DARLING, are you Alexis Sauvageot? Because we’re supplying you with critical secrets.

LOVE BUG, are you Taletha Kell? Because you're going to destroy Marquette's reputation for us.

HONEYBEE, are you a burgeoning power couple in the pillaged treasure scene? Because I last saw you furiously entangled on the bench of a pianoforte.

MANTIDFLY, are you a closely-trusted cousin to famed dealer Philippe Girard? Because I have a letter from your personal assistant, inquiring after times to meet.

SCORPION-WASP, are you a Seneschal or Trademaster? Because you ought to go to this thing instead of me.

[ a list of meeting times is enclosed ]

Provost,

When it walks like the Blight and talks like the Blight, every once in a while, it isn't. But pretty close. Guess an entrance to the Deep Roads wasn't the only thing under Sarrux Pass.

We found elven ruins, Ancient or early Imperium, though exactly who built them and why isn't clear. Carvings on the walls showed a pair of elves (Ghilan'nain and maybe Anduil?) either healing or poisoning the humans and dwarves there, but none of us could agree which.

Whatever it used to be, it's poison now. Some kind of corrupted lyrium discharge, if I had to put a label on it. We found a big pool of it at the bottom of the ruins. Must have gotten into the well water, to change everybody in the village so fast. The Rifters in the group started changing too, as soon as they got near it, but the rest of us had to drink it.

See attached for details of specific transmutations of the flesh. Rifters that were exposed returned to their normal shapes at a similar rate as when exposed to raw, uncorrupted lyrium. The villagers were unrecoverable.

I bottled as much of it as I could, but the group decided the pool itself was too dangerous to be left intact. Ruins and bodies both are now buried under half the mountain, for all the good that does anybody.

The Warden is letting his people know. Considering how little we were able to bring back for study, I don't recommend sharing our samples, but it might be worth asking their expertise. Famously open and forthright, wardens.

- Porthmeus

• Experiment with the corrupted lyrium samples.
• Don't touch them.
• Don't put them in your mouth.
• Keep an eye out for the other eleven pools.
• Why was #1 Halla Mom Ghilan'nain's image all over this horrible lyrium experiment anyway?? Weird!

Subject: Rifter Cultural Exchange Project
Participants: Ennaris Tavane
Classification: Public
Date Filed: 8/30
Status: Ongoing
Summary: I've taken on the task of organizing and compiling information of use from the Rifter population for dissemination to the rest of Thedas. This information has been organized into different folders based on broader subject categories, including Medical, Infrastructural, Culinary, and Other, with attached lists of relevant contacts for each field. Projects of particular interest or significance have been flagged.

Report: Provost, I know this seems like a hefty tome, but I've done my best to make it easy to sort through—medical folder's on top, microscopes, germ theory, penicillin, and blood transfusions flagged. Microscopes we're still working on finding someone capable of cutting the lenses, but Winefride Vroome, "La Glasieuse Marveilleuse" may be a solid lead—a glass artist from Ostwick (who may or may not have studied in Orlais, and may or may not be affecting an outrageous attempt at an Orlesian accent), she's been publicly looking for a challenge. Germ theory seems to naturally follow the propogation of the microscope, once people can observe the organisms themselves. I believe blood-typing must be done in-organization, due to the sensitivity of anything blood-related. For penicillin and the rest, the Seneschal's contacts at the university seem likely to be interested.

For infrastructure, I know we have quite a few of our own worries in that regard at present, but I did flag a few ideas—some of the rifter Abella's, as well as Messeres Viktor and Talis' exhaust system for Darktown (they updated the plans on that one). Messere Viktor has also informed me that the airship project is on pause, but not forgotten, and work is being done on a portable hot plate, but they have nothing regarding this project to add to this folder as of right now.

For culinary works, I haven't flagged anything in particular (except the cookies), but Clarisse has supplied some recipes to start with, which we may be able to forward to a Signore Giancarlo Fierri—he may not have the time to realize them himself, but I think he will know someone who can. Of course, Frederick may work on whatever catches his fancy, too.

For the Other folder, there are smaller, but worthwhile every day items which we may pass on to others—the kitchen implements Messeres Viktor and Talis presented at the Exposition—and some ideas on magic. I'm not sure if the latter are things we may be able to realize, but we can at least ask the natives a few questions.

Next Steps: Contact La Glasieuse Marveilleuse and negotiate with her a turn from artist to scientist—appeal to her desire for a challenge and her sense of self-importance, if not her altruism. Support Messeres Viktor and Talis in their work on the exhaust system. Invent "hot chips". Discover a way to determine Thedosian blood types, and perform a proof-of-concept transfusion.

