So what dragonbreaks do you know about? Cause there's one that can really explain a lot of weird shit happening in TES.
I Never Expected the Inquisition (Dragon Age Inquisition/Skyrim SI)
- Thread starter SharkGlue
- Start date
Warp in the West is the one I'm familiar with.
While the warp in the west was one of the better known dragon breaks there was a bigger one. It's known as the middle dawn and this is a description of what happened during the one thousand and eight years it lasted.
Part 15
AN: Thanks to @RedrumSprinkles for helping me out in this fic. Comments and crit totally welcome of course.
The night was dark and full of self-inflicted terrors. I tossed, turned, and struggled to get even an ounce of sleep, but the thought of her dominated my mind. By the time the sun rose, I was haggard, there red-eyed, and cranky as fuck.
Of course, everyone took this to mean that I was hungover from last night. Eve recanted the entire tale of the 'One beer drunk' while we traveled along the highway, much to the party's delight. Complete with impersonations of course.
"Talky or should I say, Drunky," Varric chided, shaking his head. "I expected better from you!"
"I feel like I have failed somehow," Blackwall added, chuckling. "I haven't covered that part of your training. That obviously needs to change."
"I've got to see that." Bull roared between laughs. "We'll have him drinking properly by the time we're done eh?"
Not that any of that annoyed me. I was tired, everything was too bright and my mind was occupied by other things. All I really could do was grunt back on occasion and lie back on the wagon and try to get some sleep.
It didn't help that Sera occasionally poked me with her foot and that I felt every bump and crack on the road. But it could be worse.
At some point, I managed to fall asleep,because when I woke up the sun had already set and camp was all set up. Eve was off reading a report by the campfire, while everyone else looked busy doing their own duties.
"Evening," she greeted as I stumbled to the campfire. "Care for some rabbit?" she said handing me a stick. I accepted and nibbled a couple of bites off before turning to her again.
"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing her eyebrows slightly scrunched up. "Something happen?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "This report says that our forces have encountered a worrying amount of darkspawn near the Inquisition main camp. The Fereldans are worried, say that it's far too much like Ostagar for their liking."
"Have you talked to Loghain about it?"
She nodded. "He said he'd know if there is a Blight and that the Approach has more darkspawn than most places."
"Then we should be alright," I replied. "Though, I don't remember seeing anything like this in my visions."
"We can only adapt as best we can then," she sighed. "It's a good thing you're up though."
"Why?"
"Because you've got first watch. And Second."
"Can't argue there." I laughed "I've been asleep all day. I think. Hard to tell really."
She punched me in the shoulder then. A light one... but still. "What was that for?" I asked, rubbing my shoulder.
"Just making sure you're awake and all." she smiled back before she stood up. "You're with Blackwall first, then Bull. So good night then."
"Night Eve." I waved as she went towards her own tent.
I sighed and finished the last of dinner before grabbing my weapon and armor. It was back at the cart that I found Blackwall with his own gear, readying himself for the night.
"Drunkie," he greeted with a chuckle.
"Blackwall," I greeted in return as I followed him to our area for the watch.
We had set up camp in the middle of one of the larger forests in Orlais. Blackwall called it the Foret des Landes or some such. Fantasy French wasn't my strong suit. I'm way better with my Fantasy German. Anyways, it was supposedly famed for its hunting and the quality of its wood. Not that it mattered to me really beyond dinner, the rabbit was delicious enough.
Still, as forests went, they were a peaceable sort. No howling wolves in the distance, just the slight crackle of the fire's remains behind us and the light of the full moon trickling in between the tree leaves. My eyes were already starting to adapt to the dark as the silvery blue tinted everything. The camp was surrounded by large boulders, save for an opening that led back to the highway. The horses were tethered and fed, everyone else was sleeping, and Blackwall and I were at the entrance, standing vigilant against the dark.
Needless to say, this was very boring. This close to the Orlesian capital, bandits wouldn't have set up, even amongst the chaos of the civil war. Too many people considered it within their vested interest to keep things civil around the area. However Eve warned that as we began to get further away things would definitely change.
I sighed and stared off once more into the silvery dark. A quick life detect shout to make sure things were copacetic showed nothing more than a couple of animal shaped things nearby. Nothing of note was happening so… a little chatting couldn't hurt eh?
"Night gathers and now my watch begins." I started, still staring out.
"It's been dark for quite a while now Vic." Blackwall replied, his eyes scanning the area. Ever vigilant, ever alert. "I'd be worried if it weren't for the fact that I'm almost certain that's just you being… you."
