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

[sage42]

Nola Listened as Anso spoke, glad to hear that one of the Nobles of Orzammar had their heads pulled from their asses. Or at least bright enough to realize a threat, or lack of one, when he saw one. She paused briefly to take a cooling breath, the work was hard in her armor, but she thought it better to keep it on in case of attack, rather than be caught off guard during a surprise attack. When Berund started to sing she chuckled and whistled along with the tune. That had always been one of her favorites.

Her good mood was quickly spoiled however when she heard Anso speak up again.

"Say why are you two wearing your helmets? Let me see your faces." She froze for a moment, her eye wide beneath her helmet. She glanced to Berund, trying to gauge his own response before she made her own. after a moment she decided to take the first step. It had long been her calling to protect others, whether through her craft armor and weapons, or the shield on her back. Hopefully, should things go south from this, she would receive the majority of flak. "As you wish m'lord." She grasped her helmet and slid it off her head, her short hair sticking to her brow from the sweat. She fixed Anso with a worried look, praying to the Ancestors that he wouldn't recognize either of them.

 

[Athol]

Kari jumped a bit when Anso answered her question; she hadn?t realized he?d been standing so close. Still it was a good sign that he laughed instead of getting mad at her question. ?Thank you for that m?lord.? She replied. ?Though I feel I should apologize. Fair question or not, I should not have gone behind your back, so-to-speak, to your men?I?ve just spent so long working around the Orlesian Court.? Standing up from the wounded man who?s wounds she?d just finishing binding, she bowed to Anso?which as comical, considering even in a bow she was still at least a head or two taller than the dwarf.

"Say why are you two wearing your helmets? Let me see your faces."

It wasn?t until Anso mentioned it, that Kari realized Nola and Berund both still had their helmets on. A brief question as to why they were still fully kitted flickered through her mind, but it was quickly dismissed as unimportant?until she saw the worried look on Nola?s face. Without even a conscious thought, Kari slowly edged over until she was beside her own weapon and helm.

 

[StormShaun]

"are you having trouble getting enough of it, or are you having withdrawals? In either case I'm sure the Inquisition can help, we've already got supply chains established to help keep the mages stocked, or if it's the other way I'm sure a healer could look for something to ease the pain."

As Calien talked officially about any support the Inquisition could offer, Von shook his head in a uncontrolled fashion, in fact, he had to place all his effort into listening to his Inquisition leader. "No, no, no. None of those..." He said, quickly mumbling the word "pain" under his breath. It seemed the Templar looked to his side in grimace before flicking it back to Calien.

Trying his best to ignore the alluring whispers of the demon-like voice in his head, Von quickly told his problem. "There is something in my head. It poisons my mind, demanding lyrium of both kinds, and it shows me... memories, nightmares. I... I don't really know." He said, closing his eyes in a hopeless fashion, once opening them, it seemed those eyes were as red as any human eye can get, yet it seemed his grip became stronger, almost even painful.

Letting go, Von took several steps backwards. Not in fear of Calien, but more in fear of something else. "Since entering this place, I've tried to figure why I am haunted. It could be the... the three main effects of Lyrium addiction. Paranoia, obsession, and dementia. I believe..." Von trailed off, quickly using one hand to heavily grip the right side of his face. "I believe that I've shown the first symptom back at Skyhold, so I have no idea if this is dementia gripping me, a literal demon or... a damn other personality gripping me."

"But the worst question I've been asking... can it take over me?"

 

[IFS]

"As you wish m'lord."

Anso squinted, for a moment it seemed as though some glimmer of recognition appeared in his eyes but then it faded.

"You both seem familiar," he said "spent much time in Orzammar? I swear I must have seen you before..."

"Greetings Anso. Escape is on everyone's minds but we need to exercise concern over this 'child' monster. Any routes here or nearby that it can take need to be known. Anything at all, even if it's too small, closed off, or even just a weak wall. Let me know and worst case scenario, we have a better defense. Best case, my group can kill it before it becomes anybody's problem."

