Qweiwei

I’m not the most eloquent writer, but I’ve had this idea kicking around for a while and figured I’d put it out into the universe.

A lot of the basis for the “humans are space orcs” stuff is the idea that we’re pretty durable compared to many species, yeah? When it comes to physical trauma, we can bounce back from most things that don’t kill us outright, especially given the benefit of hypothetical space-age technology, and adrenaline is one heck of a drug when it comes to functioning under stress. 

But that doesn’t make us unkillable, and even though we can survive debilitating injuries and not die from shock, it doesn’t mean it’s fun. Dying of shock sucks, but at least it’s probably quick.

So - Imagine a ship, adrift in space, slowly being drawn into a star or something. In order to save the ship, someone has to repair the hyper-quantum-relay-majig on the hull or in the engine or whatever. Bit of a problem though- there’s a ton of deadly, deadly radiation (Wrath of Khan style) or poisonous fumes or, I dunno, electrical current, between the crew and the repair. Like, enough to kill most species instantly, so the crew is just like, ‘welp, guess we’ll die then’. But then.

BUT THEN

They ask the human. Because everyone’s heard the stories - you’re basically unkillable, right? Could you survive long enough in there to fix it? And their human goes real quiet for a second, but still says ‘Yeah, I could fix it’. And the rest of the crew is like, ‘Whaaaaaa, it won’t kill you?’ and the human repeats “I can fix it” (which isn’t an answer, but no one catches that, not yet at least), so they send ‘em in. And the human fixes it, they come back, the ship flies to safety, and the crew is thrilled to survive. If the human is a little quiet, well, they’re entitled after pulling off a miracle. Everyone else is just excited to get to the nearest station’s bar to tell their very own human story, cuz, ‘those crazy humans, amiright?’.

The good mood keeps up until the human is late for their next shift. At first it’s just faint unease, but- but they earned a bit of a lie-in, right? No reason to begrudge them some extra rest, even if it is a little weird for them to oversleep. They’ll be fine. Humans are always fine. 

(Right?)

(…Wrong.)

- What is… help. Help!-

- ake up! You have t-

- been days. You need sleep, you-

- nother transfusion. We could-

- out of sedatives!-

A week later, the crew finally reaches the station. They stumble into the bar, haggard and haunted. And over the next months and years a new rumor about humans starts to make its way through space. A rumor unlike any before.

They won’t tell their crewmates that whatever danger it is will just kill them slowly, that they can endure the exposure but not the long-term effects.

But the idea that humans can be fragile? Can die later from exposure to radiation or toxins or electricity or even smoke inhalation?

It seems preposterous!

There are too many stories about humans surviving all sorts of conditions that would kill their other crewmates. A human dying slowly, later, lingering and in agony? It’s a creepy story but of course it’s not true.

But then… another crew shares their own story. Their human volunteered to go into the danger zone to fix what needed to be fixed. Or maybe she had to retrieve a critical component or resource. And she lingered. Wasted away. Later the human doctors told their medical team there was nothing they could do but make sure she was comfortable, ease her pain before the end.

And yet another crew, whose human plunged through smoke and ash to make sure his crew could escape. He choked and coughed and couldn’t get enough air. Their medical commander performed an autopsy and found his lungs and throat and sinuses all coated in black soot and blackened mucus and red blood.

So the stories spread. Just because they don’t die of shock, just because they don’t die right away doesn’t mean it won’t kill them. They linger in agony or unconscious or waste away slowly.

But what’s most horrifying of all?

When other humans hear the stories from the traumatized crewmembers?

They aren’t surprised or horrified.

They say “Of course”

They say “I would have done the same”

They say “it was the Right Thing to do”

Fate of the Wardens - Warden Left in the Fade

Here Lies The Abyss Masterpost First: The Champion of Kirkwall Previous: Sacrifice

The PC emerges from the fade as the fighting around them finishes. The PC uses the anchor to close the rift and destroy the remainder of the demons.

Hawke: She was right. Without the Nightmare to control them, the mages are free, and Corypheus loses his demon army. Though as far as they’re all concerned, the Inquisitor broke the spell with the blessing of the Maker.

Dialogue options:

General: I’ll tell them the truth. [1]

General: What matters is we succeeded. [2]

General: Let them believe it. [3]

1 - General: I’ll tell them the truth. PC: Once they understand what really happened… Diplomatic Hawke: Honestly, after all the death they’ve seen… perhaps it would be better to let them believe the legend. Humorous Hawke:  They’ll be terrified. I for one am tired of giving fear demons anything to feed on. Let them have their story. Aggressive Hawke: No. Let them have this.

2 - General: What matters is we succeeded. PC: They came out of this alive. As far as I’m concerned, they can tell whatever stories they like. Diplomatic Hawke: I suppose you’re right. Humorous Hawke: That’s how legends get started. Or, at least, that’s what Varric always says. Aggressive Hawke: Big legend. Hope you live up to it.

3 - General: Let them believe it. PC: They need something to believe in. Diplomatic Hawke: I suppose you’re right. Humorous Hawke: I suppose escaping by the skin of your teeth isn’t as good for morale. Aggressive Hawke: Big legend. Hope you live up to it.

4 - Scene continues.

An Inquisition scout and Warden soldier approach.

Scout: Inquisitor. The Archdemon flew off as soon as you disappeared. The Venatori magister is unconscious but alive. Cullen thought you might wish to deal with him yourself.

