#deathswcrn

[wanderingwolfwitcher]

They made it to the docks at last with no troubles, fortunately, and at the introduction to the sailor, he merely inclined his head respectfully, remaining silent in the presence of the two old friends. When he was welcomed aboard, he thanked the Captain and left Breina where she was with her fellow Skelligers to lead Scorpion aboard as well, heading down to the stables set up below the ship, with a number of stalls for other horses. Finding a good one for the Kaedweni war horse, he led the horse in, removed the saddle and bags, before fetching the horse some good hay, oats and water, and closing up the stable after petting him. He would have to visit the horse often, keep him from getting too ornery on the reasonably long voyage. Afterwards, moving through the ship, he was ushered by a crewman to a small room for himself, where he set up all his things, before stepping back out of it. He pressed a Quen Sign upon the door to magically seal it and make sure nobody would break in and rummage around in his things... wouldn't be the first time others had done so, with the inevitable curiosity Witchers drew.

The looks of the various Skellige sailors the cloaked and hooded Witcher passed by said enough, staring at his glowing, viper eyes with some uncertainty. Likely they would change their tunes when the sea monsters were attacking the ship, but until then, he would have to keep his guard up. He was no stranger to how the islanders went about things, and their often violent, barbaric customs. On the off chance he didn't kill any monsters on the voyage, he would probably have to engage in a fist fight with someone on the main deck, put on a show, to earn the crew's respect. He remembered having to do so more than a few times the previous occasions he'd been on Skellige. Always paid to learn the rules of the land, the social customs, and how best to utilize them, for his trade. At last, Eskel headed topside, on to the deck, finding a good somewhat secluded spot to observe the surroundings as sailors scrambled about getting the ship underway for the departure. It was welcome to be on their way at last, a new adventure undoubtedly awaiting... as destiny and the Path were like to do.

"Been on a boat or a few. To, around and from the Skellige Islands in my time. Admittedly that was more about looking for work than an interest in sailing. Fortunately I don't vomit easy, scouring through sewers, swamps, battlefields and crypts for a living. Drinking the potions I do. Got my sea-legs packed around here somewhere, better hope I find them again by the time Sirens and Harpies are swooping down on you sea dogs. Or the ship runs into a Sea Dragon, for that matter."

The Witcher's deep, amused voice returned to the islander with a chuckle under his breath, starting to retrieve his things as well as she too started to pack up. Breakfast could wait until they were safely settled on the ship awaiting them. Breina's threats either bypassed or dealt with. One matter at a time was the only way. He did look forward to battling sea monsters again, when all was said in done... it had been too long since he tested his talents against such beings. The ocean was an abyss of monsters to be hunted, where likely far more of them dwell since the Conjunction than on solid land these days. Witchers had seen to that over the past three hundred years. When he finished packing again, he rose a hand and began removing the magical, protective Signs around the camp with ease, dispelling them, before nodding with satisfaction. Once he was done with that task, he put out the fire, before turning on the spot and following his enhanced senses in the right direction. Eskel made his way towards Scorpion, finding his war horse still grazing about the nearby woods... putting his saddle bags on the horse, securing the saddle and reins, before leading Scorpion back to the camp. Climbing atop the horse again, his viper eyes turned in the direction of the road, through the woods they had set up in, before turning once more back to the dark haired young woman, addressing her again languidly and assuredly.

"Ready as I'll ever be. Ready when you are. Time we were underway. Lead on."

[dicethrow]

@deathswcrn | liked for a starter

Desperate to understand what the Blight was doing to him—why it whispered to him, why it pulled him in a direction he couldn’t comprehend—Gale finally gave in and followed the lure. The path led him to the Hossberg Wetlands. From his readings, it was meant to be a fertile place, teeming with crops and wildflowers. Yet all he found was waterlogged soil and the decaying remains of what had once been farmland.

He kicked a pebble, watching it bounce across the ruined earth before splashing into a murky puddle. Just then, the clash of metal on stone pierced the still air, followed by the unmistakable screech of darkspawn.

