Hello Dragon Age fans. This is my first story for this fine franchise. I hope my reviewers from Mass Effect and Mortal Kombat are interested in this story, and I hope all of you here enjoy my story. As I've said in my other stories, reviews that are good or bad are appreciated, and suggestions are always welcome. I wasn't really interested in this series at first, and bought Origins for twenty dollars on a whim. Probably one of the best buys I've ever made. The Lord of the Rings feel, lore, and story really hooked me. What really made me a die hard fan was how you could interact with your party members, especially in camp. This was the only advantage I thought it had over Mass Effect, giving people meaningful gifts and getting into love triangles. All the dlc was great too, though I was disappointed by Leliana's Song. As for Dragon Age 2, I don't agree with a lot of the hate its getting, I really enjoyed it, but it just wasn't on par with the original. It aspired to be too much like Mass Effect, I thought. Any way here is some info on my Warden and Hawke.
Warden
Human Noble Warrior
Sided with Mages, Elves, Harrowmont, destroyed Anvil of void, healed Eamon
Did not destroy Andrastes ashes
Saved Connor, Loghain joined wardens, Allistair and Arnora married, did dark ritual
Friends with all companions, romanced Morrgian first, then became 'friends' with her, and then romanced Leliana
Saved city in Amaranthine, spared architect, all party members survived( velanna questionable)
Completed Golems of Amgarrack
Reconciled with Morrigan(made out with her) then let her go through the Eluvian alone
Hawke
Warrior
Bethany joined circle
Completed all companion quests (Fenris didn't kill his sister, Merrill left the Dalish with me, Varric didn't kill Bartrand, Aveline got with Donnic, Isabella got her ship and freedom from Castillon, I helped Anders bomb the Chantry, oops, and Sebastian avenged his family.)
Earned the Arishok's respect, then killed him.
Sided with the mages.
Sided with Laurious in Legacy.
The Warden and Hawke won't have a huge role in the story, but just in case there it all is.
The journey into the Anderfels had taken a turn for the worse. This country was known for having extreme weather and Leliana, Cassandra, and the small group of Seekers were experiencing it first hand. A monstrous thunder storm fell upon them, turning the sky black and dousing most of the light despite it being only about two hours after noon. Heavy rain poured straight down and very strong winds charged them from the front like a person were pushing them. The group eight traveled lightly, but with the weather, they may as well as have brought three wagons at the speed they were going.
"The Maker frowns upon us today!" Cassandra said from the front of the group, barely able to hear herself over the gust of wind and crack of thunder.
"Or it could just be our bad luck!" Leliana replied with orange hair flying in her face.
The two of them were second in the line of Seekers. Behind them were Malik, Secoria, and Byrom who were all from Antiva. Behind the three of them was Dagon, from Ferelden. Bringing up the rear was the oldest member of their group, Francois from Orlais. In front of even Leliana and Cassandra walked Voltimand. He was noticeable ahead of the rest of them. Since he was the only one who wore a helmet, the wind probably didn't hinder him as much.
"Voltimand don't go too far ahead!" Leliana shouted to him.
Voltimand's pace slowed ever so slightly and his only acknowledgment was to turn his head only enough that the eye slit stared at Leliana like an empty eye. Leliana tried not to act surprised by this, but it was hard to hide even with the wind and rain. She honestly wasn't sure of Voltimand, he hadn't said maybe two words to her since meeting in Kirkwall. Also, he was from Tevinter. What a native of the magic dominated country would gain from helping the right hand of the Divine, she did not know. From what Cassandra had told her, Voltimand was too effective an agent to question.
"He's not much of a talker is he?" Leliana said.
"I don't bring him along to talk. He is more lets his work do the talking." Cassandra replied.
"Don't you wonder about him, he is from Tevinter after all."
"I'm not worried about him being some acolyte of the Black Divine. To be honest, I doubt he has much faith in the Chantry at all, but he worked for the Divine herself before being placed in this group. That is enough for me, and I can't deny his effectiveness."
Leliana conceded to this only to stare at Voltimand's back again, as they had managed to close the distance after he slowed down. She almost stepped on his heels when he stopped abruptly and drew both of his long swords. Everyone else did the same with their collective arsenals of bows, daggers, war axes and shields.
"What is wrong Voltimand?" Cassandra asked in a commanding tone.
"I smell them nearby." He replied cryptically.
"Smell who?" Leliana asked.
Voltimand's reply was to kick her in the stomach so that she fell to the ground. Initially surprised and winded, Leliana saw a barbaric looking arrow plant itself into the tree a millisecond after her head had moved out of the way. She had see that type of arrow plenty of times before.
