SCOUTING DIVISION

[frdivisions]

DIVISION

SCOUTING

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The Scouting Division encompasses traditional scouting, tracking, and reconnaissance work, along with more espionage-focused tasks like surveillance, intelligence-gathering, and cryptography. Their overarching goal is make sure that whatever the Inquisition wants to do next, they have the information they need to pursue it as efficiently, safely, and successfully as possible.

LEADER: Yseult
PROJECTS: Elven Artifacts, Hostile Powers

Comments

[arlathvhen]

Assignment: Scouting Planasae Forest.

While scouting the forest in question, Kostos will come across a group of mages in a makeshift camp city. If he investigates, he'll find that they appear to be harmless, having chosen to stay away from civilization while the war was still uncertain. They are, however, incredibly annoying, and prone to launching into telling Kostos the singularly most boring stories imaginable. Did you want to know how to grow and harvest moss as a food source? Now you do!

[arlathvhen]

Assignment: Scouting the Wounded Coast.

While Adasse scouts the Wounded Coast, he will hear a ghastly wailing coming from one of the tucked away campsites. If he investigates, he'll discover that this wailing is nothing more than a distressed woman traveling to Kirkwall, whose cat has managed to get caught in a nearby tree. She will then tearfully request that Adasse help her.

If he does, Adasse will be rewarded with a lot of cat fur all over his clothes, and a delicious scone from the thankful woman. If he refuses, he'll discover the woman is actually a blood mage, and agitated by his refusal, will promptly attempt to attack him. Whoops.

[arlathvhen]

Unfortunately for Iorveth, he's been assigned to Catch A Killer and stuck with Beleth. At least he'll probably get to stab someone at some point during the mission.

[aenseidhe]

legit just made a joke the other day in a thread that hed be allowed to murder humans without consequence on his wedding day

8') bless

[champions]

please imagine she dramatically winked at the scoutmaster when assigned to this mission, regardless of context

irl ;D

Re: REPORTS

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

SUBJECT: Scouting Report of the Wounded Coast
PARTICIPANTS: Adasse Agassi
DATE FILED: Last day of Cloudreach
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Adasse was sent to scout the Wounded Coast. He didn't find much, except for a very distressed lady with a cat up a tree. He got the cat and earned cat hair and scones for his trouble.

REPORT:

Hey Boss,

So as you asked, I rode up to the Wounded Coast to take a look-see around. I didn't really find much in the way of slavers or bandits. In fact it was weirdly quiet out there for criminal activities. I'm thinking we're scaring off a lot of the local element much further up the coast, where the Inquisition can't interfere with their business.

As it stands, the only thing I found was a middle-aged woman wringing her hands and practically bawling at me the moment she saw me. She didn't even make some sort of smart remark about my being an elf -- she just sobbed at me to help her save her Mister Wigglebottoms. Mr Wigglebottoms is a fine specimin of calico kitty, and since I like cats more than I like shems, I was pleased to help. I got a few claws for my trouble, but nothing a little ale can't fix.

The lady was grateful, and gifted me with a scone. I also got a bit of cat hair, but I prefer the scone honestly.

[exequy]

SUBJECT: Scouting the Planascene Forest, Part 1 of ?
PARTICIPANTS: Kostos Averesch
DATE FILED: Nowish
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Scoping out the woods provides a WEALTH of USEFUL INFORMATION that is probably CRITICAL TO THE WAR EFFORT. (No.)

REPORT:

Cloudreach 20-21, Planascene Forest. Observed:

— Seventy thousand Maker-damned fucking trees, only one of which appeared possessed.

— A creek, with leeches.

— Some birds.

— Two arrows embedded in one of the seventy thousand Maker-damned fucking trees. Brought them back.