Gale knew he shouldn’t play the hero. But this was farmland—logic dictated there might be some poor farmer caught up in the chaos. Without hesitation, he crested the hill, only to see a well-armed woman cutting down darkspawn after darkspawn. Yet they kept coming, crawling from a foul, blighted sac that seeped corruption into the earth.

Without thinking, he ran to her aid. Flexing his fingers to loosen them, he summoned a bolt of fire and hurled it toward the sac. It burst with a sickening squelch, splattering filth in all directions. No more darkspawn emerged, but the ones already present turned their attention to him. One lunged, and Gale’s hand shot out reflexively. Flames consumed the creature mid-leap, and he stumbled back, catching his breath.

"Friends of yours?" he quipped, drawing a small, straight sword. A flickering orb of fire hovered in his off-hand, ready to strike.

[crosaidi]

[ jacket ] sender takes their jacket off and hangs it on receiver's shoulders (from bree!) @deathswcrn / ordinary things that feel intimate

" I look that miserable? " Here in the Anderfels, the chill is biting and there's little reprieve. This normally wouldn't bother him so much — he's a man who doesn't mind the cold — but he's tired and sore, and with the Blight and darkspawn and not one but two archdemons afoot, there's a lot that's gnawing at him.

" Thanks, " he concedes at length, quieter, plain that he has plenty on his mind; blue eyes flit up to her, just a twinge of worry somewhere in their depths. " — you doin' alright? "

[f4rgd]

@deathswcrn starter.

" Ladies first. " There's a grin on his face as he says it while the last of his clothing is in a pile on the ground. They've been walking for miles and they're all sore so when he'd caught a glimpse of the lake, Aksel had insisted the pair of them sneak off to take some time alone - not to mention they were both overdue a wash. " If only so I can watch you get in first. " There's always intent behind that mischievous grin as he steps aside to let Breina pass him, but he stays close enough to the edge to follow quickly once she's in.

[apalestar]

@deathswcrn moving us to act II shenanigans. Plotted starter.

They had barely been here a fortnight or two and Astarion already despised it. He couldn't sink his teeth into the harpers without risking his own neck. The two cows were too suspicious and closely guarded. Beyond the sanctuary of the cleric's blessing, not a damned thing drew breathe. He'd be so lucky if a band of cultists decided to attack. At least then he would be fed.

He was just desperate enough to seek out a rat. Fighting. Moving around as he did took it's toll in a way prowling the streets for Cazador's meals never did. The hunger gnawed in his gut. The gaping maw demanded more and more. He felt sluggish. Weak. Even if his performance hadn't degraded, Astarion felt that he had. Worse he caught himself on several occasions eyeing his companion's neck a little too closely.

That desperation had him discovering the most gracious of finds: the stash of alcohol beneath the inn. Sure the bottles were dusty, but they were sealed properly. Oh he could use this.

He wandered off in search of their erstwhile wrangler of adventurers. Where had Breina nestled herself? The smile brimming with his charm presented itself on his face when he finally found her. "There you are. You look as dreadfully tired of this place as I am, but I just found something both of us can enjoy. That is if you agree to my arrangement."

A cheshire cat gleam in his eyes. The vampire had something devious in mind, but it was certain to be fun!

[swashbucklcr]

@deathswcrn | starter call

Finn grumbled as he joined Breina's side by the campfire, glancing at the bottle in her hand and then back to the crackling flames. There were still a few customs of being entirely land-based that he was adjusting to, but a roaring fire to sit beside every evening was one he had grown fond of rather quickly.

"You know," he said, his tone half-joking, half-serious, "on the Dúncannon, me ship, it was considered a shit move to hog a bottle all to yerself. Especially since I was the one who raided the druid's supply for it."

[va1keus]

@deathswcrn continued.

He was smart when it came to art and having an ability to make the best out of a bad situation, but as far as fighting and handling a sword went... he lacked severely in that. Nobody had ever taught him nor given him the chance, there had been no need with guards in every corner of their home protecting them. No, he'd grown up well protected with absolutely no need until he'd decided to leave. Admittedly he hadn't thought it through all that well, but he had brought a sword which he could just about swing in the right direction - he'd just been lucky enough to not have to use it. At least up until he had and Breina had been the one to step in and save his life. Tending to her wounds was the least he could do.

