ACT 2: KNEE-DEEP IN THE DERP
PART 1 - CALL OF DUTY
1 year later. We see Hawke and his sister desperately trying to
jump on dwarf's cock join the expedition to the Deep Roads.
No!
Andraste's tits, human! You know how many people want to hire onto this expedition?
But we heard you're going into the Deep Roads. Surely you'll need all the help you can --
No!
You're too late! Already done!
This is the sort of venture that can make a man for life! I'm not about to take any chances hiring random humans.
This expedition can open doors for us in this city. We have to go with you.
You're looking for a quick way out of the slums, right? You and every other Fereldan in this dump.
Find another meal ticket.
What are we supposed to do now?
We've got nothing to stop the next person who tries to sell us out. This expedition was our last chance...
I can't spend my whole life looking over my shoulder for templars, Bethany.
If the templars find me, the best I can hope is to be locked away for the rest of my life! If they don't kill me outright.
We need coin, status, something we can hide behind. As long as we're just refugees, we're no one.
Maybe Gamlen knows someone who can talk to Bartrand for us...
Gamlen is the reason we've been here for a year.
He got us into Kirkwall. We've been safe so far.
We might as well ask. Otherwise, I don't know what we'll do.
Hey!
Bastard stole my purse!
Didn't go too far. Metrosexual dwarf with familiar face nails his shirt to a wall with his crossbow.
I knew a guy once who could take every coin out of your pockets just by smiling at you.
But you? You don't have the style to work Hightown, let alone the Merchants Guild.
Might want to find yourself a new line of work.
Facepunch!
Off you go.
How do you do? Varric Tethras, at your service!
I apologize for Bartrand. He wouldn't know an opportunity if it hit him square in the jaw.
But you would?
I would! What my brother doesn't realize is that we need someone like you.
He would never admit it, either -- he's too proud. I, however, am quite practical.
He said he didn't need another guard.
We don't need another hireling -- we need a partner!
The truth is, Bartrand's been tearing his beard out trying to fund this on his own, but he can't do it.
Invest in the expedition. Fifty sovereigns, and he can't refuse. Not with me there to vouch for you.
If I had coin to invest, I wouldn't need this job in the first place.
You need to think big! There's only a brief window after a Blight when the Deep Roads won't be crawling with darkspawn.
The treasure you find down there could set you and your family up for life!
It won't be easy, but it's a chance. I think we have to take it.
Better to work our way into this expedition than sit around waiting to be thrown in the Gallows.
We work together, you and I, and before you know it, you'll have all the capital you need. What do you say?
If this is a trick, you'll pay for it, dwarf.
Wonderful! I'll take that as a yes!
Kirkwall's crawling with work. You set aside some coin from every job, and you'll have the money in no time!
FFS, why do I need you then?
Maybe Aveline can find us some work. She's got a position with the city guard now.
We should talk privately when you get the chance. In the Hanged Man, maybe -- I'll be there when I'm not with you.
Now, let's go see what trouble we can stir up.
So, he joins. He's a ranged-focused rogue with unique crossbow named Bianca and the whole talent tree devoted to it. Our goal is to accumulate 50 sovereigns aka either grind on respawning mob at night or perform shitton of errands.
Trading is streamlined now. You don't even have to initiate a dialog, just to click on merchant's bag.
This is the market square. Yes, it's that big.
You don't seem to like your bother very much.
And here I thought it took blood magic to read minds.
I had a twin brother, Carver. He used to nail my braid to the bed while I was sleeping.
I never thought I'd miss him this much.
sorry about your brother.
Hey, you want mine? I've got a spare...
Hawke! Long time no see, my friend!
Hey, NPC, I don't remember you.
Worthy. Not nearly long enough, I think.
Laughs Still have that chip on your shoulder, I see.
You aren't still working for Athenril, are you? Your year must be up by now.
Yes, I'm done with that.
Good for you! Always nice to see someone striking out on their own.
Tell you what: I still have my old contacts. You need some runecrafting done, I can arrange it for you.
Take care, Hawke. Don't get dead.
Crafting menu. We have neither ingredients not money to do anything.
Crates and barrels are scattered around the quarter. Content is randomized.
