Maxis stands alongside many other Grey Wardens, in steel armor with spiked shoulder pads and a gryphon emblazoned on the chest. She hefts her large rectangular shaped spiked shield. Though much heavier than typical shields, it was perfect against darkspawn who employed little fighting strategy when attacking, making them easy targets for shield or sword. She looks across the open field in front of the Ostagar fortress, trying to relax her mind before the fight, when the darkspawn begin to emerge from the forest numbering in the hundreds. Undoubtedly, behind these few hundred were at least a thousand more. Maxis looked towards Duncan, and he gives her a reassuring smile as archers rain flaming arrows upon the darkspawn ranks. After the hounds were released, King Callin ordered a forward charge. Leading the defensive line, Maxis charges forward, blocking arrows with her shield and crouching low, ramming into a Hurlock and bashing it aside, her shield rending the demonic creature apart. She cuts down another Hurlock and shield bashes a Genlock as she steadily holds back their advance. She dodges the spear tip of a Hurlock and severs its arm, spinning to avoid the axe of an Alpha, then hitting him with her shield. She maintains mobile despite all the armor, but she eventually tires out, so she drops her shield and picks up a fallen warrior's two handed blade. She spins it and the Hurlock that charges her is easily cleaved in half. She rushes at a Genlock, and it raises its shield in defense, so she sweeps low with the weapon, cutting off its legs and then decapitating it.
Maxis dodges an ogre and slashes at its leg, making it stumble, then she leaps on its back, driving the greatsword through its back. The ogre collapses in a heap and Maxis tries to pull out the sword but another ogre picks her up. She growls and an arrow hits it in the eye, making it loosen its grip. She falls down and scrambles for a weapon as it lumbers towards her. Just as the ogre is reaching down to grab her she cleaves off one of its hands and impales the sword into its chest, howling in anguish "Die foul creatures!" She dives out of the way of its collapsing body, and looks around. So many dead, and to her right she saw the king's corpse. No… with him dead, all was lost. She picks up his greatsword, though the heated battle leaves her feeling weakened and tired. She tugs on the straps to her chestplate and it falls to the ground, then she looks out at the army of darkspawn "Alright, let's do this!" She lets out a battlecry that echoes through the valley, running head first into the thick of the horde, slashing her way through the darkspawn. A Hurlock Alpha blocks her horizontal swing with his axe and she pushes against him with such strength she pushes him back and as she bulldozes him down she takes his axe, using it to cleave his head in two then uses a wide spinning attack to kill several more. Arrows pierce her flesh but she doesn't feel them, continuing her onslaught until a Genlock Rouge manages to bury both his daggers in her back. She gasps and collapses.
Maxis looks up to see a Hurlock Alpha dragging her through a cavern. Her body was already battle worn and now she had many scrapes along her back from being drug around. She reaches down and pulls out her emergency dagger, stabbing the Hurlock in the leg, then taking his axe right off his back and killing him with it. Running on pure adrenaline Maxis runs in the direction of what she hopes is the exit. She had to carve her way through 3 more Hurlocks, but finally she managed to make it out of the cave. There she saw a sight that broke her, emotionally. The blood drenched battlefield was a darkspawn feasting ground. And the worse insult of all, the fire that burned atop the Tower of Ishal. She takes off into the woods, the axe slipping from her grasp at some point as she desperately puts as much distance between herself and the horrors of that battle. She could not recall when, but she managed to make it to the road, where she passed out from exhaustion. Awaking again she looks up to see the smiling face of a female dwarf "Sir, shes awake." The rouge standing in the corner walks over and puts a hand on her shoulder. "You're a miracle worker Helga."