"Thank you Uncle Blackwall," I countered turning to face him. "Seriously… I know you don't believe me what with the whole… you know your past and all, but I kind of see you like an uncle you know. Uncle Blackwall."
"I hope you know not to make my mistakes then." he replied, voice grim.
"Yeah. I hope so too…" I sighed. "But… well… You're a man of the world right? Traveled everywhere, seen things. Done things and so on."
"Yes, traveled all over Thedas," he nodded. "Where are you going about this?'
"Well…" I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck. "See I… sort of… need your advice."
"Maker's breath, it's a girl ain't it?" he sighed as he turned towards me. "Alright tell me who it is. Was it that girl back at Skyhold? The Redhead Chantry sister that was giving you looks?
"Eh?" I asked, eyebrows raised. "No… I don't recall there being a girl who was interested in me."
"So it was a girl you met in Val Royeaux then," he sighed as he shook his head. "Listen, if she had a title or even a mask then chances are you're just a fling boy. I'm afraid it was just that so-"
"No it's none of that,"Ii interrupted. "It's… her." I pointed back towards camp.
"Who's her?" Blackwall asked eyebrows raised, after a second of silence. "Cassandra? She's tough, but I sense she's a romantic at heart."
"No," I sighed… "It's… Eve."
"The Inquisitor." Blackwall gasped. "Maker's balls drunky…" he gasped, shaking his head. "That's… that's…."
"Yeah." I sighed again. "I … I realize now I like her."
"What, after your little excursion around the city then?" Blackwall sighed and shook his head at that. "Then tell her."
"But…" I hesitated. "I don't want to mess up what we already have. It's great, it's fun, it's wonderful but-"
"Exactly. Just so go and tell her." he sighed and rubbed his temples. "Look Vic, it's simple you-"
"But what if it-" I stopped, then hung my head and whispered. "What if… I fuck things up?"
Silence hung in the air. All that could be heard were the cracks and rustles of the trees as the wind blew on by.
"Then you must learn to live with it" Blackwall whispered back after a while, staring off into the dark.
_
The rest of the night went by quietly after that chat. Blackwall didn't talk much and when he left to switch with Bull, I wasn't up for much talking either. Bull passed the watch with the occasional story about his life as a merc,I'd on occasion, half-heartedly answer questions about home.
I'm certain Bull could tell something was off with me, he was a people person after all. But he didn't pry which I appreciated. When it was Sera's and Varric's turn on watch I jumped straight to bed and slept a dreamless sleep.
The following days on the road, I'd try and pry advice from the others on how to… deal with the situation. Unfortunately, most all of them were variations of 'Tell her' along with spatterings of either disbelief or laughter. Only Viv really said otherwise, replying with a laugh and that it was 'above my station', but I think she was just poking fun at my expense. Deep, deep beneath that Iron exterior was a person. I'm sure of it.
Beyond my distress at my situation, the trip into the Approach went quietly. Aside from the occasional wild animal or bandit, we passed by unmolested through Orlais. It was as we hit the edges of the Approach though that things began to change though.
It began with the heat. You could feel it as the sun rose and the familiar, homey feel of the sun slowly drenching you in your own sweat started. While everyone but Bull else groused on how bad it was, I basked in it. Then came the subtle change in scenery, from tall lush trees,to only the occasional scraggly bush amidst the endless sea of sand.
"Welcome to the Western Approach," Loghain muttered as we entered a ravine that sheltered us from the blistering winds. Now instead of this feeling of being cooked alive, it was replaced by this ominous feeling in my bones. Something was… off about this place. "This is what happens when a Blight is given free reign for too long."
"This ravine was once a river that fed the area," Solas supplied. "The area was once a verdant forest. Now it is a husk, dead, never to recover."
"So says what you've seen in the Fade?" I asked, eyebrows raised as we passed into what must have been the wider end of the river. The ravine bloomed out, and soon we were passing scraggly trees and bushes as the shadow fell on us.
"Yes. That and history books told me that." Solas quipped back without turning to face me.
"We must be cautious," Loghain continued, voice echoing throughout the ravine. "Even though the Blight has passed long ago, the Approach remains dangerous. Darkspawn roam here on occasion."
"So avoid caves and the underground then?" Eve asked as she turned to Loghain.
