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Notes: I apologize if I skip important dialogue options or events. Please leave reviews. They help more than you can imagine.

Completed quests in this chapter: The Lone Warden and The Captian of the Chargers.

Skipped quests in this chapter: Business Arrangements, Deep Trouble, Wardens on the Coast, Rifts on the Coast, Rifts at the Falls, A Common Treatment chain, A Spirit In The Lake, Playing with Fire, Where the Buffalo Roam, Flowers For Senna, The Ballad of Lord Woolsley, and Memories of the Gray.

Completed operations in this chapter: Utilize Gray Warden Treaties, Investigate Strange Chalk Markings, and The Chantry Remains.

Skipped operations in this chapter: The Cult of Andraste chain, Upon the Waking Sea, A Present For Bianka, Choose A Successor In Lydes #1 & 2, and Locate Weapon of Trydda Bright-Axe.


Chapter 4: Man From Another World

Eight days later, Haven

Josephine greeted Grindelwald and Cassandra in the Chantry. "It's good you returned. We heard of your encounter."

Grindelwald scoffed. "And in about one week, all of Thedas will."

Cullen nodded. "It seems the Templars have abandoned their senses and the capitol."

"Indeed. But now we have an opportunity."

Josephine nodded. "An opportunity to approach the mages and Templars."

Cassandra shook her head and started walking to the war room. "Do we? Lord Seeker Lucius is not the man I remember. The Herald said he might be possessed, and the likelihood of it increases the more I think about it. And the mages are powerful but desperate."

"The mages will be easier than dealing with a seeker-turned-abomination."

Cullen shook his head. "Or it could be ten times worse."

Grindelwald sighed. "The mages will want support for their cause and will turn to anyone powerful enough to help them. And desperation attracts vultures. Fiona told us the mages were more united, so we should talk to the mages. But I don't feel comfortable leaving the Templars in the hands of a potential abomination. And there's always danger no matter what."

"True enough. But right now, I'm not sure we have enough influence to approach the order safely."

Cassandra nodded. "Then we need more agents in more places. The Herald can help with that." She, Cullen, and Josephine left to do their respective duties.

Liliana guided Grindewald to her tent so they could talk. "There is one other matter."

Grindelwald narrowed his eyes. "And that is?"

"Several months ago, every Gray Warden in Orlais disappeared. None of my agents can find them. However, they found one named Blackwall in the Hinterlands near Valamar. Ordinarily, I wouldn't even consider this, but the timing is–" She hesitated. "Curious."

"Curious, indeed. I'll see what I can do. If this Blackwall doesn't know where they are, there is more going on here than we see."

"Thank you. Perhaps he can put my mind at ease."

"Of course."

Ten minutes later

Grindelwald went to Cullen's area by the barrax. He noticed they had an ex-Templar training them. "Training the recruits well?"

Cullen smirked. "Better than anyone else."

"Really?" He threw a stunner in a random direction. To the soldier's credit, he dodged the spell and the sword that almost cut him in half. "Now I'm very impressed. Don't hold back, commander. I expect every recruit to do the same."

"Yes, Lord Herald." Cullen crossed his arms. "Our forces have exponentially increased since you brought in the refugees. Some are from Haven as well. But none made quite the entrance you did."

"At least I got everyone's attention."

"That you did. Cassandra recruited me directly from Kirkwall. I was there during the mage uprising and the Blight. Now it seems we face something far worse."

"That's why we're needed."

"Indeed. The Inquisition could act when the Chantry couldn't. Our followers could be a part of that." He sighed. "Forgive me. I doubt you came here for a lecture."

"No, but if I didn't listen to the opinions of my inner circle, I would be a poor leader."

"True enough. There's still a lot of work to do." A recruit brought Cullen a supply report. "As I was saying…"

Grindelwald walked away to talk to Cassandra. "Hello, Cassandra."

Cassandra brutally cut down a training dummy and glared. "What?"

