SUBJECT: When My Time Comes Around
PARTICIPANTS: Tony Stark, Stephen Strange, Wysteria de Foncé, Viktor (colloquially: the imagineers); Gela Baynrac, Benedict Artemaeus, Mobius (time travelers); with fetch quests by Ellie, Derrica, Erik, Peter, Yseult, Bastien, and Matthias.

CLASSIFICATION: Public, with the magi-science appendices for leadership & imagineers’ eyes only.
DATE FILED: Kingsway 9:49
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Riftwatch was lured into an ambush by Tevinter at Granitefell and 16 members perished. 3 weeks later, rifter magi-science invented a time machine powered by dragon blood to go back and warn them, which they did successfully, and the two timelines synced back up as if the bad end never happened.

REPORT:
OOC: To read the footnotes, either a hover or a click will both work!

( As dictated by Stephen Strange to Viktor for transcription and some editing. )

In Solace 9:49, Riftwatch was ambushed at Granitefell by Venatori forces incl. a dragon and dracolisk cavalry. Casualties comprised a full third of our number.

After careful evaluation, Research div. undertook a mission to innovate temporal magic, citing Mme. de Foncé’s expertise in adapting Rifter magic to native techniques, Prov. Stark and Dr. Strange’s practical and theoretical knowledge of temporal magic, Viktor’s experience with spacetime jump gates, and their collective knowledge of arcane engineering.¹

The following Riftwatch members were dispatched to retrieve necessary ingredients²: Ellie, Derrica, Erik Stevens, Peter Parker, Yseult, Bastien, and Matthias.

Using a certain piece of equipment³ to both amplify and focus the magical energies, we were able to send Baynrac, Artemaeus, and Mobius three weeks into the past, although their arrival was slightly mis-timed.⁴ These agents contacted Riftwatch (past ver.) and warned them to retreat, thus successfully avoiding the ambush, and a scout was sent to Granitefell to advise evacuation. De Foncé and Strange remained at the portal to hold it open for the travelers.⁵

The experience of the sync was curious: it was like suddenly waking up here, remembering both timelines at once, until memories of the abandoned timeline slowly faded and became less immediate — and now we live in a world where Granitefell never happened.

We’re unable to reproduce the time travel without first replenishing our supply of ingredients. For the actual technicalities & components used, see the attached appendix.

It’s a powerful tool in our arsenal, but in my professional opinion, one best not trifled with; we don’t know that subsequent uses would work out quite so well as this one did.

Signed, Doctor Stephen Strange, with addenda by Viktor.


I would like to emphasize that this project’s success demanded many hours of physical and mental strain, including great risk to personal safety. Without the contributions of everyone noted above, plus those who provided extra support, this would not have worked. Thank you.
– V.

—————

¹ See also prior Inquisition notes on Magister Alexius and the Redcliffe incident. ( While adjusting the order of cited imagineer experience, Viktor says, “This will make her day.” )

² See appendix. ( The additional appendix for leadership includes schematics of the Magrallen and its repairs, mentions the necessity of dragon blood, contains a list of other exotic ingredients used in casting the spell, and reproduces some of their experimental runes. )

³ Surely you didn’t think we would make it so easy. You’ll find this in the appendix. Good luck finding the appendix.

⁴ Through no particular fault of any particular time sorcerer.

⁵ Poss. future improvement: a way for the time traveler(s) to trigger their own return without someone being stationed at the portal. Amulets?

NEXT STEPS: Refine magical technique to not require actively holding open the portal. Stay alert for future great dragon sightings, in order to replenish blood supply if possible. No plans to actively pursue further time travel, but keeping the technique in their back pocket.

NOTES & LINKS:

• Wiki link
  
• Original OOC post
  
• Log 1: Granite fell, everyone died
  
• Announcement 1: Oh no
  
• Log 2: Sad times at Gallows high
  
• Log 2.5: Weird science
  
• Announcement 2: Weird science goes public
  
• Log 3: Fetch quests
  
• Log 4: Time warp
  
• Announcement 3: Nothing to see here
  
• Log 5: Life, it never die
  
• OOC Wrap-Up

SUBJECT: Movers and Shakers
PARTICIPANTS: Abby, Bastien, Derrica, Edgard, Ellie, Ellis, Gela, Gwenaëlle, John Silver, Julius, Loxley, Marcus, Matthias, Stephen Strange, Tsenka, Vanya
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Harvestmere
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Teams dispatched across Thedas to handle various mage-related assignments in the wake of the Conclave attempt, such as making contact with Rivaini communities and isolationist mages, arranging patrons for mage-sympathetic authors, mediate conflict in Marcher villages, and assist in raiding Venatori supply lines.

