hadriel_logs | Intro Log: Better Off Dead

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Intro Log: Better Off Dead

Who: New arrivals and everyone else!
What: The intro log for November
Where: The colosseum and all around the city.
When: November 10th-12th
Warnings: Content warning for body horror in both items and animals this month!

Good morning and welcome to Hadriel! The forecast is cloudy with a chance of cold rain, and the weather is a bit too chilly for your tastes. That's alright though- you've got bigger things to worry about. Like the fact that you're waking up alone on the ground of what looks like a colosseum, and that you're surrounded by scattered jewelry. These various pendants, brooches, and chokers all feel- fleshy and slightly warm to the touch, though they'll cool off and firm up the longer you might be holding them.

But what kind of sick and twisted person would do something like this?

Well, the same kind of person who would apparently throw you in here with not only messed-up body jewelry, but also messed-up body monsters. You may hear them approach, thumping on the ground and growling as they come closer to you... but there's not much to be afraid of, really.

The monsters that surround you this month are grossly deformed, appearing as if someone tried to inexpertly combine multiple monsters together to make them more fearsome- the head of a hellhound is too big and it can't lift it, so it drags along the ground, the bear has too many legs to walk properly and falls on itself, improperly-spliced chimeras have dead heads that loll lifelessly about their necks- so on and so forth. It may be a better idea to put these creatures out of your misery before you go- if you're able to, that is.

But at least you can find your freedom relatively easily- if you could 'living in Hadriel' as freedom, I suppose. Once you escape from the colosseum, you can explore the rest of the city! Find a house, a new monster, a project to help with, or simply scavenge for supplies. Good luck, and enjoy your stay in Hadriel!

► This log covers November 10th-12th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► All characters arrive with phones that have network communication and the newbie guide installed.
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A very good match then, indeed.

[Humming that, as she is quite content now to just let her scratch.]

Yes. [a pause] None expected me to get a Mabari. We'd went to the breeder looking to get my elder brother Fergus one and instead, I was chosen.

[and scratch she does, paying attention to what seems to be the preferred spots]

[She shifts a little, to shift where she is scratching, although otherwise remains still.]

Was he ever chosen?

[and she scratches where the Dog wills her to do so]

No. Much to his consternation! Fergus is a warrior, everything a man of Ferelden is supposed to be. I was expected to marry well and bear children.

[And thump, thump, thump, goes the tail as she tilts her head again, drawing her touch along the underside of her jaw. There is a quick lick of her tongue, aiming for her wrist.]

And do you only get one chance?

[she smiles and laughs as she's licked. she doesn't laugh very often (and even more rarely when separated from Alistair as she is now), but it's a very pretty laugh]

No, but we tried other breeders and had no luck with them, either. I suppose it just wasn't meant to be.

[It is indeed a nice sound. The Dog can be serious, if need be, but her usual mode is anything but.]

Or perhaps the right time has simply not come along.

[Sometimes one does need to wait for the stars to align, so to speak.]

[unfortunately, she's always been serious. her melancholy makes it difficult to let her guard down and relax in the presence of others, but the Dog has made it easier to do so]

Perhaps. He's--the only member of my family left. I would like to see something bring him happiness after all of the loss.

[his wife and son were murdered during the slaughter at Castle Cousland]

Mm. Happiness can be found in many forms, if the individual is willing to look for it.

[Of course the Dog's brand whenever her mistress had started to get bogged down in self pity was to nip her, so...]

Yes, I suppose so. Fergus must remarry and father heirs again. I. . . know it will be difficult, after losing Oriana and Oren as he did, but for the sake of the Cousland line, he has his duties. And, I hope, happiness in those duties.

[it likely wouldn't hurt with her!]

There is much stock put in to family lines then?

[She can think back on her own mistress, and the inheritance that she wanted, but that she will never obtain.]

[she nods]

The Cousland line is only three hundred years old, but we've done much to be proud of in that time. It would be a shame if it were to end.

Yet it would never live through you?

It could, were I to marry a man of lesser rank and he take the Cousland name, but I'm to wed [she flushes faintly] King Alistair. My duty will be to the Theirin line.

I've met a king myself. [That glance, contemplative.] Is it of your choosing?

You have? [a pause] Was he a good king? [and she nods with a slight smile] It is. Alistair and I have been through a great many trials together. It will be a joy to be his wife and the mother of his children. [assuming Grey Wardens can have children]

We were all a bit busy at the time, but yes, I would say that he is.

[Her tongue lolls happily from her mouth and she gives a small little woof.]

That is good. I hope you have many pups then, if that is your desire.

That's good. Sometimes, power attracts those who wish for power for its own sake.

[she smiles. the Dog is so cute and nice]

It is. Alistair will be a wonderful father.

Indeed. I've known several beings just like that.

[Power to cause mayhem and death.

And another lick is stolen before she speaks again.]

I suppose this is a little side adventure then for you.

As have I. They were forced to pay for their deeds in the end.

[by being killed. if you asked her, she's say that there was no other way, but inside she felt strongly that both had it coming.

she smiles at the lick]

I suppose so, but I cannot help hoping that it's a short one.

I've heard that you return, with no recollection of this place. Perhaps consider it a side quest of sorts?

[The Dog doesn't have anything pressing to get back to. The threat at the moment is passed, and they will be able to handle the others by themselves, although she might pop in in the future.]

It's true. I was here for a week, then returned home with no idea I'd been gone. [a slight smile] And I have been on a great many side quests in my life.

[and she'd been going to greet the crowds at Denerim, assembled to see the Hero of Ferelden in person. the title felt slightly unearned as she'd allowed the use of blood magic to spare her life and that of her beloved]

And think of all the new friends you can make, and foods you can try, and places you can visit.

[The Dog truly does enjoy going out and about, sniffing new corners, digging big holes, squeezing in to small spaces.]

Yes, I suppose that's--an adventure. Any tips on where to start?

[she'd been relatively sheltered as the daughter of House Cousland, but she knew enough to know that her father was considering Orlesian and Antivan matches for her hand. the only single teyrn in Ferelden, Loghain Mac Tir, was far too old and far too--severe for one of Mariane's nature, so they were forced to look abroad for a match worthy of her]

On making friends?

[Because she has already made one, especially as she indulges the Dog with scratches.]

The humans seem to like going to the bar around here, or there is a range, if you like to shoot things.

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