The Inquisition Reborn [llama]

[Benzo]

The Elven mage smiles at you with a satisfied nod. "Whatever magic tore open the Breach and these rifts also placed that mark upon you, and I'm glad to see you have a degree of control over it."

After glancing at Cassandra, the Elf holds his hand out to you in an offered shake. "It seems you hold the key to our salvation."

"Does that mean he could close the Breach with it?" Cassandra asks hurriedly.

"Possible. For now, stabilizing it would be my primary goal before going further."

"And here I thought we'd be ass deep in demons forever." you hear the dwarf say rather sarcastically as he joined you at your side. "Varric Tethras: Rogue, storyteller, and occasionally an unwelcome tagalong." he introduces after putting away his odd weapon, adding the last bit with a wink at Cassandra and earning him a snarl in response. "And the bald one's Solas, by the way."

[llama]

"This whole thing.. seems like I'm pretty important, eh?" I ask with a twinkle in my eye. This could definitely be beneficial to me if the world doesn't turn into a wasteland in the process of solving this whole thing. I glance back and forth at the conversing fellas, not wanting to impede on the comradely rivalry they're reveling in.. or maybe it's more just a distaste towards one another despite having to work together.

(sorry i couldn't respond for awhile.. have a good reason.)

[Benzo]

"If by important you mean impossible, then I'd have to agree. By all means, you should either be Darkspawn or, more likely, dead." Solas said rather dryly, despite the sense of surprise in his words. "Does it hurt at all?" he then asked you.

"That's his way of saying 'I stayed up all night making sure you didn't die in your sleep.'" Varric chipped in with a chuckle.

"We still have the Breach to worry about. Let us hurry before the path becomes flooded with demons." Cassandra was quick to order from the background.

[llama]

"By important as in.. well.. never mind." It seems my suspicions have been confirmed; I have more of a hand in this situation than what they may play on. I ignore the question about the pain part; the amount of adrenaline coursing through my veins wouldn't allow me a valid answer due to the fact that the amount of pain I've been able to feel has been limited.
"You mean your guards are so unreliable that you have to make sure to post another guard to make sure those other ones don't kill who you're supposed to be keeping alive?" I said this as a snark.. it is evident now that I don't necessarily need to make friends with these people. Upon Cassandra's reminder, I look around and begin heading in whatever direction I think the Breach is, albeit I don't know where it is so it is entirely possible that I'm starting to go in the wrong direction.

[Benzo]

Leading your group down the mountain trail, you begin to see what appears to be another bridge a few minutes later. Upon approach, Cassandra waves at the guards to let you through.

"You have no idea the significance of what you did, do you?" Solas asks, a hint of surprise in his voice. "You entered 'The Maker's realm' or, more appropriately, the realm of dreamers... Physically." he explained with envy hanging heavily off his words.
"The last humans, to do that started the First Blight, if you listen to the Chant of Light. Thus, you must understand my precaution, and bewilderment, considering you aren't even a mage and made that same journey with only a scar to show for it."

As he finished speaking, you notice the same robed woman from before standing with a male in Chantry attire. Turning, she spotted your group with a nod before stepping aside with a gesture.
"Chancellor Roderick, this is..." she began.

"I know who this is!" He barked quickly, pointing an accusing finger at you. "As Grand Chancellor, I command you to take this prisoner to Val Royeaux to face Chantry execution."

"You command me?" Cassandra scoffed. "You are a glorified clerk, alive only because you weren't important enough to be at the Conclave."

"And you are nothing more than a thug under Chantry pay. You have no authority here." Roderick growled in response.

"Liliana and I are the Left and Right Hands of the late Divine-" Cassandra began before she too was cut off by the man.

"Justinia is dead! We must elect a replacement, and obey HER orders on the matter!"

[llama]

I shrug at Solas, my ignorance shining through my words, "Seems like I'm just the best person known to humanity yet. If someone were to demand I be executed, I'm sure me providing this fact will sway their minds."

Standing in silence at this decree to be executed, I do an 'ahem' before saying, "I am the best person known to humanity yet and probably ever, past and future. Seems like it'd be a pretty dumb move to go and just cut off his head due to.. what is it you're deriving this action from.. duty?"

