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

[DarkRawen]

"Of course, not that I should have to tell him, I suppose old conflicts die hard."

"I really don't get it, I don't want to be in a conflict with him."

He was, however, pleased to see Calien smile, the man was probably already exhausted, given his attempts at clearing up the mess with Volshen. Of course, that only lasted a brief moment, as Kari came and whispered something to Calien. Ash, standing close nearby, couldn't help but overhear it.

"He's already a damned lyrium addict, and he's probably going to get somebody killed. Now if that 'somebody' was guaranteed to be him I wouldn't give two shits, but as it stands he may endanger someone useful."

Oh. That explains a lot.

"You're a mage, don't suppose you'd know some way to deal with this? Force some sense into him? No nevermind, that would probably be blood magic."

"Yeah... I don't do that kind of thing," Ash replied. "Mind control, I mean. I'll make sure he doesn't get to any of my lyrium potions, though." He rested a hand on his bag where he kept the potions.

"Of course, lyrium addiction is... unfortunate, since people who aren't mages don't deal with it well. It gives them lasting damage, and addiction..."

Ash trailed off. Calien didn't seem to pay much attention to his trivia, instead he marched towards somewhere. Ash's attention was split between wondering where Kari had gone, and when his own bout of luck was going to go over. The lack of nightmares and bad days from Skyhold still showed their mark, there were relatively few hallucinations or voices to be heard.

Even if... no, when I get worse, I would never let it endanger any of the others. Ever.

That much, Ash was assured of. He wouldn't even let them know. Or perhaps he should.

I suppose I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

It wasn't before he stood in front of Von that Ash realized where Calien had gone.

So much for blindly following someone.

"Von, a word. If you can't work as part of this team then you're gone. Just leave for Amaranthine, or run back to Skyhold, if you can't keep yourself together then you're just a danger to the rest of us."

Ash stepped back a little, uneasy. Not only having heard about Von's addiction had caused this feeling, but Von really didn't seem... right. And Ash knew a lot about that. However, he also knew more about not letting it show than Von seemed to do.

I wonder if I should've just gone to talk to Kari... But she probably needs some time to calm down as well.

He wasn't sure he should be here. However, when he noticed Berund and Jarrett, he relaxed a bit more and smiled, carefully, to them.

"Did any of you find something?" he said, trying to keep away from Von and the conversation with Calien. "As for us, we didn't... well, there was some disagreement upon how we should do it, and it fell apart." He looked down at the ground, then back at the dwarf and the elf. For a brief moment, he looked back at Calien as well, just to check that nothing bad was happening, and then his eyes went to Berund and Jarrett again, and he motioned for them to follow him a bit away.

I could tell them more in detail what's going on... but I don't want to do it in front of Von.

From how angry Kari had been, he suspected that Von had done something to her too, or the very least given her reason to worry. And with Von already loathing him...

"Only a moment, okay?" he added, hoping they would get it.

 

[StormShaun]

Shortly after his urge to see no one in his sight, the thought flew out of his mind as Kari entered his vision. Feeling himself about to spit on the ground, Von sucked it back up and clicked his tongue. "Tch." The sound echoed throughout the tunnel, the tone of disgust hanging over it. Brainless churl. Maybe you ought to ... Hmm, I don't know, gouge her eyeballs? She won't need them, just like her brain! A mental thought rang. Yet within a couple of seconds and a smirk, the Templar was confused. "D-did I say that?" He muttered, left groping the muscle in-between his eyes.

"If you can't work as part of this team then you're gone,"

Then that was when Calien came along with Ash, who suddenly pulled him to the side. What is this fool talking about? Suddenly thinking he is a leader of some kind. Another dark thought echoed from his head. The Templar placed something that was between a fake smile and a angry smirk on his face. "Ah, such excellent support, Calien. Here I was almost thinking that ... Actually, no, no. It is fine." An unusually enthusiastic tone said, eyes darting between the supposed leader and something glittering in the background.

Now that is pretty. Taking a deep breath, Von faced Calien again. "I'll stay silent this time. Call me when something ... or someone needs to be cut." He said with a sudden emotionless tone, brushing the grip that the once recruiter held on him and walked ten steps to one of the walls. A large Lyrium vein grew thick from the bottom and all the way to the top of the tunnel roof. Trying to act casually, Von rested his back against it, humming.

