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The lieutenant grinned, patting the hilt of his sword. "Exactly what I was thinking, mage." And with that, they began their ascent—one careful step at a time.
The climb proved more arduous than any of them had anticipated. The narrow path wound its way up the hillside like a reluctant serpent, twisting around jagged outcrops and crumbling sections where loose stones skittered beneath their boots. By the time they reached the summit, even Cassandra's disciplined breathing had grown labored, and Varric had long since stopped making jokes about dwarven endurance.
Then the trees parted, revealing a breathtaking vista that made the struggle worthwhile.
"Luthias Lake," the lieutenant announced with evident pride, gesturing toward the shimmering expanse of water below them. The late afternoon sun painted the surface in hues of molten gold, its light dancing across gentle waves stirred by the mountain winds. "Named after some old Fereldan hero, if the locals are to be believed."
Daniel wiped sweat from his brow as he took in their new vantage point. The ridge formed a natural crescent around the lake's northern shore, its stony shoulders providing both shelter and an unparalleled view of the valley below. To the west, the winding road where rogue templars lurked stretched like a pale scar across the landscape. To the east, the dense canopy of Witchwood formed an ominous dark smudge against the horizon.
"This will do," Daniel said, nodding to Cassandra and the lieutenant. "Start setting up the outpost. We'll need watch rotations established by nightfall."
As the soldiers sprang into action—unloading supplies, erecting tents, and building a perimeter—Daniel's attention was drawn to the lake's edge. His perception skills, honed through countless hours of survival in these wilds, prickled with awareness. There, nestled among the reeds where the water met the shore, grew clusters of vibrant crimson flowers with petals like spilled blood.
[Blood Lotus Discovered: Tier 1 Common Herb]
[4 Blood Lotus Added to Inventory]
He knelt carefully, his fingers deft as he harvested the plants. The stems released a faint, coppery scent when broken—fitting, given their name. These would make excellent poultices for their healers, or perhaps potent additives for Solas's potions. As he worked, the water lapped gently at the toes of his boots, its rhythmic murmur almost soothing after the day's trials.
It was then that his boot dislodged a flat stone near the waterline, revealing something unexpected beneath. Daniel brushed away the damp earth to uncover a leather-wrapped bundle, its edges frayed with age. Unfolding it revealed a map—crudely drawn but remarkably preserved, its ink barely faded despite what must have been years exposed to the elements.
"Varric," Daniel called, holding up his find. "You're the expert on shady dealings. Tell me what you make of this."
The dwarf ambled over, his curiosity evident. Bianca remained slung across his back as he examined the map with a practiced eye. "Well, well. Either someone dropped their picnic plans, or we've stumbled onto something interesting." He traced a finger along the inked lines. "That's definitely a waterfall marked here. And this squiggle next to it... could be a bridge? Hard to say with this artistry."
Solas joined them, his keen eyes scanning the parchment. "The style suggests it was drawn by someone familiar with these lands, but not formally trained. A hunter, perhaps. Or a smuggler." His finger hovered over a peculiar symbol near the waterfall's depiction—a crude crown with three points. "This marking is unusual. In some Dalish traditions, it represents—"
"Treasure," Varric interrupted with a grin. "Let's call it what it is. That's a treasure map if I've ever seen one."
Daniel turned the parchment over, finding nothing but water stains on the reverse. "The question is, which waterfall? There must be dozens in the Hinterlands."
"True," Varric conceded. "But not many with notable bridges nearby. That narrows it down." He scratched his chin. "There's the one near Redcliffe, but that's too obvious. And the falls by the old mine have that rickety wooden thing..." His eyes lit up. "Wait. You remember that stone bridge we passed yesterday? The one with the broken middle section? There was a waterfall upstream."
Cassandra, who had approached unnoticed, made a disapproving sound in her throat. "We are not chasing children's fairy tales when there is work to be done."
"Ah, Seeker," Varric said, wagging a finger. "Some of history's greatest discoveries started as 'children's fairy tales.' Besides, what if it's a cache of lyrium? Or weapons? Could be exactly what we need."
