Morning:

Note to self: less alcohol, more water. Apparently I was the source of many giggles last night. And I gave away my journaling. Did you know that despite the fact that most people are at least semi-literate in Thedas (based on the plethora of notes and such in commoner houses), not one of my roomies can read Common? Well, I think Cara and Eadras can read, actually. I think at least Cara lied to me. Cara's face sort of wiggled/twisted when she said she couldn't read, and Eadras said only that he couldn't read Common. Wouldn't tell me what language(s) he could read.

I think I'll sleep with my back to the wall tonight. Thing is, I can check on them. Would I be able to check on them if they were someone else's? If they were betrayers? Maybe I can check on any people I care about. I don't know. Two weeks here, and I'm a paranoid apostate seeing betrayal in every corner. All I need now is a demon to infest my dreams. Please, God, don't read that and decide to mess with me.

And continuing. The great elf switcheroo went off without a hitch. No one appears to have noticed that elves are invisible and interchangeable except us elves. Hard to believe they weren't doing this before I got here. Work's actually getting done more efficiently. You'd think they'd ask a fellow what they're good at before assigning them. Nope. We're completely worthless. Can't possibly have any skills or specialties. We acquired a bathtub, by the by. Had to be mended, but they set it out for scrap and Harritt sent it home with Feren last night. Yep, Harritt's a good one. And he doesn't know it, but he's one of us. He burnt his hand on a piece of hot metal yesterday and I knew when I went out to do my breathing exercises and fat girl yoga. Feren dosed him with elfroot paste from our own supply.

Staying way far away from Templars. Weird shit is weird.

Heading out to Adan's. Got TONS of elfroot, and something else, too. Not sure what it is, but it's not elfroot. Was in the bottom of a sack sent to the laundry. He'll either have a use for it or not, but I'm not messing with it if I don't recognize it. The Fat Elf of Thedas is not ENTIRELY stupid. Actually, not as fat. I lost almost a whole hand-grab of chub when I made that potion. Magic better not take my boobs. I like my boobs.

Heading to talk to Harritt, too. Have an idea for sunglasses. Glare is bad, people.

Afternoon:

Damn these people. There are only two elven kids in the dormitory. Both are orphans. They sleep farthest away from the fire and they've been given substandard clothing. They had them doing errands. After talking to them, I stepped in to see Jaidyn in the laundry. She's going to pick up a few things that wouldn't be missed. I asked her for clean rags, too. I'm going to work up some first aid kits.

You know, ancient elvhen might have been immune to cold or whatever, but modern elves aren't. They need clothes. Let's see if anyone notices when the boys don't come home tonight. They're over at Harritt's right now. He's a good man, and they're warm near the fires.

He thought my idea about sunglasses interesting. Apparently no one had put together the idea of colored glass and earpieces. I also sketched out the Inuit version, with just the slit? He's looking to make a prototype of those soon. I'd forgotten that these people don't like to learn from each other. Bet the Avaar or the Dalish have something like these. Harritt didn't ask where I got the ideas, either. Called them "outlandish". Wonder what a Ferelden thinks is the outlands. Maybe if people ask where I'm from, I'll tell them the outlands. Should be good for a stare or two, if nothing else.

I took a look at his arm, and rebandaged it with some more elfroot salve. I suggested he head off to the mage tents for real healing, but he said he was fine. Feren said it was horribly blistered, but he must not have much experience with burns. This one is barely going to peel. Hardly worse than a bad sunburn. I left a jar with him. There are so many empty containers being tossed in the garbage. How can medieval people afford to be so wasteful? We've got stacks of them back at Ethelathe now.

Adan was shocked to get the elfroot. There was probably twenty pounds of the stuff delivered to him today. This stuff is everywhere. We've probably gotten most of the weed-growth, though. He asked me to keep it coming, but I saw the Herald mounting up near the stables with Cassandra, Varric, and Solas. At least the scary people who glare at me are leaving. Looks like they're taking a bunch of soldiers with them. Never thought of that, but it makes sense that they would. Since they're heading to the Hinterlands (educated guess, right fellow geeks?), it won't be long before fighting breaks out among the mages and Templars here. Not long after that will be Val Royeaux. We probably have at least a week, but I want us to be packed and ready to go by the time they seal the breach. I have no intention of my people being left behind.

