[Q1] Dragons Peak Burns

Strange things were happening in Ferelden... from the king's mother going raving mad, to the strange vents that were opening every which way they looked. She had investigated one of them herself, and informed her husband that it seemed to be some sort of magic. Something she was too young to know. She needed more information; she insisted. She required a group of individuals who were willing to assist them in gaining more knowledge. 

And so, a call went out across Ferelden. 

And of course, as such calls with high rewards do, the fliers made their way to other nations too. People trickled in, until they stood before the un-coronated Queen of Ferelden at the foot of the supposed volcano. Franziska was young, perhaps the youngest person in the group from a quick glance. And they knew this, but they also knew that age was merely a number where true power was concerned. And she'd been trained by a Kingkiller and a Crow. 

She did not speak; she was not here as the leader of this party, although she'd insisted on putting out feelers for assistance. Name's Francis. She stepped shoulder-to-shoulder with another person; someone she did not know, because Fran had yet to learn about her new country. Ferelden was unfamiliar, as were the peaks that rose above them. 

---

TLDR;;

• Fran is the one who sent out fliers seeking help.
  
• She is in this thread as Francis.
  
• She is dressed as a servant, presumably to "serve" the nobles in attendance.
  
• No-one but Elanna and Byron know she's queen.
  
• People can have a suspicion that she's not just a servant; her accent if Antivan, she moves with the sort of gait and posture expected of nobility. People may have also seen her with Byron (or at least, one of his brothers...)
  
• Fran's Reason For Being Here: She wants to help her country. (And maybe investigate this strange magic..?)
  

Aulus offered a weary scowl to Francis and the others who had gathered. Where was Octavia? His employer's curiousity inspired by the flyers, he'd made the journey  to the mountain at last but got seperated from Octavia after a rock slide and a concussion. He looked around, still blinking back dark spots at the edges of his vision. Had the woman gotten lost? Did she disguise herself with some spell he had never heard of? Or did that brat give up the hike and go back to the city? With each question, Aulus's frown deepened, prickling all around him.

Aulus. the armored guard grumbled, a fist over his breastplate with a thunk. Let's figure the earthquakes out and be done with it. Also, if anyone sees a lady this tall he estimated Octavia's height, with black hair, fresh make-up, and new shoes, save the killing blow for me.

tldr
- aulus looks like a guard who got separated from his escort, and he looks ragged and pissed off.
- Aulus's Reason for Being Here: Octavia sent him. Since he's here, he might as well help and report back. He was hoping he'd reubite with her at the meeting spot since they got seperated on the trip but Octavia's gone back to town.

After engaging in a series of intense rounds with his lordship's knights, Deyran found himself abruptly yanked away from the thrill of the sparring grounds. Tasked with a seemingly menial chore – the acquisition of additional funds for the already opulent coffers – he obediently set forth, the clink of sovereigns in his pouch echoing the weight of his servitude.

However, as he navigated the bustling streets, the crisp allure of adventure caught his attention. A flier, almost as if charmed, fluttered down onto his lap. The inked promises on the parchment whispered of excitement and wanted help, and in that moment, Deyran's allegiance began to sway like a pendulum. The mundane task forgotten, he chose the unmarked path of the unknown, hoping the reward would outshine the loss of the meager sum he had been given.

Seeking solace near the shade of a towering tree, Deyran cast his gaze towards two distant figures, one donned in servitude, the other an unmistakable warrior. With a hopeful glint in his eyes, he mused aloud, Hopefully, more will come, right? addressing a nearby sparrow that tilted its small head in confusion in reply to his query.

Undeterred, Deyran turned his attention to the duo. I think we should introduce ourselves, he suggested to the sparrow. In response, the tiny creature had vehemently chirped and taken flight, leaving the half-elf. Exhaling in resignation, he muttered, Fine... His agile fingers, now wielding a sword as a makeshift carving tool, etched intricate patterns onto the bark of the tall tree.

