faderifting: (Default)
Fade Rift Mods ([personal profile] faderifting) wrote in [community profile] faderift2015-11-08 01:45 am

THE FALLOW MIRE

WHO: Open to all
WHAT: The Inquisition sends forces to the Fallow Mire to deal with undead, plague, and missing scouts.
WHEN: Firstfall
WHERE: The Fallow Mire: Inquisition camps, Fisher's End, The Tavern, etc.
NOTES: For more information about the setting and RP opportunities in it, check out the OOC Post.



The trip down the mountains from Skyhold is no walk in the park, and south of the Hinterlands the land turns wet and miserable, subject to seemingly endless storms. Villagers have tried to carve out a meagre existence in the Fallow Mire, but their lives are under constant threat by a tidal wave of undead rising from the murky waters flooding much of the region.

The Inquisition has sent a sizeable force, and travel back and forth between the Mire and Skyhold happens as often and as quickly as conditions allow. The camp is a neat patch of tents on the largest bit of dry land to be found. "Dry" is relative; everything's still pretty muddy. There are several clusters of tents, tucked between rock outcroppings and abandoned buildings, the least leaky of which are being used to store what supplies the Inquisition has managed to haul in over the difficult terrain. Campfires are numerous and fill the area with a constant smouldering glow and low-hanging cloud of smoke that mingles with the morning and evening fogs. It's lovely, really.

Fisher's End barely even counts as a village-- just a haphazard handful of ramshackle buildings perched on the edge of the swamp-- but it does have a single tavern. It's a dreary-looking wooden shack like every other structure in the area, distinguishable only by the lamp still lit above the door and the sign that swings creakily in the breeze. Whatever was painted on it has long since worn away and been molded over. The place is just known as "the tavern" because it is literally the only tavern for miles and miles around.

Inside is dim and smoky from peat-burning fires in the two grates. There are a half-dozen tables with benches, none of which ever seem quite level on the uneven floor. The bar is tended by Thorolf, a grizzled bearded fellow with a local accent so thick he's almost unintelligible. No matter the time of day he serves a simple fisherman's meal of hard bread, salted fish, and a hunk of strong cheese. His cellar is stocked with exactly three varieties of alcohol: one ale, one wine, and one spirit, all of which are strong and dark. There aren't many locals left, but there are usually a few hunched over a mug or huddled around the fire.
dalishious: (pic#9614851)

Merrick "I hate everyone in this bar" Ashara | any format

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-11-14 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
Merrick's crazy corpse killing contest

As usual, Merrick's energy is without limit, and he'd arrived at the Fallow Mire with boundless excitement. It doesn't matter to him that the Mire is dark and filthy, and that the trip here was long and tiresome-- It's an adventure, and he intends to fully enjoy it.

Of course, that means killing as many things as possible.

He's on the waves of undead like an elf-shaped bullet, springing about as he slashes down corpse after corpse after corpse. It's a little difficult to find footing in the mud and sludge, and he ends up covered in both, but this is fun. He'll even challenge any other fighters to a little contest to see who can cut down the most. Can you keep up?

Gathering them corpse livers with Alayre

When Merrick was a child, he was the first among his clan to skin a deer. He remembered the other children having a visceral reaction to the blood and gore, but he hadn't flinched once as he removed the skin and cleaned the animal almost perfectly. He'd then been tasked with all the 'gross stuff' the other kids didn't want to do, which was fine by him. To this day, he can't recall a single time he'd ever been grossed out by anything.

It's helpful now, as he slices open the abdomen of the corpse he just killed and yanks out the slimy liver with his hand. He examines it for a moment before signaling to Alayre.

"Does this seem recent enough to you?"

The tavern

Of course Merrick locates the tavern quickly, and heads there often for food and booze. He has yet to get used to the heaviness of human food, so he wolfs down small portions at a time, washing it down with the strongest alcohol he can get his hands on.

While drunk, it's much easier for him to loosen up and talk. Or fight. Whichever.
arlathvhen: (39)

[personal profile] arlathvhen 2015-11-14 10:07 am (UTC)(link)
It's no surprise to her when she finds Merrick in the tavern, drinking alcohol like it was nothing. Beleth could understand perfectly--this place made her want to chug back enough drinks to forget where she was. As it was, she grabbed a mug of ale, sipping at it as she slid up next to Merrick.

