You wake up in Thedas and find yourself obliged to adapt to your new reality. Thankfully, you find a motley crew of companions who pledge their loyalty to you after you discover their ties with the Venatori mage who summoned you to this world. But a darker and more sinister plot exists behind your summoning…
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 1
You wake to the sound of rustling leaves and the hoot of an owl. You slowly open your eyes, and realise you are staring up at a starlit sky and the peak of large trees. You are in a forest, which one, you do not know. Neither do you know how you got here, but a gust of wind and the sound of scurrying lets you know you are not alone.
You take a slow inhale of air in attempt to quell your quickening heart. “How long have I been lying here, prey for whoever and whatever might be hunting tonight?” you wonder.
You stand, gathering your bearings, and realise you are standing at a junction of three paths leading off further into the forest. They do not branch off too far, for you can see what lies at the end of each one.
At the end of one path stands a great Eluvian, shimmering with coruscating colours, and humming as though beckoning you to enter it.
The end of another path leads to a great archway through which stairs lead down into the Deep Roads, sombre and eerie, yet enticingly intriguing.
And the last path opens up to a village where the light from a tavern shines brightly against the dim night and an open window carries over the sounds of raucous laughter.
Which path do you take?
Part 2
You are hyper-aware of the fact that if you do not move from where you are now soon, you will become fodder for any forest predators. Thus, you begin down the path towards the Eluvian. You are also very self-conscious of the fact that you are scantily clad in your everyday pyjamas, and that if you do not find shelter or gear soon, you won’t last very long in Thedas.
At least you assume this is where you are, judging by the Eluvian shimmering before you.
You chance a glance behind your shoulder, already questioning whether or not you have chosen the correct path, but an all too frightening growl coming from the trees beyond urges you to continue.
‘If this is a dream,’ you mutter to yourself, ‘I’m going to explore everything it has to offer me.’
With a hand in front of you to test out the scintillating portal before you, you step through beyond the Eluvian. You immediately scan your surroundings. You are in a long corridor surrounded by elven trees; heavy fog hugs the ground. The path leads forward to an elven archway.
Your eyes fall on an ornate amulet a few feet away from you. Your gamer senses tingle, propelling you towards the amulet. As you pick it up, you notice a purple gem in its centre. The amulet is light in weight, and you instinctively feel as though you know how to use it.
You push down on the gem, it depresses slightly into its golden casing and a surge of purple lightning snakes across the ground. You grin and say to yourself in a low voice, ‘This’ll come in handy.’
Chuckling, you rise and place the amulet around your neck. At least now you have that.
You begin your trek towards the archway but before you can get very far, elven spirits, translucent and purple, emerge from beyond the elven trees and approach you, weapons drawn. They stop but mere inches away from you. You are surrounded.
You…
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
Part 3
Remembering the words the Inquisitor spoke in the game, you utter in a clear voice, ‘Ar melana dirthavaren, revas vir anaris.’
A moment passes. You hold your breath.
Finally, the elven spirits look at each other, then turn back to you, nod in acknowledgement, and step aside for you to pass through. You nod back to them in thanks and continue trudging forward along the path.
You’ve barely passed under the archway and into the next chamber when an arrow hits the wall beside you. You whip your head to find a petite elven woman staring at you, her bow trained on you with an arrow nocked, ready to be set loose.
She is clad in tight leathers and her fiery hair cascades down her shoulders and back. Her large elven eyes seem to glow as they narrow at you, their bright colour emphasising the freckles on her face.
‘Not another step,’ she demands. Her accent is that of a Free Marcher. She sizes you up and down with her eyes, and her lips curl into a side grin. ‘Judging by your attire, I reckon you’re not of our world and have just come from the summoning circle.’
‘Summoning circle!’ you exclaim.
She cocks her head to the side. ‘Do you not know you were summoned?’ She levels her bow and tightens her grip on it. ‘Or is that your ploy to get my guard down, Otherworlder.’
You mouth the name she just gave you, ‘Otherworlder,’ still unable to believe that this is anything other than a dream.
The elven woman takes a step towards you and you instinctively back away but realise you cannot; you are pinned against the wall.
‘What do the Venatori want with you? Why have they summoned you?’ the elf demands.
You gape at her, unsure how to answer her, but you do your best to diffuse the situation all the same. So you…
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
- Diplomacy: 1
- Strength: 0
- Cunning: 0
Part 4
You tell her a bit what your world is like and how it functions without magic. You also do your best to describe what Dragon Age is to you, mentioning the books and likening it all to an interactive story where players on a stage perform the scenes you have chosen.
‘Oh, I get it. That might explain how you would know so much about what one person is plotting that another might want to know, or why the Venatori might want to exploit your knowledge.’
You wait as she ponders this for another few moments. ‘All right, say I believe you.’ The elf takes a step back and lowers her bow. ‘Can I trust you not to attack me?’
You nod vigorously. She seems satisfied with that and she hefts her bow onto her back.
‘What about you?’ you ask. ‘Who are you? Do you know why I’ve been summoned?’
‘Name’s Halani. I’m a Friend of Red Jenny.’ She cocks her head to the side. ‘When I arrived, I heard a Venatori mage mumbling to himself about blood magic and seeing into other worlds. Something about summoning one who could tip the scale.’ She points to you. ‘I’m guessing that’s you.’
