Fandom Dragon Age: Rifts Above [Closed]

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Dragon Age

R * I * F * T * S ** A * B * O * V * E​

LNKSMain In Character RP | Character Sheets | Quest Board​

 

[spacepanda]

Revas & Brianna​

How many days had it been since this all began, Marie wondered. Two? Three? She stood in the Frostbacks with a small contingent of Jennie's scouts, an elven hedge mage, Revas, and a busty human woman named Zava; she pondered just how cold it would get. The wind brought with it a chill that clung to the areas of Marie's exposed flesh, and the elf shivered in response, her eyes never deviating from the reason they were all here: an open rift. It had been discovered not five hours ago, having gone unnoticed before. It seemed almost... dormant. But who knew how long that would last.

With a deep breath Marie allowed her left hand to gently scratch at the old leather coin purse attached to her hip. It wasn't hers. She had discovered it mere hours ago during the group's travel to the rift. It had been attached to the body of a young human man, and since her father had taught her never to let resources go to waste, she was quick to snatch the purse and pluck a couple of unused arrows from the man's quiver. It was obvious he had been on the run and, unfortunately for him, never quite reached his destination. Many were running now, but to where no one really knew. Even more simply hid.

The contents of the coin purse (gold, silver, and some coppers) were of no surprise to Marie; it was, in fact, expected. But the quantity... There was more than 30 gold alone contained within, and from the looks of the man's clothing he had not lived a kind life. She held in her palm what was likely the man's life savings! It seemed almost wrong to possess it now- after all, she did absolutely nothing to earn it. But what good would it have done buried in the snow? She had been crushing the purse in her hands, she now realized, and letting it go she let her eyes focus on the rift before her.

All was quiet.

Almost as though in a trance she sauntered towards it, reaching her hand out as if to touch it. Why was it not like the others? Why was it so still? A hand on her shoulder snapped her out of her concentration. "I would not recommend that course of action," spoke a voice from behind her in a melodic lilt that somehow reminded her of the open sea.

Marie nodded to the hedge mage and sat on a nearby rock. The coldness of its rough surface seeped through her clothing and armor. "It's just so... idle," she spoke, referring of course to the rift before them.

"Our actions, or the rift?"

"The rift," Marie answered, slightly annoyed that the mage had not caught her meaning, or perhaps, more likely, chose to ask regardless.

"Good," was Revas' prompt reply, "It is my hope it remains as such."

Marie laughed bitterly, "I'm not sure hoping will do much."

Revas looked at Marie almost expressionless. "Hope is always necessary; It is what inspires change, and change, in turn, inspires growth."

Marie blinked, sitting on those words before lightly rolling her eyes. "Ah, as a person you mean? That's deep."

"I had meant as a people. But yes, that as well."

"I'm not fond of change," Marie sighed.

A sudden loud spark from the rift before them caused Marie to her feet, and the scouts around them all readied their weapons for what was soon to come.

"You must prepare yourself for the change ahead," Revas spoke, standing almost casually despite the rift's sea-like movements, "It is inevitable."

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Brianna shielded her eyes from the sun as she gazed at the breach. It would be almost beautiful if it weren't so terrifying, and the sheer size of it left her in awe. How were they supposed to fight this? How could anyone? Their only hope lied in the shape of an elf who was seemingly thrust out of the fade and into the world like a newborn calf. There was no telling when he would awaken... and there was no telling how long they could last.

An evil villain, or the Maker's gift... who knew? Brianna began to nervously bite her already short nails anxiously whilst she pondered the elf and the strange glowing mark on his hand. A creation of malicious intent, or divine intervention?

The crunching of snow behind the warrior signaled the guard rotation. There were orders to keep at least four guards watching the elf at all times until he finally awoke. "Any news?" She asked, although she already knew if there had been any news the whole of Haven would already be in chaos.

"None. We still await his awakening." Responded one of the guards as they made their way past her.

Turning back around she stared intently at the breach once more, lifting her hand to pick at the curls of red hair at the nape of her neck nervously. "Maker help us all."

The Rp Has Begun

Iskandar The Silent Z The Mechanist​

 

[Iskandar]

Coran and Alaven​

Coran looked back at the giant breach in the Sky. He was in awe with the thing that caused such a catastrophic event to happen at Haven. They had lost countless people when the Temple exploded and the breach appeared, including Divine Justinia V. He let out a heavy sigh and turned back around towards Brianna before walking towards her. The ice crunched under his heavy steps as he walked about.

