The new nerd overlord for the Rifts and the Veil project

[circleprodigy]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Inessa Serra
RECIPIENT: Any, but priority given to project members. 
WHAT: Announcing her new position
WHEN: Now
WHERE: Kirkwall, the Gallows
NOTES: Project Page

[And now for Inessa's calm, professional tone as she makes her own announcement.]

Good morning. This is Inessa Serra, and I have been granted leadership of the Rifts and the Veil project, replacing Clarke Griffin. The room she had claimed -center tower, third floor- will remain in use, for easing the transition. As to what I expect, it's quite simple. I would rather give you needed flexibility rather than micromanage, though if you desire direction I will do my best to advise. I wish to see everyone in a role they are invested in and enjoy, rather than flounder.

At this time, I believe our priorities ought remain on the shards and learning what we can of them to assist their bearers. To that end, I wish to gather as much information as possible regarding how and when they were acquired, along with complete records of any changes undergone since then. A voluntary survey will be made; if you have opinions as to what it ought contain, you're encouraged to share them. All such information will continue to be encoded, to ensure the safety and privacy of those involved. 

 If you have questions or issues, I maintain an open-door policy. 

Comments

[faithlikeaseed]

Mm. [He buys himself time to think about all of that by testing his tea gingerly. Still too hot; he grimaces.]

Might be, if we did know what he wanted out of all of this. But he's-- [He hesitates, thinking over his own unnerving encounters with the man; it's easier to distance himself from the instinctive fear Atticus provokes in him when the magister's not nearby, but it's still there under everything.] --There's something wrong with him, beyond being the kind of man who'd follow Corypheus. He's not any way vested in the Imperium's success--says it's bound to burn itself out within a century or two from its profligate use of magic.

[He's grasping at straws, here, trying to find and explain the reasons for his gut feelings.]

[circleprodigy]

[Inessa listens intently as Garahel flops on the floor beside them, yawning and stretching.]

...really? That's quite odd. I thought Venatori as a whole were dedicated to the resurgence of the imperium, to a fanatical degree. What could be his motivation for joining, if not that? [She frowns, stumped.]

[faithlikeaseed]

[His voice is quiet and distant; he's thinking through this as he speaks.] I wouldn't say he's the sort to join something on principles alone--and even if he were he already doesn't think the principles of it worthwhile. So there was something they could offer him--and what have they got to offer that he couldn't get elsewhere as easily? What do they have access to that a Tevinter magister couldn't get through the ordinary channels back home?

[circleprodigy]

[She sips at her tea after stirring it again, just to ensure it doesn't burn her.]

Power. The sort that cannot be acquired from mortal magisters, but an ancient darkspawn instead. Perhaps he seeks the Black City as much as Corypheus, or another just as outlandish goal. But it would lead to power, all the same.

I dislike the plan and think it carries an enormous risk. But...if Sina is desperate enough to try this anyway, I would not want her doing so with no protection. One or more, to bear witness and perhaps put a stop to it if need be?

[faithlikeaseed]

[He considers that from all sides, turning it around in his head like it's a particularly intractable puzzle.]

We could be handing him what he wants, yeah, [softly.] To say nothing of what he might do to her if he's got the opportunity.

More than one, and we'll need a templar in on it. Their help might come hard; I suspect they'll like the idea even less than we do. [And a part of him is leery about discussing so freely something the templars won't like; on the other hand, he said "we".]

[circleprodigy]

[She nods thoughtfully at mention of a templar, not opposed to the idea.]

Ser Coupe might be interested in assisting; I'll have to ask her. I doubt she'll be pleased at the idea, but she would wish to be present, nonetheless.

[She pauses to slip a treat to Garahel, who has been so patiently waiting. Cue happy nomming.]

[faithlikeaseed]

Right. I'll come myself as well, if you've no objection; I've got a glyph for silencing another mage. [Not for as long as a templar could, but it works well in a pinch, and they might quickly find themselves in a pinch with a Tevinter magister.

...He's momentarily taken completely aback by the sound of Garahel chowing down on his treat. That's...that's certainly a noise.

He takes a mannerly sip of tea to cover his own brief brain glitch before continuing,]

When do we want to do this? Sooner's better, I'm sure, if only for Sina's sake.

[circleprodigy]

I've no objection. You're certainly welcome, of course.

[A backup to Wren just in case of...whatever...is certainly sensible, anyway.]

I...I suppose you're right. [Putting it off will help no one, even as Inessa is highly suspect about the entire thing. But if it's to be done, Sina at least ought to do it with support.] I'll speak with Sina soon. If her condition is stable enough, then I'll agree to it.

[faithlikeaseed]

[He's silent for a long moment at that; her hesitation is obvious enough and it gives him reason for pause, too.

Time to take another drink of his tea and buy himself space for thought.]

All right. I'll be ready for it.

[Of course, if Sina's got other plans on the matter, they may need to move the schedule up. And she does.]

In that vein, what all do you have for me on the shards themselves?

[circleprodigy]

Right, that.

[Relieved to change the subject, Inessa sips her tea and goes through her notes.]

