faderiftorg | PROJECT: Hostile Powers

SUBJECT: Rogue assassin in Antiva
PARTICIPANTS: Beleth Ashara, Kit, Kostos Averesch, Nikos Averesch
DATE FILED: Firstfall 9:43
STATUS: Complete (Ongoing Consequences)
SUMMARY: An Inquisition agent was given counterfeit orders, prompting the unsanctioned assassination of Brianda de Trueva, a wealthy merchant with connections to the royal family, and an attempt on the life of Guiomar del Lunar, one of Antiva's Merchant Princes. The agent, Vintner, was intercepted and brought back unharmed, in full view of del Lunar, leaving no doubt that the Inquisition did not intend him harm, but nonetheless also leaving Antiva outraged about the death of de Trueva and the close call.

REPORT:
Lord Baerendorf:

I have spoken to you already, but for your records, Vintner is in custody and has explained that she believed the orders to be genuine despite the out-of-date cipher and felt time was too of the essence to confirm them first through other means, which helps approximately not at all. She is fortunate that the decision about what to do with her is not mine to make.

We have received four letters from Merchant Princes and one from the royal prince who was involved with Brianda de Trueva. They are varying degrees of outraged and threatening. In summary, they would like an explanation, and various routes of trade will be cut off and various allies will be informed if said explanation is not to their satisfaction.

As I understand our options, we could inform them of the breach and subsequent misunderstanding, which may cause them to think us incompetent, or we might say that Vintner went rogue intentionally, which may also make us look incompetent, but at least on a more granular scale. It may also make them insist more vehemently on receiving her head, but perhaps not. Surely Antiva has enough assassins to understand that these things sometimes happen.

I assume this decision is not yours to make, either, but please pass along my recommendation that we attribute the assassination to Vintner. I am sure we can find another head to send if no one is willing to take hers.

Again, for your records, regardless of whether or not it is what I would have suggested, the dwarf did an impressive job convincing the agent to back down; the Scoutmaster exhibited impressive aim; and I will do what I can to ensure that my brother is not a problem.

K.A.

NOTES & LINKS: Log

SUBJECT: Royal Dragon Hunt
PARTICIPANTS: Herian, Elros, Alistair, Maglor
DATE FILED: a few days after the dragon hunt was completed and prior to the Inquisition returning to Kirkwall - early-mid Haring.
STATUS: complete/in progress (we’re still threading, backtag city etc)
SUMMARY: Inquisition agents accompanied King Markus to Hunter Fell on a Royal Dragon Hunt, which was basically “beat up the dragon until it’s so near death a feeble elderly man can kill it.” There were two dragons, rather unexpectedly, but no member of the King’s court (King included) were harmed, the Inquisition agents behaved themselves, and King Markus got to kill two dragons instead of just one.

REPORT:

Lord Baerendorf,

Here is my report of the Dragon Hunt you requested myself and the rifter Elros attend. We decided to take with us one of his kinsman, Maglor, and Alistair of the Grey Wardens.

The mission to accompany King Markus on a royal dragon hunt and ensure he was able to add the honour of dragon slaying to his legacy was a success. There was an unexpected deviation from our intended strategy, with the arrival of a second mature dragon, but the assembled team conducted themselves admirably; all showed themselves capable and efficient fighters, and I believe their conduct entirely respectful and appropriate. I am happy to report that King Markus slew not one dragon, but two.

Elros and Maglor conducted themselves extremely capably in combat with the dragon, and I think they were a credit to both the Inquisition and others who have come through the rifts. At Elros’ request I pursued an audience with King Markus, which proved enlightening. He did express some concerns with the Inquisition’s links to Orlais and the rifters, but I am cautiously hopeful that Elros’ praise of the King’s determination in protecting his people from conflict, and the performance of Elros and Maglor in combat may prove grounds for more positive consideration of rifters in the Nevarran court.

If you should have any questions regarding the matters of this report, I am more than happy to elaborate. I thank you for choosing me for this assignment, and hope all matters are to your satisfaction.

Yours respectfully,

Knight Enchanter Amsel

NOTES & LINKS: Dragon Hunting Log

originally posted 13/12/17 I think?

