faderiftorg | PROJECT: Corypheus' History

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NAME: Frédérique Durfort-Lacapalette, Baroness Haut-Brion
DIVISION: Diplomacy
CONTACT: Inbox
SKILLS & EXPERTISE: University-trained scholar with expertise in archival research, anthropology, architecture, botany, and various other unhelpful things.

CURRENT WORK: Nothing yet.

COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: Nothing yet.

[ As originally provided to the advisors: ]

Leliana,

Look at us, being transparent.

We don't know what this ancient weapon is, what magic Sashamiri used, or what became of Farele and whatever he took from the archives, but we thought you should know. Maybe your people will find something we couldn't if they know to keep an eye out.

We do have some of Dumat's blood. Not much. If you and your friends are very nice to us perhaps we'll let you hold it in your fancy vault.

Alistair

[ Attached are the following letters—not the originals, all freshly copied, half in Alistair's hand and half in someone else's. ]

***

The creature can speak. It has a name, Corypheus. We have encountered darkspawn before who use words, but none individual enough to have chosen a name. This Corypheus appears unique among darkspawn, and has gathered many of its brethren to follow it.

It would be wasteful to kill such a creature. If it can be captured, tamed somehow, its unnatural influence over the darkspawn could perhaps be turned to our favor. It is clear the darkspawn will never bow to human commands, but this Corypheus seems at times more human than beast. I have conversed with it, and though its thoughts are disordered and inhuman, it speaks of the Old Gods by their Tevinter names. I have wondered if perhaps he is no darkspawn at all, but a ghoul, so corrupted by the taint as to have become a new creature entirely.

I recommend we find a way to capture Corypheus, hold it somewhere safe from both men and darkspawn, and study its unique nature. This will require magic, however, for Corypheus's own abilities are powerful. It uses spells both human and tainted, and has a strength that would shame any magister. We must muster our best mages to face it and to hold it.

—From Warden-Commander Farele to the First Warden in Weisshaupt, 1004 TE

***

Senior Warden Sashamiri,

The First Warden has agreed. The darkspawn Corypheus must be captured and held by whatever means we can find. Your protests have been noted, but we cannot waste this opportunity. If Corypheus is the key to having influence over the darkspawn, it is our duty to discover how, for the good of all Thedas. That means someone must devise a trap that can draw and hold him. Your wisdom has been proven a dozen times over; I cannot entrust this task to anyone else.

Can I ask this of you, Sasha, or must it be an order?

Warden-Commander Farele

***

Warden-Commander,

I swore obedience, not willful ignorance. I will do as you ask, but I will have my say first: you are becoming too complacent about this creature. If you need to remember what darkspawn are, go to the Silent Fields and remind yourself what horrors Dumat wrought on my homeland.

Sashamiri

***

Warden-Commander,

The transcript of your conversations with Corypheus seems to have an answer, though not one the First Warden will like. The creature speaks of Dumat almost with reverence. We know already that the Archdemon had control over the darkspawn horde, that they were drawn inexorably to its presence. There it is, then: if we need to draw Corypheus and bind it, we should send to Weisshaupt for what remains of Dumat's carcass. In the blood of that Archdemon, and perhaps the ancient weapon I’ve been studying, I may find what I need. You, however, need to find somewhere that this trap can be laid. The more remote the better. If nothing else, my friend, it will keep you out of the Deep Roads.

Sashamiri

***

To Warden-Commander Farele:

The authority to remove the Archdemon’s remains did not include permission to raid the fortress libraries, too! Senior Warden Sashamiri has already been provided with the tomes she asked for. You are ordered to return all materials immediately or face censure by the First Warden. What has gotten into you?

Stafes Nerrah, Chamberlain of the Grey, Weisshaupt Fortress

***

Farele,

It is done. You will soon have your captive darkspawn, far beneath the Vinmark Mountains. Once the other seals are laid by my apprentices, this trap will be closed. I hope you will gain Corypheus’ secrets . . . but I have ensured it will not get yours. The blood of the Archdemon is consuming my life, even as it draws Corypheus inexorably on. Forgive me, my dear friend, but blood magic has its price, and I’ve chosen to pay this one. I pray it is enough to make you see how this monster has been manipulating you. With my death and the destruction of Dumat’s remains, the secret of this spell will be lost: no Warden can fall to Corypheus’ manipulations and give it the knowledge to break its chains from within. Not even you.

In peace, vigilance.

Sasha

***

I was wrong. We cannot control the creature Corypheus. Even our most powerful mages hold no influence with him. In truth, it is they who have been most vulnerable.

A dozen times, those assigned to guard or study the creature have sought the key to free him. When they are removed to a safe distance, they remember little. They speak of a voice in their minds, a calling like that of the Old Gods, but it wanes outside Corypheus's presence.

Darkspawn have attacked as well, seeking him. I can only assume they are summoned the same way. Somehow, his magic lets him speak through the blight itself, affecting any who bear its taint.

This same power stays the hand of any Warden who approaches to kill him. I must recommend that we seal this prison over and conceal its very existence. Corypheus must not be allowed to go free.

—From Warden-Commander Daneken to the First Warden in Weisshaupt, 1014 TE

Edited 2017-05-05 06:17 (UTC)

NAME: Anders
DIVISION: Research
CONTACT: Inbox
SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Ran into Corypheus years ago with Hawke, has met the Architect, Warden, mage, spirit healer, griffon-rider

CURRENT WORK: Anders' heavy focus on Blight/taint cure research touches on Corpsy a bit indirectly.

COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: Nada yet.