— Five mages residing in a long-term camp northwest of Leech Creek. Observed at a distance for approximately two hours discussing what they would have for dinner and whose responsibility it was to cook that day. Approached after determining they were utterly fucking harmless. Told them I was traveling to Cumberland. Was warned about leeches in creek. Was warned about leeches generally. Warning was contradicted by second mage who was certain that leeches could remove impurities from the blood. Warning was reiterated by first mage who did not wish for anything, whether it had limbs or not, to take his blood to do who knows what with. Second mage clarified that "who knows what" was likely digestion. First stated that that did not make it better. Theorized leeches were digesting impurities and leaving blood shit everywhere that anyone else could then use. Theorized leeches were worms possessed by hunger demons. Third mage said that she would be possessed by a hunger demon soon if she was not fed. Fourth mage informed her that that was not funny. Third mage informed him that it was his turn to attempt to hunt and if she was required to have moss soup for a fifth night she would be sure to shit green moss into his bedroll afterwards. Second mage recommended roasting moss in chips, decided salt would be required, recommended tossing moss in salad, decided additional ingredients would be required, recommended boiling moss into more of a mash that a soup, decided that would be disgusting, recommended fourth mage get off his ass and attempt to find a rabbit. Fourth mage insisted third mage help. First mage described group's previous uses of moss as meals for an entire fucking eternity. Asked if I would like some. Insisted I have some over my objections because I was not carrying enough provisions to walk to Cumberland. Informed me of the ancient lost healing properties of moss while I ate, particularly as regards heartburn and chronic impotency. Fifth mage woke from nap to inform us that this was bullshit. First and fifth mages discussed veracity of moss claims while fourth and third mages searched, loudly, for wildlife. Recommended they visit Kirkwall for salt and was assured they were avoiding populated areas until the matter of the war was fully settled. Hunters returned rabbitless. Left before additional moss was offered.

— Bear or wolf tracks. Unsure of difference.

— An additional eighty thousand Maked-damned fucking trees.

There are better uses for me.

NOTES & LINKS: A belated discussion.

[arlathvhen]

[ Some time after his report, Kostos receives an official-looking envelope. Inside is a pamphlet that documents and explains how to identify the footprints of various woodland creatures. The entries on bears and wolves are helpfully circled. ]

pretend this is slightly backdated

[dashing]

Scoutmaster Ashara,

My apologies for the brevity of this note. I wanted to ensure a copy of this report came to you as quickly as possible.

Enchanter Ceallach and Nahariel of Dahlasanor recently returned from a mission near the Western Approach for Chantry Relations, and their report made mention of red lyrium that had disturbed a local herd of gurn. Although these deposits were small, they feel that some additional scouting to the area would be beneficial to ensure there is no greater underlying issue.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist further. I am sure the individuals who attended the mission would be more than willing to grant you further insight. I will make sure that Christine Delacroix receives a copy of this report for the Red Lyrium project, as well.

Yours sincerely,

Herian Amsel

( A copy of this report is attached. )

{ a day after herian's message }

[aceso]

Scoutmaster,

Ambassador Amsel said she would send word to you regarding the discovery of red lyrium deposits in the Western Approach, so I will not retread those steps here. I would like to request the sending of scouts to check for more of these deposits in the area. If approved, could you please send me the names of these scouts so I might brief them on the dangers of contact with red lyrium?


Knight-Enchanter Delacroix

AUGUST 9:44

[frdivisions]

ASSIGNMENT: SCOUTING VARIOUS LOCATIONS

WHAT: Scouting parties are the eyes and ears of the Inquisition, necessary to ensuring the Inquisition remains aware of any and all significant events occuring in the lands around Kirkwall. The people on these assignments will be tasked with exploring the location they select, keeping an eye out for anything serious enough that it might affect the Inquisition. While scouts are encouraged to try to investigate anything they find, their job is ultimately to assess, not engage, and attempting to handle any serious threats on their own are frowned upon.
WHERE: Scouts may select (or be assigned) from the following locations:

Planasene Forest

Wounded Coast

Vinmark Mountains

Lakes of Wildervale

Sundermount

WHEN: Throughout August.
WHO: Groups of 1-3 scouts. You're allowed to sign your character up for multiple locations, obviously allowing time for them to go back to the Gallows, report, and relax for a day or two before being sent back out.