"We will figure it out. We'll close that giant hole in the Sky. The Maker will guide us to do so." Coran said before putting a hand on Brianna's shoulder. His tone was serious with a hint of bitterness to it as he muttered, "For Justinia's sake too." Coran gently passed Brianna and walked into the building where they were keeping the Elf with the glowing mark on his hand. He'd been out for quite a while, and Coran was hoping he would be awake. Hopefully the prisoner would be cooperative and would help determine what exactly happened at the temple.

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Alaven was beginning to wake up, he was in a dark room that was dimly lit. It was warm, though there was still some cold breezes that would come and go, as if a door was opening and closing. The young Elf lifted his head up and looked around and saw that he was surrounded by what looked like armed guards. He tried moving his hands and arms but felt them being choked and held in place. Slowly his head faced down towards his hands only to see them be confined in a pair of shackles. He was... confused. Alaven had no idea as to what was happening. Why was he in shackles? Why were there guards around him? Where was he? These questions kept going through his head, over and over and over. He was looking for an answer but nothing came to him.

Alaven looked back up, seeing a fellow Elf in the room with him; she had Platinum Blonde hair, Icy Blue eyes and looked fair enough. She wasn't confined like he was though, no shackles or chains. Not a hate sorta thing then..? Alaven thought to himself before looking over at the door as it opened. An older gentleman walked through the door and into the room. He had an eyepatch, fair skin and some facial scars. His hair was salt and pepper with a matching beard to go with it. He looked extremely intimidating, causing Alaven to gulp at the sight of the man. He lowered his head once more like he was a puppy that was about to get scolded. Letting out a wimpy sigh he looked back up at the female Elf and the Human male, "Umm... Where am I?" Was all he said before offering a nervous smile.

spacepanda The Silent Z

 

[spacepanda]

Jennie​

Jennie had spent the better part of the last hour nervously pacing the cell that held the elven prisoner. Numerous thoughts filled her mind, but the need, the urge for revenge never receded. The guards had rotated, and she thumbed the handle of the ornate dagger strapped to her thigh. It had been a gift from Divine Justinia...

"Justinia," she angrily hissed, just as the prisoner's chains began to lightly clank. As if on queue the door to holding cell underneath the chantry opened with a large creak and loud slam. The four guards surrounding the elf sheathed their weapons and nodded respectively towards the newcomer, Coran.

The elf before them was clearly awake now, and trying to get his bearings. She didn't trust him. Not one iota. His lips moved and she was sure he just asked some sort of question, but her mind instead worked through what she already knew about the man before her. Enough, and hardly anything. Aria, his sister, had kept the facts simple, like any other report she ever gave, and Jennie had been surprised enough to find out her and this elf were related. She claimed that the elf, Alaven, had nothing to do with the breach, with the rifts, with the explosion at the Conclave... but if Aria was a great actress, perhaps it ran in the family.

The displeasure and animosity in Jennie's eyes was apparent, and she quickly strode to the center of the room with clear purpose towards their captive. "Tell us why we shouldn't kill you now!" She demanded, the ornate dagger she had been thumbing earlier, now unsheathed and pointed towards the prisoner.

 

[Iskandar]

Alaven and Coran​

Alaven was taken aback by the female Elf in the room. She immediately snapped at him, and the young Elf could see the anger as well as sadness in the female's eyes. Either he did something wrong, or this entire thing was a big misunderstanding, and seeing as how Alaven had no real memory of what happened he had assumed that this was just one big misunderstanding. His eyes quickly darted toward the dagger she had taken out and pointed at him before looking back at her. Alaven gulped before nervously saying, "Whoa. Kill me? Why? Did I do something...?" He had no idea as to what was happening, and was thoroughly confused. Why is this lady pointing a knife at me and threatening me? Alaven thought before hanging his head down low.

Coran took a few loud steps towards Jennie; he had an aura of authority as he walked. Putting a hand on Jennie's shoulder as he smiled at Alaven, trying to reassure the prisoner, "Come on Jennie. We need him alive if we want to learn anything. Threats won't get us very far." He had whispered calmly to her before approaching Alaven. He squatted down to look Alaven in the face. They were but a few centimeters apart from each other, and this caused a guard to put a hand on his swords grip, "No need for that." Coran said to the guard before offering another calming smile at Alaven, "Can you tell us where we are? What is the last thing you remember?"

"The Conclave... That is where we are right? Haven? The Sacred Temple of Ashes." Alaven said before shaking his head. He had a massive headache and couldn't really remember much from before waking up in the dungeon, "Uh. I can't really remember much... I swear..."

Coran bit his bottom lip out of frustration, causing some blood to drip down, "Thank you. You tried." he said before standing up and walking towards Jennie, "Thoughts? And don't say you want to kill him." He was rather calm about the whole situation, almost as if nothing had really happened. Of course that wasn't the truth. Coran was barely keeping it together.

