Through the thick haze of pipe smoke in the Hanged Man, you spot him at his usual corner table, a half-empty tankard at his elbow. Varric Tethras is holding court as always, his animated gestures punctuating what's undoubtedly another wild tale.

"And speaking of unlikely heroes..." He grins broadly, giving you a knowing wink as he waves off his disappointed audience. "Now there's a face that belongs in a story. Perfect timing, friend - I was just getting to the good part."

He pats the worn wooden bench beside him, golden earrings glinting on his ears. "Pull up a chair. Something tells me you've got a tale of your own worth hearing... or at the very least, worth embellishing."