You shake your head in disbelief and mutter, ‘Why is it always a Venatori mage?’
‘Beats me’ Halani shrugs. ‘I guess they’re getting desperate if they think you can tip the scales. Then again, you know things those of us in Thedas don’t. What was it he called it? Ah, yes, a window into our realm, the one with dangerous knowledge.’
Halani leans on one foot and crosses her arms. ‘It appears this mage believes he can truly exploit you. But, uh,’ she grimaces, ‘you’re not going to survive very long in our world dressed like that. Come.’
She beckons you to follow.
‘And where are we going?’
‘I found some gear that might fit you.’ She turns to you and sizes you up and down again. ‘Yeah, I think it’ll be an all-right fit.’
She leads you to a side room where several chests lie open. She rummages through one and produces a few pieces of basic gear.
‘It isn’t much, but it’s much better than what you’ve got now.’
The chest also has some basic Thedosian clothes that you easily slip into. Halani helps you with the straps of the basic armour, some parts leather, and some parts of a metal you can only guess is veridium, judging by its colour. The ensemble matches, with the leathers being of a dark green hue, and you feel like you’ve donned an authentic costume.
Once you’ve got it all on, Halani grins. ‘Not bad. Now you look just like one of us.’ She winks at you and bends over another chest. She hands you a dagger. You take the dagger in its scabbard and tie it around your belt. Then, you unsheathe the dagger and test it out a bit.
Noticing a gem at the bottom of the hilt, you press on it while asking, ‘What does this do?’ The dagger suddenly extends into a sword.
‘Watch it, you’ll kill someone with that. Quite literally.’
‘Sorry.’ You smile sheepishly. You press the gem again and the sword retracts into a dagger again. You sheathe it.
‘Let me guess,’ Halani sighs, crossing her arms, ‘you don’t have swords in your world?’ You shake your head.
‘All right, well, here.’ She hands you a short bow and quiver from another chest. ‘This is similar to what I’ve got. The runes in that quiver make it so you have infinite arrows.’
You chuckle. ‘Of course.’
Halani beckons you again. ‘Now, if we want answers, we need to go back to the source.’
‘The summoning circle,’ you conclude.
Halani turns to you. ‘The mage who summoned you disappeared before I could follow him after he surmised that his ritual failed. I reckon your arrival was delayed. But he’s going to return at some point. If we want answers, we’ll get them from him.’
‘Yeah but,’ you point towards the Eluvian at the far end of the corridor, ‘Venatori mage,’ you point at yourself, ‘human from a world without magic.’
Halani takes a step towards you and lowers her voice. ‘Better Venatori mage than whoever might be beyond that way.’ She jerks her head in the opposite direction as she says it. ‘If he who controls these Eluvians learns of your existence in our realm, what do you think he’s going to do with you? Do you really think you could survive an encounter with him?’
You grin to yourself, certain you could manage such an encounter, however slim your chances may be, but Halani merely grabs your arm and pulls you along towards the Eluvian.
‘If you want to remain trapped within these crossroads, be my guest, but I’m getting out of here.’
You sigh, conceding, and follow Halani out of the Eluvian and back to the summoning circle where two new figures stand arguing.
You’re just a few paces away, they have not noticed you yet. You and Halani look at each other and an unspoken understanding passes between you. You…
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
- You have met Halani and gained her as a companion. You have acquired basic gear and a dagger-sword.
- You’ve also acquired a short bow with a quiver with infinite arrows.
- Diplomacy: 2
- Strength: 0
- Cunning: 0
Part 5
You and Halani crouch in the underbrush as you watch the argument unfold. Two men are having a dispute, one of them a dwarf. They stand facing each other, no more than half an arm’s length away from each other.
The dwarf is clad in shiny armour that contours his large muscles and opens enough at the collar to show a pendant with a symbol you believe is Carta. His primly trimmed facial hair accentuates his square jaw and dark eyes, his brown hair just a tint darker than his skin.
The human in comparison wears tight charcoal leathers that accentuate his leaner muscles and opens in a large V, exposing much of his chest, upon which you see a tattoo that matches his accent – the familiar mask of the Antivan Crows. Shoulder-length black hair is tied back, a hood that is part of the outfit falls neatly at his back, and even as he stands there, he looks poised and graceful.
‘For the last time, do I look like a sodding mage to you?’ the dwarf complains.
The human shrugs. ‘I don’t know, perhaps the Venatori are getting desperate and have decided to recruit a member of the Carta.’
‘Ex-Carta!’ the dwarf replies pointedly, rolling his eyes.
‘And is that why you still wear their symbol around your neck?’ The assassin crosses his arms.
‘It’s a key,’ the dwarf explains, ‘it opens up doors and chests. And I’m not getting rid of it.’
‘All right.’ The man places a hand on his clean-shaven chin. ‘At least I know I’m not working with the mage.’
‘And neither am I. I was looking for him just like you were,’ the dwarf says, pointing at the man.
‘Of course, I was looking for him! The minute I realised there was something suspicious going on, I tried to follow him before he disappeared using his magic. For I am Silverio, master thief and assassin of house Balazar, the 2nd greatest house of the Antivan Crows…’
You and Halani exchange a dubious look, and you mouth, ‘Full of it.’