Was it always so pretty?
Always, my boy. Lyrium has always been pretty to us. The two thoughts said, immediately agreeing. Soon after, Von kept mostly quiet, leaning against the Lyrium, but he pulled out his dagger again, and once more started cleaning his nails. Nobody would notice in the tunnel, but underneath the nails were all red, and thin cuts of blood started oozing out with each movement, yet the Templar said nothing. Well, all except the Chant of Light that slightly echoed through the tunnel, it would almost be pleasant if the tone didn't sound like it came from a demon or pipe smoker.

"

[i]Though the lands suffer a thousand [u]wrongs[/u],
The Maker yet notices the smallest of deeds.[/i]

"


"

The deep [u]dark[/u] before dawn's first light seems [u]eternal[/u],
But know that the sun always rises.

"

 

[Athol]

Miners and surface workers alike, scrambled to get clear of Kari as she made her way out of the dig site. Cursing and swearing in every language she knew, she stalked through the work camp until she spotted what she was looking for; and work site this big, and with the potential to be going for a long time, started to collect the trappings of a town, and generally the first thing to show up was a tavern of some sort.

Pushing through the curtain ?door?, she stepped into the tavern. It was one part shack, two parts mess tent and five parts shithole, but it had liquor and that?s what mattered. Being built by dwarves, primarily for dwarves, the roof was more than a little low but she made do, weaving through the off-duty workers to the roughhewn bar. ?What can I do for ye?? The bartender asked, eyeing the qunari woman curiously. ?A bottle of whatever has the most kick.? She replied, throwing some coin on the bar. In one deft swipe, the bartender swept up the coins and turned around. ?Got just the thing.? He said, producing a large bottle that was filled with a caramel coloured liquid. ?This is a-? ?Don?t care.? Kari replied, grabbing the bottle and leaving.

Back outside, she found a spot away from the activity of the dig and opened the bottle. The first long pull sent a rolling wave of fire down her throat. ?Maker-damned piss-brained moron!?

 

[Protocol95]

To his dismay, Jarrett's interaction with the worker had to be cut short as Von was dragged away by Calien. He was left speechless by the interruption, at a loss of what to do until Ash approached him and Berund.

"Did any of you find something? As for us, we didn't... well, there was some disagreement upon how we should do it, and it fell apart."

"A pit with a lot of unknowns." He spat out fast so they could focus on the other situation. To say the situation was awkward was an understatement but Jarrett was glad Ash was keeping things focused. As Ash motioned him and Berund to follow him, Jarrett quickly asked Berund whether they wanted to keep an eye on the worker. "Maybe chat that guy up, keep him calm? I'll see what Ash has to say if that's okay."

"Only a moment, okay?"

"Von's unstable, right?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Von's unstable, right?"

"Well, that much is clear, but..." Ash lowered his voice, even though Von had walked further away. "You don't know why, right? He... ehm, he dispelled my magic while we were trying to talk to Volshen, and... then he upset Kari, I don't know what, but she called him a lyrium addict and said he was dangerous for the team. That he might get someone killed." Ash shifted where he stood, he didn't like talking behind someone's back, especially regarding something like this. However, the others should know.

I wonder, what would happen if he really did do as Kari said? Got someone killed?

Ash didn't like the thought of that. He didn't really like thought of Von dying either, even if he wouldn't mind Von staying at home next mission. Or the one after that.

"So yeah, be aware of that. He'll be... unpredictable at best. Although, if he tries to cancel my magic again, I'll make sure he understands that I'm still bigger and stronger than him, magic or not."

With that, he moved onto the hole that had been mentioned, this pit with a lot of unknowns. "Anyways, that hole you mentioned... could it be used? I suppose the main question would be where it leads, and if the biggest person here could get through it." He then chuckled at the rather obvious innuendo there.

I think it'd be me in both scenarios, though.

Although, perhaps Berund was rounder than him. He chuckled again, and looked over to Von, and stopped suddenly.

"Isn't there a lyrium vein over where he's standing?" he asked. He wasn't sure, but he thought so, having taken note of most of the lyrium when entering. One normally would, considering that the stuff could kill him in this form.

Let's see... pure lyrium is lethal to mages and to humans it would make them crazy, right? Even more crazy. That's bad news.

"Hey, Von," Ash said, and walked over."I wanted to apologize for what I did in the tunnel," he lied, and grabbed Von's hands, making sure that the other couldn't do anything with his hands as he dragged him away, using as much force as necessary. Then he noticed the bleeding -kind of difficult to ignore when he felt it running from Von's hands- and continued.

"O-oh, hey, you're bleeding, let me fix that, okay? I learned a healing spell. Come over here, though, I need some more light to see." A soft glow around his hands, Ash started trying to heal Von, holding the other's hands tightly as he could. He had been correct about the lyrium vein.

Thank the maker I noticed, though.