"The way you came is about the only path I know of, we explored all the nearby nooks and crannies and they don't go very deep," Anso said.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

"But the worst question I've been asking... can it take over me?"

"I've never heard of lyrium addiction creating a demon," Calien said hesitantly, trying to choose his words with caution "though there were stories from Kirkwall about templars becoming possessed, you're from there so I'm sure you heard..."

Calien seemed to think for a few moments then spoke again "Whatever this demon is, whether its real or just in your head, remember that it only has the power you give it," he said "now do you think you can manage it for the rest of our mission? If not then I will have to send you back to skyhold once we escape these tunnels."

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

While the other talked the shifting of the rubble continued, it was slow, heavy and exhausting work but it was all some of the dwarves had to take their minds off their current circumstances and the noises of the steady tumble and cracking of stone at least drowned out the more distant shrieks and roars of monsters lurking out in the dark. The presence and aid of some of the adventurers with it was encouraging as well.

As the rock shifted Ash began to feel something, the familiar song of lyrium too quite and muddled to be felt by any but a mage. Even then his particular sensitivity to the Fade was the only reason it was anything more than a hushed whisper in the back of his mind to him. Anso had said some of the lyrium explosives they had might have been buried in the rubble and now Ash could feel them, maybe even feel the direction they would need to dig in to reach them.

 

[DarkRawen]

"You both seem familiar, spent much time in Orzammar? I swear I must have seen you before..."

Ash was about to ask why that was significant, when he got distracted. He didn't know why Berund and Nola had been wearing their helmets so much -though he figured it had to be a way of hiding their faces and not getting recognized- but the situation was tense now that the helmets were gone. Would there be a fight? Surely not now that they were waist-deep in rocks and the blood of darkspawn.

He had even opened his mouth as he moved rocks, but then he had stopped. Someone had moved a rock, and he had heard a song, the one of lyrium.

Is there some here? Should I... oh.

Anso had said that some of the explosives could be in the rubble right? He took a step forward, closed his eyes, and tried to shut out the surroundings to better tell where it was coming from. At first, he heard only the song, muddled, but definitely lyrium. Not the freakishly red one either.

I'm not just sensing things either, right?

No, this had to be real. It was hopeful, after all, and the things he saw were seldom those of hope. Slowly, Ashtalan was able to pick out where it came from, and when he was sure, he took a step away and pointed in that direction.

"There! There's... I think it's the lyrium explosives. If we dig there, we could use them to clear out the remainders of the rock!" he said, eagerly, as he then went over and started digging, though he wasn't sure he could do it on his own. There was more drive in his moves now, though. The thought of getting out quicker was encouraging, after all.

 

[sage42]

"You both seem familiar, spent much time in Orzammar? I swear I must have seen you before..."

Nola clenched her jaw, hoping that he wouldn't connect the dots. "Yeah....Orzammar born and raised....or at least I used to be." She said before turning her attention towards Ash. She hadn't quite heard what he had said, but he was excited, and digging with new strength. He must've found something. She just hoped it was enough to distract Anso. She set her helmet aside and gave Anso one more look before she started digging again. They needed to get out to safety first, then they could hash everything out.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"You both seem familiar," Anso said, "spent much time in Orzammar? I swear I must have seen you before..."

"Yeah....Orzammar born and raised....or at least I used to be."

Berund could practically feel the unease coming from Nola. It seemed that, for whatever reason, she was none too pleased about Anso's digging and made it clear when she turned her back to him and returned to more literal digging. The former Legionnaire felt it was a good time to cut in and hopefully keep Nola from more prying.

"Born and raised an Orzammar dwarf as well," Berund proudly proclaimed. "If ye know House Brower, then surely ye know me; Berund, son of Botin. At yer service."

 

[Protocol95]

"The way you came is about the only path I know of, we explored all the nearby nooks and crannies and they don't go very deep,"

"Is that the case? Hm..." After briefly contemplating worry that Anso may not understand the full extent of his worry Jarrett continued speaking. "Very well then. Thank you for your help and in this crisis I am your blade." Giving a proper bow to Anso he left his presence and proceeded to Calien, intending to further inquire about plans.

