Greetings, Riftwatch! This is First Enchanter Black speaking.

I know, I know. I know exactly what you're thinking: 'Ah, the Seneschal. What thoughtful improvements will he have for us today? What clever initiatives has he devised for all our comfort and security? What amusing witticisms?'

On the contrary! I'm dismayed to say that I'll be offering none of those things today. Instead, this is a most sincere and hopefully [because otherwise he'll have to chop off his anchor-embedded arm and he's rather attached to it; what you people do or how you fare is of little concern to him] very temporary farewell. This also serves as my public resignation from my post. I've received word of one of two pressing concerns which will take me out of the Gallows for some time, and it seemed unjust in the extreme to leave you all unmanaged in my absence.

While away, and in consideration of the fact that there is likely to be some interim appointee to the post who will have their hands full, I've taken the liberty of converting our much loved comments box [which recently had a dead rat stuffed in it] into a public board stationed outside of the Seneschal's office. I would hate for anyone's thoughts to go unaddressed simply because I'm not here to sort through them.

Be well. I'll be off by month end should anyone imagine they have pressing business to discuss or feel moved to thank me in person for my faithful service.

Salutations to all my fellow diplomats! Which in this case, is everyone hearing this presently. Yes, even you, whoever you are. This is your Seneschal and one of many valued members of the Diplomacy Division speaking. I'm pleased to report that you've all been volunteered for a little exercise meant to brush up our collective conversation and debate skills.

Everyone is to be assigned a role as a diplomatic representative from a country or group or what have you—Antiva, or Ferelden, or someone will pretend at being a Chantry Mother, or perhaps play act as a known participant in the Mage Rebellion. You'll all be given a list of goals you would like to accomplish, and from there obligated to hash out various agreements and compromises with the other representatives in attendance.

The first session will be held on the twenty-fifth of Bloomingtide. Plan to be busy for the whole day. For anyone unable to attend that instance, an alternate 'conference' will be hosted the week following. So not to worry; there's plenty of negotiation to go around for even the busiest of us!

Hello Riftwatchers near and far, this is your Seneschal speaking from Kirkwall.

I trust Rialto is treating everyone who's traveled north well. No lethal poisonings or knives to the back just yet, I hope.

[Ah, the flush good humor that comes from the safety of a very secure office inside a very secure fortress.]

I thought I might take advantage of the lack of personnel in the Gallows to make a few adjustments to our shared spaces. And so I'm pleased to announce that you'll return to a much more welcoming Gallows, having overseen the widening of a number of windows in anticipation of the summer sunshine.

You're all welcome. None of this would be possible without your continued efforts abroad.

On an unrelated note, there's been a small adjustments to the fund set aside for the repair of equipment. Should something of your own be damaged—boots in need of reshodding, holes in clothes in need of patching, and so on and so forth—please be mindful not to burden our reserves unecessarily. Those funds are exclusively for the repair of shared articles.

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

Greetings Riftwatch! This is Senior Enchanter Black speaking—the Seneschal.

[This particular cheerful intonation may strike fear into the hearts of certain members of the company. Namely, those who would prefer not be talked at for ten minutes without interruption, or those who might flinch at the prospect that at any moment their wages might be trimmed further in order to set aside a reserve fund for Refugee Orphans Or Whatever.

But today, when Cassius says,] I'll be brief, [he means it.

Which is definitely not ominous in the slightest.]

I'm collecting information about which nations and known institutions we as an organization know best. If you would be so kind as to reply to this listing the peoples, places, and various consortiums big or small for which you feel the most affinity or understand the intricacies of, that would be of great help.

There's no need to go into any detail if you don't feel inclined. A very general list will do just fine.

[In a very neat hand that verges on frilly:]

I am seeking a mentor in Thedosian magic, to address gaps in my training and general knowledge.

Also seeking one or more sparring partners who are willing to endure spells and hexes typical of the Entropic school.

If you wish something of me in return, we can discuss it.

You can reach me by crystal, or find me in the front room of the Diplomacy office.

Benedict Artemaeus

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. ]

So. Seems like I missed some fun. [Fun in the most pleasantly sarcastic way possible.] This sort of emotionally disruptive weirdness happen often, or do you just seem to attract it? I might want to run some odds with my own luck.

That said. Far be it for me to steal the Morale Officer's job; I would never think to overstep bounds in that manner. But in the spirit [poor wording?] of a new year, we should do something to banish the foul mood in the air, this malaise hanging around after...whatever you got caught up in. [Look, he wasn't there for that, but it's hard to miss the #mood that's permeated the aftermath.]

Who's up for a good old fashioned burning? [That is. perhaps a little too cheerful, the way he says it.] A bonfire to warm us up and burn away the things that haunt us. In a manner of speaking. Catharsis. Symbolism. Raze reminders of poorer times to the ground. Or get rid of unwanted stuff you can't give away, doesn't have to be that deep if you don't want it to be.

Warmest greetings, my friends! This is Senior Enchanter Black speaking. Not to worry—I fully intend to keep this short.

[Promises, promises.]

Now that we have all recovered from the holidays both interrupted and postponed, I would like to take this opportunity to address a number of items from this office's suggestions box and a series of small administrative changes.

First—No, we will not be cutting 'breastplate windows' into the uniforms regardless of the season, removing the glowstones from the stairwells for the sake of confused wisps, or assigning personal ladder carriers to the division heads in order to help them reach the highest shelves. I am however willing to consider advocating for equitable justice within our little community should whoever wrote that we 'Shave Thandruil Baudin in solidarity for jealously putting gum in my hair. Signed, Johnathan Silver' still feel strongly on the subject. And I would begin by apologizing for the delay in this response. Your concern was stuck in the corner of the box.

[Astute members of Riftwatch will accurately guess that Cassius hasn't cracked this box since he, I mean it, was installed in the Seneschal's office. Now then, to the tune of rapidly flicking through papers.]

An anonymous admirer thinks the Ambassador has been looking very handsome lately. An anonymous concerned individual has noted the last leader of Project Haven may have been actively sabotaging our relationship with the Chantry and wishes to know how that damage may be repaired. An anonymous madman principally concerned with the spending of this organization would like to note that if someone doesn't stop stealing from the stock of soap in the baths that he will be forced to take extreme measures to control its distribution. He further writes that while he hopes for a peaceful resolution, that he has no shortage of ideas for exacting his revenge.

[Presumably this last card is winged away over the Seneschal's shoulder.]

On that subject, everyone is being asked to carefully monitor their use of parchment and ink. All pages should be used front and back. The passing of non-essential notes and letters should be kept to a minimum. Distribution of papers and ink powders will be monitored and any foolhardy excess may be deducted from your stipend. Similarly, please be aware that the destruction of Riftwatch property which includes equipment from the armory and the Gallows furnishings may be subject to the same.

I believe that's the long and the short of it. I hope everyone has had a pleasant Firstfall.