Feast

[aestrix]

It is a special day, in the city of Orzammar. For one man, especially. It is a day of celebration for the second son of King Endrin Aeducan. Despite his physical... issues, he's been made Orzammar's newest commander. Tomorrow, there will be quite a lot of bloodshed. But tonight is for Stalas Aeducan. Not only is there a feast in his honor, but Provings, as well. It's his day, one of honor, but also his formal presentation to the heads of houses.

The merchants have even been allowed into the Diamond Quarter, a rare treat they only see on special occasions. They're probably regretting it, by now, after trying to talk to some of the dwarven nobles and tackle their very particular brand of pride, but it's a chance to win over the highest class, instead of hoping they deign to notice the Merchant Caste.

Regardless, today is certainly a day to remember. Possibly for the wrong reasons.

Comments

[aestrix]

"The Aeducan Thaig was lost, but with the lesser numbers of the darkspawn lately, it seems like it would be possible to reach. I've spoken to several scholars, and they're quite sure - it has the shield of the Paragon Aeducan in it."

[thisvorlunatic]

"An impressive prize, symbolically speaking," he says. "You want me to retrieve the shield? Where will I find it?"

[aestrix]

The king gives directions to it. "We've sent two scouts, ahead of you. They'll know how to navigate some of the more twisty passages. But the passage to the place with the shield itself needs you - it's impossible to enter without an Aeducan signet ring."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Understood," he says. "Enter the thaig, follow the scouts, open the secret door, retrieve the shield. Simple enough, but easier said than done, I'm sure."

[aestrix]

"Only a little," agrees the king with a bit of a twinkle in his eye. "Strength of the Stone be with you, my son."

"Brother, I-" begins Bhelen. Then he stops. "... Stone catch you if you fall," he finishes lamely.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Same to you, brother."

And off he goes, grinning. Sure, he could've wished for his first campaign as a commander to involve a little more command, but secret doors and ancient treasures are still plenty of fun.

[aestrix]

He has Gorim with him, too, so that's nice.

What about darkspawn, are darkspawn fun? (There are darkspawn.)

[thisvorlunatic]

"I've got the weirdest feeling," he mutters to Gorim as they approach a crossroads in the tunnels. "Keep alert." He can't even begin to explain the sensation. It's like his blood is tingling. Maybe it's nothing, but maybe it's a warning he should heed.

When they reach the crossroads: darkspawn. Stalas attacks on sight.

[aestrix]

Gorim helps! The darkspawn die.

"... Weirdest feeling was pretty accurate," observes Gorim.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Yeah. Thank the Stone for it, whatever it was. C'mon, let's get going."

To the first rendezvous point!

[aestrix]

One of the scouts is waiting for them. It's, surprisingly enough, Frandlin Ivo.

"Lord Aeducan," he says, bowing. "Did you encounter any darkspawn on the way here?"

[thisvorlunatic]

"A few. They didn't give us too much trouble."

[aestrix]

"Good, I'm glad. The passageway we want is unfortunately crawling with them." Ivo points it out. "No alternative path around."

[thisvorlunatic]

"Well, let's get to it, then. I'll take point."

The crawly feeling definitely intensifies as he proceeds in the indicated direction. Could there be something to that...? Well, he'll have time to figure it out later. For now, he just focuses on the mission.

[aestrix]

Oh look! More darkspawn!

They also die. How lovely.

[thisvorlunatic]

"Killing darkspawn is surprisingly fun," Stalas says cheerfully after they've taken out this batch. "Onward!"

[aestrix]

Onward!

They reach the second rendezvous point, and the second scout.

He looks a bit more panicked than the last. "There are a lot of darkspawn ahead," he says.

[thisvorlunatic]

"All right," says Stalas. "Be on your guard, and follow me."

He's beginning to think he really can sense them, somehow. But for the moment he's more interested in killing them than in finding out why. (Not that he doesn't have a theory or two.)

[aestrix]

There are more darkspawn, and then there are not. (Because they die, not because they realize they have a tea party they're late for and really must be at.)

Eventually, there is a door that looks reasonably secret.

Except, it's also open.

[thisvorlunatic]

Stalas regards it, and the darkspawn corpse across the threshold.

"That can't possibly be a good sign," he murmurs. "As heartening as it is to come across a darkspawn somebody has already killed for me. Proceed quietly and with caution, everyone."

Taking his own advice, he steps carefully over the dead darkspawn.

[aestrix]

There are lots of dead darkspawn ahead, too. It's sort of convenient, but also, not.

There are a band of what look to be mercenaries, ahead.

"Took you long enough to get here," says their leader.

[thisvorlunatic]

"And who might you be?" he asks, showing no sign of surprise or dismay.

[aestrix]

"The guy who's having a bit of a problem. Y'see, I can't seem to get to the shield. I was sort of hoping you'd help with that."

[thisvorlunatic]

"I'm certainly going to retrieve the shield," he says. "And as an honourable, upstanding citizen, I'm sure you will be glad to escort me back through the tunnels so I can present it to my father."

[aestrix]

"Sure," agrees the mercenary lightly. "And as an honorable, upstanding nobleman, I'm sure you'll be happy to pay us handsomely for it."