Edited 2018-02-07 06:14 (UTC)

CHARACTER: Ciri
ASSIGNMENT(S): Anderfels Surveillance, Track Smugglers
NOTES: rattles bone from deep within void, aka i'm good with however it works for others

CHARACTER: Fenris
ASSIGNMENT(S): Track Smugglers
NOTES: Breaking slaver fingers you say?

Hello! Thanks for signing up. You’re in, and here is some info. Possibly too much of it. Sorry.

WHO: Anders, Ciri, Nathaniel, Nell, and up to four more people—each of you can have a plus one, as long as either (1) they’re a reasonably appropriate choice for the mission or (2) we talk about it and work out why they’re being allowed to take an unreasonably inappropriate choice. Basically, don’t make my character look like an idiot for not telling yours they can’t take a boisterous drunk into a meeting with royalty or a helpless researcher into a war zone, and you’ll be good.

Nell is the only real Inquisition member so from an official Inquisition standpoint she’s in charge and responsible for reporting afterwards. Nathaniel would be in charge of the Warden participants and would be working with Nell in that regard (sort of like Iron Bull being in charge of the Chargers, etc.), and Wardens can file their own internal reports and all of that too if y’all want.

WHEN: IC it needs to happen before Drakonis 15. Try to get a report submitted by March 31. I think the mission itself should span 4-7 days IC, but in FR time is bigger on the inside, so you guys can squeeze it in wherever you want.

WHAT: The plan/orders will be to set up camp in a deserted, rocky, cave-y portion of the Hunterhorn Mountains and take short-term excursions past the border for surveillance, preferably using cover from low light or clouds/dust. Some of this can be by griffon, and some can be on foot. However they go about it, characters can find...

1. DEMONS: If your characters get close enough to Weisshaupt, they’ll notice two things. First, the fortress is still heavily damaged from the fire and fight during the coup, but in the process of being rebuilt. Second, its primary occupants are demons accompanied by very thin Wardens who are nonetheless going about activities such as eating and helping with repairs, overseen by a few robed figures. There’s also a large pyre within the walls, with a great deal of ash but no current activity. Your characters would be able to count about 75 individual demon/mage pairs, but that would only be the ones who were outside the walls during the time—no way to tell how many were inside or elsewhere.

2. DARKSPAWN: Well east of Nordbotten your characters would be able to see, even at a distance, a large accumulation of bodies and activity in the middle of nowhere, with a tainted dragon nearby. Getting close would obviously be difficult—and remember that darkspawn can sense Wardens just as much as Wardens can sense them! But even without getting close, it would be possible to estimate the presence of a 3,000-4,000 darkspawn in very close quarters, building shrines and otherwise going about their darkspawn business rather than rampaging anywhere. Depending on how close you get and the visibility conditions, characters might also be able to identify that most of the darkspawn are contaminated with what appears to be red lyrium, including a few ogres that closely resemble Red Templar behemoths. You do not have the manpower to do anything about it without being suicidal.

3. WARDENS & MILITARY ACTIVITY: In addition to the above, your characters can note that the Imperial Highway and other major roads are being guarded by members of the Ander national military, which seems to be under the command of uniformed Wardens. They aren’t a heavy presence in the countryside, but they may also pass through any villages used for item 4 below. Your characters can also find gibbets with a few uniformed Wardens and soldiers’ bodies and, by asking around, learn that they were hung for desertion or trying to leave the country.

4. LOCALS: Locals in the border villages will be typical Anders—conservative, devout, hardened by life in a blight-barren wasteland, etc. However, since it’s the border region, they’re used to travelers and won’t be too suspicious as long as your characters do a passable job of pretending to be merchants or otherwise nondescript travelers and don’t advertise who they are. Your characters can try to elicit their opinions on whatever you think is relevant. There will be a mix of people who believe the First Warden has gone power-mad and people who believe the Sixth Blight has started in the Anderfels and the Ander Wardens are the only ones protecting them while the rest of the world ignores them for its own problems. There will also be rumors about the Grand Cleric in Hossberg being arrested by the city guard for denouncing the First Warden, which will make even the people who are pro-Warden seem a little unhappy and uncomfortable. If there’s anything else plot-relevant you want your characters to ask about, get me a list and I’ll get you some answers.