However seeing him occupied with Von, Jarrett made a fair guess as to what they were discussing. He made no effort to hide his eavesdropping in on their conversation.

 

[Athol]

"There! There's... I think it's the lyrium explosives. If we dig there, we could use them to clear out the remainders of the rock!"

Kari?s concerns about what might happen between Nola, Berund and Anso where derailed by Ash?s pronouncement. ?Lyrium?explosives?? She muttered, not exactly thrilled at the idea. Grabbing her helm, she stuffed it onto her head and picked up her blade, before moving away from where Ash was standing. ?That?s great.? She said a bit more loudly. ?I?ll stay the fuck over here while the miners see to that.?

 

[StormShaun]

"Whatever this demon is, whether its real or just in your head, remember that it only has the power you give it,"

"You're right... I should stop listening to hi... it... no, I should just clear my head, heh." He huffed, taking his time breathing. Moving the hand attached to his face, Von's grip lightened, moving back to adjust his light, ashen brown hair. Paranoia, obsession, and dementia. Those three symptoms were repeated inside the Templar's head. Logical thinking is required, these things were not mystical, they don't have a higher power, it's just sickness. Von thought, and soon enough, he adjusted his posture, one that spoke of a slight improvement in his mentality.

"now do you think you can manage it for the rest of our mission? If not then I will have to send you back to skyhold once we escape these tunnels."

"I... I think I'll be fine, as long as I stay away from any Lyrium." Von said, but the Templar did not just speak with a weak voice, he took off the bag on his back, pulling out a small wooden box. It looked older, almost antique looking, and if Calien had any experience with Templars, this was the Lyrium kit that they acquire in the profession. Placing that on the ground, he also removed the bandolier that hangs on his body, several jingles sound out, as if several glass containers met each other. Picking the box up once again, he held them out to the Inquisition leader.

"I believe it would do me good."

 

[IFS]

"I believe it would do me good."

Calien nodded and accepted the box and vials, tucking them carefully away.

"Of course, I'll keep them hidden," he said "If you need them then let me know, a mission isn't exactly the best place to try and break an addiction and we might need you at top condition."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Yeah....Orzammar born and raised....or at least I used to be."

"If ye know House Brower, then surely ye know me; Berund, son of Botin. At yer service."

Anso frowned "Yes I remember House Brower, odd to find one of them here though particularly one who I believe joined the Legion," Anso shrugged, though he did not seem satisfied "I won't complain of allies in our present circumstances, though I'll have to ask how you two came to join the Inquisition later. For now it seems your mage has found something."

That said he moved over to Ash, motioning for the Qunari to step back "Easy there, if you're right you may have just found our way out," he said, leaning in and setting one ear on the stone for a few moments before smiling "Ancestors be praised! I can just barely hear it, probably would have passed it off as the trick of a hopeful mind if you hadn't heard it first."

Standing back up he glanced over the camp "Alright, we'll need to move everyone back there's no telling how far the blast will go when we set this off or how much rock will slide around and I'd rather get everyone moving now while we dig out the rest of the way," he said then turned to Calien "I'll be trusting you and your people to escort my injured to a safe distance while the rest of my men and I finish tunneling to the explosives, once we've set a fuse we'll join you."

Calien nodded "Of course," he turned to address the group "Berund, Jarrett, scout out ahead down the tunnel. Everyone else help me round up the wounded, Maker willing we won't run into any Darkspawn but I'm not holding my breath. If we do have to fight protecting the dwarves is our priority."

Around the camp the wounded began to stir, fortunately many were able to walk even with their injuries, though others had to lean on healthier dwarves to get far. Clearly it would be a slow effort to get them to a safe distance and with the ever present echoes of distant monsters now seeming louder than ever there was little hope they would avoid danger.

Spoiler: Scouting

Some distance out from the camp scouts will find a group of about 15 darkspawn, mostly genlocks but with one emissary and a couple shrieks, patrolling. They have not spotted the scouts and seem to be continuing down an intersecting tunnel that would take them out of the path of the group though it is always possible they might loop back around.

