A Witch's Tale IC III

[NeoSeraphi]

Facia Sanguine has revealed herself to be a blood mage consorting with a desire demon, and her betrayal at the Autumn Ball destroyed Naturia Circle Academy and threw Rachel Denethar's entire life into chaos. Tossed into a portal with the former Knight-Commander Auron Bevelle, she arrives in Kirkwall, the City of Chains. She agrees to fund an expedition to the Deep Roads in exchange for a path home to her native country of Ferelden, pairing with the dwarven merchant Varric Tethras and Auron's angelic partner Razia.

Now they need to gather together to try and rescue the Grey Warden Anders from the templar Order that has captured him, so that they might find a map into the Deep Roads.

[Diachronos]

With Auron's condition improved, Rachel feels like they're ready to move on with their quest. She heads downstairs to find Varric, starting at his usual room.

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric looks up as Rachel enters. "Well well. With that expression on your face, I'm guessing the operation was a success? But you have to understand, you haven't cured the Knight-Commander's condition. He'll still need more treatments or lyrium to keep himself stable from now on."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods. "I'd figured as much. At the very least he's back on his feet, and I'll continue doing this for as long as it takes."

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric smiles. "Ah, to be young and in love. I admit, I'm jealous. I've never had time for romance, but then again I've never met a woman quite like you."

He places a map on the table. "Have you made a decision regarding the Grey Warden?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel looks at Auron, then back at Varric. "We're in. Do you have any plans for getting him out?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric nods. "It just so happens that the Knight-Commander will be attending a party in Orlais tonight."

Auron's expression turns to one of surprise, and then regret. "It's already late October, is it?"

The dwarf looks over at him. "I'm sure the Order understands that you've been unwell, Knight-Commander. Your absence won't be questioned."

Auron nods. Rachel follows along with this. Varric knows Auron, and assumes Auron still maintains his position as a Knight-Commander. Auron has not corrected this assumption yet. This party Varric is talking about must be some gathering of everyone at a higher rank in the Order, and Auron was likely supposed to go. Auron is upset because he does not hold his rank any longer, and because of Rachel, he wishes to return to the Order properly rather than discard it entirely as it discarded him. Varric thinks the only reason Auron hasn't left to go is because of the shivers.

"Now then. Auron, Raptor and I can break the Grey Warden out of his holding in the Gallows as long as we have enough time to run around and find him. But we need a distraction. That's where you come in, Odysseus."

[Diachronos]

"M-me? You want me to distract them? How?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"I'm sure you can come up with something," Varric replies.

Night falls and Rachel heads to the Gallows alone. Her friends are circling around behind, and they need to meet no resistance when they get inside. Rachel spies two male templars standing guard near the Circle entrance.

[Diachronos]

Rachel thinks for a moment before conjuring up an aether elemental. "Can you pick up some loose stones and throw it at the guards? Don't hit them, just throw it near them to get their attention."

[NeoSeraphi]

The elemental scoops up some rocks and throws them with telekinesis. The sound attracts the guards' attention.

"What was that?"

"Probably just a rat or something."

"Eh, I'm gonna go check it out."

"Sure. Yell if you need me."

"I won't."

One of the guards walks away. But this distraction likely won't give the group enough time to roam around and find Anders. She needs to hold their attention.

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. Looks like she's going to need to get up close to them for this. She takes a moment to conjure a few small orbs of acid, which she uses to damage her clothes. Next, she walks out into the streets, and starts hurriedly walking toward the guards with a panicked expression on her face. "Help! Help, there's a crazed apostate in the alleys!"
[roll0]

[NeoSeraphi]

The templars look at each other.

"Damn, do you think we can handle him with just the two of us?"

"Maybe, but better to be safe than sorry."

"Alright, call all the men from inside. We'll take the bastard out in an instant."

"Don't worry, ma'am, you'll be safe with us."

Six templars emerge from the Circle and hurry into the alley with the other two.

About ten minutes later, Anders and the others rush out the front door and Rachel helps them back to the Hanged Man.

When they arrive, Anders turns to look at her. "So, you came to help me as well."

[Diachronos]

Once they're at the inn, Rachel sinks into a chair. "They needed a distraction to clear the front gate, and... well, would've done more harm than good if I'd gone inside."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders nods. "Well, I am grateful for you rescuing me. Even though I wouldn't have been captured in the first place if you had agreed to help. Still, there's nothing that can be done. Karl has been made Tranquil, and I was facing the Knight-Vigilant's judgment. But I have avoided that fate, thanks to you. I am no Circle mage, there is no phylactery to track me down."

[Diachronos]

"Right. We should probably still see about getting you out of the city, the Circle and the Order are going to be looking for you once they realize you're missing."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders nods. "That shouldn't be a problem. There's a clan of Dalish elves that are living on Sundermount Mountain a few miles away. I think we can convince them to let me stay there for a while."

[Diachronos]

"Alright. When should we head out to meet with them?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders shrugs. "Tomorrow? Oh, right. Varric has informed me about the Deep Roads and the expedition. You didn't help me before, but you saved my life and I am thankful. I will be happy to join your party if you need me, and I have this to contribute to your expedition."

Rachel receives 2000 gp! Now she has 4000 gp total for her expedition.

Rachel receives Deep Roads Maps!

Anders has joined the party. Anders is a mage that specializes in healing.

[Diachronos]

"Thank you, Anders." She thinks over their current situation. Anders would make a strong ally with his healing magic, so that's a plus. The expedition is still a ways off from being ready, but they're getting there.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel heads back to her room where she finds Sebastian waiting for her with an envelope.

[Diachronos]

Rachel strokes the raven's head as she opens the envelope.

[NeoSeraphi]

"Rachel,
I'm so relieved to hear that you are unhurt. I'm sure you probably need some money to get home. I sold everything in the house I could get away with to send you this. Please come back soon. I will pray to the Maker every day that you are safe.

Also you better not be getting swept up in any boy's arms while you're outside the Circle walls, young lady. Enjoy the freedom while you have it, but love should wait for when you are in a more stable place.

As for Ciel, now that I know he's safe I'm calling in every favor I have to try and find him. Jacque is going to look into this for me. In exchange...I'm sorry, dear, but you're going to need to meet him in person at his estate when you come home. I shouldn't have made this decision for you, but when he made the offer I could hear your voice in my mind screaming that you would do whatever it takes to find your little brother. I did what I had to do and I hope you don't resent me for it.

Love,
Dad"

The envelope contains 1000 gp.

[Diachronos]

"Dad..." She looks down at the gold he'd sent her. Just what had he parted with to get this much for her?

Rachel adds the money he sent to their expedition funds.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel heads to sleep. In the morning, the group prepares to shove off.

Rachel has four members of her party. She needs to select who she will be taking with her.

[Diachronos]

Rachel decides to take Auron, Anders, and Razia with her. Varric can continue looking into the expedition while they're gone.