He prepared himself for what Von would do, though. Just in case.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

Berund's concern for Von's well-being was growing rapidly. He knew Von wasn't exactly feeling great from the scouting the night before, along with the distinct lack of communication the whole while. But now the man was completely out of his mind. Berund sighed with pity at the sight of Von in such a state. It didn't take long, thankfully, before Calien had shown up to grab the Templar by the scruff and give him a stern talking to.

Meanwhile, Ash had approached the dwarf and the elf as they looked on. Jarrett had turned to Berund and asked to check on the dwarven foreman, "Maybe chat that guy up, keep him calm? I'll see what Ash has to say if that's okay."

The dwarf scratched his beard for a moment before shaking his head. "If it's all the same to ye, any concerns about one our own, I'd like to hear about it."

The Qunari's words only confirmed Berund's suspicions. Von's Lyrium addiction was becoming a problem. The words, when spoken aloud, were more troubling than just his inklings. The dwarf allowed Ash to finish what he had to say and walk off toward Von without a word. If he suspected anger in the Qunari, then he may have acted but it seemed he was just concerned. If not for the Templar, then for the group as a whole.

With Ash having left, Berund turn to his elvish companion and shrugged. "Well, suppose someone's gonna have to look after our mineral-addled friend. Gotta see that he doesn't do something regrettable. And probably make sure Kari doesn't doesn't strangle him in his sleep."

 

[sage42]

Nola nodded as the workers explained a possible back entrance. Good, they wouldn't be totally screwed if negotiations went south. "Thanks fellas, you've been a big help. You guys enjoy your game and drinks. If everything goes right you'll all be able to get back to work soon." She said settling her helmet back on her head. "Try to at least get your families something nice with the gold yeah?" She said with a chuckle before heading back towards where the group had split. Hopefully they had been as successful as she had been, if not more.

She looked around the camp as she walked, making sure she wouldn't bump into the noble. Instead she found Kari, the rest of the group no where to be seen. And she looked pissed. "Great, this can only be good news." She thought bitterly. She approached the angered giant. "Dare I ask what's got you all but skewering anybody who looks at you wrong?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest.

 

[StormShaun]

The tunnels echoed with the many voices of the adventurers, with tones bleeding with hope and urgent concern. Further into the dark tunnels was the Templar, Von. The young adult was dabbling in a rather bleak-spoken Chant of Light reading, while slowly cutting into the skin under his nails. The blood dripped and dribbled down onto his skin, yet no reaction was committed, for his eyes were empty and persistent in the dream he played in.

Even the blue glimmer of the Lyrium did not illuminate his mind, in fact, it only hardened the fantasy, paranoia, and rage that dwelled within himself. For within this dream Von saw the grand, glorious marble floors of one of the largest ballrooms in Kirkwall. It extended larger than the Vicount's keep, spread out in all directions. Food of all kinds was laid out on long tables, and many heroes, politicians, and leaders were mingling with each other.

Here the Templar was Selthen, second of the Von Souchet family, it was a position he had forgotten, yet here, it always remained. The night invited them to a grand occasion, and the Von Souchet wore their forest green attires with pride. Selthen stood to the side of the room, goblet of wine in hand, and hidden from any responsibility that was forced upon him. Stroking his unusually clean shaven face, the Templar wondered where his date was.

Selthen's mind raced with youthful anxiety, after all, this was the flax-haired girl who held his desire. She had been delivering fruit and herbs to the family household since they were both children, and each knew each other greatly, even if it was a secret from both families. Closing his eyes from the grand sight and music of the ball, the young Templar could already remember the days that were spent as children, running through fields, spending time outside the cage-like city. At that time, the young boy could feel understanding for the mages within their prison towers.

It was a time where everything was new and fun, the outside held so much freedom compared to his life within the city, where he was forced to endure a life of a noble and promised Templar. At this time his father beat the knowledge and skills as a fighter into him, and made Selthen drink a blue medicine, as it would 'make him stronger and a true templar' as his father said. Yet it was a lie, for it was Lyrium, the substance that gave much more than the power the Templars needed. It was this that took his youth away from him.

Opening his eyes it seemed that the open dancing was closed off, and a ring of guests surrounded the open floor. Surprised and even more anxious, Selthen quickly drank the cup of wine, but only for it to drip plenty onto his hands. "Oh Maker ..." he mumbled, shaking off the crimson liquid and stepped towards the floor where the gentle music roamed. Yet in the Templar's way was a rather large man, in fact, it was a Qunari. The large man wore a colourful robe which seemed to blend in with the aura surrounding him, the Templar found it rather spectacular, especially the fine staff that held a carved dragon on top, which only made him wonder if he were a mage.