Reports from healers are essentially as such: the shard is a slash a couple of inches long around the palm of the hand and less than a fourth of an inch wide. If someone touches the anchor, it feels the same as any other skin on the bearer's hand, though the bearers themselves have reported that the flesh occupied by the shard is now relatively numb and they cannot feel someone pressing on it. It's solid; one cannot stick a finger or anything else through it. It's still a part of the hand, only now suffused with magic. Usually, there is little more than a faint glow, but that light can become brilliant when near an active rift or using shard abilities.

As for pain, the shards only seem to ache upon specific circumstances. If one is open or opening nearby, or in a place where the Veil is weak or unstable, the shard will be active and thus cause their bearers discomfort. This can also happen when overexerting in the effort to close a rift or overusing anchor abilities, or if a large amount of lyrium is ingested. Rifters have also reported that it ached when they first emerged from a rift, and there is initial pain for natives who acquire one. In all instances, the pain will begin as a dull ache and ramp up based on the severity/duration of the situation, and will ease off again once the situation causing the pain ends.

[faithlikeaseed]

[He listens to all of this attentively, sipping from his tea and filing away his questions for once she's done. It's a lot to take in all at once; he'll likely have to hear some of it again to fix it completely in his memory. But--it's a start.]

"Shard abilities"? I'd heard about closing rifts, but--what else can they do with these? And--they've been taking lyrium? Does it affect rifters the same way it does--well, the rest of us? Besides the bit about the shards.

[circleprodigy]

They...weren't taking the lyrium voluntarily. Some were captured by Venatori, and forced to ingest it. [There's a wince in her voice as she leans back, and Garahel whines a little.] Overdosing on lyrium has similar ill effects; I believe there was a report about a shapeshifting rifter who could not control herself in that state, and attacked her allies.

[On to a less grim topic....]

From what I've seen, the shards can evolve to create a defensive barrier, which can deflect projectiles. The other ability creates bursts of energy that can inflict physical damage. Thus far, only those two abilities have been observed. We've yet to see if there will be more.

[faithlikeaseed]

...Maker's blood. That's--awful. [If he needed any more reason to dislike the Venatori.] Did you get them all back? The rifters they'd captured.

[Less grim and more theoretically interesting, to boot.]

Huh! It "evolves"--so does it change in some way, so you know which rifters can and can't do what?

[circleprodigy]

Yes, I was told as such. I wasn't there for it, but in the end, the Venatori paid for what they did.

[Not nearly enough, as the slight hardness in her tone might indicate. Whatever compassion Inessa has to spare, it's not for the Tevinter fanatics.]

I have heard of at least one native shardbearer undergoing such a change. Multiple rifters have done so, though they remain a relatively small amount. Beyond that, I have no concrete details to give. That's what I aim to correct with the survey. Such evolutions have gone unstudied in too many cases.

[faithlikeaseed]

Good.

[Not much compassion lost here with Myr, either.]

Right, right. I imagine with the, [his voice falters a little; he tips his face down, as if considering his half-empty teacup,] disorder it's been difficult to keep track of these things. A survey's a practical idea.

I'll be interested in hearing what comes of it.

Now that I'm up to date, what d'you need me to do to best help your efforts on this?

[circleprodigy]

[She pauses, stirring her tea.]

It's often in my nature to assume I can handle all on my own, but this project has me admitting that it will take more heads than mine to coordinate it efficiently. I could use an assistant, someone with a sharp memory and organizational skills, who can familiarize themselves with the project members and ensure that all have a role they can manage. Would you be interested in this position?

[faithlikeaseed]

[He looks briefly taken aback by the offer, but to his credit, doesn't protest or demur. He trusts her judgment.]

I would be. The paperwork might be a little difficult, [he punctuates this with a smile,] but I'll work something out.

[circleprodigy]

[There's a smile in her voice as she responds.]

I can see about obtaining the services of a scribe. It shouldn't be too difficult, I believe.

[Garahel looks up and barks, evidently enthusiastic about more time around Myr.]

[faithlikeaseed]

[He brightens further at the suggestion.] That would do.

And-- [He breaks off to laugh at Garahel's interruption.] --yes, we'll be spending a lot more time together, won't we? --I'm ready to start whenever you've need of me. Though, ah, I'm sure you've noticed I keep strange hours. [Thankfully he's on the diurnal side of his wandering schedule right now. But that won't last.]

[circleprodigy]

I have, yes. That doesn't bother me, however. When your hours overlap with mine, we'll coordinate as best we can...and when they do not, I'll appreciate reports as they're needed. Having someone who does not always share my hours could even be a boon; there might always be someone available for the project, after all.

[faithlikeaseed]

Good thought. It'll just be a matter of finding a scribe who can keep up with me. [An entirely solvable problem.]

Anything else we need to hash out? [Because if not he's finally going to get into--and share--those cookies he brought; they're distracting with how good they smell.]

[circleprodigy]

Not at this time, no.

[She smiles, likewise getting distracted by the smell. Garahel may be trying -and failing- to discreetly sniff at them.]

I say we've earned a tea and cookie break, haven't you?

[faithlikeaseed]

[He lifts his teacup in salute.] You're the boss--but the suggestion's got my full approval.

[And there's definitely some to spare for Garahel.]