So Kostos —

[ see she can be charitable and give credit to people who don't want it as a way to brag ]

— Said and I think it's a really good idea, that we ought to be studying the stuff that comes through portals. Because there's like a whole project and everything, but I think we've all been more focused on making sure our hands don't fall off.

So, if you're a Rifter, did anything come through the portal with you? If you're not, have you found anything from one? What about people who vanished, do you know if they left anything behind?

[ belongings, or meat chunks ]

Also say if we can we borrow it for some tests, and if it's alive whether it's got an anchor, or if there's anything else about it that seems, uh, 'Fade-Touched'? That's what you guys call magic, right?

And if you want to help more than answering questions, let me know! Or if you've got better questions, or if you're doing it already. We should totally team up.

For goodness sake, it's marriage, not plague that I am asking if you've contracted. Why on earth do so many of you look like I've asked if your leg has rotten off over something as simple as marriage and children? And at your ages no less?

[ There is that tsk, that universal tsk of a Mother, Grandmother, Aunty, pinching a cheek and fussing. ]

Your fathers and mothers must be growing grey hairs as we speak in worry with your being in a war camp and they are still with no grandchildren.

[ P.S, this is Byerly's fault. ]

Okay, real talk: is there really any point to ribbons besides being tied in hair? There are so many ribbons here. Like is the demand for ribbons so high that — [ Anything else she might have said about the supply and demand of ribbons is cut off by a woman shrieking Hey! Your dog just snatched my product! Five coppers or I call the city guard! ] Shit! Okay, fine, sorry. Here.

[ Into the crystal she hurriedly speaks: ] Hold that thought. [ And louder: ] Get back here you freaking embarrassment!

[ A few minutes later, she's back, sounding out of breath. ]

So now I own a ribbon with wolf spit on it. Guess I can make a collar out of it or something. But new question! I heard there was some skill you could learn about handling animals, and like, commanding them in battle and shit? I think it was called a Ranger skill? That sounds like what I need to get control of this public menace. Anyone know anything about it? Or about wolves raised by people? Oooor has one of those huge dogs that wouldn't mind a wolf playmate? I gotta get him to burn off this energy somehow.

{ action }
[ After the grand chase, Tessa and her new pet are sitting on a crate on the docks, awaiting a boat back to the Gallows. The wolf pup is chewing on the end of a red, silk ribbon as Tessa looks like a new mother without enough sleep. ]

Hello. This is-- Salvio Pizzicagnolo, seneschal to the Inquisition's base in Kirkwall and Head of Base Operations. And we--uh, the Inquisition, that is--well, we have always lived in times of. [He winces.] Um, stress. To put it lightly. That is chief among the Inquisition's work. And, and it has been decided that we will--well, in light of the, uh. The larger threats. Monthly news will be shared and--and an edited version will be written in the Compendium. As a test of its--security. Not necessarily its longevity.

Um, Base Operations will be responsible for reading, um, will disperse--well, I will, I will just begin. For Kingsway:

[He clears his throat, and there is the audible rustle of a paper being shook into order. And when Salvio begins reading, he sounds much more assured than he ever does while speaking of his own accord:]

In Tevinter, there-- A new man occupies the Archon's throne and palace in Minrathous, but word is that the Imperial Senate is less certain about what has happened. A meeting of the Magisterium has been called to take place in Harvestmere--in Vyrantium, an unprecedented necessity--in order to take stock of the situation and rule upon it. Given the Magisterium's power to appoint an Archon if there is no approved heir (and Radonis, far from failing, had not yet announced one publicly), this development is not likely to make supposed Archon Ilrian Amladaris and his supporters very happy.

From Nevar-- Nevarra City, that is--reports have traveled rapidly that King Markus Pentaghast has fallen ill, likely for the last time. Though the aged king reportedly still clings to life, reports indicate him to be insensible, or at least unable to carry out his duties. His brother Ferdinand has reluctantly stepped in as regent. Elsewhere, his niece Aurelia Pentaghast is said to be quietly rallying supporters to make a push to take Ferdinand's place if she is not named heir. The court is on a-- [Mm, a poetic turn here, who wrote this, and Salvio's tone cools slightly as he reads] --"knife's edge" as the moment to finally choose a side looms. The Van Markhams, likely banking on the distraction of their rivals, have finally made the move they have been threatening for months, riding out in force to take the royal outpost at Onavign and laying siege to the town of Dornfeld, strategically located along the Imperial Highway south of the Minanter, where they might control traffic between Nevarra City and Cumberland.

