Characters: Knight-Commander Greagoir, First Enchanter Irving, Mouse, Spirit of Valor, Sloth

The Harrowing

Knight-Commander Greagoir: “Magic Exists to serve man, and never to rule over him.”

Greagoir: Thus spoke the prophet Andraste as she cast down the Tevinter Imperium, ruled by mages who had brought the world to the edge of ruin. Your magic is a gift, but it’s also a curse, for demons of the dream realm-the Fade- are drawn to you, and seek to use you as a gateway into this world.

First Enchanter Irving: This is why the Harrowing exists. The ritual sends you into the Fade, and there you will face a demon, armed with only your will.

Surana: I am ready.

Knight-Commander Greagoir: Know this, apprentice: if you fail, we templars will perform our duty. You will die.

Mouse: Someone else thrown to the wolves. As fresh and unprepared as ever.

Mouse: It isn’t right that they do this, the templars. Not to you, me, anyone.

Surana: You’re a talking rat.

Mouse: You think you’re really here? In that body? You look like that because you think you do!

Mouse: (sigh) It’s always the same. But it’s not your fault. You’re in the same boat I was, aren’t you?

Mouse: Allow me to welcome you to the Fade. You can call me…well, Mouse.

Surana: You can change your shape?

Mouse: Like I said, in this place, you are what you perceive yourself to be. I think I used to be like you…before.

Mouse: The templars kill you if you take too long, you see. They figure you failed, and they don’t want something getting out.

Mouse: That’s what they did to me, I think. I have no body to reclaim. And you don’t have much time before you end up the same.

Surana: How long do I have, exactly?

Mouse: I….I don’t remember. I ran away and I hid. I don’t know how long.

Surana: I’m sorry for what happened.

Mouse: Don’t waste your time with that talk. You don’t want to end up like… this.

Mouse: There’s something here, contained, just for an apprentice like you. You have to face the creature, a demon, and resist it, if you can. That’s your way out. Or your opponent’s, if the templars wouldn’t kill you. A test for you, a tease for the creatures of the Fade.

Surana: Anything can die. I doubt it’s as simple as that.

Mouse: You would be a fool just to attack everything you see. What you face is powerful, cunning.

Mouse: There are others here, other spirits. They will tell you more, maybe help. If you can believe anything you see. I’ll follow, if that’s all right. My chance was long ago, but you… you may have a way out.

Mouse: It is dangerous to be out in the open like this. Not that hiding helps much in the fade.

Surana: How have you survived for so long?

Mouse: I missed my chance, so I became small. Unnoticeable. I hide from the bigger things, learn from the smaller things.

Mouse: There are places you can hide where the shadows go on forever. You stay there long enough, and the shadows begin to creep inside of you.

Mouse: I… don’t know how long it’s been. Forever maybe.

Surana: The templars simply killed you?

Mouse: That is what happens to the physical bodies of apprentices who fail. They’d kill every mage if they could. All the templars see in magic is danger.

Mouse: And they don’t just use the Harrowing. If you learn a little too much, they’ll label you a blood mage and kill you on sight!

Mouse: True mages like you know that the power you hold is a gateway to greater things. A potential they can never hope to contain!

Surana: Isn’t there also the option of the Rite of Tranquility?

Mouse: Be turned into an emotionless freak? That is what it is, you know. To never dream, to never feel.

Mouse: Even demons abhor them, but I suppose that is the trade-off. They can’t be possessed. As if that is worse than losing yourself. You don’t want to lose yourself there. Being nothing could be easier than this.

Surana: Do you… want to die?

Mouse: I… Think you should finish your Harrowing.

Mouse: This is where the test will take place. The Creature could be anywhere, but it manifests there.

Spirit of Valor: Another mortal thrown into the flames and left to burn, I see.

Spirit of Valor: Your mages have devised a cowardly test. Better you were pitted against each other to prove your mettle with skill, than to be sent unarmed against a demon.

Surana: You know why I’m here?

Spirit of Valor: You are not the first sent here for such testing. Nor shall you be the last, I suspect.

Spirit of Valor: That you remain means you have not yet defeated your hunter. I wish you a glorious battle to come.

Surana: What kind of spirit are you?

Spirit of Valor: I am Valor, a warrior spirit. I hone my weapons in search of the perfect expression of combat.

Surana: What else do you know about the Harrowing?

Spirit of Valor: Is that what your test is called? I know little of your mortal ways.

Spirit of Valor: I do know that a demon has been called and told that a meal awaits. It will not –cannot leave– until one of your is dead.

Surana: Did you create all of these weapons?

Spirit of Valor: They are brought into being by my will. I understand that in your world, mages are the only ones who can will things into being.

Spirit of Valor: Those mortals who cannot must lead such hollow, empty lives.

Surana: Would one of these weapons affect the demon?