"Them." Voltimand said while pointing one of his swords towards the tree line.
Shadows moved about the already darkened trees. The fact that they looked so similar to humans was more disturbing than the monstrous truth. The Hurlocks came sprinting out of the bush and trees wielding their weapons, looking as much like corrupted swords as the Darkspawn looked like corrupted men. Leliana, Secoria and Byrom let loose their arrows onto the charging mob of darkspawn. Out of stupidity or rage induced ferocity the Hurlocks continued their charge even as some of them fell with arrow riddled bodies. The group of twenty was downsized to fourteen before they reached the awaiting swordsmen. With one swift motion two Hurlocks lost their heads to both of Voltimand's blades before he cut the legs off of a third one. Malik used his shield to bash them away and then cleaving their head in two with his axe. Cassandra expertly parried every sword strike before cutting gruesome throats and and piercing black hearts. Dagon and Francois each plowed through the Hurlocks with their battle axe and claymore. Five Hurlocks remained to stand against them, until something around eight feet tall and wielding a weapon of the same length came roaring towards them. The other Hurlocks fought more ferociously at the sound of the creatures roar.
"Move Malik!" Leliana shouted.
It was too late. The Hurlock Alpha was upon Malik and already bring down it's massive axe. Malik raised his sheild in vain as the Alpha's incredible strength pulverized the shield and knocking Malik to the ground. Showing sadism that was a byproduct of his greater intelligence, the Alpha stomped on Malik's leg, break it instantly. The rejuvenated Hurlocks prevented Cassandra and the others to get to him. The Alpha roared with the thunder, making it seem all the more fearsome. Before it could deliver the killing blow, Leliana jumped onto it's back with her dagger and stabbed it furiously between the armor. The beast thrashed her around like a child but she held on. Cassandra defeated her irate opponent and rushed to Leliana's aid by thrusting her sword into the Alpha's knee. The Alpha was on his hands and knees with Leliana still on his back. She was able to pull herself up more and stab him in the jugular. Timing it perfectly, she pulled the dagger out and moved to the side to not get sprayed with the poisonous blood. The two women left the creature to die and the rest of the Hurlocks were killed off quickly, with Voltimand crushing the skull of the legless one beneath his boot.
"Secoria, how is Malik?" Cassandra asked.
"He is unconscious, and his knee is broken."
"We need to get him out of this storm." Leliana said.
"Cassandra, look!" Dagon pointed to the east.
The storm made it hard to see anything, but the skilled eyes of a Seeker could make out the light of many torches in the distance.
"Good eyes Dagon. Everyone, we're moving!" Cassandra ordered.
Francois and Byrom carried Malik carefully along with them. Leliana was about to join them when she noticed Volitmand wasn't following them. She waited for him to come himself, but the increasing intensity of the rain, wind, thunder and lightning made her lose patience.
"Voltimand, everyone is moving out."
"No arrows." He said without turning.
"Arrows?"
"None of these darkspawn have a quiver of arrows."
Leliana remembered the arrow that had nearly killed her had Voltimand not saved her.
"We can't worry about that right now. Malik needs to get help quickly"
Voltimand turned and walked towards her. She could feel his gaze from beneath his helmet. His eyes were actually visible from within. They were a cold gray, which made his black pupils piercingly intense. He didn't look at her angrily, happily, or even admiring her looks. He just look completely focused on her. Leliana couldn't help but stare right back at him.
"You shouldn't let people who try to hurt you get away with it. It gives them the impression that they are good enough to try it again. But your right, Malik needs help. After you Leliana."
Leliana finally tore her gaze from his and hurried to catch up to the others. She still felt a gaze upon her.
The Hurlock archer watched the humans leave the area where his brothers lay dead. To engage them now would be suicide. If he got back to the tribe, he could bring more of his kin to overwhelm these humans. The Hurlock moved through the ever darkening forest towards the tribe's territory. The storm picked up again and the silence was suffocating, but his kind was accustomed to the dark. He used his sense of smell to try and gain the scent of the tribe. What he smelt was, a corpse's stench. Something scurried behind him. The Hurlock turned and the scuffling sound was behind him again. Every way he turned it was behind him. He stopped and listened. The scuffling sound was behind him once again. Taking a breath, the Hurlock jumped back and turned to land on top of something. It thrashed around violently in his hands. A fox. The Hurlock snarled and tossed the whimpering animal away, sparing it. Growling from frustration, the Hurlock titled his head back so that he could sniff the air again. As soon as he did, something sharp plunged into his forehead.
