(no subject)

[circleprodigy]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Inessa Serra
RECIPIENT: Anyone (also there's a letter pinned to her office door effectively saying the same thing)
WHAT: A minor announcement
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Anchor survey available here.

This is Warden Serra. As of this month, I will be stepping down from my position as project leader for the Rifts and the Veil. I remain a project member and will make myself available for questions or assistance, as need be. It's my hope that another will replace me soon and continue the work that needs to be done.

To that end...if you are the new bearer of an anchor, please take the survey available at the project's office on the six floor of the central tower, room B. The more information I can make available to the new project lead, the better. If you have updates to share, those would be also be welcome.

Comments

[motherfucking_ghost]

Oh, shit, are you okay? You're not getting, uh, like, kicked out cuz of the whole...thing, are you?

[circleprodigy]

It hasn't been required of me, no. Thank you for the concern, Church, but I'm merely shifting focus and believe the project would be better guided as a result.

[motherfucking_ghost]

So long as you're still with us! You know more about this shit than probably anyone. Gonna be pre-tty invaluable to whoever steps up.

Out of...curiosity, do you think it would be frowned upon if a Rifter took up the mantle?

[circleprodigy]

It would create less upheaval than a rifter as a division head, I would imagine.

Are you interested?

[motherfucking_ghost]

I mean...I'd need time to think about it, you kinda dropped this suddenly. Let's just say it's not off the table, right now. People might want someone less, uh, me in charge of anything anyway.

[zombra]

That bad, huh?

[ Meaning "trying to figure out these rifts is so tough that you've got to quit for your mental health, right?" It makes sense in Tessa's head. ]

[circleprodigy]

[pause]

It's not quite that. I have reasons to shift my attention elsewhere, and I'm not so deluded to believe I can juggle the project as well...or arrogant to believe that another cannot manage what I leave behind.

[zombra]

Whoa. Diplomatic answer. And there's no, like, vice president of the project to take over?

[circleprodigy]

Serah Shivana has taken that role for some time, though it doesn't mean the Inquisition will select him as project leader now. This is assuming he even wants it, of course.

[zombra]

Oh! Okay, that's the guy, right?

[ The guy whose name she thought was Sarah, only pronounced weird. ]

So if my anchor changes, I should tell him? Not that it has. Just in case.

[crowncitizen]

Awww. Sorry to see you stepping down. Is everything okay?

[circleprodigy]

[Aw, Prompto. You're so sweet.]

Yes, it is but thank you for the concern. I'm just shifting focus somewhat and necessitates stepping down. No doubt we'll have a replacement soon enough.

[crowncitizen]

Oooh, gotcha. Gotta prioritize. What are you gonna be working on?

[circleprodigy]

Red lyrium and griffons; not together, of course, but they fold into my duties as a Grey Warden, and where I believe I ought to prioritize more of my time. Which isn't to say I won't continue to be part of our project, of course. I plan to remain, just not as project leader.

[crowncitizen]

Wow, three points of focus. That is a lot. I mean, I'd focus on the griffons, too. They're pretty cute. And red lyrium? Suuuuper bad.

[exascendee]

Hey, this is Daniel. Thanks for the book recommendations by the way, I enjoyed them. And uh, I'm pretty interested in the rifts myself - for obvious reasons. Was just wondering what sort of stuff you do in that project. Both as a member and a leader, really.

[ Yeah, he's looking for stuff to do and this seems pretty up his alley. ]

[circleprodigy]

Hello, Daniel. I'm glad you enjoyed the recommendations; if you ever want to discuss them at length, I'm open to that whenever we're in the library. [Book club?]

As for the project, it centers around a few key issues. Namely, learning how to permanently strength the Veil to prevent further tears, the nature of rifters and anchors...and how to prevent the anchors from harming or killing those who bear them. I won't lie; we cannot guarantee long-term safety for anyone bearing them. One native woman was unfortunate enough to have an anchor in her chest; we could not remove it without killing her, and she eventually succumbed to it. Most do not have theirs located in such a vital area, but it's overall presence is still of great concern.

As for the role of a project leader, I did what I could with it. I began the survey for the purposes of cataloging anchors and their evolution, as well as lead expeditions to Veil-thin areas. We learn what we can of them, and try to strengthen the Veil so as to prevent further rifts or disruptions.

We have also discovered an orb seemingly very similar to that which Corypheus used to create the Breach. It's currently inert, but I believe it holds great potential to understanding what we're dealing with.

[exascendee]

[ Thank god, people who want to discuss history books at length! He's missed these kinds of people when he moved from academia to a military base. ]

[ That's pretty bad news regarding the anchors though. He flexes his hand as he listens, looking down at the anchor. Daniel wouldn't be happy if he had to amputate his left arm. But then, he doesn't usually stay dead, does he? Presumably Oma can still reach him on this planet. As for everyone else, though... ]

So... what have you found out about the nature of rifters? [ He's got some theories and concerns based on his own experiences, of course. ]

[circleprodigy]

Well, I might have succeeded in convincing some natives that they are not demons. [Sigh. It's ridiculous she even has to do that, but such is the way of things.] Rifter discrimination is often based along such fears, given that all we can verity is that they stepped out of the Fade. The fact that your anchor is exactly the same as any native who has also gained them is encouraging toward that end; you're as affected as anyone else here.

What's more difficult to explain and reconcile is that some rifters do not last long in Thedas. We know they don't just leave the area because the nature of the anchor prevents it; if you wander too far and too long, the anchor will essentially cripple you with pain until you return to where most anchor-bearers are located; here, or Skyhold. What happens to them, we cannot verify and that is -bluntly put- rather frustrating.

[exascendee]

[ Daniel hums thoughtfully, considering that. But, yes, it would seem it's not particularly voluntary, in any case. ]

I suppose it could be any number of reasons. Some might have left and been prevented from returning, until they... succumbed to it. Others - well, if rifter discrimination is common, it's not unthinkable some might have been killed. A more optimistic possibility is that they were taken back to where they came from. [ Now, does that mean just the Fade, or.... ]

Don't suppose anyone has done any research on that? Records of who disappeared and when, investigations into their disappearances...?

[youwonscience]

Apologies in advance if I slip and call you 'boss' in the future. Glad you're still on the project, at least; we'd hate to lose you.

[She says 'we.']

No changes on my end, for the record. And I know I owe you at least one report, so I guess now I owe it to someone new.

[circleprodigy]

I quite understand. I can't believe such a position will be vacant for long, though in the meantime Myr should still be available.

[youwonscience]

We've got a good crew, we'll be OK.

You need help with anything? I mean, outside of work stuff. Whatever's got you stepping down.

[circleprodigy]

I'm planning to focus on my duties as Griffon Keeper and the red lyrium project. Your help with the latter is invaluable but any ideas for research regarding creatures long-thought extinct would doubtless be useful, as well.

[youwonscience]

[A quiet laugh.]

You got it. Hey, have you met Newt yet? Newish rifter, but he seems to have an interest in magical creatures, he might have some thoughts.