"Hey, Von,"

Intrigued by the name that he called, Selthen wondered if the large mage had heard of his family. Almost shaking, he even held the thought it might be someone to kill him in revenge for what his family had done to the mages in the Free Marches. Feeling the moisture of sweat on his face, Selthen gave a soft smile. "Aha, I'm sorry, I believe my partner is waiting, ser ... " He said, yet his voice trailed off as he could see a flash of flax hair in the distance, within the ring of influence.

Walking off slowly, Selthen soon found himself forcefully pushing through the crowd which had the thickness of an ocean, each face in it showed only a blank slate, laughing and cheering with whatever was housed in the middle. Coming to the gigantic open space, the young Templar son saw two figures dancing. One was her, in a simple sundress, smiling as if she was dancing with her true lover. Yet, the other was unusual, almost demon-like. It carried red armour that sung like Lyrium, and its presence only demanded power on respect. The two danced as if the floor was made out of ice, and the Red figure stared directly at Selthen.

The Templar knew exactly who that was. It was him [http://orig08.deviantart.net/e7fb/f/2009/331/4/b/dragon_age__red_dragon_armour_by_ignusdei.jpg], the other voice, the one who dangled and empowered himself off the power of Lyrium. Von would say he started all of this trouble, yet, he also knows it is apart of him. The scene was bizarre, yet it was beautiful as it showed power beyond any human's. That was when the young man saw that the red claws dug through the girl's skin, and blood dripped all over the floor. Mind and heart racing, Von was suddenly at the heart of the circle, forcing the unnaturally beautiful dance to stop.

"Y-you!"
"I believe you meant to say, hello darkness, my old friend."
"Get away from her, now!"
"Oh I'm sorry, does she only belong to you. She belongs to us."
"I'll kill you!"
"You can try, but I'll always be here ... With the Lyrium."

Feeling the dark smirk, suddenly Von was pulled back. It was the mage, no, Ash, dragging him away, pulling him into the sea of people. Fearful of losing sight, Von kept looking, unconscious of whatever he was yelling. As the darkness of the crowd surrounded him, the last thing he could see was that dark figure kneeling, as if he were a prince. Unable to hear, Von could feel himself calling her name.

Thus, the dream ended.


[hr]

Meanwhile, that dark tunnel held a darker personality. "Enjoy the dream, knight." He whispered to himself, giving a silent chuckle before looking up at the Lyrium vein, not stopping the violent and non-painful torture of its host's body. The power and song of Lyrium was most enchanting, as if the sound came from something more than the veil. Yet, this darker Von did not care, it held power, and that only meant that his enemies could die quickly.

"What kind of person doesn't desire power? And I'll make sure this one acquires a position that can burn worlds." He muttered, feeling the burning sensation that came with this body's determination. Humming a soft tune, it looked at the work it had done on the body. "Hmm, too far?" He mumbled, then suddenly a voice called out. Immediately, the knife appeared in Von's hand, blade pointed towards the voice. Yet it seemed to be only Ash, the mage.

"Hey, Von,"

"Oh ? Mage." The voice said with disappointment, the usual tone of Von was replaced with something rough and dark, as it this was not Von to begin with. "I'm somewhat disappointed, only if you were something to kill, or that half-brained weakling that you call a kinswoman. To be perfectly honest, I think she's overcompensating with the hunk of iron." He said, ending with a giggle. Yet as the figure of Von looked upon Ash, it almost looked that his blue eyes had become red. That or his sclera had completely turned red. The supposed Von gave one last horizontal cut to his skin and sheathed the precious dagger.

"I wanted to apologize for what I did in the tunnel,"

"Oh finally, though to be honest, I feel like we should have just simply thrown a dagger at his face. After all can't we-" The dark tone spoke, yet with a grip of a bull, the mage started pulling away. Giving a dark giggle, the dark Von gasped in relief. "So that is what you wanted to do, interesting, but it won't keep him away forever." 'Von' said, and it seemed rather strange that the Templar referred to himself as "him". Yet surprisingly to the mage, the body it dragged suddenly turned lifeless. The pupils became large, and it felt like nobody was home.

As the mage started healing the Templar, the dream ended, and suddenly it looked like as if the body became possessed, or life just came back. What was most shocking was the voice that yelled.
"I'll kill you!"
It Von's normal voice, yet it sounded like as if it was combined with the one Ash heard earlier.