Perhaps an hour and a half were the Seekers trekking across rough country through the violent storm. They had to slow down considerably in order to not distress Malik too much. He had regained consciousness, unfortunately, and grunted at every bump. Finally they were close enough to make out the structure before them. It was large, it looked like a fort. The walls were high, higher than even Amaranthine's. Torches and cauldrons burned brightly with fire to show no guards atop the walls. Cassandra used the iron knocker on the large wooden door, and the sound resonated loudly. No response came, so she knocked again. Another knock, no response.
"Hello! Is anyone there? We have wounded and need help!" Cassandra shouted.
The door cracked open slightly, and a warm glow poured through the crack into the black night. A guard stuck his head out and eyed them all.
"I don't like the look of you, move along." He said.
"Move along? She just told you that our friend is hurt, and do you really expect us to go anywhere in this storm?" Leliana asked him.
"Yes I do. We've already got enough trouble sheltering all these townsfolk and farmers without some bandits coming in. Now shove off!"
"We are not bandits you fool. We are Seekers, and in the name of the Divine and the Chantry I demand you let us in." Cassandra said with authority.
"Ooooo! The Divine! Well in the name of me, since I'm the guard on duty, I demand that you go shove those swords..."
"That's enough Marlin." A deep voice said from the other side of the door.
The guard, now named Marlin, was pulled aside by a heavy hand and the was pulled open more by another. What they saw none of them expected to see. A Qunari.
"Greetings Seekers. I am Caron, captain of the guard here a fort Ishimura. Come in."
Caron opened the door fully and the Seekers went inside. Marlin just scoffed at Caron and stomped off down the hall.
"Thank you Caron, but our friend here is hurt and needs help." Cassandra said.
"We have a healer that can help your friend. Take him down the hall here and tell the guard that Caron wants him to show you to the healer."
"Thank you. Bryon, Francois, take Malik to the healer and make sure he is taken care of." Cassandra ordered the to men.
They carried Malik off, leaving Cassandra and Leliana, Dagon and Secoria, and Voltimand with Caron.
"Caron, I'm afraid I must ask you to let us stay until this storm blows over." Cassandra told the Qunari.
"Well if you were hoping for privacy, you'll be disappointed. People from farms and rural villages stay here yearly to avoid this annual storm."
"This storm comes about every year?"
"Indeed, but it is unusually powerful this time around. No matter, this fort is more than equipped to wait it out."
"What do you mean wait it out?" Voltimand asked suspiciously.
"This storm doesn't usually blow over in one night. At the longest, it has lasted about nearly four days."
"But we have pressing matters to attend to."
"I wouldn't recommend that you try and brave it, but no one is keeping you here. Although, your friend will not survive out there."
"Well then I guess we're stuck here, at least for the time being."
"It won't be all that bad, I'm sure. Allow me to show you to somewhere you can stay. Follow me to the Pit." Caron said walking away.
They followed Caron through the winding tunnels of fort Ishimura. From how much they had been walking, the fort must have been massive, at least twice that of fort Draken. Guards patrolled the halls and farmers and townsfolk were seen eating, cleaning, and working the forges. The age group ranged from hunched elders to children and toddlers even.
"Caron, what is the Pit?" Leliana asked.
"This fort was built over an old underground Dwarven city. It was discovered by miners centuries ago. We've done our best to restore it over the years, but mostly we just use it for housing and trading. The city extends farther out beneath the ground than the fort does above it. I don't think it has even been fully explored yet."
"Where they're any dark spawn in the city?"
"Actually, no, too my knowledge at least. Apparently spiders were one hell of a pest, but that is about the worst of it. There is no trace of dark spawn on the city at all. See for yourself."
They exited the long hall they were in to a huge cavern. Leliana was shocked by how much it looked like Orzammar, without the rivers of magma though. It made the city look noticeably dark, even with all the torches scattered about. People bustled about the center, browsing through stalls set up all over the place. Many of the buildings were even occupied by families.
"It's like you resurrected this city from the dead!" Leliana.
"Never underestimate the entrepreneurial spirit." Caron said.
"All these people confined in here, I don't know how they deal with it." Voltimand whispered.
"From what we have been told by Dwarf historians, this building was a beer hall or tavern. Rooms are available, just tell the inn keeper that I gave you permission to stay and he should give you the rooms for free. Anything else you might want, that is up to you to obtain." Caron said before leaving.
The inside of the tavern was like any other one. Loud, warm, and bustling with drunks. Leliana remembered the tavern where she had met the Warden being similar, though the mood here was far more cheerful. Cassandra returned from speaking to the inn keeper with a set of keys.