"Yes." he nodded. "Some of those lead down into the Deep Roads. Adamant itself lies on the edge of the Abyssal Rift, where Darkspawn once poured out yearly. Then as the attacks decreased and the maintenance of the fortress became ever more difficult, we abandoned it. Till now." he finished with a sigh.
We passed in silence after that, vigilant for signs of trouble. The only sounds that came out of this dead place though was the howling of the wind, and echoes of our footsteps. Even with an aura whisper, I couldn't see anything alive aside from us and a few small scraggly animals behind the ravine's walls.
That all changed that night as we settled into camp at the end of the ravine. From blistering heat, the weather abruptly turned freezing. I was huddled by the fire,shivering not only from the suddenness of the cold, but from… another feeling. Like this place was … wrong on another level.
"Darkspawn!" roared Loghain as he ran out of his tent, sword and shield at the ready. We all scrambled for our weapons at that warning, without bothering to ask for a how. Barky soon added to the warnings with a smattering of barks himself, as we readied ourselves for the fight.
They came from the dark, at the mouth of the ravine. More beast than man, wearing jagged, cruel armor that reminded me of Tolkien Orcs. I Shouted Fire their way,immolating several of the beasts as they continued to charge headlong into our line. Fearless and painless, even the ones on fire continued to make an attempt at our lives.
Eve and the other warriors formed a line, shoulder to shoulder at the mouth. They bore the brunt of the beasts' push as they hacked through them. The rest of us did what we could to support them. Me shouting through the gaps, the mages tossing what spells over their heads, and the rogues causing mayhem.
It ended as Loghain hacked off the head of the biggest one leading the charge, probably the Alpha. Not a single survivor, or even a runner from the damn creatures.
"No one touch them!" Loghain ordered as we collectively stepped back. "Anyone feel sick? Open wounds or the like?"
A resounding chorus of no's rang. At that I sighed in relief. God knows what that… stuff does to you. "Good," Loghain echoed as he piled a body on top of another. "We'll incinerate this group then we'll have to move up."
"It isn't safe then here?" Eve asked.
"Aye," he nodded. "That was a small raiding party if anything." he grunted as he lugged another body on top of another. "We should break and make for another area. You risk catching the Taint if we stay here."
"Right then," Eve said as she turned towards us. "Let's pack it up guys. We've got work to do."
The night was dark and full of self-inflicted terrors. I tossed, turned, and struggled to get even an ounce of sleep, but the thought of her dominated my mind. By the time the sun rose, I was haggard, there red-eyed, and cranky as fuck.
Of course, everyone took this to mean that I was hungover from last night. Eve recanted the entire tale of the 'One beer drunk' while we traveled along the highway, much to the party's delight. Complete with impersonations of course.
"Talky or should I say, Drunky," Varric chided, shaking his head. "I expected better from you!"
"I feel like I have failed somehow," Blackwall added, chuckling. "I haven't covered that part of your training. That obviously needs to change."
"I've got to see that." Bull roared between laughs. "We'll have him drinking properly by the time we're done eh?"
Not that any of that annoyed me. I was tired, everything was too bright and my mind was occupied by other things. All I really could do was grunt back on occasion and lie back on the wagon and try to get some sleep.
It didn't help that Sera occasionally poked me with her foot and that I felt every bump and crack on the road. But it could be worse.
At some point, I managed to fall asleep,because when I woke up the sun had already set and camp was all set up. Eve was off reading a report by the campfire, while everyone else looked busy doing their own duties.
"Evening," she greeted as I stumbled to the campfire. "Care for some rabbit?" she said handing me a stick. I accepted and nibbled a couple of bites off before turning to her again.
"What's wrong?" I asked, noticing her eyebrows slightly scrunched up. "Something happen?"
"Yeah," she sighed. "This report says that our forces have encountered a worrying amount of darkspawn near the Inquisition main camp. The Fereldans are worried, say that it's far too much like Ostagar for their liking."
"Have you talked to Loghain about it?"
She nodded. "He said he'd know if there is a Blight and that the Approach has more darkspawn than most places."
"Then we should be alright," I replied. "Though, I don't remember seeing anything like this in my visions."
"We can only adapt as best we can then," she sighed. "It's a good thing you're up though."
"Why?"
"Because you've got first watch. And Second."
"Can't argue there." I laughed "I've been asleep all day. I think. Hard to tell really."
She punched me in the shoulder then. A light one... but still. "What was that for?" I asked, rubbing my shoulder.
"Just making sure you're awake and all." she smiled back before she stood up. "You're with Blackwall first, then Bull. So good night then."