NOTES & LINKS: IC crystal post, IC log thread

Regarding runic enchantment:
- Following much independent study, expansion on prior research conducted within Riftwatch (Mme Wysteria de Foncé, Mssr Richard Dickerson), and informal collaboration with Hedda Ferredin, two human rifters (Jayce Talis, Viktor) have demonstrated the ability to perform runic enchantment.
     - Item: Hot plate, portable. Purpose: A clean, resource-conscious alternative to fire for cooking, sterilization, and other thermal applications. Intended for use by Riftwatch agents and citizens alike, as resources permit. Status: Currently adjusting output control.
     - Initial success compounded by excess output resulting in temporary panic in Lowtown. No injuries or fatalities. Minor property damage, no structural concerns.
     - Further practice required to hone skill.
     - Research relocated to the Gallows.

Recommendations:
- Explore enchantment possibilities internally, with external guidance as needed.
- Redress any lingering inconveniences caused by the combustion event to the Horseshoe Lane artisan community and surrounding neighbourhood.
- Stabilize hot plate.

Jayce Talis & Viktor, Research division, Riftwatch

Provost,

All fairly simple! We spoke to Mlle Fioranati and Mlle Lucrèce Langlois first. Both were helpful but had limited information. Mlle Langlois pointed us to Lord Chiquart Boisselot, who gave up Mm Regina Azaïs, who was able to point us to her friend M Col Thiers. M Thiers has unfortunately passed away and left his estate in some kind of legal tangle, so there was no way for us to ask politely for the book without involving solicitors. But since he should never have had such a heretical scandalous book in the first place, his heirs (whoever they are when the dust settles) probably will not notice it missing. If anyone does notice it will only be after they have sorted through his library, so we should have, let's say, a year before it might become an issue. The library was very full and very disorganizd. Lucky for us our new friend has such a nose for sniffing out ancient Tevinter texts.

I also picked up some letters exchanged between M Thiers and various contacts in the time after the book came into his possession. Nothing jumped out to me as useful, but I brought them along anyway, in case someone better versed in the subject at hand might notice something I didn't.

— Bastien

Provost Niehaus,

I would greatly appreciate if you might discuss the meaning of restraint and care with the other Division Heads during your next meeting with them. It seems quite vital that both these concepts be passed down through the ranks, as it appears very few members of Riftwatch have a firm grasp on either.

While the capture of the Best Laid Plan was ultimately successful, it is in the sense that we have acquired a chunk of splinters which I can only assume once bore that name. Though how exactly one would go about confirming that fact is unknown to me given the outrageous damage done to both the boat's stern sections and bow. One must thus guess at her identity based entirely on the arrangement of her masts, and battered canvas, and the disproportionate number of Antivan sailors dumped along the coast. Or, I suppose, the testimonies of Misses Novoa and Runasdotten who I believe sighted it prior to its harassment.

Viktor and I have assessed the damage in need of mending. On the back of this page you will find a list of materials which will be required on the following page, including a sizable hunk of elm or oak for the carving of a new figurehead. Unless of course we wish to keep the beheaded horse currently occupying that space.

Respectfully,
Wysteria A.P. d.Foncé

TO ALL MEMBERS OF RIFTWATCH,

The following is a copy of the full report of the survey into Lyrium use conducted this autumn per the guidelines outlined by the late Provost Stark on behalf of Research Division by Viktor and myself, Wysteria A. P.d Foncé. I invite you to closely read the contents of this paper for they are relevant to every member of this company.

However, for those which require a brief summary, attend directly to these points:

1. Rifters with Anchors have a unique relationship with Lyrium; high doses of Refined Lyrium allows them to touch the Fade and to view brief visions pertaining to the experiences and thoughts of those close to them in proximity. This author suggests a number of potentially useful applications for this apparent Talent in our clandestine fieldwork. Encourage further testing to determine whether these observations can be guided and directed.

2. Rifters with Anchors have been determined to be capable of handling the Raw Lyrium with relatively minimal side effects (nausea, temporary memory loss, temporary transmutation of the flesh). These side effects are largely in line with those reported by dwarven miners, runesmiths, etc (see pages 112-214, The Economy of the Stone, C.Y. Brolac, IInd Edition, to name just one source). It may be inferred therefore that, given the correct education and protective equipment, Rifters are capable of enchanting and runesmithing in a similar fashion. Strongly encourage recognizing capable individuals among the Rifter ranks and securing apprenticeships for them among the Dwarven runesmiths in Kirkwall or elsewhere.

3. Lyrium has been determined to have no outsized healing properties for Rifters.

4. Severing the Anchor from the Rifter renders the latter to a state most closely aligned with a native Thedosian. Therefore, the Anchor is both the apparent key to the Rifter's unique relationship to Lyrium, and to the Veil and the Rifter's ability to extend through it to and from worlds unlike this one.