Wardens spared: Scout: As for the Wardens, those who weren’t corrupted helped us fight the demons. Warden: We stand ready to help make up for Clarel’s… tragic mistake.

Wardens killed: Scout: The surviving Wardens are in custody. Warden: What few of us there are. You have our unconditional surrender. Where is [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud]?

Dialogue options:

Angry: He died for your idiocy. PC: Warden [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] is dead, thanks to all of you. He alone stood against Clarel’s madness. If not for him, you’d be dead—or slaves to a servant of the Blight. And you repaid that by branding him a traitor.

Sad: He died a hero. PC: Warden [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] died striking a blow against a servant of the Blight. We will honor his sacrifice, and remember how he exemplified the ideals of the Grey Wardens. Even as Corypheus and his servants tried to destroy you all from within.

Stoic: Dead. PC: [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] didn’t make it.

Warden Soldier: Inquisitor, we have no one left of any significant rank. What do we do now?

Dialogue options:

Get out of Orlais. (The Wardens are banished from Orlais. They do not help the Inquisition.) [5] + Cassandra greatly approves + Cole greatly approves + Solas greatly approves + Vivienne slightly approves - Dorian Disapproves - Iron Bull Disapproves - Sera Disapproves - Blackwall greatly disapproves Divine: Leliana -5, Cassandra +5, Vivienne +1

Help the Inquisition. (The Grey Wardens help the Inquisition. They may be vulnerable to corruption.) [6] + Blackwall greatly approves + Iron Bull greatly approves + Sera greatly approves + Dorian approves - Vivienne slightly disapproves - Cassandra disapproves - Cole greatly disapproves - Solas greatly disapproves Divine: Leliana +5, Cassandra -5, Vivienne -1

5 - Get out of Orlais.

PC (angry): You leave. There was one Warden among you who spoke up for what was right, and he’s dead now. By the authority of the Inquisition, you are banished from southern Thedas. PC (sad): You leave. The unfortunate truth is that you’re still vulnerable to Corypheus. Without [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] to guide you, leaving the Wardens unchecked is a risk I’m not willing to take. By the authority of the Inquisition, you are banished from southern Thedas. PC (stoic): You leave. By the authority of the Inquisition, you are banished from southern Thedas.

Party comments:

Blackwall: No…

Sera: All of them? Is that even possible?

Dorian: Bit dramatic, if you ask me.

Iron Bull: Hope we don’t need ‘em later.

PC: Hawke will oversee your return to the Warden fortress at Weisshaupt.

Warden Soldier: Yes, Your Worship.

Blackwall (if in party): Your Worship, I would stay, if you allow it, and continue our fight.

Dialogue options:

You may stay. (Blackwall will remain as a party member.) [7] + Varric greatly approves (if in party) + Sera approves + Blackwall slightly approves

You leave as well. (Blackwall will leave the Inquisition forever.) [8] - Iron Bull disapproves - Cole greatly disapproves - Sera greatly disapproves - Varric greatly disapproves (if in party)

7 - You may stay. PC: Of course. I have never doubted your loyalty, Blackwall. [9]

8 - You leave as well. PC: The banishment applies to all Wardens. Blackwall: I understand, Inquisitor. He leaves. [9]

6 - Help the Inquisition.

PC (angry): You stay and do whatever you can to help. [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] died believing that the Wardens were a force for good. I am willing to give the rest of you one final chance to prove it. You’re still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori, but there are plenty of demons that need killing. PC (sad): [Alistair/Loghain/Stroud] died for the ideals of the Wardens. In war, victory. And we are still at war. Do you believe the Wardens can still help? Warden Soldier: I do, Your Worship. Inquisitor: You’re still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori, but there are plenty of demons that need killing. PC (stoic): You stay and do whatever you can to help. You’re still vulnerable to Corypheus, and possibly his Venatori, but there are plenty of demons that need killing.

Party comments:

Solas: (Sighs.)

Cole: But they hurt people.

Vivienne: Are you flinging these fools at demons now, my dear? Couldn’t you just use rocks?

Cassandra: After all that, you give them yet another chance?

Hawke: While they do that, I’ll inform the Wardens at Weisshaupt what’s happened. Best they not get caught off guard.

Warden Soldier: Thank you, Your Worship. We will not fail you. [9]

9 - Scene continues.

Diplomatic Hawke: Good luck, Inquisitor. It’s been an honor. Humorous Hawke: Good luck with your Inquisition. Try not to start an Exalted March on anything. Aggressive Hawke: You’ve got a lot more blood ahead of you. Fight well.

Hawke: And take care of Varric for me.

They leave.

Lithe (nimble, graceful, possibly leanly muscular

Lean (thin/skinny but muscular)

Ample (overweight)

Plump (overweight)

Slender (skinny, possibly leanly muscled)

Wiry (thing and muscular)

Petite (typically used for women. Short and thin)

Barrel-chested (large, rounded chest. Not necessarily to do with weight but body type)

Compact (small, solid, not fat, not underweight)

Frail (old and/or sick)

Delicate (thin or susceptible to sickness)

Lanky (tall, awkward)

Stocky (muscular, broad-shouldered)

Stout (short, either fat or heavy-looking build)

Thickset (solid, stocky)

Gangly (lanky, often in a sickly way)

Dainty (delicate, not sickly)