driftfleet | Sixth Blight

Who: Riona and you!
Broadcast: Yus
Action: On the Blue Fish, if you'd like!
When: Now?

[There's the distinct sound of a canine sniffing nearby when the feed turns on. Anyone with an acute ear may also hear a different kind of sound, something akin to snuffling. The animal causing it is revealed a moment later. To those not from Thedas, it looks like a pink, hairless mole. But any Thedosian would know that it's a nug.

The camera pans over to Riona, who's feeding said nug while Kiter cautiously sniffs at the other animal. She shakes her head.]

A favor for a favor, I suppose. Sister Nightingale has fallen into one of those comas. For the time being, Schmooples here is in my care. If you were expecting to see her in the interfaith center, I'm afraid it'll have to wait. [She looks over at her puppy, smiling conspiratorially.] You and I will be brainstorming what to draw on her face. Tit for tat, too.

[When she looks back at the camera, her smile falters, and pronounced concern sets in its place.]

Also, Dr. Beverly Crusher seems to be missing. Normally I'd suspect she's gone home, but her things are still here and her name still shows up on the communication device. Something is amiss. If anyone has seen her the past few days, please do let me or any of the crew on the Blue Fish know.

[Her disappearance puzzles her, along with her obvious worry. It's not like Beverly to do that, and with them having left the planet, there are only so many places she could be.]

Those matters aside, we've now returned to the dull void of space and to confinement in our ships until we make land again. There's only so much to entertain in the fleet, especially when you've been here awhile. Recently, I returned home for a few months. Here only a handful of days passed, but it felt much longer. I find myself feeling a bit homesick. So, I have a request.

[She pauses, uncertainty flitting across her face. For a moment she glances down, and finds herself fiddling with her wedding ring, which she's recently gone back to wearing on her hand. She clasps her hands together and looks back at the camera.]

But first, I suppose I should introduce myself to those who don't know me. My name is Riona Cousland [And here there's the slightest pause, a moment of hesitation. She swallows the trepidation back.] Theirin. I've been here nearly eight months.

[Whatever caused her hesitation seems to have passed. She relaxes, and continues:]

In my time, I've heard quite a few things about people's worlds. Comparing them to Thedas - where I am from - always interests me. I love hearing stories, and I'm always happy to share ones from my world, in particular the ones of my home country.

So. Let's do an exchange. A tale for a tale. It can be anything you experienced, or perhaps a legend or fable from your world that you're fond of. And I will tell you one in return. Simple enough, and a good way to pass the evening, no?

[She smiles, wiggling her fingers in good-bye before shutting off the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It seems odd, for there to be so many religions. Is there no proof of a singular one? No evidence that says one is true and the others are not?

[ Lauralae considers, listening, before she bows her head and resists the urge to turn herself away. ]

She was betrayed by who?

No, not truly. They're all based on faith, in what we believe in the stories passed down.

[And now comes the painful part of the story.]

By her husband, Maferath. It's said he was jealous of Andraste and her bond with the Maker, of the way that she was loved by so many and he was ignored.

[She remembered encountering his "spirit" in the Gauntlet. "What is a mortal man compared to a god?"] Personally, I think there's a little more to it than that. Historians believed that, despite Andraste's successes, her army was overextending its reach, and that there was no feasible way for them to lay siege to the capital. They were doomed to fail. Whatever his reasons, he plotted with Archon Hessarian, the ruler of the Imperium in secret. His children and men would be spared in exchange for Andraste's life.

Maferath tricked her and she came to a supposed gathering. Waiting for her were Imperium forces, and she was captured. They brought her to Minrathous, where she was to be executed. They tied her to a pyre, and in front of her army and the people of the city, they set it aflame. Archon Hessarian looked upon her on the pyre, and guilt and pity overtook him. Out of mercy, he strode up and ran her through with his sword, giving her a quick death. And thus she died.

The Maker turned away from mortals that day, and he has been silent ever since.

Betrayal from a human. It is no surprise.

[ Lauralae frowns, considering for a moment, before she tilts her head up, looking back through at the camera. ]

The Maker was cruel to do that. Humanity is fickle and quick to change - he should have known. He should not have turned from them and left them to be alone.

It was not the first time he did. Years before Andraste's time, it's said that seven magisters - powerful mages of the Imperium - broke into the Fade. It's the realm of spirits, and is not meant for the living to go into physically, as they did. In the heart of the Fade was the Golden City, seat of the Maker. They entered this place, and their presence corrupted it. For their pride, he cast them out and tainted them. They became the first darkspawn, and started the first Blight.

It nearly wiped out Thedas, and it crippled the Imperium. So perhaps it was cruel of the Maker... but we had wronged him before.

They continue to push at the realm of their God. It is no wonder he shames them so.

[ Lauralae turns her head away, frowning. ]

The Gods should be respected and loved. Not treated as ill omens.

He is loved and respected.... but also feared. And many if He hasn't turned his back on us for good, and we're all but abandoned.

He is much like a true God, then. [ She shakes her head. ] But if he abandons you, and you fall, then the blame lies at his feet. If he is truly a 'Maker' then he should take care of what he has created.

One would think. [That's similar to how she feels about Him, and it feels validating that someone outside of Thedas sees it like that, too.] I understand His anger, but... well, He made mortals the way they are. I sort of wonder what He actually expected to happen. But good luck telling the Chantry that. Many are just as happy as He is to condemn us for past mistakes.

It is a parent raising their children to argue only to become frustrated when they are constantly fighting. [ Lauralae shakes her head, irritated. ] They are all fools. They past cannot be undone and we can only look to the future.

Perhaps He made a mistake. Or several. Maybe we're failures, an idea gone wrong. [Not a pleasant thought.] The Chantry does like to look backwards. When its head isn't stuck up its ass. But its an institution that derives its power from the past and tradition. It still accomplishes a deal of good, but... well, the Chantry's committed its share of atrocities, too.

Sixth Blight - video

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.

video.