[IC] Dragon Age: Darkest Days

[21308]

Our story opens in the royal city of Val Royeaux, the streets of which have now been flooded with refugees of the most recent blight. Like several other major cities, droves of survivors of the blight have been redirected here in their desperate search for aid. The Empress presently allows those who are unable to stay anywhere else to sleep the streets, and has left the job of keeping them organized and under control to her city guard, as she has been more than kept busy attending meetings regarding the coming war. The area surrounding the royal palace is flooded with people begging for aid, though none of the have been allowed to come near the steps. The Grand Cathedral is much the same, with the sick and injured filling it like a wartime hospital, the chanter's board covered in notices asking for whatever help people can give. Those who didn't lose everything before making it here are staying in the few local inns that will take them, the ones meant for wealthy people have expressly barred refugees from entering, although few could have afforded it anyway. The sound of crying children and the poor begging for assistance are now constant throughout nearly all of the city, and it is among these crowds that you now find yourself, for one reason or another.

[Argetlam350]

Zeynep and Gavlan

There they were, amongst the throngs of people that were about the royal city of Val Royeaux. The duo wasn't hard to spot amongst the crowds, one being taller then most of the people that were there, the other stout and shorter then most people were. They made quite an odd pair but here no one cared. The people only wanted refuge from the elements as well as a way to get away from the Blight that had consumed the southern realm of Ferelden. The Wardens had failed in their quest to slay the beast and news of it traveled fast. Unfortunately for Zeynep and Gavlan they only learned about it when they had reached Val Royeaux. The duo usually resided in the safe walls of Kirkwall but after a deal had gone wrong, they had made a quick get away and find another location to set up operations.
"Bah look at all these people," Zeynep said with some distaste ",They run like wolves, tail inbetween there legs. Why not stand and fight this Blight? Why not fight these things called Darkspawn." Being from Par Vollen, Zeynep had never seen a darkspawn or heard of the blights that plagued the realm of Thedas every few ages until she was able to understand the language. She still barely knew much about them.
"Honey if you knew what Darkspawn were, you would be pretty damn scared to of them. At least understand why these people are running," Gavlan spoke up to his tall qunari companion "Darkspawn are nasty vicious buggers that are usually cowards themselves but give them an Archdemon and they are a force that can't be stopped. At least not by us normal folks, only the-"
"Grey Wardens can stop it, yes you've told me before," Zeynep interrupted her short counterpart with a sigh. Most of her knowledge of the realms of Thedas came from her dwarf friend. They had met up in Kirkwall, both outcasts who became good friends after some fighting and a few mugs of awful mead. They had become some of the best smugglers in Kirkwall, with Gavlan's knowledge of trade and valuables, Gavlan's strength, and Zeyneps magic they could get their hands on just about anything that someone may want snicked into the City of Chains, for a fee of course.
"Exactly," Gavlan said, continuing his lecture without pause ",The Grey Wardens, who should be mobilizing, at least those here in Orlais. Lets not worry about that though. Lets find somewhere that sells some mead and then a place to crash, this traveling has made me bushed."
With that he managed to get a slight smile out of Zeynep and a small chuckle."Yes, if we don't get to hammered with the mead," she replied. Despite how they bickered they would always be best of friends, having each others backs until they drew their last breath.
"That's the spirit my lass," Gavlan said. They continued pushing their way through the crowd, to find the nearest inn that had a bar and hopefully a few open rooms left ",Who knows maybe I'll find some dwarves to finally talk too, after all you are quite dull."
"Oh ha ha master dwarf trader," Zeynep smirked in amusement ",Perhaps I'll find more Tal-Vashoth's to keep me company as well. It would be better to have them as company face to face then always having to find a box for you to be eye level with me."
Thus they bantered back and forth to one and the other on their quest for mead.

[Jangel13]