Halani raises her brows and nods her agreement.
‘…who wields daggers and rings made of pure Silverite.’
‘Yeah, yeah.’ The dwarf yawns, disinterested.
‘And perhaps now,’ Silverio goes on, turning slightly and putting his arms out in front of him, ‘our audience of two can come out and join us?’
His arms are in an X, fists closed, parallel with the ground. You and Halani stare at each other, holding your breaths.
‘And I should warn you, before you go trying any sudden moves, that I have poison darts aimed right at both of you.’ Silverio takes a beat. ‘Slowly stand and walk out of the bushes.’
Reluctantly, you and Halani raise your arms in surrender and step out of your hiding place and into the small clearing that is a summoning circle from which the three paths originate.
‘How did you know?’ you ask.
Silverio grins widely. ‘I wouldn’t be a master thief and assassin if I didn’t know when I was being watched or followed, now, would I?’
‘Right.’
‘Although, I was not expecting my audience to be so…appealing to the eyes.’ He winks, and you and Halani exchange a glance, unsure which one of you he’s referring to.
‘I’m Barden, by the way, ex-Carta member.’ Barden places a hand on his chest and bows politely.
‘Ex-Carta?’ asks Halani.
‘I got kicked out for helping the Viscount of Kirkwall, in other words for helping the Inquisition,’ explains Barden.
‘And I am Silverio.’ In a quick and suave motion, he flicks his wrists and something retreats into his sleeves. ‘Of course, you heard all about that. It is a pleasure to meet you, Otherworlder.’ He winks at you.
‘How do you know if this is the Otherworlder?’ demands Halani.
‘First off, if you were that mage, you would not be hiding,’ begins Silverio. ‘And secondly, no offence, friend, but your stance is a bit awkward and the way you hold yourself is a dead giveaway that you are not of our world.’ Silverio tilts his head up to look at Halani. ‘And you are?’
‘Halani, a Friend of Red Jenny.’
‘Splendid, si!’ Silverio seems pleased as he clasps his hands together.
‘Were you looking for me, then?’ you ask, looking from Barden to Silverio.
‘Looking for answers,’ replies Barden.
‘What were you doing before you came upon the mage?’ Halani asks.
‘Well, I was on my way to a hidden Carta cache when I heard the mage mumble about his failed ritual and needing the Otherworlder to help tip the scale,’ explains Barden.
‘And I was killing time while waiting for the ship I am to board to take me to my next destination for a job I’ve been hired to do,’ explains Silverio. A shadow passes on his face before it quickly vanishes, replaced by his wide smile.
Both Barden and Silverio look at Halani expectantly.
‘I was hunting,’ Halani says quickly.
‘Well, the mage ain’t back there,’ Barden points a thumb behind him, to the path that leads to the Deep Roads. ‘Just came from there.’
‘And he isn’t in the village either,’ Silverio confirms. ‘Though I must say, the people were getting rather agitated, I’m not sure what else might be going on. Thankfully, come morning, I won’t be sticking around to find out.’ Silverio folds his arms.
‘Where are we, exactly?’ you ask cautiously.
‘Salle.’ Silverio cocks an eyebrow, studying you. ‘You do know your Antivan cities, I hope?’
‘More or less, yes.’
‘Excellente!’
‘Well then, now that just leaves you, Otherworlder.’ Barden walks closer to you and looks at you scrupulously. ‘Who are you and why would this Venatori summon you?’
Sighing, you explain briefly who you are. ‘I was in my bed before I awoke in Thedas.’
Halani helps you out by letting them know what Thedas is to you, relating your story in an abbreviated version of what you told her. The two men nod and acknowledge as you both explain.
‘Then you are probably going to need our help, hm?’ Silverio smiles, inclining his head to the side.
‘You would join me and help me while I am in your world?’ you ask, trying not to let your excitement show.
Silverio’s face grows serious. ‘Si.’
‘I have nothing better to do at the moment, I don’t see why not.’ Barden shrugs. ‘Could be fun.’
You look at Halani.
‘I’ve helped you this far, haven’t I?’ She gives you a warm smile.
‘And in case you need more persuading,’ begins Silverio, unfolding his hand towards you, ‘there are many dangers here in Thedas you might not know how to deal with, whereas I,’ his voice becomes silvery, ‘am a master thief and assassin. I’ll keep you alive.’ He winks, sidling up between you and Halani.
‘You really are full of yourself, aren’t you?’ Halani sighs.
‘Yes, and most others wish to also be full of me.’ Silverio waggles his eyebrows and you can’t help but laugh, a long good-natured laugh. As the others stare at you, bewildered looks upon their faces, you are prompted to laugh even more.
You sigh, feeling content for the first time since you arrived in Thedas. ‘I have a feeling we’re going to become good friends.’
‘I certainly can’t wait to become…better acquainted with you.’ Silverio looks from you to Halani, to Barden. ‘All of you.’
Barden tisks, crossing his arms and shaking his head. ‘A master thief and assassin, you may be, a master flirt, you are not.’
You find yourself grinning with all of them when Silverio’s expression suddenly changes and he pulls out his intricate daggers.