MISSION: SON OF A GURN HERDER
WHAT: There have been reports of deposits of red lyrium in the Western Approach, which has disturbed a herd of gurn. Ambassador Herian has requested a group of scouts go into the area specifically to search out these deposits and do additional recon on them. Scouts assigned to this mission will be requested to speak to Christine Dleacroix, head of the Red Lyrium Project, to be briefed on the dangers of red lyrium.
WHERE: Western Approach
WHEN: Early August
WHO: At least three scouts.

MISSION: TO CATCH A DARKSPAWN
WHAT: There have been more and more reports and eye witness accounts of darkspawn infected with red lyrium, but no one has been able to get their hands on an actual specimen, yet. The team will be requested to travel to two locations in the Hunterhorn Mountains, locate at least one of these red lyrium darkspawn, and drag its corpse back to the Gallows.
WHERE: Hunterhorn Mountains
WHEN: Mid August
WHO: At least two scouts, and preferably at least one Warden, though they are welcome to bring others who can aid in bringing the darkspawn down.

MISSION: THE BONE PIT
WHAT: The Bone Pit is a mine that lives in infamy, known for the regular disasters that hit it, some of which the Champion herself was tasked with fixing. Eventually, the mine was closed, and the general opinion is that it was for the best. However, there's been strange lights and noises seen in the area at night by locals passing by. None of them wanted to investigate, and it's fallen to the Inquisition. The job will be to see what's going on, and either deal with it or report back, depending on how serious it is.
WHERE: Guess
WHEN: Mid August
WHO: A team of around 3-4 people

<b>Name:</b> <b>Assignment/Mission:</b> If you're interested in multiple, list them in order of preference. <b>Notes:</b> Anything else you want to add, or questions you have.

[strangel]

Name: Helena
Assignment/Mission: The Bone Pit, To Catch A Darkspawn
Notes: If it would be possible to put Helena with her sister/supervisor Sarah, that would be glorious

[coppelganger]

Name: Sarah Manning
Assignment/Mission: The Bone Pit, To Catch A Darkspawn
Notes: I've just signed Sarah up for the division, so she might not be on the page yet!

[inagutterson]

Name: Yngvi
Assignment/Mission: The Bone Pit, Scouting Various Locations
Notes: Would ask for not the forest if he gets the scouting location one because people talk about that forest so thanks but no he is too handsome to die

[sorcerised]

Name: Arohaerd
Assignment/Mission:To Catch a Darkspawn, The Bone Pit
Notes: He's both new to the division and new to the Red Lyrium Project, so he'd have a specific interest in capturing the darkspawn! Also the Bone Pit sounds like exactly the kind of mission he'd go on in his canon, honestly, so either would be cool. He's a sorcerer with a propensity for lightning, and he keeps a baby dragon which can come with him on missions to help out!

Re: AUGUST 9:44

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Name: Adasse Agassi
Assignment/Mission: Son of a Gurn Herder, Bone Pit
Notes: He won't steal anything.

[arlathvhen]

Helena has been assigned to: To Catch A Darkspawn, along with Sarah and Arohaerd (though you guys can grab people from outside Scouting if you want).

The Hunterhorn Mountains are being patrolled by hostile Ander scouting troops, so whoever is sent to do this will have to do so carefully, but they will not have to venture very far into the country to encounter a band of hurlocks with bonus red crystalization in addition to their usual rot and deformities. They will be under the command of the largest among them, and moving with relative discipline at night. They will also be significantly larger than other Hurlocks and, if fought, will exhibit some of the abilities of Red Templar Knights and Horrors to generate red force fields similar to spirit barriers or spew or shoot red lyriums crystals/liquid, and generally will be much more difficult to take down than a Hurlock should be.

