The Elven Noble:
The city of Skywatch is one of the biggest cities in the Dales and is the largest Port City. Since it was the main link to the Waking Sea, it had received a lot of trade over the years and had grown to become one of the busiest port cities along the Waking Sea and traded with Denerim, Amaranthine, Neverra and the Free Marches. However Skywatch was also the largest town captured by the Orlesians during the war. After they crossed the Frostback Mountains, they captured Skywatch and it became their stronghold. This allowed the Orlesians to gain supplies from Orlais. The town was only freed near the end of the war as even though they had been driven out of the Dales, they were determined to keep the city and they used all their supplies to hold the city. When their navy was destroyed, the Orlesians pillage the city for food and many of the people starved. Many had already been forced to work like Slaves for the Orlesians and now they were being stripped of food. The Occupation only ended when a young lord named Cyrion Tabris who had married one of the fighters for the Elves led a revolt which killed the Orlesian command had the occupation ended. The remaining Orlesians surrendered though many were killed by angry elves. As a result of the Occupation, Skywatch was one of the strongest anti-human cities and even though some people desire peace, it has resulted in merchants having to use mercenaries to stay safe.
After the war, Cyrion became the lord of Skywatch and had always desired to help rebuild though the strong Anti-human feelings make this difficult and so Cyrion has to stay in Skywatch castle most of the time to stay safe from assassins. Though this did not stop his young daughter Kallian Tabris from going out and having adventures. Kallian was a young elven girl of around 18 and she had auburn red hair and bright green eyes. She had the golden like skin of the High Elves that elves in the cities had. Kallian always loved leaving the castle grounds and exploring the cities and the surrounding forests. Sometimes she would dress as a commoner and pretend to help work and she laughed at their reactions when it was discovered who she was. Kallian eventually met up with people who she usually met up with.
The two people both looked very similar with short red hair but one was a boy and one was a girl. They were Soris and Shianni, Kallian's cousins though unlike Kallian, they weren't nobles. They were the children of her mother's siblings and unlike Kallian's parents; they had not become nobility after the war though Kallian was close with her cousins as they often went on adventures. Soris was currently training with the guard while Shianni was training as a seamstress and hoped to one day open a dress shop. Both had the same red hair that Kallian had and they loved going on adventures.
"Hey cousin" Shianni greeted "Soris and I were wondering if we were going to see you here"
"I just needed to get out of the castle for a while" Kallian sighed "My father won't know I'm gone as he has a lot of work to do. And you know me, I'm too much like my mother to stay in the castle" Kallian's mother was one of the top soldiers during the Resistance in Skywatch and she and her father had fallen in love and they married after the war. Her mother had one day vanished from the castle and there had been no signs of hers in years. Some say that she had abandoned them but Kallian refused to believe that as she and her mother had always gotten on, she had been the one who encourage Kallian to train in weapons, Kallian was an expert at fighting with two shortswords as well as throwing knives.
"What kind of work?" Soris asked
Kallian sighed "My father is preparing Skywatch for a visit from Queen Ayrenn. She's coming here to give a speech to the city at the temple. The speech is to announce the Elvish help to our allies in Divina against the Darkspawn amassing in the South. But knowing just how anti-human the city is, father is worried about Assassins trying to kill the Queen. There has been a growing opposition to her."
This was true, a few years after Ayrenn had become Queen of the Dales, a Rebel movement against her had started to appear, and they called themselves the Veiled Inheritance. They were strongly anti-human and wanted to destroy the Alliance that the Dales had held with Divina for years. They had already performed several Assassination plots against the Queen but they all failed.
"Well what should we do today?" Shianni asked
"Well maybe we can do something to help my father instead of causing trouble" Kallian suggested "My father has enough work to do at the moment"
"Well Captain Astanya has some work to be done" Soris suggested "Maybe we can ask her for some work"
"A good idea" Shianni agreed "We can go and ask if she needs help. I've heard that she is looking for outside help."