‘Well, isn’t this a lovely scene,’ a sinister voice speaks as a hooded man clad in Venatori garb emerges from the trees. Your companions tense up.
The air suddenly feels heavy around you, and your stomach twists at the sneer on his lips. The mage holds a large stone in his hands, a stone that pulses with faint light, and you just know that somehow, it has to do with you.
‘I am pleased to see my ritual has indeed resulted in your appearance in our realm, Otherworlder. Now,’ the Venatori mage pounds his staff down on the ground, ‘I will state this once and once only. Come with me and live, or resist and die.’
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
- You have met Halani and gained her as a companion. You have acquired basic gear and a dagger-sword. You’ve also acquired a short bow with a quiver with infinite arrows.
- You have met Barden and Silverio and have gained them as companions.
- Diplomacy: 2
- Strength: 0
- Cunning: 1
Part 6
You take a beat and glare at the mage. Beside you, Barden’s face hardens.
Halani whispers to you, her voice so low you can barely hear her. ‘He needs you alive.’ She nods imperceptibly, and her expression fills you with reassurance.
You unsheathe your dagger-sword and take a defensive stance. Taking that as their cue, your new friends come to stand beside you. Silverio alters his stance to stand protectively at your side and a little in front, Halani aims her bow at the mage, nocking an arrow and pulling the string, and Barden heaves his double-edged axe from his back and holds it to block any incoming attack that might be aimed at you.
Your eyes meet the Venatori’s. ‘No.’
He snarls viciously at you and lifts his staff as the ground beneath you quakes and pellets of ice stab down from above.
Barden swings his axe and blocks one with it, Silverio slashes two more, and Halani shoots an arrow at another, all while you swing your dagger to the best of your capabilities. Distracted by the ice shards falling on you, neither of you notices the increase in heat before a wave of fire sends you all to the ground like an explosion, smouldering you with pain.
You roll away from the fire on the ground and press on the amulet. Its levin surges from around your neck towards your summoner who pounds his staff onto the ground. It catches the lightning and sends it back towards you and all the others.
You grit your teeth at the cold-hot sensation that stings you before it finally subsides. Breathing heavily, you slowly get back to your feet, feeling a little unstable. You glance at your companions who look just as shaken but quickly regain composure and train their weapons on the mage.
The Venatori mage laughs hideously at you. ‘You think you stand a chance against me, Otherworlder?’
‘Perhaps not alone but with me, yes.’ Silverio glares daggers at the mage, his jaw clenched.
‘Silverio, when will you stop this petty trip of vengeance and just get over it already.’
Silverio grips his daggers even more tightly and his knuckles go white, his visage a stark contrast to before.
You turn to him, more out of concern than anything else. ‘Silverio?’
‘Get over it?’ Silverio seethes. ‘You want me to get…over…it!?’ Silverio is so angry that he’s shaking. He points a dagger in the mage’s direction and shouts, his voice hoarse. ‘You will die for what you’ve done, Caius!’
‘Silverio!’ you exclaim in alarm, sympathy in your voice. ‘What did he do?’
Silverio heaves a sigh and turns his head to you. ‘I have a confession to make,’ he says, his voice low. ‘This mage, Caius… I’ve known of your potential arrival in our realm for some time, Otherworlder. When Caius first began to experiment trying to bring you over into our world, he…’ Silverio closes his eyes, a pained look on his face. ‘His first sacrifice was my sister.’
You gasp, horrified.
‘He killed her and used her blood to attempt to bring you over into our world.’ Silverio hangs his head and mutters in barely a whisper. ‘She was the first of many such sacrifices.’ Silverio looks you in the eyes, his gaze so intense it moves you. ‘I will not let her death be in vain. I may not have been able to save her, but now that you are here, I will protect you… For her.’
Tears sting your eyes, overwhelmed with the emotions that emanate from Silverio, shocked at his change in demeanour yet grateful for his promise to you.
‘I won’t let her death be in vain either,’ you assert.
‘Thank you,’ Silverio whispers. ‘Truly.’
‘If you’re done lamenting,’ Caius sneers, ‘how about-’
‘How about you just shut the fuck up!’ shouts Barden, disdain in his voice.
Caius rolls his eyes at him. ‘Not you too, Barden.’
‘What, you know him also?’ you ask.
Barden squares his shoulders. ‘Business deal gone south. Never trust a Venatori mage, my new friend, they will always screw you over.’ He twirls his axe menacingly, grunting. ‘And when I say “screw you over,” I mean, set an entire village on fire just to try to kill you in your sleep to steal the merchandise you went to great pains to acquire for them without having to pay you in the end.’ He breathes in deeply after having blurted all that in one breath.
‘Bitterness isn’t becoming of you, Barden.’
Barden crinkles his nose at Caius. ‘Innocent people died, Caius. Bitter is not the word I’d use to describe how I feel about it.’
Caius looks more and more disgruntled. He extends his hand and motions his fingers in a beckoning way. ‘Now, you, I am surprised to see with the Otherworlder, Halani.’
‘What? Do all of you know him and omitted to tell me!?’ you exclaim.
‘Sorry.’ Barden gives you a sheepish look.
‘I’m just surprised, that’s all.’
‘Oh, they lied to you,’ Caius coos. ‘Didn’t you, Halani.’