Then, silence.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Oh ... Mage. I'm somewhat disappointed, only if you were something to kill, or that half-brained weakling that you call a kinswoman. To be perfectly honest, I think she's overcompensating with the hunk of iron."

I have a name, you know.

Ash thought, bitterly. He had to feign concern for Von, and it was getting increasingly difficult to do. Even so, he channeled his annoyance into pulling Von further away.

"Oh finally, though to be honest, I feel like we should have just simply thrown a dagger at his face. After all can't we- So that is what you wanted to do, interesting, but it won't keep him away forever."

Was I too late?

It sounded as if Von was beyond saving, although... those red eyes, was this really all Von? Or had Ash's own issues crept up, slowly?

But I feel... I feel fine.

He calmed himself, focused on the task. Yes, Von was being particularly nasty, and yes, he would definitely put in a complaint, or even make sure Von never could go with them again, but the guy didn't deserve to go completely insane. Not even if he was stupid enough to walk over to a lyrium ore and cuddle it. Von's wounds had healed by the time he acted up next.

"I'll kill you!"

Ash's eyes widened, not by shock or even anger. He just stared at Von, head tilted. Then he chuckled, re-tightening his grip on Von's hands, before pulling them around so that Von couldn't move without it hurting. Honestly, Ash wasn't sure what was going on, he suspected that his own psyche had something to do with all that was going on, but he refused to get scared.

He threatened me. Again.

"Hahaha... No. You can't scare me," he said, pushing the feelings of uneasiness away. Ash was about to continue, but he bit his lip, saying what he wanted to say inside his mind.

You don't threaten people who try to help you, because, maker help me, I will knock you out and drag you into the most disgusting and revolting pit of darkspawn I can find here to make sure that your last moment are as horrifying as some of my worse days.

Ash wasn't quite sure how he felt. Disgusted, perhaps. He had tried to help Von, and only gotten psychotic statements as a reply. Then again, why did he bother? Von obviously didn't want his help. Still, it was... well, almost insulting, Ash had dealt with this kind of thing for so long, yet Von chose to take it out on everyone there.

You think you're insane? Don't expect me, or anyone else, to go easy on you, or pity you. Not when you walk over to the closest Lyrium ore and hug it, whispering creepy things to it like it's your lover. I have no sympathy for someone who purposely makes themselves worse.

Ash let go of Von, finally, this was useless. Von wasn't going to listen either way, not to him.

"I tried," he said, and walked over to the others, standing especially close to Calien. He was clearly not sure of what to do next. Hopefully, Von wasn't lost enough to try to damage their leader. If he was... well, Ash had the advantage of range. And, given how Von was acting, he didn't doubt it'd be self defence if something did happen.

 

[StormShaun]

As the normal Von gained control over his body, he prepared for silence, meditation, anything, any form of help that would aid him battle the thing that was crawling, changing, grasping his head and mental well-being. Ash simply gave up and walked away. At that moment, it felt as if a held out hand was severed, not just by a brigand or enemy, but by someone who was on the same side. The easiest way to call this is ...

("Betrayal.")

The sensation that Von felt next was crawling, he could feel the red-armoured figure walk heavily inside his mind. Even just closing his eyes gave him the feeling that two yellow eyes gazed back at him. The dark personality walked up closely to Von, to the range limit where he could do whatever he wanted. ("Huh, not bad for a mage, but horrible for a helper. He shouldn't quit his day job.") the voice echoed, immediately giving out a crazed laugh, it echoed within the landscape that was Von's mind.

That was when the physical body of Von quickly shuffled to a wall, eyes only looking on the ground, once more he gave only silence, and his body quaked slightly.
("W-Why-")
("Because he doesn't give a shite about you! As I said back on those battlements, he's working against you, the natural work of a blood mage.")
With that last mental echo, the personality that is Von felt a non-physical tease, and at that moment, sensed that once again. ("Feel comfortable, because once you desire power that lingers in Lyrium, or you give up, I'll be there.") A more fierce tone muttered, caressing the cheek

(" I still can't believe you forgot about me, still. Now there are no more strings on me ... Hah.") The eerie voice called within, before walking back into the black shadows of the mind. With the nameless one gone, Von stood up, his body still as water, eyes somewhat empty but flickering a flame. "I'll fight, I'll show you a fight. In my mental halls I'll ... I'll force you ..." The voice of Von trailed off as he started exiting the tunnel. The only thing that echoed for him was the other voice's hysterical laugh.

("I'd like to see you try, helpless one.")

 

[Athol]

"Dare I ask what's got you all but skewering anybody who looks at you wrong?"