He concentrates on patting the wound down with the alcohol to clean it and then he's pulling apart an old shirt to use as a bandage to wrap it around her arm securely. He's tying it slowly up until she says that and catches him by surprise, as a result he tugs a little too tight around her arm. " Shit, sorry! " He's not innocent by any means, far from it, especially not since he left home but he'd never expected that to come out of his mouth.

" You lost me at c - things being ripped. " His brow raised and he loosened the bandage, retying it just a little looser this time. " I would have more luck using a paint brush as a sword, only it just might... tickle. " He shrugged. Ben knew he needed to learn to fight, he couldn't expect them to protect him forever. " I would appreciate it if you have the time, you may need plenty. "

[benmzed]

" i'm not going to hurt you. how close do i have to get without splitting you open to make you believe that? " @deathswcrn / the serpent & the wing of night

Keep  your  head  down.  That’s  been  what  he’s  told  himself  again  and  again  since  he  was  shackled,  collared,  shoved  into  these  stinking  quarters.  He’s  lost  track  of  how  long  precisely  they’ve  even  been  aboard  the  ship  — he  was  tracking  it  with  marks  scratched  with  a  nail  into  the  floor  under  his  bedroll,  but  then  it  became  increasingly  pointless.  Keep  your  head  down,  don’t  get  involved.  

Keep  an  eye  forward.  Survive.  Survive  until  Fort  Joy,  and  then  he  can  get  things  set  into  motion.  

Even  in  these  rags,  he  still  manages  to  exude  contained,  animalistic  energy,  tireless  and  prowling  — even  when  he’s  just  lounged  against  the  wall,  casual  as  one  pleases,  avoiding  every  scrap  of  conflict  even  when  he  plainly  looks  like  he’s  dangerous  in  a  scrap.  Most  have  given  up  trying  to  pry  into  him,  which  suits  him  fine.  Most,  that  is,  except  ——

Green  eyes  slip  over,  and  there’s  the  scarcest  flash  of  a  little  smile.  "  Ah,  but  for  all  I  know,  you’re  planning  on  getting  close  just  to  split  me  open.  "  By  the  way  his  eyes  dance,  just  a  little  — an  immutable  spark  that  even  these  damnable  collars  can’t  stifle  — it’s  not  an  actual  concern.  "  So  if  not  that,  then  what  is  it?  "  

[tarathemagnificent]

"Tara, I'm tryin' to get a gift for Gale to cheer him up. I know he likes magic, an' cookin', an' poetry, but those happen to be three areas I know next to nothin' about. I'll trade you whatever meat or fish you'd like that I can get from Baldur's Gate markets for your input."

@deathswcrn

Tara thinks on it. She decides she is more excited for Gale than not that Breina is trying to court her pet. Properly court him! She trills in her excitement. It is everything Mr. Dekarios deserves. "I can't have Mr. Dekarios living with just me forever. He needs a good relationship. A basket of fish and cornish hens, and I'll show you things he would enjoy." She pondered. "A razor too for that thing on his face."

[daughterofhighever-blog]

“I’m supposed to be stronger than this!”

"How much stronger do you expect yourself to be? I have known hardened warriors twice your size and thrice your age crumble under half the weight you've been forced to shoulder. Give yourself a little grace, Breina."

[spiderwarden]

"MINTHARA. Will you settle an argument? I should get revenge for my exile from Cormyr, right? You support my right to violence, don't you?"

"Yes of course, this is not even worth the inquiry. Contrary to what other more ...self righteous company may suggest, solutions do not always arrive in the form of justice." Then she lifts her fist and closes it promptly, "It must be taken and claimed thoroughly. Cleanse thy enemy of house and home and all that reside within, and stain their blood upon your flesh so all may know not to ." Then she relaxes with the straighten of her shoulders, "That is all."