Halani pulls the string of her bow back, ready to set the arrow loose.
‘Come back to your rightful master and you don’t have to get hurt with the others.’
‘I am no longer your slave, Caius!’ Halani bites back. ‘The Red Jennies saved me. I won’t let their efforts go to waste.’
‘You see who you’re surrounded with, Otherworlder?’
‘Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do!’ You take a step forward, leaning on your front foot. ‘I see three people who have already shown me more loyalty than I could ask for, ready to fight you just to protect me. I think I know who my true friends in this realm are, thank you very much.’
‘That’s right,’ says Barden, stepping to your side. ‘I stand with the Otherworlder.’
‘I and the Red Jennies also stand with the Otherworlder,’ declares Halani.
‘And I have already vowed to protect the Otherworlder with my life,’ proclaims Silverio.
‘Oh, you are so difficult, you know that!’ Caius sighs dramatically.
‘Maybe, but soon you’ll be dead,’ you declare.
Caius laughs loudly again. ‘Destroying me won’t change anything now. Now that my ritual is complete, anyone can summon you with this stone.’
You feel emboldened by the conviction in your friends’ voices and meet Caius’s glare with one of your own. ‘Then we will destroy the stone!’
Caius laughs sinisterly. ‘Try it if you like, but your soul is now bound to this stone! Destroy it…and you die!’
‘He could be bluffing,’ Barden offers in a whisper.
Caius’s smirk becomes dangerous, as you observe the faint pulsing that continues along the stone’s surface. He takes a small knife and slices the edge of the stone.
A pain pierces through your leg as you cry out in pain. Falling to your knees, you clutch at your thigh and your hands come off bloody. Realising the truth of what this means, a heaviness overwhelms you.
‘My life is truly bound to this stone?’ you manage, looking up as your stomach clenches.
Caius’s hideous expression frightens you to your core.
‘We need to get that stone,’ Silverio whispers harshly.
Halani places a hand on your back and hands you a flask of potion. ‘This will sustain you for now. We will dress your wound properly once our enemy is dead.’ She ties a piece of cloth around your thigh to slow the bleeding. You drink the potion and feel instantly revitalised and the pain subsides completely.
Not wanting to draw things out further, you decide it’s time to fight Caius once and for all. You may not know how to fight well yet, but this time you know just how to surprise your foe. Hence you…
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
- You have met Halani and gained her as a companion. You have acquired basic gear and a dagger-sword. You’ve also acquired a short bow with a quiver with infinite arrows.
- You have met Barden and Silverio and have gained them as companions.
- You have met Caius, the Venatori mage who summoned you, and learnt of your bound soul to the Summoning Stone.
- Diplomacy: 2
- Strength: 1
- Cunning: 1
Part 7
You aim the amulet at the branch above Caius’s head and its lightning strikes true. With crackling dancing across the branch, it falls, forcing Caius to take a step back and, in the process, knocking the stone out of his hands.
Then, several things happen at once. Silverio barrel rolls, as darts fly out of his crisscrossed gauntlets at a diagonal towards Caius. Halani kneels and shoots an arrow at Caius’s staff, interrupting his spell, while Barden lumbers forward, axe held high.
Barden’s eyes widen when a fireball surges towards him. Silverio lunges at Barden and the two tumble onto the ground, the fireball sizzling past them a mere hair above their heads.
‘Thanks,’ Barden breathes.
You look to where the stone had fallen and realise it’s no longer there. Silverio flashes you a grin and pats a hidden compartment. You sigh in relief.
Barden and Silverio are quickly back on their feet, calculating their next moves. Caius puts up a wall of magic around himself; it sizzles with lightning. He glowers at you all.
You all take the moment of reprieve to catch your breath.
‘So when you said you were killing time,’ Barden begins, giving Silverio a sideways glance.
‘My hunt for Caius led me here,’ replies Silverio.
‘I thought you said you had a job,’ you note.
‘I do. This is a detour.’
Halani chimes in. ‘Since we’re all confessing, I was hunting…him.’
You all look at Barden. ‘Don’t look at me, meeting Caius again was a chance encounter for me. But I’m glad I get to see him die.’ He lowers his voice. ‘Trying to kill me is one thing, sacrificing an entire village…’ He downcasts his eyes.
‘You’re really all heart,’ says Halani, her expression softening a little. As she says it, she sends an arrow right at the very top of the shield and it fizzes away. She smirks, looking satisfied. ‘Even magic has its weak spots.’
Caius growls in anger as you ready yourselves for more attacks. ‘Give that back!’ He points at Silverio, who shrugs dramatically, the stone nowhere in sight.
‘I don’t know what you’re on about, Signor Caius.’
‘You don’t know the power you possess,’ Caius accuses. ‘The Otherworlder’s soul might be bound to it, but use it wrong and you unleash a terrible calamity.’
‘See me tremble in my boots.’ Barden says without blinking, his voice monotone. This only angers Caius more.
‘All those I sacrificed, all those who died to make this ritual possible, so I could bind the Otherworlder’s soul and create my summoning ritual, all of them, their blood and their life essence courses through that Summoning Stone.’
‘What?’ gasps Silverio.
‘Your sister,’ Caius points at Silverio, ‘your Red Jennies,’ he points at Halani, ‘and your villagers,’ he points at Barden.
