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Daniel agreed, as he turned to leave, he led the way back to where their horses waited, as they prepare themselves to mount their horse's and went back to the outpost camp.
The journey back to camp was interrupted by the discovery of the note, fluttering slightly in the breeze as if trying to catch their attention. Daniel pulled Max to a halt, the stallion snorting and tossing his head as his rider dismounted. The parchment was weathered but intact, nailed haphazardly to a wooden post outside a modest farmstead. The moment his fingers brushed the paper, a familiar flicker of light danced at the edge of his vision—his interface registering the find.
[50 EXP Gained - Note Discovered]
The message was straightforward: a plea for help. A prized Druffalo named Druffy had bolted during a demon attack, last seen fleeing into a gully nearby. A crude but serviceable map was scrawled beneath the request, marking both the likely location of the lost beast and the farmstead where it belonged. A reward was promised, though the amount wasn't specified.
Daniel couldn't help but smirk. Of all the things to worry about in the midst of a war-torn landscape, someone was desperate to retrieve their prized livestock. Then again, in the Hinterlands, a Druffalo could mean the difference between a family surviving the winter or starving.
Varric leaned over his shoulder, squinting at the note. "Druffy, huh? Sounds like a real charmer."
Cassandra sighed, though there was no real irritation in it. "We don't have time for this."
Daniel folded the note carefully, tucking it into his belt. "We don't," he agreed, "but we can make time. After we finish scouting the last two watchtower locations and figure out what's riling up the wolves." He glanced at the map again. "This gully isn't far from where we're heading anyway. If we spot the beast along the way, we might as well steer it home."
Solas, who had been quietly observing the exchange, tilted his head slightly. "A small act of kindness can do more to earn trust than a dozen grand gestures. The people here have lost much. Returning something as simple as a Druffalo may mean more than they let on."
Varric grinned. "And here I thought you were all about ancient mysteries and Fade whispers. Turns out you've got a soft spot for farm animals."
Solas didn't rise to the bait, merely offering a faint, knowing smile before turning back toward his mount.
With the decision made, they continued on their way, the note's promise lingering in the back of Daniel's mind. The Hinterlands had a way of reminding him that, for all the grand schemes and looming disasters, it was the small things that often mattered most to the people living through them.
The ride back to camp was uneventful, the late morning sun casting long shadows across the war-torn landscape. As they approached the Inquisition outpost, the familiar sight of soldiers moving about their duties brought a small measure of comfort—order amidst the chaos. Lieutenant Arens, a grizzled veteran with a permanent frown etched into his weathered face, stood waiting near the camp's entrance, arms crossed over his chest.
"About time you lot showed up," he grumbled, though there was no real bite to his words. "Scouts reported movement near the eastern ridge. Nothing confirmed yet, but we're keeping an eye on it."
Daniel dismounted, patting Max's neck as a stablehand hurried over to take the reins. "Good. Let me know if anything changes."
Arens nodded sharply before barking orders at a nearby group of soldiers. "Get the Herald and his company some food and water! Maker knows they've been out there long enough."
The camp bustled with activity as they settled near the central firepit. A young recruit—barely more than a boy—handed them bowls of thick stew and chunks of hard bread. The meal was simple but hearty, the warmth of it easing the tension from Daniel's shoulders. Around them, soldiers chatted in low tones, some casting curious glances their way.
Varric tore off a piece of bread with his teeth, chewing thoughtfully. "You know, I could get used to this whole 'Herald of Andraste' thing if it means people keep feeding us."
Cassandra shot him a glare but didn't argue, too busy savoring her own meal. Solas, as usual, ate quietly, his gaze distant—as if he were listening to something beyond the mundane sounds of the camp.
As they finished eating, Daniel's attention was drawn to a cluster of buildings just beyond the camp's perimeter—an abandoned farmstead, its wooden fences broken, its fields overgrown. Something about it nagged at him.
"Let's check that out," he said, nodding toward the derelict property.
Cassandra frowned. "There could be dangers—"
"All the more reason to make sure it's clear," Daniel countered. "If there's anything useful there, we shouldn't leave it for looters—or worse."
With a resigned sigh, Cassandra stood, brushing crumbs from her armor. Varric and Solas followed suit, the four of them making their way toward the crumbling homestead.
The farmstead had clearly been deserted in a hurry. Overturned barrels, scattered tools, and the remnants of a half-packed cart littered the yard. The front door of the main house hung ajar, creaking softly in the breeze.
