Do not own Dragon Age
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3 Eluviesta, 9:31 Dragon, Temple of Sacred Ashes
The Temple entrance shields the party from the cold winds blowing off the Frostback Mountains. Brother Genitivi shows Solona a trick with the medallion, barely seen hinges that fold the medallion, changing it's shape. Genitivi looks for the slot to put it into, Solona assisting him.
The door opens a few moments later, the companions move inside quickly, away from the elements. Genitivi will remain in the main hall, Bodahn and Sandal staying with him. The group sees a large bonfire up ahead, Solona tells the three to wait until they check out the area before making camp. Bodahn nods, understanding.
/
The party sees a large set of stairs, just past the bonfire. Faren scouts a tunnel to the left, returning a minute later, reporting the corridor safe, but there is a small room, a few people inside. He says that He, Darrian, Elissa and Zevran could take care of them, without alerting any others nearby. Solona agrees to the plan, the four set off, back down the corridor. Ten minutes later, they reappear, Faren hands Solona a Taper, not knowing what it is, but one of the cultist had it. They also found some gold, gems, and a note on a body handing that to Alim, who reads it, then pulls a notebook out, adding the note to a few others.
A little ahead and to the right, is another hallway. Darrian scouts this one out, he comes back ten minutes later, reporting no one in the room that was unlocked, just some scrolls. He tells of a room that he couldn't pick the lock on, it being a specific key formation. Alim asks to see the scrolls, Darrian takes him back down the tunnel, the two are gone for five minutes, Alim is closing his backpack, he mouths a later to Solona.
Up the stairs, the companions encounter a medium sized force, who attack immediately. The group scrambles, but rallies their individual skills into a fierce force. The cultist are all dead a short time later. There are three doors One in front, one to the right, and one to the left. They try left first, the door is unlocked, Elissa scouts forward, a noise by a door to the left, grabs her attention, she melts into shadow, stepping lightly, she peeks around a corner, a small jut, three cultists are waiting in the hallway. She moves back to Solona, telling her that the corridor is a straight up fight.
"Well, let us give them one." Solona suggests.
/
It takes them an hour to clear the first floor, cultists come at them in every room. The door at the top of the stair that was straight ahead, required specific items. They find the pieces needed, gaining access to the rest of the Temple. The party checks on Bodahn, who is staying vigilant, but otherwise unmolested.
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A break is called before moving on through another set of doors, it has been three hours of fighting. Solona tells everyone to relax, keeping watch and giving the party a chance to recharge. Eating a quick meal, the companions begin to feel some of their energy return.
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Another break is called two hours later. Dragonlings were not what the companions expected. Alim is still stiff from the knife wound to his side he received just a half hour ago. Solona checks the area, the skin is still bruised somewhat, she will cast another healing spell in a few minutes.
/
After an hour resting, the group spent another hour and a half following the wrong tunnel and fighting more cultists, dragonlings, and a few Drakes. They are now coming out of the second passageway into a large cavern, seeing several cultist waiting for them. A human man steps forward, introducing himself as Kolgrim, the leader of Andraste's Faithful.
"You will go no further! You have attacked our young, and killed our children! We must protect Her most holiness from harm, by your hands." Kolgrim informs, angry.
"You speak as if Andraste is alive." Solona concludes, testing.
"She has been reborn! More powerful than even Tevinter could hope to be!" Kolgrim proclaims.
"If that is true, should she not be shared with the world; so that all may worship her glorious rebirth?" Solona counters, skeptical.
"They would not understand, they would attempt to take Her from us, or worse, kill Her. No, we Her faithful, will protect Her." Kolgrim exclaims, determined.
"No, you protect a lie. Andraste is dead. As much as we may wish for Her return, it will never be. She has returned to the Maker, let Her be at peace." Solona tries to reason.
"I will hear no more of your blasphemy! To arms my brethren!" Kogrim shouts, drawing his own weapon.