"Do I need to order stronger dummies? Maybe iron?"

She continued glaring at him. "That would be nice." She relaxed and sighed. "Did I do the right thing?"

Grindelwald couldn't hide his confusion. "I'm sorry?"

"What I have set in motion could destroy everything I've worked for. One day, they will write about me as a traitor, madwoman, and fool. And they may be right."

"Cassandra…in this world, being a leader is not about doing the right thing. It's about making the hard decisions and living with the consequences."

"Indeed. If there are consequences for my actions, I pay them."

Grindelwald nodded. "With any luck, there won't be consequences for this. Instead, we will be rewarded by saving the world."

"Possibly. But we are doing good, at least right now. Right now, the people are content to stand in the fire and complain that it is hot."

"Such is the world we live in. On a better note, what do think will happen next?"

"Next, we find secure help with the Breach, then close it. After that, we find those responsible and end them."

"A basic plan, but basic does not mean bad."

Cassandra nodded. She was about to return to training when a thought accrued. "Before you go, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

Grindelwald hid his nervousness well. "Of course. Such as?"

"Where are you from?"

'Surely Liliana knows something.' "What has Liliana told you?"

Cassandra chuckled. "Liliana has collected a frightening amount of information on you. But I want to hear it from you."

Grindelwald told her the truth. "That is best discussed with everyone. My name sounds familiar, but I'm not from where you expect. I'll explain it when we meet in the war room."

He walked back to Haven's Chantry where Josephine's office is. "Hello, Ambassador."

"Ah, Lord Grindelwald. I've been meaning to speak with you."

"Oh? What about?"

"I would like to discuss your parents."

Gellert Grindelwald was about lie when thousands of memories entered his brain that weren't his. Memories of growing up in Ostwick, attending fancy parties, and being unbearably bored at them, and disagreements with his parents. He sighed. "What have they done this time?"

"Right now, nothing. But I want to know if we should approach your family for their formal support of the Inquisition."

"Don't. The last conversation I had with my family was a screaming argument about the treatment of mages and how poorly they raised me. Along with my experiences at the Circle Tower. Luxury isn't luxury if you're miserable."

Josephine nodded. "I know how that feels. Is that a yes or no?"

"Unless you want them to throw open Haven's gates and try to bring me home, no."

"I will kindly decline any offers of such. Thank you, Lord Grindelwald."

"Is there a reason for asking?"

"There is. The Grindelwald name gives the Inquisition some legitimacy, though not as much as I'd hoped. Orais considers the Freemarches somewhat–" Josephine paused. "Quaint."

Grindelwald was bombarded with more memories. He quickly regained his composure. "That's because the Freemarches only unite when darkspawn come knocking at their door. But you can't deny its effectiveness."

"No, you can't. Speaking of which, thank you for your patients with the simple quarters. Haven's living conditions must be rough for someone of your birth."

Grindelwald shook his head. "No, no. It's actually ideal. Those who wish me harm are unwilling to traverse the hellish terrain, and I would rather be cold than hot. And I've learned how to fall asleep anywhere, on command."

"Really? Thank you, my Lord."

"Of course. Please come to the war room in ten minutes. There is something you all need to know. And let my party members know as well."

"It will be done."

Thirty minutes later, War Room

Grindelwald sighed. Everyone in his inner circle, including party members gathered around the war table. "I'll be blunt. I am not from this world."

No one responded. Josephine tried to put two and two together. "It almost makes sense. You know so much, yet so little about our world. And your spells are vastly different from other mages. And your mannerisms do not comply with those from any country. What "dimension" are you from? What was your childhood actually like?"