Kirkwall was not the best place for a fresh start but surface dwarves did not get a lot of options, or a lot of breaks for that matter. So, Helga had to pick and choose her battles. It was either slum it here in the relatively safe city or try to make a living out there in the middle of no where. So, Helga looks up at the chantry board, and sees a notice that catches her attention "Herbalist aspirant wanted. Little to no training actually required, inquire in the office of the Viscount." Well, if it was a paying job then who was Helga to turn it down? So Helga tears down the notice and makes her way to the Viscount's office. The receptionist looks down at her "Can I help you?" Helga holds up the notice "I'm here about the herbalist position." "She chuckles "Oh Goron is going to love this. Hold right here." She walks off, coming back with an elf, who was tall even for his race, lithe with very elegant magic robes, red and white with the Kirkwall crest on its chest. "I'll admit, I'm surprised to see a dwarf answer my summons. But nonetheless, you have taken the initiative to seek me out." Helga nods "Now, I am interested in the job but I want to verify that I will be getting paid a decent wage." Goron shakes his head "You will not be getting paid, but what I can offer you is free housing and food, and training in perhaps one of the most valuable skills a person can learn." Helga nods "I accept."
While modest in size and in overall design, Helga's small apartment was leagues better than sleeping outside. For the next few weeks, Goron and Helga would work together and he would teach her secrets to working the land. "And so, by cutting the wilting parts of the plant in such a way, you not only save the plant but you ensure it grows healthier." She nods "You use your magic to help the plants grow." Goron nods "Good to see you paying attention." "But sir, I cannot use magic. How can I keep them healthy like you do?" He smiles "There is magic in these plants. By sacrificing a small part of the harvest, crushing it up and adding it back to the soil, you can guarantee the next harvest grows back stronger than the last." She smiles and he puts his hand to the elfroot, infusing it with a small bit of mana, just enough to make it glow softly. He smiles to her. "You know how to grow herbs. Now we can focus on putting those herbs to use."
Helga was at the less than reputable side of Kirkwall, and decided to stop into the Hanged Man tavern. It was a garbage heap, sure. And the beer was not that great. But it was not a bad way to spend her free time. As she sits at a table enjoying a beer that wasn't completely terrible, she looks up to see a small band of mercs walking through the door. Helga stands and rushes over to them "Brother?" The dwarf looks at her with a far away look "Helga… man I haven't seen you since we got separated in the forest, what was it now? Like 5 years ago?" They hug and she holds him at arms length "It has been 5 years now hasn't it? I can hardly believe it. I see you are doing well for yourself." He nods "Me and the boys just got back from another job and we came in for some drinks. How about you?" She smiles sleepishly looking away a little "Well, I got a job with the Viscount's magical advisor actually." He pats her on the shoulder "That's amazing. Lets have some drinks, to celebrate a family reunion!" "Last I remembered, you didn't need a reason to drink." The other guys in the group chuckle at her crack.
It was wonderful to have her brother around. As his band of mercenaries took up jobs around Kirkwall, the two spent their free time together. Salvador taught his sister some advanced tactics with two handed swords that he picked up from his time with the group but Helga still preferred her hammer. "So what kind of contracts do you guys normally do?" He shrugs and kind of slumps his shoulders "Oh, you know, the ones that pay." "Don't tell me you guys are out taking any job." He puts a hand on her shoulder "Sis, You don't understand. I didn't know what kind of trouble I was getting myself into but these mercs are serious about their oaths." "Meaning?" "Meaning that if I try to leave they may kill me, or worse, they may target you." Naturally, their acts of violence did not go unnoticed. Helga was out for a walk outside the city walls when she saw Salvador's group engaged with a Qunari, an Antivian, a human and an archer picks off one of the mercs from its hiding spot in the trees. The Antivian kills one soldier by parrying his sword into the leg of another then slitting his throat, as the Qunari cleaves in half the wounded man to his left. The rouge leaps back to avoid Salvador's greatsword, throwing daggers at him which most bounce off his armor but one penetrates through a chink in the shoulder. Salvador pulls the dagger out and winds up for a heavy swing as the rouge dashes in, surprising him with a pommel strike to the stomach. The Qunari finishes off the last merc and turns to Salvador, just as Helga runs over "Please, stand down. Everyone." The rouge walks over, drawing a dagger from his waist. "Miss, that man is guilty of many war crimes, some of which-" "I know, but… just hear me out. Dwarves have it hard up here. And some, like my brother, are not very bright." "Hey-" "Shut up I'm saving your life you idiot. As I was saying, we have to do what we can to get by. Sometimes, we get tangled up with the wrong people. But, its not his fault. And he deserves another chance." The rouge seems to consider this for a moment. The Qunari groans "Boss, you can't be-" "Now hold on Neros. This isn't such a terrible idea. He could make a great addition to the team."
