Shadows over Nevarra: The Grand Tourney (OOC)

I decided to write the story of Issala entering Dragon's Peak for the first time as my character introduction. He was led to the castle by a guard currently named "Jonathan;" is there some other name I should use instead?

Also, how does the castle's infirmary (or whatever they have) work? I assume the local Bann can veto any hires he doesn't approve of, but would Issala be taken directly to the local lord, or would whoever's currently in charge look him over first?

Thank you,phoray

The image and the last word are the ,not so subtle,"hints" of Loyalty's location

Bann Sighard has a very hands on approach to hiring personnel so the guard (Jonathan is fine for a random name) would probably take him straight to him if he has arrived without an introduction from someone else or previous contact with Oswyn. Otherwise if, say, he had met Jasce on one of his trips to Denerim and he had suggested joining up, then he might have already cleared the hiring with Oswyn prior to Issala's arrival and the guard would know to take him straight to the infirmary.

Take it that the local medic (Landon) has been there some years and is aging somewhat, which is why he wouldn't be travelling to Cumberland with the Bann's party, so Oswyn might well have advertised in Denerim for a someone to take his place. A knowledge of conventional, non-magical healing would be needed because competitors are only allowed magical healing for their wounds and breakages once eliminated from the competition. Whilst still active participants only non-magical help is allowed. The ability to manipulate and sooth tired muscles would be particularly valued as would any special ointments that aid healing and recovery of torn muscles and bruises.

Just one other thing. The date will have moved on from my initial post for Dragon's Peak. You can either leave it without a date or date it Solace (month 7) as they will be leaving for Cumberland during that month.

I think the dates can be left reasonably vague in the actual narrative. The timescale is more in the background.

Okay, I think I've got a decent intro for Issala. Do I post it somewhere for review, or just throw it onto the board?

Nice riverdaleswhiteflash , clear to read and understand, good balance of action to words. Sets you up to be at the tournament.

I just wanted to say that after these opening posts I am really excited about this story and the characters taking part and we still have phoray with Arria to come. I hope everyone feels the same.

Get ready for a dwarf bomb!

Images of Cumberland.



The first is the view on approach by sea. The golden domed building is the Sun Dome which, as you can see, dominates the skyline. Beneath this lies the palace that is the headquarters of the Chantry Circle of Magi. Its size reflects the fact that it was originally built for a wealthy noble family but when subsequently a daughter of that house was discovered to be a mage, her mother donated the building to the Chantry to house the Nevarran Circle so the girl could continue to live in the style to which she was accustomed. It has been the property of the Chantry ever since. When calm was restored after the election of Divine Victoria (Leliana), the Mortalitassi made representations to return it to the ownership of Nevarra. However, Grand Enchanter Vivienne successfully argued it should remain the property of the Chantry for utilisation by their loyalist mages and associated Templars. She will be in residence there during the Grand Tourney, dividing her time normally between the Sun Dome and the White Spire in Val Royeaux.



The second image is also concept art by Bioware for Cumberland. I assume this now shows the approach to the Sun Dome from the landward side, although the top of the dome is different from the coloured image so this is possibly another domed building, such as the Ducal Palace.   The large statue on the left reflects the Nevarran custom of venerating their ancestors with heroic statues and other grandiose displays. The city is said to be notable for its open, airy courtyards, its cobblestoned streets and well-made 3 storey buildings decorated with ornate facades. I think these are more likely to be made from stone, probably sandstone, rather than wood.



The final image is actually an aerial view of Nevarra City but I would imagine that Cumberland is arranged on similar lines with the city carefully laid out on geometric lines having been planned that way rather than just thrown together (as Denerim was).