Daniel stepped inside, the floorboards groaning under his weight. Dust motes swirled in the dim light filtering through broken shutters. A table lay overturned, its contents spilled across the floor—utensils, a shattered clay jug, and, most notably, a folded piece of parchment.
He picked it up, brushing off the dust. The moment his fingers made contact, his interface flickered.
[50 EXP Gained - Letter Discovered]
Unfolding it, he read aloud:
"Endrin,
They're telling everyone to leave until the Mages and Templars stop burning everything down. I saw the way the merchants were looking, though. If we just flee, they'll pick our houses clean. I'm taking our little project to the cave in the hills up north. You know the one. It'll be safe there until this all blows over.
Hessle"
Daniel's brow furrowed. "The cave mentioned here—that's the same location Dennet's wife, Elaina, said the wolves have been gathering."
Varric let out a low whistle. "Well, that's not suspicious at all."
Cassandra crossed her arms. "You think this 'little project' has something to do with the wolves' aggression?"
Solas, who had been examining the room with quiet intensity, finally spoke. "It is possible. If these people were hiding something—something that could alter the behavior of animals..."
Daniel pocketed the letter. "Only one way to find out."
Varric groaned. "Of course. Because nothing says 'fun afternoon' like poking around a cave full of angry wolves and Maker-knows-what-else."
Cassandra shot him a look. "If you're afraid, you can stay here."
Varric held up his hands in mock surrender. "Oh no, Seeker. Where else would I get material for my next book?"
Daniel smirked but didn't linger on the banter. His mind was already turning over the possibilities. Whatever was in that cave, it was tied to the wolves—and possibly to the unrest spreading through the Hinterlands.
"Let's head back to camp first," he decided. "We'll gather supplies, then decide what will we do next. If there's something there causing trouble, we'll deal with it."
Daniel rolled up the letter and tucked it securely into his belt pouch, the parchment crackling faintly as he did so. The afternoon sun had begun its slow descent, casting long shadows across the camp, but there was still enough daylight left to be useful. He turned to his companions, their faces expectant in the golden light.
"Let's finish surveying the last two watchtower locations today," he suggested, unfolding the map across a nearby crate. The parchment was worn at the edges, marked with ink and charcoal notes from their earlier scouting. He pointed to two spots—one near a broken bridge, the other close to the ruins of Fort Connor. "If we move now, we can cover both before nightfall. The first is on this hill near the broken bridge, and the second is here, overlooking the approach to Fort Connor."
Cassandra leaned in, studying the map with a critical eye. "Both positions are defensible. The bridge site would give us control over river crossings, and the Fort Connor location would serve as an early warning if any forces move in from the east."
Varric stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Sounds like a plan. Though I gotta say, I'm not looking forward to more horseback riding. My backside's still sore from this morning."
Solas, ever composed, merely arched a brow. "Perhaps next time, Master Tethras, you might consider walking."
Varric shot him a withering look. "Oh sure, let's all laugh at the dwarf who can't reach the stirrups properly."
Daniel chuckled but quickly refocused. "We'll leave the soldiers here—it'll be faster with just the four of us on horseback. No splitting up, though. We stick together." The last thing they needed was another incident like the one with the rift near Dennet's farm.
Cassandra nodded in agreement. "And tomorrow, we investigate the cave. If this 'little project' of Hessle's is what's agitating the wolves, we'll deal with it then."
With the plan settled, they made quick preparations—refilling waterskins, checking weapons, and ensuring their mounts were ready for another ride. Max stamped his hooves impatiently, as if eager to be moving again. Daniel patted the stallion's neck before swinging himself into the saddle.
"Alright," he said, gathering the reins. "Let's move out."
The ride to the first location took them along a winding path through the hills, the terrain growing rockier as they neared the broken bridge. The structure itself was a relic of better times—once a sturdy crossing, now reduced to crumbling stone pillars and splintered wooden beams jutting out over the rushing river below.
Daniel dismounted, leading Max to a patch of grass where the horse could graze while they surveyed the area. The hill overlooking the bridge was steep but manageable, its crest offering an unobstructed view of the valley and the ruined crossing.
Varric whistled low as he took in the sight. "Well, this place has seen better days. You really think we can build a watchtower here?"
Cassandra was already walking the perimeter, her boots crunching on loose gravel. "The foundation is solid. We'd need to clear some of the rubble, but the position is ideal—anyone trying to cross would be visible for miles."