[NeoSeraphi]

The group walks out towards the Sundermount. An enormous peak that stretches to the sky looms over them, and the base of the mountain is covered in a thick forest.

Anders walks to Rachel's left, Razia to her right, and Auron to Razia's right, putting the templar and the apostate as far away from each other as they can get.

"You're a hag, right?" Anders asks after a bit of time walking. "You must come from a long line of apostates."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nearly trips when he asks her that. "N... no, I'm not a hag. My mother is." Both of them, actually...

[NeoSeraphi]

"So you understand then, that mages can live safely without causing harm to other people? They can learn from each other, practice their trade, and just be peaceful normal people who want nothing more than to love, earn a living, raise a family."

[Diachronos]

"Yes, I understand that."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders's Affection increased.

"Well, I'm relieved to hear that. I was concerned that the wife of a templar and the daughter-in-law of a First Enchanter would be a self-hating mage, but -"

Auron clenches his fist. "Say whatever you like about me, Anders, but don't you dare speak poorly of my mother's work."

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. "Please, don't start fighting."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders shrugs. "Well, I'm certainly not interested in fighting, but I'm also not interested in caging an entire group of people for being born wrong."

Auron faces forward and remains silent.

"But I suppose I just lack the certain ruthlessness needed to separate a child from her parents because she can talk to animals."

Razia puts a hand on Auron's shoulder as the knight keeps walking.

"And then there's the rumors about King's Heights..."

Auron stops walking in shock and stares at Anders, who grins at him smugly. The knight growls furiously and moves ahead. Razia follows him. They leave Rachel and Anders in the dust.

[Diachronos]

Rachel turns to Anders."What rumors are you talking about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Disgusting things, honestly. There was a templar at the Circle of Magi in King's Heights that is rumored to have been turning innocent female mages Tranquil so that they could not resist his advances..."

[Diachronos]

The thought of it sends a chill down Rachel's spine. "Th-those are just rumors, right?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Only the templars know for sure. After all, they police themselves. Or at least, the good ones do."

[Diachronos]

Rachel frowns. "Whatever you think of the templars, I know Auron is one of the ones that can be trusted."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders shrugs. "If you acknowledge that there are good templars and bad templars, then you acknowledge that Auron is associating himself with bad people. Even if he is a good person, he's still in a rotten organization. The only "good" templar is a dead templar." He narrows his eyes.

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs and keeps walking. She's not in the mood to listen to either side of the mage vs templar argument right now.

[NeoSeraphi]

Up ahead, Rachel realizes that Auron and Razia are in the middle of combat!

Auron leaps into the air and slams down his blade into a giant spider's neck. Razia rebuffs an attack with her shield before slicing one of the creatures with her sword. A dwarf and a few humans are standing nearby, looking terrified.

[Diachronos]

Rachel draws her staff and fires at the spider attacking Auron.
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders also draws his staff and sends a flourish of power through Auron and Razia.

Channel Energy: [roll0]

Auron and Razia finish off the spiders.

The dwarf steps forward. "Pretty brilliant display you have there. I'm Jarvis, and I'm a dwarf who works in the Coterie. That's the dwarven name for the Carta. We deal in all kinds of things. Smuggling, silencing, women. But now I've got my eyes on a much bigger prize, and I need your help to claim it. If you agree, there's going to be good coin in it for you."

[Diachronos]

The Carta? Isn't that the group that had tried to rob her and Auron before? "What sort of prize?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"You know the Qunari have landed in Kirkwall, right? They've got this substance, gaatlok, that just explodes. That's it. No gunpowder, no magic. I could make a fortune with a recipe like that, but their leader, the Arishok, he ain't sellin'. Something about me not being worthy of the Qun or something like that. So, I hear that some Qunari runaways, they call 'em Tal-Vashoth, are causing a ruckus near the Wounded Coast. I figure if I take them out he's got to give me the time of day. And you can be my ticket to do that. What do you say? Round up some bad guys causing trouble, get paid for it, and I make a fortune."

[Diachronos]

Rachel frowns. If this stuff is as volatile as the dwarf is implying, there's a very good reason the Qunari won't part with it. She turns to Auron. "What do you think?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"The Tal-Vashoth are essentially giants with swords and no morals," Auron replies. "Regardless of why we do it, I'm in favor of not leaving them on the road to hurt anyone else."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods, and turns back to Jarvis. "Where are the Tal-Vashoth?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"The Wounded Coast is in the other direction, to the west of Kirkwall. Here, I'll mark it on your map." He shows her where he's pointing to. "Once you've done the deed, come back to Lowtown and meet me at the Qunari encampment."

[Diachronos]

"Alright. We'll take care of it when we can." She puts the map away.

[NeoSeraphi]

Jarvis nods his thanks and heads off.

The group approach the Sundermount. A pair of hunters stand at the entrance and reach for their bows as the group approach. "Hold, shemlen. Your kind are not welcome among the Dalish."

[Diachronos]

Rachel holds up her hands. "Please, we're not here to cause trouble." She gestures to Anders. "We come seeking refuge for our companion."

[NeoSeraphi]

"I said to -"

"Wait, Keeran. I think this is the one the Keeper told us about."

"A shemlen? I thought she'd be an elf!" the first hunter exclaims.

The two of them stare at Rachel. "Show us your eye, human."

[Diachronos]

Rachel gulps. Why is her eye suddenly such an important thing to them? Are they... are they expecting a changeling? After a moment she reaches up and pulls her hair aside, revealing her left eye to them.

[NeoSeraphi]

The two hunters nod. Auron crosses his arms, but he, Razia and Anders all look away to give her privacy.

After seeing her eye, one of them swears in Elven. "The Keeper has been expecting you. Please, come this way."

They are led to the middle of the camp, where a fire is lit and roaring. The mountains surround them, but the trees are all a good distance away. Elves of every size and shape with tattoos adorning their faces march around, glaring at them.

[Diachronos]

Rachel sticks close to Auron, and does her best to keep from meeting the glares of the elves around them as she addresses the two elves guiding them. "Excuse me, but...who is the Keeper, and why are they expecting us?"

[NeoSeraphi]

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6evlEsF0u14/maxresdefault.jpg

"I am the Keeper. My name is Marethari," the elf says as she steps into view. Her oaken staff is imposing on her back, a clear mark of her status as a mage. "I was told you would be arriving by asha bellanar."

Knowledge (Local) DC 20 or Knowledge (History) DC 15

[Diachronos]

"Someone told you we were coming? Who?"
Local: [roll0]
History: [roll1]

[NeoSeraphi]

The Keeper shakes her head. "What is important is that you have arrived. I require your aid, child."

[Diachronos]

Rachel feels a chill of fear run down her spine. The Keeper thought that she'd be brought by a vengeful hag?