Daniel studied the map again, then glanced at the descending sun. "We'll keep it in mind. For now, let's focus on securing this position." He carefully rolled the map and tucked it into his belt pouch. "But once the outpost is stable... well, it wouldn't hurt to investigate."
Varric clapped his hands. "That's the spirit! Adventure, intrigue, possible riches—what more could you ask for?"
"Hot food and a night's sleep," Cassandra muttered, turning back to oversee the camp's construction.
As the others dispersed, Daniel remained by the lakeshore a moment longer. The water's surface had stilled, now reflecting the first stars appearing in the twilight sky. Somewhere out there, hidden in these war-torn hills, was a secret waiting to be uncovered. Whether it was treasure or merely another remnant of the chaos gripping the land, he couldn't say. But the Hinterlands had taught him one thing—nothing was ever as simple as it seemed.
The scent of cooking fires began to drift from the newly established camp, pulling him from his thoughts. There would be time enough for mysteries tomorrow. Tonight, they had an outpost to fortify and watches to organize.
The morning sun had barely crested the horizon when Daniel found himself drawn back to the lakeshore, the crisp air carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. As he walked the perimeter of their newly established outpost, his perception skills tingled at the edges of his consciousness, guiding him toward a patch of sunlight-dappled earth near a cluster of boulders. There, nestled among the roots of an ancient oak, grew delicate flowers with petals like molten copper—their centers glowing faintly even in daylight.
[Embrium Discovered: Tier 2 Common Herb]
[4 Embrium Added to Inventory]
He harvested them carefully, mindful of their fragile stems. Unlike the Blood Lotus from yesterday, these emitted a warm, spicy aroma that clung to his fingers—Solas would undoubtedly find some arcane use for them. As he straightened, something caught his eye further along the shoreline: an unnatural glint atop one of the weathered stone pillars that jutted from the water like broken teeth.
Curiosity piqued, Daniel waded through the shallow water, his boots sinking slightly into the silty lakebed. The object resolved into a human skull—but unlike any he'd seen before. Its hollow eye sockets pulsed with an eerie blue light, and strange markings had been carved into its forehead and jawbone. The skull sat perfectly balanced on the pillar's flat top, as though placed there with deliberate care.
"Maker's breath," came Cassandra's voice behind him. She and the others had followed, drawn by his investigation. "Who would place a skull out here?"
Solas stepped forward, his staff clicking against the stone. "An Ocularum," he said, his voice carrying that particular tone he used when explaining something ancient and mysterious. "They are... devices of a sort. Capable of locating shards scattered throughout the world."
Varric made a face. "You mean to tell me that glowing skull is some kind of magic compass?"
"In a manner of speaking," Solas replied. He circled the pillar, studying the skull with academic interest. "When it can no longer detect any shards in the vicinity, the glow will cease."
Daniel frowned. "How do you know about this?"
Solas's expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—that distant look he got when speaking of the Fade. "I encountered knowledge of them in my dreams. The Fade holds echoes of many forgotten things."
Varric snorted. "Right. Because that's not creepy at all."
Ignoring the dwarf, Solas gestured toward the skull. "You should try using it, Daniel. The experience is... illuminating."
With some reluctance, Daniel reached out. The moment his fingers brushed the skull's smooth surface, his vision exploded into blinding blue light. For a terrifying second, he felt untethered from his body—his consciousness soaring over the landscape like a bird in flight. Then, just as suddenly, his sight returned to normal, though now he could see four distinct points of light pulsing in the distance: one to the northeast near a rocky outcrop, another halfway up the hillside to the west, and two more clustered near what looked like an abandoned ruin south of the lake.
As the vision faded, the skull's glow dimmed considerably. Daniel staggered back a step, blinking spots from his eyes. "That was... intense."
Solas nodded knowingly. "The Ocularum has shown you what it can. The rest is up to you."
Cassandra looked between them, her arms crossed. "And what exactly are these shards? Why would anyone scatter them about?"
"That," Solas admitted, "I do not know. The magic behind them remains a mystery, even to one who has walked the Fade as I have."