"It's a good thing that no one recognises me in my leather armour" Neria stated
The three of them went over to see Captain Astanya, Astanya had been a soldier in the Resistance against the Orlesians and had been a good fighter, even killing a Chevalier during a fight. She was a regular sized elf with long blond hair in a pony tail. The three of them found her near Skywatch harbour "Fair day visitor" she greeted "May I ask what you need."
"We heard that you were looking for help" Soris stated
"Well, my guards are all tied up at the minute" Astanya stated "If you three are up to it, there are some things you can look for me."
"Sure" Shianni stated "What can we do to help"
"There are two people who I would like you to speak with" Astanya stated "Advisor Norion and Steward Eminwe, they need assistance but I'm unable to give them the aid they need."
"We can handle them" Kallian stated and then they walked away "Well we should split up, I'll speak with Norion and you two handle Eminwe."
"Alright" Shianni claimed
...
Kallian went over to speak with advisor Norion; he was an advisor to the Queen on the deployment of marines. He was over at a warehouse and narrowed his eyes when Kallian approached "Yes what is it?" he demanded "I have a problem here!"
"Well, I was told to speak to you by Captain Astanya" Kallian stated
"Oh well in that case I need your help" Norion claimed "You see, my servant followed a burglar into the warehouse, he stole a set of marine deployment plans set up for the Queen's upcoming speech"
Kallian was confused "Why would a burglar steal those plans?" she questioned
"I wouldn't know" Norian stated "They could be used to bypass the Queen's security and we don't want that"
"I'll go check it out" Kallian said and then she entered the old warehouse and was shocked when she saw two people in the room.
"I did as you asked" a scared man stated as he shook in fear of the 2nd man
"Yes, you did" the other sneered before shoving a dagger into his chest then disappearing in a puff of smoke. Kallian was shocked but she went and picked up the plans before heading back outside
"Well, did you find our burglar?" Norian asked
"I did and I recovered the plans" Kallian claimed "But he was already dead"
"Oh, a pity" Norian said "Keep those plans and give them to the captain when you see her. Right now I must attend to the Queen."
"So you're not concerned about our dead burglar?" Kallian questioned
"When should I" Norian chucked and then he walked off leaving a confused Kallian behind.
...
Soris and Shianni meanwhile had gone off to speak with Steward Eminwe who was over at the East warehouse. As the steward, it was Eminwe job to make sure everything was ready.
"I'm sorry I can't help you" Eminwe said when she saw Soris and Shianni approach "I'm very busy and there is a lot to do"
"Watch Captain Astanya sent us" Soris said
"Oh, well I guess this is about the supplies" Eminwe gasped "Well two of my cooks have fallen ill while preparing the Feast and I suspect sabotage. I want to make sure all of our food supplies are safe.
"What do you want us to do?" Shianni asked
"Well I'm checking these supplies" Eminwe stated "You two can check the supplies in the warehouse next door."
"We'll go ahead and look" Soris said and then he and Shianni went to look at the supplies.
They checked the supplies and found a barrel of light summer wine which smelt delicious, a crate of spies with strong smells, a barrel of fresh apples, a large cargo bale with silks and other rich clothes from the city of Sunhold, a crate of cheeses, a cargo bale of high quality linens and a barrel of deep red wine.
But then Soris found something inside a crate, it was some meat with a strange odour "Hey, this meat seems to have been poisoned" he said
"We should take it back to Eminwe" Shianni said as they left the warehouse.
But then a strange man in a uniform attacked them from behind. But Shianni's skills with throwing knives allowed her to throw a dagger into the man's throat. They soon made it back to Eminwe "So, did you find anything?" she asked
"We did" Soris said "We found some poisoned meat"
"So you found the problem" Eminwe smiled "I'll be sure to warn my cooks about this"
"We were also attacked by a strange man after we left" Shianni said
"Must have been a cutpurse" Eminwe said "These streets are full of them. You should take that evidence back to the captain"
Soris and Shianni then left and met up with Kallian "Hey, we found some tainted meat in the warehouse" Soris said "And then we were attacked."