Obviously, anyone participating will need to be careful to avoid ingesting anything that could infect them or interacting directly with red lyrium—ranged attacks are highly recommended, and if any are caught and transported back, it will need to be done very carefully, using techniques the project has already developed to prevent the red lyrium or the darkspawn taint from spreading. Beleth will recommend that at least one person in the group gets into contact with Christine, the head of the Red Lyrium project, to ask her about this.

[arlathvhen]

Sarah has been assigned to: To Catch A Darkspawn, along with Helena and Arohaerd (though you guys can grab people from outside Scouting if you want).

The Hunterhorn Mountains are being patrolled by hostile Ander scouting troops, so whoever is sent to do this will have to do so carefully, but they will not have to venture very far into the country to encounter a band of hurlocks with bonus red crystalization in addition to their usual rot and deformities. They will be under the command of the largest among them, and moving with relative discipline at night. They will also be significantly larger than other Hurlocks and, if fought, will exhibit some of the abilities of Red Templar Knights and Horrors to generate red force fields similar to spirit barriers or spew or shoot red lyriums crystals/liquid, and generally will be much more difficult to take down than a Hurlock should be.

Obviously, anyone participating will need to be careful to avoid ingesting anything that could infect them or interacting directly with red lyrium—ranged attacks are highly recommended, and if any are caught and transported back, it will need to be done very carefully, using techniques the project has already developed to prevent the red lyrium or the darkspawn taint from spreading. Beleth will recommend that at least one person in the group gets into contact with Christine, the head of the Red Lyrium project, to ask her about this.

[arlathvhen]

Aro has been assigned to: To Catch A Darkspawn, along with Sarah and Helena (though you guys can grab people from outside Scouting if you want).

The Hunterhorn Mountains are being patrolled by hostile Ander scouting troops, so whoever is sent to do this will have to do so carefully, but they will not have to venture very far into the country to encounter a band of hurlocks with bonus red crystalization in addition to their usual rot and deformities. They will be under the command of the largest among them, and moving with relative discipline at night. They will also be significantly larger than other Hurlocks and, if fought, will exhibit some of the abilities of Red Templar Knights and Horrors to generate red force fields similar to spirit barriers or spew or shoot red lyriums crystals/liquid, and generally will be much more difficult to take down than a Hurlock should be.

Obviously, anyone participating will need to be careful to avoid ingesting anything that could infect them or interacting directly with red lyrium—ranged attacks are highly recommended, and if any are caught and transported back, it will need to be done very carefully, using techniques the project has already developed to prevent the red lyrium or the darkspawn taint from spreading. Beleth will recommend that at least one person in the group gets into contact with Christine, the head of the Red Lyrium project, to ask her about this.

[arlathvhen]

Yngvi has been assigned The Bone Pit along with Adasse, though Beleth would recommend that they reach out and either ask for volunteers or politely conscript others to help them.

As they approach The Bone Pit, they'll see a great deal of flashing lights, hear loud bangs, and generally a great deal of carrying on. When they finally arrive, they'll discover the source--A group of Kirkwall teenagers, who have been using the abandoned Bone Pit to play and experiment with glitter bombs. They'll be very eager to show off the fruits of their labors--Bombs that are bright, colorful, very glittery, and incredibly loud.

While this may seem like the end of the entire affair, their final--and loudest--bomb will attract the attention of something else besides a few Inquisition agents. This unwanted spectator turns out to be a (small) wyvern, disturbed by the flashes and noises of the teenagers. The agents will have to dispatch with the wyvern, while protecting the hysterical teenagers.

Note: If they don't get enough people helping to realistically take down a wyvern, the wyvern will magically turn out to actually just be a few dragonlings, because Yngvi is too handsome to die.

Yngvi has also been assigned scout one of the Lakes of Wildervane. He will discover on the shore a group of guards for the local lord. They appear to be having a heated debate, and upon spotting Yngvi, will ask for his input.

They will point out an upturned boat in the water, and tell him that they had been chasing a violent mage who had attempted to escape them in a boat, and when they started using bows, the mage turned into an abomination--and promptly fell out of the boat.

