Riftwatch.

A directive has been issued by the Knight-Vigilant of the Templar Order regarding their continued reconstitution. I've included the notification in full via our books for reference.

Those of the Order, past and present, make sure you declare your position to Riftwatch leadership as well as the Chantry. Spare us explaining your status on your behalf, or being informed without notice.

[ Although Marcus' tone is to the point, borderline impatient, rest assured he is having a great day.

Not long after this curt notification, enchanted books will also include the following; ]

To Riftwatch leadership,

It is to our understanding that Riftwatch harbors several soldiers of the Templar Order, and it is in an official capacity that we alert you to a recent development in our efforts to reorganize.

Concerning the departure of several sects and individuals from the Templar Order since the disaster at the conclave, Knight-Vigilant Aubin Héroux hereby issues an ultimatum to those who have not yet returned to the Chantry’s fold: they may either re-pledge themselves to the Order’s service and return immediately, or forfeit its protection.

“Protection” in this case encompasses that which shields a working Templar from civilian rule of law, pursuit and persecution by rebel magi, or any consequence of wartime actions performed in the service of the Order.

Furthermore, any Templar who continues to abjure his duty is henceforth to be considered a deserter and, in the name of justice, his dossier and whereabouts may be granted to any organization of magi upon request.

In the event of a Templar bearing an anchor shard, they are given leave to remain with Riftwatch until the situation’s resolution, under the condition that they publicly make known their loyalty to the Order and intent to return to their duties.

In Andraste’s name,

Knight-Divine Lorenco Sarmiento II

[ What is this? A lull? No emergencies? Perfect.

Understandable, maybe, to brace oneself for the opposite, given Marcus very rarely makes announcements on this thing and he's already done it like twice in one week, but nevertheless; ]

The Gallows tavern will be open for general use tomorrow, if inventory arrives as scheduled.

[ Translation: it will be a tavern instead of a random building, once properly stocked with ale and liquor. ]

And it requires a name. Reply with your suggestions and we'll entertain those that seem most well liked.

[ Who is 'we'? Who can say. ]

There will also [ he isn't actually reading from anything, that's just his voice ] be a regularly scheduled card game every Thursday, arranged by Bastien and myself. We'll alternate each week between our own tavern and locales in Kirkwall, and make note of it on the bulletin board where you can sign your name.

[ Rather than remind everyone they will have to be normal if they choose the Kirkwall game times, he ends it there. Go forth. ]

No announcement is made or anything, because why would there be, but Redvers Keen and Obeisance Barrow are the most likely to notice that they've been scheduled graveyard shifts almost continually for the next batch of guard rostering, covering a few weeks, respectively at opposite ends of the Gallows.

Maybe we're shortstaffed.

Riftwatch [ Yseult again, with more good news ] this message is not being sent to the crystals of Benedict Artemaeus, Edgard, Gela Baynrac or Vanya Orlov because after investigation into recent behavior, it is likely they have been replaced by demon imposters. Exercise caution in any dealings with them.

If anyone has reason to dispute that any of these people have been replaced by demons, please report it immediately so that we can consider all evidence. If anyone has reason to suspect any other members of the company are demons, please report that to me immediately as well, by private message.

Captain Rowntree will be coordinating efforts to detain these individuals so that we can determine for certain if they are demons. The goal is to take them alive, as even if they are demons they may be able to provide information on the fate of the real persons they are impersonating.

[ Equally distinct, Marcus speaks up, brisk and business-like; ]

Keen, Barrow, Carsus, you're best placed to handle Orlov. La Rue, we've discussed your handling of Gela with assistance from Ellie. I need volunteers of Forces or those capable of dealing with demons to back them up and also seek out and corner Edgard.

These demons will retain the ruse of their human form for as long as it suits them. Based on our experience handling Benedict, the threat of death or attempts to knock them unconscious will reveal their true form, at which point they're extremely formidable. As the Scoutmaster says, we are interested in their capture, and while they are stronger than a human ought to be, they can be detained through force. They can be secured in any available lockable room, or taken to the dungeons if you're able.