"Well I recovered some stolen plans from a burglar" Kallian said "But he was then murdered by a strange man. I don't like this, something is going on. I think I'll handle the rest of this. You two need to keep watch." Kallian then took the meat and went off to look of Captain Astanya.
When Kallian found Astanya, Kallian saw that something was wrong "Tell me what you've found?" she asked
Kallian spoke "I found this set off..." Kallian didn't finish as Astanya interrupted her
"Good, look I hate to interrupt you but one of my men Heldil had cornered a thug nearby; I need you to talk to this lowborn scum"
Kallian looked confused "What has he done"
Astanya narrowed her eyes "There's no time for this, all I can say is that he is involved in a plot against the Queen. I need you to get to him"
"But what about the evidence I found?" Kallian questioned
"Just hold it for now." Astanya answered "Heldil is waiting for you; he's at the house on the right."
"I'll go check him out" Kallian said and then she went over to the House that Astanya spoke about and Watchman Heldil was waiting.
"Please stand back, we have a situation here" Heldil said
"Your captain sent me, she said that you needed help" Kallian replied
"Ah, help from the captain" Heldil smiled "Inside this house is a dangerous man. He's wanted by the crown and has valuable information. He's threatening to kill himself if we approach the door and we need him alive."
"So what do you want me to do?" Kallian asked
"I need him alive" Heldil replied "Just get in there and get him talking, don't listen to what he says, he's half mad. You get him talking and we'll move in behind you."
"Understood" Kallian stated and then she went up to the door and knocked on it.
"Keep back!" a voice shouted on the other side of the door "One step closer and I'll cut my throat!"
Kallian sighed, she was afraid that this might happen "It's alright, I'm not with the guards, and I just want to walk"
"Oh yeah!" the voice snorted "And why should I trust you?"
"Do you really want to die?" Kallian questioned "I'm your only choice here."
"Fine" the voice called "Just don't try anything, I'll open the door"
"I'm coming in" Kallian called and she then went in, but was shocked to see that the man in question was Fasion, an elf that was friends with her father and someone who investigated the city.
"Kallian?" Fasion questioned "Well, we don't have much time"
"Time, what are you talking about?" Kallian asked
"The queen is in danger" Fasion stated "The guards are using you. Captain Astanya is corrupt; she's a member of the Veiled Inheritance."
"What!" Kallian gasped "But Astanya had been a loyal soldier for years."
"But she doesn't agree with our Alliance with Divina" Fasion stated
Then the door opened and Hildil entered with another guard "Good work citizen" he said
"Traitors, Scum!" Fasion spat
"Shut your mouth!" Hidil growled "You're under arrest" and then the guards grabbed Fasion's shoulders
"I live to serve the Queen" Fasion hissed
"Sure you do!" Hildil spat and then he punched Fasion and knocked him out. He then turned to Kallian "Good work"
"So what will happen to him now?" Kallian questioned
"Don't worry; he will receive a fair trial" Hildil stated "The captain is always even handed"
"I guess I should go and report to her then" Kallian sighed
"Good call" Hildil said "We'll see that this man is placed in a cell."
Kallian then left the house and went to find Captain Astanya. She was very confused; she had known Astanya for years and was always very loyal to the Dales. Maybe Hildil was right and he was just crazy. But she still needed to bring the evidence to Astanya. She eventually found Astanya near the temple to the Elven Gods which was in the centre of the city.
"Ah, my helper" Astanya greeted "So good to see you again."
Kallian was careful to select her words "Yes captain" she said "I wanted to ask you about..."
But then Astanya narrowed her eyes at Kallian "Stop right there!" she shouted "As captain of Skywatch City Guards, I'm placing you under arrest under suspicion to commit regicide!"
"What!" Kallian gasped "What are you talking about?"
"What's this?" she questioned as she grabbed her bag and pulled out the papers she had recovered from the warehouse "Deployment papers for the marines at the temple, and do I smell poison in the air. It's no good arguing scum, it's over for you"
Kallian then realised that Fasion was right. Astanya was a traitor and she had used her as a scapegoat. But she didn't have any time to think as Astanya's fist collided with Kallian's head and she was knocked to the floor as her vision went black.
