Dragon Age: Rebellion

[Rook]

The Fade

August joined the shield wall with his fellow Templars, but the motion was not as robotic as it should have been. He trembled despite his thick armor, and at the sight of the blood, he gasped in horror and made a motion as if to flee before he was hit by Gideon's spell.

When he woke, the Templar found himself in a,room lit by what should have been, and looked like, a crackling fireplace but... it felt cold. Mira's cry did not reach his ears as he stared with fascination around the room. There was his bed with the furs and blanket tidily arranged, the Brannon family crest that August had carved into the door frame, and the rocking chair in the corner, with the Lady Grey continuing her sleepless vigil over the bed. Odd, really. He could have sworn he'd turned her around when he'd left home.

He approached the chair, feeling the doll's lifeless eyes on him as he approached. An involuntary shiver ran down his spine, and he chided himself and continued forward. With a grim face, he turned the chair back around so that the Lady Grey, that unfathomable specter and bane of troublesome young boys, saw only the dark corner.

August paced around the room, collecting his thoughts and trying to recall his training.

[Unionhack]

Hidden:

Here's where I get to have fun!

So, I'm gonna set up a few scenarios, and you guys get to act em out however you'd like based on your character's history. Remember, this is the Fade, so [&@%!] might get weird!

The theme here is pride.

Revas

Echoes began to ring out in the common room, and a young child ran into the room, an ethereal wisp outlining his frame. His horns were mere stubs, as he was no more than six years old. Upon closer examination, Revas found himself looking at himself as a child. The child apparition seemed not to see his older incarnation, however, and only turned when a Tamassran entered the room.

"Imekari...." she said, in a voice mixed with both care and stern expectation.

Mira

A nearby brazier lit ablaze, not with fire, but with glowing blue lyrium. Mira felt her gaze fall upon it for a moment, and when she looked away, she found herself no longer surrounded by her old room, but by templars lined with the shields held aloft. The First Enchanter and Knight-Commander of Mira's circle stepped forth in unison.

"Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him." spoke the Knight-Commander. "Thus spoke the Prophet Andraste as she cast down the Tevinter Imperium, ruled by mages who had brought the world to the edge of ruin."

The First Enchanter spoke next, with a far more gentle tone in her voice. "Your magic is a gift, yet it is also a curse. Demons of the Fade, as you well know, seek to use you as a gateway to our world. This is why the Harrowing exists. Within the Fade, you will face a demon, armed with only your will."

The Knight Commander resumed his speech, with his firm and wary voice. "Know this apprentice. If you fail, we templars will perform our duty. You will die."

"Before we begin, have you aught to say?" asked the First Enchanter.

August

As August recalled his training, he walked beside a few framed paintings. Instead of landscapes and paintings of former lords, however, he saw animated scenes of his own life, his training within the Templar Order.

The first painting showcased August demanding to be sent along with Mira to the circle. The second painting portrayed the view of the phial containing his first draft of lyrium as a true templar. The third and final painting showed his view from behind a shield, observing a Harrowing; his first Harrowing.

Each painting only seemed to move forward if he concentrated on it, and if he looked away it would slowly revert to its beginning position.

[Rook]

"Fear!" August muttered to himself, feeling more confident now that he had a grasp on the situation, "That's what this is about."

He pointed at each picture in turn: "Fear of loss, fear of commitment, fear of..." He froze with his finger pointed at the last painting, but with willpower, forced himself to lay a hand on the painting depicting his first Harrowing and focus his gaze exclusively on the scene.

[The SheoDovah]

Mira Bannorn the Harrowed Mage

As the room changed into the Harrowing Chamber, Mira realised where she was and what Gideon had done. If it weren't for the fact that she was scared [&@%!], she would have been full of anger due to what Gideon or the demon that possessed him had done. "Demon, be gone. I know where I am and I know what you seek. Your illusions are a waste of time and I know who you serve." She had read about some demons who were masters of illusion in the Circle's library. Still, there was fear in her voice as she was constantly reminded of the Harrowing. It scarred the [&@%!] out of her and she was a mere apprentice back then. Now, she was a necromancer and still scared [&@%!].