"What do you need my help with, Keeper?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The Keeper hands her an amulet. "I was told to give you this. Escort my First to the summit of the mountain, and there she shall perform an ancient ritual. Offer the amulet to the shrine, and then you may go. And when you leave...please take my First with you."

[Diachronos]

Rachel looks down at the amulet. "I don't understand... you just met me, why are you trusting me with something like this?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"You are not one of the People. Perhaps you have never encountered asha'bellanar, but I have. I will do whatever she asks of me, whenever she asks. She told me you would come. She gave me the amulet to hold, and directed me to give it to you. It is not mine to entrust to anyone else."

[Diachronos]

Figuring that this is the closest she's going to get to an actual explanation, Rachel nods. "Alright. I'll lead your First to the summit."

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel and the others start walking towards the pathway that leads to the top of the mountain.

A woman is waiting for them there.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5d/c0/ec/5dc0ec753982f1415265de180a59990c.jpg

"Hello. It's good to meet you. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't ask your name. Unless, it's not rude to ask a human her name is it? I'm Merrill. I'm rambling, I'm sorry."

[Diachronos]

Rachel shakes her head. "It's nice to meet you too, Merill. My name is Rachel."

[NeoSeraphi]

"We will need to be careful heading up the mountain. There is ancient magic here, and it will be a more dangerous trek than it seems."

[Diachronos]

"I figured as much... why exactly are we being sent up there?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"The ritual that asha'bellanar has asked me to complete will conjure a new body for the soul that is trapped inside the amulet."

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs and rubs her temples. Of course it would be something like that... "Alright, let's get going."

[NeoSeraphi]

The group starts walking towards a cavern near the top of the hill. They come to a small sitting area with a fire and some herbs sitting out. There is a chest to the far corner of the wall, and a pathway that leads further towards the cavern.

[Diachronos]

Rachel looks around. This seems like a meeting area for the elves, so it's probably best not to touch anything if they don't need to. "Merrill, where do we need to go for the ritual?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill points to the pathway. "We will need to continue up here until we reach the cavern. After we pass through the cavern there will be a graveyard, and at the edge of the graveyard is an altar."

The group continues walking up the pathway and then a strange mist starts to form around their feet.

A clawed hand breaks through the ground, and five skeletons climb out of the earth to surround our heroes!

[Diachronos]

Rachel grips her staff, wishing more and more that she'd picked the fire staff back in town. "Does this usually happen?" She starts to conjure an earth elemental to aid them.

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill nods. "This is a resting ground for many elves who fell during the Tevinter occupation."

Anders attacks the spirits with his staff, while Auron slams his sword into a skeleton, smashing it into the ground. Merrill summons an armor plating of rock to surround herself. Razia clangs her sword against her shield to draw their attention.

The skeletons attack Razia!

Anders: [roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

Auron: [roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

Merrill: Casting stoneskin

Razia: Taunt - Nearby enemies will attack her for [roll8] rounds. Taunted enemies take a -2 penalty on attack and damage rolls.

Skeletons: [roll9]/[roll10]
[roll11]/[roll12]

[roll13]/[roll14]
[roll15]/[roll16]

[roll17]/[roll18]
[roll19]/[roll20]

[roll21]/[roll22]
[roll23]/[roll24]

[roll25]/[roll26]
[roll27]/[roll28]

[Diachronos]

Rachel directs her elemental to focus on the same skeleton that Auron is fighting, and launches an orb of acid at the one Anders is fighting.
Elemental: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Acid Splash: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]

[NeoSeraphi]

The elemental misses.

Anders and Auron attack again. Razia continues her taunting. Merrill fires a blast of rock at an enemy.

Anders: [roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

Merrill - Hand of the Apprentice: [roll8]/[roll9]
[roll10]/[roll11]

Skeletons:
[roll12]/[roll13]
[roll14]/[roll15]

[roll16]/[roll17]
[roll18]/[roll19]

[roll20]/[roll21]
[roll22]/[roll23]

[roll24]/[roll25]
[roll26]/[roll27]

[roll28]/[roll29]
[roll30]/[roll31]

[Diachronos]

Rachel and her elemental attack again.
Elemental: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Acid Splash: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]

[NeoSeraphi]

The elemental misses, again.

Two of the skeletons fall from Auron and Rachel's attacks.

The remaining enemies attack Razia again! Anders heals Razia, while Auron attacks. Merrill fires a blast of lightning that hits all three of them!

Merrill: Chain Lightning: [roll0] electricity damage to all enemies, DC 15 Ref save for half.

[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

Anders: Cure Moderate Wounds: [roll4] to Razia

Auron: [roll5]/[roll6]
[roll7]/[roll8]

Two of the three skeletons fall. Only one remains.

[Diachronos]

Rachel and the elemental focus on the last skeleton.
Elemental: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Acid Dart: [roll4]/[roll5]
Damage: [roll6]/[roll7]

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel kills the skeleton.

Merrill puts her staff away. "Are you alright?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods, and thanks the earth elemental as it disappears. She turns to Auron and Razia to see if they're injured.

[NeoSeraphi]

Razia is the only person the skeletons attacked, and thanks to Anders's spell she's just fine.

The group continues up the hill, where they find another hunter.

"(Elven) I see the Keeper finally found someone to get you away from here."

Merrill winces. "(Elven) ...Yes."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods. (Elven) "Don't worry, we'll keep Merrill safe."

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill's Affection increased.

Anders's Affection increased.

Merrill looks at her with surprise.

"(Elven) Well, good riddance." He walks past the group.

"What was going on there?" Auron asks in confusion.

"It's nothing. Just ignorance. We should go. Asha'bellanar does not like to be kept waiting."

[Diachronos]

Rachel continues on, heading for the cavern. (Elven) "Merrill, is there something going on here?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"(Elven) I seek to restore the lost traditions of our kind, and for that, I am shunned. That's why I must go to the human city with you."

[Diachronos]

(Elven) "What traditions are they upset about you wanting to bring back? They can't be that bad, can they?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"It is my method, not my goal, that is the cause of their offense. Please do not question me further on the subject."

Merrill doesn't seem short or angry, but sad and lonely.

They reach the cavern, and the group walks inside. There's a pair of gloves sitting near a pool of water, and a door near the back of the room.

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods, and doesn't press her any more.

When they get to the cavern, she curiously examines the water and gloves. "Is this the shrine where the ritual needs to be performed?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill shakes her head. "They must have been left here by a traveler."

Rachel senses magic power from the gloves.

[Diachronos]

Rachel picks up the gloves to examine them.
[roll0]

[NeoSeraphi]

The gloves are the Gloves of the Fallen.

Gloves of the Fallen
Grant the wearer a +2 armor bonus to AC when worn
Grant the wearer +2 Wis when worn.

If the wearer also equips the boots of the Fallen and the robe of the Fallen, there is an additional bonus.