"Well, hey there," She greeted him, a smile playing across her face. "Come here often?" Then she promptly ruined any notion that she wasn't just goofing around by giggling, and taking another sip of her alcohol. She reached over to gently nudge him, as close to a hug as she felt like getting, out here in this gross muck that made everything feel nasty.

After a moment, she grew a little more sober, examining her mug carefully. "I have to write a letter to the Keeper. I haven't sent her anything yet, but Sorrel mentioned in his last one she's been wondering why he's gotten enough letters to write a novel, and...she hasn't." Beleth could never voice her feelings about her parents--either of them. Loyalty was too ingrained, a sense that she had to love them, because they were her parents, and you loved your parents, no matter what. Harder still was that the Keeper in particular was not...mean to her, and all of her actions could be viewed as just another form of showing that she cared.

But Beleth still called her 'Keeper' almost exclusively.

"--I'm not trying to load you down with my problems." She quickly adds, holding a hand up. Creators help her, the last thing she wanted was to manage to alienate Merrick by complaining to him too much. "Just explain why, if you wonder why I'm getting shitfaced."
dalishious: (pic#9458835)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-12-02 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Merrick knows all about Beleth's complicated relationship with her mother, so she doesn't need to elaborate much more. Beleth has a terrible habit of clamming up when she's upset, unlike Merrick's tendency to lash out. It's different, but he understands it.

So he gets them more drinks.

Honestly, he hasn't seen Beleth get terribly drunk before. She's quite the lightweight, so he's only ever witnessed her nursing a pint. Seeing as he's brought them something much harder, this should be interesting.
arlathvhen: (18)

[personal profile] arlathvhen 2015-12-03 08:52 am (UTC)(link)
It's usually not a good idea for her to get drunk. She had to stay composed, which means staying marginally sober. But exceptions can be made, and she feels like this whole mess is a good one. So she accepts the drink he gives her, and takes a deep drink from it--only to pull the mug away as she made a face, a shudder running up her spine as the alcohol smacked her gob in the face.

Or maybe in the head would be more accurate.

A few moments tick by, as she lets it curl hot in her stomach, like she'd swallowed a fire. Once her tastebuds had recovered, she took another drink.

Then, she stares at the still half-full mug, contemplating it like she's discovered the secrets of the universe have been written into the cheap pottery. The secrets of the universe must not be very interesting, though, because after a few moments she makes a noise of disgust and turns to Merrick.

"This place sucks. This entire fucking...mire. I hate it."

Right out of the gate with startling drunken confessions that surely no one else knew or felt. Incredible.
dalishious: (pic#9699567)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-12-10 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
While Merrick trusts Beleth--she's an adult, older than him in fact, she can do what she wants--he still watches her carefully. If she ends up having more of this stuff than she can handle? It will not be good.

"Just an observation?" he says, a faint tone of amusement in his voice. "It doesn't quite seem like the Mire is what's actually bothering you."
arlathvhen: (15)

[personal profile] arlathvhen 2015-12-12 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Beleth doesn't get drunk often, so the line of when to stop is a little blurry to her--but she's cautious enough to know this fact. She doesn't want to end up with Merrick having to drag her sorry ass out of there. Eugh. His observation might ruffle her feathers with anyone else, or earn them some smooth attempt to reassure them that is all that is the matter--but for Merrick, a wry smile plucks at her lips.

"Is it that obvious." She runs a hand through her hair, trying to make it look some kind of presentable in the damp, cold air of the Mire. "Don't answer that, actually. I guess I'm just--It's been nice. Not. Having someone tell me everything I'm doing wrong." She glances off, letting her hands down, though they just end up fidgeting with cleaning bits of dirt out of the mail of her armor. "But that just means--I mean, she's never made up things, when she corrects me. She's trying to help me be better. If she's not doing that, if no one is, then what if I'm doing something wrong, and I can't even tell?"

As much of a constant emotion drain as having her mother over her shoulder, pointing out all of her flaws, it saved her the anxiety of trying to figure it out herself. Having to pick over every detail and wonder if it was acceptable or not. It was a double-edged sword, but both edges seemed determined to stab her somehow. "But I guess once she gets my letter and writes back to me, she'll be quick to inform me." She paused, shaking her head. "That sounds terrible. I'm not--I just--She wants to help me. I should be more grateful."
equanimiti: (☾In this evening we pay remembrance☽)

[personal profile] equanimiti 2015-11-14 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Normally, Alayre is far from squeamish. He can handle his far share of blood and gore. He even has the scars and reputation to prove it. However, he does get a tad queasy when handling corpses. Something about having to deal with cadavers makes him truly nauseous. So imagine how he feels having to contend with the undead and having to gather their rotten livers.