[Benzo]

"Any one of Andraste's faithful would revel in seeing your head mounted on a pike, cur." Roderick growled at you angrily.

"As it stands, he is the only one capable of possibly stabilizing the Breach." Solas responded, earning only a silent stare from the Chancellor.

Turning to look at the nearby hole in the sky, he shook his head before glaring at you once more, then turning to Cassandra. "Call the retreat, Seeker. Your position here is hopeless."

"We've no other choice. This will only continue to spread, and a frontal charge is the quickest option we have." Cassandra answered.

"But not the safest. My scouts have found a mountain path that leads to the Temple, though the climb will be longer. Our forces could serve as a distraction in the meantime." Liliana replied, motioning towards the mountains above.

"Abandon this before more lives are lost, please." Chancellor Roderick pleaded, to which Cassandra shook her head.

"More will be lost if we don't." She said, then turning to you. "Which way do you think we should go, Azalin?"

[llama]

Was this woman mad? Asking a street rat his opinion on military tactics.. I might as well humor the lot of them. "If time really is of the essence, then a frontal assault is the only way." I say this with confidence, even though I'm not too sure in my answer. Hopefully it will end up panning out for the best?

[Benzo]

Cassandra looks at you with what could almost be considered a smile as she nodded, clearly agreeing with your choice. "Agreed. And since you are the one who must reach the temple, we shall go with your wisdom." she comments.

"Liliana, round up every soldier left and all of your scouts. We prepare to charge."

Nodding, she runs off and almost immediately you begin to notice soldiers rushing past you towards the gate. Looking back at you once more, Cassandra begins to lead your small group across the forward camp, soon meeting a larger group of soldiers and the occasional Templar, each breastplate adorned with the sigil of differing factions.

"On your head be the consequences..." you hear Roderick murmur before your departure.

"Soldiers of Andraste! This here is the survivor of Sacred Ashes," Cassandra begins, motioning at you as she addressed the military remnants. "Somehow his mark has granted him control over the Fade Rifts, the tears in our world, and as the Breach continues to grow, I say this; He is our last chance. Right here, right now. On the road ahead lies an army of fiends and demons of the Fade, but failure here is not an option. A defeat here means a defeat for all of Thedas."

"We still grieve the death of the Most Holy Divine, but today, I ask that you turn your sorrow into righteous anger... Let passion be your blade, and faith your shield! I ask you this; Are you with me? Are you with the Survivor?"

"Heeeeyaa!"

"That's what I want to hear! On me! On me, and let us send these abominations back to the Fade!" Cassandra finished with a roar, slamming pommel against her shield repeatedly before then pointing the blade forward.

"Charge!"


(Sorry... I actually beat a playthrough of my own during your short hiatus, haha. Just needed a wee break from the game.)

[llama]

Approval seems difficult from that one. Could I have just won the lottery by finding a friend in Cassandra? Maybe not because she's a good friend to have but because.. well.. she's not friendly? A victory, it seems, nonetheless.
As I'm marching back to the encampment I stick to Cassandra for the time being. All the backtracked looks at me I meet with a smile and a nod and even the occasional wave. Was this what it was like to be a noble?
Shit. Did I miscalculate? Were thousands going to die because of me?... again, if this doesn't work out, I guess it isn't entirely my fault.

I stand kinda awkwardly during the whole speech even though I'm supposed to be this great hero. The world's only hope. Well.. the Divine sure did pick a shitty vessel for that job.
Once the charge starts, I stick to the left, hoping to weave through the brunt of the combat.

(all good man. do hope this RP goes on till the end. )

[Benzo]

With a loud roar of ferocity, the sizable group begins surging forward with the Seeker's command, men and women letting loose various promises and praise to the Maker and his bride. Sticking to the side of the force, you see the ruins of the Temple of Sacred Ashes quickly begin to rise before you. Upon approach, you can then notice the forms of Shades and ghostly looking skeletal warriors milling about.

"Send these bastards back to the Fade!" you hear shouted before the loud crash of the initial collision. As the front line formed a shield wall, you notice a few green bolts of energy zip down from above to strike down those around you.

"Wraiths, up on the cliff!"