TLDR;

• Deyran saw the flier and spent what little he was given to journey to the meeting place.
  
• He arrived early to carefully stalk and assess those that will be joining.
  
• Reason For Being Here: Bored, he saw an opportunity to earn more instead, while doing something more fun and meaningful.
  

Twas chance, really, that Lana came into possession of the flier. The earthquakes had already been something she'd been tracking. After what the last series of earthquakes brought, she wasn't about to sit back and let anyone handle this in her stead.

But she also wasn't going to go alone.

Knowing Anders needed something to continue to keep his distracted after the loss of his husband, this seemed like the perfect opportunity. Work with a change of pace - and perhaps away from the people that might see fit to harass him instead of help.

She'd prepped Garuda in a flurry, leaving charge of Amaranthine to Connor and Ragnar both. Lest her constable find himself in some sort of lady trouble again. She trusted her adopted son just as much to keep the arling running for a brief absence (and he was to call for Cullen should he need the aid and Ragnar was not available).

The trip to Soldier's Peak was a quick one, Garuda kept at the ready as she bade one of the Protectorate to prep Fred on Anders behalf while she went to him. There was no preamble, no excusing her presence.

We're going on an adventure today, dear, get your shit and meet me here. She left the flier with him, barely waiting for an answer before ducking out to head back down to the griffons.

Hopping up with cat-like grace onto Garuda's saddle, she took to the skies once more. A quick circle of the area upon arrival she noted a small gathering already. Pleasing, really, to know that people care enough about this country to help - or at least enough about coin to lend a hand.

Landing her griffon to a clearing, she made her way to the growing gathering. While her robes were not standard issue for Grey Wardens, she didn't need anything but her griffon to indicate who she was for those that were in the know.

She gave curt nods in greeting to those gathered before keeping her eyes toward the sky. Keen to see the arrival of Anders and Fred.

TLDR

• Found flier by accident, already intended to investigate.
  
• Left the Vigil in the care of Raggy & Connor
  
• Dragged Anders out with her
  
• Arrived with her griffon
  
• Reason For Being Here Diehard Ferelden. Even as a warden, will still do anything to protect her home country.
  

Everything since the return from Nevarra had really melted into a blur. Anders had held a memorial, burned his husband’s remains, created a small area in his quarters to remember him by. All the steps he was meant to take. All the steps deep inwardly he wanted to take but couldn’t push past the numbness to actually allow the feelings and emotions that he was supposed to feel come to the surface. He had a feeling his internal companion might have been holding them back for self preservation because Anders knew if he allowed himself to wholly feel the pain and hurt and grief it would surely drown him past the point of no return.

So, he threw himself into work. He had enough to do as it were. He was practically an Arl of an area, not that he took on the title. He just took care of the griffons and worked with the riders and the would be riders. His job was the conservation of the species above all else.

He’d not slept or ate much the last three months or so, forgotten how to delegate past smaller tasks. Anything, larger was solely his responsibility at the moment. There was no chance for downtime, Anders made sure of it in an attempt to keep himself from thinking about what had happened too much. He was there for Rowan, helped her when she needed it. He’d been her other father for most of her life and was as important to her as he was to Anders. Shutting her out wasn’t an option.

When Lana had burst into his rooms he’d already been awake, a mug of Ativan coffee in his hands and papers spread out on his desk. Leave it to her to drop off a paper and bolt. He sighed and read through it head slightly tilted. Well, if Lana wanted him to go he would go.

It’s not like he’d ever been able to tell the elven woman no.

So he grabbed Freedom’s Call from where it leaned against the door and suited up in his Grey Warden robes, tying his long hair back from his unshaven face. Pounce was deposited in Rowan’s bed as he kissed his daughter’s forehead, having lost too much recently without making sure to give her love and affection before he departed. Fred was ready and waiting for him and he swung himself onto the beast and took to the air.