Angelo Ortega

Angelo sighed softly as he walked through the streets of Val Royeaux he saw the desperation and sadness in everyone's eyes as he entered through the city gates. He knew that the streets would be crowded but he never knew it would be this bad. Angelo needed to find something to do to help these people, although he was an assassin and a thief he was in no means a heartless man. He walked through the streets to see a small family begging a tavern owner to take their money and let them stay and he couldn't help but listen in
"please sir we have money why wont you give us a room?" the mother no older then in her mid 20s with two children with her one a boy that looked as young as 5 or 6 and a baby girl at least it seemed that way from the red cloths she was covered in
"im sorry but we cant spare the room here in the inn" the owner said obviously large with a port belly and partially bald.
Angelo walked over to them and said "now why wouldn't you have space for a small family. their probably just trying to find some place to sleep for the night."
"who the hell are you?" he asked me and Angelo answered "who I am isn't important, are you really going to kick out this small family, if they have money why wouldn't you take it? all money is still money right?"
yes however-"
even though they aren't very rich they still want shelter like anyone else would you really consider yourself a man if you didn't help them?" Angelo said cutting him off to put a steak into the heart of his point and the tavern owner growled softly but nodded his head
"fine if they have money they can stay"
the mother smiled wide at Angelo and said "thank you kind sir" she said before paying the tavern owner
"no trouble mam" Angelo said bowing slightly as he walked away to go to the cathedral to go and take some jobs from the chanters board

[Lucius Cypher]

The Grey Warden
Val Royeaux

The despair and sorrow in this colorful capital was thick enough to cut with a dagger. Usually a place of culture and beauty, now just a place of misery and pain. A familiar feeling to The Grey Warden. Walking into the city, he was quickly accosted by beggars and refugees asking him for alms, but he had none to spare. He could feel the desperate hands of men, women, and children trying to grab a hold of him, hoping that he could save them. He knew why; the emblem that shined brightly on his chest, the symbol of the Grey Wardens, the order which he named himself after. They saw him as some sort of hero to save them from their plight. But the truth of the matter was that, even though he had fought countless battles, slain thousands of Darkspawn, nothing he did had even so much as scratched the surface of the Blight. There was only so much he could do himself, and it wasn't enough. He needed to find the Grey Wardens of Orlais, and help them however he could.

Talking through the crowded streets, he could feel more hands trying to take his coin purse. But even if they were successful, all they would find is dirt; he was just as poor as they were, and the only things of value on him was his armor and weapons. And he refused to turn those in. Normally he would reprimand the thieves for trying to steal from him, but than he'd likely have to give a lashing sermon to the entire street, as just about everyone kept trying to steal his nonexistent coin. But they did serve one problem; they kept getting in his way. Since he couldn't simply cut them down, and actually hurting them would make a bad reputation on the Grey Wardens, he had to take detour. So many detours that he got lost. On the bright side, at least there wasn't anyone trying to take his coin.

"Now where am I suppose to go..." The Grey Warden said with a slight lisp.

[21308]

There was an inn that looked relatively empty not too far from where Zeynep and Gavlan were. There were enough drunk people in and around it for one to draw the conclusion that they had alcohol of some form available.

There were notices on top of notices on the chanter's board, many of which looked hastily written and offered jobs that would be very difficult for one person to do for little reward. Among the most recently posted were two, respectively titled "Help find my missing husband" "Stolen money."

[21308]

The Grey Warden's journey led him to a dirty back alley with little of note. There was a guardsman there who appeared to be sleeping, probably taking a break from the chaos outside.

[Lotrix Molick]

Rasie wandered the streets, careful to keep her coin purse carefully hidden within her armor. Despite her precaution, it was largely unnecessary as the people tended to give her a wide berth. She looked intimidating and her multiple pairs of horns led them often to believe that she was some high rank. She made no attempt to contradict them as it gave her the necessary breathing room to spot the familiar horns of another of her race. She had to be cautious, though. The Qunari were not fond of her and she knew not to interfere if people's lives were not at stake.

She followed her into a tavern, only just noticing the dwarf when they entered. Seeing what most Qunari would call bas led her to believe something may be different for this one, so she came up from behind and tapped the other woman's shoulder. "Qun or no?" She almost rasped the question under her breath as she assumed a slightly more combative stance. She hoped it was someone she could relate to, but she also ran into far too many outcast pretenders trying to trap her.

[Jangel13]

Angelo got to the chanters board seeing that all in all they were slim pickings although he shouldn't have expected much to begin with considering what everyone was going through. He looked at the two new jobs and they seemed simple enough to do on his own but he still thought it would be wise to get help before trying anything stupid, he would be no use to anyone dead. The blight really was making people desperate for even a small amount of hope they could earn from another's kindness. Angelo sighed seeing the board and decided to find help first as he left he saw once again the people lining the streets holding their hands out for anyone to give them a little kindness. Although I wanted to ease their suffering I barely had enough to get any food myself, Angelo may be a thief but he wouldn't steal from people like this. He may be a thief but he was still a man of honor and wouldn't steal from people that were just as desperate as he was. Angelo walked down the street hearing some commotion nearby seeing that it was an inn he decided to drop by and take a look

