"Hm, yeah, I'd be able to do this. And I am going to, regardless of why you asked me, because I still think it's the best bet we've got."

"I've got you're back. We may have minutes but do be careful." Unsheathing his daggers in case of attack or the ritual went wrong, Jarrett's stance was uneven as the stress started getting to him. "Let's take this calm, keep ears and eyes out for attack Ash." While he said that to the made it was to comfort himself as he began taking deep breathes to steady his heart. With some semblance of momentary peace Jarrett bean walking back and forth, keeping guard.

 

[DarkRawen]

"I've got you're back. We may have minutes but do be careful."

"Yes, I will," Ash replied, wondering whether Von would join them or not. Perhaps it would be a good idea, but they had no time for waiting. Would the Templar sleep through the encounter? He hadn't seen him yet.

I hope the lure of the bed isn't too strong.

Ash certainly knew how easy it was to fall asleep from just that.

"Let's take this calm, keep ears and eyes out for attack Ash."

"I will," Ash repeated, smirking, and started setting up the ritual. "So, I need to burn the herbs..." he started, muttering to himself as he followed the surprisingly simple steps to something he'd not consider that simple. Mutters kept happening as he did, and while he kept what Jarrett said in mind as he worked, he couldn't help but want to rush. It was a careful, considerate rush, but still, he couldn't imagine what he'd do if there suddenly was a demon in front of him while he was in the middle of a ritual.

Well, that's not completely true, I'd zap it.

But if he suddenly had to finish it in order to match the intruders... what would happen if he accidentally skipped a step?

 

[Athol]

Kari was tired of waiting, and the shifting howls were beginning to grate on her nerves; and after a second time around the barricades checking on the villagers she?d had enough. Moving back to the main ?wall?, she climbed to the top of the pile then dropped down to the other side, much to the horror of the villagers.

Striding away from the wall she stopped, facing the woods, just inside effective range of the bows of the hunters and spells of the mages. Her blade still resting across her shoulders like a polearm, she bellowed into the darkness. ?C?MON YOU FLEA BITTEN NUG HUMPERS! I?LL TURN YOU INTO A MATCHED SET OF WINTER CLOTHES!? She was no longer standing still; instead she was pacing back and forth, eyes still locked on the woods. ?AND YOU! PUPPET MASTER! I?M GOING RIP YOUR ARMS OFF AND BEAT YOU TO DEATH WITH THE WET ENDS!?

 

[IFS]

The villagers stood, as ready as they might ever be, and when the dreadful howl went out sending chills through their thick furs then scarcely waved. This might be the last night of some of their lives and to their credit they would not spend it cowering in fear, though it had to be said for some it was only Berund's reassurance or liquid courage that kept them standing at their posts nevertheless they were ready for what might come. The first mournful howl was joined by other voices, and the sound grew steadily more and more unnerving and unnatural, as if projected by throats twisted beyond hope of making even simple animal noises. Now for some their courage faltered, but they still held their posts, muttering prayers to the maker to see them through this night. Finally the attack came, fur and claw and twisted flesh rushing down on the walls they had built, meeting with a hail of arrows and magical lightning, or in the case of a few unfortunates the steel of Kari's blade as they found the Qunari's words more than backed up by strength.

The barriers held for the first assault, and many of the demonic wolves stumbled back, dazed from the impact, though others clawed at the walls trying to clamber over them. Elation spread among the defenders, if this was all the demons had to bring then they would see the dawn easily! Then there was a terrible crash, fire erupted from one of the barricades and it collapsed as a rage demon emerged beneath it, the snow at the monster's feet hissing into steam as it oozed forward an evil chuckle emerging from it as it proceeded to blast a villager from his perch with a gout of terrible flame. Elsewhere another barrier shuddered and began to collapse as a monstrously twisted mountain bear slammed into it, the hasty construction no match for the beast's enormous girth.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

The ritual was simple enough, even familiar in a way to Ash. Reach out into the Fade to contact a spirit it wasn't as if he was inexperienced with communing with such beings after all. As the magic flowed around him what glimpses of the real world he had faded away, replaced by a battleground strangely devoid of bodies. All over the rock and trees of the mountain were scarred by enormous claws or crushed to dust, and dozens of weapons and traps of all sorts, though mainly constructed of stone or bone, were strewn about. In the center of this desolate field stood a single ethereal figure, striking the image of a proud barbarian warrior clad in thick furs and armed with an enormous splintered club.

"Greetings Shaman, I am Duty," the spirit said "though I have failed in mine. You will understand."

As the spirit spoke feelings of pride and shame washed over Ash, a sense of understanding of what had taken place here in the fade. The warrior had fought the demon, held it in place and fought it, though slaying it had been beyond his strength. Yet it had somehow escaped him, fled into the realm he had been tasked to protect, and the spirit's source of pride, his irrevocable duty, was tarnished.