Neros and his group of Tal-Vashoth look across the valley at the shipwrecked Qunari warship. The Qunari who abandoned it most likely took all the gaatlock and secured it close by. Along with most the weapons. So it was simply a matter of time before another ship came to recover the precious gaatlock. Neros sharpens his sword and grunts "Going to be a good battle, that is for sure." He turns to his clan wife, Fenice Adaar. When he fled the Qun he took her with him. She did not refuse, as her body still bore the scars from her torment, due to her status as a saarebas. She was grinning as well and walks over to him "If you keep sharpening that sword in anticipation, then it will become weak." Her green eyes were soft, despite her hardened outward appearance and the many scars she proudly displayed. Her robe was very revealing, or 'unrestrictive' as she preferred to see it, her black hair was tied in 4 long braids. She pulls out her staff and turns to the rest of the party, about 20 strong, capable and well trained Tal-Vashoth. "Tomorrow gentlemen and women, we strike against the very people that shun us for the pursuit of Ataash (glory)! To them, we are Basalit-an, unworthy of respect. Ebasaam Hissera (we are hope)! Ebasaam Kadan (we are friends/family)! Nehraa(for the Qunari)! Nehraa!" The crowd begins to chant her words of strength. "Parshaara! (enough)" They all stop. She walks to the groups herbalist "Have you prepared the Saar-quamek (madness poison)?" Neros walks over "Fenice, we agreed-" "Parshaara! We must win. Ebasaam Hissera." "I know, but is poison truly the way?" She looks him up in the eye before kissing him on the cheek "Never ask if something is wrong in war. Everything about war itself is wrong. Ask yourself this, what would they do to secure their victory, and what must you do to ensure that never happens?"
As the ship neared the shore Neros looks over at his wife, then at the salvaged Adaar. It sat mounted atop the cliffside, loaded with a cannonball that would explode when it hit the ground and cause a mist of the Saar-quamek. Once the Qunari began fighting amongst each other they could secure the stash, the ship and the gaatlock. Neros raises his sword and as the troops dismount from the ship he holds up a hand. He points to the group below and Fenice fires the Adaar at them, and as planned the explosion from the cannonball causes a barely visible mist. The Qunari scramble towards their ship when the madness begins to take hold. As they begin fighting amongst themselves, Neros spots the hideaway of the shipwrecked group as they come pouring out. "Sataari!" The heartiest of the Tal-Vashoth group advances down the path to the beach and begin engaging the confused Qunari. The rest of the group, including Neros himself, descend upon the disoriented soldiers. Neros locks swords with one and dodges to the side as he attempts a kick to the leg. He stumbles forward and Neros stabs him through the back. 'Just like they stabbed me in the back' he thinks to himself as he turns to deflect the blade of another skilled warrior. Their blades clash repeatedly before Neros' speed gets the better of the younger soldier and he decapitates him. Fenice causes an eruption of fire, before catching an arrow to the stomach. She pulls out the arrow then casts a barrier on herself, groaning and freezing the archer on the ship. She summons fire to scorch a group trying to retreat onto the ship, then an elemental barrage of lightning to fry many of them in their own armor. Neros walks to her "Your magic is strong with you today." She drops to one knee using her staff for support "I'm weakened after that sudden outburst." She takes a potion from her pouch and downs the blue liquid before standing, her eyes glowing.
There is more shouting as a Qunari is thrown over board, his armor making him sink like a stone. A Saarebas leaps down from the deck to the ground, hands no longer bound, holding a staff in his hand. He slams one end of the staff down letting off a fire nova that kills several Qunari and Tal-Vashoth. Neros puts one hand up and he feels his training as Arvaraad paying off as he draws the magic right from the saarebas, which responds by rushing straight at him. He tries to thrust his sword into its chest but its barrier deflects his strike, and he grabs Neros' sword, snapping it in half. Neros looks up at the Saarebas, who was taller and more muscular, just as it punched him far back. It slams down its staff and lightning snakes its way towards Neros as he lays prone on the ground, but Fenice gets in the way and the lightning channels to her staff, up it then back out the gem on top in the form of a powerful lightning strike that knocks back the saarebas, but only a little. The two fire energy projectiles at each other, roaring as their respective barriers held against the onslaught. Neros runs towards the saarebas but Fenice stops him "Parshaara!" She runs towards the saarebas, looking back at Neros "Ebasaam Hissera Neros!" She turns back to the saarebas, who grabs her by her throat and Neros cries out "No!" She puts her hand to its head and burns it with Walking Bomb, before lighting fire to a pouch of gaatlock she had hidden in her pocket. He runs towards her but the explosion launches him back and knocks him unconscious.