[Diachronos]

Rachel slips the gloves on. "Merrill, is that door where we need to go?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The elf nods, but as they move towards the door a swarm of bats descend from the rafters.

The bats attack!

Distraction on Rachel: [roll0]

Rachel needs to make a DC 13 Fort save or be nauseated for the round.

[Diachronos]

Rachel shrieks and brings her hands up to cover her head from the bats.
[roll0]
She runs back toward the cavern entrance.

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron swings his sword at the bats, but there's too many of them for a single attack to do much. Razia raises her shield as they come down to attack her.

Merrill fires another bolt of lightning at the bats.

[roll0] plus 50%

The swarm disperses. Anders turns to Rachel. "Are you okay?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel straightens up and nods, touching the scratches on her cheeks from the bats' attack. "Yeah, just... just a little shaken up..."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders heals her with a spell and they move on to the next room.

[roll0]

In the next room, a group of zombies are guarding an exit to the outside. Merrill points to it as their next destination.

[Diachronos]

Rachel hesitates, before grasping the hairpin Oji had given her and launching a ball of fire at the zombies.
[roll0] fire damage, Reflex DC17 for half

[NeoSeraphi]

Everyone stares in shock as the six zombies all collapse.

"...How long have you been able to do that?" Auron asks.

[Diachronos]

"Since yesterday. One of the spirits that helped me in the Fade added the spell to my book."

[NeoSeraphi]

The group heads outside.

There's a large graveyard with the altar sitting at the back of it. But between the cavern and the altar is a thick white fog that is impassable. It feels like a wall. Rachel realizes that this fog is the Veil itself, a portal that blocks contact between this world and the Fade. How can they pass by this?

Merrill walks forward. "I can remove the barrier. One moment."

She draws a knife and slices her hand open. A red mist of blood swirls around her and she thrusts it forward. The Veil shatters, and the path forward is clear.

Merrill looks back at Rachel.

[Diachronos]

Rachel continues onward. "Are there more barriers like that ahead, Merrill?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron stops walking. "That's all you have to say? After what you saw Facia do, you're just going to brush off a display of blood magic like that? She's consorting with a demon!"

Merrill turns to him. "Yes, it was blood magic, but I know what I'm doing. The spirit helped us, didn't it?"

Anders shakes his head. "Sure, they're always helpful at the beginning, but then you have to pay the price..."

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. "Consorting with a spirit or not, it's her choice, and I'd rather not condemn her when I barely know her based on that one fact."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders's Rivalry increases.

Auron's Rivalry increases.

Razia's Rivalry increases.

Merrill nods. "Then, just place the amulet at the altar and I will begin the rite."

As they walk into the graveyard, however, Rachel remembers something. Wait, isn't there an undead who is attracted to mages consorting with demons?

As if to answer her inner thoughts, an arcane horror assembles itself out of the dirt on the ground and raises its claws. Three skeletons and three zombies raise from the graves to answer its call.

[Diachronos]

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me..." Rachel places the amulet on the altar before turning her attention to the horror.

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders pauses and waits for someone to need healing.

Razia taunts the skeletons into attacking her, but she can't harm them back while she's drawing their fire.

Auron charges into the horde of zombies, slashing everywhere he can as they attack him back.

The revenant grabs onto Merrill and starts to choke her as the elf flounders about in its grasp.

Razia taunts the enemies for [roll0] rounds.

The skeletons attack:
[roll1]/[roll2]
[roll3]/[roll4]

[roll5]/[roll6]
[roll7]/[roll8]

[roll9]/[roll10]
[roll11]/[roll12]

Auron attacks:
[roll13]/[roll14]
[roll15]/[roll16]

The zombies pile on Auron
[roll17]/[roll18]
[roll19]/[roll20]

[roll21]/[roll22]
[roll23]/[roll24]

[roll25]/[roll26]
[roll27]/[roll28]

Merrill is constricted
[roll29]

[Diachronos]

Rachel attacks the horror with her staff.
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

[NeoSeraphi]

The horror drops Merrill and comes after Rachel instead. "You dare interfere with my resurrection?" the creature asks.

[Diachronos]

"Resurrection? You're trying to kill her!"

[NeoSeraphi]

"I'm trying to resurrect myself, fool!" the wraith exclaims, attacking her.

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

Anders heals Auron, and Auron and Razia continue to attack.

Anders: [roll4]

Auron: [roll5]/[roll6]
[roll7]/[roll8]

Zombies: [roll9]/[roll10]
[roll11]/[roll12]

[roll13]/[roll14]
[roll15]/[roll16]

Razia's Taunt ends. Razia uses Warcry!

Razia gains +2 AC and DR/- for each nearby enemy (+6 and DR 6/-)

Skeletons: [roll17]/[roll18]
[roll19]/[roll20]

[roll21]/[roll22]
[roll23]/[roll24]

[roll25]/[roll26]
[roll27]/[roll28]

[Diachronos]

Rachel cries out in pain as the arcane horror claws her. She steps away and raises a defensive ward around herself.
Casting shield

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill blasts the undead servants to death with her lightning. Anders heals Rachel and Auron turns his gaze to the wraith.

[roll0]

[roll1] healing

[roll2]/[roll3]
[roll4]/[roll5]

[Diachronos]

With the others coming to her aid, Rachel summons a lantern archon to aid them.

[NeoSeraphi]

The horror retreats at the sign of the Celestial summoning. It whispers across the wind that it will soon be back.

The horror drops a small pouch!

[Diachronos]

After making sure the other undead have been dealt with, Rachel goes to check on Merrill. "Are you okay?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill gasps for breath and touches her throat. She lays down as Anders applies some healing to her. The elf manages to make a full recovery after that.

Merrill stands back up and walks over to the altar. "I'm alright. Wait here, while I complete the rite."

[Diachronos]

Rachel takes a seat while Merrill performs the ritual.

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill chants a few words and a purple mist surrounds the altar.

The amulet shatters, and a woman appears, stepping forward.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AUi8OoymHFk/maxresdefault.jpg

"Well, well. How very interesting. To see one of the Wildsgirls here, of all places. And that hairstyle! ...Tch. I can see Morrigan has been slacking off."

[Diachronos]

Rachel stares at the woman. "'Wildsgirls'? Morrigan? What are you talking about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"It is nice to meet you. I am Flemeth. I...am your grandmother, my dear," the witch says.

[Diachronos]

Rachel stares at the woman. That can't be right. She's hallucinating or something, isn't she?