From Markham, the Chantry's ruling that Rifters are not demons was made with little fanfare, but has caused a stir regardless. While many choose to follow the edict--if often, um, "grudgingly", that's, that's what it says--not all consider that matter closed, especially without a Divine to make the ruling. Several prominent scholars have attacked the legitimacy of this decision in lectures and papers, and are now said to be organizing an event at the University of Markham to gather like-minded scholars and clerics.

And finally, from Val Royeaux: the invasion of Orlais by the Anderfels and the situation in Tevinter have prompted renewed more urgent calls for a Divine who might be able to unite the faithful against the threat more successfully than the still-controversial Inquisition. Despite that controversy, the College of Clerics has reportedly reached out to the Inquisition's prominent--reached out to, um, Cassandra Pentaghast and Leliana--as candidates--but, also reportedly, have been rebuffed by both, as they are unwilling to leave the Inquisition while Corypheus remains a threat.

So-- [Salvio clears his throat again, and there's a second audible rustle.] That is, um. There. Yes. That will be-- that's, uh, all. For now. Please direct concerns to the-- the appropriate divisions so that they can be appropriately addressed.

And if any member of Base Operations would, uh. Well. This task, of reading monthly the news, will be-- will be assigned. To someone interested. Or of course I might continue to read.

Thank you.

[The version in the Compendium Book is mostly black lines, with a few adjectives and coordinating conjunctions left in place like marooned orphans. Someday when security is better, maybe we can all enjoy written news.]

So what do you actually do for fun around here? Besides drinking or sex. [ Because she already knows the joy of those, obviously. ] Do you have hobbies.

So, okay, alright. So I don’t know if you got vampire bats in this world, but just hear me out.

( The dulcet tones of the lone Inquisition Australian. G'day, etc.
Perhaps the thud of glass on wood can give some indication of where the fair doctor has found herself, this evening, if the rowdy voices in the background don’t also over some clues. )

About… thirty-odd years ago, in my world, this bloke called Wilkinson observed this behaviour in vampire bats, where if they’d managed to consume excess food, they’d some of it to help feed a bat who was going hungry. And at first, this was reckoned to be a thing that was familial, just helping, right? But it wasn’t, they were doing it for any bats, and they was especially likely to exhibit this behaviour to help out a bat who’d helped them previously. Reciprocity, and all that kinda good thing.

And then, people… we operate with reciprocity too, right? It’s part of evolution, reciprocity is a basis for— for all kinds of society. Reciprocity is in our bloody holy books, sometimes, “do unto others,” and all that. It’s a sacred part of society.

( She makes a quiet sound, amused. ) Reciprocity and gossip, yeah? ‘Cause how are you gonna find out someone’s a real piece of work who doesn’t reciprocate and help without gossip to shred their reputation? And that’s what these crystals are so good for, yeah? Communication, the sharing of information and some good, old-fashioned gossip. Any excitin’ gossip to share, anyone?

( A long, slow exhale. )

Anyway, point is that vampire bats are great, and this dickhead over here is a bloody moron who doesn’t hold up his end of a bargain when he loses a drinking contest.

( Ah. ) Oi, dickhead. Yeah, mate, you - what’s your name again?

Those on the Galicia saw it first hand, but to those on the Walrus, the Venatori abroad the warship pursuing us have made us an offer of safe passage in exchange for the currently incapacitated Archon Radonis, who is aboard.

I would hope [ thranduil’s voice low and dangerous. ] that no one need reminding that the Venatori are liars and their promises worth nothing.

[ but there’s one in every batch who might think first of saving their own skin, and that’s why thranduil is hanging out with the (unconscious) radonis and his friend, a knife. ]

And I would think that we would far prefer to strike fear into the hearts of the Venatori after the ordeal we were put through in Minrathous, with some of our comrades still missing and presumed captured, rather than simper and beg their mercy.

[ Kitty sounds faintly aggrieved. The reason: ]

So, there's this dog that started following me about. I guess it's mine now or - something. Anyway. Has anyone got ideas for a name?

I miss my niece. She is... tiny angel, Kira. I am glad she is not here, for her, and the brother-sestra and mother who would be missing here if she was away, but I wish she was here for Sarah.

( A pause, and— )
And me, also. She sees always the good, I think.

Who... Rifters, if you could be wishing for people to be here, who would you choose?