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With Taigen's notes secured and the logging stand claimed, Daniel turned back toward Haven. The sun was higher now, casting dappled light through the trees.
The return journey to Haven was uneventful, the morning sun now high enough to melt the thin layer of frost clinging to the grass. Daniel's pack was heavier with the weight of Taigen's notes, and his mind buzzed with possibilities. If these notes could give the Inquisition an edge—especially when facing the Breach's demons—then every step had been worth it.
He made his way straight to Adan's apothecary hut, the familiar scent of herbs and alchemical solutions greeting him before he even pushed open the door. Inside, the apothecary was hunched over a bubbling cauldron, his brow furrowed in concentration. At the sound of the door creaking, Adan glanced up, his sharp eyes narrowing before recognition smoothed his features.
"You're back," Adan said, straightening. "And in one piece. Color me surprised."
Daniel smirked, reaching into his pack. "I aim to please." He pulled out the carefully preserved stack of notes and held them out. "You told me before that Master Taigen was working on something special before he died at the Conclave. If it helps, I found his notes."
Adan's hands, usually so steady, twitched slightly as he took the papers. For a moment, he just stared at them, as if unsure whether to believe they were real. Then, with a sharp inhale, he flipped through the pages, his eyes darting across the cramped, precise handwriting.
Daniel watched as the apothecary's expression shifted—first disbelief, then dawning comprehension, and finally, a slow, triumphant grin.
"Ha!" Adan barked, slapping the notes down on his worktable. "The old cogger was on the edge of a breakthrough here, but he couldn't see it." He shook his head, chuckling. "All this time, he was trying to stabilize lyrium's volatility by diluting it with distilled elfroot essence, but he missed the key step—infusing them simultaneously under controlled heat."*
Daniel blinked. "That… sounds important?"
Adan shot him a look that was equal parts exasperation and amusement. "It means we can make lyrium potions that don't risk turning the drinker's insides to ash. Which, in case you were wondering, is very important."
He grabbed a scrap of parchment and began scribbling furiously. After a moment, he thrust it at Daniel. "Here. Recipe's simple enough—elfroot, prepared exactly as written. But don't go thinking you can whip these up in the field. One misstep, and you'll be drinking liquid fire."
The interface flickered to life as Daniel took the parchment:
[New Recipe: Lyrium Potion]
[Instantly restores a moderate amount of mana.]
[Ingredients: 1 Elfroot]
Daniel studied the recipe, then looked back at Adan. "I'll take five of these, if you can make them."
Adan snorted. "Of course you will. Everyone wants the good stuff." But there was no real annoyance in his tone as he turned to his shelves, pulling down jars of carefully labeled ingredients. "Give me an hour. And don't hover—you'll make me nervous."
Daniel chuckled but obligingly stepped back, leaning against the wall as Adan set to work. The apothecary moved with practiced efficiency, grinding dried elfroot into a fine powder before measuring out minuscule amounts of lyrium dust from a locked chest. The process was mesmerizing in its precision—every motion deliberate, every ingredient weighed to the grain.
As he worked, Adan muttered under his breath, half to himself and half to Daniel. "Taigen was a stubborn old bastard, but he knew his craft. If he'd had another month, maybe two…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "Well. At least his work won't go to waste now."
Daniel watched in silence, content to let the man focus. Outside, the sounds of Haven's daily life filtered through the walls—the clang of the blacksmith's hammer, the distant shouts of soldiers drilling, the occasional burst of laughter from the tavern. It was strange, he thought, how normal it all felt. As if the world weren't teetering on the edge of annihilation.
Finally, Adan straightened, wiping his hands on his stained apron. Five small vials sat on the table, each filled with a faintly glowing blue liquid. He corked them one by one, then slid them across to Daniel.
"There. Lyrium potions, as promised." He fixed Daniel with a stern look. "Don't guzzle them all at once. Even stabilized, lyrium's not something to take lightly."