[Baloth-Kul]

Present-day Revas crossed his arms. "I don't know why you're showing me this, demon."

Hidden:

"Yes, Tama?" Little Revas replied to the Tamassran with a faint little smile.

A heavy handed slap to the face was the follow-up by the Tamassran. The young Qunari stumbled backwards.

"You lied."

The young Revas took a moment to mentally recover from the blow, before looking up at the Tamassran. "W-what, Tama? I haven't l--".

Two more slaps in quick succession, and Revas' left cheek began to swell. He began to tear up a little. "You lied. When Thrice-Curled-Horns-Big-Hands and Silver-Eyes-Narrow-Knees came to blows, you said you had seen nothing, that you heard that Silver-Eyes-Narrow-Knees had stolen Thrice-Curled-Horns-Big-Hands' stuffed qalaba."

"That...that's right! Wobble-Knees took the toy from Three-Curl, he..." Revas' excuse was muted by the Tamassran towering over him.

"YOU stole the toy. YOU put it among Silver-Eyes-Narrow-Knees' possessions, you tapped Thrice-Curled-Horns-Big-Hands on the shoulder so he would notice. To divert attention while YOU took the toy that you truly wanted." The Tamassran beckoned for Little Revas to hand it over.

With a defeated look, Revas pulled something out of the sleeve of his shirt. Small, musical chimes that jingled and glittered with every movement.

The Tamassran raised a clenched fist over her head, and Revas mentally prepared himself for the blow. Instead, the large fist slowed in its descent, until it came level with Revas' face. She turned her fist over, and opened it, revealing a small, circular baked confection. An imported cookie, of all things. Revas blinked in surprise, uncertain what to make of such a thing. His free hand cautiously took the gift, half expecting another blow to rain down, but it didn't.

"The noise within your sleeve gave you away. ...Best learn how to keep such things still." Revas nodded, and took a small bite of the cookie. He smiled broadly as he tasted crunchy dough and chocolate, for the first time. He looked up at the Tamassran, and even she wore a small grin.

The chimes disappeared back up Revas' sleeve. He nibbled happily on the cookie, as he and his teacher left the room.

Present-day Revas wiped the smile off of his own face, and worried at the implications of him becoming entranced by one of his memories. "You're not going to have me, demon! Let's see what else this wretched place has to tell." He followed his memories out the door.

[The-Shadow-One]

The Nightgust Mage watched, stepped back and starting only when the effects of magic began to make itself clear, that and only then was when he turned to protect himself, how useless it was.

Futile. He rolled, waking upon the floor in a slumber induced haze, his gaze focused suddenly. Hang on this was.. circle dormitory, complete with that blanket he got from his mother.. he lost that years ago. "Well.. this is bad." he mumbled, glancing around the 2 bunk beds, deciding to pop open the trunk at the bottom of his. So even then it had 'Knife-ears' printed upon it. "Oh this is very bad."

[Dirty Spaceman]

Hidden:

"Wait, crap, I have to use my backstory? I haven't looked at that in five months!"

The "bedroom" Cerenna woke up in was hardly a room at all. It was scarcely more than a lean-to with a sleeping-roll set up inside, where she lay. She pulled the blanket off and sat up, taking a look outside the small structure. The scenery that she could make out was a few feet of pale greenish-brown grass that swayed in a nonexistent breeze; the rest was obscured by an unnatural-looking fog. Renna got a shiver down her spine. This could have been any of the myriad campsites where her clan had staked out during her youth; but at the same time, she knew it was none of them.

Hidden:

Edit: What happens with her inhabitant spirit of Purpose? Does she just feel his presence being very strong, or does he manifest into a form?

[Unionhack]

The Fade

August

The scene in the third portrait began to unfold and expand. Before August knew it, he was gazing at the scene as if he were there in the Harrowing chamber, watching a young mage writhe on the ground in the throes of possession.

August saw himself look to the Knight-Commander, who nodded solemnly. August would then recall what he did next at that painful moment; though what would happen if he tried to intervene or do anything was unknown.