"I'm from a place called Earth. Specifically, a country called Germany. Ironically, it mostly resembles Ostwick and the Freemarches. I was educated in a place called Drumstrang. But I was expelled for practicing dark magic. Not an easy task considering that they teach a few dark spells." He thought about telling them of the Deathly Hollows but decided against it. 'That information dies with me.' "A few years after, I fell in love with a man named Albus Dumbledore. We were alike in so many ways. We sought equality for muggleborns; those without magical parents, and to keep wizards; those with magic, safe from muggles; those without magic. However, we had very different plans on how to accomplish that. I wanted to conquer the world, but Dumbledore disagreed. Eventually, I started a war that engulfed the whole continent and went completely unopposed until Dumbledore defeated me in a duel."

Liliana nodded. "You tried to conquer the world in the name of equality?"

"Yes."

"Not unlike certain mages."

Grindelwald sighed. "I earned that. During the war, I burned down entire cities. But, yes, I did."

"How were you defeated?"

"I used the flesh-rotting curse, and Dumbledore used a reflector shield. I did not expect this and died in seconds due to the power behind the spell. How I ended up here is a mystery, but I'm not complaining."

Solas frowned. "It sounds like you were a dark wizard. You seem better, but not as good as you could be."

Grindelwald rolled his eyes. "Solas…I promised not to burn down cities, not use whatever curse is necessary to kill my enemies."

Liliana's smile unnerved the whole room. "The Herald is merely using everything he has to his advantage." Solas closed his mouth, not wanting to discover what was behind that smile.

Josephine furrowed her eyebrows. "I am confused about something. You gave me information on your "childhood" here. Did you make it up?"

Grindelwald sighed. "Not entirely. The last conversation with my parents did involve a lot of screaming, and it was about human rights. When you asked, I was bombarded with memories I didn't recognize. Unfortunately, my childhood here and back home wasn't that much different. The Circle and family home in Ostwick meant I was richer."

"I see. This information will not leave this room. But others will inquire about your "life" in Ostwick. What will you tell them?"

"I will tell them that whatever secrets they make public, I will release something ten times worse."

Liliana's smile could have frozen salt water. "A man after my own heart."

Grindelwald coughed and sputtered. "Anyway, I have a favor to ask."

"And that is?"

"Teach me everything I need to know about this world. I can't lie my way through this forever."

Josephine nodded. "It will be done. Speak with me after this."

Grindelwald nodded. "Thank you. What else is on our agenda?"

Cullen pointed to the Hinterlands. "We still have to meet the mages in Redcliffe. And there are still a few things to do there."

"Do I have a time limit?"

"Within reason."

"Thank you. I will leave in one week."

Sixteen days later, Upper Lake Camp, Hinterlands

Grindelwald spent one week with Josephine. He learned anything and everything about the cultures and traditions of the people of Thedas. Although he did not believe in the Maker, he still learned quite a bit about the Andrastinian faith.

Then he returned to the Hinterlands—specifically, Upper Lake Camp. Grindelwald walked up a small hill to get a better view of Lake Lucius. "The lone warden Liliana mentioned should be across the lake." Seeing the location, he apparated to the area.

Warden Blackwall was startled by the sudden crack and almost took Grindelwald's head off. "Maker's balls! Who the hell are-oh? You're the Herald."

"And you are Warden Blackwall, correct?"

"How do you know my name?" He blocked an arrow that almost killed the Herald. Mercenaries arrived are their location. "That's it, help or get out. We're dealing with these idiots first."

"That we are. AVADA KADAVERA!" Grindelwald's killing curse ground the pace of battle to a halt. The people there didn't believe the rumors that Grindelwald had an instant-kill spell. There were four mercenaries, minus one. They tried to run, but Grindelwald ended their lives the same way.

Blackwall disapproved of this. "Why did you kill them? They were running away. Or better yet, what made them run away?"

"Letting an enemy live is a mistake. And they ran because they realized the rumors of an instant-death spell are true."

Blackwall put two and two together. "So you can kill with one spell. Why are you here?"

"The Inquisition has questions about the Gray Wardens."

