You are a close confidant of Claudio Perucci, the most influential of the Merchant Princes. All over Thedas the elves have been disappearing, and Antiva is no exception. Despite the drop in the elven population the Grandmasters of the House of Crows have assured the Princes that there is nothing to fear. Antiva, they claim, is safe from all harm. Perhaps because of these assurances, the Grandmasters have kept close to the Princes, your friend Claudio specifically.
Claudio received word from the Mayor of Madraos regarding the western border, but the Grandmasters speeches were convincing enough that the other Princes dismissed the message. Your friend did not achieve his position and influence by blindly believing what is presented to him, however with popular opinion on the side of the Grandmasters, there is little he can do openly.
Even for the head of the Perucci family, to contradict Grandmaster assassins would be suicide.
So your friend came to you with a clandestine mission. You are to make contact with the Mayor of Madraos and discover the threat, whatever it may be. If anyone questions your journey, you have the perfect cover.
A Satinalia invitation.
It is a long journey, and you arrive just before the gates are shut for the night before the festival. The Mayor greets you, but has matters to attend to that occupy her evening. A light supper and glass of wine are waiting, but you head straight to bed.
[[Morning in the citadel on the Shore]]
(set: $elvenFavor to 0)
(set: $cityFavor to 0)
You lift the chairs from their fallen position. Beneath the mess of the table cloth the rug has gone brown.
The body of your hostess, cold and dead, lies beneath the table.
(if: $displayWindow is 0)[ [[Close the windows.]] ]
(if: $displayWindow is 1)[ [[What is going on here?]] ]
(set: $displayChairs to $displayChairs + 1)
The curtains flapping in the windows disguised the blood on the window sill. Peering out of the window, you find the broken body of an old mabari on the lover's walk just below, twined and tangled with the large, gray body of a Qunari with its throat ripped out.
(if: $displayChairs is 0)[ [[Straighten the chairs.]] ]
(if: $displayChairs is 1)[ [[What is going on here?]] ]
(set: $displayWindow to $displayWindow + 1)
Your hostess, the Mayor, lays dead, killed by a spear with markings that match the armor of the dead Qunari.
The local House of Crows takes care of matters of city security, they will know more about this.
[[Visit the House of Crows]]
The local chapter of the House of Crows is located in a suite of rooms in the back half of the brothel, Claudio made sure to show you the location on the map before you left Antiva City. From the entrance to the mayor's estate, you head around to the brothel's side street to knock at the visitor's door, but when you arrive the door is unlocked and the rooms are empty.
All the fine furnishings remain, as well as the tools of the Crows: leather armor, knives, short swords, and vials all collected in neat rows on the shelves. The crafting bench is undisturbed, the recipes still on the walls, as though every assassin had set down what they were working on and walked out.
[[A commotion outside draws your attention.]]
In the street outside the clatter of wheels and hooves draws your attention.
Since the servants began disappearing, the farmers had to start delivering their goods personally. One of the wagons has arrived, but the the farmer is driving fast. The goods are spilling out of the wagon and there are spears embedded in the side as it cuts quickly around the corner past you.
Behind the wagon, down the narrow street, the tall gates to the city stand open, swinging.
Past the gates you can see what set the farmer to hustling his cart. Four more Qunari, armored and carrying spears, are making their way up the road to the gate.
It's early, and without the city's usual servants bustling about their duties, the streets are nearly empty. The brothel's cook is throwing out the contents of a pot into the street, and past him one of the few remaining elven servants is filling a water bucket at the city well.
[[Call to the cook to help you close the city gates!]]
[[Call the elven servant to help you close the gates!]]
(set: $elvenServant to "fine")
(set: $elvenCompanion to true)
The cook, a cantankerous old bastard past his prime, doesn't hear you at first. Once he does, he gives you a sour look before shambling after you in the direction of the gates.
He seems to take forever just to get there. The Qunari take some sort of formation, chins down, and raise their spears with a shout.