Toward the end of the mission, someone will notice the snooping, and our best friend the red lyrium dragon will come after your characters, preferably in the air, because a griffon chase is awesome that’s why. The Wardens on the mission may hear faint unintelligible whispering reminiscent of the Calling, but as long as they get away and don’t linger near the dragon, it will be possible to resist. You can engage with the dragon to some extent if you want, but you aren’t allowed to kill it, so the end result should be escaping its range and possibly hiding in caves in the mountains for a day or two while it searches for your characters and the griffons overhead. Just a suggestion, though.

You can also add minor obstacles, like dust storms or skirmishes with enemy redshirts or losing all your rations to wildlife and having to hunt for food, as long as it’s nothing that’s going to fundamentally change the nature of the mission. If you do need to go way off-road or have bigger ideas, let me know and we’ll talk about it. E.g., you can’t go try to assassinate the First Warden, at least not without talking to me first so I can get you info or tell you how much trouble your character will be in.

HOW: You can make everything a group effort if you want, or divvy things up however you like. My suggestion would be to let each of the four characters on the team be the one to find/learn/lead the investigation of one thing on the list, since there are four things. And it doesn’t matter if you RP every aspect or just pick one or two parts that are the most fun and handwave the rest.

ETC: Let me know if you have any questions.

Is there potential for capturing a demon - bind mage on the way back and trying to save them, or is now not the time for that sort of an attempt?

Hello! Thanks for signing up. You’re in, and here is some info.

WHO: Korrin, Fenris, and up to two more people—each of you can have a plus one, as long as either (1) they’re a reasonably appropriate choice for the mission or (2) we talk about it and work out why they’re being allowed to take an unreasonably inappropriate choice. Basically, don’t make my character look like an idiot for not telling yours they can’t take a boisterous drunk into a meeting with royalty or a helpless researcher into a war zone, and you’ll be good.

Kostos would put Korrin in official charge because she has some seniority and more familiarity with the area, so she’s the one on the hook for the formal report, but it’s fine to delegate it.

WHEN: Sometime before March 31/Drakonis 30. It can be an ongoing thing with multiple trips required or a single adventure or whatever else you guys want, but try to have a report in by March 31.

WHAT: Hunting down slavers! Starting with a few leads on individuals in Ayesleigh who were accused of kidnapping elves, humans, and a few Vashoth from the city’s poorer districts, but ultimately released due to a lack of evidence, your characters can tail them—or kidnap and question them—to make their way up a chain of slave suppliers and smugglers that stretches from Seere to Treviso. Whether they kill those who are involved or not will be up to them, though they would be politely asked not to leave a trail of carnage and brutality linked clearly to the Inquisition, since it needs to maintain a reputation for civility.

You guys can make up whatever NPC slavers/smugglers you want for this, mix detective work and finger-breaking in whatever quantities you want, and make it take three stops or thirteen. You can bust up a whole den of slavers and free their captives if you want, or not. You’re welcome to make things more complicated—almost get caught, chase scenes, trouble with city guards who have been bribed by the slavers, whatever else is fun.

All that’s really required is that the very top of the food chain ultimately point toward the involvement of Viliana Malafronte, an Antivan pirate captain. Malafronte will be at sea and unable to be captured or pursued at this time, without additional resources.

HOW: You can make everything a group effort if you want, or divvy things up however you like. And it doesn’t matter if you RP every aspect or just pick a scene or two that would be the most fun to write and handwave the rest.

ETC: Let me know if you have any questions.

YO. We already talked about this elsewhere. But yeah hold off on kidnappings this time.

SUBJECT: Redeeming the Inquisition's reputation in Nevarra
PARTICIPANTS: Marisol, Carver, Kostos, Nell, Morrigan, Benevenuta.
DATE FILED: immediately on their return on [mumbles vaguely]
STATUS: Completed mission, on-going project (threading ongoing also)
SUMMARY: A team went to Nevarra City to figure out who was behind the Necropolis disaster and determine who might have wanted to harm Inquisition agents, damage the Necropolis, or set Nevarra against the Inquisition. Investigations followed, they have some leads, won back some favour from the Nevarran court and have acquired a possessed corpse to try and figure out what went wrong with the mummies and how to fix those remaining in the Necropolis. More investigation is required to resolve the situation but progress has been made.

REPORT:
Enchanter Averesch,

Many thanks on accompanying the party Carver and I assembled on the mission to the Nevarra City. You already know the particulars, so I will keep this brief for future reference.