‘And friends,’ Barden adds pointedly.
‘All of them are within that stone. If you use this for anything other than to summon or to send back the Otherworlder-’
‘Send back!’ you gasp. ‘I can return to my world?’
Caius sneers at you. ‘You would be a fool to use the stone thus, but yes.’
‘What happens if the stone is used for anything else?’ asks Halani.
Caius smiles sinisterly. ‘You unleash everyone contained within.’
‘Antonina!’ Silverio whispers.
‘But rest assured, they are all dead, you would not be bringing them back, but unleashing an army of undead and demons upon Thedas.’
‘But in that stone, they are alive, si?’
‘Aw, Silverio is still trying to hold onto his sister,’ Caius mocks. ‘It’s pathetic.’
‘Her name was Antonina!’ Silverio seethes through his teeth, his voice cracking.
‘It doesn’t matter what she was, it’s what she is now that-’
Barden swings his axe at Caius. ‘Shut up already!’
Caius is forced to lift his staff to block Barden’s strike and he pushes against him, but the dwarf is too strong for the Venatori.
Halani shouts at you. ‘Bend forward!’
You instinctively arch your back. Halani rolls over your back, hefting her bow and shoots at Caius before she’s rolled off you. The arrow hits Caius in the shoulder and he grunts.
Silverio sends more darts at Caius. The mage dodges, shooting bolts of lightning from his staff. Three orbs of magic strike your friends and send them squirming on the ground. Caius lifts his staff high. You recognise Crushing Prison around them, and their gasps are turned into croaks of pain, as they struggle to breathe.
‘You three will be a nice addition to the lives contained within the stone.’
Caius mutters in Ancient Tevene and you see wispy filaments stream from your friends towards the stone hidden in Silverio’s belt satchel.
You strengthen your grip on your dagger-sword, and you and Caius lunge towards each other.
You thrust at his abdomen. He takes hold of the dagger tightly, stopping its momentum. Caius grins, as though he knows he’s won.
You press on the gem in the hilt and it extends and impales him through the stomach. Caius screams, pushing you away from him. He clutches his bleeding stomach and waves his staff about. You can see the stream of red energy around him as he uses his own blood to heal, but his hold on the magical prisons has wavered.
You slash again before Caius has time to fully recover. He growls in frustration and the prisons around your friends break completely. They pant, taking in lungfuls of air, crawling on all fours before collapsing.
“I’m alone in this fight now,” you think with resolve. “It then falls to me to finish Caius.”
Just as this thought occurs to you, Caius hits you on the head with his staff. Disoriented, you stagger backwards. Caius’s hands find your neck, squeezing tightly and lifting you.
You know that if you keep him talking, you might survive this, you might figure something out. You glance towards your friends, they are all still lying on the ground.
You swing your dagger-sword but you miss and you can feel your grip slipping as you fight to remain conscious.
Caius sneers in your face. ‘I can bind your mind as soon as I kill you, extracting all that is in it. I don’t actually need you alive. Having you willingly tell me your secrets would have been more pleasant, but I can manage either way.’
Your stomach lurches as fear grips you.
‘If I’m…to die…anyway,’ you struggle to say, ‘tell me…at least…why…’ You gasp, managing to breathe in a bit.
‘I summoned you to gain your information so that the Venatori could have an advantage against the Dread Wolf. Our faction has grown desperate, even with growing numbers. There is an ancient magic we Venatori sense is growing, one that does not originate from the Dread Wolf. Something tells me you know precisely of that which I speak.’
Behind Caius, you see someone slowly stand.
Caius’s hold tightens and you drop your dagger, your arms going limp as spots begin to dot your vision.
A blur slams into Caius.
Who saves your life and gives the final blow?
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
- You have met Halani and gained her as a companion. You have acquired basic gear and a dagger-sword. You’ve also acquired a short bow with a quiver with infinite arrows.
- You have met Barden and Silverio and have gained them as companions.
- You have met Caius, the Venatori mage who summoned you, and learnt of your bound soul to the Summoning Stone.
- A Diplomacy and a Cunning advantage allowed you to learn Venatori secrets.
- Diplomacy: 2
- Strength: 1
- Cunning: 2
Part 8
As your vision clears, you realise who has saved your life.
Halani shouts, ‘Never again, Caius. Never again will you kill, sacrifice, or enslave! I am free from you. Thedas is free from you!’
Caius, taken by surprise, lands on his back as Halani drives an arrow into his eye. She stabs another arrow into the side of his neck. Caius gurgles before his body goes limp.
Panting, Halani kneels by Caius’s body. Your heart races before it swells with gratitude.
Halani bows her head, tears pouring from her eyes. You kneel beside her and wrap an arm around her shoulders. She leans into you, weeping, and you instinctively stroke her hair.
Silverio joins you, kneeling in front of Halani, his eyes red as he silently sheds a few tears of his own. Barden is the last to join you, kneeling facing you.
Silverio brings a hand to his eyes. He sob-whispers, ‘For Antonina.’
Halani whispers, ‘For everyone he sacrificed.’
‘For…’ Barden pauses. ‘Oh, sodding hell.’ He turns away and wipes his face.