The two of you push the gates closed, but not before the Qunari throw their spears. One makes it through the gap, the others thunk into the wood of the gate.
You secure the gates before the Qunari arrive, but the spear that made it through found its place in the arm of the elven servant.
"What's going on?"
[["That's what I'd like to know."]]
(set: $elvenServant to "bleeding")
(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor + 3)
The elven servant drops his bucket at your shout and follows you quickly up to the gates. Stronger than he looks, the two of you get the door closed as the Qunari take some sort of formation, chins down, and raise their spears with a shout.
The Qunari spears thunk into the wood of the gate.
With the gates secure, you breathe a sigh of relief.
The cantankerous old cook has followed you up to the gate.
"What's going on?" he demands.
[["That's what I'd like to know."]]
[["Thank you," you say to the elven servant.]]
(set: $elvenServant to "brave")
(set: $elvenFavor to $elvenFavor + 1)
With none of the usual guards, and a knot of Qunari at the front gate, you need a plan.
(if: $elvenServant is "bleeding")[The cook turns tail and abandons you as soon as he sees the spear through the elf behind you. The elven servant was pierced in the arm.
Beyond the fallen elf, a curious woman is peering out of her window.
The farmer has regained control of his horse and stopped his wagon.
You may be able to save him if you act quickly. [[Help the elven servant.]] ]
(if: $elvenServant is "brave")[The cook, who shambled after you, now spits on the ground at your feet, casting a wary eye at both you and the elven servant before he turns and shambles back to his kitchen.
A curious woman is peering out of her window.
The farmer has regained control of his horse and stopped his wagon.
[["Come with me," you say to the elven servant.]] ]
[[Speak to the farmer.]]
[[Call out to the woman.]]
(set: $maskedWoman to "masked woman")
You don't know much about healing, but being punctured with a spear can't be helping this elf. You pull the spear out and bandage the wound with strips of cloth.
The elf stares at you with a grim expression, but nods as you finish.
[["Come with me," you say to the elven servant.]]
[[Speak to the citizens.]]
(set: $elvenFavor to $elvenFavor + 5)
(set: $elvenServant to "injured")
The main hall is as you left it, a mess with the dead body of the Mayor underneath the table. With the sun higher in the sky, the spear that split her open is too obvious to miss.
Carmen follows closest behind you, letting out a low whistle at all the damage.
As he follows you into the room, Alfonso makes a choked noise and covers his mouth. "No, not Mercedes," he says, crestfallen.
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[Following the group of you in, he frowns at the mess. After a quick glance at the Mayor's fallen body, he heads to the window.]
"From what I can tell, the Qunari came in the window to attack the Mayor, but wasn't counting on her mabari."
"It was a gift from a lover... years ago," Alfonso says, smoothing the Mayor's hair.
(if: $carmenMood is "warm")[Carmen says, "He's Mercedes' cousin."]
(if: $spyFarmer is true)[You nod to the elven servant and he gets the farmer out of the way, tying him to a chair.]
[[Comfort Alfonso.]]
[[Did this all have to do with the letter to Claudio?]]
{(if: $elvenServant is "brave")[The elf nods to you, and when you step forward he follows along without hesitation.(set: $elvenCompanion to true)]
(if: $elvenServant is "injured")[The elf gives you a calculating look, but when you step forward he follows along.(set: $elvenCompanion to true)]
(if: $elvenServant is "bleeding")[The elf glares at you, baring his teeth.(set: $elvenCompanion to false)]}
[[Speak to the farmer.]]
[[Call out to the woman.]]
The sun shines through the open windows of the main hall of the estate. With so many servants missing from their posts, the leftovers of last night's meal remain on plates at the long table, and the fire has gone out, leaving the room cold.
Something is amiss.
The tablecloth is out of place and the chairs are overturned. The rug is discolored in places.
The curtains flap in the morning breeze.
[[Straighten the chairs.]]
[[Close the windows.]]
The farmer has climbed down from his wagon as you approach, keeping a tight grip on the reigns of the frightened horse. He looks up as you approach.