Her first instinct was to tell Nola to ?fuck off?, as she really wasn?t in the mood to talk to people. It?s not her fault that human doesn?t have the wit the Maker gave a slug? After a long sigh, and an even longer pull on the bottle, she shifted slightly so she could look at the dwarf. ?That human is what?s wrong.? She said eventually, spitting out the word ?human? like it left a bad taste. ?Me an? Ash were doing the ?strong arm? approach?the kid laid it on a bit thick, but never-the-less, we had that fat little gold fucker this close to cracking when Von swaggered over and cut Cailen?s legs out from under him by trying to bribe the little shit.?

Taking another pull she, she wiped her mouth before going on. ?You never try to buy off turds like that, it just encourages them to hold out for more. Then Ash got in Von?s face face about it, they had a little pissing contest, and then Von left?all in front of the dwarf. Needless to say, that pretty much killed all the headway we made?? Finishing off the bottle, she pitched it into the inactive dig site. ?And here?s the real kicker. I went to have a ?word? with Von, and saw him downing some lyrium. When I caught up to him, he barely even realized I was there; so to top all that shit off, not only is he a total fucking idiot, but he?s an addict too??

 

[sage42]

Nola wanted to kick herself as Kari explained Von's newest mishap. Ancestors damned Templar. First picking fights within the group, now undercutting the guy who basically got us paying jobs? The question is, is this just the human arrogance showing through? Or the lyrium? "Shoulda just left the guy back at Skyhold, get him back out on the training field. Few days back with the grunts mighta done him some good."

Nola remembered her first real training session. Iilyn had run her ragged with her blade and shield for weeks. "Shoulda seen this coming too. He mentioned something about Lyrium back at Skyhold. I didn't pay it too much mind. I'm used to using caution around the stuff. seems like the humans don't quite get it though." She admitted, scowling behind her helmet. She sighed. "Well at least I have some good news. The workers had plenty of information for sale. They don't get paid much as it were. I might have us a back entrance to the mine."

 

[Athol]

"Well at least I have some good news. The workers had plenty of information for sale. They don't get paid much as it were. I might have us a back entrance to the mine."

?That is the best bloody news I?ve heard all day.? Kari replied, pushing herself up. ?If I have to spend much longer here and deal with that fat little prick I?m going to deck him, golem or not.? For a brief moment, her expression turned even darker than it had been. ?And if Von fucks us over again, I?m going to gut the prick and leave him for the darkspawn. C?mon, let?s see if we can?t find us that ?back door? and get this shit show over with.?

 

[IFS]

"I tried,"

"Don't trouble yourself," Calien said, though from his expression it was clear he wasn't able to follow his own advice "if he can't keep in line then we'll send him back to Skyhold, the Commander used to be a Templar maybe he'd have some idea what to do."

Calien shook his head and was silent for a bit. After a fashion he began pacing, brow furrowed in thought before he turned back to Ash. Suddenly he stopped and began digging out his maps of the region, pausing on one and jabbing a finger at a point, those close enough could make it out as Vigil's keep.

"it could work," he muttered to himself "they're all connected right? Probably too far though... best to explore other options."

"Who all isn't here? I need to know what we've learned," he said suddenly, looking up at Ash "If we've got an entrance or some leverage on Volshen. Think you can round them up Ash?"

_______________________________________________________________________________

The 'back doo' as it was proved somewhat difficult to find, concealed by the rugged terrain, but the worker's advice was simple to follow and Kari and Nola eventually stumbled on it. From the outside it appeared almost as nothing more than the shadow under a hill, closer it looked like some shallow cave, but following it soon reached a massive set of stone doors and a square cut hall. pale blue-green light was visible in the cracks on the doors, but they were sealed shut. It would take more strength than Kari or Nola had to budge them, but it was certainly an entrance albeit one that hummed with the power of lyrium.

Even dispersed in the air as it was it could prove hazardous, capable of blistering exposed skin and numbing the mind, perhaps the dwarves could resist it but not the rest of the group. This much was commonly known, and unless they could find a way to reduce or suppress the magic in the air they would have no way forward here.

 

[Protocol95]

"Anyways, that hole you mentioned... could it be used? I suppose the main question would be where it leads, and if the biggest person here could get through it."

"Only way to know either it seems is by testing it." He dryly said to Ash.

"Isn't there a lyrium vein over where he's standing?"

Looking over to Von, Jarrett stood back quietly as Ash approached him. The conversation took a turn for the worst it seemed as Von's instability became undoubtedly apparent.

"I'll kill you!"

Making up his mind, Jarrett thought to himself, "That settles it, I'll have to deal with him." This problem, whatever it was, was undoubtedly dangerous to Von and others and an unneeded obstacle in the group's mission.