A sob escapes your lips and you wrap your arms around all three of them and pull them into a hug, and you all lean your foreheads together. ‘Thank you,’ you whisper.
Silverio draws away and gently wipes a tear from Halani’s face with his thumb. Halani reaches for his face and wipes a tear as well.
Barden clears his throat as you all pull away from each other. He reaches into Caius’s robe and pulls out a small box.
‘I made this for him, and the key around my neck can open it.’
‘Uh, it’s not the right size,’ you point out, noticing the typical keyhole in the box.
‘Tch, folks from other worlds,’ Barden chides with a side-grin. He turns the box over in his hand and places his pendant in a groove on its underside. The box easily opens. A paper falls out. ‘Seems we found the spell that activates the Summoning Stone.’ He flips the page over. ‘And instructions.’
Barden places everything back into the box when you all hear multiple sounds coming from multiple directions.
‘Merde!’ Silverio curses.
You retrieve your fallen weapon as you all stand.
‘We can’t leave him like this,’ says Barden. He places what appears to be an explosive on top of the dead mage. He tilts his head towards Halani. ‘How good’s your aim?’
‘As if you have to ask,’ she replies.
The sounds draw near and become clearer, and your stomach lurches at what you see.
You hear the all too familiar guttural groans of darkspawn coming from the path that leads towards the Deep Roads. At the same time, a shouting mob is moving fast towards your location from the village tavern, and to top it off, a hairless head emerges from the Eluvian, a hairless head with elf ears. You know that if you stay here any longer, none of you will survive.
‘That isn’t a mob of humans,’ Barden curses under his breath.
‘Judging by the horns on their heads, I’d say they are Qunari,’ stated Silverio.
Grabbing your hand, Silverio leads you as the four of you dash away from the summoning circle and deeper into the forest.
Halani sends an arrow at the explosive and Caius’s body erupts into flames. An all too familiar voice shouts a curse in Elvhen.
‘What now!’ cries Halani.
‘We run, and hope to outrun those after us!’ Silverio shouts.
‘Where do we run to!?’
‘Does it matter? Away from here!’ shouts Barden.
You hear the mob of Qunari clash swords with darkspawn and several from both groups chase after you.
You run faster than your legs can carry you, putting all you can into your speed.
‘How are your legs so long!’ you shout at Silverio who bounds forward in long strides, while Halani and Barden keep up with quicker steps than you can manage.
Your lungs burn just as much as your legs, not to mention the potion’s effects are beginning to wear off, and the pain in your wound returns with a vengeance.
You stumble forward before you are scooped up by Silverio who drapes you over his shoulder.
‘Keep them off me while I set traps!’ Barden shouts.
Halani and Silverio shoot arrows and darts at your pursuers while Barden sets his traps. Halani instructs you on how to use the bow she gave you.
Hanging from Silverio’s shoulder as the three of them take off again, you shoot at any darkspawn or Quanri who gives chase, while the others continue to shoot down your enemy as well. You’re pleased to see that your shots, while wide, hit some of the many targets in view.
Soon, you lose sight of any pursuer as everyone continues forward for many leagues.
Finally, you arrive at a ship docked at a port, still draped over Silverio’s shoulder. The ship horns its departure.
‘Ah, my friend. Got room for a couple more?’ Silverio asks.
You hear a woman reply. ‘An elf, a dwarf… What about that one?’
‘Oh, this one?’ Silverio pats your bum. ‘Extra luggage.’
‘All right. Your cabin number’s on your ticket here.’
‘Extra luggage? I’m extra luggage?!’ Your voice goes an octave higher than you ever thought possible. Silverio merely chuckles as he carries you to the cabin room where the four of you enter. He flips you over and you plop onto the bed with a soft thud.
‘I’m not luggage!’
‘Pretty luggage.’
‘Pretty loud luggage,’ adds Barden.
‘Hey, I was going to say that!’ Halani complains.
The four of you burst into laughter, finally able to feel relief. Then you wince.
‘Right.’ Silverio begins dressing your wound. Halani pulls out another potion and brings it to your mouth, while Barden dabs on what feels like an antiseptic by the sting it gives you.
You take in your surroundings as you sit up and watch your friends take care of you.
‘Did you really mean it, that you’d all protect me?’
‘Of course!’
Silverio smiles fondly, his natural warmth returning to his features. ‘Pledging myself to someone as gorgeous as you…’ He grins before sobering. ‘You need not doubt it, Otherworlder. I give you my word as a Crow. Consider this my contract to you, and a contract is bound to our lives. Failure means death.’
‘The Red Jennies saved me, and we help the little people of this world from the big powerful bullies. You’re one of us, a friend worth helping.’
‘Like I said, I’ve got nothing better to do right now, so why not do some good for a change?’ says Barden. ‘You look like you’re good people, Otherworlder. I think I need more folks like you in my life if I’m honest.’
The four of you beam at each other. ‘Honestly, I couldn’t ask for better friends.’
Halani grins and hugs you. Barden rolls his eyes dramatically but pats you on the back. Silverio wraps his arms around all of you, lifting you all, and the three of you exclaim in alarm. He puts you down and you all laugh.
‘I’d say I have the best-looking friends in all of Thedas,’ Silverio proclaims with a grin, and he winks. A sadness still lingers in his eyes, but you don’t probe, merely glad that you all are safe.
