SUBJECT: Halamshiral Visit
PARTICIPANTS: Bastien, Byerly, Alexandrie, Jayce, Lazar, Wysteria, Barrow, Julius, Petrana, Gwenaëlle, Strange, (Demon) Vanya, Evelyn
CLASSIFICATION: Public with some private additions (see below)
DATE FILED: Wintermarch
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch went to Halamshiral. The things that went wrong were mostly not their faults; some people made friends; and Research in particular earned a benefactor.

REPORT: ( Read more... )

NEXT STEPS: Various folks have various opportunities for follow-up, but none required!

NOTES & LINKS: OOC post, log post.

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. ]

[ An Orlesian accented voice that has not been heard publicly in some time, rather soft and subdued: ]

Are there any of you who have taken injuries during the war— or before it, I suppose— that have made heavily relied upon abilities difficult or impossible? I should...

I should like to commiserate with any willing to speak upon their experiences. In private, of course.

[ The voice may be familiar to several, actually, depending on where — be it native to Thedas or a different world — one is from. He sounds smug yet bemused, somehow, and his accent either places him as from London, Asgard, or Tevinter. ]

Hello, Riftwatch. I did get that correct, yes? It is my understanding that there is a war on, involving a dragon^? and a mage from a northern country and that a city has been razed to the ground by said dragon.

Am I missing anything pertinent there?

Tell me more about this war. Or about magic, if the war is a topic on which you are tired of speaking. Or whatever is on your mind at the moment, I suppose, I won't be stopping you.

I, having just fell out of a dream several days ago, have been informed that I am not to leave this... charming island called the Gallows [ eugh ] for several weeks. Not even to see the city of Kirkwall proper. So if you have ideas on how one might best occupy their time in such constraints, I would also like to hear about that.

SUBJECT: Eluvian Retrieval from Tevinter

PARTICIPANTS: Alexandrie, Mado, Edgard

CLASSIFICATION: Public

DATE FILED: End of Drakonis

STATUS: Complete

SUMMARY: A team went to Minrathous to retrieve an Eluvian held in a vault beneath the city.


REPORT:


Through some small personal hardship we were able to arrive unnoticed in the city, and made subsequent transition to our covert identities: a merchant's recent widow, her attendant, and the late merchant's clerk. This rendered us respectable enough to secure short-term lodging convenient to the vault from a woman named Florettis, and provided adequate reason for moveables to be entering and exiting the premises at all hours.

Digging to the vault went fairly smoothly, but once we began work on its wall we were presented with the unique challenge of embedded powders within the structure that caused minor choking fits and momentary loss of consciousness, and continuing with the proper care became a significant source of delay. A further source: With our time in the city stretching on, I found myself obliged to spend most of my time in preventing the discovery of our work by our kindly— but unfortunately curious and eager for society— landlady, leaving only Mado and Edgard free to complete the excavation.

Once inside the vault, the rest of the mission transpired without incident. The eluvian and a further assortment of valuables (see attached) were successfully liberated and their transfer went unremarked upon, likely due to the initial establishment of our business and its manner of conduct. Departure from the city and return voyage were likewise devoid of incident.

Despite our having left upon very cordial terms, I assume Florettis will be unwilling to rent to us in the future when the extremity of related property damage is discovered.


[ Attached page: ]

Eluvian

A box containing 6 unlabeled vials of unknown liquids (to Research)

A crate of old books (to the Project Jeshavis office for translation)

Gemstones, assorted (to the Seneschal)

Three cases, locked, contents unknown (to Scouting)

Unframed painting depicting an ancient magister in what appears to be full ceremonial regalia (to Research)

NEXT STEPS: Who knows! What's in the vials and boxes? Are there any artifacts or clues on that magister painting? Probably for the answers to that I should ask Cass.

NOTES & LINKS:
OOC Info
Log

Good morning, Riftwatch.

If we haven't met yet, my name is Brother Gideon, and I will be taking over operations for Project Haven, working to cultivate our organization's relationship to the Chantry.

In looking to the Maker and Blessed Andraste for guidance, I hope to bring clarification of our moral cause to those who still have doubts. I will be attempting to work closely with the clergy of Kirkwall and elsewhere, that we may strengthen our message among and gain the support of the faithful.

If you have any concerns or suggestions, or would like to volunteer your time, I can be reached by crystal or found in the infirmary during the day.

SUBJECT: Been and Drawn
PARTICIPANTS: Marcoulf, Leander, Bastien, Vanadi and Lexie
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Firstfall
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: In an effort to soften potential past insults and repair/strengthen Riftwatch's relationship with the Antivan Merchant Prince, Bonaiuto Cellini, a number of Riftwatch agents were dispatched to an art show in Wycome featuring his work.

REPORT: Written in a hand which doesn't match Marcoulf's previous reports, or indeed his own (for he has none):

In accordance with their (MM. B. Royan, de Ricart, and de Vadarta, Enchanter Leander, and Lady Asgard) orders, agents of Riftwatch attended the Wycome gallery showing hosting pieces by the aforementioned Antivan gentleman of note, Bonaiuto Cellini.

Though originally skeptical of our overtures given the recent loss of certain investments, the responsibility for which has been rumored as attributable to Riftwatch's presence in the Waking Sea, we were able to both temporarily reassure Cellini of our investment in his welfare and divert less favorable criticism (specifically: of his artistic endeavors) which might have otherwise found its way to him.

The following was acquired:

- The gentleman in question's finances are in dire straits, and his competitors are eager to take advantage of his reduced position. Name of note include the Luppis who are evidently eager to undercut him, although they have thus far failed to live up to their full potential due to irreconcilable differences.
- Cellini reports that he has an ally in Ramondo Caliara. He also claims to yet have opportunities to expand his business with certain trade partners in Tevinter, although declined to supply further detail on the subject.
- Cellini expressed an intention to forward a gesture of thanks to Riftwatch in return for its support of the arts. Ambassador Rutyer's name was accordingly supplied as a reference.

Respectfully,
X

NEXT STEPS: Formally suggest pursuing contact with Ramondo Caliara in an effort to determine why he remains invested in Cellini's business dealings; conversely, reconcile the Luppis and see, in exchange for their support in the war against Tevinter, that they are successful in undermining Cellini.

(In successive months, a distinctly unfortunate self portrait by Cellini will be delivered to the Gallows, ℅ the Diplomacy Division. Anyone who attended the show will be able to confirm that no, it isn't an insult; that's Just How Cellini Paints.)

NOTES & LINKS: OOC Info; IC Log

[ An Orlesian accent, an idle friendly tone. ]

No one in particular is to blame for my asking— [ if only because the list is so long it couldn’t be called particular ] —but do we need more etiquette practice?

Well. [It's a little breathless, trying wholeheartedly for "pleasant" rather than "still a bit shaken and looking for distraction" and mostly managing it.] Now that that unpleasantness is finished:

Could anyone recommend a reputable source for visiting cards? I'm afraid mine have been out of date since I left Ostwick, and I'd like to ensure the replacements aren't out of step with Kirkwall fashion. Are etchings considered tasteful here? And are visiting hours acceptable when printed on the back? I've never thought much of pre-printed messages--it's rather cold not to write something yourself, isn't it?--but I would like acquaintances to know when I'm at home for visitors.

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

[Speaking over the crystals still feels decidedly strange to someone accustomed to writing and face-to-face communication. And while she's listened enough to know it doesn't require salutations or a name at the close, it feels rude not to end with anything.]

I leave you with great hope that you are well.