Mira

The Harrowing chamber immediately darkened as Mira tried to dissipate the illusions with her words. "You would question this old rite, the very crux of your worthiness as a mage?" asked the Knight-Commander in a noticeably deeper voice.

"Perhaps you are not worthy of the power after all." said the First Enchanter, again in a deeper voice. "Perhaps... it is time for the Rite of Tranquility."

Revas

As he exited the room, Revas watched the apparition of his young self and the tamassran fade away into puffs of smoke. The scene he stepped out to was another familiar memory; a number of Qunari initiates of the Ben-Hassrath were gathered in a dimly-lit room, being observed by the Ariqun; the leader of the priests under the Qun and one of the three members of the Qunari Triumvirate. Again Revas spotted his younger self quite easily, near the front-and-left of the well organized grid of initiates.

The Ariqun began to speak to the new Ben-Hassrath agents; Revas recalled the words well.

Solen

Solen saw nothing in the trunk but saw nothing within, save for two letters. One was marked 'Kerin' and the other, 'Sertin'.

Cerenna

Cerenna felt a warm presence near her in stark contrast to the cold of the area she was in. She could tell immediately that it was Purpose, standing there in 'physical' form next to her. It was truly the spirit she knew, not a pale imitation from the Fade Purpose took the translucent, glowing form of a nobleman, sword strapped to his hip.

"Welcome to the Fade, my friend." spoke Purpose, illuminating Cerenna's lean-to with the light. "Long have I gazed upon your realm of dwelling, and now you come to my own."

[Dirty Spaceman]

Hidden:

Okay, so that's what happens.

Cerenna nodded, smiling a little in mild relief. "It seems so," she agreed. She was comforted that Purpose was there with her, but still felt on edge after the events that had just transpired. Hoping that he might know better than her what was going on, she asked, "Do you know what happened to all the others in the square? That spell... that was blood magic, wasn't it?"

[Baloth-Kul]

Hidden:

"You have always known what purpose you serve to our people--today, you affirm that purpose with words. Tomorrow, with deeds." The Ariqun's tone was solemn, and carried the weight of generations upon it. 'Tomorrow, with deeds', Revas mused, was more ceremony and poetry than practice--as soon as his vows were taken, his duties would commence. As it should be. The Ariqun began to administer the Ben-Hassrath oath.

"We are the eyes that see, in a world of blind men."

The Ben-Hassrath initiates repeated the oath, unflinchingly. Revas didn't quite notice that as his younger self was speaking the words, so was he. The rest of Thedas will never know just how much we know of them, how many we truly number within their borders.

"We are the hands that lead the faithless back to their place."

Again, the initiates recited. Traitors to their own kind. They don't even truly know why they leave. We're what drags them back.

"We are the Heart of the Many, the will that binds our people to purpose."

The voices seemed to echo beyond the walls, beyond Seheron. Saarebas, basra, those of our own who lose sight of their path...All will bend to the Qun. Qunari, Viddathari...Such is how it must be. How it WILL be.

Revas growled as he tore himself from his thoughts, and from reliving this part of his life. "I don't know what you intend to achieve here, demon, but I'll have no more of it! Face me, if you have the spine!" Despite some part of him tugging at him to listen to the Ariqun's closing words, Revas walked over to the doors leading out, and put the boot to them.

[The-Shadow-One]

Solen froze for a second, hands pulling out the letters, flipping them both over, checking them. Before he decided to rip open the one with Kerin on the front, deciding to read it.

[Kerr]

When Ingrid awoke she was back home, or at least she thought she was, in a bed in the tent of her hold's Augar, Gorion. He was a kindly man in his 60s, always looking out for other members of the hold and particularly good with children, taking time to ensure none of Ashhold's children grew up to be illiterate. Rua was no longer by her side, where the Fennec had gotten off to was anyone's guess. It was dark in the tent and while she was waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness Ingrid was having some difficulty making everything out. Ingrid could see a campfire lit outside the tent. She could also see a shadowy humanoid figure sitting on a stool by the entrance to the tent but had difficultly making out who it was.

"Gorion?" Ingrid asked as she sat up in bed and stared at the shadowy figure. "What am I doing here?"