Varric shuddered. "Yeah, no offense Chuckles, but I think I'll pass on sticking my face in any more creepy skulls. Last thing I need is demon cooties."
Daniel rubbed his temples, still feeling the aftereffects of the vision. The four glowing points burned in his memory like afterimages from staring at the sun. "We should investigate these shards. If they're powerful enough to be tracked by... whatever this is," he gestured at the now-dull Ocularum, "they could be dangerous in the wrong hands."
Cassandra sighed but didn't argue. "Very well. But we proceed with caution. And we finish securing the outpost first."
As they turned back toward camp, Daniel cast one last look at the skull. Its empty sockets seemed to watch them go, silent and knowing. The Hinterlands kept revealing its secrets piece by piece—first the treasure map, now these mysterious shards. He couldn't shake the feeling that these discoveries were connected somehow, threads in a larger tapestry they couldn't yet see.
The morning sun climbed higher, burning away the last traces of mist from the lake's surface. Somewhere out there, four glowing shards waited to be found. What they were, and why they'd been hidden, remained to be seen.
Daniel turned to the lieutenant, his voice low but firm. "Leave fifteen soldiers here to fortify the outpost. I want watch rotations maintained and defenses reinforced—this position is too valuable to lose."
The lieutenant nodded sharply. "Aye, Herald. I'll pick the best scouts and archers among them. They'll hold the ridge until we return."
Cassandra stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the camp. "Make sure they have enough supplies to last at least a fortnight. And signal fires ready—if templars or mages move in force, we need to know immediately."
Varric adjusted Bianca's strap on his back, eyeing the soldiers already at work. "Let's hope they don't get too bored up here. Nothing worse than a bunch of armed men with nothing to do but gossip."
Solas, ever observant, added quietly, "The location is defensible, but they should be wary of the caves along the eastern slope. If I were an enemy, that's where I'd strike from."
Daniel clapped the lieutenant on the shoulder. "You heard him. Post extra eyes on that side."
With orders given, the remaining Inquisition forces began packing up. Daniel took one last look at the shimmering expanse of Luthias Lake below, the skull's visions still fresh in his mind. Those shards were calling to him—another mystery in a land full of them.
"Alright," he said, hefting his staff. "Let's move out."
The path ahead wound down into the valley, toward whatever secrets the Hinterlands still hid.
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Name : Daniel Carter
Race: Elf
Level 4 : 295/1500 E
Professions: Mage
Gold Coins: 1359 Coins
Weapon: Staff of the Dragon
Armor: Light Armor of the Dragon and Templar Scribe Scowl
Accessories: Lifeward Amulet
Inventory: Acolyte Ice Staff, Morning Star, Stiletto, Hunting Longbow, Fire Resistance Cowl, Mercenary Coat, Acolyte Fire Staff, Disciple Lighting Staff, Sigil of the Gamordan Stromrider, Apprentice Armor, Qunari Battleaxe, Amulet of Magic, Raider Hatchet, Disciple Fire Staff, Amulet of Willpower, Apprentice Mail, Qunari Buckler, Medium Adventure Armor, and Mindleech Staff
Crafting Materials: 31 Elfroot, 50 Iron, 2 Blue Vitriol, 1 Dawn Lotus, 11 Silk, 6 Lambswool, 1 Royal Elfroot, 10 Ram Leather, 23 Drakestone, 3 Fire Essence, 3 Blue Vitriol, 3 Canine Leather, 4 Plaidewaive, 1 Frost Essence, 1 Fade-Touched Iron, 4 Blood Lotus, and 4 Embrium
Valuables: 3 Aquamarine, Silver Bracelet, 2 Figurine of Maferath the Betrayer, 2 Shadow Essence,
Gurn Gallstone Charm, Braid of Rank, Glass Halla, 1 Weapon Fragment, 2 Silver Necklace, 1 Ram Horn, 1 Bride's Blood Vial, 1 Silk Handerchief, 1 Glass Fox, 1 Silver Earring, 1 Dreamer Rag, 1 Miniature Throne and 1 Weapon Fragment
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