REPORT:Commander,

I've a summary for you of the progress made on the month's work.

Bastien and Edgard contacted Madame Cordier and were able to persuade her and her daughters to take on the project of publishing Serrah Tinel's work. He can expect distribution to go ahead in the coming year, and I assume we can expect his cooperation on all matters related to the Hercinia harbor.

Enchanter Rowntree, Ellie and Warden Ellis reported trouble in their work alongside Inquisition forces. A disagreement over what should be done with a large amount of tainted lyrium discovered during their raids ended with Warden Ellis forcing their commanding officer, Livia Glas, to relinquish the goods by claiming them for the Grey Wardens.

We can expect that this argument will be reported back to the Inquisition. Though the lyrium itself was destroyed, a sample was kept for testing by our people. A second sample is on hand if the Inquisition inquires, and Enchanter Rowntree sent word to them reporting Livia Glas' conduct during their shared mission. Our Diplomacy Division may reach out themselves, to repeat our concerns regarding Livia Glass, and to warn the Inquisition of the danger this lyrium posed. They might test their own stock and any other stock that has been recovered during similar raids.

It might be necessary to warn our own templars as well, and set someone to look into the chain of import that produced that batch of lyrium.

Gela, Stephen Strange, Vanya Orlov and I had some difficulty in Cledwyn. Sister Merran had been taken ill herself, and in the grip of fever created a fear in the villagers that demons were instigating their poor fortune.

It is thanks to Gela and Vanya's efforts that we were able to provide treatment to Sister Merran. Serrah Strange discovered the cause of their troubles. The crop was diseased, and while his methods were able to save some of their yield, some had to be destroyed. Gela's work with the villagers had earned the villagers trust, and with Sister Merran recovered, we were able to come to some decisions with the villagers as to what would be needed.

They requested some of the refugees be moved onwards from their village. We escorted a group into Kirkwall, with the hopes that they will be able to find work in the city during the winter months. It had also been suggested that with much of the Free Marches having seen damage through raids this summer and fall, that Cledwyn may be able to provide for them some assistance, due to their working mills. If we could facilitate these things, it would be greatly appreciated and I believe would impress Sister Merran further.

Regarding my work with Abby, Gwenaëlle, and Loxley in Sanavo village, we were able to successfully close the rift that had been hampering their work. I believe we made a good impression on the villagers and their leaders. I believe we would be happily received should Riftwatch representatives need to revisit Sanavo any time in the future.

– Derrica

NEXT STEPS:
● Fall out from invoking the Right of Conscription and alienating Livia Glas, determine what kind of ripple effects this might have with Riftwatch's relations to the Inquisition and by extension, the Chantry.
● Follow up with the trade house that transported the corrupted lyrium; Orzammar may be the place to start.
● Maintain contact with Sister Merran regarding the situation in Cledwyn. Transition groups of refugees onward from the village, and provide added support for the village by connecting them with villages in need of their intact mills or sending on supplies so they might have enough supplies to get through winter.
● Maintain friendly correspondence with Sanavo villagers.
● Promote distribution of Charles Tinel's work.

NOTES & LINKS:
While the report will appear as composed above, Derrica will not include any information in writing as to the presence of several Dairsmuid survivors living in Sanavo. She will report these findings, as well as their acquisition of the rogue Dairsmuid Templar, his new Kirkwall address and his willingness to address the Conclave verbally to Commander Flint.

OOC assignment
Separate report for Isolationist Mage Expedition
Bastien + Edgard @ Charles Tinel
Abby, Derrica, Gwen + Loxley @ Rivain
Ellie, Ellis, + Marcus @ Starkhaven
Derrica, Gela, Strange + Vanya @ Cledwyn

Salut, everyone.

If you are in Scouting, or if you are half in Scouting, [ like him, Actual Diplomacy Member, ] or if your work often overlaps or, [ sighing at the growing expanse of his own list and the futility of trying to meaningfully contain secrets, ] you work in Orlais enough to consider murderous Orlesians your problem—

[ Does that cover everyone? asks his pause. Yes, answers his lack of additional items. ]

—I need to meet with you. After dinner this evening, if you can. If you can't, we'll arrange something else.

