SUBJECT: Tevinter Outreach in the Silent Plains
PARTICIPANTS: Bastien, Benedict Artemaeus, Nina Zenik
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Wintermarch 9:50
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: A small Riftwatch team traveled to Tevinter villages near the front to get a read on the atmospheres and likelihood of peaceful surrender. Aside from a brief violent interlude in a roadside inn and some fear among the Tevinter locals that the Exalted March would lay waste to their towns rather than accept a surrender, it went fine.

REPORT:

Esteemed Ambassador & Company,

While visiting the Exalted March our exploration of the surrounding Tevinter territory went fairly well. There was an incident with apparent Venatori (or Tevinter patriots only, who can tell) tailing us to an inn, or coincidentally winding up at the same inn in the middle of nowhere, but Monsieur Artemaeus and Mademoiselle Zenik were very competent (and I kept up) and we did not leave behind a mess. We did leave behind witnesses, the innkeepers and their son, but whether they would keep quiet or tell the Tevinters to preserve their own lives did not seem to matter. Tevinter knew we were there.

The general sense in the villages is what you what expect. In the smaller ones in particular, the villagers feel disconnected from Minrathous and do not care about who rules them so much as surviving to be ruled by anyone. The larger towns have stronger ties to the capital. In all places we noted a fear among the Tevinters that it would not matter whether they surrendered or not as they had heard reports, some credible and some clearly exaggerated, of the Exalted March destroying homes and executing civilians regardless of how they responded to the incursion. One leader in Capena also seemed to be having success fear-mongering over what would happen to their children under the Southern Chantry should they reveal magic. Artemaeus has explained that in Tevinter the lower classes hope for mage children to elevate their families' statuses, and it is a common and widely publicized occurrence, so even families with no sign of magic in their blood might feel like any given child could be the one. Any attempt to turn the Tevinter populace against the regime in Minrathous will need to keep that in mind.

To whatever extent the rumors of the Exalted March razing villages and killing noncombatants are true, it seems impossible that the Chantry does not already know, so in my opinion informing them would not do much more than make it awkward while they lie to us about it. But it does seem like we should do something, especially if we intend to continue assisting them. It is not something I would like to die knowing I enabled.

Humbly,

Bastien

NEXT STEPS: Decide what (if anything) to do about the war crimes, contemplate how to address Tevinter concerns about how the South will treat their baby mages if they surrender/lose, etc.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC info, IC log.

Hey. Jayce Talis here. In Research. I was, um… one of the casualties in Granitefell. I want to thank all of those involved in rewinding time and giving us another chance. What you’ve done is nothing short of incredible. So… thank you.

[ A brief pause. Then, a little cautiously, ]

…because of what happened, I’d like to learn the basics of combat—if anyone is willing to teach it to me. I’m… I’m a metalsmith. I can swing a hammer, if that helps? I’m not looking for a fight. I just… need to learn how to defend myself.

[ More effectively. ]

Hello everyone. This is Madame de Foncé speaking, accompanied by Mister Dickerson. There is a whole report written up on the matter which we wish to discuss today. Anyone curious will find it filed among the Project Felandaris records. However, we agreed [sure that's the word for 'Wysteria bullied Richard into it'] that discussing the broad points in a more public venue might do some good.

Go ahead, Mister Dickerson.

Dissection of Madame de Foncé’s arm revealed extensions of the anchor growing outward along the vascular system, confirming the existing supposition that as much of the affected limb should be taken as possible to ensure an anchor is truly separated from its host.

[ There is an odd beat where it seems likely Mister Dickerson is hoping for Wysteria to chirp back in before he continues: ]

It further appears that lyrium has an affinity for -- [ more quietly ] Rifter flesh, for lack of a more delicate distinction. When exposed to Madame de Foncé’s arm it made a fleeting attempt to regrow the parts of her that were missing. [ So the rest of the Wysteria? Another pause. He doesn’t deign to specify. ]

We believe it may hold promise as a healing agent for Rifters if applied topically.

[Which brings them to the true aim of this whole endeavor, the enthusiasm for which has Wysteria's clipping in so briskly after him that there's almost no pause at all between 'if applied topically,' and—]

And so Mister Dickerson and I would like to make a request for volunteers from among the Rifter population. We would like to make a more thorough study of the effects of lyrium on us. I have prepared a sort of sign up form and have posted it on the door of Project Felandaris' office. If you would please add your name to it, Mister Dickerson, and myself, and indeed the general record would be most grateful.

That's all. Thank you. Ask whatever questions you wish to.

[Slightly muffled then, as if the crystal has been lowered away from the general nexus of conversation, Wysteria continues on in the same breath, 'You see, Mister Dickerson? That wasn't painful in the slightest. I hardly see why you were so hesitant—']

(As terrible as acknowledging the passage of time is, she has been here for almost a year now and would like that acknowledged even if only in some, small way. And she's doing just that by turning on her crystal some time in the evening to ask at large:)

What's some advice you'd give yourself from a year back?

Doesn't have to be something serious. (In fact, might be better if it isn't? No bummers.)

SUBJECT: Trade Relations(hip Status: It's Complicated)
PARTICIPANTS: Bastien, Darras, Derrica, Loki
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Cloudreach
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: The Gang Disrupts the Flow of Tevinter's Supply Lines into Starkhaven, or: Loki and Darras crash a boat while Derrica and Bastien do some light murder.

REPORT:

Commander Flint, I am pleased to say we have all managed our tasks successfully.

The supply route off the Minanter has been well and truly destroyed as an option for moving goods. From the description I was given, it sounds as if it will be very hard to open up the route any time soon. Darras spoke highly of Loki, and mentioned that he could be helpful in other missions involving ships that might come up in the future.

Bastien and I were able to clear out the encampment you marked for us and gather information from the place before we had to flee. Before a replacement force arrived, we were able to collect a good amount of information, including records of trade. I recognized their codebook, and between us Bastien and I were able to read some of what we had taken. We recognized two ships, the Prosperity and the Second Glance as belonging to Merchant Prince Guidobaldo Montefelto. I've included all that we took. As you can see, the cargo is logged as armor and other necessary supplies.

It's your choice as to how we might use the information.

Should you have any questions, we are all at your call.

— Derrica

NEXT STEPS: Blackmail a Merchant Prince into cutting ties with Tevinter.

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info | IC Logs: Loki + Darras, Bastien + Derrica