Our investigation quickly established a link between Tividar Nancollasand his lover, Estoris. Tividar, you will recall, is the guide that accompanied Inquisition agents to the Necropolis before locking them in and indiscreetly boasted of his involvement with a fictionalised account. Estoris is a soporati who departed Tevinter a decade ago.

While our investigation of Estoris had its challenges, we have made progress. I am not yet willing to rule out ties to the Venatori, but both he and Tividar merit further investigation. It seems very strange that when our main adversary is Corypheus that a man with a Tevinter lover should just happen to lock the Inquisition in with dead who were so ready to kill.

Myself, Benevenuta and Carver successfully gained access to the Necropolis, escorted by the Mortalitasi. We investigated for any clues of what had happened, and to see if we could find out anything at all about dead. While there was a limit to what we could find, we did uncover that there were still a number of the revered dead within the Necropolis in the same condition that they were during the attack, requiring that they be locked up to contain them.

Morrigan proved invaluable. Her knowledge of the Orlesian court and its machinations allowed us to identify an Orlesian spy within the Nevarran court. Not only did this win favour for the Inquisition and stand to show that we do not favour Orlais in all things, but it allowed us to acquire a further asset.

Berenike Averesch is presently housed in the Gallows, carefully shackled and caged, and kept under guard, with access granted only to yourself. I hope that your expertise mean we can uncover what was done to the dead, and what can be done to reverse it. Whether it allows us to determine who did it and why, or if those questions must be answered in order to cure the dead (words I had never expected to write), I am sure restoring the dead and having proof of who is responsible for this do great things to restore the Inquisition’s standing in Nevarra.

With your permission, I would like to look to pursuing this matter further. All is not bleak in Nevarra, and we have won a few more ears willing to listen to our account of things, but there is much still to be done.

Faithfully,

Marisol

NOTES & LINKS:
sort of relevant network post/thread
Mission log

WHO: Vandelin, and up to 1-2 other people of your choosing, as long as either (1) they’re a reasonably appropriate choice for the mission or (2) we talk about it and work out why unreasonably inappropriate choices are being allowed. Basically, don’t make my character look like an idiot for not telling yours they can’t take a boisterous drunk into a meeting with royalty or a helpless researcher into a war zone, and you’ll be good.

WHEN: Sometime in Drakonis. Try to get a report submitted by March 31.

WHAT: Vandelin (and his team, if he takes one) will be the delegation sent in answer to the Nevarran crown's invitation to observe the formal investigation into Caius Van Markham, who stands accused of orchestrating an assassination attempt over a decade ago that resulted in the deaths of Pentaghast's wife and child.

Despite the scandalous subject matter, the inquiry itself will be fairly dull: 6-10 hours per day of detailed testimony from witnesses regarding the whereabouts of various interconnected individuals, gossip about motive and exchanged messages, etc. Because of Van Markham's status and power, the Pentaghasts are being very thorough about building a case against him, and hoping that the Inquisition will attest to the fairness of the process.

For the most part it will appear to be fair. However, at one point an elven servant at the palace (perhaps trusting Vandelin because he is also an elf) will slip him a hand-drawn map to a particular secret passageway and a drawing of the moon near the horizon. Waiting in that passageway after nightfall will allow eavesdropping on some unseen individuals discussing their work for the Pentaghasts in assembling and bribing a few key witnesses—those that draw the most direct connections between Van Markham and the assassins, testifying that they saw him meet with them in person, for example, with clear views of everyone's faces, when other evidence is less solid. The speakers will not be particularly proud of this. But they genuinely believe Van Markham to be responsible for the attack, and believe that a solid case is necessary to prevent the Van Markham family from having grounds to claim otherwise and start a war.

You can add additional complications to this: almost getting caught snooping, people being rude because of the race/nationality/whatever else of various Inquisition members present, whatever else sounds fun to you. However, if you plan to do anything big—such as unveiling the bribery on the spot rather than bringing the knowledge back to discuss, or adding in assassination attempts or anything else that would be A Big Deal—let me know in advance so I can tell you what would change or need to be taken into account.

HOW: However you want! You can RP parts of the inquiry itself or use it as a backdrop while RPing stuff set in the Nevarran court or surrounding city, or just RP discussion about it, or whatever is the most fun.