I am going to teach you about how bards signal each other. The very basics. It won't be fun, [ is a choice he is making, because he resents the everlasting war for making him feel obliged to do this, ] but it will be quick. If you want something more detailed afterwards, you can bring me a present and I will consider it.

[ OOC: The lessons will not be logged out because boooring; characters who participate via handwave can add a rudimentary understanding of this bard nonsense to their resumes. (In-depth lessons will cost you a thread though. >:]) ]

SUBJECT: Over the Meadow and Through the Woods
PARTICIPANTS: Marcus, Julius, Tsenka, Silver, Matthias
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Harvestmere
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Having abandoned their previous homestead in Wildervale, a group of isolationist mages (known associates of Marcus Rowntree) has gone missing. Given the dramatics surrounding Marcus's last attempt to reach them, a group of Riftwatch agents has been ordered to track them down and verify their current status.

REPORT:

Commander, et all—

We are pleased to relay that we have found a number of Enchanter Rowntree's associates, and news that the rest had moved on to Ferelden. They are well, and have established a settlement that is growing, if not thriving. We were well-received, and our stay was pleasant.

We have marked the location on the attached map. I personally would not deem them a force to be marshaled for the battlefield, but I believe we might consider whether they could be convinced to take on refugees to supplant their number in the future.

No decision need be made immediately. I believe we might establish regular correspondence, and building a strong relationship in anticipation of what the future requires of us.

NEXT STEPS: Maintain contact with Greenhollow through familiar channels.

NOTES & LINKS: While the report will appear as composed above, an executive decision was made to redact large pieces of information about other events that occurred during their visit, namely: the incident of discovering that one of the younger members of the village had turned into an Abomination and had been kept contained in hiding (and her subsequent demise) will be omitted from anything written, if communicated verbally to Commander Flint.

IC log / OOC Info

Right— [annoyed] —if you don’t know, I’m Matthias, Forces Assistant, and if you’re in Forces, I’m the one what does the paperwork for Forces. Which means I’m filing your reports and all. And people have got to start writing more legibly. I’d say please but I’m not hardly asking.

If you’ve absolutely got to write while you’re on the road, at least wait until you’ve got a flat bloody rock to write on. Even the side of a tree. It’d get the pattern of the bark on it maybe but it’s be better’n what I’m looking at lately. I’ve hardly got any learning at all and I can write better, seriously.

And this isn’t at all related to Forces, but I’ll give thirty—no, sixty—sixty silver pieces to whoever can tell me who it is that brought fleas into the Gallows. I’d like to speak with them.

[Muttered, as he’s ending this,] As if it wasn’t bloody bad enough around here—

When you can't sleep...

What happens instead?

[In a very neat hand that verges on frilly:]

I am seeking a mentor in Thedosian magic, to address gaps in my training and general knowledge.

Also seeking one or more sparring partners who are willing to endure spells and hexes typical of the Entropic school.

If you wish something of me in return, we can discuss it.

You can reach me by crystal, or find me in the front room of the Diplomacy office.

Benedict Artemaeus

Warmest greetings, my friends! This is Senior Enchanter Black speaking. Not to worry—I fully intend to keep this short.

[Promises, promises.]

Now that we have all recovered from the holidays both interrupted and postponed, I would like to take this opportunity to address a number of items from this office's suggestions box and a series of small administrative changes.

First—No, we will not be cutting 'breastplate windows' into the uniforms regardless of the season, removing the glowstones from the stairwells for the sake of confused wisps, or assigning personal ladder carriers to the division heads in order to help them reach the highest shelves. I am however willing to consider advocating for equitable justice within our little community should whoever wrote that we 'Shave Thandruil Baudin in solidarity for jealously putting gum in my hair. Signed, Johnathan Silver' still feel strongly on the subject. And I would begin by apologizing for the delay in this response. Your concern was stuck in the corner of the box.

[Astute members of Riftwatch will accurately guess that Cassius hasn't cracked this box since he, I mean it, was installed in the Seneschal's office. Now then, to the tune of rapidly flicking through papers.]

An anonymous admirer thinks the Ambassador has been looking very handsome lately. An anonymous concerned individual has noted the last leader of Project Haven may have been actively sabotaging our relationship with the Chantry and wishes to know how that damage may be repaired. An anonymous madman principally concerned with the spending of this organization would like to note that if someone doesn't stop stealing from the stock of soap in the baths that he will be forced to take extreme measures to control its distribution. He further writes that while he hopes for a peaceful resolution, that he has no shortage of ideas for exacting his revenge.