@deathswcrn

[grtivas]

"you  have  to  tell  me  everything,"  rook  begins,  fingers  clasped  in  front  of  them  in  order  to  contain  their  interest.  growing  up,  they'd  heard  about  legends  like  the  hero  of  ferelden,  hawke,  the  inquisitor, and even  varric  tethras  himself  ...  but  they  never  even  imagined  they'd  be  in  the  same  room  as  one  of  them,  never  mind  actively  working  together  with  these  people  years  later.  looking  back,  there's  a  lot  rook  wouldn't  have  expected  of  their  life  when  they  were  young,  but  here  they  are.  "i  have  a  million  questions  and  i  can  focus  on  none  of  them.  maybe  if  you  just  start  talking  it'll  come  to  me—" @deathswcrn

[dicethrow]

starter for @deathswcrn

"Fucking hell," Finn muttered, ducking just in time as a wisp fluttered past his head. Spirits—bloody everywhere. Sure, the Rivani people welcomed them, but Finn was still getting used to that part of their culture. Harmless or not, they were a pain in the ass when he was trying to navigate his way back to Thedas.

He trudged forward, eyes squinting through the ethereal glow that clouded his path. He’d gotten here through a damned mirror, so surely there was another one that could take him back. If only these wisps would give him a moment’s peace. Another one buzzed persistently around his shoulder, its light flickering annoyingly close to his face.

With a grunt, he finally relented. "Fuck me, you’re persistent. What do you want? Food? Do you even eat?"

Sighing, he reached into his satchel, fishing out a slightly crumbled cracker. He snapped off a corner and held it out, feeling ridiculous. The wisp hovered for a moment, then took the tiny piece, zipping away in a blur of light. Finn watched it go, utterly unconvinced that the creature would—or even could—eat the damn thing.

But as his gaze followed the wisp’s flight path, something caught his attention. There, on the steps beyond, stood a figure. A person. A living person. Relief, sharp and sudden, jolted through him.

He straightened up, eyes narrowing just slightly. "Thank the fucking Maker," he breathed. "You’re real, right? Not some magic Fade shite here to mess with me?"

[crosaidi]

sanctus! @deathswcrn / requiem asks ( headcanons )

sanctus - when they wake up screaming from a nightmare, who is it that your muse calls for?

no particular person, because he has two ways he wakes up from these: either dead still, dead quiet, without moving or blinking or feeling anything aside from the horrors in his head, waiting until the darkness clears from his vision enough to silently get up and move, or ——

or fighting , fighting, fighting. like the dragon's maw is closing, like he's losing everyone, like he's failed, failed, failed. this is rare. but he comes up swinging, roaring, fighting, because he's been fighting for so many years and that's all he knows —— and then strength sags out of him utterly, completely.

but to a particular person? no. at least not consistently — maybe a name slips through in the people he's lost.

[f4rgd]

@deathswcrn : “It’s weird. I never thought I could feel like this, but you showed up. Now, it’s like I don’t wanna go on knowing I might lose the feeling.” (it's time for them to talk about their feelings)

He's dropped hints, hells, if packing his bag and following her when he was supposed to stay in the city and work to pay the devil wasn't enough of a hint then he was at a loss. But Aksel hadn't done it intentionally, he'd acted on instinct and every fibre of his being had told him to follow her that day. He'd been right to, the situation they were in now was dire, but he'd been right to follow. If he'd stayed back in the city and she hadn't returned...

He played with the stew in his bowl, scooping it up and pouring it back in and hesitated to speak. There had been no confession, yet, but try as he might the smith knew he couldn't ignore his own heart - nor could his body, it was both that had forced him to follow and end up here with a tadpole in his head. Even that little detail didn't seem to matter much knowing he was with Breina and no matter how tough she was and more capable, probably, he could protect her if need be.

" - and what is the feeling? " His brow raised as he looked over to her, finally finding her words - a love confession out of nowhere would be humiliating, he didn't want to embarrass himself. But he knows, at least he thinks he does. It's still hard to figure out how to say it, how to ease into it when he's spent so many years alone. " I, uh - " shit. " I think it is obvious but I care about you a lot. I followed you because I did not want to lose you. So if that's... " similar? or something close to similar because he hadn't want to lose that feeling either. He doesn't finish his sentence, instead he shrugs and finally takes a mouthful of his food.

[apalestar]

@deathswcrn

Corporate would like you to tell the difference between these two images. Breina: There is no difference.