Faith and Reason

The city of Amaranthine mourns the loss of Mother Agnes.  The Chantry bells toll, a mournful sound, and the populace turns out to remember a woman torn from them too soon.  A charitable soul, known for her efforts to alleviate poverty, her kind words a balm to soothe the soul.  The Templars are in disarray as well, several of their number dead or missing, including the Knight Commander William.  Some rumors say these templars had something to do with Her Grace's foul murder, but if so, there is no word from the Knight Captain or Arl Howe.  Already terrorized and in mourning over lost friends and family, this latest blow has left the community stunned.  The Divine has yet to issue a proclamation on the event, and many await her words, desperate for comfort, for something that will make sense of the loss.  And of course, they await a replacement.  Someone to stand upon the dais and sing the blessed Chant of Light.  A cleric to offer guidance . . .

From the information gathered in the chamber below the catacombs, you know that the Seeker has not taken ship, but instead is taking a ground route.  The most used roads forsaken in order to avoid notice, the path marked on the map goes through the Frostback Mountains.  You know they left out only a day ahead of you, and by taking ship to Jader you can beat them to the border.  It is a rough passage this time of year, one fraught with danger.  Most ship captains refuse to take you.  Luciele Montreve's contacts provide you all with passage on a swift vessel.  The crossing is as perilous as you were told it would be.  Winter storms churn the waters turning them into mountains and valleys, a shifting plane of deadly, ice cold water.  The ship nearly sinks several times, and in the end is barely able to limp into port.

With no time wasted, you set an ambush along the route to Orlais near Montsimmard.  If they get to that border city, all is lost.  Ser Giles and the Seeker could be here any day, and so you wait.  The Dales are a strange place, and it is never wise to stay there long.  You have all learned not to stray too far from camp.  Days tick past, the nights longer and colder.  Impatience and exhaustion have worn your tempers thin and it is here that our story begins, the final leg of your journey.