Rumbles in the Deep

It was the twelfth day.

Even the templar accompanying them was tired.

He flinched as the tapping started up again, the spirits in the deep roads trying to lead them who knows where. If someone had told him about the number of dead down here, the number of blighted that he would have to face, he would have balked.

But none had and so he had gone on the expedition. Wealth beyond measure had been promised what with the blight just having been finished. The first three days had delivered, the convoy stumbling upon many unlooted caches. After that though, some had gone back to the surface. More continued so he went with them.

Problems arose then, that night, if it was that time for he could not tell. A demon of greed, the templar and mage had declared it to be, took possession of someone and wrecked havoc. Supplies were lost, riches destroyed, the convoy scattered in the madness.

He should have stayed on the surface. How he yearned for the feel of sunshine once more. He blinked, the party was slowing, a split in the tunnels up ahead and then there were screams. No one could tell from which way they came. They ended before a decision could be made. A coin was flipped and the path set by those brave enough to lead.

The tapping ended.

Someone ran, other followed, the templar charged, some followed, the mage’s staff shined in the darkness, he cowered as the demons washed over the group, easily felling those who had ran, howling all the while.

He felt something touch him and he shrieked, flailing at the encroaching darkness.

He just wanted to feel sunlight again.

And then there was a voice, a voice most glorious whispering in his ear and he felt it, the sun on his skin. He cried for he was free then he felt metal on his hand and he was wrenched up, the templar standing before him now, a convulsing demon at his feet.

He staggered for a few steps then found his footing as he ran once more behind the templar. The rest were fallen and he could hear tapping again. But it was no longer following them.

It was the fourteenth day.

The templar stumbled again, his complaints about some unending song being much the same as whatever song he was hearing. He could hear nothing except their footsteps. Nothing seemed to move in the darkness here, nothing at least that he could hear. He shivered, there were no more lava gatherings anymore. He wondered if out of all the things he had seen down here the cold would be the one to kill him.

There were worse ways to go he supposed and then the templar stopped. The sound of rocks moving echoed through the tunnel. A crumbling and a creaking, as if someone was opening a door.

He glanced at the templar, wondering what to do. The templar grunted then advanced, sword ready for whatever laid ahead. A rock crashed against his shield soon and he staggered back, and then more rocks lashed out, as if the earth itself hated them. The templar collapsed, a torrent of rocks flying at him and then he ran once more, abandoning the templar to his fate.

It was the seventeenth day.

He could not remember when he had last eaten. He was crawling now, no destination in sight, just crawling.

The tapping started again and he started crying though he was not certain whether it was from terror or relief that it would be over soon. It grew closer and then he could hear the spirits again.

He wished he could have felt sunlight again.

Garrick the Warrior

Our stay in Redhold is not the best one. The night we arrived the Thane held a feast in his longhouse and informed the group of us that there were a large number of darkspawn in the area that were heading towards the village sometime over the next three days. More importantly the village’s hunters were out on a expedition and were quite late. The Thane inquired for some help from us and we quickly accepted.

The darkspawn arrived the next night and the night has been long so far, we have fought off a wave of genlocks that appeared to be something designed to test the defenses. It was a bit difficult at times but then genlocks have never really been a problem. We decided to put together a contest to see who kills the most darkspawn. I think I’m in second right now but we’ll sort it all out when this siege is over. The second wave looks like it is starting now. Hurlocks this time. I must prepare.

The second wave went far better for us no doubt due to me. It was extremely painful to do but I was able to cast my explosion spell on four different hurlocks on the side of the wall that I was on surprisingly fast. The Maker was on my side that night it seems. Pierre appeared again and killed one of them and then the spell must have triggered an explosion in the others soon afterwards as the rest exploded a few seconds later. The elf and I went down most painfully. The side was cleared and the other side was cleared shortly after that mostly by that mage and Brakor. I spent a bit of time puking over the wall as I recovered from the explosions and then hoisted two more ladders away from the walls as the darkspawn retreated.

The Thane and the elf chatted about something then as I walked around patching others up around the place. It was quiet then for a little bit, about an hour before there was any movement in the woods. It appeared a Bereskarn was with the minor horde and they were going to throw it at the walls. It was quite obvious that it would be able to get through the walls and so the six of us moved from the walls to engage the massive beast. The way forward was quite easy and Brakor took down the bereskarn with a final blow by sliding underneath it and cutting it open. The Avvar of Redhold has accepted him as one of their own now.

We all took a bath and slept until sunrise with lots of relaxation when it appeared that the hunters who were missing returned. The Thane’s son who was leading them chatted with Brakor and gave us three hunters to guide us to the girl that we were hunting. It was a short trip higher into the Frostbacks and we followed the advice of one of the guides, having Brakor provoke Balan into a duel for the girl. It was over quickly as Brakor easily knocked Balan over the edge of the icy bridge that they were fighting on after several blows.

