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For now, though, rest. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new battles. But tonight, they had earned their respite. The Hinterlands would keep its secrets a little while longer.
The morning light filtering through the cave entrance was pale and watery, but after the darkness of the Witchwood, it felt like a benediction. Daniel stretched, working out the stiffness from sleeping on stone, and made his way toward the smell of cooking food. One of the soldiers—a grizzled veteran with a scar across his nose—was stirring a pot of porridge laced with dried meat and herbs.
"Morning, Herald," the man grunted, handing Daniel a steaming mug of bitter Fereldan coffee. "Figured you could use this after yesterday."
Daniel wrapped his hands around the mug, letting the heat seep into his fingers. "You're a lifesaver, Corporal." The first sip was harsh and strong, exactly what he needed to shake off the last remnants of sleep. A bowl of porridge followed, simple but hearty, and by the time he finished, he felt almost human again.
Cassandra was already up and armored, her sharp eyes scanning the cave as she spoke quietly with the lieutenant. Varric lounged nearby, polishing Bianca with a practiced hand, while Solas stood apart, his new staff glowing faintly as he examined the Astrarium statues.
Daniel joined them, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "We need to talk about our next move."
Cassandra nodded. "I was just telling the lieutenant we should send scouts to—"
"Actually," Daniel interrupted gently, "I think we need to focus on the templars first."
Varric's eyebrows shot up. "Going right for the throat, huh? I like it."
Daniel crouched, using his dagger to sketch a rough map in the dirt. "Look—we've crippled the mages' operations here, but the rogue templars are still a threat. If we want to secure the Crossroads, if we want to send a clear message that the Hinterlands are under the Inquisition's protection now, we need to hit them hard."
Solas tilted his head. "And the Astrariums?"
"They'll keep," Daniel said. "We'll find them eventually—probably when we least expect it. But right now, people are dying every day this war drags on."
The lieutenant rubbed his chin. "The templar stronghold is west of here, near the river. Heavily fortified, from what our scouts have reported."
Cassandra's expression hardened. "Then we hit them where it hurts. Cut off their leadership, just like we did here."
Varric chuckled. "You know, for someone who complains about my storytelling, you've got a real flair for dramatic gestures, Seeker."
She ignored him. "Daniel's right. We can't afford to split our focus. The templars won't stop unless we make them stop."
Solas studied Daniel for a long moment before nodding. "A practical approach. And should we succeed, it may convince any remaining rebel mages to surrender rather than fight on alone."
Daniel straightened, brushing dirt from his hands. "Then it's settled. Lieutenant, have the men ready to march within the hour. We'll take the main force west—no more half-measures."
As the others moved to prepare, Daniel found himself staring once more at the glowing Astrarium statue. Part of him itched to uncover its secrets, to know what lay beyond that hidden door. But the cries of the refugees in the Crossroads, the bodies frozen in the valley, the hate-filled words of that templar letter—they all weighed heavier.
The Hinterlands' mysteries could wait. Its people couldn't.
By the time the sun had fully risen, the Inquisition forces were assembled. The wounded had been sent back to the Crossroads with a small escort, while the rest stood ready—weapons sharpened, armor strapped tight, determination etched on every face.
Daniel took his place at the head of the column, staff in hand. "Today, we end this," he said, his voice carrying across the gathered soldiers. "Not for glory, not for vengeance—but because it's the right thing to do. The people of the Hinterlands have suffered enough."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the ranks.
Cassandra stepped forward, her sword catching the morning light. "For the Inquisition!"
The answering cheer echoed off the cave walls as they marched out into the dawn, leaving the mysteries of the Witchwood behind them—for now. Ahead lay battle, bloodshed, and hopefully, an end to the chaos that had gripped this land for too long.
The road west stretched before them, winding through hills still scarred by war. Somewhere ahead, the rogue templars waited, convinced of their righteousness. Daniel's jaw tightened. They'd learn soon enough—the Inquisition didn't back down. Not when innocent lives hung in the balance.
"Let's move out," he said, and the march to war began.