[NeoSeraphi]

The woman nods. "There are some who call me that anyway. I have many names. The Witch of the Wilds. Asha'bellanar. 'An old hag who talks too much.' But for you, my dear, you may call me whatever you like. We are family, after all."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods slowly. This is a lot to take in. "Were you... were you expecting me, Grandmother?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"How interesting...so you accept your lineage easily? You are the most curious girl I've met in an age, that's for sure. As for whether I was expecting...well, it was not you, I admit. I was expecting the man who originally bore this amulet, but I suppose he had too much to do to finish his quest. Getting the amulet to the tribe will suffice for his debt, however. I am pleased with these results. You managed to bring back just a piece, but a piece was all I needed. No doubt Morrigan has had her fun already."

[Diachronos]

"A piece of what, though? And who is MOrrigan?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"A piece of myself. And Morrigan, she is my youngest daughter. A bit of a hot-head, going through a phase right now. They all try to kill me at some point, you see."

[Diachronos]

"All of them? Even..." Wait, Auron doesn't know that she knows her mother. She shakes her head. "It's... it's nice to meet you."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Yes, even her," Flemeth replies with a knowing smile. "And yet, though a war rages on beneath the ground you appear here of all places. Hurtled into the chaos, you fight. ...Is it fate, or chance? I can never decide. Regardless, it now falls to me to place my faith in you."

[Diachronos]

"...Wait, what? I don't understand what you mean."

[NeoSeraphi]

"You seem to ask a lot of questions without getting very specific, my dear. Why don't you just ask me exactly what it is you want to know?"

[Diachronos]

"Why do you need to place your faith in me? And what war are you talking about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Because I cannot directly intervene. One thing you learn if you live as long as I do, my dear, is that no matter how much power you gain, you are nothing before a horde of weaklings. As long as I do not use my magic on the world stage, the templars are content to leave me be, but if I reveal myself and confirm the legends, the entire Order will be pressured to invade my home. What am I to do then? Kill hundreds of men and women for reacting as humans always react to a perceived threat? No. I must intervene, but I must do so with care. That is why you Wildsgirls exist. You are the pawns I can move around my chessboard, and it would seem the time has come for me to promote you to a queen."

Flemeth nods as Rachel asks about the war. "Of course, you wouldn't know. Orzammar is in shambles right now, and the dwarves are at each others' throats."

[Diachronos]

Why do I get the feeling I'm being shoved into a role I'm not right for... Rachel stands up. "How long has this been happening in Orzammar?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"It's hard to say, but I imagine you'll be dealing with it soon enough."

Auron nods. "She's right. Any trek to the Deep Roads will inevitably take us near some part of the dwarven palace."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods. "Um...why do you want me to be the one to carry out you plans?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Well, because you're here, darling. I thought that part would be obvious, at least," Flemeth replies. "I am a great distance away from the Korcari Wilds, my daughters are not within reach. So this is convenient for me and a blessing for you. After all, you will be receiving my 'gifts'..."

Auron steps forward. "And what makes you think she's going to accept anything from an abomination like you?"

"'Abomination'? ...My, it's been a long time since I met a man brave enough to call me that to my face. I do like him, dear. You should keep him," she comments to Rachel. The comment leaves Auron caught off-guard and blushing, from both embarrassment and anger. Rachel can tell that no one has ever simply ignored his threats before.

"In any case, what I am is too old to have a word in your language, but trust me when I say there is no blood magic in what I do."

[Diachronos]

Rachel hesitates. Blood magic or not, she still has no idea what's being offered to her. "I'm not sure I want to accept something that I know nothing about..."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Of course. I offer you a chance to learn the magic of the wilds, dear. To become a true witch, as you were supposed to be. Master your skills and eventually, you will become as ageless as I, and you may even learn to do this!"

https://68.media.tumblr.com/32cd66de4f52438ec0ee2392b7a69a04/tumblr_inline_nyqxzfQBeR1s6hjob_1280.jpg

She transforms her body into that of a great red dragon. Auron swears and draws his sword, while Razia steps in front of Rachel with her shield raised.

Flemeth simply returns to her human form and smiles. "What do you think? Are you interested?"

Accepting Flemeth's power will change Rachel's class to druid from wizard, and swap all of her levels of wizard with levels of druid. She will retain her Erudite bonus of extra skill ranks and the Jack of All Trades effect, and I'll even add that Rachel specifically keeps all Knowledge skills as class skills from the get go. You would be able to completely remake her character, with full d8 HP, brand new feats, brand new skills, changed stats, and the Wild Shape effect to help you in combat. Additionally, with the spontaneous casting ability, you could continue being a summoner without preparing any summoning spells.

[Diachronos]

Rachel hesitates. This power could be more useful to her than what she's learned as a wizard... but how would others view her? Even if she didn't use it for any purpose other than helping others and defending herself, she'd likely still be seen as a threat that needs to be eliminated.

"...No. I'm sorry, but I'm not interested."

[NeoSeraphi]

The witch shrugs. "Disappointing, but not altogether unexpected. However, you should know that your mother has already accepted the path, as have her sisters. Your way will lead to acceptance among the humans, but among the Wilds, you would find a family if you follow my footsteps."

She turns and transforms again, flying off.

[Diachronos]

Once Flemeth leaves, Rachel turns back to Merrill. "Is... that everything we needed to do here?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron stares at the creature as she flies away. "Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just..."

"No. I will not hear that filthy Chant in my presence," Anders interrupts.

Razia places a hand on Rachel's shoulder. "Are you okay? Did she upset you?"

Merrill nods. "The task for asha'bellanar has been completed. If you would please escort me to Kirkwall, I will give you your reward."

Merrill has joined the party! Merrill is a destructive mage who specializes in area of effect DPS, and works well in a party where she will not be targeted (such as with Razia).

[Diachronos]

Rachel shakes her head. "No, she didn't. Let's get going, we should try to get back to Kirkwall before it gets dark."

[NeoSeraphi]

Anders remains at the Dalish encampment, but he will be available to join for any quests (including quests inside the city) whenever Rachel wants.

Merrill and Rachel return to Kirkwall together, while Auron and Razia return to the Hanged Man.

Merrill wanders around the alienage where Rachel fell the first time. She stares at the single tree, and all the hovels and slums. "Wow...do the elves really live here? This place seems so...big and lonely. Will you come to visit me? Not now, I mean, but when you have time?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods. "Yes. If I have time I'll come to visit."

[NeoSeraphi]

Merrill smiles and hands her a coin pouch, then heads inside to one of the houses.

Rachel obtains 1000 gp!

[Diachronos]

Rachel heads back to the Hanged Man to turn over the money Merrill had given her. With this, they're over halfway to having what they need for the expedition... maybe she'll be seeing her family again sooner than she thought.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel heads back to the Hanged Man and enters to find a woman being accosted at the bar by several men in armor.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xBRXfV2wH10/TZCe4n6Cp2I/AAAAAAAAFPs/PMVdlgHtggc/s1600/Isabela.png

"Alright Isabela, we're waiting for our cut."

"Well Lucky, I'll tell you what. Since the information you gave me was worth nothing...that's what I'll pay you."