He caught up to Lana quickly and landed not too long after she did, rolling his shoulders and looking around, a slight tilt to his head.

Well, this can’t be good…


TLDR

-Anders is mourning his late husband by burying himself in his work.
-Lana shows up and tells him talons up in ten and he doesn’t question the woman. Who would?
-Arrives at the destination with an astute observation on the state of things.
- Reason for Being Here Lana told him to.

Well.  He was here.  Back in Ferelden.  Not in Denerim though.  Really, he didn’t know why he was here specifically, like here here, near what could be a volcano.  Which was really not a great place to be, because volcanoes exploded and went all boom while spewing out smoke hot enough to smother and incinerate people.  But that wasn’t all.  Oh, no, then came the belching lava which was molten hot rock or so he’d read somewhere… that he couldn’t remember where, but that wasn’t important.

No, the point he was trying to make to no one in particular inside of his own head was that this wasn’t the best place to be.  But, wow, here he was.  With folks tried not to make eye contact with.  In front of what might be a big go boom volcano.  He almost regretted picking up the damn flier, but he knew that… well, he had to be here.  He’d been king once.  Not that he really wanted to again, but he was still rather miffed about the whole being kidnapped and sold into slavery thing.  So that was something on his agenda to Get Cleared Up as soon as he could.

Then?

Well, Alastair had no idea but he sure wasn’t going to go begging to be let back into Denerim or the Grey Wardens.  He’d go live out in the Wilds or something, maybe track down that mean woman to pick a fight with her and tease her about gaining another wrinkle or two.  If nothing else, Morrigan was always good for huffing and insulting him.  It’d almost be like old times again.

Pulling down the hood of his floppy hat, he muttered something unintelligible and didn’t give out his name.  He did wonder how long it’d be until someone recognized him though.  His disguises apparently weren’t very good… except this time, he wasn’t trying to pretend he was something he wasn’t.  He looked unkempt and scruffy because he was.  And hand to Maker?  He kind of liked it.

TL;DR

• Alastair is here because... well, he's here.
  
• Found a flier, still wants to save Ferelden, damn it all.
  
• Sus about the possibility of a volcano. 
  
• Giant explosions of fiery death? Still better than slavery though.
  

She had strongly objected to both Franziska and Byron joining the effort to uncover what was behind the strange happenings in Ferelden.  It seemed far too risky for both of Ferelden's current monarchs (even if Franziska was still not coronated) to attend to this.  She didn't want Ferelden to risk what stability it had gained in the past few years by having a consistent leader, but ultimately it wasn't like she could forbid it.  She could only go along and hope that nothing befell them that they couldn't handle.

Fran had gone a little ahead of them to the meeting point; if they were to hide her identity then she couldn't very well show up alongside Byron and herself.  At least they were taking that precaution.

She rounded the corner, clad in light armor bearing the Cousland sigil, daggers at her hips and a bow and quiver at her back.  Truly, she'd always felt more comfortable like this than in the silks and robes expected of someone of her station.  She kept pace with Byron, alert for any possible threats.

The first person she came across was, to her surprise, Deyran.  She hadn't realize that he'd left Highever to join them - normally he was lockstep with Fergus.  She caught his eyes and gave him a gesture to invite him to join the rest of the party.  [color=#17b529]"Come on, Deyran, don't be a stranger."[/color]

A few more paces and she'd joined the remainder of the group with a nod and started to look over who was there.  Mostly familiar faces, actually.  Fran, of course.  Lana and Anders she was relieved to see, and she gave them a smile in greeting.  [color=#17b529]"You'd think that one of these days we'd stop meeting like this,"[/color] she said warmly.  You couldn't ask for two people better equipped for such an investigation.  A mystery man with the bearing of a warrior, and...