[Presumably this last card is winged away over the Seneschal's shoulder.]

On that subject, everyone is being asked to carefully monitor their use of parchment and ink. All pages should be used front and back. The passing of non-essential notes and letters should be kept to a minimum. Distribution of papers and ink powders will be monitored and any foolhardy excess may be deducted from your stipend. Similarly, please be aware that the destruction of Riftwatch property which includes equipment from the armory and the Gallows furnishings may be subject to the same.

I believe that's the long and the short of it. I hope everyone has had a pleasant Firstfall.

SUBJECT: Don't Go Breaking My South
PARTICIPANTS: Adrasteia, Edgard, Ellis, Matthias + Bastien
CLASSIFICATION: Private to Division Heads + Project Sashamiri
DATE FILED: Early Kingsway
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Investigating attacks in in Fereldan and Orlais during the August siege of the Marches. Assorted odds and ends were dealt with, including but not limited to: dragons, rock slides, eluvians, and darkspawn. More below.

REPORT:

Commander, Scoutmaster, Provost, Ambassador & Enchanter Julius,

I must apologize for the length of this report. I've attempted be thorough as to our findings.

As I reported to Monsieur Bastien, Furness can be dismissed. There was no sign of activity we need be concerned with.

Matthias and Edgard both procured eluvians in Wanborne and Sarvers respectively. They are transporting them to Kirkwall to be relocated as you see fit.

Edgard reported a dragon near Cafort. We may consider sending a team to deal with this sooner rather than later. I anticipate a request will be made of us to help regardless.

A tunnel up from the Deep Roads was discovered in Courciennes by Warden Adrasteia, which allowed darkspawn to emerge and attack. She advised the villagers as to how it might be reinforced and blocked off to prevent spillover of darkspawn in the future. It should be noted, in comparison to existing maps, the pathway beneath in the Deep Roads leads from the Marshes towards the Silent Plains. She dealt with the blighted remains, as well as what had spread along the land.

Matthias received an account of someone on the cliffs in Alnwick prior to the rockslide. A camp was found, abandoned, along with several empty bottles. They had once contained lyrium. There were tracks, but not enough of a trail to pursue.

Vitroluçon is already well on the way to repair. Their people were unwilling to speak and professed to have seen nothing suspicious prior to the attack. Warden Adrasteia was able to discover a letter left behind in the area, after being advised by a local elven servant who directed her to a camp in the hills. It reads as follows:

HIS NAME IS EBURNUS

HIS FRIEND IN VAL CHEVIN HAS A GREEN HOUSE

THERE ARE OTHERS

THE DARKSPAWN FOLLOW THE WARDENS

IM SORRY FOR YOUR PEOPLE

She has provided the original letter to be filed along with this report. Please be advised, Adrasteia gave assurances to the elf who spoke with her that this would be kept quiet. Any further questions should be put to him very carefully.

Holmfirth is no more. There were few corpses, and what darkspawn had managed to be killed were infected with red lyrium. I assisted with the disposal and destruction of these things. Only three children survived, and two are too young to speak with me. The eldest was a girl of ten, who reported seeing a Warden in the area. From what she was able to communicate to me, there is reason to believe the Warden was working alongside the darkspawn, though it must also be said: she was a child who had undergone a terrible thing. I couldn't press her far enough for her recounting of events to become clear.

It must also be related, in the interest of explaining the two newest occupants of the dungeon: Warden Adrasteia and I were attacked on the road back to Kirkwall. There was a small fire started in the midst of the fight, though the structure was still standing when we left the inn come morning. We have secured the mage accordingly in the dungeon, alongside his partner. They were not forthcoming with us, save to argue over the cause of their failure.

There is much here to consider. It is my belief that we start with the eluvians, and the two captives Warden Adrasteia and I brought back with us, before pursuing the rest. I do, however, defer to your collective judgement.

— Warden Ellis

NEXT STEPS: Riftwatch is now two Venatori and two eluvian richer. Both eluvian will likely need to be placed in the field at strategic points to enhance Riftwatch's travel options, and the two Venatori will need to be interrogated by someone with reliable skill at it. Further follow up on strange darkspawn behavior obviously a must.

Less urgently, maybe someone wants to go out to Cafort to hunt a dragon or drive it away from the village.

NOTES & LINKS: ooc info | rookery post | log