05

[assistente]

FORM: sending crystal + a written and heavily edited version crossposted to the Compendium Books
SENDER: Seneschal Salvio Pizzicagnolo
RECIPIENT: anyone with a crystal and/or Compendium Book
WHAT: HEAR YE, HEAR YE, it's time for IC news.
WHEN: mid-Kingsway
WHERE: the Gallows but also anywhere there's crystal service
NOTES: ic news will be monthly! the mods have written up this whole thing for this month and have been posting IC news bulletins here all along, so feel free to do some backreading. and now, please dynamically threadjack each other's reactions in the comments and treat this like ye olde social media.

Hello. This is-- Salvio Pizzicagnolo, seneschal to the Inquisition's base in Kirkwall and Head of Base Operations. And we--uh, the Inquisition, that is--well, we have always lived in times of. [He winces.] Um, stress. To put it lightly. That is chief among the Inquisition's work. And, and it has been decided that we will--well, in light of the, uh. The larger threats. Monthly news will be shared and--and an edited version will be written in the Compendium. As a test of its--security. Not necessarily its longevity.

Um, Base Operations will be responsible for reading, um, will disperse--well, I will, I will just begin. For Kingsway:

[He clears his throat, and there is the audible rustle of a paper being shook into order. And when Salvio begins reading, he sounds much more assured than he ever does while speaking of his own accord:]

In Tevinter, there-- A new man occupies the Archon's throne and palace in Minrathous, but word is that the Imperial Senate is less certain about what has happened. A meeting of the Magisterium has been called to take place in Harvestmere--in Vyrantium, an unprecedented necessity--in order to take stock of the situation and rule upon it. Given the Magisterium's power to appoint an Archon if there is no approved heir (and Radonis, far from failing, had not yet announced one publicly), this development is not likely to make supposed Archon Ilrian Amladaris and his supporters very happy.

From Nevar-- Nevarra City, that is--reports have traveled rapidly that King Markus Pentaghast has fallen ill, likely for the last time. Though the aged king reportedly still clings to life, reports indicate him to be insensible, or at least unable to carry out his duties. His brother Ferdinand has reluctantly stepped in as regent. Elsewhere, his niece Aurelia Pentaghast is said to be quietly rallying supporters to make a push to take Ferdinand's place if she is not named heir. The court is on a-- [Mm, a poetic turn here, who wrote this, and Salvio's tone cools slightly as he reads] --"knife's edge" as the moment to finally choose a side looms. The Van Markhams, likely banking on the distraction of their rivals, have finally made the move they have been threatening for months, riding out in force to take the royal outpost at Onavign and laying siege to the town of Dornfeld, strategically located along the Imperial Highway south of the Minanter, where they might control traffic between Nevarra City and Cumberland.

From Markham, the Chantry's ruling that Rifters are not demons was made with little fanfare, but has caused a stir regardless. While many choose to follow the edict--if often, um, "grudgingly", that's, that's what it says--not all consider that matter closed, especially without a Divine to make the ruling. Several prominent scholars have attacked the legitimacy of this decision in lectures and papers, and are now said to be organizing an event at the University of Markham to gather like-minded scholars and clerics.

And finally, from Val Royeaux: the invasion of Orlais by the Anderfels and the situation in Tevinter have prompted renewed more urgent calls for a Divine who might be able to unite the faithful against the threat more successfully than the still-controversial Inquisition. Despite that controversy, the College of Clerics has reportedly reached out to the Inquisition's prominent--reached out to, um, Cassandra Pentaghast and Leliana--as candidates--but, also reportedly, have been rebuffed by both, as they are unwilling to leave the Inquisition while Corypheus remains a threat.

So-- [Salvio clears his throat again, and there's a second audible rustle.] That is, um. There. Yes. That will be-- that's, uh, all. For now. Please direct concerns to the-- the appropriate divisions so that they can be appropriately addressed.

And if any member of Base Operations would, uh. Well. This task, of reading monthly the news, will be-- will be assigned. To someone interested. Or of course I might continue to read.

Thank you.

[The version in the Compendium Book is mostly black lines, with a few adjectives and coordinating conjunctions left in place like marooned orphans. Someday when security is better, maybe we can all enjoy written news.]

Comments

[bouchonne]

[ Oh hey. ]

For pay?

[assistente]

[uh]

You-- The monthly reading?

[bouchonne]

Oh, most definitely. I think I could do it. I think I'd bring a certain panache to it.

[letoldthingsdie]

I"m not much of a fan of public speaking so I'll have to pass on the monthly news. I am interested in if the Inquisition might be willing to send people to educate about Rifters again. I remembered hearing of one girl - Chloe Price - doing something like that at one point. I think it might put the masses at ease.