"They came out of nowhere, serah," he says, trembling slightly.(set:$vidFarmer to "alive")
[["Have you had much trouble with the Qunari, before?"]] you ask.
{(if: $elvenCompanion is "true" and $elvenServant is "brave")[The elven servant stands at your shoulder, watching the farmer.]
(if: $elvenCompanion is "true" and $elvenServant is "injured")[The elven servant waits a few paces behind you, watching the farmer.]}
That question seems to unsettle the farmer. He looks down at the ground, shaking his head without speaking. The horse tosses its head, shying away from the pair of you.
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[The elven servant whispers, "[[He's hiding something.]]" ]
(if:(history:) contains "Call out to the woman.")[ [[This is a mess, isn't it?]] ](else:)[ [[There's better things to do here.|Call out to the woman.]] ]
The elf gets unsteadily to his feet as you head off towards the citizens.
The farmer has regained control of his horse and stopped his wagon.
A curious woman is leaned out of her kitchen window.
[[Speak to the farmer.]]
[[Call out to the woman.]]
(set: $maskedWoman to "masked woman")
(set: $Alfonso to false)
"Did you notice anything last night?" you ask (if: $maskedWoman is "masked woman")[the masked woman](if: $maskedWoman is "Carmen")[Carmen].
She shrugs, "You mean besides the ruckus at the brothel? Or the absence of half the servants?"
"That's all over," you say dismissively. "I meant any trouble."
"The elves, the Qunari, the Tevinters," she says, "it's all trouble."
[["You can say that again."]]
[["Not exactly helpful."]]
"Are you sure?" (set: $elvenFavor to $elvenFavor + 3)
You reach over and take a firm grip on one of the spears, yanking it from the side of the wagon.
"I can't think of a reason for Qunari warriors to attack a simple farmer."
"Mebbe they don't want us tradin' with the 'Vints," the farmer slurs, not quite meeting your eye.
(if:(history:) contains "Call out to the woman.")[[[Well, now.|This is a mess, isn't it?]]](else:)[ [["I don't have time for this."|Call out to the woman.]] ]
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[From the corner of your eye, you see the elven servant shake his head.
[["Right, that's why they attacked the city."]]]
(set: $elvenFavor to $elvenFavor + 3)In a city this remote, a farmer would have to trade with whoever wanted to buy. Supply caravans are few and far between, and any goods would come at a dear price. The farmer still won't meet your eye, and the longer you stand there, the more uneasy he becomes.
Under his breath he mutters, "Gaash, bas."
The words aren't immediately familiar to you.
[[But that sounded like Qunlat!]]
(if:(history:) contains "Call out to the woman.")[ [[Maferath's balls, what next?|This is a mess, isn't it?]]](else:)[ [[Ignore it.|Call out to the woman.]] ]
"Strange they didn't hit you, Qunari normally have better aim."
The farmer's face goes from uneasy to hostile and he lunges at you with a snarl.
[[Grapple with the Viddathari farmer!]]
(set: $spyFarmer to "true")
While likely a dutiful convert to the Qun, the farmer isn't much match for you when you are armed with a spear and years of practice. He has muscle, though, and that turns the fight decidedly out of his favor.
You were going to subdue him, but when he grabs at you and tries to wrestle you to the ground, the bulk of him topples you both over.
{(if: $elvenCompanion is false)[(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor - 5)(set: $vidFarer to "bleeding")In the fall the spear pierces the farmer's torso. The shouting and scuffling has spooked the already spooked horse and it bolts, again, crashing into the side of the brothel.
A few bleary eyed citizens are startled out of their nightly haunt, and as you push the farmer's body off, you can feel their accusing stares.
[[Try to explain.]] ]
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor + 3) (set: $vidFarmer to "captured")The elven servant grabs the man by the collar and jerks him to the side. The shouting and scuffling has spooked the already spooked horse and it bolts, again, crashing into the side of the brothel.
A few bleary eyed citizens are startled out of their nightly haunt, and as you force the farmer to his knees, you can feel their curious stares.