It is the foremost interest of this author to determine a method by which the effects of the Anchor may be countermanded, and therefore whether the connection a Rifter has with the properties of Lyrium and Places Beyond the Fade might be artificially severed without literal physical separation. This author posits that one must merely identify a material capable of 'Silencing' the effects of Lyrium/the Anchor in order to minimize the possibility of Spontaneous Discorporation.

In the interim, this author formally suggests that all Rifters concerned with maintaining their presence here in Thedas give strong consideration to amputation of their Anchor-effected extremity. Apparent longevity is not a promise of permanence.

Most Pleased to Have Been of Assistance,
Wysteria Anathyme Poppell de Foncé
Research Division

To Whom It May Concern, This Being a Formal Record of "The Riftwatch Cultural Exposition" Which Was Held at the University of Orlais in Early Solace 9:49

As both Provost Stark and Ambassador Byerly have closely monitored the planning of and subsequent rewards reaped from this Exposition, this record is largely for posterity. Therefore, I shall keep it brief. Please see the attached copy of the Event's programming, accompanied by an Appendix A (which briefly summarizes the contents and relevant presenters of each) and Appendix B (which refers to the present filing locations of various blueprints, schematics, and papers to be utilized as reference should the presenters in question expire, disappear, or come to quit their work with the Company).

I have also included a list of contacts curated during the Exposition (Appendix C, most notable being the Dean of Lydes College, a tenured professor of the Orlesian University, as well as a junior professor of the same), as well as a list of materials formally funded or gifted directly to Riftwatch by various donors (Appendix B, to be utilized in the production of a second Microscope; see file #594, stack C).

Formally,
Wysteria A. Poppell de Foncé

( As dictated by Stephen Strange to Viktor for transcription and some editing. )

In Solace 9:49, Riftwatch was ambushed at Granitefell by Venatori forces incl. a dragon and dracolisk cavalry. Casualties comprised a full third of our number.

After careful evaluation, Research div. undertook a mission to innovate temporal magic, citing Mme. de Foncé’s expertise in adapting Rifter magic to native techniques, Prov. Stark and Dr. Strange’s practical and theoretical knowledge of temporal magic, Viktor’s experience with spacetime jump gates, and their collective knowledge of arcane engineering.¹

The following Riftwatch members were dispatched to retrieve necessary ingredients²: Ellie, Derrica, Erik Stevens, Peter Parker, Yseult, Bastien, and Matthias.

Using a certain piece of equipment³ to both amplify and focus the magical energies, we were able to send Baynrac, Artemaeus, and Mobius three weeks into the past, although their arrival was slightly mis-timed.⁴ These agents contacted Riftwatch (past ver.) and warned them to retreat, thus successfully avoiding the ambush, and a scout was sent to Granitefell to advise evacuation. De Foncé and Strange remained at the portal to hold it open for the travelers.⁵

The experience of the sync was curious: it was like suddenly waking up here, remembering both timelines at once, until memories of the abandoned timeline slowly faded and became less immediate — and now we live in a world where Granitefell never happened.

We’re unable to reproduce the time travel without first replenishing our supply of ingredients. For the actual technicalities & components used, see the attached appendix.

It’s a powerful tool in our arsenal, but in my professional opinion, one best not trifled with; we don’t know that subsequent uses would work out quite so well as this one did.

Signed, Doctor Stephen Strange, with addenda by Viktor.


I would like to emphasize that this project’s success demanded many hours of physical and mental strain, including great risk to personal safety. Without the contributions of everyone noted above, plus those who provided extra support, this would not have worked. Thank you.
– V.

—————

¹ See also prior Inquisition notes on Magister Alexius and the Redcliffe incident. ( While adjusting the order of cited imagineer experience, Viktor says, “This will make her day.” )

² See appendix. ( The additional appendix for leadership includes schematics of the Magrallen and its repairs, mentions the necessity of dragon blood, contains a list of other exotic ingredients used in casting the spell, and reproduces some of their experimental runes. )

³ Surely you didn’t think we would make it so easy. You’ll find this in the appendix. Good luck finding the appendix.

⁴ Through no particular fault of any particular time sorcerer.

⁵ Poss. future improvement: a way for the time traveler(s) to trigger their own return without someone being stationed at the portal. Amulets?

• Wiki link
  
• Original OOC post
  
• Log 1: Granite fell, everyone died
  
• Announcement 1: Oh no
  
• Log 2: Sad times at Gallows high
  
• Log 2.5: Weird science
  
• Announcement 2: Weird science goes public
  
• Log 3: Fetch quests
  
• Log 4: Time warp
  
• Announcement 3: Nothing to see here
  
• Log 5: Life, it never die
  
• OOC Wrap-Up