…
Unknown to Astanya, Soris and Shianni were watching from a distance and they gasped when Astanya punched Kallian and her guards took her away.
"What's going on?" Soris stated "When has Kallian been arrested?"
"Something's going on here" Shianni said "We need to find Cyrion and tell him what has happened here."
Soris sighed and they both went off to Skywatch Manor in order to tell their uncle what had happened.
…
When Kallian woke up, she found herself to be in one of the cells in Skywatch prison. The Prison was located near the Guard barracks and she was in a very small cell. There was only a pile of straw on the floor for the prisoners to sleep on and a bucket. He noticed Fasion lying on the floor dead. He had been stabbed with a dagger so Astanya must have murdered him so there were no witnesses.
"Hey, over here?" a voice called and Kallian turned to the door of the cell where a light brown skinned elf stood. The brown skin of this elf showed that he was a wood elf. Wood Elves lived in the forests and tended to stay away from the cities except to trade. These Wood Elves were deeply religious and some were known to obey the Green Pact which was where they were forbidden to harm nature, they were even forbidden to eat fruit. Some people saw these Wood Elves as Savages, even by other Elves but Wood Elves were expert trackers, scouts and archers so some of them joined the army and became master scouts.
"I see that you've landed yourself in Astanya's trap" the wood elven man said, "It's a good thing that I'm here to help."
"Who are you?" Kallian asked
The Wood elf laughed "Ah yes, I've forgotten to introduce myself again. My name is Razos Dal, I'm Queen Ayrenn's spymaster. Did you really think that the Queen wouldn't send someone to make sure that she would be safe? She knows that Skywatch is a place where her ideas aren't like"
"So what has happened here?" Kallian asked
"These rebels known as the Veiled Inheritance plan to assassinate the Queen when she gives her speech at the Elven Temple" Razos stated "Astanya is one of them and she was given the honour of being the one to kill the Queen"
"But why?" Kallian questioned "Astanya has been a good guard for years, why would she decide to turn traitor now"
"Captain Astanya believes the Queen is a traitor to the Elves" Razos claimed "She believes that the Elves should rule themselves. But she is also one of those who believe the Wood Elves should be hunted down. The Veiled Inheritance is using her to do her plans. I don't know the leadership but it seems that the leader is this Veiled Queen. But right now, we have to save Queen Ayrenn. I've managed to secure your key and now we have to get to the Temple and save the Queen" Razos brought out a key and unlocked the door to her cell and he helped Kallian out
"Now we must inform my father" Kallian said "Then we must warn the Queen of the Assassination plot"
"The Queen can take care of herself" Razos claimed "But she must know of the threat."
…
"What do you mean my daughter has been arrested?" Cyrion Tabris shouted at his niece and nephew
"We were helping the guards with an investigation and then Captain Astanya arrested Kallian" Soris stated
"I thought I told her to stay out of the guard's business" Cyrion sighed "I wanted her safe, not after what happened to her mother."
Cyrion's wife was Adaia who had been a member of the Resistance against Orlais. She had been a skilled fighter but that had not saved her when there was an assassination attempt on her husband. Adaia had jumped in front of an arrow meant for Cyrion and had been badly injured. She later died from her injuries.
Cyrion sighed "Queen Ayrenn is going to be here soon" he said "I need to get to the Temple of the Elven Gods; I'll sort this situation out as soon as I can."
Cyrion then got dressed in his noble clothing, as an Elven noble, he was able to wear fancy robes made by Elven tailors. He soon went to the centre of Skywatch where the Temple of the Elven Gods was located.
"Father, there you are!" a voice called and Cyrion turned to see his daughter Kallian running towards him with a wood elf behind her.
"Kallian!" Cyrion hissed "Why have I just been told that you were arrested?" he demanded
"It's Astanya father!" Kallian said quickly "She's a traitor, she's working for the Veiled Inheritance, and they're going to assassinate the Queen"
"What!" Cyrion gasped
"It's true" the wood elf said "I'm Razos Dal, the Queen's spymaster, the Veiled Inheritance are planning to kill the Queen during her speech."
