Scout the Western Approach: The Grey Wardens are up to something, and all available information suggests they're up to it in western Orlais. The Inquisition is sending a small group of low-profile scouts to follow the trail they've left and find out where they are and what they're doing so the Inquisition will know what to expect before sending more forces. This operation requires 3-7 characters who will be gone for at least three weeks. If the Western Approach is chosen as the next region, the scouts will be asked to remain there until Inquisition forces arrive rather than return to Skyhold. Characters are not required to be scouts in order to participate, but they will be expected to attract as little attention as possible.
This group will initially travel with those doing the Scout Emprise du Lion operation, but the group will split in two after leaving the Frostbacks. They will be able to track the Grey Wardens--who the Inquisition's Warden guests will report were previously in Montsimmard--using tracking methods and overheard gossip. They should follow the Imperial Highway south of Lake Celestine and then cut west to the desert. They will be instructed to pose as merchants and travelers rather than Inquisition forces until the situation has been assessed.
Upon reaching the Western Approach, the group will quickly notice signs of a Venatori presence in the eastern areas of the region, while they will have to scout further west to find the Wardens they were sent after. Rather than establishing a noticeable camp, they should set up in a cave along the canyon walls. Through observation, the scouts will find:
An old Tevinter palace nestled in the cliffs, guarded by Venatori.
Signs (sounds, movement to and from) of additional Venatori activity beyond an unbreachable door built into a cliffside.
Grey Wardens occupying Griffon Wing Keep in large numbers, apparently disinterested in the nearby Venatori and vice versa. The scouts may be able to get close enough to the keep to discern the sight--or smell--of bodies being disposed of on pyres. During the course of the scouts' stay in the Approach, the Wardens will begin to leave the Keep in groups and retreat toward Adamant Fortress.
Various mines, resources, water sources.
Sulfur pits rendering much of the area inaccessible.
Signs and brief sightings of a dragon.
Toward the end of their time in the Western Approach, the scouts may come upon a young, runaway Grey Warden recruit named Margot who will be able to confirm that the Wardens are performing blood sacrifices but not be able to explain why. She will ask the group--whether they tell her they're merchants or Inquisition members--if she can travel them. If they permit her to do so, they will later be discovered by a group of Grey Wardens following her trail. They will have to choose between maintaining cover as uninterested merchants/travelers and returning her to them, or defending her and killing her pursuers. The latter will likely alert the Grey Wardens that someone in the area is counteracting them and may have longterm consequences for the Inquisition's efforts in the region.
Day to day, characters may need to combat thirst, aggressive local wildlife, demon-producing rifts, and groups of highway bandits. They may also be discovered by small groups of Venatori and need to take appropriate action--either by talking their way out of it or by killing them. If the latter, it would be advisable to make their deaths look natural rather than potentially put the Wardens and Venatori on alert.
The group will be tasked with sketching maps and reporting its findings back to the Inquisition. They're welcome to communicate with Skyhold and individual characters via their sending crystals, whether to relate what they are seeing or to keep themselves entertained during slow periods, and they will not be asked to keep anything they discover a secret. Meaning: please disseminate this information!
ICly, the characters cannot leave before Haring 5, when the majority of the Inquisition's forces will have returned from the Fallow Mire and had time to regroup. OOCly, you may begin before or after December 5 and back- or forward-date accordingly.
SCOUT THE WESTERN APPROACH
Participants: Rachette Dakal, Salvatore, Dismas, Clint Barton, Fenris
This group will initially travel with those doing the Scout Emprise du Lion operation, but the group will split in two after leaving the Frostbacks. They will be able to track the Grey Wardens--who the Inquisition's Warden guests will report were previously in Montsimmard--using tracking methods and overheard gossip. They should follow the Imperial Highway south of Lake Celestine and then cut west to the desert. They will be instructed to pose as merchants and travelers rather than Inquisition forces until the situation has been assessed.
Upon reaching the Western Approach, the group will quickly notice signs of a Venatori presence in the eastern areas of the region, while they will have to scout further west to find the Wardens they were sent after. Rather than establishing a noticeable camp, they should set up in a cave along the canyon walls. Through observation, the scouts will find:
Toward the end of their time in the Western Approach, the scouts may come upon a young, runaway Grey Warden recruit named Margot who will be able to confirm that the Wardens are performing blood sacrifices but not be able to explain why. She will ask the group--whether they tell her they're merchants or Inquisition members--if she can travel them. If they permit her to do so, they will later be discovered by a group of Grey Wardens following her trail. They will have to choose between maintaining cover as uninterested merchants/travelers and returning her to them, or defending her and killing her pursuers. The latter will likely alert the Grey Wardens that someone in the area is counteracting them and may have longterm consequences for the Inquisition's efforts in the region.
Day to day, characters may need to combat thirst, aggressive local wildlife, demon-producing rifts, and groups of highway bandits. They may also be discovered by small groups of Venatori and need to take appropriate action--either by talking their way out of it or by killing them. If the latter, it would be advisable to make their deaths look natural rather than potentially put the Wardens and Venatori on alert.
The group will be tasked with sketching maps and reporting its findings back to the Inquisition. They're welcome to communicate with Skyhold and individual characters via their sending crystals, whether to relate what they are seeing or to keep themselves entertained during slow periods, and they will not be asked to keep anything they discover a secret. Meaning: please disseminate this information!
ICly, the characters cannot leave before Haring 5, when the majority of the Inquisition's forces will have returned from the Fallow Mire and had time to regroup. OOCly, you may begin before or after December 5 and back- or forward-date accordingly.