The point of debate is whether or not an abomination needs air, and can thus drown, or if they need to try fishing the abomination out to finish the job. They renew their debate in short order, which is rudely interrupted by the abomination emerging, rather covered in seaweed, from the water. The guards will then put their debate aside for the moment to engage the abomination.

Yngvi can help, or can book it. If he sticks around, the guards will finish the abomination in short order, and quickly switch back to their debate.

[arlathvhen]

Adasse has been assigned The Bone Pit along with Yngvi, though Beleth would recommend that they reach out and either ask for volunteers or politely conscript others to help them.

As they approach The Bone Pit, they'll see a great deal of flashing lights, hear loud bangs, and generally a great deal of carrying on. When they finally arrive, they'll discover the source--A group of Kirkwall teenagers, who have been using the abandoned Bone Pit to play and experiment with glitter bombs. They'll be very eager to show off the fruits of their labors--Bombs that are bright, colorful, very glittery, and incredibly loud.

While this may seem like the end of the entire affair, their final--and loudest--bomb will attract the attention of something else besides a few Inquisition agents. This unwanted spectator turns out to be a (small) wyvern, disturbed by the flashes and noises of the teenagers. The agents will have to dispatch with the wyvern, while protecting the hysterical teenagers.

Note: If they don't get enough people helping to realistically take down a wyvern, the wyvern will magically turn out to actually just be a few dragonlings, because Sorrel would kill her for getting his bf killed over glittery wyverns.

[strangel]

SUBJECT: To Catch A Darkspawn
PARTICIPANTS: Sarah Manning, Helena, D’Artagnan, Hanzo Shimada
DATE FILED: early Harvestmere
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Scouts went to the Hunterhorn Mountains to capture a red lyrium infected darkspawn. Things almost went very badly, but reinforcements ensured they successfully completed the mission.

REPORT:
Dear Scoutmaster Ashara,

We have caught your darkspawn.

I took only Sarah for better stealth and sneaking, because Hunterhorns are so dangerous, but first I spoke to Christine from Red Lyrium and she told us how to be properly careful. I did not take Grey Warden because I am not knowing them or trusting their working.

We caught darkspawn, but it almost ran away. Sarah was very brave and tackled darkspawn to make sure it did not escape, but ankle was broken in the doing of this. Darkspawn was injured and restrained.

Hanzo and D’Artagnan came for support. They helped with medicines for Sarah and safely getting back to Inquisition without losing the darkspawn for research.

I hope it is very very helpful and Cosima will find many good things.

Thank you. Have a good day.

Helena

NOTES & LINKS: Network post.
(Helena’s handwriting is pretty bad, but could be a lot worse.)

[inagutterson]

SUBJECT: Lakes of Wildervale
PARTICIPANTS: Yngvi
DATE FILED: Late Harvestmere
STATUS: Complete
SUMMARY: Scouting the Lakes of Wildervale in the hopes of finding anything significant revealed a mage chased into said lake that had then turned into an abomination. Yngvi ended up helping out the local guards who'd chased the mage when the abomination waded to the shore and attacked.

REPORT:
First off if we know anyone in the region of the Lakes of Wildervale you need to commend them on hiring idiots for guards because who manages to let the mage make off with the only boat? The mage? Where to mages even learn to row? All them boats wedged into walls at odd angles you hear people blathering on about that they've got in the Fade?

I'm a dwarf so you know I wasn't going to just go wading in because what am I going to do in that situation? Drown at it? Besides they had no options and it was a fun debate if abominations can swim I don't think anyone knew that until now. Turns out they can't but we didn't get to the do they need air thing or if they were going to get the biggest stick they could get because the bugger waded out.

Things I wouldn't recommend scoutmaster: wet, bedraggled, seaweed wielding abomination attacking you. The abomination was killed because between all of us we had that bit under control. They wanted to get back to their debate but I left to patrol just in case they'd left their brains lying about somewhere.