"Queen Ayrenn and Battlereeve Urcelmo are waiting for me at the temple" Cyrion gasped "We must get there before the Veiled Inheritance strikes."
…
Cyrion, Kallian and Razos then travelled over to the Temple of the Elven Gods. Since the speech was a private event, the area had been closed off though because Cyrion was of noble blood, he was allowed through.
They eventually found Battlereeve Urcelmo with the Queen outside the temple. Battlereeve Urcelmo's job was leading the Battlemages and advising the queen on magical issues
"Ah Lord Cyrion" Urcelmo greeted "It good that you are finally here"
"Battlereeve, we have a problem" Cyrion said "It's those Veiled Inheritance Assassin's they're going to kill the queen"
"They'll be foolish to try" Urcelmo stated "We've taken every precaution, the whole area is on lock down, Watch Captain Astanya assured me."
"That's the problem" Kallian sighed "Astanya is the one behind this; she's planning an ambush in the temple and Razos helped me escape them when they captured me"
"Captain Astanya?" Urcelmo questioned "That's absurd!"
"Hold it" Queen Ayrenn said "I would hear what this one has to say"
"Queen Ayrenn, I fear for your safety" Urcelmo stated "Please disregard what was just said"
"Cyrion Tabris is a good friend of mine" Ayrenn stated "And Razos was mentioned, he acts on my behalf, if you won't investigate then I will"
"Apologizes my queen" Urcelmo said "You are a capable woman, but you must be wary" he then turned to Kallian "You come with me, we'll investigate this together."
"Understood" Kallian said
"Kallian" Cyrion said to his daughter "Please be careful"
"Don't worry father, I will" Kallian said and he went into the temple with Urcelmo
The two of them then entered the Temple of the Elven Gods together. The Temple had shrines to each of the Elven Gods plus the Divine Akatosh though he was better known as Auri-el to the elves. They soon came to the centre of the room and Kallian gasped when they saw Steward Eminwe lying on the floor with a stab wound.
"Auri-el be merciful!" Urcelmo gasped "What's happened here?"
Eminwe coughed up blood and looked at them "I'm sorry, I was wrong" she said sadly "I tried to stop them. Watch out, on the balcony, it's Astanya! It's a trap!"
Then a flaming arrow was launched from the balcony which struck Eminwe in her chest which killed her. Kallian and Urcelmo looked up to see Astanya standing on the balcony and glaring at them
"Urcelmo" she greeted "I see you've met my latest toy"
"Astanya!" Urcelmo growled "You fucking traitor! Come down here and face me!"
"I'm the traitor?" Astanya giggled "Queen Ayrenn is the real traitor, playing good with those humans of Divina. Well it's time for change around here."
"Our alliance with Divina is what's kept the Dales from falling to the Chantry!" Kallian shouted angrily "If it wasn't for Divina then the Dales would have fallen nearly 700 years ago."
"That was a different time" Astanya laughed "We've come a long way since then"
"Enough, you are a traitor and you will die a traitor's death!" Urcelmo shouted
"I came here for the Queen's head" Astanya stated "But yours will have to do. Kill them!"
Several Veiled Inheritance Assassins jumped down from the balcony and landed on the floor where they began to attack Urcelmo and Kallian. Kallian had recovered her two swords which she used while Urcelmo wielded his sword and shield. They quickly killed the assassins.
"Fools!" Astanya shouted "I'll take care of you myself. And I'm looking forward to killing the daughter of Adaia. She was my best assassination target"
Kallian gasped "It was you!" she shouted "You murdered my mother; my parents trusted you and you betrayed them"
"I was glad that she died" Astanya sneered "I smiled as she died in your father's arms."
Kallian narrowed her eyes "Never speak of my mother like that you bitch!" she shouted "You will die for this!"
Astanya and Kallian charged at each other and clashed their swords with each other. Urcelmo joined in but was knocked back. But Kallian had determination and she knocked one of Astanya's blades from her hands then stabbed her in the chest.
