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Chapter 20

The Joining

9:29 Dragon, 30th day of Haring -- Winter

    The party at Hounds Hall continued, late into the night! Alpheus spoke at length with Eveline and Eornan, and with Sextus about the Fade. Garrick told Erin and Duncan about Arl Howe's interception of the mails. Eornan met with Laney, his cousin. Bran spoke with Reyla about the rocks held by the party members -- they were not real rocks, but knots on the Cord that connects us to the fade.

     Eornan and Bran led the group in some old (ancient) elven call and respond songs aided by Eveline's improvised melodies.

     Bran asked Landon to gather all the available information about the Tower of Celatus.

     King Cailan Theirin made a surprise visit. He looked like Bran, except taller, a vastly better dresser, and with an unbroken nose.

     There was a great deal of dancing, and more rowdiness including a pie fight.

     After the pie fight, Riordan arrived. He had arranged for the delivery of the pies, in fact. It turns out he was also the source of the dragonling 'gift' which got so out of hand earlier in the week.

9:30 Dragon, First Day

     In the morning, bleary-eyed, bruised, disheveled and hung-over Wardens, recruits and guests dragged themselves to the baths. At about the 10th Hour, we were asked to gather in the upper hall; Duncan had a short speech prepared.  

     "I just want to tell you all straight up what to expect ... Normally this would be where the Excuses would be presented; but since this is an unusual year, the elves have agreed to clean Hounds Hall. In part, this is because the elves feel that you all are rubbish at cleaning. Please meet in the main hall at noon for the Joining and other Warden business."

     The elven servants at Hounds Hall had already begun gathering up the broken china, sweeping up the confetti and dragon-parts, mopping up the meringue, feeding leftovers to the dogs, and putting the hall to rights. A side-table buffet breakfast in the upper hall included morning-after concoctions suggested by various Wardens, including some strongly-flavored "nougats" which had a surprisingly powerful analgesic effect.

     Sextus, Mirian and Alpheus spoke a bit about the uses a phylactery could be put to aside from how the Templars utilize them.

     At noon, in the main hall, the Wardens were mostly dressed in warlike garb; the tone was somber. Duncan spoke a bit about the history of the Helwyr (as much as was known), and made Bran's status as a Helwyr and ally for the Wardens. Bran swore to support the Wardens in turn. Bran's Honor Axe was brought out and presented to him.

     At this point, Eornan and Bran departed; only Wardens and the recruits remained for the Joining. Duncan, Boane, and Mirian took up places standing on the haerth, facing the room. Duncan said,

     "At last we come to the Joining. We Grey Wardens pay a heavy price to become what we are. Fate may decree that some of you pay your price now rather than later ...

     Not all who drink the blood will survive; and those who survive will be changed ... this is the source of our power, and of our victory. Those who survive the Joining become immune to the taint. We can sense it in the darkspawn, and use it to slay the arch demon.

     We speak only a few words prior to the Joining. But these words have been said since the first. Alistair, if you would?"

     Alistair:

     "Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that cannot be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten... and that one day, we shall join you."

     First to be called upon was Garrick (at his own request). He drank from the goblet, and passed out -- "He will survive." In turn, the other eight recruits were asked to drink. Robert, Andson, Reyla, Alpheus and Landon survived the Joining (though sent into a deep swoon); Hayne and young Gaile died quickly. Mason had second thoughts and refused the goblet; he tried to run, but was struck down by magic and an expertly-thrown knife.

     Each of the survivors had a dream or vision of a mighty dragon -- the arch demon. We awoke after a few hours sleep. Duncan and some other senior Wardens answered some questions about the organization, the Blight, and even Duncan's own Conscription.

     At about sunset, the Wardens gathered for a memorial service, honoring Wardens who died during the Joining, and also those who were lost in the field during the preceding year. The service takes place before a stone monument set in an inconspicuous corner of the rear gardens. On its large face is carved all the names of all the Wardens who have fallen in Ferelden the last 200 years -- over 300 names by casual count. The ten new names from this year will be added in the coming week.

200 Experience points for the run

New Wardens can sense darkspawn out to 5 yards times their level.

They gain +1 to a characteristic (or +0.5 if the characteristic is at level 5 or more already)

They gain one level in a talent, or start a new one.

On to First Day Follies or "Bran and Eornan's Excellent Misadventure"