As you spot them, however, you see green and brown clad archers appear behind and begin quickly taking care of the threat, Liliana vieable among them.

Looking up at her with a nod, Cassandra quickly assesses the situation before turning to you.

"This is it, Azalin! The Breach is inside the courtyard, and the way is clear."

"The Breach no doubt calls attention from the other side; I would not expect it to stay quiet." Solas commented.

"Liliana, get your archers on the higher ledges around the Temple. Keep it clear for the Survivor." Cassandra calls up, being answered with a nod as the spymaster rushed off.

"I have a bad feeling about this whole thing..." Varric said quietly, gently fingering what appeared to be a person encased in stone, a look of horror forever locked on the face. Looking around, you notice dozens of similar 'statues' in various poses, all looking horrified.

[llama]

I shout some vulgarity upon sighting of the spirits on the cliff, thinking how I should have thought about that. Running along the side and avoiding confrontation, I watch as soldiers of flesh and blood take on spectral figures. An eery sight.
The pathway cleared, I look to Varric, seeing their worry. It seemed contagious.. "I think this is a trap. I urge you to begin pulling back the troops once I get to the site." I look to the ghostly soldiers, seeing if they're truly fighting. I wait for any responses and if there is none I begin heading to my destination, hoping to have as little confrontation as possible.

(Sorry if this post is short; typing this in school on my phone.)

[Benzo]

"Your tampering with the Breach will be like a signal pyre to those of the Fade," Solas explains with a slight shake of his head. "While not all spirits are to be feared, most unfortunate to cross into our realm will be twisted into demonic forms. To go alone would be death."

After the fighting outside the Temple finally died down, Cassandra signaled a few small groupings to proceed ahead into the ruined courtyard. After a few short moments, one of the soldiers returns with an all-clear signal.

Proceeding with the group through the archway, you find yourselves on a large ledge overlooking a squared off open area lower below. In its center, the green spire of smoke seemed to be emanating from a large green crystal hovering in the air.

"That is the Rift you fell out of, with a woman standing behind you. And it was the first to appear after the explosion."

"It seems to be sealed, albeit improperly. I believe reopening the Rift and properly sealing it may stabilize the Breach." Solas chipped in.

"Then let us get down there." Cassandra said shortly.

As you look around further, you notice more petrified people frozen in mid-step. A loud groan from Varric calls your attention further to the larger clusters of glowing red crystals jutting from the walls.

[llama]

"But.. a trap.." I mutter, it seeming that my paranoia took a completely different path from Solas's. Could one of those mini explosions be triggered and kill us all, finishing me off this time? Hopefully not.
I look up at the spire with wonder and then around at the bodies. Whole thing is just.. so surreal.. acceptance about this shit happening still hasn't been confirmed in my mind. I then look to the silhouettes of statues that were once people and as I'm walking with everyone, I glance over to the crystals with an inquisitive look. "Are those.. valuable?" I was thinking the outward expression was due to some treasure being spilled out.. if so, maybe I could find a smaller piece and pocket it.

[Benzo]

"Don't touch it! Don't even get close!" the Dwarf was quick to shriek at your question.

"What is it?" Cassandra asked curiously, studying one of the nearby crystal formations.

"Red Lyrium..." Varric said with a groan. "Remember what I told you happened to Kirkwall because of this stuff?"

"I remember."

"Well why is it here?"

"Perhaps it is a byproduct of the tear in the Fade." Solas suggested, bring a shake of the head from Varric.

"I really hope that isn't true... If any of you starts to hear singing, then run. Just run."

[llama]

I look at it while they converse, ending up shrugging and trying to trudge on forward. I did have a question about the singing part, but I thought it better to keep my mouth shut for the time being.

[Benzo]

Slowly proceeding along the ledge until you are able to find a set of functional stairs, a deep, gravely voice fills the air. Around the area, you notice Liliana's scouts taking position all around the courtyard.

"Now is the hour of our victory..." it says, trailing off in echos.

"What are we hearing?" Cassandra asked warily.

"In places where the Veil is thin, items and events may be preserved for much longer, such as how a crumbling, forty-year-old shack may actually be closer to one hundred years." Solas explained, scratching at his chin for a moment. "With an actual hole here... My guess is we'te listening to the echo of whomever created the Breach."

