bakerstreet | the i n s o m n i a meme

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the i n s o m n i a meme

the i n s o m n i a meme

It happens to everyone - sometimes, you have nights where you just can't fall asleep, no matter what you do. It could be for a number of reasons, or no reason at all. And this is what's happened now: you've been laying in bed for what feels like hours, just tossing and turning, and nothing seems to help. So what's left to do? Get out of bed and go wake someone else up, of course. If you're not getting any sleep, then why should they?

i n s t r u c t i o n s

• Post with your character (note the name and fandom in the subject).
• Other people reply to you by generating a number from 1 to 10.
• Have fun!

o p t i o n s

01 • FEAR. Maybe you're hearing strange, indeterminable noises; maybe there's a severe storm happening outside; maybe you watched a scary movie before bed? Whatever the reason, you're terrified and it's keeping you awake. You just want to wake someone else up so they can protect you from the monster in your closet.
02 • HUNGER. Your stomach is growling and it just won't stop. Or perhaps your throat is so dry you could cough up a tumbleweed? Well, you've gone to the kitchen to remedy this and hey, that was a pan that just dropped on the floor. It was loud enough to wake the dead! Oops.
03 • PAIN. Your body is completely worn out, be it from exercise, battle, sickness, or what have you. Either way you're in enough pain to keep you from sleeping, so maybe someone else has a home remedy or something, or can at least help you take your mind off of it.
04 • SOLITUDE. For some reason, your bed just feels so empty at the moment. You're feeling terribly lonely and really just want someone to keep you company for a while. Maybe it'd be easier to fall asleep if you're with them...
05 • DISCOMFORT. Your room is an oven. Either that or a freezer. Or maybe this bed is just really uncomfortable? Who knows why you can't get to sleep, it feels like it could be anything. Why even bother trying? Maybe someone else can preoccupy you until you feel tired enough to ignore your discomfort.
06 • PENSIVE. Something's on your mind, and no matter how hard you try to focus elsewhere, it's just not going to work. Your body may be tired, but your mind is incredibly busy and it's virtually impossible to get to sleep. Surely, talking it out with someone else will help?
07 • SADNESS. Something terrible has happened that day, perhaps; or you could just be severely depressed. Either way you're trying your hardest not to cry yourself to sleep, and it's not working at all. Better find a way to get it out of your system somehow; you need a shoulder to cry on.
08 • ANGER. You are just... fuming. Who knows why - that annoying dog is barking again, or maybe the people next door are getting busy and keeping you awake. Whatever the reason for your ire is, you'd better put an end to it so you can get some damn rest already! Go wake up a friend so you can complain to them.
09 • RESTLESS. You're far too energetic to sleep right now. Maybe you're just trying to do so out of necessity - you have to be up early tomorrow! But you just don't think you'll be able to fall asleep for a while now, so why waste the time trying to sleep when you could be doing something else? Namely bothering someone else - you're totally jealous because they're getting more sleep than you.
10 • WILDCARD. Choose one of the options above, or make up your own scenario.

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[ As he speaks, explaining the horror of what is happening in this world, Wrathion's expression tightens. It's not quite anger, but an almost reptilian coldness, and he doesn't reach for the food or the tea once during the elf's explanation.

It doesn't seem real. He can't quite wrap his head around this being the state of things, and how could he? Mages locked away as threats, and the elven race as a whole enslaved? Treated as second-class citizens? Certainly it might be the case if some conquering warlord had the world in its grip, imposing their iron will and subjugating their subjects, but this...this just seems to be how it is. Everywhere. And there's no righteous anger in the Inquisitor, simply a matter-of-fact tone, as if he's explaining things even the children of this world already know to be true.

This is the world that this elven mage wants to save.

When he is finished, at least for the moment, the cold look shifts into something approaching concern, and his tone takes a quieter turn. ]

So. In stopping one tyrant, your people still contend with countless more.

Injustices, in any case. Most people are simply making their way in life, though their silence helps no one but themselves. [ He can't really blame them. His whole life thus far has been the same - protecting his own clan out of necessity. And the only reason it's different now is because he's the only one that can do anything about much of what is plaguing Thedas. ]

There is much to be done, and I won't say Corypheus is the only problem, but at least in focusing on him, first, there will still be a world left. The death of tyrants does little good if everyone else is dead, too. [ Or turned into abominations.

He offers a small shrug. ] I hope, with the humans having put me in this position, that things may improve. As a Dalish mage, I am everything this world wishes to keep locked away. And yet, many believe I was sent by their saint to save them. [ As uncomfortable as that thought makes him, perhaps it can be a small start to improving things. ]

You certainly have the patience of one.

[ It impresses him all the more, to be honest. ]

But...while I can't imagine the suffering your people, elves and mages both, must endure, I do know a little of what it is to dedicate yourself to saving a world that despises what you are. Such a path is not for the faint of heart.

You grow used to it, even if you don't agree with it. [ Lasulahn isn't the type to be able to be angry all the time. ]

I'm sorry. [ His voice softens to something sympathetic. ] It is a difficult thing. [ His tone lightens then, and he smiles. ] And yet you're all the way in another world. That takes dedication, indeed.