ETC: Let me know if you have any questions!

SUBJECT: Nevarra - Scope Out Potential Successor
PARTICIPANTS: Thranduil, Teren, Beneventua
DATE FILED: Umbralis 30th
STATUS: Complete / Deferring to Skyhold
SUMMARY: Thranduil and Teren, by Beneventua's invitation, met with the four most likely successors to King Markus. During said meetings, Teren took the opportunity to sneak about and uncover potentially damaging information about each target.

REPORT:

Lord Baerendorf,

For the sake of expediency, a copy of this has already been sent to Skyhold.

Senior Warden Teren von Skraedder and I met with Lady Benevenuta Thevenet, formerly of the Inquisition, in order to secure introductions to the four most likely successors to King Markus Pentaghast's throne; Ferdinand Pentaghast, Aurelia Pentaghast, Caius Van Markham, and Tylan Ostroff. While none of our receptions were particularly warm due to my presence, they were all quite telling, and our ends were furthered by the work of Warden von Skraedder.

To put it simply, the Inquisition should not favor any candidate. While I believe Lady Aurelia or Lord Caius' reign would be most beneficial to the Inquisition as a whole, the open and enthusiastic support of the Inquisition (unless applied vigorously and with intent) would in fact be to the detriment of any campaign. Our actions in Halamshiral ought to be seen as an exception, not a habit.

However, the Inquisition also might make use of the taint our input would inflict on a candidate, and saddle Ostroff or the king's brother with it. I advise against this, for however much that advice counts. I believe it will do nothing to dispel the rumors begun at Halamshiral, and further would make us appear weak when the candidate loses.

My suggestion, if you will hear it, is that we turn our attention to the Mortalitasi that Lady Beneventua is most familiar with. Her mother is a considerable ally, and were we to wish to support either of the better two, a donation done anonymously would do far more for our cause. It may well be an act of charity, but a worthy one, even if it comes with no favors. I suggest further that we do not endow the Mortalitasi with Warden von Skraedder's findings, though another missive with that information will find its way to you once we return to Kirkwall.

It would be unwise to ignore the bronto in the room of intimate accusations of kingmaking familiar to those in the leadership that would further taint a move if one was to be made in the matter of Nevarra's next monarch. However, given the precariousness of the situation, Warden von Skraedder and I urgently defer to the leadership of the Inquisition as to what should be done. This is no decision to be made by a Warden and a Rifter alone, nor in haste.

If something is to be done, inform us of our orders and we shall carry them out. If there is no reply, we shall return to Kirkwall.

Yours sincerely,

Thranduil
Head of Research, Kirkwall Outpost

NOTES & LINKS: The copy sent to Skyhold.

A NOTE: Teren had her own agenda during the gathering of information phase. She will be taking the information about everyone but Aurelia, and disseminating it to the lower classes in Nevarra, as well as making trade deals for the Wardens while there.

If you’re interested in any of these, respond with the form at the bottom by March 31. If you took an assignment for Drakonis, you have to file that report before you sign up for a new one!

ASSIGNMENT: PARTY IN PERIVANTIUM
WHAT: New-money Laetan mages with no interest in maintaining the current social order and a reputation for courting scandal and curiosities have extended an invitation to the Inquisition to attend one of their gatherings. Go make a good impression and don’t lose your temper over the use of slaves, and maybe the Inquisition will have some new allies in Tevinter.
WHERE: Tevinter.
WHEN: Sometime in Cloudreach.
WHO: 1-2 Northern Powers people, who can have a Plus One or Plus Two as long as it makes sense. Mages who usually have to stay in the background at fancy parties can show off this time. Must be able to be charming and not punch slaveowners in the face.

ASSIGNMENT: A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR
WHAT: An elderly slave in Tevinter has managed to get word to the Inquisition that his master is a Venatori. He's willing to trade information—specifically the identities of people from outside Tevinter who have been in contact or lent support to the Venatori—in exchange for the Inquisition's help getting his young adult grandchildren out of Tevinter beforehand. A team will be sent to extract the granchildren, whether by legally purchasing them or stealing them from their current owners, and to take proof of their safety to the contact to exchange for his info.
WHERE: Tevinter.
WHEN: Sometime in Cloudreach.
WHO: 1-2 Northern Powers people, who can have a Plus One or Plus Two as long as it makes sense. Stealth skills a must.

