REPORT: Ice Is Back With A Brand New Invention

[heirring]

SUBJECT: Ice Is Back With A Brand New Invention
PARTICIPANTS: Julius, Sawbones, Amos, Holden and Wysteria
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Guardian/Drakonis
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch's findings from examining the mysterious artifact recovered from the Emprise du Lion where it was causing severe winter weather.

REPORT:

Regarding the Venatori Pyramid
Recovered from Emprise du Lion, Orlais, 9:47

Having successfully discovered, deactivated, and subsequently having delivered the enchanted artifact to Kirkwall, we have conducted a thorough study of the pyramid. Attached to this report are a detailed series of notes and drawings concerning the artificat's exact dimensions, along with a number of charcoal rubbings of its surface etchings and a supplementary examination of the material (notes, and so on) discovered along with it.

For the sake of digestibility, the following is a summary of our inquiries and findings:

How does this artifact work? The pyramid seems to be activated via a series of depressable plates on its exterior's base (see Fig.A for full notations). Pressing these caused a notable physical reaction in the artifact; pressing and holding the same sections on the pyramid negated the vibration. Further, the pyramid itself seemed to respond positively when exposed to magecraft/magic. While we were ultimately unable to duplicate the extreme weather effects of the artifact, one poses the suggestion that to do so might have resulted in unpleasant consequences for those studying it.

Is there any red lyrium involved? Despite a thorough survey of the artifact and its ample enchantments, the pyramid shows no signs of possessing or being exposed to red lyrium.

Does it seem newly constructed, or is it more likely an older artifact Corypheus’s forces turned to their advantage? Formally suggest that artifact had merely fallen into the Venatori's hands rather than being crafted by them directly; at the very least, it was certainly not crafted by the individuals who sought to operate it given the state of their corpses and the poor quality of the notes found in proximity to the pyramid. The notes themselves suggest an attempt at developing new rune forms.

If the latter, who built it originally? Unknown. However, given the nature of the object's enchantments I would suggest further investigation of its provenance be directed toward Orzammar. It's possible there is some record of it or some similar creation among the dwarves.

One would suggest that the pyramid itself remain contained safely in the Gallows' archives removed from any similarly enchanted objects or the working of magic in the hopes to keep it from accidental activation (unless of course one wishes to create a summer ice skating rink out of the courtyards, a proposition to which I am not opposed should the pyramid's uses be successfully refined in such a way as to not freeze its operators to death).

In the meantime, my proposal would be to develop and experiment with the newly discovered rune forms so we might either apply them to our own work or at the very least come to an understanding regarding the direction of the Venatori's research. We might also send a team to Orzammar to do further research regarding the artifact itself.

NEXT STEPS: Experiment with rune development, ask some dwarves some questions, and figure out how to safely activate the pyramid's weather controlling properties to beat the upcoming summer heat.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info; IC Log