A new life (Open for all mages)

[Senior Enchanter Louis]

The Circles of Magi has fallen, everywhere the story is the same, mages rebel, they flee, they die. The entire world is about to collapse and only the Maker knows how it will end. Since my circle fell in Montsimmard, I have been wandering north. For a while I was seperated from my group and I traveled through the Nahashin Marches alone, but in the end I reached my desination, Andoral`s Reach, the place where the free mages now gather.

After a long and dangerous travel, Louis arrived the Blasted Hills were Andoral`s Reach was located and between the valley of rock and snow he spotted its magnificent structure rising high into the air. Much of it was in ruin, but it stood and provided the mages good protection from outsiders who sought to attack. It was awe inspiring and seeing so many mages at one place was something Louis had never thought to see, everyone was there, all those who had made it.

As Louis stepped into the fortress that once had belonged to Tevinter, he could not help but to notice how interesting it all looked and he decided once he was settled in, he would begin to do a study on its various location to understand more about the new home the mages had chosen for themselves. However as his gaze ventured away from the walls of stone, he was shocked to see how fragile the Mages looked. Many of them was poor, weak, young and old, and it frightened him for what a fate they could all expect should it go the will of the Templars.

If Louis could help in any way he would, but most of all he wished it had never come to this. As further into the ruins he went, Louis overheard the conversations of a few, some was afraid and some were ready for a fight. Apperently there had been held a conclave between the fraternities which he had missed to witness, and the outcome seemed clear, there was to be a war. Grand Enchanter Fiona had given all the Mages an ultimatum at their vote, either they would return or go to war united, most had voted for war.

Louis could also hear the whispers of a funeral that had taken place outside its walls, Wynne, the Archmage which she had been called, was dead, and underneath the earth close to an massive old oak tree her ashes had been buried. It was saddening news because Louis had once seen Wynne in Montsimmard and he knew how popular she had become among the Mages after she had helped save Ferelden from a Blight. Although surprisingly there had come into knowledge that she had a son named Rhys, and he was among the Mages in Andoral`s reach, often spotted walking around with a friendly Templar named Evangeline and a huge Golem who for some reason had been chasing Birds.

Once Louis almost reached the center of the fortress he stopped to look around some more, he needed to find a place to rest, but the best available spots were already taken and it was getting darker by the minute.

[Asturis]

Lucius had left Ferelden in quite a bustle, he had gotten stuck in the Deep Roads searching for an artifact, got left behind then almost got killed by Darkspawn. Luckily some woman named Alia, and a Grey Warden guy named Arley Voegeli saved him from death. He was suprisingly nice to the Mage and was actually a supporter, and said that he may meet him in Andoral's Reach, he hope he did, the Mages needed all the help they could get. But he said he had some things he had to do before he departed, he didn't say what that was, but Lucius would take his word for it.

He had traveled in Orlais for a long time, going to Andoral's Reach; a supposed safe haven for those of the Arcane. He had left Ferelden because the Templars were always looking for him, and strangely enough he didn't have a phylactery, so he didn't know how he always got found. But he had now arrived to his destination, after a long journey, this is the first time he had ever been out of Ferelden, it was scary, he could barely understand what the people were saying, and Orlesians said that Ferelden smelled bad...Val Royeux smelled of rotten meat waste, all the butchers around. It was a beautiful city, but Lucius didn't like how it smelled.

He had walked into the Reach, it was mostly destroyed, but he could see all the Mages there and some people who looked like supporters, he didn't know much about the politics or the history of the Mages, he didn't really care, he had bigger things to worry about. Even still, it was nice to be in a safe place were no one would try to kill him, or try to give him to the Circle, though now there was no Circle, that he knew. He didn't know anyone who was here, though he didn't know a whole lot of people as it is.

He was nervious and he was going to find someone to talk to, as this place was a tad chaotic, he didn't really enjoy the crowds, he walked up to a man with medium-length brown hair. He looked like an Orlesian, but he didn't care he just wanted to meet someone so he wasn't totally alone. "Uhhh..Hello there, I am Lucius, what is your name?" He asked nerviously, he hoped for a polite reply, he hadn't met to many people in his time in Orlais, they were...posh, and a little snobbish, so there wasn't room to make friends.

