Tia'Ghymn's Story

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Tia'Ghymn walked the cobblestone path to the Grey Warden Outpost in Cumberland, one of the largest cities in all of Thedas. He watched as people strolled by him, staring, as usual, his foreboding appearance lingering on the verge of being a problem. In his head, he scoured over his thoughts, parts of him wondering why the Grey Wardens were seeking mercenaries, but most of him glad that there was going to be work to be carried out, even if it did entail being accompanied by a small group of other mercenary-like people. He looked around the room, seeing a few Grey Wardens mingling about, but no one of particular interest.

He made his way over to one of the Wardens, pausing for a moment before speaking, his voice almost like an echo, deep but also not. "May I ask where the mercenaries are to be meeting?" he said softly, trying his best to appear as professional as a mercenary could possibly seem. "Straight down this hallway, make a left at the end, then it's the second door on the right. Welcome to the Cumberland Outpost, stranger." Tia'Ghymn nodded and went off to the meeting room. Upon arriving to it, he paused, his hand on the door knob, and sighed. Hopefully this will be worth my time, he thought to himself. And with that, he entered.

It didn't seem like any other mercenaries had shown up yet. Only another Grey Warden was in the room, obviously the one who would be speaking to all of the mercenaries as a whole. Tia'Ghymn took a seat at one of the far ends of the large meeting table and awaited the arrival of the other mercenaries. He drew his blade, Nalgathad, and set the tip of it on the stony stony floor beneath him. He ran his finger along its edge, inspecting his fingers after, making sure there was no trace of dust, or blood, upon the blade.

Atashi fearsome presence strode into the Neverra city Cumberland. Neverra, one of his more favorite countries due to it's warmongering ways, a mercenary can find work here easily, and the ample amount of dragons. One could make a fortune hunting dragons, Neverrans eat that stuff up. He, and his faithful Mabari hound, Ataash marched down the streets of the metropolis, gaining stares of both fear, and distain. It's not easy being a horned giant, not that he cares what they think. He wondered why he had been called here by the Grey Wardens like so many other mercenaries. Normally he wouldn't heed a call from a organization that demands such obedience such as the Wardens, but given their skill, and reputation he does hold respect for them, and that's the only reason why he came.

Atashi soon neared the Grey Warden outpost that he was ordered to come to. He couldn't help but wonder why the Grey Wardens want mercenaries for. They basically have a grand, and highly skilled army, what use would he be to them? Whatever the need is, he would soon find out. He entered the outpost along with his companion. He scanned the room until he spotted a man behind a desk writing on some documents. The appeared young, most likely in his early twenties. The Warden looked up at him and was slightly startled by the fearsome looking mercenary. "Umm....are you one of the mercenaries?" the man asked in a nervous tone. Most people have little experience in dealing with Qunari unless a sword is involved. Not that Atashi minds, it's fun watching people squirm. Atashi gave him a fierce glare before he answered. "Yes." His voice deep, and thunderous as one would expect from a Qunari.

The Warden pointed him in the direction of the meeting room, with his hand shaking. Atashi grunted at his fear, the man was obviously new. "Kaberthari." Atashi branded the man. The Warden gave him a confused look. Atashi let out a small whistle, and motioned for Ataash to follow him. Ataash let out a happy bark and followed his master. Atashi slammed the doors open, making quite the noise, and a entrance. Atashi stared at the people inside, a single Warden, and two other mercenaries. One was a human, and the other he couldn't tell, he was wearing a mask and a hood, but given his stature he was most likely a human or elf, he was leaning more towards elf, but he wasn't sure. Atashi walked over to a chair, and unsheathed Anaan. He stabbed his blade deep into the stone floor, showing off his incredible strength, and sat down. Ataash sat down as well, with his stub of a tail, and his tongue wagging. Slobber dripped off his tongue as he looked at the others.

Ace perched himself high up on a bell-tower as he overlooked this magnificent large city of Thedas, the city of Cumberland. He grew up here, and never left the city, it would be a hard thing if Ace were to ever to, and would be too stubborn to. Stubborn why? It is because Cumberland is home to Ace's sister, Bella, and his mother. But he is not only persistent on forever dwelling here because loves them, but also because he loves them so much that he cannot allow them to be harmed by Lance, his older brother. Ace was already aware of what Lance thought of family, that this older brother of him would stoop down so low as to sell his own family into slavery. And Ace is not the one to usually have a hard head, he just cannot risk harming of the only family he has left. But Lance has remained to keep his hands off Bell and their mother, the only one ever being attack was Ace himself, but the only offenses committed where childish attacks from cocky, ignorant street thugs, that Ace could easily handle blind-folded with two fingers on each hand. Though, just because Bella and Ace's mother have not been hurt by Lance, does not mean they never will be.

