SUBJECT: Red(cliffe) Oyster Cult
PARTICIPANTS: Laurentius, Andrasteia, & Edgard
CLASSIFICATION: Public, filed with Project Haven & Project Jeshavis
DATE FILED: Now-ish
STATUS: Completed
SUMMARY: A team is dispatched to Redcliffe to verify whether Brother Gideon was acting alone when he attached the Gallows and its residents, or if there may be trouble yet to come.

REPORT:

In having made our way to Redcliffe, we were quickly made to be useful to the residents and Chantry both—being assigned any number of tasks and errands, which made convenient the matter of our investigation and the questions which we were obligated to press. Though no one was entirely pleased to discuss the man in particular (my read was that they are somewhat ashamed and embarassed of their relation to him), we were able to uncover a connection between Brother Gideon and the Order of Fiery Promise.

—(Many thanks for the remote research assistance; these crystals really are very convenient.)

Once we had some notion of the group, a few of the outlying farmers were able to point us in a more helpful direction. I've taken the liberty of copying down a small map on the othr side of this page should anyone wish to locate the abandoned fortress again, though I see little reason to. It seems the Order (such as it is) has abandoned their hold of it. I suspect they've made for the Anderfels, given the recovery of some notes in the Ander language and the map left behind. I can't imagine they will be of continued trouble to the Inq Riftwatch, unless Brother Gideon was passing them information that might somehow be most relevant beyond the Anderfel border. Though if you've (we, I suppose) any allies to be found so far North, one might consider sending word or warning.

Say, should you require anything more.

Faithfully,
Brother N.L. Vesperus

NEXT STEPS: Go poking around the Anderfels in search of a spooky cult!

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info | Log & Crystal Chatter

So how did it go, in Cumberland?

No one said, directly. So I thought I'd ask. Directly.

[ In due time, with allowance for travel and settling in, Derrica's voice comes over their crystals to query— ]

How is it going?

Would you rather walk on your tip-toes for the rest of your life, or have extraordinarily long earlobes?

[ You all know how this game works. Propose dumb scenarios. It's late, everyone's sleepless, let's do this. ]

SUBJECT: We Stole a Zoo: Team Hero
PARTICIPANTS: Adrasteia, Silver, and Tiffany
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Cloudreach
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: After Team Heel successfully pulled off a heist to stage a Venatori-led robbery of Merchant Prince Andreuola Accottanto's nephew, Benat Berroeta's collection of Fade-touched animals, Team Hero swooped in to take possession of their spoils and dashingly return them to the Prince.

REPORT:

You'll be thrilled to hear that the whole Fade-touched menagerie was restored to Berroeta's case. The man nearly wept with gratitude. It was a very touching reunion.

But more importantly, upon hearing our recounting of our efforts to recover the beasts and punish those who dared endanger them (the gift of severed hand was very helpful in this) Berroeta honored us with some tales of his own. We know now far too much about the mechanics of Fade-touched animals, but entertaining the conversation has its benefits. Should we come across any interesting creatures in the course of our work, we may deliver them to Berroeta for purchase.

While we might have petitioned him for any number of things before taking our leave, we collectively decided it better to keep the good will intact for later favors. I am sure opportunity to call upon him will present itself in the coming months.

I will say, however, should we decide it necessary attempt something similar in the future, we might consider recruiting from Kirkwall's stables to make the transportation more manageable.

— JS

NEXT STEPS: Cash in on those favors, baby.

NOTES & LINKS: ooc info | ic log

Good evening, Riftwatch. This is Yseult, head of Scouting. [ A voice familiar to many by now: on the lower side, a crisp Marcher accent but slightly unusual in its enunciations. Brisk and matter of fact, she gets directly to the point. ] We've reason to believe the enemy has contracted with the Crows to make attempts on our lives during the course of our upcoming visit to Antiva.

We tell you this now to permit you to prepare as necessary. Plan to remain on your guard at all times while in Antiva. Travel armed. Be wary of strangers, no matter how harmless or helpful they may seem, particularly those who appear to be servants. Poison is a Crow specialty, so take care with what you eat and drink and report any unusual sensations to another member of Riftwatch immediately. Common antivenins will be distributed, but stores are limited.

If anyone does not feel themselves fully equipped to take on an assassination attempt, please respond so that we can make suitable arrangements for your protection. There is no shame in saying so.

If anyone has any questions on this subject, you may address them to me. I will make time available to provide basic instruction in popular poisons and other methods of detecting and preventing assassination as needed.

[out of nowhere, one morning,]

Heard you lot've got yourselves a blighted rift these days. Anyone taken a look-see?

[introductions, what are those]

So, I've got a question. I'm a Rifter, so I don't know, exactly. But is the Crossroads part of the Fade? Or related to it somehow?

Anybody notice anything weird about your dreams lately? You don't have to go into detail if you don't feel like it, but I want to hear about it, if you do. Are they worse? Better? Anything specific showing up in 'em? Do you have a specific one over and over?

And I don't want to freak anybody out, since it's never happened to me here. But has anybody fallen into anybody else's dreams?

You can answer here, or find me if you wanna talk in private. I'll hang around the stables in Kirkwall. Or just... write me a note, I don't know.

Bonjour, mes amis.

[ Faintly sing-song, but in a drawling and subdued way. It doesn't do to sound too chipper and excited about asking people semi-invasive questions. ]

I have been talking to the Seneschal, and we thought—well, it's possible we might need a fraternization policy. Or a record, at least, in case it becomes a problem later. And to decide whether that is necessary: information about fraternization.

[ It's obvious from his voice that he's pleased that that rhymes. ]

So who is together? Or involved, if together is a scary word.

Please feel very free to rat out your bashful friends.

[ As an afterthought, ]

If you have opinions about the policy or record part, I will take those, too.

[ A throat is cleared. Then a voice, Marcher-accented, speaks, saying: ]

Hello.

My name is Linden.

[ Yep. ]

Good morning to you all.

[ If this wasn't the most awkward introduction in Riftwatch history, at the very least it ranks up there. ]