Greetings all Rifters! I'm Barnabas Vilm, and I've got a question for you. Are you just arrived? Without any of the local currency? Just the shirt on your back and whatever you had on you? Not sure how to make ends meet? Worry no longer! Come on down and see my Fine Rifter Crafts! We buy what you have and give you hard currency for it! Don't think it's worth anything? Bet ya it is! So come on down, I'll help you get back on your feet. 

And everyone else! Need anything special? Something that's never been seen before? Magic without Magic? Come on down! Take a look at the marvels I have in my store, and be amazed!

All transactions final, no refunds, let the buyer beware.

[ Well this is just great. Here Minka thought she'd show up, they'd put a pair of tweezers to her hand, and out would come the bit of green Fade magic bullshit. Not so, she's now learned. And she's stuck here unless she wants to be in excruciating pain. Super.

It takes her several tries to start up the crystal correctly and when it is, there's the sound of deep breaths and whispered words: "Okay, okay, I can do this. Okay. Just fucking get it over with. Do it, you fucker. Do it. Okay, okay.... okay." ]

How does anybody find anything around this damned place? Like, yeah, I know how to find the stables: just follow the smell. Same with the kitchens. But you lot have completely changed this place since I was last here and I can't find shit. I'm lucky I ran into someone who knew someone who handed out these crystal things.

Would it kill you to put up more signs? And by signs, I mean signs with pictures on them. Not all of us got a fancy schooling to learn how to read.

[ She mutters under her breath. It's something about nugs. ]

Anyway, does anybody do favors around here? I need someone to write a letter for me. Preferably a dwarf, but I'll take who I can get. In exchange, I'll run messages for you in Kirkwall for a week. I just have to let my employers know I ain't coming back for awhile.

[ Because of this stupid freaking shard in her hand, but she doesn't say that. ]

Inquisition, hello.

[ It's a friendly-enough voice, sort of husky without being unusually low, the common tongue spoken with the generic pronunciation favored by Circle tutors and just a hint of a muddled accent that's difficult to place beyond Northern. ]

My name is Nell, and I've only recently joined your ranks here in Kirkwall. I'd heard that the Inquisition's mages governed themselves through some sort of council, but I've yet to see hide or hair of it here. Was that only a rumor? I've heard quite a lot of rumors about the Inquisition's mages, it's not always easy to pick out the truth.

I suppose my real question is what is the status of mages here, exactly? And Templars, since I've see some about already? I'm eager to help the Inquisition in its fight, but I do like to know what I'm getting myself into.

[Okay so there's a good solid minute of dead air when Yngvi starts the message proceedings that isn't silence because there's the tail end of what might've been a pep talk and him getting his breathing under control before he actually starts talking.]

Right, not really sure how to start this so I reckon I should just start it? I'm Yngvi, Kit you know me but your-- your ladyship? Figured you'd be the ones to go to about this whole thing that's in my lap, see, for the benefit of all of us knowing the score: I'm Carta, the Carta are a big deal in the criminal underworld here and they've been in touch about a little situation that's been turfed out of their laps into mine. They've been having some difficulties in Orzammar they want me to look into, some. But I can't do that alone? I mean, I can get some people, I know ways in where we won't get noticed but one of you is this whole other powers and that's dealing with Orzammar, and one of you is diplomacy.

So. This is me? Askin' I think.

S'just a bit complicated since I technically shouldn't ever be there or know Orzammar dwarves because I'm a surface dwarf and there's a whole thing about all that, Kit knows that. [But head of diplomacy is a rifter and dwarves are never high up the chain of things so he'll explain what he can to her. In a totally not at all panicked sounding rush.]

This message is to those who are part of the Other Powers project and to those of us who have found ourselves stranded away from Kirkwall - because as it turns out we are indeed very much stuck here for now.

The Qunari on the island have noticed this as well. They have come to us with an offer to help. In exchange, they request that we hand over all information we have learned about the island and what is happening here.

[He unconsciously grips the piece of dragon tooth he wears around his neck.] I've heard enough about the Qun to know that we don't want them to think they need to interfere in our affairs, but I do feel we should seriously consider the offer.

I would, however, prefer to discuss that with those who have better expertise and who are going to be affected by the choices me make. What do you feel is the best choice to make here? If we do hand over information, how much should we offer?

[His usual easy-going and relaxed demeanour is entirely absent; Kit spares no time for pleasantries or small-talk.]

This is Kit Gandir--I'm with Sina and Myrobalan at a warehouse by the docks. [He provides a quick description of the place and a rough idea of where it is located in relation to the rest of the harbour.] We've got a situation down here--some elf kids in [his voice catches, before he powers through it]--really bad shape. Someone had plans for them.

I've apprehended the guard posted to watch them. [Another pause.] Get here fast, we're going to need help getting the kids to safety.

Inquisition.

[Hello again it's Val, very Orlesian.]

Or should I said, traitors. When a man dies, it is customary to gather the family together in the most comfortable--or uncomfortable, if it is a family that deserves punishing--and read aloud from his will. Even the most foolhardy of men must have such a document prepared. Or else how will he, upon his death, deal one last blow to those who would grub for his worldly possessions, and deal one last kiss upon the cheek to those who he loved so well and in his love, found deserving of his best things?

An example. In my will, I have written: to Freddie, I leave half my books. To Jehan, I leave the other half. And if both are dead--as they must surely be, if my will is being read, for we would have perished together, the three of us, united as we have been for so long, no doubt embarked upon some fantastical quest the like of which only a small number have been privileged enough to have lived--then I leave all of my books to the great library University of Orlais, the place where my heart truly resides.

In my will, I have not written: to the Inquisition, I leave the right to give away my position. What is more--

[Loudly, now--] I WAS NOT DEAD. I am not dead. I am alive. And now I must prove such a thing? Absurd! And then, the insult that compounds the injury: now I find that as I bear this grave indignity, I must also bear demotion?

It is unheard of. Uncouth. I suffer. By the Maker, I will make all suffer with me.

Good day, Inquisition. I apologize if there's some etiquette for using these things that was not explained to me, but otherwise I wished to introduce myself. My name is Enchanter Julius, formerly of Kinloch Hold, and I'm a new addition to the research department. I look forward to working with you.

If anyone is need of assistance on more personal matters, too, do let me know. I'm handy with both glyphs and runes, especially, and I'm happy to do what I can.

[This is, possibly, his third attempt recording this message, and so if his words sound tired or rehearsed, that's probably why.

He clears his throat and gets right into it with,] I'm Kit Gandir, and I'm the new leader of the Other Powers project. Javin Mazurak decided to step down from his position as leader and--[cornered, cajoled, pleaded, blackmailed]--asked me to step in as his replacement. So, here I am.

If you know me, you know I'm from Orzammar, but my diplomatic skills are rusty at best and I don't speak a word of Qunlat. I'd like to set aside some time this week to meet with other project members to get up to speed with what everyone is working on, and get feedback from you all on where we should be going. I know I'm the new guy as it is, you may not know me at all, and now you're expected to take direction from me. I'll do what I can to make it as easy a process as possible.

Quick word of thanks to Javin for leaving me his--[completely disorganized mess to sort through]--files.

[Kit hangs up.]