WHAT: Investigate Qunari Reports of Blood Magic WHO: Silas and Priest. HOW: Lord Berenger Marou owns a small but sturdy fortress on the coast road southwest of Kont-arr. His reputation, according to the Qunari intelligence provided (and local opinion, if you care to confirm) is as a hardy man in his mid-50s, devoutly Andrastian and a confirmed widower, who enjoys the company of his two grown children and four grandchildren, riding out to hunt, and holding court every second Sunday to hear the petitions of his tenants. Over the last month, however, Lord Marou has ceased to do any of those things. Although he has been seen walking about his castle and appears to be in good health, he has not ridden out to hunt in weeks, and recently cancelled a planned visit by his family with little explanation. He has dismissed his Chanter and the Sister assigned to his personal chapel. At his last court session, his behavior was even more strange, as he ignored all petitions and instead announced that the local blacksmith and the head of the village militia were banished from his lands immediately, without explanation. Investigation will reveal that both men were formerly Templars.
It won't be exceptionally difficult to trace the source of these changes, which began around the time that Lord Marou allowed a trio of travelers into his home. This alone was strange, because he is not in the habit of personally housing strangers. They claimed to be merchants, but people are skeptical, since they neither look nor convincingly act the part. Many believe that Lord Marou has been seduced by the leader of the group, a woman in her late 30s who calls herself Mariela. This theory will be lent credence by the announcement of their engagement on the very day of your arrival, and plans for a wedding before the week is out.
Mariela was originally accompanied by a man and a woman, Lorenzo and Ottavia, who she claimed were her colleagues. They have since been joined by two others, Adelfo and Romelza. The five of them have the run of the household, since Lord Berengar has given Mariela access to his treasury and ordered the staff to obey their every beck and call. This has caused no little consternation and bad feeling among the staff--most of whom have served Lord Marou for many years, and some his father before him--and while they will be reluctant at first to discuss household issues with strangers, if reassured that they are there to help will ultimately be relieved to vent their concerns.
Several suspect blood magic, but have no proof and are frankly terrified of the possibility. They are correct, but it is up to you if/how your team goes about attempting to confirm that fact. Mariela and her friends will not go quietly, and in the end at least 3 of the 5 (including Mariela) must be killed in order to free Lord Marou. What happens to the others is up to you. It is also up to you how your characters choose to explain to Lord Marou what has happened, and your decision may impact his opinion of mages, qunari, and the Inquisition going forward.
OOC NOTES: This mission had a 50% chance of failure, and we rolled an 82/100, so congrats! You are quite successful.
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
WHO: Silas and Priest.
HOW: Lord Berenger Marou owns a small but sturdy fortress on the coast road southwest of Kont-arr. His reputation, according to the Qunari intelligence provided (and local opinion, if you care to confirm) is as a hardy man in his mid-50s, devoutly Andrastian and a confirmed widower, who enjoys the company of his two grown children and four grandchildren, riding out to hunt, and holding court every second Sunday to hear the petitions of his tenants. Over the last month, however, Lord Marou has ceased to do any of those things. Although he has been seen walking about his castle and appears to be in good health, he has not ridden out to hunt in weeks, and recently cancelled a planned visit by his family with little explanation. He has dismissed his Chanter and the Sister assigned to his personal chapel. At his last court session, his behavior was even more strange, as he ignored all petitions and instead announced that the local blacksmith and the head of the village militia were banished from his lands immediately, without explanation. Investigation will reveal that both men were formerly Templars.
It won't be exceptionally difficult to trace the source of these changes, which began around the time that Lord Marou allowed a trio of travelers into his home. This alone was strange, because he is not in the habit of personally housing strangers. They claimed to be merchants, but people are skeptical, since they neither look nor convincingly act the part. Many believe that Lord Marou has been seduced by the leader of the group, a woman in her late 30s who calls herself Mariela. This theory will be lent credence by the announcement of their engagement on the very day of your arrival, and plans for a wedding before the week is out.
Mariela was originally accompanied by a man and a woman, Lorenzo and Ottavia, who she claimed were her colleagues. They have since been joined by two others, Adelfo and Romelza. The five of them have the run of the household, since Lord Berengar has given Mariela access to his treasury and ordered the staff to obey their every beck and call. This has caused no little consternation and bad feeling among the staff--most of whom have served Lord Marou for many years, and some his father before him--and while they will be reluctant at first to discuss household issues with strangers, if reassured that they are there to help will ultimately be relieved to vent their concerns.
Several suspect blood magic, but have no proof and are frankly terrified of the possibility. They are correct, but it is up to you if/how your team goes about attempting to confirm that fact. Mariela and her friends will not go quietly, and in the end at least 3 of the 5 (including Mariela) must be killed in order to free Lord Marou. What happens to the others is up to you. It is also up to you how your characters choose to explain to Lord Marou what has happened, and your decision may impact his opinion of mages, qunari, and the Inquisition going forward.
OOC NOTES: This mission had a 50% chance of failure, and we rolled an 82/100, so congrats! You are quite successful.