[[Try to explain.]]
]}
"The Qunari are at the gates, and this man may have let them in," you say, reasonably.
"And who, exactly, are you?" a man from the brothel asks, folding his arms warily as the whore who followed him peeks around his shoulder at the bleeding farmer.
[["Does it matter? Help me with him!"]]
[["I'm the Mayor's guest..."]]
(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor + 1)
(set: $alfMood to "skeptical")
The young man from the brothel frowns, but steps forward. The two of you bend down to help the Viddathari farmer, but the whore grabs the sleeve of his half-buttoned shirt. "Don't," she hisses.
"What?" the man snaps, looking at her.
She points, but it's obvious what she means.
(if: $vidFarmer is "bleeding")[The Viddathari farmer has gone rigid and begins to jerk uncontrollably. Either the spear was poisoned or he took poison himself, either way there's no helping him now.
The man from the brothel frowns at you. ["I think we need a few more answers from you."]<more-answers|
(click:?more-answers)[(set:$vidFarmer to "dead")(goto: "I think we need a few more answers from you.")] ]
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[The Viddathari farmer is struggling with the elf who has the grip on his collar. A meaty hand slaps across the elf's temple, sending him back a step. (if: $elvenServant is "brave")[The servant growls and punches the man in the face. His fist connects with the man's nose, breaking it.]
[[Go for the assist.]] ]
"I'm a guest of the Mayor," you say, only to realize that might not be the best introduction as the Mayor is now a corpse on her expensive carpet. "For Satinalia."
(if: $vidFarmer is "dead")[The three who came out of the brothel eye you skeptically, but none of them wants to get any closer to you or the poisoned corpse, which says something. Antivans are fond of a good poison.]
[[From behind you, a voice calls out.]]
The half-dressed man takes a step towards you. The whore steps back towards the side door, but doesn't go inside, keen to watch the outcome.
Just what you needed, another fight. This time a fair one.
(set: $alfMood to "surly")
[[They are interrupted by a voice.|From behind you, a voice calls out.]]
"Maker preserve me," you say, shaking your head, "if that isn't the truth."
She chuckles a little, shaking her head. "You came in last night, just before the gates were closed."
"The Mayor invited me for-"
"She never rises this early," (if: $maskedWoman is "masked woman")[the masked woman](if: $maskedWoman is "Carmen")[Carmen] says, looking back and up at the mayor's house where it sits tall enough to look over the walls at the sea. "Prefers to bask in the midday light, says it makes her look younger."
[["Some women don't have to worry about that."]] <3
[["She won't be worried about that anymore."]]
(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor + 2)
"Thank you, serah," you say with a slight roll of your eyes. "I wasn't aware."(set: $carmenMood to "annoyed")
(if: $Alfonso is true)["You won't get much sense out of her, unless you're after who's meeting with whom in the middle of the night."
She frowns at him. "I wouldn't, if you were more discreet."]
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[(if: $vidFarmer is "fine")[You glance at the elven servant, who has a grim look on his face.]
(if: vid$Farmer is "captured")[You glance back at where the elven servant is holding the farmer, and then at the woman in her mask. "We'll need somewhere to hold him."] ]
(if: (history:) contains "Speak to the farmer.")[ [[The group of you look down the street at the gates.]] ](else:)[If she knows more, she's not telling just now.
[[Speak to the farmer.]] ]
You've closed the gates to keep out that group of Qunari, but given the easy distance , the trouble isn't over. The Qunari wanted something or wanted to stop something that was going on from inside. With the view of Seheron from the upper levels of the city, and the Mayor's letter to Claudio, it's not hard to put two and two together. There will be more coming.
"We're going to need a plan," you say to them.
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[The elven servant nods, a grim expression on his face.]
"That's an understatement," he snorts. "The Mayor must have invited you to play the fool king."
Carmen nods to the side-street where the Crow House entrance is. "They'll sort it out."
[["No, they won't."]]