"Now, for what purpose have you come before me?" the spirit asked, this time his voice carrying only the single question.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Hold yer posts!" Berund bellowed after the demon and bear crashed through the barriers. Surely the sight of the thing would strike some of the townsfolk with crippling fear. The dwarf could only hope they had enough sense to fight through it. "Hit 'em with all ye've got, they're naught but flesh 'neath the fur and fire! They'll fall, all right!" The dwarf ran to the edge of the roof towards the rage demon and leapt from atop the inn. The fire grew bright in his eyes, the maul stayed steady in his hands, and the air was brisk against his cheek as he flew through the air. All throughout his motion, he roared loudly as he prepared to strike the fiery fiend with the flat of his hammer. "HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!"

With a thick, meaty 'thud', the maul connected with the beasts jaw. Berund followed through with the motion and aimed to strike it on its side. As he turned, the demon recovered and deflected the incoming second blow. It readied another blast of fire before the dwarf could try for another attack. Berund dove to the side just as it unleashed its flame. He felt the heat at his back as he tumbled in the snow. Getting back to his feet, Berund charged a second time, his weapon at his side and readied for a powerful swing.

 

[DarkRawen]

Reaching out to the Fade wasn't a hard task for Ash, nor did anything about the battlefield strike him as wrong. This was the spirit's place, not the sloth demon's, and it was a welcome sight compared to what he was used to. In the sky he could see the black city as he could elsewhere in the fade, but the ground was battered, trees bearing claw-marks, and a number of what one would call primitive weapons and traps were scattered everywhere. There was no one there but the spirit, a barbarian warrior with a simple club.

"Greetings Shaman, I am Duty, though I have failed in mine. You will understand."

Ash felt the feelings of the spirit, pride at fighting the demon, keeping it in place and protecting the mortal realm. At its duty and its role. Then there was the shame at having the demon escape, the duty tarnished. He wondered how it had happened, but knew that it was not what he needed to ask about. He needed help with defeating the demon, aid in some form.

Still, this is certainly as remarkable as I thought it would be.

Perhaps even more. And not half as threatening, that was a relief, though he knew better than to become too secure in his position, too sure of himself. He knew far too well the consequences of that.

"Now, for what purpose have you come before me?"

"My name is Ashtalan," Ash started, not sure whether he should tell his name to a spirit, but figured it was only proper, seeing as the other had introduced itself. Likely, the spirit already knew, though, at least if it was anything like a demon.

"And I am here to ask you about the demon you have battled, as we now face it in on the other side of the veil. There is a village... and it is about to attack, if not already attacking, with other demons and the likes." He examined the spirit, calmly, wondering if it would have any reaction at all, or if it was simply there, the duty it represents its only defining trait.

"We need help. Is there any way you can aid us?"

 

[Athol]

Kari was grinning like a mad woman as the wolves rushed. Quite a few fell as they entered the range of the hunters and mages, but more kept coming; those that tried to overwhelm her tasted the steel of her sword, and her heart sang at the thrill of the fight, but even as she cut them down she knew there were others streaming past her.

In short order the wolves abandoned their suicidal attacks on her and concentrated on the walls, sure they?d managed to get a bite or slash of their claws in here or there, but all those did was to spur Kari on. Looking back to the village, she was hearted to see the walls holding, though when the rage daemon punched a hole in the barricade she was afraid the villagers would falter.

"Hold yer posts! Hit 'em with all ye've got, they're naught but flesh 'neath the fur and fire! They'll fall, all right! HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!"

She laughed as Berund leapt at the daemon, and was about to go assist, when she heard the crashing and bellowing of a bear that?d been twisted by daemonic corruption. As it broke through, and the defenders fell back, she came charging up behind it, sinking the tip of her blade into the beasts flank. ?OVER HERE YOU OVERGROWN RUG!? The bear roaring in anger and pain, swung about faster than Kari was expecting, and caught her with a massive paw. She let out a loud OOF as she was struck, and was knocked through the door of a house. Before the bear could move in for the kill, it was distracted by a barrage of fireballs from a mage, drawing it away from the stunned Qunari. She lay on the floor of the home for a moment or two, catching her breath and letting her vision re-focus. Getting to her feet, she spotted a bottle of ale left behind by the owner. I?ll owe you buddy. Pulling the cork with her teeth, she downed the bottle, then left; stepping back outside, she saw the bear clawing at the side of a building, while the hunters and mages above peppered it with shots. ?OI! Over here flea-bag!? She hollered. ?I ain?t done with you yet!? Rushing the massive animal once more, she raked its side with a powerful slash as it turned towards her.

 

[sage42]

Nola cut down a wolf with a grunt, it's twisted body falling beneath her ax blade. She turned to see Kari keeping the great bear occupied. She should be enough to keep it off the villagers. I guess I'll help with the sentient lump of lava. She thought turning to face the rage demon. "Ha is that the best you demons got? Fire? I'm smith and a dwarf besides, a little heat ain't nothin to me!" She called towards the demon, clashing her ax against her shield. "C'mon, your nothin but fuel for my forge!" She circled the creature.

