DAI: Becoming The Inquisitor

If you want to read 15 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/DeathGun24

________________________________________________

Varric shrugged. "Pick your battles, Herald. At least we're taking the safer path." He gestured toward the tavern. "Now come on - let's get one last decent meal before we're back to eating trail rations and dodging demons."

The Singing Maiden was comfortably crowded when Daniel and Varric pushed through its doors, the air thick with the scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and the ever-present undertone of ale. The midday sun streamed through the windows, casting warm pools of light across the worn wooden tables.

Varric made a beeline for their usual corner, waving at the bartender. "Two of whatever's hot, and keep the ale coming!"

Daniel slid into his seat, rolling his shoulders to ease the lingering stiffness. The prospect of a proper meal—one that didn't involve charred rabbit or stale trail bread—was almost as appealing as the thought of a few more hours of rest before their journey.

They didn't have to wait long. A serving girl brought over two steaming bowls of thick stew, a loaf of crusty bread, and a pitcher of ale. Varric wasted no time tearing into the bread, dunking a chunk into his stew with relish.

"Maker's breath," he groaned around a mouthful. "I'd forgotten what real food tastes like."

Daniel smirked, lifting his own spoon. "Maybe we should start charging you for meals. Might improve your aim with Bianca."

Varric flipped him off good-naturedly, his mouth too full to retort properly.

The tavern door opened again, letting in a shaft of sunlight that illuminated Solas as he stepped inside. The elven mage paused, scanning the room before his gaze landed on them. With a small nod, he made his way over.

"Mind if I join you?" Solas asked, his voice calm as ever.

Daniel gestured to the empty chair beside him. "Be our guest. Just don't expect Varric to share."

Varric, true to form, had already claimed the last of the bread. He grinned, unrepentant. "What? Growing dwarf needs his nutrients."

Solas's lips quirked slightly as he sat. "I shall endeavor to survive the deprivation."

A second bowl of stew appeared moments later, along with another tankard. The serving girl smiled shyly at Solas before darting away.

For a while, they ate in companionable silence, the tavern's hum of conversation a pleasant backdrop. Daniel found himself savoring each bite, the simple act of sharing a meal with friends—because that's what they were now, he realized—a rare moment of normalcy in the chaos of the last few weeks.

It was Solas who broke the quiet first. "I understand we depart for the Hinterlands this evening?"

Daniel nodded, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Yeah. Same route as before."

"Prudent," Solas said. "Though I suspect our return will be more eventful than our departure."

Varric arched a brow. "That's ominous. Care to elaborate, Chuckles?"

Solas sipped his ale, his expression thoughtful. "The Hinterlands are a tinderbox. Rebel mages, rogue templars, displaced villagers—and now, if Leliana's suspicions are correct, missing Grey Wardens. It is only a matter of time before something ignites."

Daniel pushed his empty bowl away, leaning back in his chair. "You think we're walking into a trap?"

"Not a trap," Solas corrected. "A crossroads. Every faction in the region will be watching our movements closely. How we proceed will determine whether they see us as allies... or obstacles."

Varric snorted. "So, no pressure then."

Daniel rubbed his temple. "Just what I needed—another political minefield."

Solas's gaze was steady. "You are the face of the Inquisition now, Daniel. Like it or not, your actions—and your choices—will shape what comes next."

The weight of those words settled over the table. Daniel exhaled sharply, staring into his ale. He'd never asked for this. Never wanted it. And yet...

Varric clapped him on the shoulder, jarring him from his thoughts. "Hey. Don't go getting all broody on us now. We've got enough to worry about without you turning into the next Cassandra."

Daniel huffed a laugh, shaking off the momentary gloom. "Right. Because what the world really needs is two of her."

Solas's lips twitched. "A terrifying thought indeed."

They lapsed back into silence, but it was lighter now, the momentary tension dispelled. Outside, the sounds of Haven preparing for their departure filtered through the walls—the clang of armor, the shouts of soldiers, the occasional bray of a druffalo.

Daniel found himself cataloging it all, storing away these small, ordinary moments. They felt precious somehow, fleeting.

Daniel tore off another piece of bread, using it to soak up the last of the stew in his bowl. The warmth of the meal had settled comfortably in his stomach, a stark contrast to the cold uncertainty of what awaited them in the Hinterlands.

"But it's a good thing we managed to destroy those renegade templar and apostate mage strongholds there," he said between bites. "At least their numbers have thinned—some returning to the Order, others fleeing to join Fiona's rebels in Redcliffe."