One of the men reaches for her and she grabs his arm, tossing him over to the wall. She smacks her head backward to hit the face of the man hovering behind her, and draws a dagger to bring it to the speaking man's neck. "Get out."

The men gather together and run away, leaving the woman alone to drink.

[Diachronos]

Rachel hesitates before approaching the woman. "Are you alright?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The woman sits up and gives Rachel a lecherous glance over. "Nice to see a fresh face here. Careful though. You're nothing but tits and ass to every bloke in this pub."

[Diachronos]

Rachel blushes. "I can handle myself..."

[NeoSeraphi]

"So I see. Well, if you ever need someone else to 'handle' you, give me a call. I'm Isabela. Previously 'Captain' Isabela, but that's not worth much without a ship. Actually, maybe you could help me with a problem I'm having..."

[Diachronos]

Captain? As in a ship captain? "What problem would that be?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"I've got some people who are on my back about something. I challenged the head of the mercenaries who are looking for me, a guy named Hayden, to a duel to sort things out. But I don't trust him to play fair. I want you to come with me tonight, and watch my back."

[Diachronos]

This doesn't sound like a good idea... "What do you expect me to do? Help you fight him?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"What? No! That's the point of a duel, innit? It's honorable, it's between two people to settle their differences. I just want you to come along in case he ain't so honorable and he brings some friends. If he does, you take care of the grunts while I handle Hayden."

[Diachronos]

Rachel frowns. She doesn't want to hurt anyone, but at the same time... she doesn't want to just abandon someone who might be in danger. "...Alright."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Wotcher! Thanks, love, really. Meet me in Hightown tonight."

Night falls, and Rachel needs to gather her group together to go to Hightown. Who will she call?

[Diachronos]

Rachel decides to bring Merrill, Auron, and Varric along with her to the meeting place.

[NeoSeraphi]

The group heads to the meeting place to find Isabela waiting around. "I've been standing here for hours and he hasn't shown up yet. I don't like th- argh!"

A woman and a few people with her step out of the shadows and charge forward. They draw their swords to attack the enemy.

[Diachronos]

Rachel steps behind Auron and begins summoning elementals to assist them.
Summon Monster III to bring in [roll0] earth elementals

[NeoSeraphi]

Isabela draws her twin daggers, while Auron grabs his sword and Varric ducks behind a pillar.

"Odysseus, can you draw their attention over here? I might be able to trap them if you get them to group up."

[Diachronos]

"I'll try." She retreats back toward Varric's position and launches a blast of cold at one of the men. Meanwhile, her two elementals move to Isabella's sides to keep the enemy from surrounding her.
Hit: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron tries to attack one of the enemies, while Merrill gathers a bit of power from the earth to knock one of them back.

Isabela darts between the rock elementals and looks for an opening to deal with the larger woman.

Auron: [roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

Merrill: Combat maneuver: [roll4] vs CMD 20, if she succeeds she knocks the enemy back 10' and trips them.

Warriors attack elementals:

[roll5]/[roll6]
[roll7]/[roll8]

[roll9]/[roll10]
[roll11]/[roll12]

[roll13]/[roll14]
[roll15]/[roll16]

Miranda attacks Auron:

[roll17]/[roll18]
[roll19]/[roll20]

[Diachronos]

The men succeed in bringing down one of her elementals. The other one attacks, while Rachel tries to cripple one of the others with a spell.
Elemental: [roll0]/[roll1]
Damage: [roll2]/[roll3]

Rachel: casting limp lash on one of the other men attacking Isabela
Hit:[roll4]
Penalty to Str, Dex, and Con: [roll5]

[NeoSeraphi]

The man winces as the whip restrains him, and Isabela makes quick work of him.

Merrill manages to bring down the other man along with Rachel's summon.

Meanwhile, Auron and the tall woman are going head to head.

Auron: [roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

Miranda: [roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

Their attacks are so even they clash against one another, and neither gives an inch as their swords strike. The two of them glare into each other's eyes.

[Diachronos]

Rachel points at the ground below Miranda, conjuring a patch of slippery grease.
Grease!

[NeoSeraphi]

The large woman tries to stand straight. Reflex: [roll0]

[NeoSeraphi]

The woman is sturdier than she looks! She launches another assault at Auron. However, before her attack can land, Isabela steps up behind her. She whispers something in the woman's ear, then leaves both daggers stuck in her back.

Miranda collapses to the ground and Isabela draws her bloody swords back. "Tch. Scouts. Search the bodies, we'll find some info surely."

[Diachronos]

Rachel checks on Auron and the others to see if they're injured before helping to search the defeated men and women.

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron is not doing so well. Thankfully, the elemental took the rest of the hits, but Auron is quite injured.

[Diachronos]

Rachel tends to Auron's injuries with her magic.

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron nods to her gratefully and Rachel searches the bodies. She finds 50 gold, a few weapons and armor that she can sell for another 50 gold, and a note. The note describes the plan to ambush Isabela, and instructs Miranda to come inform Hayden what has happened after the job ends. Hayden is waiting for her in the Chantry.

[Diachronos]

Rachel shows the note to Isabela. "What should we do? Should we go and find him?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Isabela nods. The group heads to the Chantry.

"Isabela...to what do I owe the pleasure?" a man in armor with a shield asks as he steps into view.

"Should tell your men to burn their letters next time."

"Oh, very clever. Heh heh. So, where's the relic?"

"I...I lost it."

"Castillion's not going to like that. And he was so patient with you after you lost that shipful of cargo..."

"They weren't cargo, Hayden! They were people! Women and boys, who didn't need to spend a life in chains!"

"Well, you need to get that relic for us. In the meantime..."

[Diachronos]

Rachel steps forward. "What relic are you talking about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

The two of them look at her in annoyance.

"Whatever. Let's deal with this then."

Isabela draws a knife from her belt and throws it across the room. It hits one of Hayden's guards in the face and she drops to the ground in an instant. Hayden narrows his eyes and draws his sword.

[Diachronos]

Rachel lifts her staff, but she doesn't act just yet. There's no telling what's waiting to come after them in this fight, and she doesn't want to be caught off-guard.

[NeoSeraphi]

Three other soliders step into view and attack the group. Hayden slams his sword into his shield and points his weapon at Rachel.

Rachel is taunted for [roll0] rounds! She must remain within 30' of Hayden and must attack or cast spells that target Hayden (summoning doesn't count, since the creation itself has no target).

Isabela attacks Hayden: [roll1]/[roll2]
[roll3]/[roll4]

Auron attacks one of the enemies: [roll5]/[roll6]
[roll7]/[roll8]

Merrill casts stoneskin.

Varric tosses a flask of doom into the group. Every enemy must make a Will save or be shaken as the poison fills their nostrils.