"Hahaha... No. You can't scare me,"

As Ash went to Calien, Jarrett quietly muttered a simple "Impressive." Refocusing his view on Von and his thoughts. "But fear is too useful a tool as I know far too well and so will he. His thoughts were viscous and imaginative in his plans and as he approached Von, Jarrett wore a friendly smile, a façade which only emphasised his unfettered nature. Walking right behind Von as he was about to exit the tunnel he let out a call to him that was both concerned and sadistic. "Hey, everything right?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Don't trouble yourself. If he can't keep in line then we'll send him back to Skyhold, the Commander used to be a Templar maybe he'd have some idea what to do."

"I hope so," Ashtalan muttered quietly, looking over at Von with an expression of concern and anger. He couldn't help but to judge Von harshly, Ash had been worse, way worse, yet he had never acted as Von did. Not even when everything and everyone had been covered in blood, and not when he felt like curling up and crying.

Because if something isn't done, I might end up doing something that'll get me kicked out of the Inquisition. Not to mention, if he dislikes me because I'm a mage... what about the rest of the mages?

Ash wouldn't sit still if Von tried to harm those who was weaker than Ash, especially if he took away their magic.

"Who all isn't here? I need to know what we've learned. If we've got an entrance or some leverage on Volshen. Think you can round them up Ash?"

"I'll look for them," Ash replied, giving a careful smile. "I'll just point at me and say I'm looking for someone who looks like that, just female and with a huge sword. Besides, I need a moment to calm down, I suppose." With that, he went ahead to look for Kari and Nola. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too difficult to do.

Having found the workers and the bar, Ash had been told that Kari and Nola had gone somewhere together, directions being somewhat unclear. However, it wasn't too difficult to find the pair, though he found them in front of a place he would rather not go.

Good, they're still together. That saves me some time.

"Hi, Calien wanted me to come get you guys," he said, and eyed the opening, warily. "You're not considering that place, right? I'm fairly sure it would kill me, so I'm not going." He rubbed his arm, taking another step back. "Oh, also, Von had another incident, I think he calmed down now, but I'd be careful around him. He kind of told me he'd kill me, so I don't want to talk to him anymore."

Ash decided against mentioning the insult leveled at Kari, she hardly needed another reason to get angry with the human.

"Also, Jarrett and Berund found an opening we could, perhaps, go through. If not, I think we'll have to get rid of the golem."

 

[sage42]

Nola frowned at the door. Just their luck, the workers had been right. She could almost feel the lyrim humming beyond the door. Even if they were able to get them open, what were they to do about that? They could probably jury-rig something to protect the others, but between Ash and Von alone it could still probably spell trouble. She crossed her arms and tilted her head side to side, thinking of a possible solution.

She was snapped from her thoughts when she heard Ash's voice behind her.

Good, they're still together. That saves me some time.

"Hi, Calien wanted me to come get you guys. You're not considering that place, right? I'm fairly sure it would kill me, so I'm not going. Oh, also, Von had another incident, I think he calmed down now, but I'd be careful around him. He kind of told me he'd kill me, so I don't want to talk to him anymore. Also, Jarrett and Berund found an opening we could, perhaps, go through. If not, I think we'll have to get rid of the golem."

"Well we were, but if this other path leads to somewhere close to Kal'Hirol, then it'll be close enough to get there through the Deep Roads. Personally I'd rather avoid this place too. Not sure if even Berund or myself could survive this." She jabbed a thumb at the door. "Besides damn things too heavy." She sighed. "Well that was a waste of gold. No matter might as well see if this other path is any good." She scowled behind her helmet again. "C'mon, lets get back to the others then. I can't decide if I want Von to be calmed down or still crazy. One we can talk too, the other we can beat some sense into, right now either sounds helpful."

 

[Athol]

Kari was glad Nola?s information had been correct, though her enthusiasm was pretty dampened when she spied the distinctive lyrium glow coming from cracks in the door. Raw lyrium was not something to be taken casually.

"Hi, Calien wanted me to come get you guys, you?re not considering that place, right? I'm fairly sure it would kill me, so I'm not going.

She gave Ash a slight smile and nod as he approached. ?I?m no mage,? She replied. ?But even I know one should stay away from unprocessed lyrium? She raised any eyebrow as Ash continued to back away from the doorway; something other than the lyrium was bothering him as well.

Oh, also, Von had another incident, I think he calmed down now, but I'd be careful around him. He kind of told me he'd kill me, so I don't want to talk to him anymore."

