A Warden for West Hill

Posted on 22 Jan 2024 @ 7:32pm by Mage Kalian Winter & Warrior Rhiannon Cadash & Warrior Katya Charbonnet (Shar-bon-ay) & Warrior Rahvin Vargar & Rogue Vasil & Mage Kithris Sabrae

2,005 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Bann Voyage
Location: Jader chantry
Timeline: Bloomingtide 19th

OOC: Continued from "A Canticle for Jader"

Lady Seryl said, "About two weeks ago, Mother Giselle received a letter from Revered Mother Helena of West Hill Bannorn, in which she mentions a new addition to Bann Franderel's eclectic personal collection. West Hill Bannorn, you may recall, is located on the northwest coast of Ferelden. Warden Jaslyn offered to go there and investigate. She hasn't returned, and the two ravens she sent plus the last raven from Mother Helena suggest Warden Jaslyn ran into trouble."

Mother Giselle said, "I received this letter on Bloomingtide 8th, eleven days ago." She skipped the opening paragraph, and read the rest aloud:

Cloudreach 30, 9:34 Dragon.

My Dear Friend Giselle,

On this day of fasting and reflection in preparation for Summerday tomorrow, I often find myself thinking of Summerdays past, when we were young initiates together. My, but didn't we think ourselves so wicked when we snuck into the kitchen to steal a sausage roll and apple. And nowadays the chantry cook conspire to plan what extra food she will prepare, just for hungry initiates and anyone else who finds the fast too difficult.

I'm writing to you today not just to recall shared girlhood memories, but because of an unusual conversation I had yesterday with the Bann's youngest uncle Ser Brion whom you may recall is a retired Templar. As may be expected, poor Ser Brion's mental faculties have deteriorated, though he is usually quite calm, often singing the Chant to himself. He favors Exultations, and he seems more aware of his surroundings when I sing with him.

Today when I visited his chamber to administer his daily dose of lyrium, he was quite agitated. He chased the serving girl who brings his meals, swinging his cane as though sword-fighting an enemy. Scared the poor girl half to death! The strange thing was, he was speaking, not singing, from Threnodies – the parts about the origins of darkspawn. Poor Ser Brion had to be sedated.

With the Summerday festival in progress, West Hill Fortress is full of people, from the surrounding farms as well as the Bann's guests from Denerim and further afield. This evening I overheard Bann Franderel boasting about a new addition to his famous collection, a Grey Warden artifact he'd bought from a visiting traveler this morning.

Of course, the new collection piece and the change in Ser Brion could be a coincidence. But you did ask me to report anything unusual, even if it seemed a small matter.

Blessings of the Maker be upon you,
Mother Helena
West Hill Bannorn Chantry


Mother Giselle continued, "We received this raven from Jaslyn after she arrived." She read:

Bloomingtide 14, 9:34 Dragon.

Dear Mother Giselle and Lady Seryl,

I arrived at West Hill Fortress yesterday evening and requested an audience with Bann Franderel and to be shown his famous collection. I await his response. Meanwhile, I've made some progress with gaining the trust of the Bann's elven servants.

Mother Helena has been very welcoming and I have accepted her offer of accommodation in the chantry vicarage. She took me to see Ser Brion, but his condition has worsened and he remains sedated around the clock. I have added a request to stop his sedation so that I may speak with Ser Brion to my petition with the Bann.

Warden Jaslyn


"This is the next, and the last raven from Jaslyn," said Giselle, and read:

Bloomingtide 17, 9:34 Dragon

Dear Mother Giselle and Lady Seryl,

At my brief audience with the Bann he declined my request to be shown his collection, both as a Grey Warden, and in my capacity as your representative. However, I believe I have convinced a servant to allow me into the castle wing where the collection is kept. I will investigate tonight, when the castle is asleep.

When I'm in the castle I can sense something similar to the darkspawn taint. I can't guess what it is, but I feel certain it is dangerous. Some of the Bann's servants have confided they've been having disturbing dreams. I suspect magic may be involved.

Warden Jaslyn

"And finally," said Mother Giselle, "We received this raven from Mother Helena yesterday."

Bloomingtide 18, 9:34 Dragon.

Mother Giselle,

Warden Jaslyn did not return to her quarters last night. When I called at the castle, Bann Franderel himself informed me that Warden Jaslyn left West Hill early this morning.

Jaslyn left her belongings here, shall I send them to Jader?

Mother Helena


When she finished reading, Mother Giselle said, "You may all read for yourselves," and passed the letter to Rahvin, who stood closest to her.

"We are worried for Warden Jaslyn's wellbeing, and concerned the artifact may be more dangerous than we initially suspected." said Lady Seryl. "We'd like you to travel to West Hill Bannorn, help Jaslyn if she needs it, and use your collective best judgement to decide what to do with the artifact."

"I can not speak for my friends but I will go. What do you know of Bann Franderel" He may be the key to this." Katya said.

Kit gave Katya a stern look. "You will not be going alone vhenan." As she took ahold of Katya's hand.

Katya smiled. "I didn't want to speak for you my love but I am happy to have you along."

"The Bann of West Hill Bannorn is a member of the Ferelden Landsmeet, an important governing body in that country. Franderel is also among the wealthiest nobles in Ferelden," replied Lady Seryl. "He hosted a Grand Ball at his estate in Denerim around the time of the Landsmeet that confirmed Alistair Therin to be King of Ferelden. It is rumored that Franderel's spy master discovered a plot to steal from his collection and employed extra traps and guards, but the would-be thieves killed the guards and escaped."