[Or get someone killed. Who knows. He's just tired of hearing about how they're still hated. It's beginning to exhaust him.]

[assistente]

Yes, it is nothing that is, you know. Required. Like any other task in the project. I can find, or do-- Just if there was a volunteer.

Uh--the, the thought of Rifter education is one more suited, perhaps, to the suggestion box, but--I will take it down for you, and submit it on your behalf. It is--well, within the Inquisition, one might consider projects a sort of, uh, education. A quick education. Like falling through a tree.

[letoldthingsdie]

Well, I hope someone volunteers then.

[He clears his throat, a bit awkwardly.]

Is there something else I can be helpful with?

[He does want to help, even if he doesn't know where to begin with all this political garbage.]

[apologist]

[ Jehan is not entirely convinced by rifters, but he is very convinced by the power of academia, so: ]

Some response to this—symposium, if it is even that organized— [ University of Markham, ugh, the University of Orlais would do it better and probably serve tiny cakes ] —may be beneficial. You could organize one to compete! [ No, that’s too ambitious, especially with the war. ] Or challenge someone to a debate, and conduct yourself— [ general you, not Kylo, surely someone knows better ] with the utmost decorum and respect, then at the end of your argument unveil your hand and say, I know... because I am one.

Or someone could write a paper.

[letoldthingsdie]

A worthy pursuit, I think - this debate or symposium idea. We have those in Diplomacy or even others in other roles who would be suitable for it, I think.

[He's hesitant to throw his hat into something like that, but he knows if he had to play a role he would if it meant the Chantry lay off them a little bit. He isn't always so angry and unhinged as he comes across. That just happens to be the state he finds himself in more often than not.]

I don't know that a paper would quite meet the mark. I'm sure there's been many an impassioned letter sent along to the Chantry.

[the_cleric]

Don't worry. I can go and educate people about Rifters.

Like, I am just a tiefling and the morale officer for the Inquisition, but I am very cute and can talk a lot about pretty much anything. Plus no one would be scared of me, because I am so cute, and also my shard is in my bellybutton so people can't even see it unless I lift my shirt up and show it to them! So they might not even think that I am a Rifter. They will just think I am a qunari and then I can surprise them all at the end with my big reveal that I... am a Rifter.

[letoldthingsdie]

[He has no idea who this girl is but... wow.]

I'm almost curious what a tiefling is.

[Probably some form of creature that his world would term 'alien'. Still, interesting.]

What makes you think they would trust someone who looks like a Qunari? Not to discredit you but I'm sure you've noticed anyone who doesn't look quite human generally isn't regarded highly.

[He hangs out with Iorveth. He hears all about it.]

{ private }

[zombra]

Dude, you did really well! I think you should keep it up.

[ It'd be good for him. ]

{ private }

[assistente]

[Andraste's flaming sword. Salvio chokes on his next breath, and then steadies himself. And thanks the Maker that he is not seen right now, because his face is very hot.]

Ah. Well. That is--that is kind of you, but it is only a job, a part of the job, that is, and-- No. It was not so good. There are--those better suited. I am sure.

[zombra]

But they don't have your awesome accent! That's definitely a bonus.

[hassaran]

Thank you, Seneschal. Even if it is mostly bad news. Nevarra especially.

[assistente]

Yes. Of course. The-- well, that is the way. It was thought that perhaps a section on something more, uplifting, might be added, but. There is no sense in including false tidings.

Um. I think--focus has been on the, on the situation in Tevinter. For the "especially", that is.

[hassaran]

Of course. The prospect of a new Divine isn't necessarily bad.

[exequy]

At least the Van Markhams cannot claim to be amassing for a a soirée.

[ Not that they had. Not that they would have. But there is some small comfort in having more than perceived threats and suspicions to act on—it’s much less Orlesian, for one thing. ]

[mousquetaire]

That was useful, and most welcome, Seneschal. You have my thanks.

[assistente]

Of course, yes. It is important, I think, to-- Information is best shared. Even if somewhat sensitive. Well--certain information, of course.

[heirring]

Pardon me, but this seems like rather a lot of invasions and sieges and successions under question. Is this very typical of the news?

[assistente]

Well. We-- uh, the Inquisition is, is an organization in answer to crisis and threat. Formed to address such calamities and invasions, and sieges, and succe-- well, aberrational successions.

So. Yes?

[limier]

Congratulations are in order, [ on this obviously entirely new seneschal job. where'd the last guy go? didn't they just get one? ] I am certain that you will do the post honour.

[assistente]

Oh-- [What?] --Yes. Thank you.

[Well, actually. Just to be clear:]

The--post of reading the news, do you... mean?

[pyrazine]

Wait can you boil that down to one sentence?

[assistente]

[what]

The news? In one sentence?