Who'd win in a fight? Outta everyone.

[ If the Scoutmaster's voice wasn't already familiar to most of Riftwatch, it should be after this week: ]

This is Yseult, in Minrathous. Each of my team, repeat what you just told me on the open channel. You should all hear, and Kirkwall as well in case we're caught up.

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Artemaeus, Edgard, Gela Baynrac or Vanya Orlov because after investigation into recent behavior, it is likely they have been replaced by demon imposters.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If anyone has reason to dispute that any of these people have been replaced by demons, please report it immediately so that we can consider all evidence.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.

SUBJECT: Bang and Burn
PARTICIPANTS: Flint, Silver, Yseult, Lazar, Bastien, Gwenaelle, Loxley
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Fantasy!March
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: While working to sway the pirates of Estwatch from their alliance with Tevinter, agents of the Qun and a plot to weaken Tevene defenses along the northern coastline were uncovered.

REPORT:

9:50, DRAKONIS—

Attached personnel dispatched to Estwatch with the intention of discouraging pirate collaboration with Tevene forces in the region. Upon arrival, we discovered the island in a state of some confusion, a disagreement having broken between certain notable crews over whether allying with Tevinter wouldn't ultimately threaten their security when facing the combined forced Hercinian pirate hunters, Orlesian navy, et cetera.

Members of Riftwatch sought to shift sympathies in the direction of those crews in support of breaking with Tevinter. Presently unsuccessful in seeing the matter on Estwatch entirely settled, in part due to the discovery of a Qun agent operating on the island searching to do the same. I suspect so long as we lay no heavier hand in the matter, the island will settle its own business and we will have won ourselves some allies and points by which to gather intelligence on Tevene naval movements and interests in the region.

Concerning the Qun agent, arguably of more immediate concern: it would seem they sought to break the Tevene-Pirate relationship here in the Waking Sea in order to force the shift of further Tevinter powers from the protection of the northern coast to managing the war here. Without the assistance of the southern pirates, Tevinter would almost certainly be required to commit additional ships and men ordinarily working in defense of the Imperium from Par Vollen elsewhere.

Notable papers intercepted from this agent have been recovered, and will be filed alongside this report. I would be unsurprised to shortly see an increase in hostilities in Seheron, and thereafter some organized movement on the Imperium directly. It would be a mistake to take Fade-touched dreams as visions of reality, but should Par Vollen really be intending to make a decisive move against Tevinter then there may be some tactical credence to the possibility that they would first set their sights on taking likes of Ventus or Carastes.

J. Flint

NEXT STEPS: Continue to work with anti-Tevene pirates. Do something about the Qun gaining a foothold.

NOTES & LINKS: IC Log, OOC Info

[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: Assassination of Magister Kyrus in Vyrantium
PARTICIPANTS: Kostos, Loxley, Vanya, Yseult
CLASSIFICATION: Public
DATE FILED: Wintermarch 9:50
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: A team assassinated a magister at the request of the People of the Silent Plains.

REPORT: As detailed in the relevant intelligence reports numbered below, the People of the Silent Plains requested Riftwatch demonstrate its commitment to the shared goal of eliminating slavery by assassinating Magister Adelphus Kyrus. Kyrus opposes the Venatori, but is also known to have re-made his family fortune in the slave trade. The Division Heads determined that the benefits were worth the loss of a nominal ally.

Acting on intelligence provided by the People, a team consisting of Kostos Averesch, Vanya Orlov, the rifter Loxley and myself traveled to Vyrantium and infiltrated the resort where Kyrus and a group of companions were lodging. After several days' surveillance, Kyrus was isolated and dispatched along with his security, consisting of his bodyguard and a woman believed to be his lover. There were no other witnesses.

Documents were planted among their effects and the scene staged to suggest an alternative motive. All agents escaped and returned to Kirkwall without significant injury.

-- Yseult, Head of Scouting

NEXT STEPS:

In future, verify in advance all intelligence received from third parties regarding the magical capabilities of targets and their companions.

Investigate methods of combating blood magic/mind control and provide training to field agents.

Encourage stories that Kyrus had planned to free his slaves and was killed by the Venatori for this and opposition to Corypheus.

NOTES & LINKS:

Log

OOC Info