[Voice]

[paragonbrosca]

So, I can't be the only one who's been smacked in the face with culture shock, right? Or technology-shock, because a lot of the shit that's here I've never seen or heard of and have no idea how it works. I've figured out a couple of things through trial and error, but I'm not too proud to admit most of my reaction is still 'no fucking clue'. For those in the same boat, how long did it take you to adjust? What's the craziest discovery you've made? And for those that aren't, care to lend some advice? I'll pay you in drinks or other stuff; if you've the patience to endure all my questions, you've earned it. 

I've said it elsewhere, but just repeating myself now: if you're on that hit list and not that great at defending yourself, let me know. I'm pretty damn good at that, and so is the large war dog at my side. [Said war dog lets out an eager bark.]

Comments

[paragonbrosca]

Oh, um. [They're doing titles now? Okay, time to switch to that mode.] I'm Warden-Commander Aren Brosca, Arlessa of Amaranthine and...a bunch of other stuff, it's long.

Which guy do you mean? I'm not going to make any promises, but I'll try to look out for people.

[roseofthetyrells]

It's my pleasure to meet you. How would you have me refer to you?

His name is Matt Murdock. I know he's quite capable of fighting on his own, but I worry about what the Null may send against us.

[paragonbrosca]

Honestly, just 'Aren' is fine unless there's some reason I'd need to use a title in this place. If I get a bunch of Grey Wardens and we have to fight darkspawn, then Warden-Commander makes sense...but I'm not expecting that.

Oh, I met him over this thing. He was friendly and helpful enough to me, so yeah, I'll be happy to look out for him if I can.

[roseofthetyrells]

All right, Aren. May I ask what are darkspawn?

Thank you. I would be deeply in your debt if you do.

[paragonbrosca]

They're tainted humanoid beings that basically live to spread their corruption and do a pretty damn good job of it, too. As a Grey Warden, it's my job to slay them where I find them.

[roseofthetyrells]

Corruption? Corruption of the spirit or of the body or--or both?

[paragonbrosca]

The body, mostly, though if people don't die of the taint and it overcomes them, they lose their minds and become ghouls. It's not pleasant.

[roseofthetyrells]

That's terrible! I've never even heard of such a thing being possible. I hope they never come here.

[paragonbrosca]

Same, though if they do I can sense them, so that will help.

[roseofthetyrells]

You can sense them? May I ask how that works?

[paragonbrosca]

You can, but it's honestly hard to explain to someone who isn't a Grey Warden, and Grey Wardens don't really need to explain it to each other. If you become one of us, it can take a while to kick in, but you'll get there sooner or later. And your dreams will be about the darkspawn and their movements. Which, for someone who couldn't dream, was a weird-ass introduction, let me tell you.

[roseofthetyrells]

That sounds unpleasant. But why couldn't you dream?

[paragonbrosca]

Probably because we're not connected to the Fade. That's the place where human and elves -and probably qunari- go when they dream, and for those that were born that way, that connection is how they can do magic. No dreams or magic for us, but you won't hear me complaining. I was pretty happy before nightmares were part of my life. And being a mage is like having a 'possess me' sign for demons, so I'll pass.

[roseofthetyrells]

Oh? So the Fade is a place? An actual, tangible place you go to when you dream? I've never heard of such a thing.

[paragonbrosca]

A sloth demon sent me there once and it was the most confusing, frustrating, weirdass place ever. I would've been happy never seeing it again, but the same thing happened with this darkspawn and a magic orb. They're dead, though, and so is the next asshole who thinks I need a Fade field-trip.

[roseofthetyrells]

The Fade doesn't sound like it would be conducive to good dreams. Was it hard on you recently, sharing dreams with other people?

[paragonbrosca]

Oh, it was great. You know, it's always been my dream to share my worst and most private moments with total strangers.

...sorry, it's not you. I just hate they made it happen.

[roseofthetyrells]

While the Null are the most clear danger, it's a good idea to not mistake the creatures known as gods for our friends. They need something from us and are willing to do whatever it takes to obtain it.

[paragonbrosca]

Oh, yeah, definitely. I tend to have a dim view of people that kidnap me, and it irks me that they're breaking my streak of my kidnappers all being dead.

[roseofthetyrells]

[that gets a raised eyebrow]

You've been kidnapped often?

[paragonbrosca]

Often enough I can say it's happened more than once. The life of a Grey Warden is surprisingly not very safe.

[roseofthetyrells]

That's the second time you've used that term, Grey Warden. What does a Grey Warden do, exactly?

[paragonbrosca]

We fight darkspawn. They're humanoid, tainted beings that only exist to fuck everything up. They live underground and keep digging until they find an archdemon, then it leads them to the surface and starts a new Blight. When that happens, everything suffers.

[roseofthetyrells]

Oh! We have a similar organization, the Night's Watch. They, too, are tasked with killing creatures known as Wights or the Others. Although, in the case of the Night's Watch, no one has seen an Other in a thousand years. I take it your Grey Wardens are far more active.

[paragonbrosca]

Yeah, the Fifth Blight just ended. The fourth one was ages before that, though even then there's always darkspawn activity between Blights. They're just not organized without an archdemon, so it doesn't go anywhere.

What are the Wights like? Or supposed to be like?