Solona sends a grease spell, Alim is a second behind her, sending a fireball. The spell forces the cultist to move around the flames. Two cultist are caught in the path, killed by the initial explosion. Kolgrim attempts to go after Solona, Sten steps between the two, blocking the greataxe from Kolgrim, with his greatsword.
"I will deal with this one, kadan. Find another to test your mettle against." Sten states.
"Fine, but you owe me." Solona retorts, smirking.
Sten and Kolgrim, trade swings. Solona finds a new target quickly, but stays close to Sten, just in case.
The blaze from the spell begins to dissipate, the companions have whittled the enemy down, only three combatants remain. Sten is lagging behind, Solona can see it. She sends him a rejuvenation spell, but it has little effect, Kolgrim is using an ability, the group is not familiar with. Sten is struck hard, his armor useless at this point. Solona calls out just as Sten trips, falling back. Kolgrim swings high, a stone-fist hits him as his axe is raised above his head.
"Be mad at me later." Solona says, a hardness to her tone.
"I..." Sten begins.
"Later. Let me kick his ass first, then you can yell at me." Solona interrupts, gently.
Sten nods, Wynne moves over and begins to heal him.
"Of course, a whore taking care of her lover." Kolgrim comments, sneering.
Solona stops moving, just stares at the leader for a second, then begins to laugh, full belly laugh.
"Are you laughing at me, whore?!" Kolgrim asks standing up, enraged.
Solona keeps laughing, Kolgrim charges at Solona, his axe poised for a powerful swing. Darrian is not to far away, on Solona's right, at the last possible moment, Solona rolls under Kolgrim's swing, she stands, grabbing one of Darrians daggers, she twirls left, back towards Kolgrim, his back to her now. Solona drives the knife into his spine, between two ribs, straight to his heart. As the light leaves his eyes, Solona whispers a prayer into his ear.
"Damn woman, you've been hanging around us rogues too much." Faren remarks, stunned by Solona's agility.
"I didn't kn..." Solona starts before passing out.
The others rush to her, the last two cultists were dead before she started laughing. Alim checks her pulse, Wynne looks her over for injuries, neither find anything wrong. Alim probes at her magic, it is drained significantly. Wynne is cautious of giving her a Lyrium potion, worried it may shock her system. Alim nods in understanding. Wynne moves away, Lyna brings a blanket over, folded neatly, to cushion her head. Alim murmurs a thank you. The group sets a watch, all of them feel a deep worry for their commander, their friend. Loki lays down next to her, licking her hand.
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4 Eluviesta, 9:31 Dragon, Temple of Sacred Ashes
Solona begins to stir, her eyes feel heavy. Alim is resting next to her, Zevran is walking around the cavern, keeping watch. Loki, is curled up next to her, becoming alert as she moves. Lyna hurries over, helping Solona to sit up.
"How are you feeling?" Lyna asks softly.
"Like an Ogre sat on me. Is everyone else alright?" Solona returns, still groggy.
"We are fine. It is you who was in need, lethellan." Lyna tells her quietly.
"Yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't know it would drain my magic like that." Solona says, becoming more awake.
"What did you do?" Lyna inquires.
"It was a spell that uses magical power in place of strength or dexterity, I was able to mimic some of the skills Darrian and Elissa use. Although it worked, I do not want to do it again. I am tired, and my magical energy is still really low." Solona explains, her voice weary.
"Then rest, we will watch over you." Lyna orders, gently.
Solona nods, laying back down, Loki nudges her, she pats her side, the hound lays, curling into her side. Solona does not know how much time passes until she wakes again, feeling much better.
/
The companions are relieved at Solona's recovery, the forced rest was good for everyone else, as well. Solona explains to the party what she did, Alim reprimands her for attempting so soon, knowing the spell she used. She apologizes to Alim, telling him she has no intention of using it again, it felt like shit to recuperate from it. Alim chuckles, and hugs her, just glad that she's alright now. The group tell her they didn't find anything in the cavern, but did not venture out to investigate. Solona nods and gets everyone moving again, walking towards a set of doors.