Hayden: [roll9]
Soldier: [roll10]
Soldier: [roll11]
Soldier: [roll12]

[Diachronos]

Rachel gulps and creates a lash of necromantic power.
Limp lash: [roll0]
Penalty: [roll1]

[NeoSeraphi]

The soldiers attack Rachel!

[roll0]/[roll1]
[roll2]/[roll3]

[roll4]/[roll5]
[roll6]/[roll7]

[roll8]/[roll9]
[roll10]/[roll11]

Auron grabs his sword tighter when he sees the men attacking Rachel. He cuts one of them down with a fervor that she hasn't seen before. Rachel feels her heart beat a bit faster.

[roll12]/[roll13]
[roll14]/[roll15]

Merrill shoots a blast of lightning at Hayden, who continues his taunting stance. Isabela stabs him in the back.

Lightning Bolt: [roll16]
Ref Half: [roll17]

Isabela: [roll18]/[roll19]
[roll20]/[roll21]

[roll22]/[roll23]
[roll24]/[roll25]

[Diachronos]

Rachel attacks Hayden with her staff while holding onto the lash.
Hit: /[roll]1d20=7
Damage: [roll1]/[roll2]
Lash: [roll3]

[NeoSeraphi]

Isabela stabs Hayden again and the man puts his hands up. "Wait! Okay...fine. I surrender."

Isabela thinks for a moment, and then lowers her daggers. "Good enough. Call off your dogs and get out. Never show your face to me again."

The man makes a motion to his soldiers and they run out of the Chantry. Rachel feels her mind return to normal.

[Diachronos]

Rachel falls to one knee and heals her injuries.
[roll0]

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron walks over to her and places his hand on hers, lifting her to her feet.

Isabela smiles as she walks over. "You did well. I may not be able to get Castillion off my back quite yet, but at least Hayden won't be telling him that I lived."

[Diachronos]

Rachel stands up, holding onto Auron's arm. "What did he want, anyway? Why would they send so many people after you?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Castillion is the rat bastard that impounded my ship. I was transporting a relic for him and...I lost it."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods. "And what was the relic you were transporting?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Isabela shrugs. "I don't know. It was in a locked box. The locked box of the variety designed to keep those with very inquisitive minds out."

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. So much for knowing whether they need to go after the relic... "Hopefully this will at least buy you some time."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Indeed. I'd like to find the relic and return it for my ship. Perhaps I can convince you to assist me in that search?"

[Diachronos]

"Well..." She looks at her companions for their take on the situation.

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron looks uneasy about working with a smuggler. Varric seems rather amused. Merrill is examining Isabela's lewd outfit curiously.

[Diachronos]

Rachel shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but we'll have to decline. We have our own problems that need to be taken care of."

[NeoSeraphi]

The pirate captain shrugs. "Can't be helped then. I'll see you again sometime, maybe. For now, take this. It's thanks for helping me out."

Rachel receives 500 gp and a rune of magical might.

Rune of magical might - can only enchant a staff. +2 on damage rolls, +2/4 levels. (Max +12 at level 20)

[Diachronos]

Rachel accepts the gold and rune. "I hope things work out for you, Isabela."

[NeoSeraphi]

She nods. "So then, you're a mage aintcha?"

Well, Isabela seems to be living on the wrong side of the law herself. It might not be so bad to be honest here.

[Diachronos]

"...Yes, I am."

[NeoSeraphi]

Isabela scoffs. "Right. An 'apostate' or something, right? Bollocks. You shouldn't let a bunch of people you've never met make you feel bad about yourself when you haven't done anything wrong. I have a knife, and I've definitely killed more men than you. Not all of them deserved it, either. Point is, you don't need magic to be a bad person. You're just you, and no one should lock you up before you even have the chance to decide for yourself what kind of person you'll be."

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. "I agree, but just thinking that isn't going to change peoples' minds."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Then show em. Show em that the magic is yours. You control it, it doesn't control you."

[Diachronos]

"I haven't let it control me yet, and I won't ever let that happen."

[NeoSeraphi]

The group returns to the Hanged Man.

Razia sits down with Rachel. The two of them have a rare moment alone. Razia looks over at the pirate. "Merrill and Isabela are both quite different from you. Are they...your friends?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel shrugs. "I barely know them."

[NeoSeraphi]

Later that night, Rachel is getting ready for bed. She's already donned her nightwear and sleep graces her eyelids when she hears a knock on the door.

Rachel opens the door.

The knight is standing in front of her, looking a bit conflicted. "Rachel...I...can I come in?"

Rachel nods and steps back to let him in. "Is something wrong, Auron?"

Auron walks inside and he tries to fight back tears as he sits down. "I sent Mother a letter when we first arrived to let her know I was alright and I finally got a reply. ...Mother...First Enchanted Scarlet, for harboring a student who destroyed the circle and the phylacteries, the First Enchanter has been made Tranquil!"

"What?!" Rachel sits down beside him and takes his hand. "But...but she wouldn't have defended Facia or helped her escape, would she? How can they punish her for something she wasn't involved in?"

Auron clenches his fist. "Because the true culprit fled and they needed someone to blame...my mother was a convenient scapegoat. The Order sacrificed her. ...Even after what my father did, Mother firmly believed in the Circle as a healthy and safe environment for mages. And the templars took away her smile..."

Rachel squeezes his hand. "I'm sorry, Auron..." She doesn't know what else to say. What can she say?


A voice echoes in her mind. "I am thou...thou art I...thou must stand tall and choose thy fate for thyself."

Rachel closes her eyes and recalls things that her friends have said to her all along their journey.

"Hurtled into the chaos, you fight...is it fate, or chance? I can never decide."

"The reason we're here is so that we can hide. Even if you're a freak, if you're surrounded by other freaks all day you feel normal."

"Even after what my father did, Mother firmly believed in the Circle as a healthy and safe environment for mages."

"Sir Auron works hard to keep everyone safe, you know."

"But captain, she is a blood mage! The will of the Maker -"

"My honor is more important than my faith!"

"You don't need magic to be a bad person...So then show em. Show em that the magic is yours. That you control it, and it doesn't control you."

Rachel feels her fist clench. The time for running away is over. She didn't choose this path, but now that she's on it she has to forge ahead herself. No longer can she hide behind her bangs and wish for someone else to do the hard work. She has to make a decision, and she will change the world.

Before she told Auron that he could change the Order for the better. But now an innocent mage has been stripped of her power and her soul, permanently. For nothing. Does she still hold these beliefs true? She may contradict herself here, but life is full of contradictions. Or, she may stand firm in her previous belief.

She can insist that the Circle of Magi is the only way mages can be safe. Her father's wife was killed by a seven-year-old girl who couldn't control her powers. It's simply too dangerous to be left up to the parents.

She could claim that mages must find a way forward on their own. Her mother's coven seems to be functioning just fine, and if there were any demons in that forest, she couldn't sense them.