 

[Protocol95]

Jarrett continued guarding Ash as the ritual continued. However the sounds of battle became all too loud for Jarrett. He was momentarily torn but made up his mind. "...arrgh, balls to it. You hearing this? You have a minute." He wasn't quite sure of how long it would take for the battle to reach Ash but he hoped the pressure could help. Rushing to the battle with what subtlety he could Jarrett saw some of his companions in the thick of it. Moving to what grabbed his attention first he prepared a hidden strike at the rage demon confronting Nola.

 

[IFS]

The rage demon roared in after Berund's second charge struck it, striking out with its burning claws it managed to drive him back and raised itself up fire even more intense than before gathering around its claws when Nola caught its attention. Enraged by her taunts it flung the blast of fire at her, most of it catching on her shield, spraying off the the snow and ground around her. All the while Jarrett made his way silently around the monster, unnoticed by it.

The bear bellowed at Kari, though it seemed only inconvenienced by the slash rather than truly hurt. Roaring it reared up on its back feet, turning to fall on Kari and crush her beneath it's weight.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

"We need help. Is there any way you can aid us?"

"There are ways, I could lend strength and prowess to a willing shaman," the spirit said "The experience would be brief, and your strength and spells would be enhanced by my own for the duration."

For a moment the spirit seemed to be considering this, then it cast its club aside and turned away from Ash. For a moment it seemed different, the air around it felt cold and the entire battlefield seemed to be engulfed by a sudden chill. When it spoke again its voice was filled with grief and despair.

"Assisting you is not my duty though," the spirit said "I have failed in my duty, I must seek a new one. Without it I am nothing, no, worse than nothing."

An all too familiar voice whispered into Ash's ear, though if he turned to look for it he could see nothing more than a faded shadow. The voice sounded friendly and relaxed though a sinister undertone could be felt under every word. Duty also seemed unaware of the presence, though if this was due to its hidden form or the spirit being distracted by it's own misery was impossible to say.

"You went to him for help first? I'm hurt, so very hurt," it said "look at him, he's practically a demon already, why not let me help instead? After all we're friends aren't we?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"There are ways, I could lend strength and prowess to a willing shaman. The experience would be brief, and your strength and spells would be enhanced by my own for the duration."

"That's not anything like possession, right?" Ash asked, but the question was ignored. The feeling around the battlefield and the spirit grew colder, and the spirit felt wrong. Something was not right, was it because of Ash?

Don't tell me I've messed up already... this might have been a bad idea.

He didn't exactly have the best qualification when it came to speaking with things in the fade either.

"Assisting you is not my duty though. I have failed in my duty, I must seek a new one. Without it I am nothing, no, worse than nothing."

He could feel the grief and despair from the spirit, and tried to cheer it up. "Well, you could--"

"You went to him for help first? I'm hurt, so very hurt. Look at him, he's practically a demon already, why not let me help instead? After all we're friends aren't we?"

Yes, and the Qunari loves magic.

Ash thought, sarcastically. Part of him told him that he should be horrified, worry about the fact that the sloth demon had found him this quickly. The other part thought that it was annoying, though he knew it wasn't just a mere inconvenience. Looking at the duty spirit -it seemed unaware of that the demon was there- he addressed the demon in a sharp breath.

"This isn't any of your business, go away," he whispered, making sure the spirit couldn't hear. "I would never ask for your help."

Then, he tried to think of what to tell the spirit, hoping it was not too late to bring it back to its senses. If the sloth demon was correct, if spirits could just turn into demons like that... it would explain the eerie feeling from it. And the last thing Ash needed was another demon in his life.

"As I was going to say, did you really fail your duty? Could this battle of yours not be taken beyond the veil?" Ash asked, examining Duty. He hoped the spirit wouldn't end up becoming a demon, not only for his own sake, but for the spirit's.

"If your duty was to keep it from harming mortals, you still could. Help me, and you'll be able to protect Thedas from the demon, same as always. If not... well, make that your duty. Protect those who cannot fight against the demon the way you can, the weak and the powerless, I can't think of a better duty to have than that. I'd say it's a duty that anyone, spirit or mortal, can feel pride in."

 

[Athol]

Oh this could be going better? Kari thought, as the massive bear reared up. Her attacks had intending to cripple or at least slow the animal, but all they seemed to do was piss it off; and the hunters and mages may as well have not bothered for all the effect their attacks seemed to be having. Rolling aside as the bear dropped, she raked its opposite flank with another powerful slash before diving clear of its claws.

Standing once more, she found herself below a group of hunters. ?HEY!? She called to the roof. ?Any of you got a jar of pitch?? ?I got a few?here!? Came the reply, and a moment later a preserves jar with an oily rag stuffed into the top plopped into a small snowdrift that was pushed up against the building; the bear had got itself sorted out now, and was heading her way, she?d have to make this quick. Snatching up the jar, she lobbed it at the bear, the pitch splattering all over its muzzle as the jar broke. With pitch in its eyes, it stopped to paw at its face is a vain attempt to get the sticky mass out of its fur. ?FIREBALL ITS HEAD!? She shouted, and in moments, a couple of fireballs and a handful of flaming arrows struck the bear?s head and neck, setting the pitch ablaze.