Her breath caught when her eyes landed on the remaining party member, but she hid the reaction a split second later.  Alistair.  If this were any other time, or place, and if he weren't so very clearly trying to hide who he was she would have run to embrace her old friend.  Glad as she was to see him alive, it brought a whole host of other questions to mind.  Ones which she would set aside for now, but she'd be damned if she was going to let him disappear again before they had a chance to talk.

TLDR:

• Before the meet she objected to both Byron and Fran coming, but what can you do?
  
• Shows up with Byron
  
• Invites Deyran to join everyone else
  
• Greets Lana and Anders
  
• Recognizes Alistair, but keeps it to herself
  
• Reason for coming: Ferelden or bust, baby.  Can't sit back while the country is in danger.  And she'd like to keep it from losing its monarchs again.
  

Byron had objected just enough at the thought of Fran going on ahead to show that he gave a damn, but not so much as to piss her off or forcibly make her tag along with him and Elanna. It was entirely dumb of course, for both monarchs to investigate what was going on but it was his kingdom and he wasn't about to sit around and do nothing about another disaster looming in the distance. That coupled with his recent problem, that was presently under control, meant also a distraction was much appreciated, the fact it was for the country was truly an added bonus.

Fran had sent out the fliers but Byron had been the one to insure the continued safe keeping of things back in Denerim while they were gone. She needed to investigate, he would rather be there while she did. Simple enough, or so he had thought until he'd mentioned it to Elanna. And well, now it wasn't the most well guarded of places (though he knew Bryan would swear up and down differently with him in charge, but with their mother going on a mad rant well...) as not only was he not there but neither was one of the people he trusted to ensure things kept running smoothly. But he couldn't fault Elanna at all for wanting to tag along and so had let her. 

Where Elanna wore the sigil of her family, Byron chose the old, simple appearing armor he usually donned when on the battlefield. It'd seen him through a lot and he wasn't about to start flashing his status around and paint an even larger target on his back then there was already. Axes on his person, both the larger two handed one he liked as well the smaller one he wielded with a shield obvious enough, and while fine had seen use. Much more at ease dressed as he was, like Elanna, than the finery he had to wear in his day to day life he wouldn't lie and say he hadn't been looking forward to getting away from Denerim for a while.

Even if the crew of people before him was the oddest bunch he'd ever seen. The fact he was trusting the fate of the kingdom to their investigation was, truthfully, more amusing then it should be but he wasn't about to say a word out loud about it. He'd contemplate that particular bit of fate later, after everything was sorted. For now? Looks like those fliers actually worked. 

TLDR
- Byron arrives with Elanna and very much doesn't look like a king
- He addresses the group as a whole and not any one person surprised folks actually did indeed show up
- He'll let folks assume he's the one who sent out the fliers
- Recognizes some folks, doesn't know others, won't introduce himself unless forced but isn't hiding who he is
- reason for coming: It's his kingdom and he's not about to let shit go down if he can come and investigate it and do something about it. That and it's a better distraction from all the shit going on back home at the moment.

Many of you have shown up for Ferelden in its dire time of need... but do you know that something is watching you? The skin on the backs of your necks raise, but no matter where you look, you cannot figure out who is looking at you with such intensity.

There's very little time for introductions, because the ground shakes and trembles, and just beneath the groups feet, the ground begins to split. Each member of the group steps out of the way of the growing crack in the earth—

...well, almost everyone. Sorry, Elanna. You just weren't quick enough. One of the other characters lurch to grab Elanna's hand, but she slips right through their fingers and into the depths of this newly created canyon.

Deja vu, anyone?

The rip in the earth has grown, and before the groups eyes, the mountain seems ready to split in half. But it doesn't, yet.

As Elanna falls, she's not met by total darkness, there are glimmering crystals that shine with an unnatural glimmer in oranges and purples. It's not the best lighting, but it's better than having absolutely nothing.

Your narrator suggests that Elanna remember her Charlatan archetype to offset this fall into the earth. Otherwise, please enjoy your stay!

To those of you aboveground, the earth has stopped shaking... for now.