Damn the mages, too. They're sitting around with their thumbs up their butts, tending to the soldiers' bumps and bruises or complaining about something or other. The food's bad? You should see what we invisibles get. Beds suck? You got one. All to yourself. The circles are gone. You're not pampered princes anymore.

They could be helping Adan instead of whining about the cold. If I can make elfroot potion with no training at all, they can probably churn the stuff out by the barrelful. And at higher quality with less alcohol, LOL. Everyone in this age has tunnel vision.

Evening:

Our numbers are up to 16. 3 showed up with their bedrolls to Ethelathe this evening. He's got a real shiner, and the ladies are scared of their own shadow. Have bruises. Damn soldiers. So much for the inquisition for everyone, but I knew that. I wish I had known how bad it actually was on my playthroughs. I would have been FAR more pro-elf.

We slathered them with elfroot salve in the appropriate places. I gave one of the ladies a swig of our "special elfroot tea". I've been keeping it cold with snow and checking it for color changes. It's still glowyshiny in the same way, and the color hasn't turned. I'm actually a little concerned it might spoil before we use it. How long does this stuff last exposed to the air? It's not like I have a plethora of wax-sealed flasks on hand.

There was a scout looking at the elves going into and out of the servant's tent tonight. Another was watching the mess tent. I think Harritt knew something, because he sent extra food home with Feren. I don't know if they're looking for me, but I can't take a chance on being the stand-out elf. It's actually becoming important that we are invisible and interchangeable. Maybe if I lose a few pounds and bind down the girls, but not yet. I was told they stopped groups of girls to make sure no one was hiding. They lifted lanterns to see everyone's face closely. I really hope they're not looking for me. I really screwed up taking that assessment.

Anyway, English lessons are commencing this evening. Now that we've got kids, we've got to start schooling. Plus, my people should be able to read. All of them. This literacy for the humans and poverty for the elves thing sucks. Well, this is MY alienage, and we're going to school. An hour in the morning and an hour in the evening for anyone not busy.

I laid down a few other rules, too. We're family. We support the Inquisition. There will be no lying to the Nightingale. (Random agents? Screw them. I know for a fact some of them are corrupt.) The work must get done. If we can get it done faster and better by swapping jobs, then do it with my blessing. Then we can all come home and rest. Everyone gets their own money. No stealing. If you see something being thrown away that is useful, feel free to bring it home. Don't take useful things or anything the inquisition might come back for. We're here to help them. Stay away from Baldy. I mean it. Don't let him focus his gaze on you. That apostate is not safe for us. Don't catch his eye. Watch out around Varric. He's smart, and if the people in charge find out about this hut being in use, they might take Ethelathe from us.

I told them I am keeping track of their names. I said if anyone had a problem with that, they had two choices. Deal with it or leave. If they didn't feel safe, I'd give them 3 days to decide what name to give me. (Hopefully that helped them understand that I want the name they use with us, not some official roster thing.) I did point out that if we didn't have their official roster name, then they couldn't get a day off. Invisible and interchangeable.

We also got another unregistered elf. Jailyn spotted her as she came down the road, and offered her a drink. Garalen, her name is. I don't remember much of my project elvhenen, but didn't gara mean arrive or some such and –len's a male suffix. Odd. She's big for an elf, so should have no trouble spelling even Feren. Harritt actually said he'd give Feren two days off every tenday, so Feren volunteered to share one of his off days with others. That's three of us to spell the others. We're good, for our current numbers.

Goodnight, my sweet. I miss you so much. I'm still hoping to make it home to you. Maybe when they close the rift. I'm guessing two weeks before they have one group or the other in tow, unless Herald Gluteous Maximus Venerandum is a completist like I am.