Hidden:

Hope this is okay.

In case you want advice on how to play this scene, there are some interesting ways pride could tie into the Avvar culture/religion. Such as earning a legend mark or believing herself to have a soul favoured by the Lady of the Skies, in other words be the reincarnation of an Avvar hero.

Also left details of Ingrid's appearance blank just in case you end up wanting to do something with that, like have her be a teenager again or whatever. The Fade is weird.

[The SheoDovah]

Mira Bannorn: The Harrowing, the Deception and the lies.

"Ah, the rite. Oh, that is a nice touch, if i didn't know this was an illusion by your masters, demon." Mira told both the illusions as the memory of the harrowing was brought to the front of her mind.

Hidden:

It had been a long day of study for Mira and she had been eager to learn. She and her friend, Melvis had worked on a basic potion together and had somehow messed it up. The station was stained with a green residue and their robes stank like wet dog crossed with sweaty feet. "Don't worry, Mel, we'll simply sort it out tomorrow. Maybe, we used too much of the elfroot." Mira told her elven friend. "Maybe or maybe, it was the heat." The thin elf had came from an Alienage and was rather underfed. His skin was pale and his left ear contained a deep cut. "Come on, let's tidy it up, Mir, before the old man yells at us for wasting the elf root." Today had been rather mixed. The morning saw her mastering the basic elemental spells after months of practise. Her project of how magic can be used to serve the people of Thedas had been turned in and recieved decent feedback whilst the afternoon had a varied success with her potion work. Melvis was at the same level of her and rather adept at crafting potions from the natural resources of Thedas.

After having supper in the circle's feasthall and chatting with a few other apprentices about how she hoped her time would come, she went to sleep in her bed. This had been her room, along with other apprentices for the past 6 years and many had disappeared over time. It was odd that apprentices who failed the harrowing always disappeared and a common theory was that they were banished from the tower after being made tranquil. Another was that the nobles of Orlais hired failed apprentices as indentured servants. Another featured a theory about pigs and wine. Apprentices often got bored at the tower, barring the odd escape attempt and practical joke on the templar guards.

"Psst."

The voice was familiar and soothing. She had known that voice since she had been taken away from her family. "Psst." Was this a dream? Was she about to dream about that horrible day? "Hey, Mira, it's time." The apprentice slowly woke up. "Time for breakfast?" She uttered. "Sweet child, it's time for your harrowing. Time is of the essence but i know you will pass it." The red haired woman was amongst those who had been dispatched to the Brannon estate all those yeears ago. She was rather kind to her and understanding when the young Mira threw a hissy fit on the way. "But i don't want to, Dansel." She replied as she wiped the sleep from her eyes. "I know, child but it is something you must do in order to be a mage." The middle aged templar replied as she escorted her to the chamber.

"Magic exists to Serve Man and never to rule over him" The Knight-Commander and First Enchanter stepped forward towards her. There were a line of templars with their shields held aloft. "Why are there so many of you?" Mira inquired. "Thus spoke the prphet andraste as she cast down the tevinter imperium, ruled by mages who had brought the world to the edge of ruin." This scared Mira. "B-but i d-d-didn't do anything!?" She exclaimed. "Your magic is a gift, yet it is also a curse. Demons of the fade, as you well know, seek to use you as a gateway to our world. This is why the harrowing exists. Within the fade, you will face a demon,. armed with only your will." The first enchanter told her. "Know this, apprentice. If you fail, we templars will perform our duty. You will die." The dwarf informed her.

"D-d-d-die!? So y-you're f-f-f-feeding m-me tt-to a d-d-d-demon!?" Fear engulfed Mira and something warm began to trickle down her legs. "Y-yes! This is, b-b-b-[&@%!]!" She exclaimed. "There h-h-has to be a-a-a-an-another w-w-way. Instead of fo-f-forcing me to fight a d-d-d-demon!" After being assured by the first enchanter and having her options explained to her, she had no choice but to continue with the ritual.


"Ah, Mira. How nice of you to see me." August appeared as the green broken sky came into her view. She was scared [&@%!] and the fade was different. It led her in a circle and seemed to switch from room to room every few minutes. She had no spirits to help her, no-one to assist her and her fear slowly grew into anger. Anger at being forced to fight a [&@%!] demon!

