SUBJECT: An attempt to remove Cedric Marquette from play
PARTICIPANTS: Ellie, Lalla, Yseult, John, Evelyn, Bastien, Nina, Gela, Julius (supervisory only)
CLASSIFICATION: Private to Division Heads, with need-to-know privileges for personnel it might affect in Scouting and/or Diplomacy
DATE FILED: Backdated to the end of Justinian
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: A few teams went out to try to find pressure points to get Cedric Marquette to stop helping the Venatori. While this effort was not successful, it did point to a few possible leads to that end. Julius intends to try again when staffing allows for another pass.


( Read more... )

NEXT STEPS: Julius has refined a list of names of people who might be able to pressure or persuade Marquette. He still believes this is a worthy and achievable project, and is keen to try again once personnel frees up.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC post; IC post

SUBJECT: What’s Yours is Mine
PARTICIPANTS: Tertia, Ellis, Barrow, Clarisse, Tiffany, Ellie
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Drakonis
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Having discovered a Venatori mining operation near Alhoven producing cartloads of red lyrium for likely nefarious use, Riftwatch sent a team to destroy the mine and cut off any further production of red lyrium.

REPORT:

Commander, Enchanter,

The mine and its contents have been destroyed.

We can also report that the Venatori leading the operation has been killed. All correspondence and papers recovered from his tent have been bound into the packet accompanying this report for your examination.

Regarding the opposition forces: the mining was accomplished through the use of re-animated corpses, the majority of which were destroyed when we took the mine. It was decided among us to herd the remainder into the mine before we took steps to seal it off. The few living workers and overseers that remained fled rather than attempt combat.

I cannot say whether or not Alhoven will be sufficiently discouraged from further contact with Corypheus and the Venatori, but the mine itself is not a recoverable resource.

– Warden Ellis

NEXT STEPS: Spread word of re-animated corpses through Alhoven and the surrounding villages, take steps to trace the supply lines throughout the region and disrupt them.

NOTES & LINKS:
OOC post
IC Log
Point Tallying Spreadsheet

SUBJECT: How the Turn Tables
PARTICIPANTS: Ellis, Richard v1.0, Glimmer, Abby, Edgard, Vanya, Richard v2.0, Fenris
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Late Solace
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch agents raid a Venatori survey encampment with the intent to capture a researcher or two in the hopes that they'll be able to glean information regarding Corypheus' plans for the Gates.

REPORT:

Commander Flint, Enchanter Julius,

While we were unable to accomplish all we had hoped, I can say we gathered enough information that I cannot describe this mission as anything other than successful.

Two researchers were captured. They have been secured in the dungeon, to be questioned further at the Scoutmaster's pleasure. We were able to press them for information on as we traveled back to Kirkwall from Starkhaven. We learned the following—

• Corypheus does intend to use the Gates to access the Black City. I believe those supporting him in this work believe as these researchers did: that opening the Gates signals the Maker's return, and the Golden City waits on the other side.
• Their efforts are being supported by two academics: Laetoria Rosci of Tevinter and Cedric Marquette of Orlais. Rosci is reported to rarely leave Minrathous and send direction from there, but Marquette travels, acquiring artifacts that may be useful to the Venatori and selling anything else he comes across on their behalf if it cannot further their goals. If we are to seek one of them out, I believe Marquette will be more easily found.
• They claim Corypheus opened a Gate in Tevinter to demonstrate its power. The process required blood magic and artifacts, but neither captive could describe the process or the artifacts needed. Their notes and answers also confirmed what the Research Division's work in the Crossroads have found: what lies beyond the Gates is Blighted. It seems Corypheus demonstrated some way to keep it contained, but that was not written in their notes.
• We believe that these researchers are limited in what they know and unable to provide the specific steps needed to unlock the Gates. Those above them may have that information, and we would need to seek them out.
• There are other groups of Venatori searching other elven sites for potential Gates. They have been instructed to collect and investigate anything connected to the Old Gods. It seems Rosci and Marquette are presently focusing on Zazikel, though I believe anything linked to the Old Gods would similarly draw their attention.

Further examination of their notes confirmed much of what they admitted. I have included them along with this report for review and to be entered into our records.

Enchanter, you will be pleased to know we were able to gather a number of artifacts, as requested. All seem to be in good condition. We surrendered them into the appropriate storeroom for your inspection.

This last feels more minor, but it should be recognized that while we were unable to prevent a full-scale retreat of the Venatori who had held this worksite, we destroyed much of their equipment and liberated the majority of the laborers that had been pressed into service there. We also captured the dracolisk tethered in the camp, and several druffalo. They have been stabled accordingly.