So let's follow sister's advice and visit Aveline to get some work to do. She resides in viscount's keep.
Aveline!
Hello, Hawke.
Nice to see I'm missed.
What? Oh, right. Sorry, it feels like we just talked. I've been keeping an eye on you.
Information is one of the few perks of this job. Watch out for Bartrand -- he's a son of a bitch.
I'm a Fereldan in Kirkwall. I don't have much say in who I deal with.
Bust some teeth, then buy the drinks. It worked here, but guards can be strange like that.
You have a unique charm, Aveline. I doubt the same would work on the dwarf.
If you're stuck, at least bring me along. I could sleep through the jobs I'm given here.
In fact, I might have a job for you. Let me know if you want to do a favor for Kirkwall.
Otherwise, I'm here if you need me. Maker knows I could use more satisfying work.
All right, Aveline. You have something worth doing?
My patrols may be empty walks in the dark, but there's something big coming up, and I could use you.
An ambush. Probably for a caravan, although I can't find any shipments that match up.
Doesn't matter, though. Highwaymen waiting for someone to rob? I'm putting a stop to it, my district or not.
All right, let's go break some necks for the greater good.
I knew I could count on you.
They're hidden up Sundermount. Remote and rough, but we can make good time with a shortcut this side.
And no, you can't run off and do it without me. I trust you, but I have to be there.
You're acting on behalf of the guard.
You can freely steal shit and crack chests - nobody cares.
So this is the map of the "world".
An ambush location.
Assassins. Annoying fat fucks capable of cloaking and delivering unblockable backstab can make Crysis nanosuit soldiers feel like relics of the stone age in comparison.
Second ambush.
THE ambush you need to clear.
Starts with a few generic bandits. When you dispose of them, SUDDENLY the band of archers appears from nowhere.
Done.
Well-equipped for bandits, but dead is dead and the road is clear.
Captain Jeven needs to know of this. Back to the barracks for your just reward.
Not now. We need moar tactical fightan.
Another awesome11111 encounter.
Starts with several melee raiders.
Then, two waves of archers and a reaver.
Dodging slowpoke reaver dude is easy.
We find the main ingredient used to make healing potions. Potion brewing is streamlined too. After discovering a source of an ingredient the supply will be endless and always available.
Obvious reference is obvious
Back to the city. It seems that captain isn't happy after hearing the news.
There's Jeven's office. Wait while I explain our initiative.
I don't know how they do it where you're from, Guardswoman, but I decide the patrols, not you and your whims!
You may have been put up for lieutenant in your first year, but I'll have no show-offs in my command! Have I made myself clear?
Report to your post, before I have you and your Fereldan accomplice jailed!
You took more than i thought you would.
Why would it matter which guard killed those bandits?
It's not the first time he's made me wonder like this. Something is very wrong.
I don't have time for politics in the guard.
It's not your headache. You've got an expedition to float, I know.
May as well check the roster to see if I'll have time to help you. I'll bet I'm off patrols for a while.
OK, let's check it.
Aveline!
I owe you for clearing that ambush the other night. Saved me a mess of trouble.
Brennan, that route was yours?
It was. Single patrol. I'd have been dead for sure.
A guard can't handle a few bandits?
I don't like surprises. That route had been clear for weeks.
The captain reassigned me after he heard what you did, and I passed the satchel to Donnic for his patrol overnight.
The satchel.
Pay and order assignments. Captain has us run deliveries to the outposts during light duty.
It's usually just an updated copy of the roster. The satchel for that night was heavy, though.
Anyway, thanks again, Aveline. You're a good one.
So the satchel gets heavy the same day we discover an ambush.
Can't any group in this city stand on its own?
We do just fine, thank you. But if our own captain is putting us in danger...
I have to check this, Hawke. These men, they're like you. Like family.
Brennan said Donnic... a good man. Donnic... Donnic. I've got his route.
A night walk in Lowtown. Let's go make sure his quiet patrol stays that way.
He'll have to wait. First we head to Lowtown to heal injuries and check uncle's house. Brief note about injuries: in DA2 they do no nothing but cap your max HP; healed instantly when you enter your "homebase".