"So, it comes to me at last, the little mortal seeks to play with me." A deep booming voice shouted. "Co-come on, d-d-demon, f-f-face m-me!" She retorted with fear and anger in her tone. "Good, a fight. I hope you will be more....amusing then the last mortal. I'm still picking bits of him out of my teeth." The demon revealed itself. Fire grew in a circle with angry hissing. It slowly rose up and two arms grabbed the surface. "And a fearful mortal, at that. oh, how your pathetic kind are easy to scare. Tell me, would you like a quick death? Or a slow, painful one?" The lesser rage demon asked her whilst it's skin crackled with fire. "Or should i offer you a chance to get revenge on those [&@%!] who sent you here to die? Yes, little mage, you will die here and your body will rape and burn your pathetic mortal companions."

"The templars will cut you down before you even get a chance to." Mira felt something within her. It seemed to rid her of the fear and anger. Just tranquility. It was peaceful and before she knew it, the demon was defeated. "Did i do that?" She asked herself as the frozen remains of the rage demon started to disappear from her.


"Mira?"

"Mira?"

"Mira?"

"Melvis? wait, [&@%!] off, demon!"

"Is this about me calling you ugly a few weeks ago?" Melvis joked whilst breathing a sigh of relief at his friend being ok.

Mira hoped that feeling would come to her again. Whatever it was, she only felt it once and it may have saved her life. She wanted to get to the others, if they were still alive and try to avoid losing her friends over a blood mage's selfish actions. Fear kept stabbing at her like a knife.

[Unionhack]

Hidden:

Thanks for the tip, Kerr! I'm not incredibly well versed in the Avvar culture so some finer aspects and stuff is well appreciated. Also, Gorion? ;)

I'm planning on making at the minimum 1 post per day in this RP, at least for the Fade segment. This works because not everyone has to go at the same speed, especially since things are fade-y.

Cerenna

Purpose gave a solemn nod. "Aye, magics most foul transpired in the Kirkwall square. Magic gifted by demons, or perhaps enacted by a demon itself, visiting your realm in the guise of another. It is unclear to me now, for this is not my own creation. Whatever demon has you and likely others captured here is trying to play on a certain aspect of your mind; fear, pride, lust, what have you. No doubt they wish to enslave you to this aspect and keep you here at its whims."

Revas

A wicked laugh resonated throughout the room as the door buckled under Revas' weight. The doorway led to a dark, unlit cave. A distorted, deep voice roared from within.

"What would you rather see, Qunari? I feel the pride in your voice as you recite your oaths. You speak them as true as the day as you first uttered them. Would you rather gaze upon the smile of the Tamassran as you ascend to the lofty ranks of the Ben-Hassrath? Would you rather gaze upon victory in the land of Seheron, where you defeated your enemies with wit and guile when blade and brawn failed? Your pride is what makes you strong. Let it grow, let it take hold within you."

The laugh echoed again. "Or perhaps, I should dredge up a memory of a different nature."

The demon fell silent, and guttural hisses and snarls began to come from within the dark cave.

Solen

Solen opened up the letter with a quick rip, and opened it. A still image of a hurlock gazed at Solen on the parchment. Then, with a scream, the monster's face rocketed forth as if jumping from the paper. Solen fell back and dropped the letter, finding the darkspawn that had jumped at him gone. Standing off to the corner of the room was the ghostly form of Kerin Nightgust. He said nothing, but looked at his brother with a melancholy smile.

Ingrid

The campfire flickered brightly for a moment and illuminated Gorion's warm, kind face for a flash before falling into darkness once more. "Ah, my child, I am glad you are awake. You are coming of age, and I have seen much promise within you thus far. I must speak to you of the destiny you bear, of what the Lady of the Skies has shown me of you."

Mira

The demon cackled as the scene unfolded in Mira's memory. "Such pride in overcoming such an adversary. A great feat for one so timid and delicate. But oh, how much more you could do. It is within your power, you know this."