Should any part of this require more explanation, or strike you as unclear, I will explain further as best I can.

— Warden Ellis

NEXT STEPS: Interrogate the researchers. Direct efforts to exploring elven sites for any traces of Venatori presence or connection to Zazikel, tracing the location and work of Cedric Marquette and Laetoria Rosci. Seek artifacts related to Zazikel. Possibilities are endless.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info + Point-Buy Results / IC Log

SUBJECT: Madmen Drummers Bummers
PARTICIPANTS: Loki, Isaac, Cassius & Julius
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Now-ish
STATUS: Ongoing Mysteries, Complete for Now
SUMMARY: In search of clues that might lead them to the identities and whereabouts of the talking darkspawn who appeared in Nevarra City, two teams investigate promising leads with mixed results.

REPORT:

Enchanter Julius (and to Whomever Else it May Concern),

I'm pleased to report that a few hours soaking in a hot bath has more or less restored me to my former state as a person generally not riddled with saddle sores or streaked with mud collected from across a half dozen Orlesian leagues. With that in mind, I absolve you and Project Sashamiri of a great deal of responsibility when it comes to my personal injury. I have however taken a small measure of restitution from the project's funds in recompense for the replacement of one (1) riding habit, the hems of which were irrevocably damaged in the line of duty. Should you have any questions regarding the nature of these charges, then you are more than welcome to take it up with the Seneschal's office directly.

However, allow me to commit the remainder of this record to more pressing matters. While these notes will be unimportant to yourself, Enchanter, given that you were present to experience first hand what I'm about to discuss I have noted them down for posterity and you are welcome to give them your co-signature or to make any note you might wash to in the margins. I believe I've left ample room for you to do so.

With all that in mind, let me begin by saying that I cannot recommend travel across the Waking Sea prior to mid-Justinian. In a brief discussion with our captain, I was assured that Cloudreach is one of the least fortuitous months in which to embark by ship. If one must journey south (or any generally in any direction) at this time, my recommendation is to delay, or to appoint yourself to a ship which will stay always within sight of the shore so one might have some chance to reconcile themselves with some landmark every now and again.

Neither can I advocate for traveling by horse through southern Orlais at this time. The roads are miserable and the peasantry ghoulish to look at. Through no fault of their own, of course. I've taken the liberty of writing to a Sister in a Chantry south of Val Foret regarding the general destitution of the population, and have implored for all the usual things.

The accommodations otherwise were dreary nearly to the point of inspiring paralysis. But, seeing as that is the default state of our own morose little fortress, it's hardly worth noting save perhaps to say how novel it is to view the world through a proper window. We should consider investing in a few of those.

As to the reward for all this relentless labor (which again I write less for your benefit and more for the Whomever Else): Warden Tallis informed of a patrol through the Deep Roads which sighted what appeared to be a band of darkspawn being led in worship of some kind. Initially, this was guessed to be either a joke or derangement. But evidently an additional report corroborating this little bit of madness has surfaced (literally, I can only assume) only a few weeks ago. In exchange for this wealth of information which absolutely might have been communicated by raven if not for the obligation that all Grey Wardens be obtuse, Warden Tallis has requested that we keep Griffon Keep informed should we discover anything further related to this line of inquiry.

I would kindly suggest that, should we indeed stumble across any additional information, we send her a cryptic note requesting she travel halfway across Thedas to a grimy Lowtown tavern where we may pass along only the whisper of workable intelligence. Better yet—let's feed this information to Master Rollins, that fine man south of Ansburg who Isaac and Loki met with and whose barn was not in fact haunted for a talkative undead corpse, but rather his wife's shambling lover. I suspect the two of them, Rollins and Tallis, would get on like two paranoid houses. It's clearly our noble duty to see them introduced.

Of grudging note, I will say that I think there's some merit in chasing down that rumor from the Blasted Hills. While I can't imagine a mining town is any more scenic at this time of year than what I have heretofore described, that stableboy seemed adamant that we were meeting with a Warden to investigate 'All that strange talk' from that region. So long as we are chasing spirits and hearsay...

Yours in Humble Service,
First Enchanter Cassius Black

NEXT STEPS: Check out those Blasted Hills rumors.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info | IC Log

SUBJECT: Dealing With Dragons
PARTICIPANTS: Aleksei, Barrow, Diabhall, Dick, and Emet-Selch
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Firstfall
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Julius assigned a team to examine the remains of the recently obtained dragon corpse to get a better understanding as to why dragons are usually blight-resistant or how they might be infected with red lyrium.