"Doesn't sound like your voice to me." Varric murmured to you with a nudge. "You've a good chance of leaving here innocent, I'd say."

[llama]

I close my eyes and strain my ears, trying to hear that which someone else may not be able to hear. I wasn't too worried about leaving innocent, I'm sure I could make an escape if they did make me a scapegoat, but I suppose this would be a plus.. with all the fame that could come from this, riches would be sure to follow.

[Benzo]

Reaching the bottom of the steps with your group and joining the soldiers awaiting below, you hear a loud cry of alarm as two massive, ghostly figures are projected into the air above your head. While one was robed and unrecognizable, the garb alone instantly queue that the other, arms stretched to her sides, was Divine Justinia.

"Keep the sacrifice still..."

"Someone, help me!" Justinia cried out, a third projection, you, rushing into the image with rapier in hand.

"What's going on here?!" Your projection demands.

"Run while you can! Warn them!"

The robed figure turns towards yours with a point, the image becoming distorted before fading away. "We have an intruder; Kill hi-"

As the image fades away, you notice a majority of the soldiers present were now casting strange inquisitive looks in your direction. At least their faces weren't filled with hatred anymore.

"You were there!" Cassandra exclaimed as she walked over to you. "The Most Holy called out for you... What are we seeing? Is this image true?"

"Spirits don't lie... That happened." Solas commented.

[llama]

I myself have no recollection of this happening.. that whole scene was just as much news to everyone here as it is for me. I look to where the spirits were, to the group, and back to the spirits. After a few more seconds of chewing on my cheek, I turn back to the group and shrug, trying to play it cool and start with a, "Hey, what can I say..."

[Benzo]

"What hap-" she began to plead with you, Solas quickly cutting her off, however.

"Later, when comets aren't smashing around us! Azalin, be cautious; Something very large is pounding at the other side of the barrier, and it may very well break it down on its own."

"You heard him, that means demons! At arms, soldiers of Andraste!" Cassandra calls, then looking over at you. "We stand ready... Open the Rift."

[llama]

I look to Cassandra as she's trying to talk to me and then back to the rift, the thing seeming to become more and more ruinous with each passing second. I look uncertainly back at them one more time and then raise my hand, and I open it..?

[Benzo]

Reaching outwards towards the crystal, you watch the familiar trail of green energy slowly extend from your hand towards it. Humming louder and louder as the beam approached, the crystal then shattered with a loud crack.

As the barrier fell away, you see a couple pairs of eyes appear, peering at you all before a pair of twisted horns were then revealed. Pushing it's head through, the massive creature fell from the Rift with a loud thud as it hit its knees. Standing up slowly, it claps it's hands similar to that of a thunderclap. As it's hands pulled apart, an unstable jolt of energy began to form.

Grabbing the bolt, the creature seems to form it into an electrical whip, smacking it against the ground with a blood-chilling laugh.

"Pride Demon! Go! Go! Don't stand still!" Solas shouted, pushing himself back with an icy blast as the whip landed near him.

[llama]

Following the thing coming down, I step back with shock on my face. There hadn't been any of these things on this scale.. was this thing even possible to kill? I snap to consciousness with Solas's shout, turning and beginning to run into the swathe of soldiers, before coming running out in a random direction to try and get behind it in the confusion.

[Benzo]

Scrambling as the demon had appeared, you seem to narrowly avoid being hit as you see a couple soldiers fly past you overhead, only to land nearby with sickening crunches. As you get behind it, you hear Varric let out a shout as he is grabbed.

As it began raising the Dwarf to its face, however, its arm became surrounded with a dull white glow, seeming to affect its movement. Wiggling in its frozen hand, you see Varric finally get Bianca free, pointing the crossbow at the demon's maw before loosing a bolt.

Throwing the Dwarf in retaliation, the Pride Demon swings the whip at him, Cassandra diving infront of it with here shield. "Move!" she barked, pushing Varric aside as a backhand swept the warrior off her feet.

Positioned behind the hulking monstrosity, you can see the Rift hovering above everyone, your hand seeming to be drawn towards it.