Varric nodded, wiping ale foam from his beard. "True enough. Though I doubt either side's too happy with us for kicking them out of their cozy little nests."

Solas set down his tankard with deliberate care. "The templars who returned to the Order may prove useful in time. As for the mages who fled to Redcliffe..." His gaze flicked to Daniel. "Their presence there only strengthens Fiona's position."

Daniel exhaled sharply through his nose. "Which means we're walking into an even bigger mess than before."

"Or an opportunity," Solas countered. "The more mages gathered in one place, the easier it becomes to negotiate with them as a unified front."

Varric barked a laugh. "Since when have mages ever been unified about anything? Last I checked, they couldn't agree on what color the sky was."

"The same could be said of the templars," Solas pointed out mildly. "Or dwarves, for that matter."

Varric opened his mouth to retort, then paused, considering. "Okay, fair point."

Daniel pushed his empty bowl away, leaning back in his chair. "Either way, we've got fewer hostiles to worry about in the Hinterlands. That's something."

Varric leaned forward, his elbows on the table, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "True enough. And while we're on the subject of things that want to kill us—I've heard rumors about a Ferelden Frostback spotted at Lady Shayna's Valley. And apparently, it's brought its dragonlings along for the ride."

Daniel nearly choked on his ale. "A what now?"

Solas's eyebrows lifted slightly—the closest he ever came to looking surprised. "A high dragon nesting in the valley? That is... unexpected."

"Unexpected?" Varric snorted. "Try 'catastrophic.' That valley's smack in the middle of the trade routes between Redcliffe and the Crossroads. If a Frostback's taken up residence there, it's going to make an already messy situation downright apocalyptic."

Daniel rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "Just what we needed. Because rogue templars and blood mages weren't enough."

Varric grinned. "Look on the bright side—if we survive this, it'll make one hell of a story."

Solas frowned, his fingers tracing idle patterns on the tabletop. "Dragons do not typically nest so close to human settlements unless provoked... or unless their territory has been disturbed."

Daniel shot him a look. "You think someone's riled it up on purpose?"

"It is possible. High dragons are intelligent creatures. If someone has encroached upon its territory or threatened its young, it would explain its aggression."

Varric whistled low. "So what you're saying is, we might be dealing with a pissed-off mama dragon and whoever stupid enough to poke it with a stick?"

Solas inclined his head. "Precisely."

Daniel exhaled sharply, pushing back from the table. "Well, that settles it. We're definitely going to the Hinterlands."

Varric raised his tankard in mock salute. "To certain death and terrible life choices."

Daniel ignored him, his mind already racing ahead. A high dragon. Templars and mages at each other's throats. Refugees caught in the crossfire. And now this.

Solas studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "If the dragon is indeed a threat, it cannot be ignored. But neither can the war between mages and templars."

Daniel clenched his jaw. "We'll handle both. Somehow."

Varric smirked. "That's the spirit. Nothing like a little dragon-slaying to take the edge off a civil war."

Daniel shot him a withering look. "You're not helping."

"Hey, I'm just saying—if we're going to die horribly, we might as well make it memorable."

Solas, always the voice of reason, interjected. "The immediate concern is the conflict in the Hinterlands. The dragon, while dangerous, is a contained problem for now. We deal with the war first, then turn our attention to the valley."

Daniel nodded. "Agreed. But we should send scouts to monitor the dragon's movements. If it starts ranging farther out, we'll need to act fast."

Varric stretched, cracking his knuckles. "Well, if we do end up fighting it, I call dibs on the first shot. Bianca could use a new trophy."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "Let's focus on not dying first."

Daniel's fingers drummed against the wooden table, his gaze distant as he considered the implications. "Besides," he said slowly, a smirk tugging at his lips, "if we're talking trophies, that dragon's head would look damn good mounted in Haven's hall. Who knows? Maybe I—or we—are actually skilled enough to take down a high dragon."

Varric barked a laugh, nearly spilling his ale. "Now that's the kind of arrogance I can get behind! Though I'd pay good money to see Cassandra's face when you suggest redecorating the chantry with dragon parts."

Solas, interjected smoothly, "Before we begin planning our interior decorating with dragon remains, we should consider the more pressing matter of actually surviving such an encounter." His fingers traced the rim of his tankard thoughtfully. "A high dragon is not merely a dangerous beast—it is a force of nature. Without proper preparation, we would be little more than kindling before its flames."