REPORT:

Dicky, Dibby and Sulch worked over the corpse for a few days, I hope with some results. They didn't seem unsatisfied with what they managed. I shoved their scribbling in beside this report. If you've questions, you'll need to find one of them to get an answer.

I scribbled some on the diagram, where I'd aim if I were trying to kill myself a dragon. Wings first, eyes second, anywhere I splotched the blue ink third.

Course, it'd help if there were someone to distract it long enough for me to get at those points. And if I could fly. Have you worked out a way to manage those things?

NEXT STEPS: More experimentation, while the dragon corpse is still good.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC info | IC Log

SUBJECT: Coasting Around
PARTICIPANTS: Ellis, Holden, Edgard
CLASSIFICATION: Private to Division Heads and Project Sashamiri
DATE FILED: Early Kingsway
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch attempts to seal a business deal by clearing darkspawn out of a forest so Monsieur Deschamps can finally make some money. Only a minor amount of forest was damaged in the process of accomplishing this.

REPORT:

Commander, Provost, Enchanter Julius—

After spending some time trying to hunt the darkspawn individually, Holden proposed we attempt to lure the darkspawn to one particular stretch of forest to be eliminated all at once and expedite the process.

We prepared the area to stem any resulting damage from passing a certain stretch of trees so as to preserve the majority of the forest. Between our efforts and the Orlesians accompanying us, were were successful in baiting our targets to the appropriate area. Some sacrifice was made, but it was only a small amount of the forest itself. Monsieur Deschamps should be able to turn a profit still.

I would, however, recommend a thorough sweep of the area by myself and any other Wardens on hand at earliest opportunity to be sure there is no tunnel to be sealed off before Monsieur Deschamps and his men take over possession of the place.

Provost, Enchanter— you should know that the darkspawn were all embedded with red lyrium purposefully. Though the outward growth varied, the pattern of the lyrium on each darkspawn grew outward from lyrium embedded within their chests. I trust you will put this information to use.

— Warden Ellis

NEXT STEPS: Resources: Acquired. Also examination of the forest itself and the surrounding area to attempt to locate any type of tunnel being used by darkspawn as an entry into the forest should be performed before deeming the forest safe for civilian loggers.

NOTES & LINKS: log | ooc info

SUBJECT: Imagine: Dragons!
PARTICIPANTS: Adrasteia, Derrica, Edgard, Miriam + Valerius
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Cloudreach
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: A crack team dispatched to acquire dragon remains for the Research department to study. After consulting an expert, the party sought out an elderly, sickly dragon to engage in battle, then transported the remains home via a team of griffons and lots of rope.

REPORT:

The mission was mostly a success. We consulted a draconologist, Leandra Spada, and on her advice sought out an older, sickly dragon. Between us, we decided that it would be too time consuming to wait for the dragon to pass naturally, so we engaged and dealt with it ourselves. There were no injuries to our group that Warden Adrasteia and I couldn't patch up.

As you might have noticed, we sent for griffons to transport the dragon back for study. Without any other options, the griffons were our best chance at moving the dragon. It would have taken too much time to look into alternatives, and the griffons were able to collectively move the dragon without too much strain.

I'm sorry to say that the transport may have scared some of the local people, who weren't very prepared for the sight of a dead dragon passing overhead. If there'd been a better way, we'd have tried it, but this felt like the best way to get the remains to you without further damage. Maybe the Diplomacy division could make it up to them somehow?

NEXT STEPS: Maybe an "I'm sorry we flew a dead dragon over you" gesture, but otherwise it's just, do some science on this dragon.

NOTES & LINKS: ooc info + ic log

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

SUBJECT: Peculiar Weather We’re Having
PARTICIPANTS: Alais, Sawbones, and Aleksei (with a handwaved debrief from Julius)
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Backdated to the end of August
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: A team went to Emprise du Lion to look into the continuing freak weather in the region. They were able to find and disable an artifact that seems to be the cause of the ongoing freeze. The team brought the deactivated item back to Kirkwall for further study.

REPORT:

It is not often that one sends out a team to gather groundwork for answering a question one expects to be long and involved and have them return with what seems to be the answer, but I find myself in just such a position. While Riftwatch was already doing work in Orlais, I dispatched Sister Sara Sawbones, Alais Amphion and Aleksei ar Waslyna o Bearhold to try to renew inquiries that might lead them to the source of the ongoing weather disturbances in Emprise du Lion. They returned with not only the news that the likely source of the cold was an artifact, but with the artifact itself (evidently deactivated) in tow.