"It was further rumored that after the ball, thieves returned to Bann Franderel's estate and succeeded in stealing an unnamed artifact from his collection," said Mother Giselle. "Coincidentally, a priceless holy relic was anonymously returned to the Chantry in Denerim - the Tears of Andraste. Of course Bann Franderel denied ever being in possession of such an important Chantry relic. The Bann returned to West Hill Bannorn, with his collection, immediately after the Landsmeet."

Kalian knew Warden Jaslyn. She and the nobleman Cainan helped with breaking up the mining operation that was exploiting Ferelden refugees. Since then, Jaslyn stopped by the Raven's Roost for a drink from time to time, but Kalian hadn't seen Cainan since the start of the Summerday festival. The last time he saw Jaslyn was when she drove a wagon out to the old Baudelaire mansion and met him, Rhiannon, Kithris, Katya, Elinowy, Skeld, and Nazri, along with Lilith the apostate, after they cleared out the bandits and animated corpses. Jaslyn drove them all back to Jader. "I'll go as well. If magic is involved, I may be able to help."

Rhi briefly looked at both Katya and Kithris as the two women agreed to go. When Kalian spoke up and said he would go, Rhi gave him the same look Kit gave to Katya. "Well someone will have to keep you out of trouble amoruk."

Kalian glanced nervously in the new Knight Lieutenant’s direction, then grinned at Rhiannon. "I will endeavor to avoid trouble."

Jessamir looked to her daughter, a small brief smile crossed her face. "Othok told kaad bedwan?" (You told him daughter?)

Rhi gave a nod as her own smile deepened and her crimson eyes lit up. "Yare Tha did mothrumm." (Yes I did mother.)

Jessamir let out a chuckle and looked to Kalian. "We will talk later my son." Turning to Mother Giselle and Seryl Jessamir shifted slightly. Her demeanor shifting to be more serious. Her eyes scanning the rest in the room. The new Captain-Lieutenant and a Warden. For Jessamir, this all reeked of nothing good. Her attention back to Mother Giselle, "You requested my presence Mother Giselle. Am I to take it that you would like the Night's Kiss to travel to West Hill?"

Kalian looked from daughter to mother and back. Maker’s Breath, he really needed to work on learning the dwarven language.

"Indeed," Mother Giselle replied to Jessamir. "Captain, we request that you provide transport. You will of course be paid well, and the route you take will be up to you. Routine trade stops along the way, at your discretion, might improve your reception at West Hill Bannorn. Will you be able to leave with the tide tomorrow morning?"

Jessamir regarded Mother Giselle for a moment before she answered. "I had planned on leaving out the middle of next week. I have the essential cargo for the trip already. What I had planned on taking on after this last load today can wait. I will need to track down a few of the crew." She looked to Rhi for a moment. Rhi gave a quick small nod. Jessamir looked back to Mother Giselle. "It is doable." This said with confidence.

Rahvin had stood listening. The letters were not what he had expected. It was not like Jaslyn to up and leave her gear behind. "Mother, if I may. It is not like Warden Jaslyn to leave her gear behind unless there was a good reason for it. It is also not to often that a request from a Warden is not honored. As a Warden, I plan on investigating her disappearance. I will find her."

Mother Giselle bowed her head to Rahvin. "Thank you, Grey Warden."

"Are there any more questions?" Lady Seryl regarded Alexandra, Elinowy, Katya, Kithris, Rhiannon, Rahvin, Jessamir, and Vasil, each in turn.

Rhi glanced at her mother then looked at the group. "Those of you that are going, I would suggest to come aboard tonight. We have a few extra cabins so it should not be to crowded. Be prepared to work. We do not expect you to be a sailor, though we do expect you to pull your own weight." Thos said with a matter of fact tone that did hold respect.

Kit looked to Rhi and gave a nod. "I will do what I can." She looked to Katya.

"I've worked hard my entire life. This should be no different. I will do what I can to help!" Katya said.

Rahvin gave a nod as well. "My service is yours."

Vasil was silently impressed how everyone seemed eager to help. Interesting.

Jessamir looked to Vasil. She took a small pouch off her belt and handed it to the young make. "When we leave here, take this and get yourself some good traveling clothes. Then go to the blacksmith and get yourself a good weapon. And maybe a good set of tools"

"Yes, cap'n," the young man took the pouch, it had a good weight to it, many coins.

"I already got some tools...you probably ain't meanin' those kind though," he smiled, "Don't know much about sailoring, what tools they need. But when I'm done do I then go to the ship?"

Jessamir gave the young man a wry grin when he mentioned tools. "Find yourself some clothes that are water proof. Sturdy as well. A good weapon, your choice. If you so happen to come across a better set of tools...." Jessamir let that hang for a moment before she continued. "I would suggest that you make your way to the ship tonight. This way you can get yourself familiar with it."

Water proof? Good luck with that, Vasil mused but just nodded in agreement. A good weapon....he already owned a nice stabbing dagger but yes, he'd find something else a bit longer range. And he also got a clear answer on the ship. He should go there tonight, get on board.

"Yes cap'n, I'll be doin' just then," he assured her.

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OOC: image of the letter and messages

 

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