But Ace was not, at this moment, particularly curious about any affiliations with his brothers, but with news considering that the Grey Wardens are recruiting mercenaries. It did not sound too awfully silly, it seems sometimes the Wardens are going to need all the help they can get when battling against an enemy such as the darkspawn. Ace was, as said before, only curious about this, it was not like he was willing to yet offer his blade at this battle yet. And beside, Ace did not see his expertise being needed in a warzone. Ace was a rogue, not a mage or warrior, and to be more specific, he was a thief. And what use did a thief have against darkspawn?

Because information can be just as valuable as coin, Ace jumped and flipped from ledge to ledge of roofs and buildings, following men and women that supposedly looked like mercenaries. And Ace was familiar with mercenaries, he has gotten around the city before, different parts have different people, equaling different faces. And with different faces come people such as these mercenaries, these people, usually being men, are rough and tough and strong. Ace did not feel he image of mercenary he put in his head. Ace finally jumped off a roof and unto the cobblestone ground when he located the Outpost set up by the Gray Wardens themselves. Ace kept his head down, not making eye contact with anyone, he did not want to drag any bad attention to himself. And beside he already knew the warriors surrounding Ace, probably underestimated him for his small figure and lack of armor. And with all these people Ace was starting to feel very nervous, and it was mainly because Ace is a very shy person and dreads the moment he has to open his mouth to someone he does not exactly know. Ace followed yet again people who held the appearance of a mercenary, hoping he was going to the right place. And perhaps he did so, he looked around and felt rather intimidated by all of the flashy heavy armor pieces and big swords, all Ace had to look intimidating was the black hood that covered his face, but this gave off a more suspicious look than intimidating. And to say he felt even more intimidated to see a Qunari in the room. Ace had just hope that walking into the meeting did not mean automatic loyalty to the Gray Warden. He desired that there was some stepping back to do.

Rémy was hiding out in the Frostback Mountains when he lost his bag to a pack of wolves leaving him no choice but to head to town for supplies where he noticed the flyer for the Grey Wardens. A tempting offer. Anyone could see there was a change in the air and if the words have any weight things had the potential to be dire. It was true he had been pushing his luck staying in the same location for so long but going so close to home was just as risky.However, maybe it had been long enough. Plus he could easily pull off being a mercenary, he already looked the part and his staff looked like a decorative polearm.

Before he realized what was happening he was on the first ship to Cumberland.

Rémy had only been to Cumberland a handful of times when he was under the Chantry's command and if anyone had seen his face it would long be forgotten. Pulling his hood further over his face, he leaned up against the stony wall to his right. He wasnt going to make any move without being one hundred percent certain that things were all good and no one pointed him as a mage. Luckily for him he never stood long enough in Nevarra for anyone to take notice of him but, no matter, some caution never hurt anyone and in his situation going unnoticed was the best case scenario.

He scratched his cheek, tracing over his scar while watching the entrance of the outpost. He wasn't sure if this was a legitimate deal but from the look of things it was trustworthy or they were simply very good at acting. He waited a way down the street simply watching the place; the people that came and went, the ones that never came out and the select few that seemed they too sought out the call.

Looking down at his feet strands of hair falling and hitting his cheek he took a deep breath and headed inside being immediately hit with a smoky haze. Walking over to the warden sitting beside the flyer he was greeted with one question "Are you here for the job?" A simple nod was all Rémy gave before being directed down the hall and upon entering the room there were already four others along with a mabari. He sat in the chair in the middle while holding his staff with the blade to the ground with his right hand while resting his left hand over his replacement bag.