 

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Jennie & Brianna​

Threats wouldn't get them very far? Bullshit, thought Jennie as Coran passed her. A scowl still adorned her face but she let Coran try his way. Unfortunately his way had proved fruitless as well.

"You tried?" She repeated her mentor's words back at him, "Thoughts? Yes, I have plenty!" Angrily pushing her way towards Alaven she took a deep breath before the elf, shaking in rage. She couldn't help herself, she felt as though she had been harboring a bomb inside of her heart and now it was seconds away from a violent explosion. Closing her eyes she counted backwards from 10 until she felt calm enough not to slit the elf's throat. Coran was right after all, they needed him alive. And Aria would- wait Aria!

She sheathed her dagger, and bending forward leveled her eyes with Alaven's. "We have your sister. Aria, is it? It would be a shame if something were to happen to her," she spoke in a voice as sweet as syrup before snapping back upright. "Tell us about that mark on your hand," she demanded, now circling around their shackled prisoner.

The sound of footsteps at the entrance caused Jennie to halt for only a second, turning to see Brianna arriving at the doorway before continuing her interrogation. "What does it do, why is it there?" Running her fingers over the handle of her dagger again Jennie practically growled, "Why were you at The Conclave?"

Brianna's footsteps seemed almost hurried as she nearly trotted into Coran, grabbing one of his arms and attempting to pull him aside. "What is she doing?" She whispered... or at least, it would have been a whisper were the room not also full of elves.

"My job, Commander," was Jennie's quick reply, which caused Brianna to blush a tomato red with embarrassment. The red-head bit her lip and tossed Coran a pleading look, her eyes darting back from the prisoner to Jennie.

 

[Iskandar]

Alaven and Coran​

Coran coldly looked at the angered Jennie who was less than thrilled by his tactics when it came to questioning the prisoner, "Have it your way.". He believed that it best if they do not harm the prisoner in anyway, as he may be the only key to figuring out what happened and with how to deal with the Breach. The Grizzled Bastard let out a grunt and a sigh of displeasure as he watched Jennie perform her way of questioning.

Alaven on the other hand was still confused and had that look of a deer in the headlights. At the soul mention of Aria is what really woke Alaven up. He looked directly at Jennie and straight into her eyes, he wasn't his normal quirky and confused self. His eyes told it all, and would normally at least intimidate a normal person but probably not Jennie. Alaven's eyes were filled with a slight hint of fear but mostly with that of seriousness and protectiveness, "If you harm her, I will make sure to kill you." His tone was cold and as expected different from his usual way of speaking or his attitude while speaking. He cared for his sister more than anything else in this cruel world, even more than his own life. Letting out a sigh Alaven decided to try his best to cooperate with the wretched female, For Aria's Sake, he thought before answering Jennie's questions, "I don't know anything about this mark. What even is it...? I didn't have it before I came to The Conclave..." His memory was still fuzzy, but he truly had no idea what the mark on his hand was or how it got there... "Like I said, I have no idea what it does. I was hired to help be security at the Conclave. Some Orlesian Noble hired the mercenary group I am in." Alaven stared at Jennie, "Honestly I don't remember much... I remember being chased by creatures and... A Woman, she was calling out to me and... that is all I remember."

As Jennie continued to interrogate Alaven and use his sister as leverage Coran just watched and stroked his beard. He heard Brianna ask what Jennie was doing and offered her a quiet nod before explaining, "She is using the priso-" He was cut off by Jennie who snapped at the Commander. Coran pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long sigh, "As I was saying. Jennie is interrogating the prisoner by using someone close to the prisoner as leverage..." He paused and shook his head and whispering to Brianna, "I wouldn't even use that tactic. I think Jennie is breaking at the lose of Justinia... Maker help her in this time of darkness."

"Jennie I believe that it is the best we will get out of him. I don't think he really remembers much of what happened or how he even got here. " Coran said trying his best to stop Jennie from taking it too far. He shared the same feeling as Brianna when it came to how Jennie was acting, "I think it is best if we take him to the Breach and show him what has happened. Maybe it well help him remember what happened, who this woman was and how he got here."

 

[spacepanda]

Jennie & Brianna​

As Brianna's face corrected itself from its previously florrid hue, it instead took on a look of concern. Coran's words were right, of course. She could practically feel Jennie's pain peircing through her when the elf's eyes looked upon her own. She was full of hurt, and angered, but justified or not, she was in no condition to handle such an important prisoner. "Jennie," she spoke softly, her voice low and full of worry. The elf had opened her mouth slightly as if to make a quick rebuttal, but at the sound of Brianna's voice her shoulders slumped forward, and she allowed Brianna to take her into a quick embrace.