Or she could claim that the Order itself needs to be challenged. Facia was driven to destroy the school itself...a woman who seemed happy and loving driven to blood magic and secret pacts because she wished to be free. As long as the templars exist, mages will be oppressed. This world was forged by a bloody war, and it can only be made better by a bloody war. Rachel is not one to wish violence on anyone, but she does not want her little brother to end up the same way that Auron's mother did.

[Diachronos]

"...This has to stop." She looks up at him. "Maybe the Circle is keeping mages from abusing their power, but who's stopping the Order and the Chantry from abusing theirs? Who's going to step in and prevent them from killing mages or turning them Tranquil just so they have someone to blame or just because they feel like it? We're living in a cage, waking up every morning and wondering if today is the day that they decide we're not a useful tool to them anymore... it's no wonder people choose to become apostates if this is the alternative!"

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron looks surprised at her. "Stop? ...Wait, you mean...you would stand against the will of the Maker?"

[Diachronos]

"That depends. Do you consider someone being sentenced for another's crimes to be the Maker's will? Is it the Maker's will for people to be locked up and treated like animals simply because of a trait they were born with?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron winces. "Well no...no of course not, but-"

[Diachronos]

"But what?" She sighs. "I don't want it to come to violence, I really don't. But somebody has to stand up for the innocent mages of the world. They shouldn't be treated like criminals just because a handful of other mages committed horrible acts."

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron's Rivalry greatly increases.

"...Alright fine. If that's the path we will take, then that's the path we will take."

Auron's Friendship has become a Rivalry.

Auron's Romance has become a Rivalry Romance.

Auron's team benefit has switched to his Rivalry benefit.

"I need to go see my mother when we get back to Ferelden. After I do that, then I will march wherever you ask me to. If you are going against the templars, you need me. And besides...without your magic I'll just succumb to withdrawal anyway."

[Diachronos]

Rachel shakes her head. "No. I'm not going to make you fight against the Order."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Well, I'm not going to let you die fighting the Order without me," Auron replies.

[Diachronos]

"What difference does it make if I live or die?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"I already lost both my parents! I'm not going to lose you too!" Auron yells angrily.

[Diachronos]

Rachel stares at him. Why is he upset at the thought of losing her? This isn't rage over losing the one thing keeping him alive, either...

[NeoSeraphi]

Auron sighs. "...Forget it. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not." He stands up and walks out angrily.

[Diachronos]

Rachel lies down and tries to sleep. Something tells her that the days ahead are going to be nothing but painful.

[NeoSeraphi]

Rachel rises in the morning and Varric is waiting for her downstairs. "Can we talk?"

[Diachronos]

"Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"It's about Flemeth. Apparently she said something about...a war going on down in Orzammar? And you didn't tell me?"

Oh, right. Varric likely has a lot of family members still living underground.

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. "Yes. Sorry, I've just had a lot to worry about lately and it slipped my mind..."

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric shakes his head. "It's fine, but I've got a bit more information on the matter. It seems that the king of Orzammar passed away with no direct heir. Now the different castes of the dwarves are fighting to install a new king at the throne. And when I say 'fighting', I mean it literally."

[Diachronos]

Rachel nods slowly. "...how likely do you think it is that the war will end soon?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric shakes his head. "You're talking about the greed of dwarves. And there's no ruler to stop them from killing each other. Plenty of these men, I suspect, are taking the opportunity to air old grievances and grudges they've been nursing for years against each other. Unless someone goes in and stops them, this could persist for a decade."

So this was what Flemeth wanted her to do?

[Diachronos]

"That's the last thing the world needs right now..."

Why her? Why does Flemeth think that she's the one who can put an end to this? What makes her so special that she can do what mages with years, decades more experience than she has can't do?

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric folds his hands. "I agree. That's why we need to hurry up and finish this expedition so we can get to Orzammar as quickly as possible. Now, I've been following up on the lead Auron gave me and I've secured a big paying job for us."

A lead Auron gave him? Rachel doesn't know anything about this.

[Diachronos]

Rachel blinks. "What lead? He didn't mention anything about that to me..."

[NeoSeraphi]

"There's a noblewoman who has asked for Auron's aid in a certain matter...it seems she's willing to pay quite heavily for his assistance."

[Diachronos]

"What exactly does she want us to do, though?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Er...well, the Knight-Commander asked me not to tell you. He's already left."

[Diachronos]

Rachel sighs. "Can you at least tell me who the noblewoman is?"

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric nods. "Her name is Anika L'estat."

[Diachronos]

Her eyes widen. Anika, the same girl who'd tried to get Lance to kill her and who Auron had detained because of that incident. "Varric, where is Auron now?"

[NeoSeraphi]

"Probably at the L'estat's summer estate in Hightown. Why?"

[Diachronos]

"I think Auron might be in trouble." She gets up to leave.

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric stands up to go with her.

When the two of them arrive in Hightown, they find a large squad of templars walking around.

"Search the area. The girl with the long bangs...she's the renegade apostate!"

[Diachronos]

Rachel squeaks and ducks into an alley. Why are the templars looking for her?!

She reaches up to try fixing her hair. Maybe her mismatched eyes will cause her trouble, but at least she won't match the description of the person they're looking for.

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric looks surprised at her appearance. "Are you hiding something from me?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel looks at him as she pins her bangs up out of her face, allowing him to see both of her eyes. "They're looking for someone with long bangs, if I don't change this they're going to spot me for sure."

[NeoSeraphi]

"Well, sure. But if the templars are looking for you maybe it's about time we skip town completely, right? We can wait outside for Auron to come with the rest of the money and head right into the Deep Roads."

[Diachronos]

"I..." She looks at the street. What if Auron doesn't come back?

"...Right. Let's get out of here and find a place to lie low."

[NeoSeraphi]

The group escapes into the back alleys and retreats. They hide out on the outskirts of Kirkwall, but when night falls, no one has come to meet them.

[Diachronos]

Rachel paces back and forth while they wait. Where is he? What job could he be doing that's taking him this long?

She looks at Varric. "I don't like this. He should've been back by now."

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric frowns. "Listen, Rachel...when Auron came to my room last night, he...we sat down and we had a talk. A real talk. I know the deal with the two of you, and I know what's really going on here. You're not his wife. You've only known him a month or so. If he's got a plan, what are you so worried about? Do you really care about him that much that you're actually worried?"

[Diachronos]

Rachel winces. Should've known that the secret would get out eventually... "I'm worried because Anika L'estat has reasons to hold a grudge against Auron, and because all of the evidence that was found regarding his mother's attempted assassination point toward the L'estat family being involved. I just can't shake the feeling that this 'job' she offered him was a setup."

[NeoSeraphi]

Varric crosses his arms. "If that's the case he's probably already either dead or escaped. But he knew L'estat was the one who called him, so he knew he would be walking into a trap, same as you."

Why would he agree to...oh. Because of last night...