[Argetlam350]

Zeynep and Gavlan

They finally found an inn that would work. It wasn't the best choice but to them it didn't matter, especially when they had spent most days in Kirkwall staying in Lowtown and drinking in the Hanged Man Inn. They were just settling into the inn as well, both standing by the bar waiting for their drinks when Zeynep felt a hand tap her shoulder.
Great probably another drink with a fail attempt to try and get into my pants, Zeynep thought to herself annoyed. At least punching someone in the face would be somewhat pleasant to her. When she turned around though to see the person who tapped her shoulder she got the the surprised of her life. It was another qunari, her mind race trying to piece it all together. They had found her, she had been running from the Qun all these years, from those that would enslave her and let her rot under the care of another. Zeynep couldn't go back to that life. She would die before rejoining the Qun. She had nearly begun to reach for her staff when the stranger asked the question of whether or not Zeynep was a part of the Qun. Zeynep couldn't help but laugh at the question before thinking.
"Maker no I'm not a part of the Qun, not after what they did to me. Plus I'm with a dwarf," she said pointing to her companion.
"Hey I heard that," Gavlan said as he turned back to the bar, seeing now that he wouldn't have to take out his axe at the moment to aid his friend.
Zeynep regained her composer and continued ",And you? Are you part of the Qun, here to take me back and get my tongue cut out."
"Oh boy here we go," Gavlan said turning back to the conversation between the two qunari and waiting to see if this was going to be a fight or not once more. The dwarf hoped not, he rather have his mead and hit the hay for the dead rather then have to deal with a bar fight.

[Lucius Cypher]

The Grey Warden
Val Royeaux

The Grey Warden saw a guardsman apparently asleep. He was a bit disappointing that a guardsman was sleeping on a job. Do something like that in the Deep Roads and you don't wake up. Nonetheless, he'll likely know the way to the Grey Warden's headquarters. Walking over to the man, The Grey Warden lightly nudged him until he was awake. "Excuse me sir, do you know where the Grey Warden headquarters are in this city?" However, despite initially seeming to be awake, the guard did not stir. Either he was dead or a heavy sleeper. Getting a bit annoyed, The Grey Warden opted to be a bit more forceful and lightly hit the guard's chest plate with his own armored fist. "Wake up!"

[21308]

The guardsman awoke with a start. He was gasping and took a moment to gain focus. He was disoriented and quite possibly mildly drunk. "Wha?! Wardensh...? Orlesian wardens... every surviving one... staying in imperial palace..." He squinted and started to nod off again, still not convinced he wasn't dreaming.

[Lucius Cypher]

The Grey Warden
Val Royeaux

"Imperial Palace?" The Grey Warden turned his head towards one of the perhaps largest structures he could see from his location. It towered even over the buildings surrounding him. He was certain that this was the Imperial Palace, so bidding the guardsman farewell, he left to the palace. Except that he never made it there. Actually, he ended up at the Grand Cathedral.

From here, there was a series of misunderstandings that would not resolve themselves until much later, when so much had happened that they become fairly irrelevant. It first began when The Grey Warden arrived at the entrance of the Grand Cathedral, and he was met with a Templar who wished to know why he was there. He told them that he was The Grey Warden and wished to help. The Templar seemed rather glad, and directed him to the Revered Mother. The two had a polite conversation over some tea, though The Grey Warden did not drink any, as he was in a bit of a hurry to do his part. The Revered mother seemed to appreciate his willingness to help them, so she directed him to the Chanter's Board. There one of the Sisters told him about a few of the jobs, including one job to find someone's stolen money and to find someone's husband. She mentioned these specifically because she saw an elf not to longer who he seemed to be interested in them. If The Grey Warden hurried, he might be able to find and help the elf. They both would be rewarded equally. The Grey Warden didn't really care for reward, though it would be more practical to work with someone instead of trying to go solo.

"Do you know where he went?" The sister told The Grey Warden that she saw him walk into a tavern not too far away, probably to get a drink or something. Now with an goal in mind and the delusion that he was helping the Grey Wardens, the rogue went off to the Inn to find this elf. Well sure enough he got inside the Inn and saw a lot of elves, but he wasn't exactly sure who took the job. He ruled out the elves that seemed to either be servants or just normal citizens, but even than that left quite a few elves who looked like adventurers. The Grey Warden started to feel a bit nervous himself, as his presence did garner a few stares due to baring the emblem of the Wardens. He wouldn't back down however, and tried to just keep any eye out for the potential elf ally. He took place next to the bar near two horned women and a dwarf, not really paying attention to what they were saying.

