Dragon Age: Inquisition

[Kestrel]

"I dunno. Just that we're supposed to show up. Cullen asked where you were. What were you doing with Bull, anyway? And why were you in fire this time?" Phoenix said, leading the way to the War Room.


When they got there, everyone was already there. Cullen moved slightly so that he was standing next to Grace. "Ummm...hi Grace. I trust you've been well?"


Cassandra cleared her throat. "I've called you all here to discuss the Rift."


Phoenix leaned over to Grace. "Well, that narrows it down quite a bit," she whispered.


"Inquisitor. Please try and focus. This is not the time for you and Grace's sarcastic shenanigans."

 

[NecroKnight]

"Great as ever," replied Grace, sounding rather ubnoxious and loud. She was almost as crazy as Sera, albeit - Sera had some level of sanity inside her skull. Some of the people of the Inquisition thought - Grace was fishing with her own sanity.


"We know, Cassie. Giant rift in the sky, demons getting puked out daily," replied Grace. "I assume, we've got somekind of plan - to stop that green wart in the sky, from growing bigger and popping?"


"Either that, or its Monday again - and Cassie is just annoyed with me again," she added.

 

[Kestrel]

(I'm sorry! I thought I posted this!)


Cassandra sighed. "We've already discovered that Phoenix alone cannot completely seal the Breach. We'll need to contact either the mages or the Templars. Unfortunately, neither group is speaking to is at the moment and-"


Phoenix sighed. "Ah! The good, old-fashioned silent treatment. Very mature. Anyway, continue, Seeker."


Before Cassandra could speak, however, Cullen spoke up. "We should contact the Templars! They're trained against the use of magic and can weaken the Breach so that the Inquisitor can seal it permanently."


Cassandra groaned. "Yes. That is true. The other option is to contact the mages."


"Let's do that, then. I trust them more than some Templars. No offense to Grace and Cullen. How do I know that as soon as I fix everything, they won't drag me off to the Circle, or worse, make me Tranquil?"

 

[NecroKnight]

"Hey. I got a better idea? Why don't we try to contact them both?" offered Grace, looking at Cullen.


"Its kinda simple really - Grace going to meet the Templars, being a mage and an elf at that likely won't end the best way," spoke Grace. "No offense to you sis, or Solas."


"Some of the Templars are friends of the Trevelyans. Plus, Cullen is an ex-Templar," she added. "Fenix can focus her effort on the mages. Her being one too. While me and Cullen could go say hi to the Templars. At best, we could get the Templars on our side. At worst, we will atleast get their input on if they are hostile to us or not."


"It wouldn't be the best outcome, if we recruit the mages - then get Templars banging on our gates. I do have some remaining pull with the Chantry and Templars - seeing as one of my cousins, is a ranked leader in their Order," spoke Fenix. "We could persuade them to atleast, stay neutral in the conflict. Better, than leaving them to stew in their own bubble."


@Kestrel


(Oh. Phoenix will be shocked, once she sees future!Grace thanks to Alexious dampening. Maybe skip there?)

 

[NecroKnight]

@Kestrel


(Hello?)

 

[Kestrel]

(I'm working on it. Sorry about the delay)

 

[Kestrel]

(I'm so sorry I've been so inactive. Real life has been really busy and I've been neglecting all my role-plays. I am still very interested in continuing this.)


When Phoenix stumbled out of the teal-colored portal, she found herself standing in ankle-deep water in what appeared to be a dungeon. A pair of masked guards in heavy armor ran in. "Blood of the Elder One!" One shouted.


"Where'd they come from?!" The other guard asked. They rushed towards her, weapons drawn. Phoenix knocked them back with her staff, before discovering that Dorian was with her.


They made quick work of the hostile guards. Dorian and Phoenix looked around, trying to dicover where they were. "Displacement," he mused. "Interesting. It's probably not what Alexius intended. The Rift must have moved us...To what? The nearest confluence of arcane energy?"


"The last thing I remember, we were in the castle hall," Phoenix said.


"Let's see...If we're still in the castle, it isn't... Oh! Of Course! It's not simply where? It's when! Alexius used the amulet as a focus. It moved us through time!" Dorian seemed entirely too excited about time travel. Phoenix could care less. She wanted to find Grace.


"So how do we get back to our time?"


"Let's look around, see where the Rift took us. Then we can figure out how to get back. If we can."

~*~*~*~

​

After wondering aimlessly for several minutes, they came across a large hall, with cells lining the wall. The first cell they approached contained Varric. He was sitting, leaning against the wall. A red mist seemed to be emanating from his skin, and his eyes glowed the same hue. "Andraste's sacred knickers. You're alive?" His voice was rough, as if his throat was raw. "Where were you? How did you escape?" he demanded.


It was Dorian who explained. 'We didn't escape. Alexius sent us into the future."


"Everything that happens to you is weird."


"You don't look so good, Varric. What happened?"


"Bite your tongue. I look pretty good for a dead dwarf."


"You're no more dead than we are," Dorian said.


"The not-dying version of this red lyrium stuff? Way worse. Just sayin'," Varric pointed out.

