SUBJECT: Venatori player plot
PARTICIPANTS: Lazar, Kostos, Barrow, and an assortment of other PCs & NPCs.
CLASSIFICATION: Public.
DATE FILED: Backdated to June.
STATUS: Complete.
SUMMARY: A team went to a Ferelden island to make nice with its Bann. Instead, they stumbled upon a Venatori research party. We didn't take them alive. But we did nab an Old God artifact, so there's that.

REPORT:

We all went to Alamar for some fucking reason –

Ask the rest how it went. For me, went right to shit when Mark Oysters Maric Hausman Maurice Ohio Markus Osterhaus strolled in with a Vint mage. Well, turns out he's a Vint, too. Wasn’t long before even more crawled out, raised the alarm. One of them had poison arrows. Why don’t we do that? Do we do that? We oughta do that.

Looks like the Venatori cleared a nest of smugglers and started digging. Sea caves, some kinda ruin. Carvings mixed Alamarri and Vint. Old. Burned up their notes when they heard us coming, but near as I can make they wanted a Gate.

Didn’t find it. Figure we'd know.

Barrow and that Nevarran got rid of the one-man-band, and her spooky Blight harp (?). Mages say it does something to the Veil, but if you ask me, it’s just bad out of tune. We ever gotta retire a Bard, have them play that. Awful. Urthemiel would shit.

Right: Osterhaus was in Kirkwall a while. Longer than I been with Riftwatch. Taken jobs from him before, small-time, and know nothing slipped; but I’m not the only one here finds work outside hours.

Smash a window before word gets back? Might be something to find.

NEXT STEPS:

Get Astrid poison arrows.

Absolute heap of shamblers down there. Take bets Warn town?

Check on Osterhaus’ friends.

Figure how all them were talking.

Earplugs.

NOTES & LINKS: Log, Network, OOC Planning

SUBJECT: Halamshiral Visit
PARTICIPANTS: Bastien, Byerly, Alexandrie, Jayce, Lazar, Wysteria, Barrow, Julius, Petrana, Gwenaëlle, Strange, (Demon) Vanya, Evelyn
CLASSIFICATION: Public with some private additions (see below)
DATE FILED: Wintermarch
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch went to Halamshiral. The things that went wrong were mostly not their faults; some people made friends; and Research in particular earned a benefactor.

REPORT: ( Read more... )

NEXT STEPS: Various folks have various opportunities for follow-up, but none required!

NOTES & LINKS: OOC post, log post.

SUBJECT: Identifying potential informants in the Ambassadoria
PARTICIPANTS: Desidério & Astrid
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Fantasy!March
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Desidério and Astrid were sent to Minrathous to identify potential allies and/or informants in the dwarven Ambassadoria. They did that…and then also opted not to wait before doing a little blackmail to get one of the prime candidates under Riftwatch's thumb.

REPORT:

Scoutmaster—

Nista No.1 - Lemmit Nista. Secretary to Lord Lunksorn (second vice-consul). Surface dwarf. Extensive family in Minrathous. No idea how he got his job, but must know a thing or two about a thing or two as he's No.1 - Got his brother a position working as a guard, No.2 - Keen to keep it. Suspect fucking it up would result in unpleasant consequences for Nista's social standing/his interest in fine clothes.

Nista No.2 - Avigd Nista. Aforementioned younger sibling. Ambassadoria guard. Misguided entrepreneur. Has a penchant for stealing lyrium from his employers and reselling on the Minrathian black market.

Surveyed for a few days. Had a conversation with No.2. Convinced him (with very little proof; man folds like a wet sock - bluffing and bullshit effective) to introduce us to his older brother. Implied we have an interest in barricade running antiquities/artifacts/magic shit/whatever we might need to say we want to/from Imperium-Antiva. In exchange, no one needs to know about No.2's indiscretions and No.1 gets to keep his job. No.1 entirely reasonable.