Note: When using an ability in a quest, please identify the specific archetype + ability you're using in the TLDR;; as it can be very important for the curveball writers to be aware of these abilities in use. c:

While usually steady on her feet, the violence with which the ground shook beneath their feet caught her off guard.  She wasn't quite fast enough to dodge the sudden maw that formed beneath them, or to grasp the hand that reached out to help her.  Instead she found herself plummeting beneath the earth, descent illuminated by strangely colored crystals marking the chasm.

Unable to maneuver close enough to grab anything to break her fall, she instead summoned a barrier to break it.  The landing wasn't exactly soft, but she could walk away from it and she'd settle for that.  She pulled herself to her feet slowly, taking a moment to look around, and found herself brushing off something more than just dust off her armor.

Eggshells.  Lovely.  That wasn't ominous or anything.

[color=#17b529]"I'm alright!"[/color] she shouted back up, looking around the chasm for signs of just what sort of nest they may have stumbled on.  [color=#17b529]"But we may have a problem.  Something's hatched down here - don't know what or how many yet."[/color]

TLDR:

• Uses Charlatan - Spell Sword: Spell Barrier to break her fall
  
• Notices the eggshells
  
• Lets the others know she's ok, but looks like something's hatched.
  

The  ground shook and Byron had reached out to steady himself against anything he could. A wall, a person, anything remotely resembling something steady, checking on Fran for a brief moment before he noticed the ground splitting and he moved out of the way of it, only to go lurching forward to try and grab Elanna's hand when he noticed her falling, reaching to grab stone once more to steady himself and not go tumbling forward with her, a look of panic on his face at her fall.

Ready to shout down at her, or even go climbing down the hole himself he paused in his action to look over at Fran, sense over riding his urge to dive down blindly into the unknown. Responsibility, somehow, creeping into his skull. At least it's not trying to eat you, he tried to ease the tension, let the worry ebb out of him with a joke as he looked down the hole, only calmed when he heard her voice, the panic leaving. Which let him take a glance around them, and notice the damage done to the mountain, resisting the urge to let his jaw hang open. Concern instead replaced the panic from earlier as he looked around the group and shouted back down to Elanna once more.

But we might have another problem.

tl;dr
- Byron tried to grab Elanna's hand and failed at it
- Got worried and panicked until he heard she was alright and cracks a joke
- Notices the mountain and how it's nearly in half and makes a comment about it but doesn't explain what the "problem" is

Franziska rolled her eyes. I told you, adventurers always want somethin' to do. Adventurers were a thrillseeking breed of people; they need to constantly have something that might kill them or their lives were just boring. The ground shook, and she steadied herself against a stranger's arm — Alistair, she might later learn. But for now, the young woman flashed the stranger a grin. Come here often?

Ah, yes. A shameless flirt. Even when the Cousland Lady was tumbling through a hole in the ground, and Fran's husband was contemplating who to go after.

Stay with her?

Go for Elanna?

She could see it in the way he tried to grab her, in the way he lingered at the edge of the chasm, the way he glanced to her and seemed to remember his place. Fran's definitely still holding onto Alistair's arm, as if he's her escort to a ball. So... do we go that way? Or this way? She inquired, gesturing between the mountain and the hole in the ground.

tldr;;
- She grabs onto Alistair to steady herself when the earthquake happens.
- She's holding onto his arm as if he's escorting her to a dance.
- Shameless flirt in front of her husband.
- Asks which direction they need to go: through the mountain or down in the canyon.

Aulus steps away in time from the opening crack to avoid a second concussion. He's not going to make the same mistake twice. He doesn't think to grab the hand of the woman he barely knows, and he's surpised she is alive. Then again, none here ought be mere commoners.