Dedication is all I've known, in truth. I am what I was created to be. I don't know that I could ever be anything else, or choose any differently.

[ He huffs, reaching for the tea once more, realizing it's gone a bit cold and focusing on it a moment. From his palm, the tin appears to glow slightly, then fade back with the liquid within now steaming once more. ]

Though the option to make that choice myself is always a welcome one.

Were you... raised that way? [ He's not entirely sure if that's the right way to phrase it- dragons aren't exactly common fare here... much less dragon princes that can take the form of a man.

He watches curiously as the cup seems to glow. Magic is magic, it seems. It feels a little different to his own, but not entirely foreign. ]

It's difficult to know, sometimes. [ Is he helping because he's choosing to, or is he just making the best of a situation he otherwise has no control over? ]

Given the conditions of my early years, I don't think I'd credit anyone with raising me. But certainly there were intentions for me. Quite grand in scale.

[ He sighs, running his tongue over his lips briefly, considering the tin cup for a moment. ]

The experience was not a pleasant one, to say the least. It certainly changed me for the better, in the end, but I resented those who tried to shape me in the way they wished. I resented the idea that I would not be in control of my own fate. Yet even after having escaped, after being able to forge my own destiny from the moment I hatched, I still felt...compelled?

Hm. Perhaps that's not the right word.

[ Lasulahn finds himself all the more curious, but doesn't wish to pry.

Still, he can certainly commiserate with the idea of people having ideas for his choices and his fate- he's dealt with much the same, since becoming Inquisitor. ]

It's difficult, when someone has opinions about what you should do, or who you should be... particularly when it runs counter to the choices you yourself would make.

Ah, but that's just it. They didn't. All I've ever wanted was exactly what they intended to use me for in the first place.

[ His smile is almost bitter as he polishes off the last of the tea, before gesturing idly into the air. ]

The irony.

[ He wonders what that is, and whether that has anything to do with why Wrathion is here.

It makes him nervous, though he supposes even people with good intentions can do bad things for their goals. ]

I see. [ He holds up the flagon of tea again, a silent offer to refill the other's cup. ]

[ Seeing that brief flicker of nervousness cross the elf's face as he offers up the tea, Wrathion smiles and offers his cup across. ]

Thank you. And no need to look concerned. As I said, my goal has ever been the protection of my home. My world. I simply choose to act as my own agent in that regard, rather than follow the orders of others.

If you're curious, you can ask. I've certainly bothered you enough about your own past, haven't I? It's only fair.

Oh- [ He warms the flagon through to make sure the tea is still hot, then pours first for the other, and then tops up his own cup. Looking somewhat flustered, he picks up his cup again perhaps simply for the opportunity to look elsewhere. ]

I don't mean to be rude. [ He has a great deal of worries on his shoulders, and with all of the people already trying to earn his good graces for their own selfish ends, it has put him on the defensive. ]

It's alright, I don't wish to pry- though I suppose my curiosity will likely get the better of me sooner or later. [ The Inquisitor offers a smile. ] The idea of other worlds - besides the Fade, I suppose - is fascinating. Perhaps once you've seen more of this one I should like to know if it's very different.

On the matter of elves and mages, I can already assure you that it is.

[ Though he's not certain if their fates on other worlds will make him feel any better about his own lot in life. He'll leave that to him to decide. ]

An open invitation, then. For the time being, we should perhaps focus on the task at hand. This keep you wish to secure.

Is it? [ He can't quite help the curiosity that shows on his expression. He wonders if it's more equal, if elves and mages don't have to live in fear as much as they do here in Thedas.

He realizes, though, that focusing on the Keep is more important. His curiosity can be satisfied later. The Inquisitor's tone becomes far more businesslike. ]

Suledin Keep, to the southwest. It is an ancient Elvhen fortress. We were to go through a different passage, but it seems we'll be doing a frontal assault. The door should break fairly easily. I'll be in front with my companions. [ He pauses to fish a scroll of parchment from his bag, and adjusts to have space to unroll it between them. He points as he continues. ]

From the intel we have gathered, our enemies are all Red Templars- though truthfully, there may be demons as well. If there are, we don't know what kind. Rage and fear demons are the most common - I don't know if you're familiar with them. The Keep is expansive, with a large and somewhat winding courtyard between the outer walls and the building itself. It's not at capacity, but there are enough enemies that it will be troublesome.

Most of the enemies will be their foot soldiers- these are templars who use Red Lyrium instead of the normal. They're stronger than a normal man, and more resistant to injury, but not a great deal. More dangerous are the archers, though otherwise they seem to be the same as the foot soldiers. The Knights are larger, and their corruption more advanced. They're much stronger.

[ He draws in a breath, and then sighs quietly. ] If they have horrors with them... No, they probably will. If they lose Suledin Keep, they must know the Emprise will be lost to them.