The lieutenant's report cut through their marching formation like a cold wind. "Scouts have spotted a rift opening in the northern reaches of the Witchwood," he said, his voice tight with urgency. "Demons haven't breached yet, but it's only a matter of time."
Solas' staff pulsed with blue energy as he turned sharply. "We must close it before the veil weakens further. An unchecked rift in these woods could spawn horrors beyond the usual shades and terrors."
Cassandra's hand went to her sword hilt. "There's also the matter of that cabin mentioned in the isolationist mage's letter. If his brother is hiding there with more of their research..."
Daniel exhaled sharply, weighing their options. The templar stronghold would have to wait a few hours longer. "We split our forces," he decided. "Lieutenant, take half the soldiers and establish a perimeter around the rift's location—contain any demons that emerge until we arrive. The rest of us will investigate this cabin first."
As they veered northward, the Witchwood seemed to close in around them, its gnarled branches twisting into unnatural shapes. The air grew thick with the scent of ozone and rotting vegetation, making every breath feel heavy.
Varric nudged Daniel's arm, pointing to a moss-covered stone plinth half-hidden in the undergrowth. "Hey, isn't that more of those Avvar statues?"
Two weathered stone figures stood sentinel along the overgrown path—both depicting the same formidable woman with braided hair and a battle-axe. The first bore an inscription that Solas translated aloud:
"Fifth Stanza: Tyrdda Bright-Axe, bold and bloodied, took her tribe from placid plains,
Tribes with blades by farming blunted chased and fought, their parting pains.
To the mountains, shorn of shelter, snow-slicked peaks gave wind its bite,
Found a cave to save her tribe, but dragonfire lit the night.
Beast no blade could break came roaring, mountains slipped their winter gown,
Tyrdda shouts to leaf-eared lover, "You I chose above a crown!"
Lightning split the spitting rains,
Sundered over prideful heights,
Dragon fell in rubble down,
Crashed and crushed in earth's mad shaking."
The second statue's inscription continued the saga:
"Sixth Stanza: Tyrdda Bright-Axe, proud her tribe, free from fallow fat below,
Built in battle, fed on fighting, strong from struggle did they grow.
Deep in caves, the stone-men tribe, Hendir's warriors, stout and strong,
Met the tribe with axes ready, armor gleaming, sword-blades long.
Spoke with Tyrdda did her lover, gentle whispers soft she made,
Dwarven hearts were sundered, simple, still with honor. Thus she bade:
"Let the tribe the dwarf-men know,
In their caves, where they belong,
Not with battle but with trade,
Hendir's dwarves, give peace unbreaking."
Cassandra ran her fingers over the ancient carvings. "These must mark some ancient pilgrimage route. The Avvar worshipped their heroes as we do Andraste."
Just beyond the statues, a dilapidated cabin came into view—its wooden walls sagging under decades of neglect, the thatched roof half-collapsed. A rickety wooden staircase led up to the door, its steps groaning ominously under their weight.
Solas paused at the threshold, his nostrils flaring. "There's something... wrong here. The Veil is thin as parchment."
Daniel pushed the door open slowly, his staff at the ready. The interior was dark, illuminated only by an eerie green glow emanating from a small rift hovering just above the floorboards. Before anyone could react, the rift pulsed violently, and reality itself seemed to tear open.
What emerged wasn't the expected shade or wraith—but a hulking Terror demon with elongated limbs ending in scythe-like claws. Its chitinous plates gleamed like polished obsidian, and when it shrieked, the sound made Daniel's teeth vibrate.
"Greater Terror!" Solas shouted, already weaving a barrier spell. "Do not let its claws find flesh—they carry a paralytic venom!"
The battle that followed was brutal. The demon moved with unnatural speed, its form blurring as it teleported around the cramped cabin. Wooden beams shattered under its weight, and Cassandra barely managed to deflect a killing blow with her shield. Daniel's lightning spells scorched the creature's hide, but it seemed only to enrage it further.
Varric found an opening when the Terror pinned Cassandra against the wall—three Bianca bolts found their mark in the demon's eye socket in rapid succession. As it reeled back, howling, Solas froze its legs with a wave of frost magic, allowing Daniel to channel a massive Energy Barrage directly into its chest.