~*Another time skip. Basically Varric explains that they've been gone for a year and the Elder One assassinated the Empress and destroyed the world. They help him escape and they find and rescue the rest of the party members, Fiona, Leliana, etc. They need the amulet that Alexius had to go back to their time. Leliana was being interrogated when they rescued her, etc.*~

​

 

[NecroKnight]

(Good to have you back atleast, :3 )


"EMOC! YALP! ESAELP!" roared a voice, behind the door, where their former party members promised to hold the line against the Elder One' forces. Before long, the door was smashed of its hinges - the dead former of Varric, being the first body to fly through the room. At the feet of Leliana - this was followed by Solas, whom was bloodied and nearly dead.


Iron Bull, who managed to hold back the last adversary was soon consumed in blood red flames - the heat of it, even managing to reach towards the location where Dorian and Phoenix were managing the spell. Emerging inside the room, was a lone person - straight from the droves of nightmare.


It was the figure of Grace - half-corrupted by the Taint, and yet still having her similar face. Her was however stuck in a cruel grin, with her body twitching with the slightest movement. Solas muttering something about being fed the red lyrium and followed by a possession by a Madness Demon.


Solas didn't manage from that, as a few tendrils extended from Grace' back and soon pierced the elven mage dead - the slight signs of almost corruption to a Brood Mother aswell. It would seem, that the Elder One had turned Grace - by the simple look of it, into a monster of unmatched power; Grace eagerly cackling at the sight of Leliana aiming her arrows at her.

 

[Kestrel]

"Solas!! Grace!!" shouted Phoenix. Nobody messed with the elven mage's friends (and crush) and got away with it.


Grace seemed to have completely lost all sanity. Phoenix didn't care. She ran towards her, only to be stopped by Dorian grabbing her arm. "Inquisitor, no! You'll never make it!"


Phoenix knew that deep down, it was true. She stopped and used her staff to launch a fireball at her former best friend.

 

[NecroKnight]

Grace shriked at the attempt, to burn her with a fireball. She simply swatted it aside, more darkspawn entering the fray. She herself soon, jumped forward - over Leliana and attempt to run them two down, before they could escape.


Leliana' bow, however didn't remain quiet - and in that blink, when Phoenix could see the madness consumed eyes of Grace. The ten nocked arrows - pierced the skin and body, of the woman, that Phoenix once called almost a sister.


Two arrows went through her knees, two into her back, two into her elbows, two into her shoulders and two flied straight into her neck. Grace dropped like a sack at that moment, the grin she had returned a light smile - as if that haze of madness, cleared in that final moments of death.


Grace merely smiled at Phoenix, muttering the word. "Corypheus." Before, she simply collapsed - her dead and bleeding form, coloring the carpet; while Leliana held the remaining darkspawn at bay - saying praise to Andraste in her own final moment.


@Kestrel

 

[Kestrel]

Fueled by rage and desire for revenge, Phoenix summoned one large ball of fire to incinerate the remaining darkspawn.


When they were gone, she looked around. The only ones standing were Dorian and herself. Not caring about the danger, she ran across the stone throne room towards the Demon/Grace. "Grace!"

 

[NecroKnight]

Grace at that point, had passed on - the corrupted form she had possessed, was now dead. It was a horrifying situation, as judging by her appearance - somebody had tried to corrupt her with the same red lyrium, that her former companions had - only more farther.


And she seemed to possess the same tendrils on her back, as that of a Broodmother - and by Solas' account, even being possessed by a entity known only as a Madness Demon. One might ask, how this fall could have occured - well, there was that she wasn't there to save them.


But maybe Dorian' magic could work, and she could save them all at that - Grace had gone, to see the Templars while she had seen the mages. Maybe, just maybe - they could get back to their own time; before any of this happened and they could stop the world from falling to this Elder One, Corypheus.


@Kestrel

 

[NecroKnight]

@Kestrel


Hello?

 

[Kestrel]

"Now!" Dorian shouted. He grabbed Phoenix and dragged her through the portal. As Phoenix and Dorian stepped out of the portal, the first thing she saw was Alexius backing away slowly, looking confused and frightened.


"You'll have to do better than that," Dorian said smugly. Phoenix was in too much emotional pain to be smug.


Alexius fell on his knees and looked down. "Put aside all claim to Redcliffe, and we let you live." She scanned the room, looking for her friends.


"You won. There's no point in extending this charade. Felix-"


"It's going to be alright, Father."


"You'll die."


"Everyone dies."


Alexius and Felix got up and left, followed by several guards. "Well, I'm glad that's over with!" Dorian said cheerfully.


Several armored men marched into the room. "Or not," he added.


King Alistair and Queen Anora walked in. "Grand Enchanter, we'd like to discuss your abuse if our hospitality."


*time skip to where Phoenix recruits the mages as allies. The mages and Inquisition leave to go back to Haven*


Phoenix was searching Haven for Grace. She hadn't seen her since she had died in the future. Phoenix wouldn't rest until she had confirmed that Grace was alive and well.