NOTES & LINKS: Post

[dashing]

SUBJECT: Blast from the P(entagh)ast
PARTICIPANTS: Adasse Agassi, Herian Amsel, James Flint, Jester Lavore and Teren von Skraedder
DATE FILED:
STATUS: Complete, threading on-going
SUMMARY: A team went to Nevarra to secure leverage against Aurelia Pentaghast, but found a Venatori spy after the same information. Matters have escalated for Perendale’s siege and Aurelia’s potential succession of the throne.

REPORT:
Scoutmaster Ashara,

You already know some of the particulars.

Our initial arrival to speak with Aurelia progressed well, but matters became more complex when your scouts realised the presence of a Venatori spy. He was captured and interrogated. Vel Ruso advised us that that the Venatori were only honouring the deal Aurelia made with the Anderfels and leaving Perendale intact because they felt, as did we, that the information could be used to influence matters in Nevarra. He had been sent to collect proof, and deliver it to the Venatori so they might have their leverage. If he failed to secure said leverage, the Venatori would issue orders to the Anders to raze Perendale.

I decided that the cost of having the Pentaghasts and Nevarra potentially under the sway of the Venatori was too high a price to pay, and that even if the cost were Perendale, securing Thedas’ future was paramount. Vel even appealed to the Inquisition’s history of benevolence, although I suspect this an attempt to save his own life and honour his contract with the Venatori, above any care for Perendale.

Immediately the documents were secured, Captain James Flint departed to Kirkwall, with the instructions to deliver them to your hand alone and by any means necessary. It is my understanding that he succeeded in that assignment.

Scout Lavore is skilled in forgery, and resourceful. We attempted to buy some time for Perendale by using documents and seals to forge an update from Vel that suggested he was nearing his goal, and I spoke with Aurelia directly. She will have time for some action, and my prayers are that she may yet be able to aid Perendale, but I fear they have been condemned to a bloody fate.

You know already that Warden von Skraedder and Scout Agassi departed shortly after Flint, that they might do whatever they could to aid Perendale. As yet I have received no word from Warden von Skraedder and Scout Agassi, and have no notion if this is good news or bad. I issued orders that if there were any chance of them falling into the hands of the enemy, they destroy their communication crystals.

I am at your disposal should any point require clarification.

Ambassador Amsel

NOTES & LINKS:
Main log, Herian calls Beleth and Flint delivers documents.

[dashing]

SUBJECT: If I Could Churneau Back Time
PARTICIPANTS: Herian, Lakshmi, Yseult
DATE FILED: ASAP
STATUS: Complete / threading ongoing
SUMMARY: A stealth team went to Churneau on a mission to save one of the Inquisition’s supporters, Revered Mother Riccarda, and gather intel on the Anders troops and their movements.

REPORT:
Scoutmaster Ashara,

The mission to Churneau was carried out successfully and without any Inquisition casualties.

The information you received about the threat to Revered Mother Riccarda was correct. She is safe and returned with us to Kirkwall, where she is being treated for a minor injury she suffered. Her condition is good, and her spirits are high. Thanks to your sources, we were able to save a vocal supporter of the Inquisition.

Concerning the intel we gathered:

The Anders are moving some forces away from Churneau, and trying to be discrete in what they are doing. Churned is still strongly manned and are not compromised by the reduced numbers, but reinforcements are definitely being moved to the east. We believe, based on the direction of travel, that they are being moved to the Fields of Ghislain. I have enclosed the numbers and times that we recorded, for further analysis.

Others in the team moved closer to the encampment, and were able to determine that weapons and supplies were being loaded into false bottoms of carts that otherwise appeared empty. Evidently they do not wish to alert anyone of the movement in either troops or supplies, or the strength of the force they are preparing.

I would like to praise both Yseult and Lakshmi for their conduct, and say the gathering of intel would not have been successful without their experience, their abilities, and their bravery. Without them I do not know if we could have found out nearly so much as we did.

If you wish for further information, please do not hesitate to speak with any one of us.


NOTES & LINKS: log here