It was clear she was in no condition to do much of anything at this moment. Jennie, as far as Brianna had known her (which wasn't too long) was a passionate woman, and quick to act. In this situation, full of such strong emotions, she would be of no current use, and as she held on to Brianna tightly (an act she knew Jennie would be ashamed of later) she shook gently.

"Yes, perhaps that would be best. I will assure Jennie get's some rest," at those words Brianna was surprise to feel no struggle from the elf, "and then meet you at the forward camp. Stay safe. And Maker be with you," looking into the light eyes of the prisoner, this Alaven, she wondered just what the future had in store. Or if there would be a future for much longer... "Both of you."

With a curt nod Brianna led Jennie out of the dungeon.

 

[Iskandar]

Coran and Alaven

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Coran was tasked with escorting Alaven to the Breach so that maybe they could get more answers and try to figure everything out. Alaven had willingly decided to go with Coran, much to the man's surprise. While on their small trek through the mountains and area surrounding Haven, Coran had explained to Alaven what happened. How Divine Justinia was nowhere to be found and was thought dead. How the explosion at the Sacred Temple of Ashes killed countless people and caused the Breach to appear. Coran also explained the mark on Alaven's hand and how it affected him. Alaven was sympathetic and almost heartbroken when he heard this news, and Coran could see it. Coran believed this Elf may truly be a kind soul that was most likely just swept up in these events. Wrong place and wrong time sorta stuff.

The two didn't talk about much else one their way to meet up with Jennie and Brianna as they didn't have much to converse about. They ran into some demons here and there, and Coran even let Alaven help him fight them off. The Grizzled Bastard was surprised at how decent of a shot the Elf was with a Bow. He had decided that it was best to let Alaven keep the weapon, as it would help deal with any other demons they ran into. Coran did have to remember that Alaven said he would come willingly to help.

Alaven was quiet most of the trip, asking a few questions at the beginning but never attempting to make small talk. He was saddened that the people of Haven, the survivors, had written him off as this evil thing that killed so many, including the Divine. The young Elf hoped to change this, to prove his innocence and to help those that had turned their back on him. It was the least he could to do for causing so much pain for them. Granted he didn't kill the Divine, but he felt responsible and those people put the blame on him.

The Elf's opinion of Coran was quiet high though. He seemed like a kind man who had decided to try and help Alaven sort this whole debacle out. Alaven was grateful to Coran for at least trying to figuring everything out, and he seemed a lot more calm and collected than that Elf that interrogated him earlier...

The two had fought their way past groups of demons to finally arrive at a 'Rift' or at least that is what Coran called it. There was an Elven Mage, as well as a Human Female who looked vaguely familiar... as well as a few men that appeared to be guards of some sort. Demons were pouring out of the Rift and it seemed like they wouldn't stop unless they somehow closed the Rift. Of course neither Coran or Alaven knew how to do that... but... Maybe the Elven Mage did... and without a second thought Alaven and Coran rushed in to try and help those fighting the demons.

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[spacepanda]

Revas​

It had only been ten minutes, but ten minutes could seem a lifetime in battle. Already the cold body of Marie lied lifeless in the snow, her eyes glossy marbles that would see no more. A pity, Revas had thought as the first of the demons had attacked the girl, I had warned her to keep her distance. Foolish!

One after another the creatures were thrust out of the rift, the harsh winds seemingly sending them into an immediate rage. Revas felt for them, for they had no choice in the matter; she was sure some of them, of not most of them had been spirits minding their own business in the fade. But she had no choice either, and she used whatever power she had left to keep them at bay... whatever power she had left. "Fenedhis," she cursed to herself, mind blasting away a demon that had gotten little too close to one of the guards. She paused for a moment to catch her breath, holding her hand out as Marie had just moments ago, "if only..."

She closed her eyes, searching within her for something. She could feel her staff glowing in response, but it wasn't enough! It seemed as though she were now a pale imitation of what she once was, just like the world she laid her eyes on now. Once she would have been proud of that fact, but that was so very long ago... and now...

The battle carried onwards and after some time the sound footsteps crunching hurriedly in the snow approached from behind. Revas tossed her head back quickly in time to see the one-eyed Seeker known as Coran arrive, and... was that.... -Yes, it was him, the elf. Revas had spent days studying every inch of that young elf's face and hands in search of an answer. Now she only had one.

As the newly formed duo helped the party vanquish the rest of the demons still in attendance, Revas trotted toward the young elf, "Shem'el," she urged, taking the elf's wrist roughly, and with high hopes aiming his hand at the rift. She felt as a familiar surge of power, her power, coursed through the elf, and in a flash of color the rift was no more.

"Well done," she added with a small smile.