(if: $maskedWoman is "masked woman")["You may call me Carmen," she says, lips flirting with a smile.]
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Carmen."
"Such manners, so early," Carmen replies. "No wonder the Mayor invited you." (set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor + 2) (set: $maskedWoman to "Carmen") (set:$carmenMood to "warm")
(if:$Alfonso is true)[Alfonso rolls his eyes and mutters, "You may regret that."]
(if: (history:) contains "This is a mess, isn't it?")[ [[You have an uneasy feeling.]] ]
(if: (history:) contains "Speak to the farmer.")[ [["She's and old friend."|The group of you look down the street at the gates.]] ](else:)["I have my uses," you say, nodding to her.
[[Speak to the farmer.]] ]
Through her mask you can see her brow is furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"The Mayor's been killed."
$Alfonso[Alfonso scowls at you. "How?!"
"A Qunari spear."]
"But how?" (if: $maskedWoman is "masked woman")[The masked woman](if: $maskedWoman is "Carmen")[Carmen] asks.
(if: (history:) contains "Speak to the farmer.")[ [[The group of you look down the street at the gates.]] ](else:)["I'm trying to figure that out," you say, nodding to her.
[[Speak to the farmer.]] ]
The servant blinks in surprise, but nods.
The cook huffs, impatient for his answer.
[["Look, that's what I'd like to know," you say to the cook.|"That's what I'd like to know."]]
(set: $elvenFavor to $elvenFavor + 2)
You step forward and snatch the farmer's arm before he can assault the elven servant anymore. "Rope!" you snap at the whore from the brothel.
She scurries back inside, returning with rope. You and the elven servant bind the farmer.
The man from the brothel looks impressed and asks, "Who are you, again?"
[["The Mayor's guest."|"I'm the Mayor's guest..."]]
(set: $vidFarmer to "captured")
(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor + 5)
(set: $elvenFavor to $elvenFavor + 5)
"What do you mean?" Carmen asks.
"I tried there first. The whole place is empty," you say.
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[The elven servant shifts, pressing his lips into a line.]
"We thought they were just... quiet," Alfonso says, frowning at you skeptically.
"They don't exactly advertise their activities," Carmen says. "Most know better than to pry."
(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor + 3)"I thought the morning's discoveries warranted their attention," you say. It will be hours before the rest of the city wakes, and you need to think of something. Not only is your host dead, but there are Qunari outside the gates. [["We need a plan."]]
There doesn't seem to be a good answer coming out of the farmer, and if the morning's events are anything to go by, you won't have very long to figure out some sort of plan.
A man shuffles out of the brothel, bleary eyed at the morning light. The commotion and the cart draw his attention, and you can feel his curious stares.
[[From behind you, a voice calls out.]]
(if: $alfMood is "surly")["Right, a plan from <i>you</i>? You're not even <i>from</i> here, why should we listen to you?"
"Because you've no better, and you're a magistrate," Carmen says.](else:)["A plan for what?" Alfonso asks, taking a better look around the little square.]
"Have the Qunari attacked before?" you ask.
Those around you shake their heads.
"Well, the Qunari wouldn't have attacked <i>now</i> for no reason."
(if: $spyFarmer is true)["Bring him along," you say, nodding to the bound farmer.]
(if: $elvenFavor < 5)[(set: $elvenComanion to false)The three of you turn and head up to the Mayor's estate, but the elven servant does not follow along. He slips into the background with no more than a shake of his head. You barely notice his departure.]
[[Head back to the mayoral estate to regroup.]]
That can't have been easy, losing a close relative. Even though you told him the truth, he wouldn't have believed it until he saw it.
[[Put your hand on his shoulder in silent support.]]
[["It would have been quick."]]
"At least we know you have been telling the truth," Alfonso says, straightening up. "That's something, but we don't know what you're doing <i>here</i>."
"I was sent to look into some information the Mayor sent to Antiva City."
"Then the Mayor's death may have had something to do with what was sent."
You all look around the room, but most of what's spread out on the tables that weren't wrecked by the attack are plans for the Satinalia festivities.