[Senior Enchanter Louis]

Standing in the midst of the fortress surrounded by mages of all ages; Louis looked around to see if he could find a place suitable for the night. It was getting cold and the wind did not help keeping the warmth, winter had come and if the mages sought to survive the months ahead he hoped the elders had a plan to supply them all, if not then living there would be difficult. Lucky for him he still had his grey and orange mage robes, even though they were a bit worn out after traveling so far throughout the land. On his side hung a bag with items, of which he believed would someday be useful as it included herbs and potions of healing, food and water, as well other personal belongings.

Watching intensely and worried at the surroundings, Louis was suddenly surprised when a nervous man came up to him and asked of his name. With a frown on the face, Louis politely answered with an Orlesian accent. “Oh, eh…bonjour monsieur, my name is Louis, a pleasure to meet you.” He said and then stretched out his hand to greet him. It was nice to finally speak to someone again and the nervous man seemed kind, but after living so long in the circle he knew it was best to keep an eye out, having seen the nicest of people turn evil themselves in the past.

“I suppose you don`t know if there are any place for me to rest oui? It’s been a long journey and I just came through the gates, there is far more people here than I expected there would be, maybe you`ve seen some from my circle? I was separated from my group weeks ago and I haven`t seen them since, have the mages from Montsimmard arrived?” Louis continued with questions, curious to know if the nervous mage knew something.

[Azalea Valdea]

Oh Orlais. Such a dreadful, dreadful country. Well, it was a pretty country...just its people were dreadful. In Azalea's opinion anyways. Since the day she got here she had been belittled by the natives here, and frankly she quite had enough of it. Why she came here was beyond her. She should have went to visit Antiva first...or...just somewhere other than Orlais. And The Free Marches too she supposed. Ah, how she missed Ferelden. Even if it did rain a lot and was covered in mud and smelled of wet dogs. It was her home after all. At least the people didn't mock you for your attire.

Her days here in Orlais so far had been...strange. She got into a scuffle rather recently and recicved some pretty nasty wounds. But, luck had been on her side that day thank the Maker, and another mage had found her and patched her up. A Ferelden mage too, Anders actually. Azalea hoped she would run into him again soon. It was nice to talk with someone who comes from your homeland, and was the inspiration to formulating her own escape from the Circle. Well, perhaps if she was lucky, she would see him again, or another Ferelden mage.

Azalea had been hearing rumors about this place known as Andoral's Reach, one of the old Tevinter fortresses that was right here in Orlais. Supposedly it had now become a refuge for mages far and wide. It sounded almost too good to be true, and the mere thought of such a place sparked an interest in Azalea. Though she did enjoy her traveling very much, it would be nice to settle down amongst her fellow mages.

She had been traveling for quite a while now, and felt as if she would never reach this supposed sanctuary. In the distance though, she could see a magnificent fortress coming into view. It was starting to fall into ruin though, but that only seemed to give it a certain charm to it. Azalea stared out in awe at the sight, and felt more compelled to venture towards it. Well....mainly she was compelled because it was getting rather dark. And she hated camping out in the wilderness by herself. The last time she did that, she had been attacked by some very hungry wolves.

By the time the young woman reached the fortress, the sun had nearly dipped down entirely into the horizon, leaving only pale sunlight behind. Carefully, she pushed her way through the gate, giving a nervous glance as she stepped inside. Her amber eyes widened as she caught sight of what the rumors had spoken of. Mages. Lots of them. She felt a small glimmer of hope spark inside her. Were all mages gathering here now? From every where? Was there hope now for mages? Azalea prayed so. They needed every able bodied mage they could get when it came to facing the Templars.

She felt a sudden wave of anxiety though. It had been a dreadfully long time since she was inside a building with so many others. And over the course of the last several weeks, she had very little interaction with others save for a select few. Well, she would need to just get over this, now wouldn't she? Azalea took a deep breath and she walked forward, looking around her cautiously. It was a little sad to see everyone so packed in here. But, at least they were safe for the moment. She was sure it was nice to not have to run, if only for a while. Azalea looked over and spotted a pair of young men conversing near the center of the room They seemed friendly enough. One of them Azalea could already tell was Orlesian, and from the sound of his accent, her theory proved it. The other one though? She wasn't sure. Azalea put on a shy little smile and walked towards the two men.

"Um, hello there! I-I'm sort of, well, new here. Is it true this place is truly a refuge here? I heard rumors but...umm..." Azalea trailed off as she looked around. She shook her head then, a sheepish grin creasing her lips. "I'm sorry, I'm being very terribly rude aren't I? I just...didn't know who to talk to...I'm Azalea." She said with a nervous laugh, feeling even more embarrassed with every word she spoke. Why couldn't she just keep her big mouth shut?