ASSIGNMENT: EXECUTION (OR NOT) IN HOSSBERG
WHAT: A joint project with Chantry Relations. The Grand Cleric in Hossberg has been arrested for speaking out about the new regime, and she's unlikely to survive long in captivity before dying of "natural causes." The Anders are a devout people, so either saving her so she can continue swaying opinions from outside the country or making sure the locals know the new regime has killed a priest will have an effect. Pending the outcome of arguments among the Inquisition's leadership, a team will be chosen either to prevent her death or to make sure that her death isn't kept secret.
WHERE: Anderfels.
WHEN: Sometime in Cloudreach.
WHO: 1-2 Northern Powers people to get paired up with 1-2 Chantry Relations people, maybe they can bring a friend. Stealth/ability to blend in with Ander locals required. Wardens not permitted due to the distinct possibility that Corypheus is in Hossberg and could wreck their brains.

CHARACTER: ASSIGNMENT(S): If you’re interested in more than one, list in order of preference. NOTES: Time conflicts, whatever else you think is important.

Edited 2018-03-17 18:40 (UTC)

[ continued here ]

CHARACTER: Marisol Vivas
ASSIGNMENT(S): Party in Privantium, A Favor for a Favor
NOTES: If Marisol gets one of these she might also use the opportunity while in Tevinter to continue her research into the Nevarra situation and see what she might be able to find out there

SUBJECT: Investigating the Ambassador
PARTICIPANTS: Beleth, Anders, Teren, Loghain
DATE FILED: Before the new year, I apologize for belatedness
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: A group of people wanted to see if a man with that size ego & mustache could be anything but skeevy. It turns out the answer is no.

REPORT:

Lord Baerendorf,

While in Nevarra, Anders and I were tasked with investigating the Anders ambassador and seeing what, if any, his aspirations were, and if they would prove a threat to the Inquisition. I searched his office in the palace, and found it to not only be bereft of evidence, but completely empty. We tailed him and found that he keeps a townhouse in one of the higher-end neighborhoods of the city with both his mistress, and his true office within it.

The two of us took two other wardens to investigate this townhouse, managing to quietly and privately render the mistress unconscious without her seeing the face of anyone involved.

Upon searching his office, we discovered multiple items that paint a damning picture. There was two encoded messages that I was unable to decipher at the time, but now that I'm back in the Gallows, I've been working on decoding. I'll alert you as soon as we manage to figure out what was in the notes. There was also a ring with a Tevinter inscription--we copied it down, and have included it with the message. It seems to hint at a Venatori connection.

What is definite, is that he has aspirations to the throne. Anders discovered and translated a notebook that contains a list of potential brides that will give him a legitimate claim to the throne. As of the last time he wrote in it, he has yet to settle on a choice.

It is the opinion of myself and my team that he must be carefully watched for now, though I don't think that we have enough evidence of his Venatori ties to currently make any moves. If the notes I'm decoding reveal harder evidence that he has connections to the Venatori, then it is my suggestion that he be removed before we risk having a Venatori sympathizer making a claim on the Nevarran throne.

I will alert you when the notes have been decoded, and if need be, my suggestions for who should be assigned to take care of this problem.

Enclosed are copies of everything that we located. We also took a few odds and ends that looked expensive, so he'll think he was simply robbed.

NOTES & LINKS: Tada

SUBJECT: Track Smugglers
PARTICIPANTS: Korrin Ataash, Fenris, Adasse, Agassi, Julian de Abbrixio
DATE FILED: Drakonis 15
STATUS: Complete/Ongoing (aka backtagging)
SUMMARY: Korrin and Fenris gathered a small team and went to Ayesleigh to track down slavers. Thanks to a combination of different skills from those involved, they were able to track down three major leads, leading to an assault on a slaver den. Further involved pointed to Viliana Malafronte, an Antivan pirate captain, but they were unable to pursue her at this time.

REPORT:

Enchanter Averesch,

Our investigation up north resolved the dead-ends of before, thanks to the efforts and talents of all involved. Every single member of my team pulled their weight and helped unravel a long and frustrating chain of slavers and the forceful disruption of a slaver's den. That's not to say that all went smoothly, but the result was a net gain.