The horrors are the most advanced in their corruption that we've seen, and can infect others with alarming ease. They somehow have the capability to spit Red Lyrium. [ His jaw tightens momentarily. While it's clear he's not comfortable with such abominations, he keeps a level tone. ] We should be prepared for other manifestations of the Red Templars since we've seen several stages of corruption already, though I don't know what that may look like.

But the forces will largely be made up of these Red Templars, in varying stages of corruption due to the Red Lyrium. The same substance I encountered last night.

[ 'Encountered', he said. Not crashed directly into and nearly fell under the sway of, of course not. But if all the enemies in this keep are likely corrupted by this strange substance, he'll have to be more cautious.

It wouldn't do to avoid corruption all this time, only to fall to some new strain of it somewhere else. ]

The archers will pose a problem if not dealt with first. Larger threats are certainly an issue, but taking the high ground should be a priority, particularly for you and any other spellcasters or ranged fights we may have.

Handling the larger brutes should prove much easier, from that point on.

Yes, that's right.

The fear demons, if there are any, have a ranged attack that can freeze and slow movement. We have two archers: Varric uses a crossbow and is most comfortable at mid-range. Sera is more valuable at long range. We also have four mages including myself. My greatest strength is defensive, though I'm alright with offensive fire spells, should they be needed. I'm learning to use this- [ He holds his hand up momentarily to indicate the Anchor. ] more effectively as well. I have to use it sparingly, or else the pain becomes a liability, but it is an option.

If what we've encountered elsewhere is any indication, we'll need to do a full sweep of the fortress. Some will come out to meet us in the courtyard, but some will likely remain where they are. They've tried to catch us off-guard before.

Why not ambush what you cannot overpower head-on? Especially when you've had time to properly entrench yourself.

[ That will be a little more troublesome to root out. ]

If I remain as I am now, it's possible I could slip ahead and take a look for any pockets of resistance, once we've cleared the courtyard. When the way through is clear, we can start sending the bulk of the party through.

That seems to be it. Templars - actual templars, not these - are trained in fairly large groups, but in actual use they're more often small groups or pairs. I don't know how much of their training they retain, with the corruption. Their intelligence seems diminished... or perhaps instinct takes over more.

[ His brow furrows thoughtfully. ] I'll go with you. I can keep you shielded with magic. If there are any rifts in there, I need to close them before the demons become overwhelming.

Pack tactics. Lovely.

[ He clucks his tongue, head cocking as he's wont to do when considering something. ]

Very well. I'm not sure how much room we'll be afforded moving through the keep, so best I stay in this form while we're making our way in. It wouldn't do to bring the whole thing down around us, and ruins are not necessarily known for their stability.

Mm. [ He picks up his cup again, wrapping his hands around it. ] It's supposed to be fairly stable, strong enough to occupy safely- but I suppose it's not rated for dragons. [ He gives Wrathion a small smile. ]

What sort of weapons are you comfortable with?

Most comfortable? A dagger or sword, something that allows for maneuverability, particularly against our more girthy friends in the keep.

[ And he has no issues stabbing these red templars in the back from the shadows. It seems like he'd be putting them out of their misery, truth be told.

He nods to his steaming cup and smirks. ]

I also have a few other tricks. I'd ask if I should keep magic use to a minimum, but considering you've already told most of your fellows what I am, I can't imagine a bit of fire would shock them too terribly.

You'll have your pick from the camp, something should be to your liking, I think.

[ He nods along. ] It will be primarily my companions there; most of the Inquisition agents stationed in this area are busy elsewhere. It will be difficult, but seems the better plan all things considered.

[ A quiet pause, then: ] I appreciate your willingness to do this. It won't be forgotten.

Nor have I forgotten the efforts you went through for a deadly creature alone in the snow in the middle of the night.

[ His smirk twitches a little higher, but seems softer somehow. He imagines that for the Inquisitor, dealing with every battle, every fight, every matter that crops up must seem an uphill battle.

May it not crush his spirit in the end, like so many before him. ]

[ His brows raise in surprise, and then his own expression softens into a smile that seems almost shy. ] I cannot say it was the wisest course of action, at face value, but I'm glad I could help.

[ Sheepishly he swirls his tea, seemingly just to give him something to look at other than the man across from him. ] Dragons in this world are more known for wanton destruction and consuming livestock than anything.

[ Wise? Perhaps not. Certainly kind, and worth repaying for that. Kindness is a thing in short supply, no matter the world, but it's something he senses is simply in the elf's nature.

And kindness deserves repayment, when it can be done. ]

Mm. They were not so different from our progenitors, then. Little more than beasts, until they were granted sentience and power by those who wished to see the world properly defended.

Of course, they were as flawed as any such creatures could be. They placed their affections foolishly. They envied, they fought amongst one another, they fell to despair and madness. Some longed for power and inserted themselves in the politics of mortals to manipulate affairs to their liking. And some, like my father...

[ He lets out a snort, mouth thinning. ]

I think the world at large would have been grateful if some minor property damage a few devoured herds of livestock had been all he was capable of.

But I digress. I think I've had my fill, and if you are ready to begin preparations to take the keep, I'd be happy to accompany you.

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