Roth tugged at his beard as he trudged down the hall. The Warden stood over most men, around 6 feet, and had a grim look about him. This wasn't helped by the absent expression he wore as he worked over the orders he had just received. He turned in the corridor and stopped at the second door to his right. Roth quickly assessed himself and straightened his composure before entering the conference room. A warden stood beside the far wall posting maps as a group of mercenaries sat around a lone table. The other Warden looked to Roth and handed the last map to him before edging past Roth's massive figure and exiting the room.
Roth tugged at his beard again before examining the mercenaries before him.
"Well, I won't keep you in suspense. The reason you've been called here today is to complete a vital mission for the wardens." Roth unrolled the map in his hands and placed it on the table between the mercenaries. "We believe we have a lead on ending the blight. I can tell by the looks on your faces that many of you have questions regarding this claim but I've been told I cannot reveal any details to you. What I can tell you is that your job is to find a key element needed to aid our plan. You will be one of many teams gathered around Thedas searching for this relic. The Wardens don't have the man power for this, as all our green recruits need training and our seasoned veterans are already preoccupied. You will be racing against time as the Darkspawn, foreign armies, and other hostile forces spread across the continent. Unfortunately this outpost has been assigned a special task. We have a myriad of forces available to us to search the areas around Cumberland. Where we really need eyes and ears is Tevinter. So we will be asking you to circumvent the horde approaching the western borders of Tevinter and to search an area we believe may hold the relic in Eastern Tevinter. We have been getting strange reports from this area and, as we believe this relic has influence over those in its proximity, we feel this is a promising location. You will be searching a region called the Pontar Valley, located just south of the old circle ruins at Marothius. I won't lie to you, it's still a long shot that we might find something there, but that's why you're not the only team. I hope you can understand we just can't risk ignoring the opportunity. You of course will not just be compensated in knowing your actions saved the people of Thedas, but with a king’s sum in rewards from our stock and the nations of Thesas if you succeed. Even if you do not find the relic accomplishing the mission will warrant a stipend. Now, I suppose some of you may have some questions but we will have to be brief as I have much to attend to today.”
Finishing his speech Roth straightened up from the table and peered amongst the group.

"Well, I won't keep you in suspense. The reason you've been called here today is to complete a vital mission for the wardens. We believe we have a lead on ending the blight. I can tell by the looks on your faces that many of you have questions regarding this claim but I've been told I cannot reveal any details to you. What I can tell you is that your job is to find a key element needed to aid our plan.

Ace smiled when he heard, they had a lead to the end the Blight, like the Blight could simply be ended by finding something? Ace was no soldier, but he knew that wars are not won by trinkets but by battles and bloodshed. Who was this, a warden? Of course, wardens act all high and mighty, because they are wardens, they are important. But the mercenaries, no, you can piss their bodies away, its not like they matter. For now, Ace saw that there was no way he would want to join their little egg hunt in a hopeless chance. This mission was not worth Ace leaving his home, leaving the only two people that matter to him now. Though Ace considered, he would probably be seen useful, and that was because this was quest in search of something that supposedly, as the warden said, could end the Blight. And Ace was excellent in finding things, and that is because Ace is very observant of his surroundings, he spend hours onto of the Cumberland bell-tower, witnessing different sights, staring down at different faces and colors. What if whatever this thing they need to get is hidden, or hard to depict, because if it was not, would it have not already be taken by now. And it disturbed Ace that the Warden spoke how he could not tell them any details, how degrading did that sound. They are throwing their lives out for the Wardens, but they are not permitted the benefit of knowing the details... How wonderful.

"The Wardens don't have the man power for this, as all our green recruits need training and our seasoned veterans are already preoccupied. You will be racing against time as the Darkspawn, foreign armies, and other hostile forces spread across the continent. Unfortunately this outpost has been assigned a special task. We have a myriad of forces available to us to search the areas around Cumberland. Where we really need eyes and ears is Tevinter. So we will be asking you to circumvent the horde approaching the western borders of Tevinter and to search an area we believe may hold the relic in Eastern Tevinter. We have been getting strange reports from this area and, as we believe this relic has influence over those in its proximity, we feel this is a promising location. You will be searching a region called the Pontar Valley, located just south of the old circle ruins at Marothius. I won't lie to you, it's still a long shot that we might find something there, but that's why you're not the only team. I hope you can understand we just can't risk ignoring the opportunity."

Ace understood the wardens do not have all the armies they could ever ask for, but if the mission was so important that they cannot risk the opportunity, and they will be battling Darkspawn, then why don't the wardens step in themselves, or at least bring in some troops? Why order in some sell swords, a bunch of strangers working together? It seemed stupid, what if a mercenary does find the relic, keeps it for himself, feeing from the group, and sells it off to foreign armies. There he or she could make much more money rather than returning it to the Wardens. Ace never hated the wardens, but that was because he never met a warden, but only had heard fashioned and fabled tales of them. Besides, now of this is even worth it, the warden himself said t was a long shot.

"You of course will not just be compensated in knowing your actions saved the people of Thedas, but with a king’s sum in rewards from our stock and the nations of Thesas if you succeed. Even if you do not find the relic accomplishing the mission will warrant a stipend. Now, I suppose some of you may have some questions but we will have to be brief as I have much to attend to today.”