"That was for my mother!" Kallian hissed "You fucking bitch!" then she twirled around and slashed her neck which severed Astanya's head from her body.
Urcelmo then helped Kallian "Come on, we should get to the Queen and inform her of what has happened" he said
Kallian went straight to Queen Ayrenn as soon as she and Urcelmo came outside the temple. "Well?" Ayrenn asked "What did you and Urcelmo find?"
"It was a trap" Kallian stated "Astanya was waiting in there with some Assassins. It was a trap"
"Then it seemed that these Veiled Inheritance people are no longer just people who speak out" Ayrenn stated "Before they were just people who spoke out against me. But now they've tried to kill me. It seems that I will need to declare this Veiled Inheritance Cult a criminal origination"
"My Queen" Cyrion spoke "Forgive me for not knowing about this assassination attempt"
"There is nothing to forgive" Ayrenn stated "But I am shocked that Astanya was behind this"
"When we were in the temple, she claimed that you had betrayed us my Queen" Urcelmo hissed
"My betrayal?" Ayrenn hissed "Astanya turns against her oath after years of service and speaks as though I'm the traitor. Well it seems that we must find out who leads this Veiled Inheritance."
"I will do everything I must to locate these traitors" Razos stated
"You do that Razos" Ayrenn stated "But we must locate the leadership quick, with a possible Blight going on in Divina, I must unite the Dales."
"Then what is our next move?" Urcelmo asked
"I must speak with King Camoran of the Wood Elves and unite the Wood Elves for the war" Ayrenn said and then she turned to Cyrion "And if you allow it Lord Cyrion, I would like to take your daughter with me"
"Me?" Kallian asked "What do you want with me?"
"You helped uncover the plot on the attempt on my life" Ayrenn said "And I may need your help to investigate this Veiled Inheritance. My attempt to unite the Wood Elves won't be supported by everyone."
"If my daughter wishes to go then I will allow it" Cyrion said
Kallian thought for a minute and she realised that this was her chance for an adventure "Yes, I accept" Kallian said
"Then we must set out for the city of Montsimmard" Ayrenn said "There is business there I must finish. Gather what things you are taking then join us, and say goodbye to your family"
Kallian turned to her father who spoke to her "Join me at the castle" he said "Your cousins will want to say goodbye and I have something for you"
...
Kallian found her cousins waiting for her and they smiled at her "Is it true cousin?" Soris asked "Are you really going to join Queen Ayrenn?"
"It's true Soris" Kallian stated "Queen Ayrenn says that I can help dealing with the Veiled Inheritance"
"Well I know you can do it" Shianni stated "You have the skills to stop those traitors"
"But you will need the right equipment" Cyrion said as he approached them "I have some things to give you" he handed Kallian a suit of finely crafted Elven Armour "This armour was made by the finest Elvish crafters you could find. I was gifted this armour when I became the Lord of Skywatch. Now I think you will have more use for it than I have"
"Thank you father" Kallian said "I'll be sure to wear it with honour"
"And you will use these in honour as well" Cyrion laughed as he handed Kallian two large daggers "These daggers belonged to your mother. She would want you to have them"
"And I'll be sure to use them to kill those Veiled Inheritance members" Kallian hissed "I'll use them to avenge mother"
Cyrion smiled and embraced his daughter "Go my daughter, and make me and your mother proud"
"I will father" Kallian said "I will." Then she left the castle to join the Queen and her council.
Chapter end:
Notes: Well after a long wait I have finally gotten this chapter up. The next chapter won't take as long but this the whole plot is not yet finished but I will have some more chapters done but they are only the origin stories which are different from the game. The character of Razos Dal is based off Razum-Dar from Elder Scrolls online. While I'm bringing in the Elven and Human races, the Argonians, Khajiits will not be appearing and I'm not sure if I'm bringing in the Dark Elves or Orcs in this story but if you have any ideas that I can use to bring them in then tell me. I actually managed to finish this chapter during the weekend but due to an issue with the network, I was unable to upload it.