 

[Protocol95]

"Berund, Jarrett, scout out ahead down the tunnel. Everyone else help me round up the wounded, Maker willing we won't run into any Darkspawn but I'm not holding my breath. If we do have to fight protecting the dwarves is our priority."

"Understood sir. You want to be in charge Berund?" Patting Berund on the back, Jarrett readied to set off.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

"This is problematic." Standing behind Berund crouched down, the sight ahead of them was quite threatening. "My guess is that the emissary is the leader here. We take him out, dealing with the others should be easier." Jarrett grimaced at the area, withdrawing his expression so as to not worry Berund should he notice. "Running away, traps, combat, whatever we do I think we agree that what's most important is to be in control. So what are your ideas?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Easy there, if you're right you may have just found our way out."


Ash stepped aside in order to let the other verify it, though he was sort of unsure of if he should mention that it might not be that easy to hear.

"Okay, but it's not---"

"Ancestors be praised! I can just barely hear it, probably would have passed it off as the trick of a hopeful mind if you hadn't heard it first."

He smiled. "Thank the maker," he muttered as he went over to the others. "I'd rather not be stuck down here more than I need to." He meant no offence to dwarves, but the fact that they could bring themselves to live where they did was beyond him. With a beaming smile, he hoped this would all work out.

"Berund, Jarrett, scout out ahead down the tunnel. Everyone else help me round up the wounded, Maker willing we won't run into any Darkspawn but I'm not holding my breath. If we do have to fight protecting the dwarves is our priority."

Got it.

Ash thought, and started rounding up the wounded, helping some of them out with a light touch of magic here and there to make them feel slightly better. It was all he could do in this situation. As he worked, he looked towards where Berund and Jarrett had gone, hopefully they managed to scout out a route quickly. Hopefully the other dwarves dug out the explosives quickly. Heck, hopefully, they'd be out of there in no time.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Yes I remember House Brower, odd to find one of them here though particularly one who I believe joined the Legion," Anso shrugged, though he did not seem satisfied "I won't complain of allies in our present circumstances, though I'll have to ask how you two came to join the Inquisition later. For now it seems your mage has found something."

Berund merely nodded as Anso thankfully, with Ash's discovery, diverted his own line of questioning. That's not a story I look forward to recounting, he thought as he looked on.

Calien turned to address the group "Berund, Jarrett, scout out ahead down the tunnel. Everyone else help me round up the wounded, Maker willing we won't run into any Darkspawn but I'm not holding my breath. If we do have to fight protecting the dwarves is our priority."

"Understood sir. You want to be in charge Berund?"

"Just make sure ye can keep up, Beanpole," the dwarf replied with a grin. He took a moment to gather his gear and soon was off into the caverns.



Didn't seem to be long before they happened upon a group of darkspawn.

"Running away, traps, combat, whatever we do I think we agree that what's most important is to be in control. So what are your ideas?"

Berund scratch the scruff of his neck as he thought. Jarrett was right in pointing out the emissary was primary out of all the others. The real trick would be getting to him before he became aware and could properly defend himself. "Fun as it'd be to charge in and cut them down, might be a bit of a challenge. If I didn't know 'em better, I'd suggest whittling them down quietly but that could go sideways 'fore we'd lay a hand on that emissary. But come to think of it, a good trap could do the trick. Tell me, Beanpole, how are yer rock climbin' skills?

 

[StormShaun]

"If you need them then let me know, a mission isn't exactly the best place to try and break an addiction and we might need you at top condition."

"Nor is going mad." Von chimed, giving a solid look to Calien before gazing towards the rest of the group's whereabouts. A small, soft smile appeared, and he took a deep breath, yet the addict gave a short cough, as if the body was already giving retaliation. Catching his breath, the Templar nodded strongly. "I'm not trying to get rid of it... at least not yet, but I'd feel better if I wasn't going to have a meltdown and cause trouble for the group."

