Greetings, Riftwatch. I have a request.

What is your favourite story? Real of fiction, I do not mind. I am simply curious.

So. I had a series of dreams several nights ago. Which should not be even a little possible, since I'm a dwarf. To my understanding, a single mage shouldn't be able to induce that sort of thing. I don't even know if such a thing is remotely possible.

Now then, it's my understanding that most topsiders enter the Fade when they're sleeping. So then tell me about your experiences in the Fade. How does one tell the difference between reality and a dream? Is it normal to find yourself dreaming of strange and unlikely situations? I understand mages especially have a unique relationship to the Fade, most of the writings I've found are written exclusively by Circle Enchanters. How, specifically, is it different? Are mage dreams different than those of non-mages or is dreaming specifically the suggestion of latent magical ability? Are mages able to cross between dreams, or enter a non-mage's dream? Are dreams a separate part of the Fade?

I've been puzzling over this and reading everything I can find and there's nothing that quite explains it to me. Not especially surprising since apparently this dreaming business is a lot of magic and shared scholarly writings between the Chantry and the Circles were historically miserable.

More good news, everyone.

[ Already, it doesn't sound like good news. He isn't faking any obnoxious good cheer. Instead it's quiet drawl, 100% subdued sarcasm. ]

We've more or less confirmed that when Hawke and her friends, ah, when they 'killed' Corypheus—

Obviously he wasn't dead. If that part is news, we need to have a talk. But it seems the way he got out of prison while his big, creepy body was dead on the ground was by transferring himself—his soul—into a Warden who was there, and walking out, easy as that.

The Archdemons could do something similar, but not to us. That was the whole point of us. So that's... great...

[ Wearily. But after a moment he steels himself and sounds, if not brighter, at least more brisk. ]

Anyway, if anyone does ever get close enough to kill him, try not to have a Warden with you, I suppose. If you can't help it, you can ask them to laugh afterwards. If they sound too creepy about it, you'll have to kill them too.

I closed a rift by myself.

Right, so to review; we found an ancient, yet-still-inhabited temple of Mythal, and had a great fight over it with the bad ones, so this is obviously all a big deal for us, we can all agree. [Riftwatch, of course. Obviously. Who else would he mean? Don't be paranoid.] So I'll have a blanket invitation out; whatever you saw, or experienced, if you wouldn't mind giving a detailed account of it, for the historical record, we'd like to have it. I hope I'm not the first to point out how easy it is to lose history, even vitally important history, just because no one kept the record straight. Let's not be that, shall we?

Felandaris office hours are between noon and midnight, at the moment, but I'm always available on the crystal, or if you'd rather write it down yourself and simply deliver it all done and finished, then you know how to find me.

[There is a small pause.]

Oh, and if there's anyone good with enchanted locks, Merril was wanting a hand with an artifact we've had in storage that won't budge. That's all for now, everyone. Thanks.

I have begun to paint murals inside the office I have been given. If you have any important events you would like to see depicted then, please, feel free to suggest them.

SUBJECT: Venatori Activity in the Crossroads
PARTICIPANTS: Sorrel, Solas, Marcoulf, Steve Rogers
CLASSIFICATION: Confidential
DATE FILED: Solace 15
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Venatori agents attempting to travel through the eluvian network are discovered to be in search of some kind of mysterious temple.

REPORT:

Following the path indicated by Briala's recently deceased agent, we made our way through the Crossroads. In the days we were there, we encountered a series of small obstacles that might indicate the presence of larger dangers lying in wait there. On our first night, a young varterral unafraid of people wandered into our camp. We saw no sign of its mother, but I don't doubt it has one. Additionally, both human members of the team found were regularly tripped and tangled in thick vines which seemed to want to bar their way. They also reported feelings of fatigue. The Crossroads here seems to discourage any non-elven presence.

When we at last reached the large eluvian indicated in the original directive, we found and subsequently drove away a small encampment of Venatori. They didn't appear to have made any headway through the eluvian. After some guesswork, we were able to decipher the passcode - Halam'shivanas - and pass through.

There we found a temple housing some kind of pool in the distance. Before a thorough survey of the place could be made, we were driven back through the eluvian by an attack from figures who may have been Dalish. As they didn't follow us back into the Crossroads, I believe they may have simply been trying to discourage our presence and mean no harm to anyone who doesn't trespass there.

-Sorrelean Ashara

NOTES & LINKS: OOC ASSIGNMENT INFO, ASSIGNMENT LOG, IC LEADERSHIP REPORT LOG

Inquisition, this is a matter of some importance, and one that I would encourage you to discuss and contemplate before rushing to a decision.

[ mildly: ]

Or taking up arms.

As we know, the decision concerning the new Divine draws ever closer, and… matters have become more complex as that process has gone on.

The other Division Heads and I have been discussing matters around that, and the potential impact that a new Divine could have upon members of our base, here. It cannot be denied that in our Kirkwall base we have a unique blend of personnel, whether they are those from beyond the Fade, or mages from across Thedas, such as myself. We have members formerly allied with Tevinter and the Magisterium, and representatives from Dalish clans and the Frostbacks. There are many here who have good reason to be cautious of what a new Divine might mean, and how the Inquisition might be utilised or led by the new Divine. Might the people we have fought alongside be subject to harsh restrictions, denied a place in the Inquisition, or forced to heel in an Exalted March?

We cannot know with certainty, but many things are possible.

Certain duties have always been asked of those who pledge to this work. This has not changed — will not, under any banner. But the Inquisition has never held you in bond, and if we are to continue this fight, it must be with unity of choice.

With that in mind, we have discussed the possibility of our Kirkwall base here breaking away from the Inquisition, and becoming an independent faction focused on combating Corypheus and the Venatori, but— this is not a decision we feel we can make alone. We propose a vote to determine what is done. Our base here relies on our ability to work together and our unity, and if the greater number of our members here wish to remain part of the Inquisition, then we will respect that.

Please think on this carefully. There are any aspects requiring consideration; your personal views, how this will impact all of us, but also the matter of how effectively we will be able to carry on without Inquisition funding and backing. It may demand changes and sacrifice from all of us that we cannot predict.

We will arrange a means of voting so that numbers can be counted accurately, won’t be tampered with, but our time is limited. Another thing I would urge you to think on is how our relationship with Skyhold and the Inquisition would continue were we to part ways, and what sort of relationship we would wish to seek out with both the Inquisition, and the Inquisition’s allies.

While I appreciate the - [ a pause, to find some proper wording that would be somewhat less offensive ] - importance of choosing the new Divine might be to some members of the Inquisition, I am concerned that it has become something of a distraction.

[ To say the least. He's already anticipating the backlash. ]

As significant as such a choice might be, we cannot forget the true threat that poses us and the rest of Thedas. We may be content to pause our missions until the choice is made, but I doubt that Corypheus would be as accommodating. It is something to keep in mind.

[ And, finally - ]

Having been tasked with the leadership of the Rifts and the Veil project, I have been beginning to look into the weakening of the Veil in Kirkwall and the possibility of clearer predictions of Rifts and their locations. That might aid us in our fight and, if not, will provide valuable insight that could prove useful. If there are any questions I will be glad to answer them.