The Greater Terror exploded in a shower of ichor and dissipating magic, its death throes shaking the cabin to its foundations. The rift snapped shut with a thunderclap that left everyone's ears ringing.
Daniel's interface pulsed with updates:
[44 EXP Gained - Cabin Discovered]
[58 EXP Gained - Greater Terror Defeated]
[Enhanced Amulet of Magic Obtained (Rare)]
[+5 Magic]
He fastened the amulet around his neck immediately, feeling its power settle against his skin like a second heartbeat. Nearby, Varric was prying open a chest that had been hidden beneath a collapsed bookcase.
"Jackpot," the dwarf announced, holding up a clinking sack. "Fifty-nine gold, a halfway decent dagger, and—" He tossed Daniel a bundle of dark fabric. "Some mage armor that might actually fit you."
[59 Gold Added]
[Recruit's Dirk Obtained]
[Apprentice Armor Obtained]
Cassandra kicked aside a pile of moldering papers, revealing more of the isolationist mage's research notes. "This is what they were protecting," she said grimly. "Experiments on using rift energy to enhance spells. Madness."
Solas examined the now-quiet spot where the rift had been. "This location was chosen deliberately. The Veil here is naturally thin—perfect for their heretical studies."
Daniel pocketed the research notes—Leliana would want to see them—and surveyed the ruined cabin. "We're done here. Let's regroup with the lieutenant and close that rift before it's start summoning demons."
The moment they stepped out of the cabin, the distant sounds of battle reached them—steel clashing against otherworldly flesh, panicked shouts, and the unmistakable shrieks of demons. The lieutenant's perimeter was already engaged.
"Move!" Daniel barked, breaking into a sprint. The others followed close behind, weapons at the ready.
The scene they arrived at was chaos. The rift pulsed violently in the center of a small clearing, its emerald light casting eerie shadows across the soldiers' faces. Four Lesser Terrors had already emerged—their spindly limbs lashing out with unnatural speed as they harried the Inquisition forces. The creatures moved in unsettling unison, their bulbous heads swiveling toward the new arrivals.
"Form up!" Cassandra commanded, her shield raised. "Protect the Herald!"
The first wave fell quickly under coordinated attacks. Varric's crossbow bolts found their marks with deadly precision, punching through the Terrors' chitinous hides. Solas's ice spells slowed their movements, allowing Cassandra to carve through them with brutal efficiency. Daniel's newly enhanced Chain Lightning arced between the demons, making their limbs spasm violently before they collapsed into piles of smoking ichor.
No sooner had the last Terror fallen than the rift pulsed again, its energy flaring dangerously. Six more Lesser Terrors materialized from the tear in the Veil—these larger than the first group, their claws dripping with venom.
"Second wave!" the lieutenant shouted. "Hold the line!"
The battle became a desperate dance of steel and magic. One Terror got past the soldiers' defenses, its claws raking across a recruit's chest before Daniel could throw up a barrier. The young man collapsed, his armor sizzling where the demon's acidic blood had splashed.
"Focus fire!" Daniel called, channeling another Chain Lightning. The spell leapt from demon to demon with increased range thanks to his recent upgrade, its crackling energy leaving blackened craters in the Terrors' carapaces.
Varric took careful aim at a Terror poised to strike a downed soldier. "Eat this, ugly!" His bolt struck true, punching through the creature's eye and out the back of its skull.
As the last Terror fell, Daniel didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, his marked hand raised toward the pulsating rift. The Anchor flared to life, its green energy intertwining with the rift's in a dazzling display of power. For a moment, it seemed the rift might resist—it pulsed violently, straining against his will—but with one final surge of effort, Daniel forced it closed with a thunderous crack that echoed through the Witchwood.
Silence fell over the clearing, broken only by the heavy breathing of exhausted soldiers. Daniel's interface pulsed with updates:
[177 EXP Gained - Rift Closed & Demons Defeated]
[Belt of Health Obtained (Common)]
[Frost Essence Obtained]
He fastened the new belt around his waist, immediately feeling its restorative magic seep into his tired muscles. The Frost Essence he pocketed carefully—Solas would want to examine it later.
