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

Hey, Riftwatch. This is Steve Rogers, and I've been assigned your new Captain of the Watch.

[ does he find it really amusing that he's already Captain Rogers again? Maybe, but you'd never guess it for how straight to business he is. ]

The last few days, I've been exploring the fortress, taking a look at our defenses, trying to figure what we could improve and what's working well so far. If you've got anything to add you think I oughta hear, I'm all ears and my door's open. [ he realizes he's new here, and that the people of thedas aren't big on foreigners traipsing around like they have the solutions to all their problems. steve sure as hell doesn't, so he's doing his best to try to learn from what's here already. ]

I know we have a tighter budget after the split from the Inquisition, but that doesn't mean we can't still get inventive and do better. [ look, he grew up in the great depression - doing more with less is just how he rolls. ] As diverse as this group is, everyone I've meet here has the same admirable commitment to keeping this world safe. There's a lot of big fights coming our way, and I want to see that the Gallows is prepared to be a strong base for us to launch from and a safe haven to return to.

If you're currently working with the Watch, or thinking of joining up, I'd love to meet with you and hear your thoughts on how we're doing. Like I said, door's open.

[ either the door to his room, or the office for the captain of the watch. steve isn't difficult to get a hold of, and he doesn't sleep that often anyway, so chances are, you're never bothering him. ]

I'm still new here, and I know a lot of you aren't sure how to feel about Rifters still, but no matter where we come from, we all want the same thing. To see this world, and these people, protected.

This is Yseult, head of the Scouting division. I'd like to discuss several pending operations. I will assign agents to them if necessary, but would prefer volunteers if possible.

But first, there's been a great deal of complaint about the mandatory etiquette training. I would remind you all that the ability to blend into any environment is an essential skill that will be useful in a variety of operations. You are free to dress and eat as you like on your own time, but if a mission requires that you be able to infiltrate a noble household without detection, you will be prepared to do so or else you will be responsible for endangering your fellow agents.

Second, I am in need of any agents, regardless of division, who are able to ride griffons and comfortable that they can handle their mounts at night and keep them relatively quiet for an upcoming mission to disrupt enemy supply convoys.

Admiral [ ugh ] Flint and I will also be running an attack on a casino-boat on the Minanter that is reported to be rife with enemy activity. We need a couple fighters, particularly anyone with Templar abilities or similar, and a couple combat mages. You must be able to swim. Please let us know if you believe you qualify.

Finally, we've received reports that Antonino Iacovelli will be meeting with a representative of House Fidencialis in Rialto to finalize a trade agreement for iron ore and possibly even to arrange some sort of marriage as well. We cannot allow a merchant prince and a Venatori magister to form such close ties. I'd like to hear proposals from members of my division for how we can disrupt the meeting and sour the relationship between these families.

It's pretty clear something's going on here. At least, I doubt it's a coincidence the entire Gallows is have one collective bad day.

I don't know how you guys usually handle this, but it might help if we start taking down statements, see what people experienced where and when and try to trace it back to—

[ something seems to hit steve right in the middle of that, and there's an odd pause, like he just can't make himself keep going without letting this out. ]


Can I just say something?

[ oh no. oh no, it's coming up and he can't stop it. shut up, rogers, shut up. oh jesus— ]

You guys don't get this, but it's really weird that Thor's a wizard. I mean, Loki, yeah, who didn't see that coming, but Thor? And I really don't know how to tell him his hair looks better short.

Or anything else from home, not that it changes his life here. When a third of the world's already magic, you guys don't need superheroes and Avengers, do you? 'Captain Kirkwall' sounds like a bad cartoon. [ steve's voice strains for half a second, like he's trying to make himself stop talking, but it's just not happening. ]

I never finished boot camp. Never made the 'Captain' part of Captain America, they just let me keep it after I disobeyed a strict order in an advanced warzone. I miss the 40's. I miss my best friend. I miss art school.

Christ, this beard is itchy.

[ silence. is that it? are we done? have we finally purged it? ]


— Any time someone wants to club me unconscious that'd be great. Thanks.


[ please just... forget this happened. he's going to go find some place quiet to put himself in time out now. ]