"Maker's massive ballsack! The Wardens and Divine-no. You're asking, so you don't really know. First off, I didn't know they disappeared. But we do that, right? No blight, no Wardens. But I promise you, no Warden killed the Divine. Our purpose isn't political."

"Relax. I'm not here to accuse anyone yet. Just asking for information. I found you, so where are the others?"

"I have no idea. Maybe the Wardens went back to our fortress in the Anderfells. That's a long way northeast. My job is to find potential recruits for the joining and train people who want training."

"I see. Thank you, Blackwall, but I'm afraid this is where we part ways."

As they walked away, Blackwall told them to wait. "Wait, Inquisition Agent." He sighed. "The Divine is dead, the sky is torn open, and saying the Gray Wardens were absent is almost as bad as saying they're involved. As a Gray Warden, I could help."

Grindelwald nodded. "We need all the help we can get right now. Go to Haven and find Commander Cullen. He'll have work for you."

"Good to hear. This Warden walks with the Inquisition."

"And you will walk with me as well. Varric will go back to Haven and teach our agents his skills."

Varric smirked. "Always happy to pass on my skills."

"Thank you, Varric."

Blackwall nodded. "Where are we going?"

"The Storm Coast."

Ten days later, The Storm Coast

[Current party: GG, Cassandra P., BW, Solas]

Grindelwald quickly found out why it was called the Storm Coast. He spent more magical energy reapplying drying charms in three hours than he does when he uses Fiendfyre for thirty seconds. He sighed. "Scout Harding?"

Scout Harding smiled. "Lord Grindelwald. For what it's worth welcome to the Storm Coast."

"Thank you. What's the situation?"

"Bandits have taken a squad of soldiers hostage further along the beach. They know the area better than we do. We've spotted Gray Warden activity but haven't been close enough to see what they're doing. And The Iron Bull is just down the hill. His second-in-command said the Tevinters would be here in three days. But that was three days ago. Might want to hurry."

The Herald sighed again. "The Herald of Andraste comes to save the day again. Alright, I'll take care of it."

"And that's why we love you. Better get out there. There's no time to lose."

A few minutes later, down the hill

Grindelwald and Co. witnessed a giant and a dragon fighting-much to his frustration. "Varric…"

The dwarf nodded behind him. "Yes?"

"You're right. Everything that happens to me is weird."

"I told you. Now let's meet this Iron Bull before something else happens."

They walked further west and saw the Chargers fighting against Tevinter mercenaries. Grindelwald made his "flashy" entrance with his second favorite curse. "AVADA KADAVERA!" A Tevinter swordsman dropped dead. The whole battlefield turned to where the curse came from, making him smirk. "Well don't just stand there. These bastards are still alive. CORRUMPERE!" The decapitation curse returned another soul to the sender. As did the suffocation curse. "STRANGULATUS!"

The Iron Bull couldn't keep the smile off his face. One Vint died on the spot, one "lost his head", and another was magically suffocated. He didn't know how the Herald did it, nor did he care. He nodded in approval when a Vint was boiled alive from the inside out. 'I'll have to buy this man drinks later.' He ended the fight and called his men off. "Chargers! Stand down." They nodded and took a rest. "Krem! How'd we do?"

"Two or three wounded. No dead."

"That's what I like to hear. Tell the throat cutters to finish up, then break out the casks. And get the Herald a drink." He looked at Grindelwald with great respect and pointed to a puddle of red goo. "Did you see how that man was boiled alive from the inside?" Bull pointed to another corpse with his hands on his throat. "Or how that one suffocated in under one minute?"

Grindelwald smirked evilly. "Those are some of my favorite spells. They are very effective when dealing with anything that moves."

"Including demons?"

"Mostly. The only spell that doesn't work on demons is Avada Kadavera. The spell removes the soul from the body fast enough to kill you. And demons don't have a soul. But boiling a demon alive is always an option."

Bull laughed. "Always." Krem handed both of them drinks. "Drinks are on us. You've earned it."