[PerniciousIntent]

Airthel couldn't suppress a gasp from leaving his lips as he entered the city of Val Royeaux. He was familiar with how the city normally looked; bright, festive, and stuffed full with pride. The crowded mass of paupers he saw infesting the city's streets was a stark contrast to what he was used too. Thinking about it, he wasn't really surprised. Had he been in Fereldan, he would've fled to the regal city as fast as he could. Shaking his head, he immersed himself into the roaring crowd. He had previously been north with a familiar Clan on the edge of Nevarra, but he had been messaged through courier by a friend in the Grand Cathedral about a few old scrolls they had found in storage with strange runes. He had planned on setting up in a room in a tavern near the Cathedral he frequently stayed in, but now he was worried there would be no room. Honestly, he didn't mind that much, because he knew most of these people needed the room much more than he did. As he approached the courtyard of the Cathedral, he kept moving until the inn was in sight. There was a large crowd in and around the place, and he figured he wouldn't have any luck getting a room. He sighed, and then turned to the large double doors of the seat of the Divine.

The tattooed elf was soon outside the courtyard, again facing the familiar inn. Mother Rachel had asked for help with the full chanters board when he went to see her for the scrolls, and he had agreed. He didn't mind helping out, and being asked by a friend just made him that more willing. She had told him that a few people had gathered in this inn who were all intent on the jobs of the chanter's board, and figured that a group of like minded individuals would be able to do a lot of good to some people who really needed it. He entered the tavern looking for a Gray Warden in heavy armor and an elf with less of a description.

Slithering through the gathered people with a fluid grace, Airthel made it to the bar. He ordered a glass of feywine, and when it came to him he looked around. There were some kossith at the bar (he was a learned man, he knew there was a difference between the race and the religion, and not knowing the two he did not want to assume), but other than that it seemed he would have a bit of a time finding the people he was looking for. There were more than a few of his kind here, one of the reasons he liked this inn, and he had little luck being able to distinguish a man he didn't know from the crowd, so he looked for the Gray Warden. Scanning the crowd, Airthel saw a few people donning heavy looking armor, but none bore the insignia of the Gray Wardens.

With a frown, his attention averted to the two kossith women at the bar. By chance, one of them shifted and the elf caught a glimpse of glinting steel, and, craning his head, saw the heraldry of the fearsome order. Airthel quickly stood, finishing his glass, and approached him. "Excuse me, ser Warden. My name is Airthel," the elf intoned respectfully, and then continued as he brushed an errant lock of black hair from his face, "A woman from the chantry said there was something about a few people banding together to help the refugees and mentioned someone of you're description. Do you know anything about that?" His voice was slightly colored with a Dalish accent, but it was not thick.

[Jangel13]

Angelo sighed softly as he sat down at the bar since that's the only place with seats as he ordered some bread to eat. He did not expect to see two different qunari in the same place our a dwarf. Although he shouldn't be that supposed since the blight well drive all kinds of people to safety. He also looked to see a grey warden for the first time he could tell that he was a grey warden because he had the insignia on his chest plate thinking that if anyone would work on the chanters board but he didn't want to disturb him as he ate his bread

[Lucius Cypher]

The Grey Warden
Val Royeaux

It wasn't long before The Grey Warden was met by a fairly adventurous elf. He was polite enough as he greeted The Grey Warden and introduced himself as Airthel. He also mentioned a woman from the Chantry saw him, which the Grey Warden knew as the place of worship among most mortals sans many dwarves. The Grey Warden still didn't realize that he went to the Grand Cathedral and just assumed that the Imperial Palace had their own Chantry, which was what he thought Airthel was referring to.

Regardless, The Grey Warden was glad to see that someone had come to help him. And he didn't need to do something silly just to bring this elf's attention to him. "Yes, from the Chanter Board? I was told that an elf was also interested in the same job. I'm glad to have found you before too long. I'm assuming that you are going to try to find the missing husband and the stolen money?" The Grey Warden vaguely remembered some of the details of both request, but he regretted not actually taking the paper request. Well no matter, he understood the jist of what they requested. "I can imagine whom stole the money. Likely a crafty refugee needing to make ends meet, though that's merely speculation. It may also be vile thieves who wish to use the refugees as cover for their operations. If we are to investigate that matter first, we should find the client and see what knowledge we can get from him or her. On the other hand, if we are looking for the Missing Husband we should of course first find the wife. I do not immediately suspect kidnapping, but until we can find out more there is very little I can assume." The Grey Warden pushed himself off the table and was about to leave before he turned towards his elvish companion. "Do you believe that the two of us will suffice? Would you recommend more?"