Established dead drop behind a seamstress No.1 might frequent without suspicion. See map below/diagram for which brick in the southeastern wall is the loose one. Signal is a chalk hatch on the lintel. Shielded from rain; shouldn't be an issue. I'm Venier, Runasdotten is Lavina. Doubt that's important to maintain.

Encouraged No.1 not to fuck it up.

Attached list of Ambassadoria alternatives. Don't think they're worth the work.

-Amanza, D.

PS. Would be delighted to revisit conversation regarding pay advances at your convenience.

Illiterate Astrid’s contribution: meticulously drawn at the bottom of the page is a neat and tidy map describing the location of The Gilded Needle, and a drawing of what one must assume is the wall in question. A square three over and six up is marked with an X.

As promised, attached to the report is also a list of a half dozen possible alternative potential-spies, though the descriptions for most are slipshod at best and includes less than helpful illustrative language like ‘Dwarven woman with six earrings and a fondness for leaving doors propped’ and ‘Likes grilled meat on a stick; meat probably not bribe-worthy though’.


NEXT STEPS: Keep up contact with Lemmit Nista for the purpose of siphoning intel out of the Ambassadoria. Identify who's been aiding and abetting the Venatori, and potential sites of Venatori activity to monitor and/or raid.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info, IC Log

SUBJECT: Assassination of Magister Kyrus in Vyrantium
PARTICIPANTS: Kostos, Loxley, Vanya, Yseult
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Wintermarch 9:50
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: A team assassinated a magister at the request of the People of the Silent Plains.

REPORT: As detailed in the relevant intelligence reports numbered below, the People of the Silent Plains requested Riftwatch demonstrate its commitment to the shared goal of eliminating slavery by assassinating Magister Adelphus Kyrus. Kyrus opposes the Venatori, but is also known to have re-made his family fortune in the slave trade. The Division Heads determined that the benefits were worth the loss of a nominal ally.

Acting on intelligence provided by the People, a team consisting of Kostos Averesch, Vanya Orlov, the rifter Loxley and myself traveled to Vyrantium and infiltrated the resort where Kyrus and a group of companions were lodging. After several days' surveillance, Kyrus was isolated and dispatched along with his security, consisting of his bodyguard and a woman believed to be his lover. There were no other witnesses.

Documents were planted among their effects and the scene staged to suggest an alternative motive. All agents escaped and returned to Kirkwall without significant injury.

-- Yseult, Head of Scouting

NEXT STEPS:

In future, verify in advance all intelligence received from third parties regarding the magical capabilities of targets and their companions.

Investigate methods of combating blood magic/mind control and provide training to field agents.

Encourage stories that Kyrus had planned to free his slaves and was killed by the Venatori for this and opposition to Corypheus.

NOTES & LINKS:

Log

OOC Info

SUBJECT: A Dying Light
PARTICIPANTS: Ellie Williams, Viktor Arcane
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Early Harvestmere
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Ellie and Viktor were tasked with traveling north of Hercinia in the Free Marches to repair the lamp-and-reflective-lenses signal system in an old lighthouse/signal tower. They were successful, and they also fought some demons and closed a rift.

REPORT:
Scoutmaster & Provost,

Viktor got the lighthouse across from Estwatch repaired. We didn't end up spotting any pirates because we were too busy not getting eaten by a bunch of Shades, and also it was raining.

We closed a Rift that opened inside, so if the new Caretaker has anything to say about scorch marks, that's why. We picked up some Fade Quartz for you guys in Research to mess around with but Viktor gets dibs.

-E


NEXT STEPS: N/A

NOTES & LINKS: (Technically) Part of Operation Dreamcatcher
Log

SUBJECT: The Means (Tarsian's Sons)
PARTICIPANTS: Ellie Williams
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Wintermarch
STATUS: Complete (?)
SUMMARY: The Tarsian's Sons in Minrathous asked for a favor from Riftwatch, with the understanding that this would result in a fledgling alliance between the two parties. Riftwatch delivered, and the Sons are happy to move forward.