Alayre positively looks a tad green now. He's beyond grossed out now. "Y-yes, that...seems fine" The Knight-Commander replies after cutting open another unfortunate zombie. He's been battling these shambling corpses all damn day without much rest and it shows a bit despite how earnestly he pretends otherwise.

"Here's another." Alayre announces as he holds up another maggot filled liver for the elf to examine. "...I pray that we finish this task sooner than later."
dalishious: (pic#9614849)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-11-19 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
"I think we need to find some fresh corpses next," Merrick replies, taking the maggoty liver as if it's nothing. Then he catches sight of the Templar's face and squints.

"Wait, are you squeamish?" He isn't terribly fond of Templars--not on an individual level, but as an institution--so this strikes him as more than a little amusing. "Aren't you supposed to be used to stuff like this?"
equanimiti: (☾In this evening we pay remembrance☽)

[personal profile] equanimiti 2015-11-20 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
Alayre puts on a scowl when the elf asks if he's squeamish. Why shouldn't he be a tad repulsed right now? They're collecting the rotting organs of the undead. Of course he can feel the bile at his throat every time they hack open the dead. This is nothing short of hellish for dear Alayre. The poor man has a strong respect for the dead and he feels sick now.

"No, of course not!" He nearly yells in prime indignation. The Templar takes a deep breath to cool his nerves a little. "...Despite my allegiance with the Order, death is nothing us Templars take lightly." Alayre says as he tries to calm down.

"I-I can kill your demons, blood mages, dragons and even darkspawn but I always been mildly squeamish regarding the Undead."
dalishious: (pic#9653827)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-11-20 04:11 am (UTC)(link)
Merrick just lets out a snort as he continues along the path, heading to where the dead are being cremated. Hopefully they can snatch a few livers-- So what if it offends people?

"Get used to it," he fires back. "Or go home." For some reason, he sounds a bit irritated, as if Alayre's words are bothering him somehow.
equanimiti: (☾A stoic rememberance ☽)

[personal profile] equanimiti 2015-11-20 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
That last remark wins a frown from Alayre as he hastily follows the elf. He's become increasingly more aware of the Dalish's hostility towards the Order. Hailing from the far corners of the Deepwoods, Alayre never quite had the chance to run into many elven tribes back then. Therefore, he only has his time within the Inquisition to fall back on, and so far he thinks half the Dalish to be woefully rude.

Then again, what does one expect from a race of people who've faced horrible injustice over the decades? Alayre can't possibly voice his complaints considering the privilege he holds over the elf before him. This is why he isn't offended. Nothing this elf could say could truly offend him. It might annoy him, yes, but never offend.

"Even if I had a home to return to; my duties lie here momentarily. Therefore, I cannot take my leave until the objective is completed."
dalishious: (pic#9699567)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-11-20 04:53 am (UTC)(link)
It's not so much hostility toward the Order as it is hostility toward everyone, so Alayre ought not to take it personally. Merrick's boots squelch in the mud as he moves toward the pyres in the distance--which, predictably, are drawing the undead out of the water.

Merrick's blades are drawn and he cuts down three in a matter of seconds, a spinning blur in the dim light. He gets splattered with gore, but doesn't seem fazed in the slightest. In fact, he seems to be enjoying himself quite a bit.
equanimiti: (☾The Magisterial ☽)

[personal profile] equanimiti 2015-11-20 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
Unlike the elf who seems to adore the splatter of blood and guts, Alayre is quite the opposite. Templars are typically known to take up a more defensive stance rather than offense but Alayre crushes that notion by being the latter. Wielding two blades, the Knight-Commander efficiently takes down any stragglers with just a few well-timed strikes. He even managed to freeze one zombie that barely made it out of the water with his enchanted Iceblade. He then just mercifully kills the ghoul with the luminous edge of the Melody Moon.

The Templar then sheathes his swords to inspect the thawing corpse. "Harken onto me." He calls towards the elf. "The flesh of this cadaver seems fairly fresh unlike the others. Mayhaps this one shall do...?" Alayre is hestiant to cut the damn thing open but judging from the lack of open wounds on this zombie, its organs should be fairly intact.
Edited 2015-11-20 05:14 (UTC)

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gatheringstorm: (we fight on)

Corpse killing contest

[personal profile] gatheringstorm 2015-11-14 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
If there's one thing Korrin's eager to do in this festering Maker-forsaken hellhole, it's blast undead. Hanging out in the tavern isn't as fun to her when the standards are so far below what they have at Skyhold. Sobriety isn't her friend right now, but neither is inaction and if she has to make a choice, killing undead wins out.