Grindelwald raised one eyebrow." "What are we drinking?"

"Golden Scythe 4:90 Black. Spill it; you'll kill all the grass."

'I'm going to regret this.' He took one sip and felt his liver scream at him. "What the hell was that?!"

"That was one of the strongest liquors in Thedas going down your throat. You'll live. And I promise the hangover is worth it."

Grindelwald felt scared for some reason. 'This is gonna be a long week.' "if you say so." They sat down on a rock to discuss business. "You said you had information for us."

"I did. My merc band and I are looking to join up. The work has become dull lately, and the Inquisition will change that. And we can help however you need us to. We're expensive, but we're worth it. And I'm sure the Inquisition can afford us. And you're not just getting the boys. You're getting me. Demons, dragons, Vints–the bigger, the better."

The user of the Flames of Purgatory nodded. "I agree. The Inquisition can afford you."

Bull lowered his voice. "One more thing: Might interest you, might piss you off. Ever heard of the Ben-Hassrath?"

"No, I haven't."

"They're a Qunari organization. They handle information, intelligence, loyalty, etc. Spies, basically. Well, we're spies. I've been ordered to join the Inquisition, get close to the people in charge, and send reports on what's happening."

Where most people would respond with a harsh "no," Grindelwald saw an opportunity. Keep your friends close, but enemies closer. "I see. Thank you for telling me."

"Of course. I couldn't hide from the Inquisition forever. Your spymaster would have my head on a wall sooner or later. And I also get reports from other Ben-Hassrath agents from all over Orlais. You sign me on, and I'll share them with your people."

Grindelwald nodded. "Deal." He channeled magic through himself to raise the temperature of the area. "If you send anything we don't approve of, I will burn you to ashes."

The qunari man chuckled. "Wouldn't have it any other way." He turned to his men. "Krem! Tell the men to finish drinking on the road. The Chargers just got hired."

Krem groaned. "What about the casks, chief? We just opened them up. With axes."

Grindelwald waved his wand. "Repario." The casks magically pierced themselves back together. "Problem: solved."

Bull smirked. "I'll meet you at Haven."

"Wait." He turned towards Cassandra. "Seeker Cassandra, the Inquisition needs you in other, more troubled areas. Your fighting prowess is wasted traveling with us. In all honestly, the Hinterlands still need protection. That place is still chaotic."

Cassandra understood perfectly. "I understand. Thank you for making me more useful.

[Cureent Party: GG, IB, BW, Solas]

"And Iron Bull will take her place."

Bull nodded. "Alright! Where to first?"

Grindelwald smirked. "First, we deal with the bandits holding our soldiers hostage. Then we seal a few fade rifts. There isn't much to do in this area."

Iron Bull snorted. "Knock on wood."

"Fair enough."

Then minutes later, they were attacked by two bandits and one armored dog. All three were killed quickly. "These must be the bandits Harding mentioned. We'll meet them at the rendezvous point and go from there."

90 minutes later, The Great Cove, Storm Coast

The rendezvous point was clearly an ambush. The bandits revealed themselves quickly when they realized Grindelwald and his party members were there. Like the others, they were killed quickly. But Grindelwald left one alive to pull information from. "Legilimence!" He wasn't very kind about it either. The bandit's mind was ripped to shreds. Grindelwald put him out of his misery with a killing curse. Then, he relayed the information to his comrades. "The Inquisition soldiers were murdered, and they tried to murder us too." He sighed. "Search the area. There might be something here."

He was correct. Iron Bull found a map with the bandit's location. "The bandits are camped further along the beach. And it looks like you can challenge their leader."

Blackwall liked that option the most. "Those men are following a code. If we win, we can turn their blades to a better cause."

Grindelwald narrowed his eyes and pointed to the murdered Inquisition soldiers behind him. "Second chances are how people get killed. And I refuse to let this go unpunished."