Mira blinked, and when she opened her eyes once more she saw herself in the charred ruins of the Starkhaven market square. Flames burned brightly around her, illuminating the nighttime scene and clashing oddly with the sickly green glow of the fade. At her feet lay the burned bodies of First Enchanter Pentaghast and Knight-Commander Forender, along with several other templars burned to a crisp. Mira would notice her hands emanating soft embers.

"Imagine the freedom that you could win your people. The power to rid the mages of Thedas of the oppressive rule of the Chantry and the Templars. It is within your grasp, if only you choose to embrace it."

A new image appeared in the scene of the burning courtyard. A vision of Mira, embracing a beautiful onyx staff, clad in the robes of a Tevinter magister.

[Rook]

August watched the macabre scene with bizarre fascination. He gazed upon his younger self standing tall and proud, the Brannon Horn noticeably absent from his side. He'd been so proud to be selected to assist at the ritual. Amongst all the other Templars, it was he, the young son of a old knight, who had been recognized for his skill and commitment with such an honor. If only he'd known, if only he could have emerged at an earlier point in his memories. He could have warned himself, or better yet, warned the mage of what awaited them. Maybe then he could gain absolution, wash the blood from his hands.

He remembered the fatal nod of the Knight-Commander, the dour expression of the First Enchanter, and though the armor hid it, the sweating and rapid breathing of Past-August. Present-August mimicked the unseen ailments of his past self.

He saw himself hesitate for a second before marching resolutely towards the soon-to-be abomination. Past-August stood looking down upon the thrashing body of the mage and raised his sword with both hands, preparing to drive the blade straight through their heart. In a moment, his thrust would pin them to the ground and they'd gasp and twitch before finally...

"Maker, no!" August yelled, rushing to tackle his past self, trying to stop his mortal stab. As he ran, whether by trick of the Fade or his own mind, the mage seemed to switch forms rapidly. Mira, the barmaid who got off at 6:00, fellow Templars, Pentaghast, complete strangers, and back to the mage.

[Dirty Spaceman]

"Well, it'll be wasting its time," Cerenna said, raising her voice to her surroundings somewhat on the chance that the demon was listening. She asked Purpose, "Might there be any way to get out of here before having to go through all that unpleasantness?"

[Baloth-Kul]

Revas drew his daggers, and held them out in front of him, at the ready, and began pacing forwards. He stifled a snarky comeback, as the demon's words sank in. "I have an idea," the Qunari replied. "Show me you, demon. Show me what you yourself can do, when illusions and specters avail you naught." The bestial sounds within the cave bestowed a smirk on Revas' face. "Unless you would have the other creatures of this twisted world do all the work for you, so that you can consume what remains. Like a scavenger. A rat, a little gluttonous leech. ...You disagree? Come and claim my life for yourself. I'm only one little Bard, after all. ...Or admit your own cowardice."

Revas clanged his dagger blades together, tauntingly. He wasn't going to give this monster any more satisfaction.

Hidden:

COME AT ME, BRO.

[The SheoDovah]

Mira: A magister?

"Damn right, i'm proud to have survived the sick, twisted ritual they threw at us without no warning." Mira told the demon with hatred in her voice. She saw the ruins of the market square and flames burned brightly around her. "And of course, it's within my power but unlike that selfish piece of [&@%!], Anders. I will not cause the deaths of my..." She noticed her hands emanating soft embers." circle." This sickened her and scared her. She knew what she could do with her gift of magic and how easy it would be for her to resort to violence to change the way of life for Mages.

Hidden:

"Magic is meant to serve man, and never rule over him, child." The priest reminded Mira in the Chantry's prayer hall at the Circle Tower. "Oh, so this is why we're locked up and treated like weapons?" Mira retorted with bile in her tone. "Good to know that Andraste wanted mages and elves to be scarificed to please the [&@%!] who refuse to learn that we are people!" She spat at the priest. For the past 4 months since her Harrowing, Mira had changed. She had days where she was utterly miserable and days where she was in a foul mood. Some speculated she was possessed by a demon of [&@%!]. Some believed she was the living embodiment of pettiness. Either way, the change was noticed. The templars had kept a close eye on her as a precaution. "Child, i understa..." "I am not a [&@%!] child, priest! I am a mage and will be addressed as one!"