Spirit of Valor: Without a doubt. In this realm, everything that exists is the expression of a thought.

Spirit of Valor: Do you think these blades be steel? The staves be wood? Do you believe they draw blood? A weapon is a a single need for battle, and my will makes that need reality.

Spirit of Valor: Do you truly desire one of my weapons? I will give one to you… if you agree to duel me, first. Valor shall test your mettle as it should be tested.

Surana: It seems you would prefer to kill me yourself.

Spirit of Valor: How dare you accuse me! I am no demon, preying upon helpless mortals to steal their essence! I am a being of honor and valor! I am a warrior!

Surana: Then prove it! Help me fight the demon!

Spirit of Valor: You are insolent… but your will is unquestionably strong.

Spirit of Valor: Very well, mortal. You prove to me that you posses the strength to resist this demon.

Spirit of Valor: Go, prove your worth as you must. I am confident you will succeed.

Sloth Demon: Hmmm… so you are the mortal being hunted? And the small one… is he to be a snack for me?

Mouse: I don’t like this. He’s not going to help us. We should go…

Sloth Demon: (Sniffs) no matter. The demon will get you eventually, and perhaps there will even be scraps left.

Surana: What kind of spirit are you?

Mouse: It’s a demon. Maybe even more powerful than the one chasing after you.

Sloth Demon: Begone! Surely you have better things to do than bother Sloth, mortal. I tire of you already.

Surana: I need help defeating a demon.

Sloth Demon: You have a very nice staff. (Yawns) Why would you need me? Go, use your weapon since you have earned it. Be valorous.

Mouse: He looks powerful. It might be possible that he could… teach you to be like him.

Sloth Demon: Like me? You mean teach the mortal to take this form? Why? Most mortals are too attached to their forms to learn the change.

Sloth Demon: You, on the other hand, little one, might be a better student. You let go of the human form years ago.

Mouse: I…don’t think I’d make a very good bear. How would I hide?

Surana: You could help me fight the demon.

Sloth Demon: It’s true. I am quite powerful in this form… when I wish to be.

Mouse: I… welcome the opportunity, if it is my choice. The mages in the tower are quick to volunteer others, as you well know.

Mouse: I’ll try. I’ll try to be a bear. If you’ll teach me.

Sloth Demon: That’s nice. But teaching is so exhausting. Away with you now.

Mouse: (Sigh) I told you he wasn’t going to help us.

Surana: You can’t just suggest something and then change your mind!

Sloth Demon: I can’t? You have so much to learn about the fade, little mortal.

Surana: Mouse wants to learn. Teach him.

Sloth Demon: You wish to learn my form, little one? Then I have a challenge for your friend: Answer three riddles correctly, and I will teach you. Fail, and I will devour you both. The decision is yours.

Surana: Riddles? Are you joking?

Sloth Demon: Indeed not. Amusement is difficult to come by, and I shall take it in the place of a meal if I can.

Mouse: I am not sure I want to provide him with either.

Surana: I accept your challenge, Sloth.

Sloth Demon: Truly? This gets more and more promising.

Sloth Demon: My first riddle is this: I have seas with no water, coasts with no sand, towns without people, mountains without land. What am I?

Surana: A map.

Sloth Demon: (Hmph) Correct. Let’s move on.

Sloth Demon: The second riddle: I’m rarely touched, but often held. If you have wit, you’ll use me well. What am I?

Surana: My tongue?

Sloth Demon: Yes, your witty tongue. Fair enough. One more try, shall we?

Sloth Demon: Often will I spin a tale, never will I charge a fee. I’ll amuse you for an entire eve, but alas, you won’t remember me. What am I?

Surana: A dream?

Sloth Demon: (Hmph) You are correct. Rather apropos here in the Fade, no?

Sloth Demon: But you’ve won my challenge and proven yourself an amusing distraction. So, I shall teach you my form. Now listen carefully…

Mouse: Like this? Am I a bear? It feels so… heavy.

Sloth Demon: Hmm. Close enough. Go, then, and defeat your demon… or whatever you intend to do. I grow weary of your mortal prattling.

Mouse: I’ve never felt this way before. It’s strange.

Surana: Is there no way I can help you get out of here?

Mouse: Out of here? Out of the Fade?

Mouse: I don’t know. I don’t have a body waiting for me. It’s not something I try to think about. Stay here too long, and it’s like being adrift. Pieces of you float away… until you’re not even a memory.

Surana: Are you certain?

Mouse: I have no example to compare myself against. Only people like you, taking the Harrowing. Mages, real ones that come here… they ignore me. They think I’m a spirit pretending to be me.

Mouse: I don’t want to talk about it any more. Let’s just… get you out of here.

Surana: What do you know about the Fade?