Blackwall disapproved but said nothing else.

Four hours later, Hassarian Camp, Storm Coast

It took them four hours to get to the Hassarian camp. Between the torrential rain, falling rocks, and the already hellish landscape, merely walking was difficult. And they can't aparate because that would rearrange everyone's vital organs. They arrived with rolled ankles, drenched clothes, and a bad attitude.

Grindelwald tried to use protego diabolica but Solas put a hand on his shoulder. "Wait. There is no need to kill them like that."

Gellert took a few calming breaths. "Fine." Instead of protego diabolica, he used killing, organ-rotting, organ-shredding, flesh-rotting, and darker cutting and shredding curses. Most of the bandits died screaming from the pain–not that it bothered him.

Iron Bull admired the chaos around him. "Damn. You didn't give them much time to fight back."

"And their bodies will be disposed of shortly." He vanished the dead bodies. "I feel much better."

"Now, we seal a few rifts, then leave this awful place."


Two weeks later, Frostback Mountains, Haven, War Room

Grindelwald went straight to the war room to debrief his advisors about the past month and a half. He mentally prepared himself for a four-hour meeting. Maybe more if things go wrong. He stood on his side of the war table. "Is there anything we need to discuss before I debrief you?"

Cullen shook his head. "No. Please continue."

"Not much on my end. I recruited Warden Blackwall in the Hinterlands and Mercenary Leader The Iron Bull on the Storm Coast. I killed a gang of bandits that murdered Inquisition soldiers. The names should have been in a letter."

Cullen sighed. "Their families have been notified. Thank you for avenging them."

"Of course. After that, I sealed the rifts in the area and left. And you?"

"Merely maintaining and training our soldiers. Are you ready to move on?"

"Yes, I am."

Liliana pointed to an operation marker. "One of my agents spotted strange chalk markings that reveal secrets when exposed to veilfire. Solas taught us that. We found a few, but are looking for more. We would like to set up a decoy outpost and send scouts to look for more. Do you agree?"

Grindelwald nodded. "I do. Get it done."

Josephine distributed copies of some Gray Warden treaties. "Ser Blackwall was kind enough to offer these treaties. It's no blight, but I'm sure I can garner sympathy for our cause."

"I see. What would we gain?"

Cullen answered that question. "More soldiers and the supplies to maintain them."

The de facto leader of the Inquisition nodded. "It's worth looking into. Josephine, please see what you can do."

The Inquisition's Head Diplomate nodded "Yes, Herald."

Grindelwald saw another marker over Val Royeaux. "What's the status on Val Royeaux?"

Liliana smirked. "Your visit had the desired effect. The remaining Chantry clerics are too busy speculating and accusing Lord Seeker Lucius of Crimes Against the Chantry to condemn the Inquisition. However, some are still trying to discredit us."

The dimension traveler scoffed. "Were these clerics at the Conclave?" Liliana shook her head. "Then they have weaknesses and secrets to exploit. And make sure they know we're not bluffing."

"It shall be done."

"Anything else?"

His advisors were about to say no when a soldier frantically ran into the war room. "My Lord Herald! An Avvar tribe is holding Inquisition soldiers hostage in the Fallow Mire. He wants to challenge you to prove that his good, Hakkon, is better than Andraste and the Maker."

Grindelwald wanted to slam his head on the table but didn't. 'It's always something.' "I see. What is the time limit?"

"You have thirty days before he kills them, sir."

"I understand. I'll be there in two weeks. Anything else?"

"No, sir."

"You're dismissed."

"Sir!" The soldier left the war room with a pivot.

Cullen sighed. "It's always something."

Grindelwald nodded. "You don't have to tell me twice. Tell Scout Harding to get moving."

"Yes, Herald."


And that's a wrap for this chapter. Chapter 5 is already under construction. It will be out before or soon after Aug 31st, 2023. Please leave a review. They are very helpful and help keep me motivated.