:blah:
Varric, do you do anything?
Am I the next stop in your career evaluations? Joy of joys.
You watch and you talk. Is that it?
You are dismissing hallmarks of both the utterly ineffectual and the incredibly dangerous.
I don't know what you mean.
It means coins flow when I talk and when I shut up. Like if you got paid to guard or unguard.
That makes no sense.
Good.
My, my. If it isn't Hawke.
Elegant.
Lady Elegant, if you don't mind. I'm a married woman now.
Who cares? How about a brief *cutscene*.
Last time we met, you were still in Athenril's employ. Things have been going well since then?
Is there something you're interested in?
You may recall I sometimes provided potions for Athenril. I'd be willing to extend you the same courtesy if you like.
All I ask is you inform me of any interesting reagents yuo find. In exchange, I'll approach my contacts on your behalf.
And of course you'll need the appropriate recipes... such as this one. Free, for old time's sake.
I didn't want any
recipes from you, stupid woman!
On the road to uncle's house Hawke delivers a bottle of wine stolen in Viscount's Keep.
Unsurprisingly, uncle lives in a shithole.
New dog.
He wasn't like this in Lothering. I think he misses the open fields.
Come here, you!
Poor thing! Maybe he'd be happier if we brought him with us more often.
Happy bark!
We might soon have need for a war dog.
Take it! I'm sick of what's-his-name staring and panting.
Gamlen, honestly! A mabari understands what you say. Try using his name.
What's wrong with "dog"? Real easy to remember...
Not particularly creative here.
Tome of the mortal vessel. Boosts my attributes, because I'm awesome.
Huffs
Wake up! You've got a job to do.
Yelps
Lazy twat doesn't join the party for some reason. Whatever, we slip into the night, a matter of flipping a switch on the map.
Normally, there is enough annoying respawning shit on streets at night, but it seems that
Gaider The Maker smiled upon us.
Unconscious guardsman surrounded by enemies.
Hurr, durr, archers spawn behind our backs. Eat some ice cream, faggots.
Tough bitch.
Who... Ave... Aveline? You're a beautiful sight.
Guardsman?
I mean, I was on patrol, and they came out of nowhere. I took a few down but there were too many at once.
The captain said this route was supposed to be quiet.
The seal of the viscount. Office details, city accounts.
Valuable to a guild of thieves.
A sacrificial delivery with one of our own. Captain Jeven will answer.
I think a bloody response is in order.
That's not the way of a guardsman. Something Jeven has forgotten, if he ever knew it.
This goes to the office of the viscount. This will be known.
Varric rivalry +5
Guards are dragging the corrupt cap.
How dare you! I am guard captain! I won't be treated like this!
Fereldan bitch! This was none of your affair! I'll see you hanged! Quartered! This will not stand!
We found a number of debts to... suspect peoples. Such poor character.
But you, Aveline Vallen, have proven your loyalty and ability.
The guard deserves better than him, messere.
Ideed. The viscount would have you put your care for the men into direct practice. You will assume the captain's job.
What?
I due time, of course. There will be training, approvals. Months, at least.
But who better to rebuild respect than the woman who exposed this... embarassment.
Resolve any outstanding business, Guardswoman. You will be very busy.
Varric, no.
You're the captain, or you will be. It'll be easy.
I'm not petitioning the viscount to help you steal ownership of the Hanged Man.
Steal? Madam, you wound me.
I'm about to.
Big changes are coming, huh? Captain of the guard.
Thank you, Wesley.
He's been gone a long time to call on him like that.
A year is just a collection of minutes... seconds. But yes, it's been a long time.
He's not with me. I know that. Wesley's at the Maker's side, or he's not. Either way, he knows no pain.
He seemed a good man, for a templar. I'm sure he's found peace.
What I keep is that moment. I won't let anyone down like that again.
You were a pain before. You'll be insufferable as captain.
I should hope so.
Already plotting?
I've seen how the job can go bad. Never again. Every one of these men can count on that.
Seriously though, keep your title in your office.
Excuse me?
We don't want to ruin a good relationship.
Right.
I'm with you, Hawke. To a point.
Aveline rivalry +10
End of the update.
