[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

[voice]

[tongueamok]

At least you may take comfort in that you are not alone in that endeavor. I am Carlisle Longinmouth. Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner.

[voice]

[paragonbrosca]

It's alright, I got all sorts of side-tracked. I'm Aren Brosca. If anyone here ever told you about Thedas, that's where I'm from.

[voice]

[tongueamok]

I haven't heard of it, I don't believe. There are others of your world in the city, then?

[voice]

[paragonbrosca]

Yeah, two. Cecily and Cole. I'm the only dwarf, though. Guess I'm special like that.

[voice]

[tongueamok]

You're a Dwarf?

[Okay, that was a little loud and a little excited for what is, ultimately, a stupid reason, but Carlisle can't help himself.]

I have seen the Elvish here, but they are far different than they are from my world. I wasn't aware others had Dwarves among them!

[voice]

[paragonbrosca]

Yep! Though I've gotten some weird feedback on what dwarves are supposed to be, so I should probably set the record straight. I'm not a short human. I also don't live underground...anymore, and gold is nice but I don't horde it. Hm, any other stereotypes I ought to know about, so I can confirm or deny?

[voice]

[tongueamok]

[There's a brief bit of silence on his end.]

I am getting the distinct feeling the Dwarves of my world are far different from who they are elsewhere, as well.

[voice]

[paragonbrosca]

Maybe? I can't say for sure.

Like in Thedas, dwarves are either from Orzammar or the surface. The surface ones lose their Stone-sense and caste, but on the other hand, they can do whatever they want. Orzammar society is the opposite; it's stupidly rigid and caste-based, and if you're not born into the right caste you're screwed, and you only go to the surface if you never expect to come back. Which some do, because of the caste thing. The fact that it hasn't imploded in on itself is a miracle, honestly. [Muttered.] I can't believe I saved their asses.

[voice]

[tongueamok]

[Surface Dwarves certainly sound more like what he's used to, but the rigid caste structure is not something with which he's terribly familiar.]

You are a hero of some sort, then?

[paragonbrosca]

...yeah, more or less. I had treaties saying I could request the help of Orzammar, but that couldn't happen until they had a king. And since the old one died and they were on the verge of civil war, I had to do a bunch of shit to ensure that someone was crowned so I could get those troops. It was complicated and annoying, just like Orzammar.

[tongueamok]

It certainly sounds like it. Was this monarch you helped crown a fair one?

[paragonbrosca]

He actually seemed to give a fuck about the casteless, so there's that.

To be honest, I would've picked Bhelen anyway. He's the father of my sister's infant son and the only reason she's finally living a better life. That's what I care about.

[The rest of Orzammar can go fall into the lava, for all she cares. At least, that's what she tells herself. Aren really does not want to care about Orzammar, okay.]

[tongueamok]

[Carlisle does some mental placement into a family tree with that one -- father of my sister's infant son oh a bastard child, then -- before replying.]

Family is important to you, then.

[paragonbrosca]

Well, yeah. It's the only thing that made that place bearable. [Minus her mother, but she'll keep that to herself.] Maybe little Endrin can make it better when he's King, but that's still gonna be a while.

So what are the dwarves where you're from like?

[tongueamok]

Short, as you described. They don't live underground, though. And what is this about gold?

[paragonbrosca]

Some stereotype that someone else told me, that we're obsessed with gold. Which, no more than anyone else. If there's anything dwarves are obsessed with, it's caste, at least the ones below.

[tongueamok]

That sounds more like a Goblin or a beaverkin than a Dwarf. Perhaps they mistook you for one of them?

[paragonbrosca]

Maybe, I--

...beaverkin?

[tongueamok]

Beaverkin. Short fellows who live near the swamps, flat tails, grabby little mitts?

[So... exactly what they sound like.]

[paragonbrosca]

Huh. They sound friendlier than the stuff I'm used to seeing in swamps; darkspawn and blight wolves and werewolves and shit.

[tongueamok]

I'd argue about if they're any friendlier than werewolves, but I imagine anything called a 'darkspawn' is just terrible.

[paragonbrosca]

Oh, they are. They're tainted creatures that for the most part don't have any true intelligence, but just live to spread their corruption. If people get sick from their taint, they can become mindless ghouls...if they don't die outright. That's why I kill the fucking things. It's my job.

[tongueamok]

Ghouls? Like the undead?

[Things Carlisle Would Rather Never Appear in Hadriel Again: Volume 53]

[paragonbrosca]

They might as well be; whoever they were before then, it's lost. They're mindless things that attack and feed. The only thing you can do is kill them before they kill others.

[tongueamok]

Indeed. The undead are foul beings, a perversion of nature that should never be. It is a mercy to put them to rest, should you have the ability.