 

[NecroKnight]

Grace soon enough returned to Haven - with a few dozen veteran Templars in tow with her. She had expected to recruit more of them, but the mood around them seemed just, weird. They seemed to be distant, with that weird vibe to them - more than usual. The mere thought of the Breach in the sky - not minding to them, as they wished to keep their neutrality.


The Lord Seeker hadn't accepted to meet her, and the other Knight-Captain wouldn't allow any of his Templars to leave either. So Grace merely had asked, if she could take the ones - who'd willingly go. He looked grim at that moment - like he was going to attack her, a sharp breeze at that, passing by them - before the Knight-Captain agreed in an instant. And she got a few of her distant cousins and their group of friends along. They were veterans at that, so it was one plus - she however, didn't get the vast majority of the rest.


"Hi, Grace! Good news and bad news. Good news - I got some veterans with me; they're a few of my distant cousins, so they won't go all mage-kill-kill. Bad news - I did not the entire Order to help. Sorry," replied Grace, looking at Phoenix. "You okay? Look like you saw a ghost?"

 

[Kestrel]

Phoenix grabbed Grace and pulled her into a hue bear hug. " Thank the Creators! You're alive! I recruited all of the rebel mages, or at least the official group. Long story short, you died. I'll explain to everyone at dinner. I just don't feel like explaining multiple times. But I'm so glad you're safe! I have to succeed in closing the Breach. I must."

 

[NecroKnight]

"You been smoking that, elven weed again? I told you that stuff, will rot your senses," replied Grace - albeit, comparted to her playing around with volatile chemicals that was an understatement.


"And I haven't died, no worry about that, as you can see," added Grace, hugging Phoenix back.

 

[Kestrel]

"It's elfroot, and no, I wasn't smoking it," Phoenix said. Despite the fact that she was still shaken up, Grace always managed to make her feel better.


Later, at dinner, Phoenix explained to everyone who hadn't been there to talk to the mages what exactly had happened.

 

[NecroKnight]

"Yikes! So, I said Corypheus? After Lelianna filled me with several arrows - after I got turned into some horror from nightmare?" asked Grace, suddenly worried - for everybody' sake. And when, Grace' mood changed to worried, then it was short of worrying. "Lelianna - next time, kill me before I turned into a fucking squid."


"Well - first thing first. I'd assume, we close that giant rupture in the sky - before those demon' armies start appearing," spoke Grace. "Since you got the mages, you can have them seal the Breach - while the few veterans templars I got can keep watch for any demons coming through."

 

[Kestrel]

"Yes, yes, and yes," Phoenix agreed. "Will the Templars have any problems working with the mages?" She asked. She wanted to ensure that both sides could cooperate. The last thing they needed was the Templars and Mages to begin fighting each other while Phoenix sealed the Breach.

 

[NecroKnight]

"Not really, unless one of your recruited mages starts sprouting extra limbs and speaking in another tongue - then they won't have any problems," spoke Grace. "As I said, its three of my distant cousins from Ostwick, alongside their friends - my family has produced many mages and Templars; our family is connected, no matter their gifts or status."


"They'll simply keep watch for any demons from the Breach - and incase any demons want to play around with your mages," she added. "-and I know, you worry about Templars. But as it is, not many of us are discplined and hard-willed like you."


"Plus, Templars are better protected against demons than mages - and you know that too. They'll report to Cullen, if that'll make you feel better - he was a Templar too."

 

[Kestrel]

"Okay, then. You trust them, I trust you and your judgement. If you say they'll be fine, that's good enough for me. Well, I'm through eating. I'm going to talk to Solas real quick, and I'm heading to bed. Grace, I wanna finish catching up, so can you meet me in my room?" She asked.


After returning one of Solas' books about the Fade, and borrowing two more on native plants in the area, and Dalish history, Phoenix was ready to return to her room. Hopefully, Grace would already be there.

 

[NecroKnight]

Grace was already sitting on Phoenix' bed cross-legged - wearing something usual and not, that would explode, if she fell onto the ground at the wrong angle.


She had taken the liberty also, of letting her hair loose - which looked to be something, a elvish hermit would possess and not a woman of noble birth from Ostwick. Albeit, knowing her, she had her quirks and idiocy - but she was as honest, loyal and friendly as they came.


"So, Nix? What's up?"

 

[Kestrel]

(Wow, that was a really quick response.)


Phoenix was only mildly surprised to see Grace sitting on her bed, with her hair looking like an elvish hobo's. She wanted to taunt Gracie with her news, but she was so desperate to tell somebody that she decided not to.


"Can you be a squealy, girly-girl for a minute?" Without waiting for a response she said, "I kissed Solas."

 

[NecroKnight]

"Ohhh...my sis, is getting hooked up, eh?" giggled Grace, hugging Phoenix. "So, how was it? Sit down and don't tell spare me the details."


"Did they taste like strawberries, glosses with ages of wisdom, and the years of wandering the Fade - peeping into other people' dreams?" she teased. "Or was it gently, like a lover' kiss? Wet, as the rains of autumn? Hot, like summer' sun?"