We were able to uncover and interrogate three leads. The first was what can only be described as a thug, the kind of cocky asshole who carries a huge maul in public. We had Adasse trail the walking piece of shit, then alert us the moment he was alone and in private so we could surround him. Trapped, he still resisted us, but eventually we were able to get the needed information to continue our search.

Our next lead was Philippus Bombelles, a noble who also just happened to have a bit of a smuggling hobby on the side. Taking advantage of Julian's noble birth and connections, we paid a visit, with the rest of us acting as servants/bodyguards. Thanks to Adasse sneaking around and Julian laying on the charm, we were able to gain more information and -thanks to the power of blackmail- another informer in the Inquisition's pocket.

The next link lead back into the dregs of society, to a thief by the name of Eularia Lignago, nicknamed the Ghost for good reason: hardly anyone she deals with has actually seen her face, and she’s got a knack for disappearing right when things get rough. With some bribes placed, we were able to arrange a meeting, and Julian hired her to retrieve some valuable information. True to her name, she made herself scarce soon after.

Finally, we had enough information to track down a slaver's den in Treviso, not far from the docks and roads for easy transport. The whole operation was well disguised as an honest shipping venture, so it’s not surprising why it’s been overlooked for so long. That isn't to say it was without surprises altogether; in short, we were ambushed. There was no chance for stealth or diplomacy with this crew (though let's be honest, Fenris was never going to let it come to that anyway), so we had no choice but to fight our way out. Julian was wounded as a result, but the rest of us emerged with more minor injuries.

With the slavers no longer an obstacle, we were able to free the captured and learned that the slaver chain had another important member. Her name is Viliana Malafronte, an Antivan pirate captain. She is currently at sea and as such I believe we'll need the resources of the Naval Presence project to effectively hunt her down. If you have any further questions, I'll make myself available to answer them.

Respectfully,
Korrin Ataash

NOTES & LINKS: The log.

Edited 2018-04-09 14:39 (UTC)

CHARACTER: Fenris
ASSIGNMENT(S): A Favor for a Favor
NOTES: he is SO THERE for busting people out of Tevinter.

SUBJECT: Inquiry for the Pentaghasts
PARTICIPANTS: Vandelin Elris
DATE FILED: 4/1/18
STATUS: Ongoing
SUMMARY: Vandelin went to Nevarra to serve as a witness for the Pentaghasts in their investigation of Caius Van Markham, during which he discovered that the Pentaghasts had bribed witnesses.

REPORT:

Enchanter Kostos,

What had seemed a straightforward observational request has unfortunately proven more complex than anticipated. The case against Van Markham initially appeared absolutely airtight, and my presence an unnecessary formality, but I was then made aware through unexpected channels that the key witnesses had been bribed. I was led to believe, given this new information, that while Van Markham's guilt could not be conclusively proven, it was nonetheless still more likely than not. I can attest to the validity of the evidence provided by witnesses other than those I overheard--or at least, I have been given no reason to suspect them untruthful.

Despite my pre-existing concern that the Inquisition's neutrality in this endeavor could already be called into question by our association with Lady Cassandra, I ultimately thought it more prudent to proceed as if I were unaware of the compromised testimony. If a choice must be made, it will serve us better if the Pentaghasts can maintain a united front; we do not need to allow for destabilizing aspersions to be cast upon them that will leave them open to further assault from the Van Markhams and distract both families and their associates from the more pressing problem of Corypheus. And for my own part, I would sooner cast in my lot with perjurers than murderers.

There is, however, a nonzero possibility that others within the Pentaghast household may be aware that I know the truth. I assure you that I will monitor the situation for any further developments and handle them as they arise.

--Vandelin Elris

NOTES & LINKS: Discussion of mission here. The possibility has been left open that Vandelin's eavesdropping was noticed.

Hello! Thanks for signing up, and sorry for the delay getting in for back to you! You’re in, and here is some info.

WHO: Fenris and up to two more people, as long as either (1) they’re a reasonably appropriate choice for the mission or (2) we talk about it and work out why your character is being allowed to take an unreasonably inappropriate choice. Basically, don’t make my character look like an idiot for not telling yours they can’t take a boisterous drunk into a meeting with royalty or a helpless researcher into a war zone, and you’ll be good.