Von's body seemed to slowly melt into a more comfortable stance, and in reaction he took a smaller breath, but his look became displeased as he took a whiff of the air. "Apart from that, mate, I'll let you go. I'm sure you want to check the rest and plan for the journey ahead out of this place...." Von said, taking a second to give a sassy gesture towards the ceiling with a smug smirk. "Thank the Maker, for after this, I can say I'm not a fan of the Deep Roads." He said, following with a short sigh.

"Anyhow, I would like to rest and make sure my blades are still sharp. I'm sure we'll need them on the way back... plus I'd just love to document all of this in my journal." Von finally said as he excused himself to find a comfortable spot to rest.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

Spoiler: OOC

This post was made in collaboration with Protocol95

Berund crept closer to the darkspawn patrol. He'd hoped he wouldn't draw their attention too early. They we a crafty sort, the shrieks in particular. Any closer and he was sure they'd catch?wind of him. He continued to follow them, prepared to strike, though he knew he needed to allow Jarrett enough time to get into position. His hands drifted to his ax handles for assurance. He was well aware that he was outnumbered and were he to make a misstep he could easily fall to their iron and claws. He was curious as to how his elven companion was faring...

Jarrett had decided test out the extent of his rock climbing talent. He had some experience in navigating the buildings of Kirkwall but this was a very different beast to tackle.

Reaching the roof of the cave would be too difficult a task for Jarrett. He settled for a distance just above the tallest of the darkspawn group in terms of height, staying behind Berund in position.

Jarrett gave his friend a few signals that he planned to throw as many knives from his hand to the best available targets, then leap into action.

As he settled in a stealthy position, Jarrett shook for a moment in fear as he dislodged a rock the size of his foot. Thankfully a well time kick managed to launch it well out of earshot leaving only pain in his foot as a price for this misstep.

Some distance ahead, Berund was getting antsy. He figured enough time had passed. He withdrew his axes and quickly closed in on the nearest genlock. With a swift strike the spikes of his steel were lodged into the 'spawn's skull. The dwarf kicked the lifeless body away and toward the others. Now it was time to run. He turned and darted back the way he came. He could sense the shrieks on his heels. And if he was fortunate, the emissary was not far behind.

Witnessing Berund's attack, Jarrett gathered as well that the shrieks were likely on the move and readied his chain. Unfortunately for Berund Jarrett would have to wait until the moment before they attacked his friend to strike.

Fortunately however for Berund Jarrett successfully ensnared a shriek with his chain, Berund suffering no more than a frightening gash on his armour that thankfully didn't have time to go deeper.

Launching himself towards the shriek with a dash it and the other shriek were both knocked down, the latter's stealth interrupted. Pinned to the ground, the shrieks were no match for a series of relentless strikes.

 

[IFS]

Jarrett and Berund's sudden attack caught the Darkspawn off guard and cut through them before they could muster a response. One shriek managed a single half-formed scream before it was cut down but beyond the echo of that fading into the distance nothing of the darkspawn survived the encounter.

Meanwhile the group of injured began to mobilize soon catching up to the two scouts. Calien nodded approvingly at the pile of corpses.

"Good work," he said "think we'll see any more trouble?"

"If not from them then I'm sure we'll have trouble on our hands when the bomb goes off," one of the dwarves said "we should be at a safe distance here but that thing will make a boom to wake the ancestors, I don't doubt we'll have a mess of trouble on our hands when that happens."

As if in answer to the comment the sounds of boots running on the cold stone could be heard as the rest of the dwarves caught up to them.

"Hands on your ears!" Anso called out "Its going to-"

The caverns rumbled with the sounds of the blast, it was like thunder reverberating on the walls shaking free dust and small rocks even at such a distance from the blast. The rumbling continued for what felt like minutes before finally anything else could be heard, and for a few moments the contrast made the Deep Roads seem still and calm.

"Everyone alright?" Anso called out "Good, let's get moving back! Calien, your group and my men will cover the rear!"