So she's out there, deliberately making waves in the water to attract undead attention, when she spots Merrick dashing around. As more corpses emerge from the water, she grins. "How many have you taken down so far, hotshot?" Whirling her staff, the Vashoth mage then casts Chain Lightning before the corpses can reach her or take aim. Good times.
dalishious: (pic#9452709)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-11-20 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
Merrick's eyes are easily drawn to the flashes of magic nearby, and he hops onto a nearby roof to watch Korrin light the corpses up. It's fascinating, truly, but he's not about to let her outscore him.

He leaps down and swings his blades, cutting down two more corpses that the lightning missed. Gore streaks his face and he rubs some of it off before grinning back.

"I'm at twenty-six."
gatheringstorm: (smirk)

[personal profile] gatheringstorm 2015-11-20 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not bad, I'm at--" Korrin pauses to unleash a blast of flame at those nearest to her. "Well, now we're tied. Hey, care to see who first makes it to fifty? The loser has to buy the winner drinks." Though given the tavern fare, she's not sure if that's an actual reward. Still, it's something to do.
dalishious: (pic#9458838)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-11-21 05:10 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, this sounds fun. Merrick throws a dagger over Korrin's shoulder to knock back a corpse behind her, then straightens up, looking excited.

"You're on," he agreees--then starts immediately, whirling his blades so quickly he was practically a blur.
gatheringstorm: (friendly)

[personal profile] gatheringstorm 2015-11-21 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"No rules, no whining." Rules complicate things, and this is just to let off some steam. Korrin doesn't want to keep track of anything but a body count. So he gets that corpse fair and square, though Korrin wades further into the mire to provoke more undead into rising up.

"That's right, bastards, come to me." She flashes a grin, then renews her barrier before firing away with her staff. One drops before getting very far, but a pair of them close in only for an explosion underneath to set them ablaze. Now that is satisfying.
dalishious: (pic#9653827)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-11-24 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
Though there are lights and small explosions everywhere, Merrick isn't distracted by any of them. His footwork is blindingly fast, his body moving like a acrobat's as he leaps, spins, hacks and slashes.

He'd felt smothered, staying at Skyhold. Now that he's outdoors, really outdoors, it's like being released. The wild grin stays on his face as severed corpse parts fall around him like some kind of grisly confetti, and he rapidly counts as each body falls.

"Twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine--"

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SELF-HARM TW

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mythalenaste: (tá 'n saol ina gcodladh ach mé)

[personal profile] mythalenaste 2015-12-05 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
Pel is in the tent and cupping his face to make sure he's awake; she's gasping, trying not to cry. Pulling off her cloak and laying it over him, making sure he's warm.

"Merrick. Merrick."
dalishious: (pic#9743375)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-12-06 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
Merrick hears the voice in his dreams, drawing him from the Fade, and he opens his eyes slowly. Warm hands are on his face. He knows who they belong to.

"Pel?"
mythalenaste: (strong)

[personal profile] mythalenaste 2015-12-06 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
"Da'len." She lies down beside him and wraps her arms around him, unwilling to disturb him from his warm nest. He needs to stay warm. "Da'len, ir abelas. I should have been there."

A warm kiss on his brow. "Are you all right?"
dalishious: (pic#9458835)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-12-06 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
The unsettled feeling he'd had from his dreams is gone now he knows she's near, and he leans against her, hand closing gently around her wrist.

He can't answer. Physically he's fine, right? That's what she's asking about.
Edited 2015-12-06 03:04 (UTC)
mythalenaste: (all these fears deep inside)

[personal profile] mythalenaste 2015-12-06 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Pel adjusts the cloak so it's over them both, then wraps herself around him like she's trying to absorb him.

Instead of trying to get him to speak, she sings softly to him. Low enough that few outside the tent will hear. It's just for the two of them, when she sings.
dalishious: (pic#9614850)

[personal profile] dalishious 2015-12-10 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
Pel is home. Her arms, her voice. He suddenly feels like a child again, clutching at her shirt and crying into it after a nightmare, begging her to make it go away-- But nothing can take this away. The damage is done.

"Fuck," he whispers when the song is done, voice hoarse as he clings to her.

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