SUBJECT: Faulty Towers
PARTICIPANTS: Tony Stark, Gwenaëlle Baudin, Jude Adjei, Ellis, Richard Gecko
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Solace
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch has been receiving glitched signals from a vane located in the Planasene Forest, and so a team went to both investigate the area and fix the tower. Upon finding signs of tampering, the team also located a nearby Venatori campsite.

REPORT: The vane was found with its defensive enchantments disabled/dispelled. No sign of damage, but plenty of sign of sticky fingers. The innerworkings had been accessed, with some parts removed. Whoever was doing the work had some idea on how to do it.

Nearby, the team found a Venatori campsite, so identified by one half of a Venatori. Among their stuff, we found evidence of research pertaining to the vanes themselves. Reports and journal entries were damaged by the swamp terrain we were dealing with, but what we can recover is attached.

This includes annotated diagrams for the vanes, speculation on their function and functioning, and the beginnings of a report that implies some of this research has been sent back to Tevinter to a person addressed as 'Volaris'. This report also speculates that the technology of the vane will "revolutionize" (their word, not mine) "Ascalon's subject-collection process", and some of the note taking also implies interest in the potential use of the vane tech in determining veil strength and stability in connection with projects (unknown to us).

All investigation pertaining to vanes (both in response to normal behavior and abberant) will now be conducted with the assumption that we might encounter Venatori interest. Work to reconfigure functionality and defense systems is also underway.

We are pretty sure they all got eaten by a fade-touched alligator.

NEXT STEPS: Maintain monitoring of vane signals, pursue research/investigation around "Volaris" and "Ascalon". Assume that the Venatori are working actively to collect rifters.

NOTES & LINKS: IC log

Bonjour, mes compatriotes. I have a few things.

The Hangman's Papers, I hope you have all seen—it was not my idea, so I am allowed to say that I think it is a brilliant one. If you want to write something, I am the one you should bring it to—

I am Bastien, if you are new. I am up in the Jeshavis office.

Secondly, I have been thinking about putting together an anthology of legends and tales from rifters' worlds. I've spoken to some individuals about it, but they keep disappearing. Vous savez comment c'est. But the bedtime stories that you grew up with, or the condensed plot of a book you have loved. They would need to be edited and annotated, of course. The purpose would be to underscore the similarities in themes and values and make sure they are relatable under the unfamiliar names and places, to show you are ultimately not that strange, so—if you are that strange, you might need to tone it down, [ he says, with all affection. ]

I am open to being told it would be a disaster. But I have something else that a publisher is going to want very much, that might be leveraged to convince them to take on something more risky in the bargain, so now would be the time.

Third, if you are good at fighting in close quarters, or if you are trying to learn to be good at it, I could use some help with something. You are a given, Yseult, [ in the shifting tone of a personal aside, ] but I can only impose on you so often.

And last, I promise: I am handling our trade negotiations for supplies for the time being, so if there is anything you find to be of poor quality, say so, and I will—you know. Probably tell you it is the best we can afford. But maybe not.

[ Too late in the day, broaching upon early evening, the bone-dry timbre of Richard Dickerson’s voice breaks radio silence to recite from a pre-written list: ]

This is your annual reminder to wash your hands and to avoid intimate contact and shared spaces if you are ill.

Cover your mouths when you cough or sneeze to avoid contaminating each other with your effluvium.

Serious ailments should be reported to me for assessment.

[ There is a pause for him to consider additional detail. Direction. Clarification. He ends the transmission instead. Announcement complete. ]

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

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. ]

I require a sparring partner who is familiar with recovering from injury. It is healed, but - [ a pause, and perhaps if one knows laura, they can picture one of her little frowns ] - it is not yet right.

I fight with hands, sword, and claws. If you have a preferred method of fighting, we will use that one.

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—']