Daniel nodded, tucking the vials carefully into his belt pouch. "I'll keep that in mind."
Adan grunted, already turning back to his worktable. "Good. Now get out of my hut. I've got real work to do."
Daniel grinned. "Thanks, Adan."
The apothecary waved a hand dismissively, but Daniel didn't miss the slight upward twitch of his lips as he leave.
Daniel paused at the door of Adan's hut, his hand resting on the rough wood. A thought had struck him—one that could make a real difference for their soldiers. He turned back to see the apothecary already elbow-deep in another experiment, muttering to himself as he measured out ingredients.
"Adan," Daniel said, cutting through the man's concentration.
The apothecary glanced up, eyebrows raised. "What now? Change your mind about the potions?"
"No," Daniel said. "I want you to supply these lyrium potions to the Inquisition soldiers. Not just me—everyone who needs them."
Adan blinked, then let out a short laugh. "Of course. No problem. Just tell Threnn to send me the materials, and I'll brew as many as I can." He wiped his hands on his apron, giving Daniel an appraising look. "Didn't take you for the selfless type, Herald."
Daniel smirked. "Don't let it get around. Ruins my reputation."
Adan snorted and waved him off, already turning back to his work. "Get out of here before I reconsider."
Then Daniel leave and follow the path to the supply camp that was bustling with activity. Soldiers hauled crates, scouts delivered reports, and Chantry sisters moved between the wounded with quiet efficiency. The requisitions table stood near the Chantry steps, a sturdy wooden surface piled high with scrolls, ledgers, and samples of ore, herbs, and other materials. Threnn, the no-nonsense quartermaster, was in her usual spot—barking orders at a pair of recruits who scrambled to organize a shipment of supplies.
Daniel approached, waiting until she dismissed the recruits with a sharp gesture before speaking.
"Threnn."
She turned, her sharp eyes scanning him up and down. "Herald. Here to finally submit those requisitions, or just admiring the view?"
Daniel chuckled, reaching into his pack. "Both, if I'm being honest." He pulled out the logging stand report and the small pouch of iron he'd gathered, setting them on the table. "Inquisition Weapons—one logging stand and five iron, as requested."
Threnn picked up the report, scanning it with a critical eye before nodding in approval. "About time. Harritt's been grumbling about shortages for days." She made a note in her ledger, then glanced up. "Anything else? Or are you just here to brighten my day?"
"Actually," Daniel said, leaning against the table, *"Adan's got a new potion recipe—lyrium-infused, but stable. He's willing to supply them to our troops, but he'll need materials that is bunch of Elfroot and Lyrium."*
Threnn's eyebrows shot up. "Stable lyrium potions? That's… impressive. And dangerous." She tapped her quill against the ledger, thinking. "I'll see what we can spare. For the Elfroot we can get many as that thing were easy to find. But lyrium's not exactly easy to come by these days, but if it gives our people an edge…" She trailed off, then fixed Daniel with a look. "You sure about this? Templars won't be happy if they catch wind of it."
Daniel met her gaze evenly. "We're not exactly swimming in templar support as it is."
Threnn barked a laugh. "Fair point." She scribbled another note. "Consider it done. Though you might want to warn Adan to keep this quiet. Last thing we need is the Chantry accusing us of smuggling lyrium."
"I'll let him know," Daniel said, pushing off the table. "Thanks, Threnn."
She waved a hand dismissively. "Don't thank me yet. Wait until you see the next list of requisitions."
As Daniel walked away from the supply camp, the reality of what he'd just set in motion settled over him. Lyrium potions for the Inquisition's forces—a small thing, perhaps, but one that could save lives. The thought was satisfying, but it came with a twinge of unease.
"You're making decisions now," he murmured to himself. "Real ones."