The girl was returned to us and she asked us to take her to Redhold. There was a group huddle over the matter and then we decided to do as she requested but asked for something with which we could prove that she was still alive to her father. After she gave us her sword we went on our way to Redhold and then back to the Arl’s winter manor. We handed him the sword along with a map to Redhold to confirm our story. He accepted it as such with a warning that if we were lying it would be unpleasant. He left us then and we were approached then by a Templar seeking aid from capable individuals which we clearly were in the matter of an apostate hunt. It would appear that his companions have not contacted him as they were supposed to several days ago and so he is looking for more assistance. The rest agreed and after we ate we went on our way with the Knight-Captain. How odd to be working with a templar.

Garrick the Warrior

It would seem that I was right in that we would find some job protecting from Avvar raids. One of the arls hired us to track down his daughter who had been kidnapped and so we went to do that after some time in this small town of Elmridge where I acquired some light leather armor and another axe. The arl has promised two gold pieces for this job if we bring back his daughter alive and one if we bring back her body or something similar.

Somewhere along the way to the place where his daughter got kidnapped we misplaced Pierre. I am not sure what happened but the five of us examined the site of the abduction and Brakor found that it likely was not an abduction. Rather odd. We took our newly acquired horses courtesy of the arl and started to follow the trail made into the mountain to see what had become of the daughter.

It wasn’t long before we came across what appeared to be a sky burial of some Avvar at the site of a fight. It is uncertain as to what happened there beyond several people dying. Where our target went from there is uncertain. After an attack by a red lion we went westward to investigate what was an excessive gathering of carrion birds to discover a site of slaughter. Some investigation revealed that our target was not there but someone else was as soon seven darkspawn emerged from the mists of the early morning. They were easily dispatched through the group’s effort in working together. Brakor took the center, with Zerenor taking his right side, I his left side, and Tin and Cerridwen providing support. It went quite well and we proceeded on our way, eventually coming to an Avvar village next to a mountain.

The Thane of the village welcomed us, with intentions to talk to us later, and then handed us off to someone else to talk to for a while. Shortly after that the local shaman called for us and we chatted with him for a little bit before he bid us farewell but not before pointing out a place to have drinks. It is odd to be in an Avvar village. I wonder if this is the one that my mother was from but I think not. I believe she was from a place called Frosthold and I think that this place is called Redhold. The elf is suspicious of me as well I think. I must be more careful with my spells.

Garrick the Warrior - Dragon Age

Coming into the Chasind village was an odd experience. Brakor had to negotiate with the leader of the village and it went over quite quickly as the leader of the village, Zorya, drank some wine along with Brakor and went down hard from one cup. Rather odd, considering that is apparently what they export here. In addition, there was a circle mage present apparently looking for poems. This is good and bad as it means that one of them might recognize when my spells but there is someone to blame magic on.

Regardless, after our clothes were dried we continued on, following the raven and quite quickly came to a spot where the raven just died. This was quite clearly the spot to be and so we gathered some fire materials and it was here that it became apparent to everyone that the girl we had picked up in the village was a mage as she just set on the wood on fire. Brakor did not take this well.

A bit of time passed as we argued and then it became apparent that something was coming and it was not the firesprites we wanted. A giant crab appeared and despite the threat it clearly presented it was quickly dealt with. Brakor crippled it by tearing off one claw and then Zerenor took off the other claw. It quickly scuttled back to where it came from and so we returned to waiting. It wasn’t until dawn that the firesprites appeared and started to return to where they came from.

Showing little regard to us they turned and started back, the firesprites moved quite quickly. Fortunately they were quite bright and were singing some kind of song so it was easy to follow. Some of the group, Brakor, Zerenor, and the Orlesian had some difficulty following but we all arrived in the end at this grotto that was most likely a building at some point. We followed the sprites into the grotto and through a tunnel into a cavern.

There we found the guardian of the cavern, a massive snake. It was a close battle and the snake almost took down Brakor but we were victorious. It was then that we split up into various caverns to find the shadowmoss. Brakor, Tin, and I stumbled across a pit that had some treasure in it while the mage and Zerenor found their way to the shadowmoss. The smell in the room where the shadowmoss was was a bit too much for most of the group however and so only the mage was able to enter. She quickly collected the shadowmoss and so we left to go back to Southmere as soon as possible.

We came across a group of Chasind who questioned us about the disease but we were able to lie to them about our purpose in the Wilds and so the interaction was quick. There was not much after that. We reached the edge of the swamps and came across another Chasind who required assistance with two of the diseased. Brakor and Zerenor went off to deal with them and after that slight adventure, we continued north.

It was then that we ran into one Ser Vilja, a knight of the next village to the west of Southmere. Apparently they had been attacked as well and were searching for the cure. Piere killed one of the militiamen and our mage took out theirs. With that done and the roar of Brakor, the rest fled in terror or as they saw their friends fleeing. The rest of the travel back was much easier. Wichford had been repaired somewhat and so we were able to take the ferry across the river. We then went and retrieved Zerenor’s sword and headed back to Southmere through the hills.