This wasn't the first time she had acted like a brat to the priests of the chantry and like always, she was punished. "FINE! Stick me in my room, you metal [&@%!]! I hope a demon takes you all!" She yelled at her guard after being informed she was restricted to her room for a few days to calm down.

Melvis visited her every day and tried to find out what was wrong with his friend but Mira's passion for change had changed her. She was no longer the innocent, eager to learn apprentice. She was a moody mage that hated her life at the circle due to her realising that this was not her home but a prison for her kind. "Happy, mother? Happy at your little [&@%!] being punished?" She muttered before turning in for the night. She had nightmares every night since the harrowing and would often wake up screaming, covered in cold sweat.


"shove off, there's nothing wrong apart from being thrown at a demon as a plaything for the chantry." Mira told the healer whilst being examined. This earnt her a week of being restricted to her room for breaking the no speaking of the harrowing rule.

"If you think, i will resort to killing everyone who doesn't agree with my views, you are mistakened demon." She told the demon but there was doubt in her voice. What if, she had to kill the templars in order to be free? What if, Might is power? What if, it wasn't the pride of mages that caused the downfall of magekind but a bunch of priests backed by several thousand men that decided mages to be treated like third rate citizens.

[Unionhack]

August

August tumbled through the form of his past self and fell right through, attacking only what seemed to be a projection. Looking back up, he saw that everyone in the room had disappeared save for the fallen mage, in the throes of possession.

"What is there to be afraid of, little knight? You performed your duty to your Maker. Does it not fill you with pride in your success? You saved the waking world from suffering the presence of a 'foul demon'. What is there to be ashamed of?"

The fallen mage began to pulsate and stretch in grotesque ways as she(?) slowly lifted off of the ground. Slowly she morphed into the shape of a Pride Demon, towering several yards above August.

"Or perhaps you wished to prove your blade against a fully formed entity of the fade, to steel yourself for glory and honor. For what Templar can decline the glorious prospect of single-handedly slaying a foul demon? Imagine the fame, the martial prowess, the respect. The Brannon name would live in the Starkhaven Templar Order for decades to pass."

Cerenna

"We must first discover this demon's aspect and best it before it takes a hold of you." Purpose answered. "Once you do this, you will be free of its grasp. Were you a mage, perhaps it would be possible to break out of the demon's game with a great deal of effort, but for now we play its game. Such a trap is difficult to escape from."

A scream of terror came from beyond the illuminated area, and a dalish woman scrambled to Cerenna. "Ma halani, ma halani! The shemlen, they are coming for me!"

Revas

The demon fell silent for a moment. "Bah, you reach far above your station, little Qunari. What little threat you pose with your toy knives, as if you were a gallant knight of legend. Very well, then, I shall toy with you at my leisure."

The ground below Revas shattered and he immediately fell down for what seemed like minutes. He eventually touched ground, but touched it with solid footing. He was within an enclosed space, a makeshift arena, surrounded by sharp viridian spikes on the walls.

"Let us see what form my aspect shall take... One that will give you pause, perhaps... A-ha! Suitable."

A puff of smoke appeared at the opposite end of the arena, and from it emerged a gargantuan qunari, even for his race. A horn protruded from each side of his head, each horn curving sharply into an L shape; ultimately resembling the horns of a bull. Pride's aspect also carried a massive axe that was more alike to a sharp slab of iron on a stick than a true axe. Revas knew this particular Qunari from his time in Seheron; 'Hissrad' was his title.

"Hm, yes. This will do nicely." spoke the shade of Hissrad in the demon's voice. "Come then, if you are so confident!"

Mira

The shade of Mira in the magister's robes dissipated, replaced by a helmeted templar. Several other templars advanced from behind the burning wreckage, their weapons drawn. The demon cackled as he played upon Mira's doubts. "Yes, slay them like the dogs they are and earn your freedom! Establish your own order, for the rights of all your people! Play upon your power, take what is yours!"