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Walking along a collapsed bridge, the companions scramble for cover, as a High Dragon flies through the sky above. It lands on a cliff, overlooking a large open area between the bridge and another building. The dragon settles in, seeming to fall asleep, Solona watches, waiting to be sure, before traveling out in the open.
Oghren laughs quietly, wanting to take the beast on. Lyna tells him that if he tries to wake it up, she will gut him. Oghren believes her, shutting up. The companions move hastily to the other building, Zevran opens the door, everyone rushes inside.
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Solona has a harmonious feeling come over her, as she journey's further inside. The party see's a man standing in front of a set of double doors. He wears armor, but carries no weapon. As the group gets closer, he speaks, a peaceful tone to his communication.
"Welcome pilgrims. You are the first to make the journey in a long age." he says, his voice a tad distorted.
"Thank you, sir. I am Solona, Warden-Commander of Ferelden, those with me are either fellow Wardens or good friends and allies." Solona returns, her tone melodic.
"You have come to pay your respects to Andraste, and so you may try, but the gauntlet tests the faithful, those who are worthy, may come to stand before the ashes of the Makers Bride. Those who are not, will be turned away." the man explains.
"So traps then?" Leliana concludes.
"Can we skip it? We need to bring the urn to Arl Eamon of Redcliff. He was poisoned, but we have been unable to find a cure." Alistair inquires, hopeful.
"As worthy as the cause may be, all must make the journey." the man replies.
"I will walk the path, and not falter in the face of danger, for You are my sword and shield." Solona states.
"I have a question for each of you before you enter?" he informs them, acknowledging Solona's proverb.
Solona nods.
"You wonder about the battle at Ostagar. If you had been there with Duncan, maybe you could have saved him?" he inquires of Alistair.
"I...Yes. But I have also come to terms with it. I may not know the reason I, or any of us were spared, but I am content with how everything has turned out." Alistair tells him.
The Guardian, opens the door for Alistair, who steps over the threshold.
Each companion is asked their question, Wynne is asked about her son, Leliana about her vision. Oghren preempts the Guardian, telling about Branka. Lyna about Tamlen, Darrian about Shianni. Morrigan refuses to answer, Elissa about Howe. The hounds are given the okay, because they are mabari, too smart to answer. Zevran about a woman named Rinna. Faren about Leske, Sten about the family he killed.
"You still hold a great deal of anger at your clan for abandoning you. Has not your friends been a comfort? To ease the sting of a hurt long over?" the guardian asks of Alim.
"My anger is not with just my clan, but with all the other clans who still do it. I have seen an elven child come into the Circle, found outside a village. Never knowing why they were tossed aside. That is where my anger directs itself. And yes, my friends have given me great comfort. I found my family in them. But I will always be a little angry with the People." Alim explains. Solona takes his hand.
The guardian bids him forward.
"A mother's love you carry, but never a mother you have known. You feel the weight of the world upon you, but never a world you can be apart of. I can not ask you a question, you already know the answer too." the man states, smiling.
"I am the enigma, the puzzle without a solution or an end. I will endure my suffering, for it moves through me. I will know my worth, for there is no price known that can be paid in full." Solona returns, smiling as well.
"The way is open. May you find peace in the Maker." the Guardian says.
The doors close behind Solona.
/
Solona leads the others into a large room, there are eight spirits, four on each side, standing in niches along the walls. Solona steps to the first one on the left, a polite prompting, and the spirit tells a riddle, in accordance to knowledge of Andraste. Solona answers it easily, the spirit transforms into a wisp, then zips into a door at the far end of the hall. Alistair, Alim, Darrian, Elissa, Leliana, Solona, and Wynne, each move to another spirit. Alim moves down to the opposite end of the line, the others across the room. The riddles are asked and answered, seven more wisps fly to the door, opening it without it being touched.
