Hello, hello. This is Nina Zenik. I'm a Rifter, all of that, haven't met too many of you yet, so on and so on. Anyway -

I wanted to mention to anyone who's struggling with it - because it does seem like a lot of people struggle with it - I can help with sleep. Nightmares a bit, too - not in the sense that I can stop them from happening, of course, but more in the sense that if you're in a deep enough sleep you don't generally remember what you dreamed about. So if anyone's struggling with, oh, having their teeth fall out, or needing to pack up for a sea voyage but the ship leaves in an hour and for some reason you haven't even started and you go incredibly slowly, or Kaschei is stalking you through the shadows -

[ And while she's mentioning it - ]

It is strange how we all have dreams about the same things, no matter where we come from, right? Except for - Isn't there someone here in Thedas who doesn't dream? Don't dwarves not dream? I feel like I came across that in a book the other day, but maybe I just dreamt it. Who knows. Anyway.

Greetings, Inquisition, this is Scoutmaster Beleth Ashara. I'm back from my temporary leave of absence, due to an unfortunate injury that I have thankfully recovered from. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to everyone for their thoughts and prayers, [ To any deity, chill out ya nerds. ] and for their support during such a taxing period of time for me. I’m glad to report that said period is over, and that I have resumed my duties as leader of the Scouting Division.

And of course, a special thanks to Valentine...de Foncé, [ She is not rattling off that grocery list of names, thanks. ] and Kostos Averesch, for stepping up to help take care of matters and provide leadership for the Scouting Division while I was indisposed. You both did an admirable job, considering how little warning you got before an entire division was dropped on your laps.

Scouting assignments and missions will be resumed promptly, and if there’s anything that anyone has been waiting to speak to me, specifically, about, my office is open. And, of course, I can always be reached via the sending crystals.

[ There’s a pause, and then the formality in her voice drops. ]

Additionally, I’ll be expecting a report from everyone who temporarily defected from Scouting while i was absent, explaining why they cruelly abandoned me in my time of need, and cost the division a win in the tourney.

[ Not to name names, IORVETH. ]

[ Private to Cade, Herian, Nari, Sorrel, and James. ]

Um—Hello, this is for those of you who were present for my...episode. [ Her voice is still informal, tone rather awkward and very sheepish. How do you apologize for trying to kill people because you thought they were trying to kill you first. ] I want to offer my deepest, most sincere apologies to all of you, for my...horrid behavior. While it’s true that I was not myself, due to unforeseen and outside forces, what I did was...still absolutely awful.

I owe all of you, both for the restraint that you exercised during my episode, and for, ah. Your discretion afterwards. You have my unceasing gratitude, and if there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, please let me know.

[ Loki ]

Loki, of House Asgard. Hello.

[ He gets his own message, both because they have particularly covert information to discuss, and because she’s not actually that sorry she stabbed him, oops. ]

I do hope your cut is healing well, because mine has.

You needn’t worry, of course, I can hardly hold your actions against you. I was trying to kill you, after all. I just hope that I haven’t unduly harmed our work relationship.

I would hate to not be invited to any more of your parties.

I apologise for making contact with you all after so recently sharing an update on the Chantry Relations project with the network, however I think we can agree that the matter of the rifter phylacteries and the reaction to them is a disruption to our work, and causing divisions amongst our ranks.

Following the hard work of those who attended Skyhold to negotiate the matters of the phylacteries and were faced with considerable opposition from the Templars and Chantry, I think it is key that they come to understand it is not Skyhold and the Inquisition that pushed for this measure, but those other agents.

I also come to you to propose an idea to counter. Given that the Chantry and Templars pressed the matter of phylacteries for rifters, the most effective way to work against it is to diplomatically persuade them of the dangers and risks that come with said phylacteries, and diffuse the idea without further fracturing of our alliances and resources.

One matter that has been raised is that, as we have so recently seen, phylacteries could be used to harm the rifters should they fall into enemy hands. Furthermore, they could be used by the Venatori to target and abduct rifters. We do not know what they could do with them, but their shards are powerful and important to our efforts, even if we were to neglect what the Venatori might use them for in order to further their goals.

If you have insights or ideas on what other arguments could be used to present to the Chantry and the Templars, I appeal to you now to share them with me so we can present a strong and effective argument. This is not solely a matter of concern for rifters, though I can confess my bias; this is for the sake of our Inquisition, and more importantly, the sake of Thedas. Interruptions to our work jeopardise our cause.

