Salutations, Riftwatch. This is Senior Enchanter Black speaking. Given how busy we all are, I will make this brief.

As of this point forward, I have assumed the duties of the Gallows Seneschal. My predecessor having been unexpectedly called back to his service with the Inquisition, I volunteered to oversee the work rather than allow the role to go unoccupied during a time of crisis.

[Did he arrange to have an old friend among the Inquisition send Salvio Pizzicagnolo an invitation-nay-demand to return during a most inopportune time? Did he encourage the man in question to go, reassuring him that all would be tended to in Kirkwall despite the chaos plaguing the Free Marches? Did he maybe graciously time this to take advantage of the fact that currently the Gallows is down two division heads and everyone was likely to agree just for the sake of solving one problem?

Of course not! That would all be ridiculous! There's a war on, you know. Best keep that base speculation and slanderous gossip to yourself.]

Given that we all have our hands full, I am for the time being making only a few minor cosmetic changes. To wit:

[In the tone of a man who has a list and no intention of being succinct—]

All expenses which you believe reimbursable by Riftwatch during the course of a mission must be filed within a fortnight, and the expenditure is not to exceed the discretionary spending guidelines which have been posted on the bulletin board in the main dining hall. For those currently abroad, a copy has been noted in your books for reference. Please review them at your leisure.

Next. The old complaints box seems to have been misplaced or destroyed during Seneschal Pizzicagnolo's departure. Happily, I have found a suitable replacement for it. Henceforth, this box is meant for both your grievances and whatever compliments you might have, be it for either the organization as a whole or an individual within it. I understand that morale has on occasion been delicate and see no reason why we should not take equal opportunity to praise one another as we do to purge our various biles.

Last. I have reallocated a very small portion of Riftwatch's personal equipment budget to fund the start of a charitable account which will seek to raise money from among the Hightown elite in support of subsidizing the care of whatever refugees inevitably arrive at Kirkwall's doorstep. If you would like to assist in the operation of this modest project, please volunteer your name. If you have no care for the paperwork, all you need know is that going forward any personal equipment or gear which is to be permanently among an individual's sole possessions—swords, shirts, pairs of socks, and so on—, which Riftwatch provides to that individual will come at the cost of a modest deduction from the said person's bi-monthly stipend and shall be spread out over the course of a few reasonably scheduled installments. I trust most of you have your own socks, and so the effects are unlikely to be felt by any one person in the company to whom I am currently speaking.

[A pause. He reflects. There was something else, wasn't there...?]

—Oh yes. And Seneschal Pizzicagnolo heartily endorsed continued correspondence. He has left the appropriate forwarding information on file in the office of Base Operations should you feel moved to write.