The closest templar removed and tossed aside his helmet, revealing August's face underneath. As the other templars shouted at Mira, citing her 'crimes' as justification for her execution, August simply drew his sword with a look of despair. "I'm sorry, Mira. You have to be stopped."

[Baloth-Kul]

A chuckle racked Revas' grey body. "Give me pause?" The Qunari began charging down the specter of Hisraad. "Katara!" The Bard roared with a warrior's fury, daggers raised to tackle the opposing brute head on.

Just as Revas entered the Hisraad's range, he knowingly did about the dumbest thing a Qunari could imagine doing in combat; lowering his blades to the side, Revas pushed all of his energy into a forward roll between the Hisraad's legs.

Hidden:

RIP one or both of us

[The SheoDovah]

Mira the Mage

"If you think Templars scare me, you are sorely mistaken, Demon." Mira informed the Demon whilst keeping an eye on the emerging templars. They shouted out her crimes at her but Mira knew it was all an illusion. "Really? That's the best you can do? I've heard worse from the tranquil." She retorted before one removed his helmet and it cut into her deep. It was August. "[&@%!]." She uttered whilst holding back a sense of dread. She knew it was an illusion but the part that loved her brother couldn't help but appear. Her doubts of changing anything grew upon seeing her templar brother and the dread of losing him in any conflict was at the front of her mind. Despite their distant relationship and their opposite paths, she still loved him. "Begone, Demon. You won't break my spirit or my will and I will not fall for your games." She remarked whilst trying to force out the dread from her mind to prevent the demon from using it against her.

[Kerr]

Ingrid got out of bed and stood up. She made her way over to Gorion, looking for a place to sit that was closer to the augur. "What is it?" Ingrid asked, anxious to know more. The Lady of the Skies? Destiny? It sounded important, she sounded important.

Hidden:

Does Ingrid still have her equipment with her?

[The-Shadow-One]

Solen stumbled, taken aback by the mere appearance of the hurloc, a yelp of surprise and fear crossing his face as it screamed then he saw Kerin, all color gone from his face now. "Kerin..." Looking at him with that smile. "You.. Wipe that smile off your face, you're dead, you died. You failed." He growled quietly, fear replaced quickly by anger. "Using my brother's visage? Then I suppose." And he ripped open the Sertin printed envelope. "You'd use my sister's too?" He took whatever was in it out.

[Unionhack]

Revas

Unfortunately, Revas' maneuver was unsuccessful; he was far too large to roll even between the mighty Pride-Hissrad's legs, and he was merely swatted away with a rough kick.

Pride-Hissrad swung his mighty axe down at Revas, trying to capitalize on him being down.

Mira

The demon grumbled angrily, upset at Mira's resilience. Te form of August burst into flames before Mira's eyes and crumbled to the ground, as did the other templars surrounding her.

A rumbling rang throughout the area, and two large spires of rough design shot out of the ground, forming an arch. A swirling purple portal formed within the arch.

Ingrid

Hidden:

You are as you entered the Fade, with whatever you had on you. Pet fennec excluded of course, but he's okay and still in the waking world.

"I have seen much in the stars, young one. I have heeded the visions in my dreams. I believe you hold a soul favored by the Lady." he spoke plainly "The question remains as to whom, for many are our heroes and their deeds. But I believe the opportunity will provide itself, should you seek glory and discover the answer for yourself."

Solen

Hidden:

I'm assuming Sertin is no longer alive? Forgotten Wardens never happened while Journey to Ostagar did, so Kerin is definitely out of the picture. Still, tis the Fade, so...

The letter opened with much less fanfare than the last, eliciting only a cold wind blowing through the room. Another apparition appeared, the shade of Solen's sister Sertin; with her stub tongue, however, she could not speak.

"Failed, yes. You're right, Solen. You always were the smart one. Perhaps that is why you are here and we... well, look at us." he said with a sad smile. "You'll do the Nightgust name proud, won't you?"

[Baloth-Kul]

Revas, winded as he was, managed an airy chuckle at his own expense, as he attempted to roll away from the axe and back onto his feet. If he wasn't cut in half, he would quip, "Yeah, maybe that was a bit much."