An anteroom holds a spirit, most of the group knows, but that a few have never met. Duncan stands before them, telling them that he has watched their struggles and is proud of everything they have accomplished so far. He tells them that he is still with them, even if he can't be seen. He gives each an amulet, a Reflection of their friendship, hoping that it will give them courage in troubled times.
The next room, pits the party against itself, in spirit form. A doppelganger of each companion attacks a real member of the group. The fight is brutal and hard fought. Morrigan complains about Shale going straight for her double.
"You are condescending and mean. I enjoyed hitting you." Shale tells her, a gleefulness in her tone.
"And me, Shale? You went to me next. I am not mean to you." Wynne inquires, a tad upset.
"You are self righteous. I find it off putting to be constantly corrected for seemingly minor offenses." Shale says, not caring if she hurts their feelings, "This is why I like Alim and Solona. They both are considerate and humble. They do not look down on anyone." the golem explains.
"Except for Faren, Oghren and Sereda, I look down on them. They make me feel tall." Alim quips, grinning.
Shale chuckles, "You also make he laugh, silly mage." she states, smiling.
"You won't be laughing when I chop your legs off." Oghren retorts, grinning.
Alim nods his head, smirking. Morrigan just walks away, offended still. Wynne thinks about Shale's words, as the group walks to the next room.
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A pressure plate puzzle is a piece of cake to Alim and Solona, who figure it out in a few minutes. Sereda is skeptical of the bridge that appears, Faren takes her hand and pulls her across. The companions grin, listening to Sereda yell at him.
"I am going to kick your ass for this later." Sereda informs him.
"Spank. It's spanking my ass later. And why would I mind if you did that? I may like it." Faren fires back, smirking.
"I do not wish to hear about what you two do in your private time." Leliana remarks.
"Why not? It's not as if we're quiet at camp. And if Faren is good with it, you can join us." Sereda retorts, wiggling her eyebrows.
A few of the companions do their best to hide their giggles. The look on Leliana's face was fantastic.
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The group comes to a wall of flames, with an altar directly in front of it. Alim steps up to it, reading the inscription.
"You're not going to believe it, but it says we have to get naked." Alim tells them, cheekily.
Solona moves to it, reading the text herself, she smacks Alim on his arm.
"We need to take our armor and weapons off, leave our stuff behind. We can leave our small clothes on." Solona explains better.
"What if we are not wearing small clothes?" Zevran queries, grinning.
"Then go naked, as my brother hopes you will do." Solona retorts, smirking.
Zevran chuckles, beginning to remove his armor.
It takes the companions a few minutes to get their equipment off, everything is set aside. Solona walks through the flames first, the others follow one by one, once the last has passed through the flames, they dissipate, and the Guardian appears.
"You have passed the test, and have been found worthy. Step forward, you may take a pinch of the ashes, they have the cure you seek." the man informs them, before disappearing.
The party gets dressed and retrieves their equipment, before walking up a set of stairs. A large Urn, sits on a pedestal at the top. Solona gets a sheet of parchment, tearing a small part off. She folds the paper in a certain way. Alistair lifts the lid of the Vase, holding it while Solona collects the pinch, securing it in her ingredients pouch.
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The group walks quietly across the open expanse between the Temple and the The Gauntlet. Oghren sees a gong, sitting out on a jutted rock, he points it out to Solona, who puts it to the party about the High Dragon. Oghren, Shale and Sten are for it, Morrigan is fully against. The others are on the fence, Solona put it forth that this would be a good opportunity to test themselves for the Archdemon, liking it to a practice round. Alistair agrees, the others thinking about it, then nodding, agreeing as well. Everyone prepares themselves, Solona gives the signal to Oghren, who bangs the gong. The Dragon awakens, seeing the party. It takes flight, then lands in the open area. It readies a breath attack to start the battle.