Visceral anger flashed in her eyes while Nola spoke; taking a few deep breaths, Kari slowly reigned in her rebounding anger. Doesn?t matter how satisfying it?d be, gutting that shit-stain in public won?t help things. She repeated that a few times in her head before her more emotional side began to believe it.

"C'mon, let?s get back to the others then. I can't decide if I want Von to be calmed down or still crazy. One we can talk too, the other we can beat some sense into, right now either sounds helpful."

Opening her eyes, they were hard and almost unnaturally calm. ?Personally? I?m going to break his spine and let the darkspawn eat him.? She replied in a voice that was as eerily calm as her eyes. ?Come on, let?s go see the Boss.? Turning away from the door, she began to head back to where she?d last seen Cailen.

 

[DarkRawen]

"C'mon, lets get back to the others then. I can't decide if I want Von to be calmed down or still crazy. One we can talk too, the other we can beat some sense into, right now either sounds helpful."

"It's the same to me," Ash muttered, and looked at his feet. It really was, he had no intention to get close to Von for the remainder of the mission, not unless he was forced to.

"Personally? I'm going to break his spine and let the darkspawn eat him. Come on, let's go see the Boss."

Well. At least I'm not the only with the idea of feeding him to the darkspawn.

Still, he was glad he had not gotten on the bad side of Kari yet. At least, he hoped he hadn't. It was partly because, well, she had a huge blade, but also because he could get quite angry himself, if he was threatened at least.

Perhaps... I'm a bit harsh on Von.

But then again, Von had been threatening him. Ash rubbed one of his horns, thinking.

I really don't know what to do. Perhaps I should just go home, being distracted, even more distracted than I normally am, is dangerous. Then again... they might need a mage, and I don't need to talk to Von, someone else. At least someone who doesn't seem that angry.

Nola seemed to be calmer about it, unsurprising, she didn't seem as intense as Kari. Berund and Jarrett had seemed patient with the human too, so there was enough people there to do what Ash didn't. Then, Ash realized he had been standing still for quite a while, looking at his feet. That wasn't what he was supposed to do, and it would help no one to keep thinking about it. He stepped in front of the two ladies, having noticed that Kari was going ahead without knowing where Calien had gone.

"Oh, yeah, that's right. Follow me," he said, and started showing them the way to where the rest were.

 

[StormShaun]

Walking in those dim lit tunnels felt unusual, as if the feeling of being alone suddenly became non-existent, disappearing into the void where that mental demon resided. Yet Von was alone, and with a quick lance he could confirm it. Curling his hands into fists, he marched one, yet he could still feel it walk around freely, as if were just behind him. Reaching the opening, the Templar took a deep breath, for now he was feeling more in control, and further away from the singing mineral. ("You are wrong.") The inner voice hissed. It turned out that Jarrett was following him.

"Hey, everything right?"

Hearing both voices call, Von gave a look of grimace. ("Hmm, whats this. A tone with dripping disquiet and leaking with callous? Colour me interested ... Or rather, you.") It whispered, taking a few steps back within the mental landscape. Taking another deep breath, Von groped his face, forcing a deadpan look upon it. Leaning against the side of the tunnel entrance, he gave Jarrett a look of intrigue. "Now why could you possibly be here?"

"Hmph. To scold me, to possibly even threaten me? This group is just full of supporting members." He said, leaving a bitter tone hanging off the last words. ("Haha, now that is the Von I love!") It responded with a bellowing laugh, which echoed throughout his head. Groping his head, Von suppressed the urge to just yell at it, especially since it would only distance himself even more from the group. "Arg, fucking voice." He moaned with disgust.

"I'll tell you what, this may sound insane. I am plagued ... Plagued by a horrendous mental voice. It sneers and insults to torment. Even worse, I feel it trying to control me, both physically and mentally." He admitted to the elf. ("Keh, way to ruin the surprise.") The other Von said once more, its voice becoming more and more quiet with each jest. "Worst of all, it lives off Lyrium. To which I'm addicted to, and finally, can't do my job without." Von bellowed, giving his own self-hating smirk. "Ah, Maker plow me, for I have purposefully become a burden to this group!" He spat with sarcasm before lightly punching the stone behind him.

The Templar could tell that his negative feelings were spiraling out of control. It was as if this other voice opened the jar which contained everything he suppressed. Feeling the mental presence once again, he took a intense deep breath. "Arg, fuck, sorry, is this what being an aggressive arse feels like?! Terrible ... Ah, I need a damn drink." He said softly with regret, all the while ruffling his hair.

"Or more accurately ... Darkspawn to kill."