I advise anyone else listening to this to seek refuge with at least two other people not listed here as suspects, and, failing that, keep to your room until an all clear is given. Don't move about the Gallows unless absolutely necessary. Contact me immediately if you are in danger or witness any disturbances.

[ Yseult again: ] Commander Flint is presently coordinating an effort to determine how this happened and whether our colleagues may still be rescued. If anyone has any information that may aid in that effort, please reach out to him.

[ OOC Note: Flint's hunt is happening off-screen, but anybody whose character would pitch in with that rather than demon fighting is welcome to handwave having assisted. ]

It seems prudent, given the current situation, for us to publicly identify those who have been acting out of character. I can understand a desire for secrecy, to take any imposters by surprise, but the risk of one of our own being caught unawares seems much greater.

Who has been strange of late? And when did this change in behavior start?

Riftwatch, there is a demon in the Gallows masquerading as Benedict Artemaeus. He has been cornered in the fifth floor workroom. Assistance would be appreciated.

[ Yseult almost always sounds brisk on the crystals; today her speech is quicker and more clipped than ever. ]

Until we know more and can confirm there are no other imposters among the company, be on your guard. Report any unusual activity immediately.

Those currently in the Gallows: a member of ours has been attacked. The one responsible is secured, but stay on your guard.

Anyone of Forces listening to this, do the rounds. Check each room you go by, in case anyone else is hurt. Indicate under this message which floors are cleared or if you need assistance.

[Julius does not sound great, a little slurred and short of breath, but that shouldn't be a mystery for long:]

Artemaeus tried to poison me.

[It sounds like he at least partially succeeded, but that doesn't seem to be Julius' number-one reason for calling.]

He just ran out of the Seneschal's office, I'm not currently able to pursue. Sounds like he's descending. I didn't know if I should say publicly, considering, I'll let you make the call.

SUBJECT: Rescue of a Nevarran family who were eager to get out of Hasmal
PARTICIPANTS: Vanya Orlov, Gwenaëlle Baudin, Marcus Rowntree, Gela Baynrac
CLASSIFICATION: Private to the division heads
DATE FILED: Roughly late Wintermarch
STATUS: Log ongoing, but result agreed-upon and canon
SUMMARY: Tatiana Baumer reached out to Vanya when she and her family got trapped in Hasmal, banking on his lingering sense of obligation over her estranged brother having saved his life. (It worked.) The small team of Riftwatch agents got the Baumers out of Hasmal sneakily. They then escorted the family to Kirkwall, from whence they could catch a boat to Rivain, where Baumer hopes to reestablish his mercantile endeavors with a newly fostered appreciation for Riftwatch.

REPORT:

Commander Flint,

My thanks for allowing me the time and support necessary to retrieve the Baumers from Hasmal. The infiltration and extraction from the city itself was relatively simple; Tevene occupiers in the city do not seem especially vigilant or concerned about the population’s movement (at least to a point). I understand that Felix Baumer, the patriarch, is hoping to reestablish a trade in furniture once his family is established in Rivain, and wished me to convey to Riftwatch’s leadership that he would be eager to work with us on very favorable terms once he is properly settled in.

Tatiana Baumer, who wrote to me originally, also asked me to pass along this letter. The Baumers were eager to get underway and not to linger in Kirkwall, but she did also impress upon me the importance of my passing on her gratitude for Riftwatch’s assistance.

Respectfully,
V. Orlov.

The enclosed letter is comprised of multiple pages, folded and sealed with what looks like a bit of candle wax rather than proper sealing wax. The handwriting on the letter is fine but not ornate; the hand on the pages that follow, while legible, is much less refined.
( Read more... )

NEXT STEPS: While no major loose ends remain, Riftwatch mages who are interested may study the notes (assuming the division heads make them fair game). Baumer may be drawn upon as an NPC asset in the future, should an appropriate plot opportunity arise.

NOTES & LINKS: IC log; OOC info