Then a roar sounded from the distance in answer to the thundering of the bomb. No one who had heard such a roar before could have mistaken it for anything other than what it was, the cry of an ogre. But at the beast lumbered, charging, into view it became clear this was not any ogre but one clad in plated armor. Seeing the group the monster lowered its horns and began the charge.

"Fuck," Calien said, his feet betraying him as he stumbled back a step before regaining his composure, fear still visible in his eyes he called out "For the Inquisition! Stop it here!"

 

[Athol]

Kari nodded approvingly to Berund and Jarret as she passed the wreckage of their ambush. Too bad there seems to be an endless supply of these assholes? She thought as she played rear guard to the group of wounded.

"Hands on your ears! It?s going to-"

It wasn?t the easiest thing to do, covering ones hears while wearing a helmet, but she did what she could?that said, she still felt like her head had been caught in an avalanche?

"Everyone alright? Good, let's get moving back! Calien, your group and my men will cover the rear!"

She gave the dwarven commander a thumbs up as she tried to clear the ringing in her ears; unfortunately she managed to do that just in time to hear the bellowing roar of the ogre, and see the armoured beast charge into view. ?Maker?s puckered asshole, does it ever stop!?? There was no time for further bitching; instead, she took up her blade from where she?d dropped it when she?d tried to cover her ears, and made to meet the charge. ?ASHKOST KATA!? She hollered, twisting to avoid its first grasping swipe, and thrusting her sword towards the weaker armour of its arm pit.

 

[DarkRawen]

"Hands on your ears! Its going to-"


Ash hardly needed anyone telling him that he needed to cover his ears, he had been prepared to do so the moment they had withdrawn. He didn't like loud noises, not when he was the one having to deal with them. It felt like forever for the explosion to stop, everything around him shaking and threatening to fall down around them.

"Everyone alright? Good, let's get moving back! Calien, your group and my men will cover the rear!"

In that instance, he activated his blood-magic by slashing part of his arm. Ash wouldn't be able to deal with the darkspawn without a boost, and he felt sick at the thought of downing another Lyrium potion. Especially considering what was going on with Von. He wasn't sure where to start, but it became very apparent to him after he heard the roar. Calien, their not-so-brave leader, urged them forward, even as fear took hold of him.

"For the Inquisition! Stop it here!"

Ash stepped in front of Calien, protective. He doubted Calien could do much right now, not when he barely managed to step back.

"We'll keep it away," he said. "Just calm down, and don't worry. You're our leader, after all, couldn't let some ogre murder you after we've almost gotten out of here." Ash looked at the ogre, before trying to lock its body with blood-magic. It was huge, so he wouldn't be able to keep it away for long, but if he could force its body to keep still, then the others could find the weak spots, and attack. And once there was an opening, he could force boiling blood out, but before that it was more important to focus on keeping it still.

Can't anything go right for once? Can't something just happen without everything getting dangerous and difficult?

Ash would've almost have taken dealing with the demon in his head over this claustrophobic feeling. Almost.

 

[Protocol95]

"Hands on your ears! Its going to-"

"Righ-" As Jarrett covered his ears with his hands, the dulled noise rang throughout his head. For Jarrett it was if all sense had left Jarrett, leaving him trapped within a painful sensation. Recovering from the noise, he turned his focus to the closest source he could make out.

..ryo... alright? Good, let's get moving back! Calien, your group and my men will cover the rear!"

"G-got it!" Catching himself, he saw the monster they were challenged by. His knowledge of darkspawn was basic but the terrifying bulk of the beast immediately let Jarrett know that this was an ogre.

"For the Inquisition! Stop it here!"

"Next best thing, two birds one stone!" Seeing the ogre charge the best plan Jarrett could come up with at stopping it traditionally was to throw Berund at it. Not willing to forsake his friend so easily, Jarrett grabbed a smoke bomb and aimed it at the ogre's oversized head. "Cover and misdirection, use it!" This wouldn't stop the charge but hopefully the others had some plan they could make with this. With few other options at the moment, Jarrett then launched his hook at the arm of the creature, hoping to swing past it.