Daniel leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "Which brings me to my next point. We need to expand my Inner Circle. Right now it's just you two and Cassandra. That's not enough for what we're facing."

Varric raised an eyebrow. "Thinking of starting your own mercenary company, Herald?"

"More like building a team of specialists," Daniel countered. "Think about it—we've got political fires to put out, ancient magic to decipher, and now a damn dragon to deal with. We need people who can handle more than just swinging a sword."

Solas nodded in agreement. "A sound strategy. The challenges before us are varied and complex. Having advisors with... particular expertise would be invaluable."

Varric smirked. "So what you're saying is, you want to collect interesting people like I collect bad decisions?"

"Something like that," Daniel chuckled. Then his expression sobered. "But seriously, this isn't just about filling seats at the war table. Whoever joins us needs to be someone we can trust at our backs when things go to shit—which they inevitably will."

Solas's eyes gleamed with quiet approval. "Then we should be discerning in our choices. The wrong ally could prove more dangerous than any dragon."

Daniel's fingers stilled against the table as the idea took shape in his mind, his smirk returning with a sharper edge. "You know," he mused, tapping a single finger against the wood, "we might have some options already within reach." He leaned in, the firelight casting flickering shadows across his face. "There's that mercenary company—the Bull's Chargers. They're camped out at the Storm Coast right now. In fact, Krem, Bull's lieutenant, already approached the Inquisition offering their services. If half the stories about them are true, they could be exactly what we need."

Varric let out an appreciative whistle, swirling his ale before taking a sip. "The Chargers, huh? I've heard of them. Bull's a Qunari who doesn't exactly play by the Qun's rules, which already makes him interesting. And his crew? They've got a reputation for pulling off the impossible—or at least the highly improbable." He grinned. "If you're looking for people who can handle chaos, they're a solid bet."

Solas tilted his head slightly, considering. "A Qunari mercenary leader could indeed prove valuable, particularly given the... diversity of threats we face. But we should be cautious. The Qunari do not act without purpose, and his motives may extend beyond simple coin."

Daniel waved a hand dismissively. "I'm not naive enough to think he's doing this out of the goodness of his heart. But if he's willing to fight for us, I'm willing to negotiate terms. Besides," he added with a sly grin, "having a Qunari on our side might make certain people very uncomfortable. And right now, I'm all for shaking things up."

Varric chuckled. "Oh, I'd pay to see the expressions on some noble faces when a seven-foot-tall horned warrior strolls into the war room." He paused, then smirked. "Actually, scratch that—I'd pay double to see Cassandra's face when you suggest it."

Daniel laughed but quickly sobered, his mind already moving to the next possibility. "Then there's the Red Jenny situation. We've got that lead—someone's waiting for us, but we don't know who or where yet. Leliana needs to verify the map coordinates first to make sure it's not an ambush." He drummed his fingers again, thinking. "If it is legit, though? Having a network of spies and saboteurs who specialize in not being seen could be a game-changer."

Solas arched a brow. "Red Jenny is not a person, but a name adopted by many. It is a decentralized organization—or perhaps more accurately, a legend used by those who oppose authority in subtle ways." He gave Daniel a measured look. "They may prove useful, but they are unpredictable by nature. You would be inviting chaos into our ranks."

Daniel's grin turned wolfish. "Good. Maybe a little chaos is exactly what we need to keep our enemies guessing." He stretched his arms behind his head, the movement casual, but his eyes were sharp. "And let's be honest—if we're going up against a high dragon, demons, and Maker-knows-what-else, a little unpredictability might be the only thing that keeps us alive."

Varric nodded approvingly. "Spoken like a man who's spent too much time around me." He raised his tankard in salute before taking another drink. "But you're not wrong. Sometimes the best way to counter a stacked deck is to flip the damn table."

Daniel exhaled, rolling his shoulders as if physically shedding the weight of his thoughts. "Then there's Warden Blackwall. Last I heard, he was in the Hinterlands. If we can get him on board, not only do we get a warrior who's spent his life killing darkspawn and demons, but he might be our best shot at figuring out what happened to the rest of the Wardens." His expression darkened slightly. "Because let's face it—their sudden disappearance isn't just suspicious, it's terrifying. If the Breach has something to do with it, we need to know."