In their debriefing, the team explained that a trader named Roger Deschamps was quite helpful. (N.B. Consider reaching out to either recruit him or, at the very least, offer him some business since we’ve somewhat dented his livelihood with the weather change?) He was able to explain that in some places, there are still thaws in the summer months, while others remained fully frozen year-round. This allowed the team, with the help of a map from Deschamps, to work toward the cold center of the area.

The agents were able to find a cave that seemed to be near the center of the most frozen area; it had likely been overlooked, in the past, as the entrance was mostly covered by a rockslide. After working their way inside with a bit of ingenuity, they found a cavern in which several bodies were suspended in ice and a pyramid with a warning not to touch it. The artifact is roughly five feet high, with vertical lines (3 on each side) that the team described as glowing when they initially found it. After deactivating the item, the glow faded, as did the intense sensation of cold (though given the amount of surrounding ice, the change was relative). Using sleds and ropes, they were able to remove the pyramid and, on finding that it remained inert, decided to bring it to where our Research division can devote further study to it. I have initially instructed that it be kept out of the Gallows proper, under guard, until we can determine that we won’t accidentally activate it again.

In the immediate, I would like to devote a team to study this artifact and try to determine how it works (and, ideally, whether it is something relatively new or an older item turned to Corypheus’s purposes). It is not obvious whether red lyrium is involved, though given the heavy Red Templar activity in the region, I suspect we cannot rule it out in advance.

— Enchanter Julius, head of Project Sashamiri

NEXT STEPS: As above, study the artifact and learn how it works. Julius also suggests monitoring Emprise du Lion periodically to see how fast it’s thawing, and perhaps recruiting NPC Deschamps as an agent or at least a vendor.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC post; IC log.

SUBJECT: How to Train Your Draconology Expert
PARTICIPANTS: Julius, Fitcher
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Late Drakonis
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: As a follow up to early investigation into the nature of Corypheus' dragon, Fitcher and Julius worked to track down and interview a number of draconology scholars who might have assisted in capturing the creature and seeing it exposed to red lyrium.

REPORT:
[But first, a note on the cover sheet:]

Enchanter,

Behind this page are my summary and notes of our trip together. I have done my best to strike a balance between brevity - given that you yourself were in attendance - and completion for the sake of the future record. I hope to neither bore you witless, nor to put any theoretical stranger to the subject at a disadvantage.

Yours in Service &tc,
- S. Fitcher
--
Having sifted through a list of potential candidates who may have been responsible for or have information regarding the recent capture of a dragon on behalf of certain ancient darkspawn, the following were determined to be the foremost experts in their field and of highest interest to Riftwatch's preliminary investigation:

Renilla Levett; on the basis of having traded a series of letters with her colleagues at the University of Orlais, it was determined that the woman disappeared years ago. While the circumstances are most mysterious, her fellows are under the none too generous opinion that she has been eaten by the subjects of her study. Letters attached, with lines of particular interest (such as '...Madame Levett would not have had the patience to be ordered around by anyone, much less some jumped up Tevinter magister...') have been marked in the margins for ease.

Ydalla de Vittoria; initially suspected to be covering up potential dealings with Tevinter forces, a brief interview was enough to conclude de Vittoria to be incompetent, inconsequential, and inessential. Transcript of our interview appended for reference.

Thomas Brochard; a once-respected hunter evidently gone very much to seed. Though I have no doubt Master Brochard may have been excellent at killing things, it seems his hand for academic study belonged to his estranged partner, an elf by the name of Corinna who evidently took exception to be treated like the help. Should one be tempted to at some point track down Corinna (who seems both knowledgeable and no-nonsense, two traits this agent humbly finds most promising), Brochard was happy to share her last known whereabouts which are, 'I don't know; I've looked everywhere. If you find her, tell her I'm a changed man.'

Plinia Caranta; evidently a well known scholar of the field based out of Tevinter, however her work is the subject of censure when credited here in the South (hence, I believe, why her identity is rather a niche bit of draconology trivia). Caranta is presently rumored to be in Minrathous, but may have been traveling outside Tevinter roughly around the same time Our Dear Friend may have been looking for his scaly counterpart. Notes and relevant correspondence attached here for reference/

NEXT STEPS: I most modestly and humbly suggest tracking down a colleague or two of Plinia Caranta, the Tevinter Draconology scholar, should the woman herself not to be had (although obviously that would be the preference).

NOTES & LINKS: Log | OOC Info | Earlier Reports