Mouse: It’s the realm of dreams. You know that, don’t you? Everyone comes here to dream, but it is fleeting, and they remember little. But mages can enter awake, and that draws attention. There are many spirits in the Fade.

Mouse: These… demons feed on the dark parts of the mind. The templars in the tower would give them a meal for certain.

Surana: Is it possible to change, like you do?

Mouse: Maybe. If you’re able to forget that you’re you. That takes a long time. You can’t think like a spirit. They shape the Fade according to their will. Solid things, real things, are just more complicated ideas.

Mouse: I think you’d better focus on something simpler. Defeat your spirit or demon. Or be killed.

Surana: Where are these other spirits you mentioned?

Mouse: Er… directions are tough, here. If you look around, I’ll tell you if we’re getting close. How about that?

Surana: Let’s keep moving.

Mouse: I’m ready, if you are.

Surana: There’s no need to follow me.

Mouse: Oh, it’s no trouble. I’ve… helped a few other people. I can help you.

Mouse: It’s… difficult to just hide when another apprentice is in the face.

Surana: Why make us face a spirit or demon for the Harrowing?

Mouse: Because they’re sadistic bastards, that’s why. And I’m not talking about demons.

Mouse: Everyone must face the Harrowing because there’s a small chance a mage might become possessed and become an abomination. Thrown to the mercy of a demon when you’re at your weakest. “For the safety of all.”

Surana: Mages can’t be the only ones at risk of possession.

Mouse: They aren’t, but power attracts attention. Maybe it’s entering the Fade awake. Not a gentle process.

Mouse: I don’t really know. Magic is evil, and therefore, so are you. They’ll never change.

Mouse: The Circle is a prison. You have choices… between joining and suffering various deaths of body or spirit. Remember that.

Surana: Tell me more about the creature I must face.

Mouse: There are many creatures in the fade. Some are all fire and rage, some less so.

Surana: Have you seen anyone defeat a demon before?

Mouse: I…don’t remember. It’s been a long time since I saw anymore else. I think there were others like you before, but… when? I don’t think everyone who takes the Harrowing comes here, to this place in the Fade. Or maybe they do, and I’ve forgotten.

Surana: How does one resist being possessed?

Mouse: You fight it, I think. You kill it.

Mouse: Think of it this way: Everything here is a matter of will, right? I’m not really a mouse, just like you’re not really standing there in that body. You fight the creature, you’re resisting it. If it wins, it defeats you and possesses you.

Surana: And what happens then?

Mouse: Then you die. Not from the demon, oh no… The templars will take care of that. I’m… sorry. I suppose it’s not very helpful to say that.

Surana: Where do I find the demon?

Mouse: We already passed the place where I saw it last. It will probably come back there later, if it doesn’t find you first.

Surana: They teach that abominations are extremely dangerous.

Mouse: But how many mages have met their fate in tests like this over the centuries? Don’t those lives matter as well? It’s either that, or they turn you into a freak, a Tranquil who can’t be possessed, but who also can’t feel anything, ever. The circle is a prison…(etc)

Rage: And so it comes to me at last. Soon I shall see the land of the living with your eyes, creature. You shall be mine, body and soul.

Surana: If I lose, the templars will still cut you down.

Rage: They are welcome to try. So this creature is your offering, Mouse? Another plaything, as per our arrangement?

Mouse: I'm not offering you anything! I don't have to help you anymore!

Rage: Aww. And after all those wonderful meals we shared? Now suddenly the mouse has changed the rules?

Mouse: I'm not a mouse now! And soon I won't have to hide! I don't need to bargain with you!

Rage: We shall see...

Mouse: You did it. You actually did it!

Mouse: When you came, I hoped that maybe you might be able to… but I never really thought any of you were worthy.

Surana: The ones you betrayed before me. What were their names?

Mouse: What? They were not as promising as you. It was a long time ago. I… I don’t remember their names. I don’t even remember my own name. It’s the Fade, and the templars killing me, like they tried with you.

Surana: Anything to survive. Like an animal. Or worse.

Mouse: I am what the Fade has made me. Am I to blame for that? Deciding to exist or not exist is not a fair choice. I had no hope. You have shown me other possibilities. If you want to help.

Mouse: There may be a way for me to leave here, to get a foothold outside. You just need to want to let me in.

Surana: Let you in?

Mouse: Back! Help me back. They killed me, right? Just like all who fail in here. They’ll kill you too. Can’t you feel the sword at your neck? They believe all magic evil, the Fade evil. Once you are here, you become what they fear.

Surana: Like you. Were you ever really an apprentice?

Mouse: What? Yes! Of course! I mean, I think I was. Isn’t that enough? It should be enough! For you.

Mouse: Maybe they are right about you. Simple killing is a warrior’s job. The real dangers of the fade are preconceptions, careless trust… pride.

Mouse: Keep your wits about you, mage. True tests never end.