"He had two rooms available, which means we are sharing. Leliana can stay with me. Voltimand, Dagon and Secoria will take the other room. We'll rotate sleeping hours for Francois and Byron. All of you get settled, if you have gold and want to use it go ahead. We are probably going to be stuck here for a few days. Try not to get too drunk." She said seriously and playfully at the same time.
Dagon laughed, for he was the one this was meant for.
"It looks like we'll be sharing a bed Secoria." He said.
"I think I'll sleep on the ground." Secoria said smiling.
Voltimand was already on his way to the room.
"Come on, it's not dignified for a woman to sleep on the ground when she has a man to sleep next to."
"If Voltimand isn't interested, and the floor is too uncomfortable, I'll consider it." Secoria told him before leaving.
"I didn't peg you for the creepy silent type." Dagon said joining her.
"I see why you chose me for a roommate." Leliana told Cassandra.
"Can you really blame me?" Cassandra asked with a smile.
Both of the women laughed as they retired to their own rooms. They changed out of their armor so that they only wore their street clothes. Leliana couldn't help but stare at Cassandra's curvaceous body. This was the first time she had seen Cassandra out of her armor, the first time she had seen her drop her professional demeanor and look so human. She reminded her of the Warden. Her friend. Her dear, dear friend. He was so kind and thoughtful, but a one man army in any fight. The thought of him made her happy and sad.
"Are you alright Leliana?" Cassandra asked.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about something."
"You mean someone."
"I, yes. Someone."
"Is that why you joined the Seekers? So that you could find him?"
"War is coming to Thedas, and I wanted to do my part to stop it. The Warden will be instrumental to that end, him and Hawke. Wherever they are."
"We'll find them, but like Caron said, this storm makes it pointless to search. So for now, we should enjoy the downtime."
The downtime consisted of a few drinks, listening to music both classic and drunken, and just enjoying happy faces. It would be hard for one to think that these people were waiting out a storm that was potentially destroying their homes right now. If was entering into the late hours of the night, or at least she guessed, and Leliana was one of only a dozen people still not in their rooms. Even Cassandra had retired for the night. Most of the others still out were either cleaning or passed out. Most of the lights had been put out, making the already somewhat dark tavern gloomy. Carrying a lantern, Leliana sat down at a table by herself with a tankard of water.
"Not one for alcohol eh?" A hoarse voice said next to her.
Nearly jumping from her seat, Leliana shined the lantern on a cloaked man she didn't even notice. He was old, and had a gray beard and tired eyes.
"I'm sorry, I didn't notice you sitting here."
"Please, stay. I should apologize for being so awkward in public. I doubt anyone noticed me here for the last five hours. Guess I'm too old to be good for anything anymore."
"Older people are helpful in many ways. They're good for remembering things." Leliana said smiling.
"Hah, what old people do you hang out with? I don't remember my own father, of course I only saw him twice. My whole life has turned into a blur of working a farm and putting up with this damn story for seventy years."
"I'm sure you have had something interesting happen to you in seventy years, mr..."
"Sigfried. Just call me Sigfried. And the most interesting things that I can remember are the Blight starting up in Ferelden and the mages fighting the templars in Kirkwall, but I wasn't anywhere near any of that."
"Well, what can you tell me about the Anderfels? I've never been here before, and all I've seen is rain and lighting so far."
"Well, the weather sucks, the people are devout, the soldiers are hard asses, and the Wardens have that fortress. Oh, and the first Blight happened here, fun."
"Surely your culture has more to it than just that."
"Well, since your the first person to take any kind of interest in me for years, let me ask you this. Do you enjoy stories?" Sigfried asked.
"Very much." Leliana said with clear excitement.
"Since it's dark as hell in here, and because a monstrous storm is raging, and because I am slowly becoming claustrophobic every time I come here, how would you like to hear an old Anderfel's tale that my mother told me to scare the shit out of me?"
Leliana moved the lantern so that the light just illuminated both of their faces and turned to him with full attention. Sigfried had his answer.
"Alright then. This is an old story that all Anders have nightmares about when hearing it. It's as fun to tell on nights like this as it is scary enough for people to leave the room when someone threatens to tell it. And I'll warn you right now, I have it on good authority that this story is true. This is the story of the perils and nightmares of Sir Isaac of Clarke."
The light from the lantern slowly died down and the shadows seemed to crowd around to hear the gruesome story as well.
I know not much happened, and it wasn't that scary. This is my first time writing a horror fic and I'll admit that establishing a scary setting and maintaining it is hard. So if you have any tips, I'll be happy to see them. And if you haven't figured it out, this is a combo of Dragon Age and Dead Space. This is solely because of the Dead Space armor in dragon age. Honestly the Dead Space story confuses me no matter how much I play it so bear with me. Please read and review and tell me what you think.