[Jangel13]

he said ate more oh his bread wanting to make sure everything went off to a good start since this was the first grey warden he ever met not to mention the first person that actually wanted his aid other then to kill someone or to pick a safe open for them so he wanted to make sure this got off to a good start. He knows that their are other people that would want some money and hopefully are willing to do a good deed for someone down on their luck. He kept eating his bead watching the grey warden wondering who the other elf was that was with him. He saw allot of elf servants but it was rare to find an elf with the equipment to be an adventurer like him.

[PerniciousIntent]

"It is true that I am speaking of the chanter's board, but I don't think I'm the elf you were told about. I came after you did, and was also told about another elf." Airthel said directly, shifting to eye the crowd. "I want to find this elf, and maybe see if he wants to join us." Airthel almost sat, but the Warden's demeanor told him the other wanted to get moving. "Regardless, I would like to state my opinion of finding the missing man before the money. He could be in danger," Airthel also had the thought that the husband could've abandoned his family is favor of having to provide for only himself in these lean times, but didn't let the thought take too much shape. They would find out soon enough. He paused for a moment to catch the barkeep's eye, then placed his payment on the bar. A serving girl took it quickly.

"The two of us could no doubt work well enough, but if we are really going to help these people we may need more than us. Let's at least find this other elf." Even as he said that, the black haired elf had little idea about how to find him in the throng. He hadn't gotten much of a description of the man. He was a little surprised that he hadn't gotten a better description of him. Airthel expected that behavior from Fereldans, but Orlaisians liked the look of elves and normally scrutinized the lithe beings like they were appraising fine jewels. He then realized that the Chantry held many more refugees than he had thought, and knew that the mothers and sisters must be very busy caring for them.

"If you are truly eager to leave now, I will follow, but I advise waiting now for more manpower," he nodded at the end of the statement. He tried to look into Warden's helmet for a moment, but stopped once he figured that was rude. "We could just start asking around. He might hear us." It wasn't the most efficient plan, but he couldn't think of a better one.

[Lucius Cypher]

The Grey Warden
Val Royeaux

"I think I found him." The Grey Warden turned his head towards an elf who was staring at him. "This would make three. I would be willing to wait for perhaps one more. All the help we can receive will be excellent, but let us keep the group small, less we appear as a mob to the local guardsmen." The Grey Warden than moved towards the elf looking at him, gambling that he actually did have a common interest with him rather than simply staring due to The Grey Warden's armor. "Greetings there, elf. I take it from your stare that you have some interest in me. Would you like to accompany me and my companion on our task? We could use someone of your skill." Skills that The Grey Warden knew nothing of, but hoped the elf had.

[Jangel13]

Lucius Cypher said
The Grey Warden turned his head towards an elf who was staring at him. The Grey Warden than moved towards the elf looking at him, gambling that he actually did have a common interest with him rather than simply staring due to The Grey Warden's armor. Skills that The Grey Warden knew nothing of, but hoped the elf had.

If the skills you are referring to are those of shadows then you would be correct" he said softly before eating the last of his bread before standing to properly greet them "I'm Angelo Ortega" he said softly giving a small bow in greeting to both of them "I was looking for others to help me with the jobs in the chantry board to try and help a few people down on their luck. People deserve some hope in these dark times"

[PerniciousIntent]

Airthel turned to the other elf with a quirked brow. He hadn't noticed him at first, but looking at him now the Dalish could see he held himself with an assured stance. He nodded at their newest companion, pleased at having found him immediately. He turned his attention back to the Warden and replied, "I am prepared to leave now." Airthel had just come from traveling, but his kin had packed him full of supplies when he left, fearful of the Blight's effects on human society and, further, trade. "And, if I may ask, are we to just call you Warden, ser?"

Although still making pleasantries, Airthel was thinking of the information he remembered from the flier. Whoever posted about the missing husband said that they were staying in an inn more toward the southern side of the city, and he was thinking of the fastest way to get there, and where most of the refugees would gather. He was, after all, familiar with the royal city. He had visited it many times in the last few years, as well as many other cities on the southern part of Thedas.