Lisette enjoyed the cool night air as she leaped from tree to tree. Being out here alone was against Keeper Arinala's orders. But Lisette preferred to hunt alone. Few in her clan could keep pace with her and none were as good of a natural shot as she was. Lisette stops when she hears voices, tilting her head and observing the altercation between a Dalish hunting party of two from another nearby clan and a small group of Avaar warriors. They were apparently arguing over who was entitled to what land. Lisette was steering clear of that mess. Then she heard fighting break out and watched the lithe warriors make surprisingly short work of the beastly shemlen. Amazing, she thought to herself. I suppose Keeper Istode trained his people very well to deal with stupid shems. She leaps over to another clearing, bags her a nice strong looking deer, then she begins to make the long journey back. She had not planned this completely through, as normally she only bagged small game but this particular buck was too hardy to pass up. One of the warrior elves walks up behind her, surprising her and making her jump "Hunting alone is forbidden in my clan. Perhaps yours is not the same as mine is, but it would seem that it was a bad idea." Lisette smiles "I was just out for a stroll when Andruil blessed me with this worthy bounty." He smiles "My name is Arden. Now, if you were willing to share half this kill with my clan I can see you back to your clan." She nods "Of course. The company would be much appreciated as well." So the two traveled back together and they talked, mostly about each others clan, about their respective keepers. "My keeper took me in when I fled the alienage." Lisette looks over at him "What is it like being in the city?" "It's horrible. You struggle, suffer, bite and claw your way to make a meager living. This is where elves belong. With nature."
In the following weeks the two would spend a lot of time together, but one day Keeper Arinala approaches Lisette. "Lisette, as you might, or might not have noticed, we are packing and we are moving. This leaves you with two options. You can join Istode's clan, or, you can leave with us. But Arden cannot join our clan." Lisette looks up at Arinala and hugs her "So, your mind is made up it would seem. Very well. Be safe. Mythal guide you." Arden and Lisette met in their usual location and she smiles at him "My Keeper just told me my clan is leaving, but I'm staying behind to be with you." He smiles and hugs her close. As the two embrace each other they walk back to his clan. His clan is much larger than Arinala's, surprising Lisette. She had never seen a Dalish clan of their size. She introduced herself to the mastercraftsmen and the herbalists, making sure to also meet the Keeper himself. After her clan leaves, however, the Avaar and Istode's group begin to fight over the territory. Avaar begin to level trees in the area, so that the clan's archers have less trees to perch and shoot from. Lisette was out hunting one night when she encountered a group of Avaar. Sticking to the trees, Lisette tries to navigate around them and back to her clan. Lisette struggles to move from tree to tree when she suddenly hits a false branch. She plummets 30 feet to the ground.
Lisette is awoken with a hard slap to the face. "Wake up, false child of the earth, so that sky mother can see your cries of agony, as I end your life!" She struggles against her chains and he cups his hand under her chin. His people start chanting and she sees the pile of bodies off to the side, including the body of Keeper Istode. Lisette has tears in her eyes as the sacrificial blade presses to her throat and feels the burn as it slices through her flesh. Warm blood, her blood pours out of her throat and down her front as a rouge appears by the leader "No!" He forces the leader to stab himself in the throat with the dagger, before kicking him back into the crowd. Lisette faintly saw the face of the man as everything faded. She had thought herself dead, but awakens some time later in a warm, soft bed. She puts a hand to her throat and tenderly touches the scar. Draven walks in "So, are you doing better?" She tries to speak but nothing comes out, just some inaudible squeaks. Tears well up in her eyes and Draven puts a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay. Your voice may be gone, but your clan still lives. We saved as many as we could." She nods and hugs him around the waist.