We arrived to see the barn that had held those infected gone and enjoyed the quick trial of Bogdan for his murder of four of those infected. The old Chasind woman was able to make a cure for those who survived.

Given that the sheriff’s daughter was amongst the dead, he had retired due to grief and that Ser Vilem, the military commander, quite clearly hated us, we collected payment for the cure and left town quickly. We are heading north now for there will probably be work along the mountains protecting from late Avvar raids.

Garrick the Warrior

In many ways the blight hitting this land was a blessing. The templars and the chantry are so focused on rebuilding they have little time to search for people such as me. Local authorities are next to non existent as well in most lands for the time being. Lots of people are traveling both into and out of Ferelden, mostly refugees who look as poor as I do. The templars are also busy with the new group of uppity mages in the Circle due to the freedoms they enjoyed during the Blight. Reasserting control will take up most of their attention as well.

The lack of authorities is a slight problem as well though. There are quite a few bandits now roaming the area and there are still darkspawn about doing… whatever it is darkspawn do. It has required that I travel with other people. I’ve found some capable companions though. Interesting companions, but very capable. One of those qunari is in the group but he says he is not qunari. Apparently he grew tired of being a qunari and is now something else? I had no idea that such a thing was possible. There’s also this really tall elf. He always is looking around for something like he is being hunted. He doesn’t have any hair so probably a former slave or convict. A dwarf fellow who seems to like picking up things and then there is this Orlesian Noble. I have no idea why that guy is here slumming it with us all. Perhaps some cheap thrills?

So we’ve all been together for a few months now and here we are, coming up to a small village that we were told was going to have a celebration for the planting season/building a new fort against the Chasind. All was well going into the village although the elf split and went north into the hills while the rest of us went to the festivities. There I think the entire village was amazed as the Orlesian sauntered up to the axe competition alongside the not qunari and dwarf and proceeded to win it handily! You wouldn’t think that one of his kind would have those skills. I wandered over to the tent and chatted with the local wise woman as the others found some amusements around the area. We chatted about local herbs and healing while locals got drinks and the dwarf, Tin, and not qunari, Brakor, joined them to chat. The Orlesian had apparently opted to stay outside, something that turned out to work well for us.

After some time the sheriff of the area started to give a speech only to find himself interrupted not once but twice by the baying of dogs. All of a sudden someone came through the tent walls at him. Fortunately his daughter intervened but suffered because of it. Tin, Brakor, and I quickly dealt with the attacker and the other two who joined him. During the fight Brakor and I noticed that their weapons were poisoned, in particular their daggers and Brakor took a blow from the unfortunately. The elf, Zerenor, also took a blow at some point during his heroics outside. Tin, the Orlesian, and I are fine for the moment but it is likely there are more out there.

Several others had been hurt by these attackers and so the Sheriff gathered everyone who was still alive after the bodies had been burned in the town hall to discuss what to do next. The local military commander, one Ser Vilem, argued that those infected should be put to death and was supported by a man named Bogdan, the local blacksmith. Needless to say, as several of my friends are infected I spoke out alongside them with the sheriff, whose daughter is infected and we managed to persuade the others that we would search for a cure that the wise woman I had chatted with earlier told us all about.

Admittedly, the cure might not work but it is better than nothing. I shall not let Brakor or Zerenor die in such a terrible fashion. Whatever this poison is, it clearly addles with the mind and turns one into a being of rage. Perhaps it is a demonic poison of some kind or maybe something left over from the blight? I do not know.

The five of us set out the next day with some supplies given to us by locals. The old woman told us to follow a crow she summoned and we are to burn something to attract these things called firesprites who will lead us to the ingredients that we need. There is also a guardian of some kind. We followed the crow until noon and reached a cliff which we climbed down with the assistance of rope. Crossing the river that was next to the cliff was not possible and so we had to go to the town to the west to get across.

There it became quite apparent that those who had attacked Southmere had come through here and made more of their kind who had followed earlier this morning through tracks I spotted and a conversation with a dying man we found. The situation is bad. We proceeded onwards, the need for a cure even stronger now possibly. Crossing the river was easy despite the missing raft. Zerenor tied a rope for all to use to cross and we proceeded on, as wet as we could possibly be. Fortunately the map shows that there is another village coming up. I shall attempt to get the others to stop for a short while so that we might dry our clothes.

As we neared the Korcari Wilds we came across a trapper and chatted with him about events. He did not know much and so we moved on after he gave us some food only to run into a Chasind ambush. However, it was quickly dealt with as I managed to cast a walking bomb spell on one of the Chasind which Brakor immediately killed. Needless to say, the Chasind exploded and the rest of the ambush is now running away from us. I hope we reach this next village soon. I would rather like to have dry clothes again.