Welcome to KU!

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THE QUAD

Hey, kids. Welcome back (or welcome to!) university. KU kicks off its first summer session with a getting to know you mixer on the quad. The quad is a bustling, friendly place... or bustling at least, filled with students. The atmosphere would probably be friendlier if it weren't for the total lack of grass, or all those giant slave statues from days of old.

On the plus side they're good for sitting around? Or on if you're especially agile and not too intimidated by them. The university welcoming committee has provided a handful of activities on which students can generally make fools of themselves (a bouncy castle, a little karaoke stage under the pillars where sound won't be instantly swallowed up), and the Wounded Crust, which enjoys a lifelong contract with the school probably due to someone's incredibly shady past indiscretions, is providing refreshments. The occasion is alcohol free, and armed guards members of Student Council are patrolling the punch area for just that reason.

The quad remains open for everyday student life even during the mixer, so while some of the people around the quad are just relaxing, others are already preparing for the term by studying outside, or spending time with friends, or waiting for the ferries. Which are running late. Again. Much to the surprise of no one who isn't brand new.

THE AMELL ESTATE

Perhaps, being familiar with Hawke's canon and all, you are thinking 'ah yes my character shall now enjoy a lavish spread of amenities due to how swanky updated estate must be! A hot tub?? Many luxurious couches? A full bar perhaps featuring those little shots that look like they're made of colorful radiation and result in going from zero to yelling and naked in twenty seconds?'

Tragically, you would be wrong. The erstwhile Amell estate, now known by no particular title, is mostly excellent for parties because it's labyrinthine and expansive: two stories of what obviously was once one of those historically important, sprawling uniformly maroon family homes. Now it's mostly just uh, big.

...although okay there is a pretty impressive bar. Some things are important!! Said bar is located in the foyer slash large open living room at the very front of the house where guests enter, staffed generally by skilled persons who happen to owe Hawke a small favor or two, but anyone could probably take a turn as long as they don't break a bunch of bottles or do too many of those little shots. There's music coming from somewhere, although good luck finding a DJ or sound system. Maybe it's forbidden magics (...it isn't.) Everything from more straightforwardly 'you must dance or be judged by your peers' type numbers to the occasional tongue-in-cheek one hit wonder from ten years ago, so if your host is nothing else he's. Eclectic, to say the least.

The back yard is as sprawling and gently dishabille as the rest of the house, featuring, primarily, a swimming pool with gorgeous stone curves and tiny statues lining its top lip, a peaceful little shallow end delineated by graceful, shallow steps, and ...absolutely no water. If nothing else it's probably a great place to hide!

Upstairs isn't off limits by any means, a number of the bedrooms and bathrooms are open including the ubiquitous room where everyone tosses their coats, but a few are locked even to the highest caliber rogue. Unless you're Varric who's well known for being the roguest of rogues. And also happens to be in charge of the keys.

Lastly, like the aforementioned the kitchen is open for meandering through, but guests should be aware its most prominent feature is a horse-sized dog who really wants to love you.

Overall despite the lack of many luxurious couches the atmosphere is kind of drenched in hedonism without being overwhelming, and the maze-like nature of the house does mean as long as a person doesn't get lost there are plenty of small spaces for the more introverted amongst the guests. Somehow, no matter what time you arrive, the afterparty (as it were) appears to have been in full swing for hours. Possibly because Hawke and Varric have been pre-gaming (as it ...also were) since like 1 PM.

Enjoy, and try not to damage the infrastructure of the house too much. And if you're going to get laid at least clean up after yourselves.

OTHER

Other things you want to do! Hanged Man, student clubs, join frats, or study in the library if you're really boring. Whatever you want.