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[A quiet voice clears its throat, and you look up to see the elven servant holding a few pages of parchment. [[Look over what he has.]]](else:)[Your search turns up nothing important, and you feel frustrated.]
[[A noise echoes up through the windows.]]
You don't have much to say, and Alfonso is a bit of a prat, but you can't quite brush off his display of grief. Rather than offer words you can't figure out, you put a hand on the man's shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze.
Alfonso stifles a pained noise and pulls a kerchief out of his pocket, covering the Mayor's face. (set: $cityFavor to $city Favor + 3)
[[Did this all have to do with the letter to Claudio?]]
Alfonso spares you a cold glance. "A comfort, I am sure."
(set: $Alfonso to "pissed")
(set: $cityFavor to $cityFavor - 3)
[[Better move on.|Did this all have to do with the letter to Claudio?]]
(set: $elvenFavor to $elvenFavor + 5) This must be what the Mayor wrote to Claudio about!
The parchment is covered with notes about ships moving along the coast of Seheron, along with details of troops seen moving along the border. There are accounts from the farmers of interactions with the Qunari. On the edge of the page there is a list of the elves that have gone missing, both before her observations of Qun movements and after.
This is valuable information. Claudio will need to see this.
[[The others have gone to the window to see what's going on.|A noise echoes up through the windows.]]
(set: $secretNotes to true)
"They blend in well," Carmen says, "but from up here, even I can see movement in the trees."
Alfonso tightens his grip on the window sill, lips pulled into a scowl. (if: $alfMood is "surly")["That still doesn't explain <i>why</i>," he says.](else:)"This isn't good."
From this distance it's hard to tell the number of Qunari moving through the trees, but with the Crows absent from the city and the population preparing for Satinalia, it won't take much for the Qunari to overwhelm the defenses and take the citadel.
The only thing that will make any difference is reinforcements.
Reinforcements that Claudio can supply.
[["We need to get word out," you say.]]
"Word to where?" Carmen asks.
"Antiva City," you reply.
(if: $camenMood is "warm")["Will you make it past them?" she asks.
"I have to try."]
"Do you know how long a journey that is?" Alfonso (if: $alfMood is "surly")[snaps at you. "You don't want to get word out, you want to escape."](else:)[asks. "You'd be lucky to make it to the trees." ]
(if: $cityFavor > 5)[ [["I can only give you my word."]] ]
(if: $cityFavor < 5)[ [["If I stay, we all fall with the city."]] ]
(set: $you to "ready")
"That will be enough, I think," Carmen says. "Be reasonable, Alfonso, we cannot handle this alone."
Alfonso nods, slowly, and then mutters a curse under his breath. [["We will need a distraction," he says.]]
(set: $you to "fried gold")
"Perhaps not, perhaps only <i>you</i> will fall today," he says. For a hungover whoremonger, he moves with the swiftness of an assassin, too quickly for you to stop him.
You are struck in the temple, the whole room goes dark.
(if: $carmenMood is "warm)[Dimly, you hear a woman's voice shout in protest.]
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[(if: $elvenServant is "brave")[There is noise of a further struggle.](else:)[More than that you can't make out before the darkness swallos you.] ]
(set: $you to "fucked")
[[Well, that went well.|Endgame]]
The three of you come up with a plan. (if: $elvenCompanion is true)[Watches over the preparations quietly.] They will make a distraction, utilizing the fireworks intended to close out the Satinalia festivities, and you will slip out of the gate and hurry off into the woods. It's risky, but it's the best any of you can come up with.
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[When the plan is set, you head out of the Mayor's estate, but the elven servant stops you. "There is a safer way out of the city," he says. "Come with me."
There is little time, you must decide now. [[Follow the elf.|Endgame]] ]
[[Head to the front gates.|Endgame]]
If the morning's events are anything to go by, you won't have very long to figure all this out.
Two men are shuffling out of the brothel, bleary eyed at the morning light. The commotion and the cart draw their attention, and you can feel their curious stares. You turn to look at them.