So if they could back living, relic or not, the mercenaries will be rewarded with something of value. No, Ace still disagreed to it, he had just hoped this was not a sealed deal once they walked into the room, that would be horrible, he had not even told his mother and sister what he was doing. When Ace woke up earlier, he did not tell himself that this was his last day in Cumberland, from being Ace, your friendly thief would steals for the poor, to Ace the desperate sell sword who will risk his life for these haughty wardens. Ace knew that he did not care about the money anyways, that somehow everything would come for his family in the end, but he feared if he did leave then would Lance come after Bella and their mother. There was not a chance that Ace would go on this suicide mission with complete strangers, there was too much to lose for him. Ace angled his head, eying up and down at that closed door, he just wanted to leave so bad, but feared if he walked out that wardens or someone would tell him that there was no going back, there was no running away.

This relic interested Atashi, something powerful enough to stop a blight is a force to reckon. "Well, we're in! Sounds like fun!" He answered for him and Ataash with a sort of psychotic excitement. Ataash let out a equally enthusiastic bark. "So Sataareth." He said, addressing the warden conducting the meeting. "Given that it's location is in Tevinter, is this relic related to the Archdemon, or 'Old Gods'? Or whatever you Andrastians call the big dragon that leads horde." He showed a little distain when he mentioned Andrastians.

"And what sort plans do you have to get us to Tevinter?" He continued to ask. "My kind aren't exactly welcomed with open arms by those......magisters." He also showed some distain at the mention of the magisters of Tevinter. He has been in the Imperium before, it is just incredibly hard for one of the horned giants to get in and stay alive in the Imperium. Although it may be easier with a large group such as this. He could easily pose as a bodyguard, or even a slave if need be. Atashi then turned to the others as they talked to the one that was looking towards the exit. "Meh, let the Imekari leave. I call his cut of the reward!" He said in a fierce voice, using the Qunari intimidation to his advantage.

Rémy DuPont
Rémy sat quietly at the table, head tilted down, eyes closed, gently holding onto his staff. Not only would they have to go to Tevinter, they would have to look for a relic. There was nothing more that Rémy hated more then relics. More then half of the time they were the reason something bad was happening, and with the way the Warden was talking it sounded rather old, maybe even elvish.

"What exactly are these 'mind altering effects' you're talking about?" Rémy looked up at the masked man, half of his face cover by his hood. There was something off about this one though he couldn't put his finger on it. The masked man addressed another one of the mercenaries that apparently seemed to want to leave, not that he noticed. The roar of the Qunari took his attention, along with the two new faces coming through the door.

Looking back to the Warden and ignoring the others interest in the one who wants to leave he cleared his throat. "I've a question." his Orlesian accent evident "You say it has mind altering capabilities. How is it that we are supposed to get it without being affected?"

”Having second thoughts, are we?” questioned a tall figure, face guarded by a menacing mask, an appearance that actually quite intimidated Ace. But he did not let fear shine through good left eye painted with a gentle hazel brown. Well, these people are observant, aren't they? Just what Ace didn't need, someone to see retreat, but it was not as if he was fleeing in fear, but in wits. The only thing Ace believed he would gain from the quest, was a doomful death, and he preferred to avoid that, as much as possible in fact. Besides, he did not quite like how the wardens were treated the mission, not giving any specific details, though they are sending in sell swords to an essential mission in ending the Blight. If its so important why not send people they can trust? “Is our cloaked friend right? Riches? Fame? Doing the right thing? If these aren’t enough what could the wardens possibly do to entice you?” Now, the Warden spoke, was Ace's stare really that noticeable? Probably, mainly because he was the only person with that urge to leave, or at least the only person who express the stare at the door. But to Ace, he wondered if he was the only one smartest to leave.

"Meh, let the Imekari leave. I call his cut of the reward!" bellowed the Qunari and then another of the same race, "And why is the..'child' wanting to leave?" Child?, Ace thought, Now the Qunari see me as a child... great. Ace suspected that they insulted him, a child, was because he had a smaller figure than everyone else, especially because he wore light tight armor, not the heavy metals to increases the width of his figure. But no matter, it seemed the Qunari was not going to be on his side, in fact, perhaps because of one wrong move of staring at the door, caused Ace to be looked upon as weak. “Don’t stop on my account! By the sound of it things are just about to get interesting.” Ace's attention then turned to a woman, younger than him, bearing beautiful raven hair. Ace in a saucy and cheeky tone muttered to himself, but in a volume, perhaps others near him could hear, "Interesting for you, embarrassing for me." Ace let down his black hood, revealing the facial hair of mutton chops matted down his jaw in a hairy trail, with a noticeable line of a scar revealed deep down his blind right eye.