"Night Eve." I waved as she went towards her own tent.
I sighed and finished the last of dinner before grabbing my weapon and armor. It was back at the cart that I found Blackwall with his own gear, readying himself for the night.
"Drunkie," he greeted with a chuckle.
"Blackwall," I greeted in return as I followed him to our area for the watch.
We had set up camp in the middle of one of the larger forests in Orlais. Blackwall called it the Foret des Landes or some such. Fantasy French wasn't my strong suit. I'm way better with my Fantasy German. Anyways, it was supposedly famed for its hunting and the quality of its wood. Not that it mattered to me really beyond dinner, the rabbit was delicious enough.
Still, as forests went, they were a peaceable sort. No howling wolves in the distance, just the slight crackle of the fire's remains behind us and the light of the full moon trickling in between the tree leaves. My eyes were already starting to adapt to the dark as the silvery blue tinted everything. The camp was surrounded by large boulders, save for an opening that led back to the highway. The horses were tethered and fed, everyone else was sleeping, and Blackwall and I were at the entrance, standing vigilant against the dark.
Needless to say, this was very boring. This close to the Orlesian capital, bandits wouldn't have set up, even amongst the chaos of the civil war. Too many people considered it within their vested interest to keep things civil around the area. However Eve warned that as we began to get further away things would definitely change.
I sighed and stared off once more into the silvery dark. A quick life detect shout to make sure things were copacetic showed nothing more than a couple of animal shaped things nearby. Nothing of note was happening so… a little chatting couldn't hurt eh?
"Night gathers and now my watch begins." I started, still staring out.
"It's been dark for quite a while now Vic." Blackwall replied, his eyes scanning the area. Ever vigilant, ever alert. "I'd be worried if it weren't for the fact that I'm almost certain that's just you being… you."
"Thank you Uncle Blackwall," I countered turning to face him. "Seriously… I know you don't believe me what with the whole… you know your past and all, but I kind of see you like an uncle you know. Uncle Blackwall."
"I hope you know not to make my mistakes then." he replied, voice grim.
"Yeah. I hope so too…" I sighed. "But… well… You're a man of the world right? Traveled everywhere, seen things. Done things and so on."
"Yes, traveled all over Thedas," he nodded. "Where are you going about this?'
"Well…" I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck. "See I… sort of… need your advice."
"Maker's breath, it's a girl ain't it?" he sighed as he turned towards me. "Alright tell me who it is. Was it that girl back at Skyhold? The Redhead Chantry sister that was giving you looks?
"Eh?" I asked, eyebrows raised. "No… I don't recall there being a girl who was interested in me."
"So it was a girl you met in Val Royeaux then," he sighed as he shook his head. "Listen, if she had a title or even a mask then chances are you're just a fling boy. I'm afraid it was just that so-"
"No it's none of that,"Ii interrupted. "It's… her." I pointed back towards camp.
"Who's her?" Blackwall asked eyebrows raised, after a second of silence. "Cassandra? She's tough, but I sense she's a romantic at heart."
"No," I sighed… "It's… Eve."
"The Inquisitor." Blackwall gasped. "Maker's balls drunky…" he gasped, shaking his head. "That's… that's…."
"Yeah." I sighed again. "I … I realize now I like her."
"What, after your little excursion around the city then?" Blackwall sighed and shook his head at that. "Then tell her."
"But…" I hesitated. "I don't want to mess up what we already have. It's great, it's fun, it's wonderful but-"
"Exactly. Just so go and tell her." he sighed and rubbed his temples. "Look Vic, it's simple you-"
"But what if it-" I stopped, then hung my head and whispered. "What if… I fuck things up?"
Silence hung in the air. All that could be heard were the cracks and rustles of the trees as the wind blew on by.
"Then you must learn to live with it" Blackwall whispered back after a while, staring off into the dark.
_
The rest of the night went by quietly after that chat. Blackwall didn't talk much and when he left to switch with Bull, I wasn't up for much talking either. Bull passed the watch with the occasional story about his life as a merc,I'd on occasion, half-heartedly answer questions about home.
I'm certain Bull could tell something was off with me, he was a people person after all. But he didn't pry which I appreciated. When it was Sera's and Varric's turn on watch I jumped straight to bed and slept a dreamless sleep.
