AN ORDERLY RESIGNATION—

[katabasis]

FORM: A Letter
SENDER: James Flint
RECIPIENT: Divheads
NOTES: A Resignation, in the week following the Minrathous coup and the attack on Kirkwall

Though the other division heads will have received at least a cursory warning as to this development, a letter acting as the cover page to a considerable stack of papers makes it official—

As discussed, the Walrus is to depart immediately with the Fancy sailing in consort. Rivain and I intend to see directly to the work of organizing the rebel forces on the ground and along the coastal regions of Tevinter into mounting formal resistance to Corypheus' rule. It is my belief that between the threat of Qun invasion and the killings in Minrathous and beyond, that there is a strong foothold to be made there which cannot be accomplished from this fortress alone.

The following papers outlines our sailing plan, the methods by which continued communication will be most reliable, and various remarks which may be of some assistance to my successor. I believe all else is in order to the extent that is required for setting the Gallows to rights. Should any question arise in the interim, Barrow and Rowntree might reasonably be expected to arrive at some consensus if you were to trap both of them in a room at once.

With respect to filling the position in my stead, I suggest that you avoid assigning the post to one of our ex-Templars. The majority lack the temperament, and Keen would be an annoyance to a not insignificant number of the company. Any other candidate one might pluck from the ranks is likely to merely annoy the standard number.

Say if you require assistance. I intend to do the same.

-J. Flint

The stack of papers includes various reports and records which Flint has identified as being most relevant to whoever picks up the office after him. It also includes a brief assessment of current Forces personnel:

Anderson, A. Rifter. Observant, able and clever. Literate and orderly. Recommend as potential assistant to the division should one be required.

Averesch, K. Circle Mage. Rebel, if only by Circumstance. Mage capabilities trend in the direction of support. Suspect some measure of pliability given correct motivation.

Barrow, O. Master of Works. Fereldan. Ex-Templar (deserted well prior to Order's call to return). Unimaginative, but competent. Well placed in his position. Those who dislike him will care enough to prove his doubts wrong, those who don't will follow.

Baudin, G. Orlesian. Able. Intelligent, albeit prone to underutilizing it. Advise applying her to some work where she is responsible for someone other than herself. Possesses an anchor of some power.

Edgard. Orlesian. Poor impulse control/judgement. Suitable for straightforward work or circumstances where he will be operating under strict oversight. Fine shot. Bad nerve.

Warden Ellis. Fereldan. Capable. Asks few questions, potentially to the detriment of work which might benefit from it.

The Gladiator Gannicus. Late of Tevene. I understand he maintains some celebrity status within the Imperium. Recommend for high visibility work in the region as a diplomatic tool.

Keen, R. Templar. Possesses an anchor. Has current connections among the Order and Inquisition. Able combatant, broadly disliked among the the company's notable mages. Be mindful of what information he is made privy to.

La Rue, C. Rifter. Able combatant, a measure of impatience. Recommend as consult regarding developing the airship's tactical use and potential armaments.

Captain Rowntree, M. Circle Mage. Rebel, by intent. Late of Starkhaven. Capable and reliable; reliably dismissive of ex-Templar contributions to Riftwatch. Advise continuing to force the association, if only to keep the impulse focused on those with Templar associations rather than the bulk of the non-mage company.

Truthless. Rifter. Have little knowledge of her conduct or habits. Reportedly adept in demon slaying, largely untested in the context of Riftwatch's work.

Orlov, V. Nevarran. Ex-Templar (refused the call to return; off lyrium). Able and conscientious, if uncreative. Preference for straightforward leadership and orders.

As promised, the Walrus is notably absent from the harbor as of the wee hours of the morning. As they say, time and tide waits for no man or provocateur.

What becomes apparent in the hours following her departure is that she left with a considerable force of Kirkwall natives (or mercenaries or refugees), roughly 200 men and women strong, eager to get a taste of revenge against Corypheus' forces.

What may or may not become apparent a number of weeks or even months (or years) into the future is that the Walrus made at least one undocumented stop on its way north—the hiding place of the cache of treasures stripped from various mage Circle vaults. The cache has been significantly if not entirely reduced. Southern mages should know better than anyone that fighting prolonged rebellions costs money.