The sun was beginning its descent, casting long shadows across Haven. Soon, they would leave for the Hinterlands—into the chaos of warring mages and templars, rifts, and Maker knew what else. But for the first time, Daniel felt less like an outsider stumbling through a game and more like… well, a leader.
He glanced at the Breach, its eerie glow a constant reminder of the stakes.
"No pressure," he muttered wryly.
The sound of approaching footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. Cassandra strode toward him, her armor gleaming in the fading light.
The fading sunlight cast long shadows across Haven as Cassandra approached, her boots crunching softly on the gravel path. Her dark eyes were sharp, focused—already fixed on the mission ahead.
"Herald," she said, stopping before him. "Here you are."
Daniel turned to face her fully, crossing his arms against the evening chill. "Cassandra. Everything set for tomorrow?"
She nodded, her expression unreadable but for the slight tightening of her jaw—a tell he'd come to recognize as her version of reluctant satisfaction. "We can depart at first light. Leliana has received word from her agents—our soldiers have secured the forward camp, and her scouts have been clearing the area of rogue templars and mages." A pause, then, grudgingly, "Slowly, but effectively."
Daniel exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Good. That'll make things easier."
Cassandra studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "You seem… troubled."
It wasn't a question.
Daniel hesitated, then gestured vaguely toward the supply camp behind him. "Just thinking. About the potions, the supplies—what happens if we're not enough."
Cassandra's gaze didn't waver. "Then we die trying."
A beat of silence. Then Daniel snorted. "Well. That's comforting."
"It was not meant to be." She turned slightly, her eyes following the path toward the gates. "But it is the truth. The Breach will not close itself. The people will not save themselves. If we do not act, no one will."
Daniel sighed. "Yeah. I know."
Cassandra's posture softened, just slightly. "You are not alone in this, Herald. Whatever comes, we face it together."
It was the closest thing to reassurance he'd ever heard from her.
"Thanks," he said, and meant it.
She nodded once, then turned on her heel. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we ride."
---
The tavern was still lively when Daniel passed it on his way back to his cabin, the sounds of laughter and clinking tankards spilling into the cold night air. For a moment, he considered stopping in—one last drink before the chaos of the Hinterlands—but the weight of the day settled heavily on his shoulders, and the thought of solitude was suddenly more appealing.
His cabin was quiet, the fire already banked for the night. He dropped his pack by the door and sank onto the narrow cot, rubbing his face with both hands.
"Lyrium potions. Logging stands. Requisitions." He muttered the words like a litany, as if saying them aloud would make them feel more real.
But they were real. That was the terrifying part.
Every decision he made, every order he gave—it mattered. Not in the abstract way of a game, where consequences could be reloaded or ignored, but in the lives of people who had no such luxury.
He lay back, staring at the ceiling.
Tomorrow, the Hinterlands. Tomorrow, the first real test of whether this Inquisition—whether he—could actually make a difference. The thought should have terrified him. Instead, for the first time since waking up in this world, it felt like he has purpose in this world.
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Name : Daniel Carter
Race: Elf
Level 2 : 321/1250 EXP
Professions: Mage
Gold Coins: 742 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, and Apprentice Armor
Crafting Materials: 22 Elfroot, 32 Iron, 2 Blue Vitriol, and 1 Dawn Lotus
Valuables: Aquamarine, Silver Bracelet, Figurine of Maferath the Betrayer, 2 Shadow Essence,
Gurn Gallstone Charm, Braid of Rank, and Glass Halla
Potions: Lesser Health Potions x8, Lesser Regeneration Potions x5, and x5 Lyrium Potion
Skills: Chain Lighting, Flashfire, Barrier,
Armor Schematics: Shokra-taar Schematic, Antaam-saar Schematic, Avvar Armor Schematics Acquired, Stone-Bear Armor Schematics, Vanguard Coat Schematic,
Weapon Schematics: Curved Dagger Schematic
Potion Recipe: Lesser Regeneration Potion recipe and Lyrium Potion Recipe