REPORT:
Scoutmaster,

Tarsian's Sons are on board with moving forward.

The job was bigger than what we talked about originally. Garsus wanted us to catch and bring in one of his people turned traitor: Antonius Luvi. I was able to find Toni and bring him back without much trouble.

Once we brought him in, Garsus also insisted that I interrogate Toni about who was working with in the Venatori and what information he gave them. I recovered the compromised names and plans.

Garsus also requested that we carry out Toni's execution.

He's pleased with our work. He gave the orders to his lieutenants to pass down the chain: the Sons won't be a problem for our people when we run across them in the field. He says he'll have more for us once we're ready to talk details about "our new friendship".

If Garsus says anything about us owing him a new rug, remind him that he got a free murder. I've told him already but he's the type to push for anything he can get. We should watch out for that.

- E


NEXT STEPS: The Tarsian's Sons are ready to build on an alliance/friendship with Riftwatch. Further missions/clashes/favors to be had.

NOTES & LINKS: When she turns in this report Ellie will inform Yseult that she's willing to be the contact for the Sons moving forward.

Debrief with Yseult

SUBJECT: Orlesian Counter-Intelligence
PARTICIPANTS: Ellie, Tsenka, Yseult
CLASSIFICATION: Public, but with a private addendum
DATE FILED: Guardian 9:48
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch prevents the assassination of an Orlesian official.

REPORT: Acting on information from Orlesian contact Sedaina, a Scouting team consisting of rifter Ellie Williams, mage Tsenka Abendroth, and myself traveled to Halamshiral to assist with the protection of Marshal Sigolène Castex from an urgent threat of assassination by an agent of Tevinter. Marshal Castex was presumed targeted due to her vocal support for sending the army to assist Starkhaven. Posing as members of the Marshal's personal guard retinue, we attended an event at the home of Lady Nicoline de Deauvin. A bard named Jade and a number of mercenaries were identified among the guests and eliminated. Jade was captured and delivered into Orlesian custody. Agents Williams and Abendroth both acquitted themselves well and were instrumental in the successful protection of the Marshal from a serious and well-organized attack.

-- Yseult, Head of Scouting Division

Addendum, Private to Division Heads and Project Leads: After her capture and before Orlesian guards arrived, the bard claimed to be Lady Clara d'Archambon, daughter of the Marquise d'Archambon. She claimed also that she was hired by agents of Empress Celene, not the Venatori. Given the imminent arrival of Orlesian guards, the bard's inability to provide evidence in support of her claims, and the importance of maintaining good working relations with the Orlesian court, the decision was made to deliver the bard to the authorities as planned.

New information since provided by an Orlesian contact independent of the crown reports that Lady Clara d'Archambon is a bard and has been missing since the incidents described above. There are rumors among the bard community that Lady Clara had acquired compromising information regarding the Marquise Calvet on behalf of a merchant Armand Diacre. Diacre was killed in a riding accident two weeks ago. Last week, Marquise Calvet settled a long-standing border dispute with the Marquis Wiscotte, a favorite of the Empress. Discreet investigation has uncovered no evidence of communication between d'Archambon and any known or suspected Tevinter agents. d'Archambon's lady's maid reports that Lady Clara was a patriot and before her disappearance had mentioned her excitement at a chance to impress the Empress.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info, IC Log

SUBJECT: Hedge Your Bets
PARTICIPANTS: Fitcher & Richard
CLASSIFICATION: Public, but filed with the Scouting office.
DATE FILED: (Backdated, mea culpa) Wintermarch
STATUS: Ongoing in the sense that Caliara still needs to be dealth with, Complete in the sense that the hedge maze is definitely no longer Antiva's Largest Hedge Maze.
SUMMARY: Posing as judges for the Thedas Book of Records, Richard and Fitcher gained access to the estate of Ramondo Caliara, Merchant Prince and proud owner of Antiva's (allegedly!!! Pending measurements!) Largest Hedge Maze in an attempt to uncover the nature of his under the table business dealings. While there, they discovered that he's a secret mage with connections to Tevinter/the Venatori.