WHEN: Sometime during Cloudreach or Bloomingtide (April or May), whenever you want to fit it in. Try to submit a report by the end of May.

WHAT: Fenris' main task is to get the contact's grandchildren, Arhel and Varihris, out of Tevinter. They've been sold to a new master—Mettius Cotta, who has a reputation for cruelty, which is what's prompted their grandfather to risk turning on his own—and will be in traveling with Mettius from Carestes to Minrathous at a known day and time. (Whether they're traveling by land or by sea is up to you, depending on what would be more fun.) Fenris will have the funding available to try to politely purchase them, or have someone with a less distinctive face do it for him, but assuming he doesn't feel like enriching Mettius in the process, he'll have to stage a rescue before they reach Minrathous and vanish within its walls, becoming much more difficult to extract. If you go that route, you can make the rescue as sneaky or as brazen as you want, with no deaths or a significant body count—just know that Fenris would be under instructions to avoid tying the Inquisition to the incident.

Once the grandchildren are safe, Fenris can find Junlen, their grandfather, in Carestes. He'll ask enough questions to make sure they really are safe, then make a list (out loud, as he can't read) of names and/or descriptions of foreigners who have recently visited his Venatori master. There's no need to make up this list for your report. You can just say a list is attached or something.

HOW: You can make everything a group effort if you want, or divvy things up however you like. And it doesn’t matter if you RP every aspect or just pick a scene or two that would be the most fun to write and handwave the rest.

ETC: Let me know if you have any questions.

Edited 2018-04-17 03:05 (UTC)

Hello! Thanks for signing up, and sorry for the delay getting in for back to you! You’re in, and here is some info.

WHO: Marisol and up to three more people, as long as either (1) they’re a reasonably appropriate choice for the mission or (2) we talk about it and work out why your character is allowed to take an unreasonably inappropriate choice. Basically, don’t make my character look like an idiot for not telling yours they can’t take a boisterous drunk into a meeting with royalty or a helpless researcher into a war zone, and you’ll be good.

WHEN: Sometime during Cloudreach or Bloomingtide (April or May), whenever you want to fit it in. Try to submit a report by the end of May.

WHAT: Basically, go dazzle. The Laseca family—matriarch Didia, patriarch Lar, and an assortment of five young adult and teenage children—have transitioned from the Soporati into the Laetan class within the last decade due to three of their children developing magic, and have even more recently come into a large amount of money when old family mines found untapped veins of Silverite in the hills near Peravantium. They have money and some power, love attention, and have no interest in the current Tevinter social order, which heavily favors Altus mages and doesn't leave the non-magical Didia and Lar room to rise any higher than they already have.

Lar is throwing a lavish—bordering on garish—party for Didia, and seeking the aforementioned attention, has invited the Inquisition to send representatives. Mindful of appearances, the Inquisition isn't openly accepting this invitation on paper, but it will nonetheless send Marisol and a few others to put on a show and try to see what information or favor there is to be won in the bargain.

The Lasecas will look favorably on flashy magic demonstrations, rifters (how novel!), and drama that will leave their guests talking, as long as it isn't at their expense. They'll look less favorably on any outrage over their use of slaves (they treat them well! look how unbeaten they are!) or open attempts to talk politics or secure promises outright.

If Marisol plays her cards correctly and subtly, one of the guests may mention the scandal in Nevarra and specifically recall Estoris and Tividar, of Nevarra fame, visiting one of the guest's relatives in Qarinus to discuss it.

HOW: You can make everything a group effort if you want, or divvy things up however you like. And it doesn’t matter if you RP every aspect or just pick a scene or two that would be the most fun to write and handwave the rest.

ETC: Let me know if you have any questions.

NAME: Isaac
DIVISION: Diplomacy
CONTACT: Inbox
SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Healer, some brain-breaky magic. Obvious Southerner, here to be an obvious oblivious Southerner if necessary. That's it. He has no compelling reason to be assigned to this. Possibly there was a paperwork mixup.

CURRENT WORK: n/a

COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: n/a

Edited 2018-07-26 06:05 (UTC)

DIVISION: Scouting	LEADER: Kostos Averesch
STATUS: Active	ASST LEADER: n/a

PROJECT: Hostile Powers

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Cloudreach 9:44

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Isaac (Secondary)