The following days on the road, I'd try and pry advice from the others on how to… deal with the situation. Unfortunately, most all of them were variations of 'Tell her' along with spatterings of either disbelief or laughter. Only Viv really said otherwise, replying with a laugh and that it was 'above my station', but I think she was just poking fun at my expense. Deep, deep beneath that Iron exterior was a person. I'm sure of it.
Beyond my distress at my situation, the trip into the Approach went quietly. Aside from the occasional wild animal or bandit, we passed by unmolested through Orlais. It was as we hit the edges of the Approach though that things began to change though.
It began with the heat. You could feel it as the sun rose and the familiar, homey feel of the sun slowly drenching you in your own sweat started. While everyone but Bull else groused on how bad it was, I basked in it. Then came the subtle change in scenery, from tall lush trees,to only the occasional scraggly bush amidst the endless sea of sand.
"Welcome to the Western Approach," Loghain muttered as we entered a ravine that sheltered us from the blistering winds. Now instead of this feeling of being cooked alive, it was replaced by this ominous feeling in my bones. Something was… off about this place. "This is what happens when a Blight is given free reign for too long."
"This ravine was once a river that fed the area," Solas supplied. "The area was once a verdant forest. Now it is a husk, dead, never to recover."
"So says what you've seen in the Fade?" I asked, eyebrows raised as we passed into what must have been the wider end of the river. The ravine bloomed out, and soon we were passing scraggly trees and bushes as the shadow fell on us.
"Yes. That and history books told me that." Solas quipped back without turning to face me.
"We must be cautious," Loghain continued, voice echoing throughout the ravine. "Even though the Blight has passed long ago, the Approach remains dangerous. Darkspawn roam here on occasion."
"So avoid caves and the underground then?" Eve asked as she turned to Loghain.
"Yes." he nodded. "Some of those lead down into the Deep Roads. Adamant itself lies on the edge of the Abyssal Rift, where Darkspawn once poured out yearly. Then as the attacks decreased and the maintenance of the fortress became ever more difficult, we abandoned it. Till now." he finished with a sigh.
We passed in silence after that, vigilant for signs of trouble. The only sounds that came out of this dead place though was the howling of the wind, and echoes of our footsteps. Even with an aura whisper, I couldn't see anything alive aside from us and a few small scraggly animals behind the ravine's walls.
That all changed that night as we settled into camp at the end of the ravine. From blistering heat, the weather abruptly turned freezing. I was huddled by the fire,shivering not only from the suddenness of the cold, but from… another feeling. Like this place was … wrong on another level.
"Darkspawn!" roared Loghain as he ran out of his tent, sword and shield at the ready. We all scrambled for our weapons at that warning, without bothering to ask for a how. Barky soon added to the warnings with a smattering of barks himself, as we readied ourselves for the fight.
They came from the dark, at the mouth of the ravine. More beast than man, wearing jagged, cruel armor that reminded me of Tolkien Orcs. I Shouted Fire their way,immolating several of the beasts as they continued to charge headlong into our line. Fearless and painless, even the ones on fire continued to make an attempt at our lives.
Eve and the other warriors formed a line, shoulder to shoulder at the mouth. They bore the brunt of the beasts' push as they hacked through them. The rest of us did what we could to support them. Me shouting through the gaps, the mages tossing what spells over their heads, and the rogues causing mayhem.
It ended as Loghain hacked off the head of the biggest one leading the charge, probably the Alpha. Not a single survivor, or even a runner from the damn creatures.
"No one touch them!" Loghain ordered as we collectively stepped back. "Anyone feel sick? Open wounds or the like?"
A resounding chorus of no's rang. At that I sighed in relief. God knows what that… stuff does to you. "Good," Loghain echoed as he piled a body on top of another. "We'll incinerate this group then we'll have to move up."
"It isn't safe then here?" Eve asked.
"Aye," he nodded. "That was a small raiding party if anything." he grunted as he lugged another body on top of another. "We should break and make for another area. You risk catching the Taint if we stay here."
"Right then," Eve said as she turned towards us. "Let's pack it up guys. We've got work to do."
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Aw, cute little Vic falls in love.
Good.
Makes the pain of loss all the sweeter.
Good.
Makes the pain of loss all the sweeter.
Gotta agree with Shade here. Looking forward to the crash and bomb. Twelve chapters in and the SI already likes the Inquisitor? A character you set the parameters for? Gotta find this really creepy. Plus, with her responsibilities and the shit that's coming later; is romance really the time right now?
Science
If you're reading this, omae wa mo shindeiru.
- Location
- Killeen, TX
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