Wynne stays out of range of the beast, healing injuries as the group fights. She sends rejuvenation and regeneration spells. She and Solona cast Lifewards on Alistair and Sten. Wynne pops a Lyrium potion, to continue casting support spells, haste and damage bonuses. Oghren gets a lucky strike in, damaging the dragon's right wing, keeping it grounded. Alim boosts the groups weapons with cold damage. He sends lightning and cold spells soon after. The rogues stay at it's back legs, slicing at the same places repeatedly. Sereda is under it's left wing, attacking a leg. Leliana and Lyna fire arrow after arrow, their quivers running low fast. Morrigan tries a new spell she learned in the grimoire, a Crushing Prison, it works for a minute, giving the companions a small advantage.
Solona is able to get a cone of cold in, timed just right, so as not to hit one of her friends. Sereda takes a chance, she bashes at the left wing, trying to smash it. It is a half hour of fighting, the Dragon is nearly dead, it is staggering, but not willing to give up. Solona sends a group heal, then drinks a Lyrium potion. She yells to Alistair to be ready, who nods his head. Solona sends a stone-fist, the creature falls forward, Alistair jumps on it's right leg, then hops up to it's shoulder. He plants his sword in it's lower neck, the Dragon roars, trying to shake him off. Alistair holds fast to his weapon, it is a perfect execution, and beautiful to see as it happens. Alistair is tossed up, his sword, gripped tightly in his hand comes free. Alistair uses the momentum, adding his own to it. Coming down, he swing his sword at just the right time, at just the right place. The Dragon is nearly decapitated, Alistair lands, rolling with the impact to the ground, then standing up swiftly. His body and face are covered in the creatures blood, he accidentally swallows some.
Elissa runs to him, crushing him to her. She crashes her lips to his, not caring about the blood. Alistair returns her passion ten fold. They whisper to each other, but the companions understand the context. Once the party has had a chance to catch their breath, they explore the cliff the dragon was sleeping on, finding a little cave. The treasure they find is awe inspiring, large piles of gold and gems, weapons and armor of remarkable make. Sten is re-outfitted into a new set of armor of Masterwork quality, it's weight is light, but the armor itself is harder than silverite. Oghren thinks it might be dragonbone. Lyna finds a bow that calls to her, picking it up, she feels a sense of belonging. There is elven script carved into the material, she can make out some of it. Alim looks at it, and translates the text, Mage's Eye is it's name, it has a bonus to attack and a chance to critical.
As the group is packing what they want, and can carry, Solona spots some books near the back of the cave. Inspecting them yields a surprising find, Solona puts them in her pack, before loading the bag with gold and gems. Faren is sad looking at the amount that will have to be left behind.
"I can try to fit a little more in my bag." Sereda offers.
"Nah. It wouldn't be much, besides, I have the best treasure a man needs with him." Faren says looking at Sereda.
"Oh, Faren. You completely romantic maniac." Sereda says, moved by his words.
"What are you talking about? I mean this." Faren retorts grinning, holding up a gem the size of a grapefruit.
"You...no good, dirty motherfu..." she starts, before Faren kisses her silly.
"Of course, I meant you, crazy nug humper." Faren whispers as he pulls back.
Faren walks away, leaving Sereda to follow. She shakes her head at him, before jogging to catch up to him and the others.
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The party sees another set of doors down an incline, investigating, they discover a passageway, leading directly down to the main floor of the Temple. Alim and Solona combine their cone of flames, melting the ice that was blocking the exit. Coming out of a door at the end of the tunnel, the companions emerge at the top of the stair case on the first floor, the large bonfire still going. Bodahn, Genitivi, and Sandal have set up a camp near it.
Reuniting with the brother and the merchant, the group reintegrates, briefing each other on the events that happened to them. Genitivi is excited about the finding of the Urn, he will accompany the party to Redcliff, then find a ride back to Denerim from there. Solona suggests that everyone get some rest and head out tomorrow.
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Shale gets bored that night, telling the dogs to keep an eye out. The golem returns before anyone wakes in the morning. The chest in the back of the cart refilled again.
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Notes: Yes, the title of this chapter is a direct quote from Sten when you are on the quest for the Urn of Sacred Ashes. I love Sten's dialogue.