‘What I want to know is what the hell were Qunari doing in Salle?’ asks Barden. Silverio shakes his head, shrugging.
‘I want to know if Solas was after Caius, or me,’ you express.
‘I think it’s safe to say they were all after you,’ replies Halani.
Silverio sits on the edge of the bed next to you and pulls out the Summoning Stone. He places it in your hands.
‘You must decide what you want to do now,’ he says. ‘Whatever that is, the stone must be kept safe.’
Barden takes the box he took from Caius’s body earlier and places that in your hands too. ‘We have what it takes to send you home if that’s what you want.’
‘Whatever you decide,’ begins Halani, ‘we will continue to search for answers. And we will continue to be loyal to you.’
You regard your new friends, meeting each of their eyes, and your heart soars. You know exactly what you want to do, what you feel compelled to do.
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
- You have met Halani and gained her as a companion. You have acquired basic gear and a dagger-sword. You’ve also acquired a short bow with a quiver with infinite arrows.
- You have met Barden and Silverio and have gained them as companions.
- You have met Caius, the Venatori mage who summoned you, and learnt of your bound soul to the Summoning Stone.
- A Diplomacy and a Cunning advantage allowed you to learn Venatori secrets.
- Halani saved your life and killed Caius
- Diplomacy: 2
- Strength: 1
- Cunning: 2
Part 9
You wake up, a headache throbbing at your temples. You groan as you open your eyes to the dim cabin around you.
You sit up in bed and lean an elbow on your knee, holding your head in your hand.
Barden sits on a chair beside the bed, Halani sits on the desk facing it, and Silverio lounges on a cot, arms crossed and head bowed, hood over his head, looking like he’s in a deep sleep.
‘Someone had too much to drink last night,’ Barden chuckles.
‘We were celebrating,’ you protest.
Barden claps you on the back a little too hard for your aching head. ‘We’re glad you chose to stay. But you really need to learn to hold your liquor.’
‘Yeah, well, it appears Thedosian alcohol hits harder than my world’s alcohol.’
Halani stretches out her legs and jumps off the desk. ‘Slumber party’s over.’ She walks over to Silverio and readies her hand to slap his arm.
Silverio’s arm jolts up, catching her wrist. He lifts his hooded head and opens one eye, then the other. ‘Did you really think I was asleep? I am a Crow.’
‘Yeah, yeah,’ says Barden, as Halani still manages to slap Silverio who feigns vexation, ‘don’t show off.’
You chuckle, smiling at your friends before you are reminded of the other pain you still have. You wince.
‘Still sore?’ Halani asks. You nod. ‘Want more potion?’
‘I’m good. You all took such good care of my leg last night, maybe what I need is to drink more of whatever numbed it.’
Silverio chuckles. ‘Are you certain you want more Antivan wine, my friend?’ He stands and rubs his hands together, grinning. ‘We’ll be in this ship for the long trip to my destination, I suggest you practise looking and acting more like a Thedosian during that time.’
‘Long trip?’ you ask. ‘Where are we headed?’
‘Val Chevin, in Orlais.’ Silverio’s grin widens. ‘And you, my friends, are going to help me with my job.’
You all share glances. ‘What job’s that?’ Barden asks cautiously.
‘I am to steal the heart of an Orlesian Duchess who is hosting a masked ball.’
‘The heart of a Duchess,’ you repeat.
‘More specifically, the bust of a Hart.’
‘Ah.’ You bring your finger to your forehead. ‘It all makes sense now.’
‘And we will attend the masquerade to acquire the bust,’ continues Silverio, ‘and take the magical ring that hides within it.’
His excitement is infectious, and soon, the four of you are animatedly asking about the target as Silverio shares more of the details he knows.
- Summary: You have taken the path to the Eluvian and have found the Amulet of Lashing Pride.
- You have met Halani and gained her as a companion. You have acquired basic gear and a dagger-sword. You’ve also acquired a short bow with a quiver with infinite arrows.
- You have met Barden and Silverio and have gained them as companions.
- You have met Caius, the Venatori mage who summoned you, and learnt of your bound soul to the Summoning Stone.
- A Diplomacy and a Cunning advantage allowed you to learn Venatori secrets.
- Halani saved your life and killed Caius.
- You chose to remain in Thedas and to safekeep the Summoning Stone yourself.
- Diplomacy: 2
- Strength: 1
- Cunning: 2
Thank you for shaping the story of The Otherworlder: Arrival in Thedas.
Stay tuned for the sequel, The Otherworlder: The Heist. Your equipment, gear, companions, and acquired Diplomacy / Strength / Cunning points will carry over.
“The Otherworlder 1: Arrival in Thedas” is written by Celinka Serre (2023).
Disclaimer: This story is derivative and consistent of Fan-Fiction since it borrows the franchise world of Dragon Age. Certain jargon and places, or concepts mentioned, along with the Dragon Age universe belong to BioWare and EA. This fan-fiction story falls under Fair Use.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
You might also enjoy the Protectors of the Force series Star Wars Old Republic Fan-Fiction, or other SWTOR fanfics, Mass Effect Fan-Fiction, or Stardust Destinies the High Fantasy Fiction series.
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