Those who would be willing to attend a meeting with Chantry leadership with me, please make yourselves known.

Good morrow, Inquisition.

( Herian always sounds even and controlled. It's her own personal cliche, on par with "it was a dark and stormy night." Now, however, it takes on a new dimension, a suggestion of flatness that could be tiredness, or could be... something else. )

I bring good tidings. Though there were those who felt the loss of the Hightown forest keenly, the fire cleared the way for work to begin on the memorial, the progress of which had been stymied for some time. Working with a committee of Kirkwallers, the families of the lost and survivors, and members of the Chantry, the Chantry Relations project and the Inquisition has aided with the design and construction of the memorial gardens. The gardens were designed as a place of reflection and to commemorate all those who lost their lives in the Chantry explosion of the thirty-seventh year of the Dragon Age, and its aftermath. However... as a place of peace for all those who have lost people and who seek succour, all are welcome.

It would be remiss to speak of the memorial gardens without acknowledging, in particular, the work of Siuona and Nahariel of Clan Dahlasanor. For all that feeling was much divided on it, the current growth and fertility of the gardens would have been impossible without the efforts and Sina and those who aided her in raising the forest. It was their shared vision of a peaceful place for the coming together of people in remembrance that allowed Andraste's Grove to come into being, and Narahiel's work that gave us the statue that has become an icon for so many. Though the fire destroyed much, all that survived it - the trees, the flowers, the ground of that grove as well as the statue of Andraste - are sacred. It has become a place of peace, and of pilgrimage. Knowing all the injuries that the Chantry has inflicted in the past, it seems... it seems all the more fitting that a place of healing and reconciliation be the result of Dalish idealism.

( Her own feelings on the Dalish are not warm, or perhaps much better than frosty, but her sentiment is genuine.

There follows a bit of a pause. )

I hope that... even with all the adversity that faces us now, new challenges arising alongside the old, that when it comes to protecting this world and standing against Corypheus, we can do so together. That... that animosity might be saved for those who stand as a threat to us all, and that breaches between us, allies even when it be... through circumstance rather than choice, might be settled peacefully whenever possible.

Easy words to say, I know, and I cannot claim that I have stood by that ideal anywhere near so well as I ought in times past. I wish to do better, on that count. If you should wish to find me, I am most often in the Chantry Relations office. Doubtless there is much to discuss, in light of recent developments and proposals.

[Ignis clears his throat before he starts, almost as a polite acknowledgment that he's there -
despite it being through crystal communication.]

I would like to start by extending my gratitude in all that the Inquisition has done to protect and bring comfort to me and my friend. You have all been very encouraging and a credit to Thedas as a whole - which helps to bring me to the request I had in mind now.

I want to learn more about Thedas. I'd love to discuss your history, countries, customs, and all of those little things that help make your world unique and interesting. As it stands, so many of you have come forward to share your views and stories already. For that, I am very appreciative.

I was hoping I might take a stab at your library as well, but for obvious reasons, I cannot read the volumes housed there on my own. Of course, I would simply rope Prompto into helping me, but he has his own duties and desires to tend to. I was thinking that we might be able to find some volunteers willing to help me. To, uh, read to me.

[He pauses then, letting the request stand by itself.]

That failing, I always want to hear more stories. If you are willing to share, please tell me what are some of your favorite holidays or other cultural cornerstones of your country? Or even traditions your family had? Or historical stories? Anything that you'd like. I wish to have a broader sense of your world.

[ it might be reading into things a little, maybe, to call her voice tense ]

It is — uncommonly quiet today, no?

I trust that all is well, [ a pause that manages to audibly convey the act of suspicious looming ] Else we would hear of it.

[ is that a threat or a question? ]

So, ah,

Anyone reckon they know how to get blue out of things?

Inquisition,

( she starts, and then there is a moment of pause. Her accent is stronger than it was before her trip to Starkhaven, renewed by proximity even if it has already softened from what it had been there. She speaks with that same, inevitable control, but she does not sound quite the same type of calm as usual. )

How do you best honour the dead? Recently or long departed. I would be glad to know.

( Just a casual question, nbd.

She sure doesn't sound like "glad" should be a description of her ever, but maybe given the content she can be forgiven. There's a small bark, and though it cannot be seen, rest assured that Herian is frowning at the source. There is a measured pause, before Herian adds, )

And if any could advise me what to do with a small canine that sees fit to prance about wherever I go, I'd be grateful.

( Quietly exasperated, to the dog as she moves to end the post, ) You're too short for the stairs. Accept it.