He peers down the lip, noting the garrish, sharp crystals lining the edge. Then, sets a glare at the woman who arrive with the griffon. (He doesn't intend to glare, but with everything that's happened today, its difficult to be the puppy dog you need to be to be favored. Atleast, thats how Aulus knew he needed to be as described in one of Octavia's books given to her by the magister: How to Make Companions and Influence them Politically. Yes, he'd read it, and it made sense, but Aulus was boiled in the military far too long to be a sycophant... let alone a normal person like all the others here who shared wry grins, dry flirtations, and nervous humor.)

Too narrow to fly? he asks businesslike, half knowing the answer with resentment. Aulus unfurls the length of rope at his hip, unless anyone has any brighter ideas. Aulus doesn't even want to think what creature would lay its eggs that far underground, so he keeps his mind on little things like how he can tie one end of the rope to a piton and drive that into the ground.

When he tosses the rope down, he calls Better climb out! to the woman.

tldr
- aulus speaks to lanariel
- aulus gets out a rope, anchors it to a piton, and tosses the end of the rope down.
- he shouts to elanna about getting out

It all unfolded in the blink of an eye. One moment, he found himself nervously trailing Lady Cousland, having been effortlessly detected by her. In the next, the earth bellowed, perhaps an ominous warning. He should have adhered to instructions, but rebellion seemed to be ingrained in him—a defiance against life's losses or simply borne out of boredom. Whatever the cause, it no longer mattered.

The ground beneath him trembled, and Deyran's acute senses immediately sensed impending danger. The half-elven man swiftly assessed his surroundings, his sharp eyes darting from one unstable rock formation to the next. Reacting with lightning reflexes, the warrior leaped and rolled, narrowly evading the opening chasms. The ground cracked and crumbled beneath him, but Deyran moved through the chaos like a leaf caught in a tempest.

As he pressed forward through the turmoil, his senses heightened by the chaos, he glimpsed Lady Cousland. Before Deyran could react, she slipped, vanishing into the darkness below. NO! he cried out, throwing himself to the edge a moment too late.

He is going to have my head, he began, his expression wrought with terror. Despite his words, his concern was more for Fergus than himself. Fortunately, she shouted back up, and Deyran exhaled in relief.

Standing up with determination, he whispered to himself, Right! I'm going in, as if trying to convince himself. He gestured toward the new gap in the ground, ready to plunge inside. However, he opted to assist the valiant warrior with the rope—or so he thought. Instead, he found himself observing and cheering into the chasm, You got this, my lady! clapping as if his encouragement could pull her out.

TLDR;
Deyran panics as Elle falls but realizes she's okay, and so is he.
Deyran helps Aulus with the rope by observing.
Deyran cheers and claps for Elle.

A stranger had appeared in the group that, well... wasn't entirely a stranger. But as much as she wanted to say something, nature decided to take that opportunity away.

And the second the ground began to shake, Lana shifted into a raven. Beady eyes focused on Anders over any of the others. As much as she loved Elanna as a friend, she did not rank into family quite the way Anders did. But the end of the rumbling sent her looking around to see one missing.

She didn't react to it all as fast as some of the others did. Though the question from the man that appeared to be a soldier would have earned a narrowed gaze and annoyed stare. What do you think? she asked, the bite lost to the squawking mockery of her normal timbre.

He seemed to take the hint either way - whether it was her input or not - and had set about with a rope. Good. More concerning was Elanna's announcement about eggs. And that they'd hatched.

I'm going down, she announced. It didn't take much to dive down into the annoyingly small, yet deep, crevice. It meant her usual tricks wouldn't suffice. She also didn't want to leave a friend down here alone.

She shifted just before landing, looking around with a frown. Did you see any other ways in or out? she asked of Elanna, eyes darting around to take in what they could. 

tldr

• Uses Nature -> Zomancer: Wild Shape to become a raven to avoid the danger of the shifting ground.
  
• Speaks first to Aulus to answer his question
  
• Tells the group she's going down & flies down as a raven
  
• Comes out of wild shape to look around & asks Elanna if she's seen another exit near the eggs