Ace opened his mouth and with a louder volume he acclaim, "I-I'm no child, I'm just a lot more—“ Fortunately, for Ace, he was cut off by the question of another man, one sounding Orlesian, "I've a question. You say it has mind altering capabilities. How is it that we are supposed to get it without being affected?" Ace always hated speaking in front of large groups like such, but it seemed like just about everyone was questioning Ace for his obvious urge to leave. Ace let out a sigh of relief but he feared he would be asked later or even commanded, really, to finish his statement. And Ace did not desire that, because he worried the rest of the comment would sound quite rude, and regretted ever speaking.

"I go nowhere unnoticed little one." Atashi stated to this girl's plan, despite the fact she was tall in human standards, anything except another of his race he considers smaller. He looked over at the Qunari that arrived, a female this time. He could tell she wasn't fond of him already. 'Considering she is alone, she could be Arvaarad? Doubtful, she's a female, and they watch over Saarabas, and I see none. Perhaps she's a Ben-Hassrath? Or else she's a Tal-Vashoth who could believe I'm a Qunari.' He thought to himself, as he stared at her with suspicion. Of course he wouldn't confront her over his suspicions, especially in front of a group, at the moment. But he will keep his eye on her, as he's sure she will too.

"We could pose as slaves, and slavers as well. We'd probably be looked upon with less suspicion by those....mages." He offered. "Unfortunately I believe we'd need more knife-ears to be believable. So I guess the caravan idea is our best opinion. Other than just simply sneaking in. And even then with the Blight at our hands, their borders will be tightly monitored." He stated. "Wouldn't you agree Kadan?" Atashi asked with his gaze upon the other horned giant, obviously directing his question towards her. He was hoping to gage her a little more, to better discern what she is.

Ace's good eye widened when he heard the word 'slave' and 'slaver' emerge from the Qunari's lips. Ace then began to glance around the room speedily, looking also a bit suspicious the way he started to eye everyone. But that was because he was trying to see if anyone else, like him, was against the Qunari's idea through facial expression. Ace sure knew he did not want to have anything to do with slavery. He did not want to be reminded of how he use to live, where all the coins that he once juggled hands came from. That the payment for his family's living and survival came from the bawling and screams of young girls wrapped in chains and sent off to be toys. Even if they were pretending or disguised as slavers, Ace felt too uncomfortable with the hard topic of his. That would be the one thing that could seal Ace's mind in refusing the quest. And speaking of Ace and quest, he was actually urged to join the search when the Warden spoke to him, saying that Ace could be a hero. But then Ace thought, could he not already be a hero now, he did not have to venture off and find a magic relic to be a hero right? But if Ace backed away from this, would he not just be running away again, the way he ran away from Lance. No, Ace now wanted this quest, he wanted to prove to himself, and maybe Lance one day, that he is not a coward, that he is courageous.

The masked and dark figure rose from his seat and revealed his face. He was an elf as he claimed, and then explained what they would have to do to be believable slavers. But Ace knew what it would have to take to be slavers, and hell, it would not be pretty. And then this elf, proclaimed a suggestion that Ace did favored most, "Really, any way we go about this, we are going to raise suspicion. We cannot sneak in, we cannot pose as caravan guards without being questioned, or anything else for that matter. In my opinion, I think our best option is to just travel as a small group. If we stay off of the main ways, we could get there. Most likely no questions asked, as well." Yay, groups, Ace had not problem working in a small group, rather than a big one, just as long as he does not get a group with one of those Qunari, they always seemed to scare him. But if it was his choice, Ace would be doing all this traveling alone, but it seems he does not. Speaking of Qunari, the female one spoke up and said, "I approve of the elf's plan. Staying out of sight as much as possible means we stay out of mind as much as possible. That will be our advantage." Good, two people already into splitting up into groups, Ace was happy to be the third. "I a-agree also," Ace muttered in a low volume, a bad habit he always had when speaking to a crowd. He clear his throat and spoke a little be louder, well at least to a state you did not have to strain your ears to hear him. "But how many people in each group? And how would be the groups be separated? I suggest by weapon or class, letting each group have a balanced number of rouge, warrior, and mage. Or somewhat balanced..."