NAME: Julius
DIVISION: Research
CONTACT: Inbox
SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Circle-trained mage with a bent for both networking and research. Much magical theory, some combat experience.

CURRENT WORK: Nothing yet - new arrival

COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: TBA

Edited (the latest correction) 2017-10-03 01:22 (UTC)

SUBJECT: Recover Magical Gadgets from Vimmark Chasm
PARTICIPANTS: Cassandra Pentaghast, Nathaniel Howe, Morrigan, Korrin Ataash, Thranduil
DATE FILED: Firstfall 9:42
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY:Revisiting Corypheus' prison in the Vinmark Mountains, near Kirkwall, and bringing back anything that might help the Inquisition's team understand more about Corypheus' weaknesses and how he might be defeated.

REPORT:
The prison was found partially collapsed, but in the interest of not wasting time or money on frivolities like "safety measures," and with no one wanting to look like a wuss in front of anyone else, everyone on the team voted to move forward anyway. There was a minor encounter with darkspawn, but no one was seriously hurt. The team managed to collect various artifacts of interest to be brought back to Skyhold for further study, including:

A collection of offerings from an altar within the prison
Six chalices apparently used for blood magic, likely to bind Corypheus himself (the other two were buried in rubble and not recovered)
A few unsettlingly large finger bones and spinal discs
A Grey Warden badge
A bundle of half-decayed papers
A mysterious and creepy orb
The orb was found by Thranduil. Luckily, his first move was to show it to Cassandra, rather than to hide it away and heed its strange call. Though he was reluctant to give it up, mumbling something about his "precious," she managed to get it away from him and tuck it safely away before anyone could place it on the altar and summon Malvernis.

NOTES & LINKS: Link to the original report + log

Edited 2018-02-04 16:56 (UTC)

NAME: Isaac
DIVISION: Diplomacy
CONTACT: Inbox
SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Healer, some experience with combat/running from combat. Research isn't a specialty, but he's literate, Circle-trained, and spent a year in a Darkspawn-filled murder desert. Take what you can get.

CURRENT WORK: n/a

COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: n/a

Edited 2018-07-26 06:04 (UTC)

NAME: Alexandrie Lucette Seraphine Arienne de la Fontaine
DIVISION: Diplomacy
CONTACT: Inbox
SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Bard-trained noblewoman fluent in Trade, Orlesian, Tevene, Antivan, and Rivaini, with conversational ability in Qunlat. Very keen memory and good at connecting the dots.

CURRENT WORK: Nothing yet

COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: Nothing yet

Edited 2018-08-13 19:02 (UTC)

NAME: Petrana de Cedoux
DIVISION: Diplomacy
CONTACT: Inbox
SKILLS & EXPERTISE: A diplomat and experienced researcher who can read and write Tevene.

CURRENT WORK: Nothing.

COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: TBA.

SUBJECT: From the Top Down (War Table)
PARTICIPANTS: Isaac + Val, Yngvi, Marisol, Vane, Alistair
DATE FILED: 11/10
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: By coordinating a handful of the Inquisition's shadily-connected members, Larius' smuggling contacts were identified. Off-screen, Marisol, Yngvi, Vane, and Val were able to snatch some letters. (Cleared with participants OOC)

REPORT:

Enchanter,

What sort of a name is Larius? I won't claim mine the height of craft, but at least it doesn't shorten to Larry.

Don't mistake me, I've known a Larry or two in my day, and they were charming enough. Not Montsimmard Larry — what a prat — but the others: Perfectly benign. Unremarkable. You hear Larry, and what you picture isn't sinister and vanished.

Even Montsimmard Larry. I think that prat's alive.

As Warden Alistair had the Warden angle covered (ideal: I don't care for Darkspawn), I reached out in pursuit of other leads. Mssr. de Fonce was able to connect me with Madam Lajoie, whose studies of mundane lyrium have occasionally necessitated discrete shipping; Mssr. Yngvi was in turn able to turn eyes out below ground, among the Casteless.

Lady Vivas and Mssr. Vane were most helpful in identifying potential overland routes, and in acquiring direct correspondence. I'd assure you that this was all done by above-the-board by legal means, but frankly I didn't check.

I've taken the liberty of marking a few likely routes upon the map — it may be worth contacting the Scoutmaster (or Enchanter Delacroix) to follow up. Most of them haven't seen Warden Larry in a while, and none of them have since the Conclave. He was reliable, but not personable. No one shed a tear or raised a round in his probable memory. They're working with a templar now, apparently without complaints, so Larry really must have been dreadful.

I suggest in the future we investigate a more dashing Warden. Dantes, or Nightblood, perhaps. I'd even settle for a Valentina.

Cheers,
— Isaac

NOTES & LINKS:
Alistair
Val
Yngvi
Marisol
Vane
Planning Plurk (For my own reference only)

Edited (i didn't link the thing) 2018-11-11 00:03 (UTC)

PROJECT: Corypheus' History

PERSONNEL

(frozen comment) Forms & Information

REPORTS

ARCHIVES

INBOX

(frozen comment) Forms & Information

(frozen comment) Information

(frozen comment) Information

Freddie Durfort-Lacapalette (Primary)

Warden Letters Re Corypheus' Imprisonment

Anders (Primary)

Julius (Primary)

Recover Magical Gadgets from Vimmark Chasm

Isaac (Primary)

Alexandrie de la Fontaine (Primary)

Petrana de Cedoux (secondary)

no subject

DIVISION: Research
LEADER: Enchanter Julius	STATUS: Active