Solas's fingers stilled on his tankard, his gaze turning distant for a moment. "The Grey Wardens are... a complicated matter. Their methods have never been gentle, and their secrets run deep. But if anyone understands the Blight and the creatures born from it, it is them." He met Daniel's eyes. "Blackwall could indeed be an asset—provided he is what he claims to be."

Varric snorted. "You've got a real talent for making everything sound ominous, you know that?" He shook his head. "But yeah, Wardens don't exactly have a reputation for being forthcoming. Still, if he's willing to fight, I say we take the help. We're not exactly drowning in allies here."

Daniel pushed back from the table, standing to pace a few steps before turning to face them. "So, to summarize—we've got a Qunari mercenary captain and his band of misfits, a shadowy network of anarchists, and a possibly-still-sane Grey Warden. That's a start." He crossed his arms, brow furrowing. "But we'll need more. Specialists, like I said. People who can navigate the Game, who can dig up ancient knowledge, who can fight in ways we haven't even considered yet."

Varric leaned back, lacing his hands behind his head. "You're not just building an Inner Circle, kid. You're assembling a story. The kind people tell in taverns for centuries." His grin turned wicked. "I approve."

Solas, ever the voice of reason, interjected softly, "Stories are all well and good, but we must remember that the stakes are real. Each of these potential allies comes with their own risks, their own agendas." He paused, then added with a faint, almost reluctant smile, "Though I will admit, it is a far more interesting approach than mere diplomacy."

Daniel smirked. "Glad you think so. Because I'm not just looking for diplomats. I'm looking for people who can win." He glanced toward the window, where the first hints of dawn were beginning to lighten the sky. "Starting with that dragon."

Varric barked a laugh. "Andraste's ass, you're serious about that, aren't you?"

"Deadly." Daniel's grin was all teeth. "But first, we secure the team. Then?" He cracked his knuckles. "Then we go hunting."

________________________________________________

Name : Daniel Carter

Race: Elf

Level 5 : 2475/2500 EXP

Professions: Mage

Gold Coins: 2289 coins

Weapon: Staff of the Dragon

Armor: Light Armor of the Dragon and Templar Scribe Scowl

Accessories: Token of the Packmaster and Belt of Health

Inventory: Acolyte Ice Staff, Morning Star, Stiletto, Hunting Longbow, Fire Resistance Cowl, Mercenary Coat, Acolyte Fire Staff, Disciple Lighting Staff, Apprentice Armor, Qunari Battleaxe, Raider Hatchet, 2 Disciple Fire Staff, Apprentice Mail, Qunari Buckler, Medium Adventure Armor, Mindleech Staff, Soldier's Nemesis, 2 Recruit's Dirk, Reinforced Dagger, Sledgehammer, Disciple Lighting Staff, Apprentice Armor, Exacting Longbow, Barbarian Lord Maul, Lifeward Amulet, and Grenade Belt

Crafting Materials: 37 Elfroot, 62 Iron, 2 Blue Vitriol, 1 Dawn Lotus, 11 Silk, 17 Lambswool, 3 Royal Elfroot, 10 Ram Leather, 23 Drakestone, 4 Fire Essence, 3 Blue Vitriol, 11 Canine Leather, 4 Plaidewaive, 2 Frost Essence, 1 Fade-Touched Iron, 4 Blood Lotus, 5 Embrium, 10 Spindleweed, 16 Onyx, 3 Ironbarks, 2 Crystal Grace, and 1 Serpenstone

Upgrades: Sigil of the Gamordan Stromrider and Sigil of Deathroot

Valuables: 2 Shadow Essence, 1 Ram Horn, 1 Dreamer Rag, 5 Weapon Fragment, 2 Bowstring, 8 Mysterious Shards, Nevarra Skull, 1 Wisp Essence, and 1 Wolf Fangs

Potions: Lesser Health Potions x8, Lesser Regeneration Potions x5, and x5 Lyrium Potion

Skills: Chain Lighting, Flashfire, Barrier, Winter's Grasp, and Energy Barrage

Armor Schematics: Shokra-taar Schematic, Antaam-saar Schematic, Avvar Armor Schematics Acquired, Stone-Bear Armor Schematics, Vanguard Coat Schematic, Sturdy Defender Coat Schematic, and Scout Mail Arms Schematic

Weapon Schematics: Curved Dagger Schematic and Hunting Bow Schematic

Potion Recipe: Lesser Regeneration Potion recipe and Lyrium Potion Recipe

Bottles of Thedas: Vint-9 Rowan's Rose and Carnal, 8:69 Blessed