[[From behind you, a voice calls out.]]
"Alfonso," a sharp, chiding voice calls from across the street. (set: $Alfonso to true)
The man from the brothel stiffens. "Carmen," he says under his breath. (set: $maskedWoman to "Carmen")
You turn and find that the masked woman, Carmen, is standing in her door with her hands on her hips. "What would your mother say to see you still at the brothel at this hour?"
"No worse than she'd say about you for spying on me."
"Ha,"Carmen says.
"That still doesn't explain what's going on here," Alfonso says.
(if:$vidFarmer is "captured")["Are you <i>really</i> giving this upstanding citizen a hard time for stopping a menace?" she asks.
"Mario isn't <i>that</i> much of a menace," Alfonso replies.]
(if:(history:) contains "Call out to the woman")[ [[The group of you look down the street at the gates.]] ](else:)[ [["He was certainly up to something," you say.|Call out to the woman.]] ]
(if: $vidFarmer is "dead")["Probably no worse than they'd say about-" Alfonso makes a rude hand gesture to reference you - "putting an end to Mario."
She crosses the street to join the four of you near the farmer - Mario's corpse. "He always was a bit weird," she says, frowning down at him.
"Now he's a bit dead," Alfonso replies, giving you a dirty look.
"True," Carmen says, "but how did he even get in at this hour? The gates were closed last night, and without the servants to open them..."
[["It's puzzling," you say.|Call out to the woman.]] ]
(if: $you is "fried gold")[(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[The elven servant shows you a secret way out of the city. (if: $elvenFavor > 5)[The two of you](else:)[You] come out of a storm drain that leads down to the coast. It takes you farther from where you want to go, but when you see the numbers of the Qunari in the trees from this side, you're glad of the shortcut.](else:)[Despite it all, you don't deviate from the plan. The elven servant shakes his head at you(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[, but he follows along].](else:)[]
The fireworks make quite a commotion, and you make it out without being spotted.
You circle around into the trees, making good time into the forest with the Qunari none the wiser. (if: $elvenFavor > 5)[The two of you](else:)[You] make your way into the woods until you're sure you've outrun the Qunari, and then turn southeast towards Antiva City.]
(if: $you is "fucked")[You come to just as the gates close loudly behind you. Your head is pounding, and you've been dumped on the road outside the gates of the citadel.
It takes a moment to realize the peril you're in, but it hits you quickly. You scramble to your feet, fighting your pounding head. It's then that you see the first of the Qunari warriors rise from the brush of the forest beyond the road and raise a spear. You break into a run for the trees.
(if: $elvenCompanion is true)[Surprisingly, an arrow shoots past you, catching the Qunari in the shoulder and making the throw of his spear go wide, missing you entirely. With the helpful archer on the assist, you make it into the trees. A pair of footsteps joins you, and you look over to see the elven servant from the citadel has come to join you. The two of you make your way into the woods until you're sure you've outrun the Qunari, and then turn southeast towards Antiva City.](else:)[The Qunari launches his spear and lets it fly. Deadly warriors trained for battle don't often miss. You press your sprint, hoping, but the spear clips you in the leg anyway. You're wounded, but with the numbers that are behind you, you can't afford to stop. You make your way into the woods until you're sure you've outrun the Qunari, and then turn southeast towards Antiva City.]
]
You reach the city and inform Claudio of what you found. (if: $secretNotes is true)[The documents provide enough proof for Claudio to confront the Crows and win over the other Princes. With the warning, they call the Felicisima Armada around to monitor the border.] He sends troops to Madraos, (if: $you is "fucked")[but the Citadel is burnt out when they arrive.](else:)[and they find the city under siege by a small but fierce force of Qunari.]
**A Satinalia Invitation**
*Written as writing sample submission to Bioware, 2015*
<hr>
<hr>
*written by <b>bella</b>*
*please <a href="http://www.belladarkwood.com">report any bugs in story-play</a>*