The Acerbic Dowager is one of your vassals. After she lost her husband and lands to rebellion your mother gave her a place under your roof. She is blunt, but intricately connected to the noble houses of Orlais.
One evening, she presents a young, dark-haired man in road-worn clothes. "Your Grace, I would like to introduce the son of a dear correspondent of mine. He has travelled far, and has further to go. I hope, for my sake, you'll grant him a night's hospitality. This is Carver Hawke, brother to the - let's say 'infamous', shall we? - the 'infamous' Hawke of Kirkwall."
You note the flicker of irritation on the man's face as he bows.
The Elegant Abbess
The Elegant Abbess commands Serault Abbey and its extensive vineyards.
She dips into a fluid curtsy, giving you a secret smile. Beside her stands a black-haired young man. His face is drawn with pain. "Your Grace. This man arrived, wounded, at the abbey. Upon his recovery he made a bold claim as to his identity. I thought it best to bring him here."
The man bows, stiffly. "Carver Hawke, your Grace. Brother to a rather more famous Hawke: the Champion of Kirkwall, who - among their countless achievements - has turned our name into a sign that reads 'come and get me' to half the killers in Thedas."
How will you answer?
The Wayward Bard
The Wayward Bard comes and goes as he pleases, but he's the only bard you've got. And he does bring you the most delightful secrets...
Today, he is moderately sober. "Present for you," he chirps, his arm around the shoulders of an uncertain, black-haired young man. "Found him in a tavern. If he's who he says he is, he might be useful. And if he isn't... well, he might be even more useful." He grins.
His companion bows. "Carver Hawke, your Grace. Brother to the other Hawke. You know the one. Champion of Kirkwall. Slayer of Qunari. Pain in my Arse. At your service."
How will you answer?
Available Actions[]
1.
"Dowager, step back. That's not Carver Hawke." / "You've been tricked, Abbess. Carver Hawke died at Lothering." / "Call yourself a Bard? Carver Hawke died at Lothering." Carver Hawke died at Lothering. This is an imposter. Probably a confidence trickster; possibly a spy. / This man is an imposter, no doubt intending to trick Serault out of wealth or secrets. / You paid close attention to the events at Kirkwall. [Seize him]
Result: Well-informed You paid close attention to Hawke's escapades in Kirkwall. Change comes like an angry wind, and those who watched Kirkwall could see which way it would blow. When the Mage-Templar war began, it did not come as a surprise. The Dowager is shocked. 'Carver' panics. "Your Grace, wait! I can be of use!" He cries. Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Acerbic Dowager, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): The trickster You paid close attention to Hawke's escapades in Kirkwall. Change comes like an angry wind, and those who watched Kirkwall could see which way it would blow. When the Mage-Templar war began, it did not come as a surprise. The Abbess steps neatly away as your guards close in. 'Carver' panics. "Your Grace, wait! I can be of use!" He cries. Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Elegant Abbess, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): Sources of your own Your Bard blinks. "Did he? You're very well informed. You haven't been hiring better spies than me, have you? I shall be offended." His hand on 'Carver's' shoulder produces a knife. He presses it to the imposter's throat. "Well then, what we have here is a confidence trickster who's scammed his way across half the estates in Orlais. Do you think he's picked up anything useful on his travels?" Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Wayward Bard, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
"Greetings, Templar." Mail bulks the frame beneath his cloak. A sunburst brooch winks at his collar. He joined the order at Kirkwall, you've heard, just before the war began. / His cloak is faded with travel, but you can just make out the Chantry sunburst worked onto the shoulder. You've heard he joined the order at Kirkwall, just before the carnage. / His tabard is marked with road-dust and wine-stains, but you can still make out the chantry sunburst. [Greet him]
Result: A favor He bows, deeply. "I'm just passing through, Your Grace. I assure you I've no intention of involving you in the troubles of Circle and Chantry. I just want something to eat, a night's sleep, and no trouble. I'm even prepared - through gritted teeth - to answer questions about my sibling." Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Acerbic Dowager, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): A favor He bows, deeply. "I'm just passing through, Your Grace. I assure you I've no intention of involving you in my problems. I just want something to eat, a night's sleep, and no trouble. I'm even prepared - through gritted teeth - to answer questions about my sibling." Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Elegant Abbess, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): A favor He bows, deeply. "I'm just passing through, Your Grace. I assure you I've no intention of involving you in the troubles of Circle and Chantry. I just want something to eat, a night's sleep, and no trouble. I'm even prepared - through gritted teeth - to answer questions about my sibling." Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Wayward Bard, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
"Greetings, Warden." His cloak is grey. His sword is notched. His eyes are hard, like winter soil. What is it about Grey Wardens? Even the merriest of them are melancholy. / He wears the grey cloak and grim look of all Grey Wardens. / A shabby grey cloak. His sword-hilt, worn with use. That distance behind the eyes that all Grey Wardens get after their Joining. [Greet him]
Result: The traveller "An honor, your Grace," he says. "Don't worry, I'm not here recruiting. I've business elsewhere, but I could do with a roof over my head and a warm meal for once. I can pay for my board with news of the places I've passed through, or - reluctantly - with tales about the antics of my sibling, who has more fame than I do, though less sense." Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Acerbic Dowager, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): The traveller "An honor, your Grace," he says. "Don't worry, I'm not here recruiting. I've business elsewhere, but I could do with a roof over my head and a warm meal for once. I can pay for my board with news of the places I've passed through, or - reluctantly - with tales about the antics of my sibling, who has more fame than I do, though less sense." Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Elegant Abbess, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): The traveller "An honor, your Grace," he says. "Don't worry, I'm not here recruiting. I've business elsewhere, but I could do with a roof over my head and a warm meal for once. I can pay for my board with news of the places I've passed through, or - reluctantly - with tales about the antics of my sibling, who has more fame than I do, though less sense." Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Wayward Bard, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
"No, Dowager, it's not. Carver Hawke died on the Deep Roads." / "You're a liar, sir. Carver Hawke died on the Deep Roads." / "You're no such thing. Carver died on the Deep Roads." He contracted the Taint, and his own sibling had to slay him. The trickster who stole his name should have done more research. / The Taint took him. His own sibling had to kill him, you've heard. Better that than darkspawn. / He contracted the Taint. It was death or a darkspawn. [Seize him]
Result: Well-informed You paid close attention to Hawke's escapades in Kirkwall. Change comes like an angry wind, and those who watched Kirkwall could see which way it would blow. When the Mage-Templar war began, it did not come as a surprise. The Dowager is shocked. 'Carver' panics. "Your Grace, wait! I can be of use!" He cries. Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Acerbic Dowager, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): Well-informed You paid close attention to Hawke's escapades in Kirkwall. Change comes like an angry wind, and those who watched Kirkwall could see which way it would blow. When the Mage-Templar war began, it did not come as a surprise. The Abbess steps neatly away as your guards close in. 'Carver' panics. "Your Grace, wait! I can be of use!" He cries. Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Elegant Abbess, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
Result (alternate): Sources of your own Your Bard scratches his head. "You know, I do recall hearing something to that effect. Oh, well." He gestures to the guards, who seize the struggling imposter. "Well, we may not have a Hawke, but we do have a confidence man who's wormed his way across Orlais. If I were you, I'd squeeze him until all his nasty little secrets come out." Will you make him welcome, or turn him away?
Reward: +1 Favor with The Wayward Bard, Will you welcome your visitor, or send him away?