As the others tended to the wounded, one of the scouts came running up, his face flushed with excitement. "Herald! I found something you should see—near that large rock formation to the east."
Following the scout, Daniel discovered the final shard partially embedded in the moss-covered stone, its blue glow pulsing in time with the three others in his pack. As he pulled it free, the four shards resonated together, their combined light casting strange shadows across the clearing.
His interface pulsed again—a more significant notification this time:
[Level Up: Now Level 5]
[1 Skill Point Available]
Daniel closed his eyes briefly, accessing his skill tree. The Storm magic section glowed invitingly, and he focused on improving his Chain Lightning further. The spell's pathways in his mind reconfigured, allowing for greater range and additional targets. When he opened his eyes, blue sparks danced between his fingers—the magic eager to be tested.
Varric whistled appreciatively. "Getting pretty good at that zappy trick, aren't you?"
Cassandra then joined them and said. "We still have the templar stronghold to deal with."
Daniel nodded, pocketing the shards carefully. "You were right, Cassandra."
The lieutenant approached, his armor dented but his expression satisfied. "The area's secure, Herald. Orders?"
Daniel looked around at his exhausted but victorious team. "We rest here for a while, and take care of the wounded with the potions. Then, after that—we continue our journey and take the fight to the templars."
As the soldiers set up tents for the wounded, Daniel found himself staring at the spot where the rift had been. The Hinterlands continued to test them at every turn, but with each victory, they grew stronger.
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Name : Daniel Carter
Race: Elf
Level 5 : 140/2500 EXP
Professions: Mage
Gold Coins: 1429 Coins
Weapon: Staff of the Dragon
Armor: Light Armor of the Dragon and Templar Scribe Scowl
Accessories: Lifeward Amulet
Inventory: Acolyte Ice Staff, Morning Star, Stiletto, Hunting Longbow, Fire Resistance Cowl, Mercenary Coat, Acolyte Fire Staff, Disciple Lighting Staff, Sigil of the Gamordan Stromrider, Apprentice Armor, Qunari Battleaxe, Amulet of Magic, Raider Hatchet, 2 Disciple Fire Staff, Amulet of Willpower, Apprentice Mail, Qunari Buckler, Medium Adventure Armor, Mindleech Staff, Soldier's Nemesis, 2 Recruit's Dirk, Reinforced Dagger, Sledgehammer, Disciple Lighting Staff, Ring of Critical Damage, and Apprentice Armor
Crafting Materials: 34 Elfroot, 50 Iron, 2 Blue Vitriol, 1 Dawn Lotus, 11 Silk, 10 Lambswool, 2 Royal Elfroot, 10 Ram Leather, 23 Drakestone, 3 Fire Essence, 3 Blue Vitriol, 3 Canine Leather, 4 Plaidewaive, 2 Frost Essence, 1 Fade-Touched Iron, 4 Blood Lotus, 5 Embrium, 10 Spindleweed, and 9 Onyx
Valuables: 3 Aquamarine, Silver Bracelet, 2 Figurine of Maferath the Betrayer, 2 Shadow Essence,
Gurn Gallstone Charm, Braid of Rank, Glass Halla, 3 Silver Necklace, 1 Ram Horn, 1 Bride's Blood Vial, 2 Silk Handerchief, 1 Glass Fox, 1 Silver Earring, 1 Dreamer Rag, 1 Miniature Throne, 5 Weapon Fragment, 2 Bowstring, 3 Mysterious Shards, and Nevarra Skull
Potions: Lesser Health Potions x8, Lesser Regeneration Potions x5, and x5 Lyrium Potion
Skills: Chain Lighting, Flashfire, Barrier, Winter's Grasp, and Energy Barrage
Armor Schematics: Shokra-taar Schematic, Antaam-saar Schematic, Avvar Armor Schematics Acquired, Stone-Bear Armor Schematics, Vanguard Coat Schematic,
Weapon Schematics: Curved Dagger Schematic and Hunting Bow Schematic
Potion Recipe: Lesser Regeneration Potion recipe and Lyrium Potion Recipe
Bottles of Thedas: Vint-9 Rowan's Rose