REPORT:

Yseult,

Orindarily I might write something charming about the results of our findings with respect to the dimensions of Prince Caliara's hedge maze, but in this case I'll defer to the seriousness of the actual intelligence we managed to collect. I trust you'll forgive my lack of trademark levity.

We managed to collect a number of papers from Caliara's personal records, included in this packet for your reference. They outline a strong connection to Tevinter, including the buying up of various debts and business deals in an effort to gain leverage over Merchant Princes who are already our allies or who mght be persuaded in our direction (Ramires, Nuno, Gonzaga, and so on). I've attached a few notes regarding the intricacies of the bookkeeping, and have called out instance where Caliara seems to have purposefully delayed or spoiled negotiations on deals which might have benefitted certain nations and organizations with which we've allied. There is also fairly unassailable evidence that Caliara has received and pass along intelligence regarding the shipments of weapons and supplies to and from out allies, and that those shipments have a habit of being set on by pirates before reaching their destinations.

There may be additional information of note in the papers—I believe I saw some mention of a special packet belonging to Bassador, for example—, but I'm sure you're aware that any good clerk sees numbers first and foremost.

There can be no question as to Caliara's motivation. He is a mage.

-SF.

P.S. Oh, but a large portion of the hedge maze was set ablaze.

NEXT STEPS: Thwart Caliara's business dealings, investigate some pirates and protect shipments that may be in danger, expose Caliara as a mage?

NOTES & LINKS: IC Log

SUBJECT: Eyes On
PARTICIPANTS: Derrica and Allumin
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Early Kingsway
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Allumin and Derrica were sent to observe enemy activity between Wildervale and Starkhaven. While observing enemies traveling up and down the river, they overhead plans by a group of enemies to raid a village, and decided to intercept them.

REPORT:

Scoutmaster Yseult,

Our time monitoring the movements of Imperial forces was mostly very quiet. I've brought back our log, recording enemy trips up and downstream. We were mostly able to distinguish between trips transporting soldiers and trips moving supplies and goods, but cannot say for certain there weren't trips where the two overlapped.

You should know that towards the end of our assigned time, we overhead plans by the soldiers to attack a nearby village and rob them of whatever useful goods they could. Allumin and I were in a position to prevent this from taking place, and decided to put a stop to them there.

We managed without any serious injury to ourselves, and I believe we were able to cover the signs of the struggle well enough that no one passing through would suspect our involvement. We have submitted all useful items on their person for you to look over, though it seems they weren't carrying anything of importance.

If you wish, Allumin and I are both happy to speak with you further regarding the matter.

— Derrica

NEXT STEPS: Potentially begin intercepting boat goods, or staging ambushes on incoming enemy forces, otherwise the only recommendation is further logging and monitoring of enemy boat trips.

NOTES & LINKS: ooc assignment / log

SUBJECT: Cumberland Auction House
PARTICIPANTS: Ellie, Allumin
CLASSIFICATION: Private to Division Heads
DATE FILED: Backdated / Late Harvestmere
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: Ellie and Allumin broke into a warehouse to look at items soon to be up for auction. They found some interesting pieces the Venatori will want to get their hands on.

REPORT:

Scoutmaster Yseult,

The Spannagel Auction House is sh lightly guarded. No magical protection and hardly any watchmen. Allumin found a book from Tevinter about some huge blood magic rituals done in the Imperium. Apparently they're supposed to be useful against Blights? We should watch to see who bids on this.

Nobody saw us, so we hit the road. Tell the Provost his climbing gear worked. Mostly.

- Ellie

NEXT STEPS: Watch the auction to take notes on who bids. Or who tries to rob it.

NOTES & LINKS: Mission Notes & Mission Log