Solas knelt near the edge of the hill, his fingers brushing the earth. "The Veil is... thin here as well. Not as much as near the tree, but enough that demons might be drawn to it."
Daniel frowned. "That could be a problem. We'll need to station templars or mages here to keep an eye on it."
After marking the site on their map and taking notes, they remounted and set off toward the second location. The sun had begun to dip lower, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple.
The second site was farther east, perched on a hill that overlooked the skeletal remains of Fort Connor. The fortress had been gutted by fire, its walls blackened and crumbling, but the hill itself was untouched—a perfect vantage point.
As they crested the rise, Daniel felt a prickle of unease. The air here was still, too still, as if the land itself was holding its breath. Even the birds had gone silent.
Varric shifted in his saddle, his hand drifting toward Bianca. "You guys feel that? Or is it just me?"
Cassandra's grip tightened on her reins. "Something's wrong."
Solas's eyes narrowed. "There's magic here. Recent."
Before Daniel could respond, a guttural growl echoed from the tree line. Then another. And another.
Wolves.
But these were no ordinary beasts. Their eyes glowed an unnatural green. Saliva dripped from their bared fangs, their bodies twitching with erratic, almost feverish energy.
Daniel cursed under his breath. "This isn't just aggression. They're sick. Or cursed."
The largest of the pack, a massive alpha with a mangled ear, lunged first.
The fight was brutal. The wolves moved faster than they should have, their movements jerky and unpredictable. Cassandra's shield barely deflected a snapping jaw in time, while Varric's bolts found their marks—but the beasts didn't go down easily. Solas wove barriers and frost spells, his magic slowing their advance, but even then, it was a close thing.
When the last wolf finally fell, its body collapsing in a heap of twitching limbs, Daniel wiped sweat from his brow. "What in the Void was wrong with them?"
[75 EXP Gained - Slays 3 Wolves]
Solas crouched beside one of the corpses, his fingers hovering over its matted fur. "This is no natural sickness. They've been exposed to something... corrupting."
Varric grimaced. "Hessle's 'little project,' maybe?"
Daniel exhaled sharply. "We'll find out tomorrow. But for now, let's mark this site and get back to camp. I don't want to be out here after dark with whatever the hell that was."
As they rode back, the weight of what they'd seen settled over them. The wolves, the cave, the letter—it was all connected. And whatever awaited them in that cave, it wasn't going to be pleasant.
As they arrive at the camp that alive with torchlight when they returned, the soldiers on edge after reports of strange howls in the distance. Lieutenant Arens met them at the perimeter, his expression grim.
"You find what you were looking for?"
Daniel dismounted, his muscles aching. "More than we bargained for."
Arens didn't press for details, simply nodding toward the fire. "Get some rest. Whatever's out there, it can wait until morning."
As they settled in for the night, Daniel stared into the flames, his mind racing. The Hinterlands had thrown another mystery at them—one that made rhe wolves became more aggresive and not fear humans anymore.
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Name : Daniel Carter
Race: Elf
Level 5 : 1381/2500 EXP
Professions: Mage
Gold Coins: 1439 Coins
Weapon: Staff of the Dragon
Armor: Light Armor of the Dragon and Templar Scribe Scowl
Accessories: Lifeward Amulet 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, and Exacting Longbow
Crafting Materials: 34 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, 7 Canine Leather, 4 Plaidewaive, 2 Frost Essence, 1 Fade-Touched Iron, 4 Blood Lotus, 5 Embrium, 10 Spindleweed, 13 Onyx, and 3 Ironbarks
Upgrades: Sigil of the Gamordan Stromrider and Sigil of Deathroot
Valuables: 3 Aquamarine, Silver Bracelet, 2 Figurine of Maferath the Betrayer, 2 Shadow Essence,
Gurn Gallstone Charm, Braid of Rank, Glass Halla, 3 Silver Necklace, 1 Ram Horn, 1 Bride's Blood Vial, 2 Silk Handerchief, 1 Glass Fox, 1 Silver Earring, 1 Dreamer Rag, 1 Miniature Throne, 5 Weapon Fragment, 2 Bowstring, 3 Mysterious Shards, Nevarra Skull, 1 Simple Pendant, 2 Specialist Crest, 1 Fereldan Toy Soldier, and 1 Wisp Essence
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,
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