IC News & Gossip

[faderifting]

↞NAVIGATION—

NEWS & GOSSIP

The Inquisition is big, but it isn't that big. Word gets around. If your character is up to things that other characters might witness (like having a meltdown in the courtyard), hear about through the grapevine (accurately or not), or see evidence of (green smoke coming out of the armory), use the comments below to make a public note!

↠ Plot News & Gossip
↠ Local News & Gossip
↠ Personal News & Gossip
↠ Miscellaneous News & Gossip

We strongly encourage players to track the replies to this post as a whole or to the specific topics they or their characters are interested in. Since people may be tracking the whole post, please refrain from having conversations in the comments!

—NAVIGATION↠

Comments

PLOT NEWS & GOSSIP

[faderifting]

Any news, gossip, or rumors pertaining to the overarching plot arcs--Corypheus, the Mage v. Templar conflict, the Chantry and Divine election, large-scale politics, etc.--should go here.

The Mage Council

[fleurdesel]

Civil War & Rifter Investigations

[stabsbooks]

Cassandra returned from the Emprise du Lion at the end of Guardian and immediately began questioning the rifters involved in closing Sina's rift. While this was not announced, she made no secret of it, and anyone might have seen Galadriel or other rifters brought to Cassandra's office by Inquisition soldiers. A few minutes after Galadriel was taken to Cassandra's office, they may also have seen her escorted by those same soldiers in the direction of the dungeon cells. Her staff was retrieved from the rotunda and taken to the War Room a few minutes later.

Meanwhile, Cassandra immediately made her way across Skyhold to the War Room, where she was joined shortly by Leliana. Anyone in the Great Hall at the time with good hearing and no moral objections to eavesdropping would have heard a few moments of silence, then angry shouting by the Left and Right Hands before they were joined by Cullen and Josephine. Those with exceptionally good hearing might have made out words or phrases among the shouting, concerning such subjects as rifts, elves, mages, paranoia, imagined crimes, safety, and the good of the Inquisition.

Inquisition soldiers have continued to escort rifters and shardbearers to Cassandra's office - now not only limited to those who were present to close the rift in the courtyard. Meanwhile, Galadriel has been conspicuously absent from her usual haunts. Anyone brave enough to go to the dungeons to investigate will be allowed a short visit, though not without supervision by Inquisition guards.

The Right and Left Hands of the Divine have not been seen in each other's presence since. There are (unsubstantiated) rumors that they communicate only through runners, delivering ever more snide and cutting remarks.

Assassination Attempt

[fightingale]

On the evening of the 22nd an attempt was made on the Nightingale's life; the rumours did not start filtering out until the 23rd, from servants seeing scouts move and overhearing snatches of conversation moreso than from any indiscretion within the people involved themselves.

A few hours before, some truly terrible poetry was distributed around Skyhold, where just anyone could read. Eventually theories start to circulate that the poetry has something to do with the attack on the Left Hand.


Some rumours are as follows;

That Zevran Arainai of the Crows was involved in her poisoning - a Crow and quick arrival to the scene, with ample opportunity, but what motive? Vengeance, perhaps?

That Morrigan, Arcane Advisor to the Empress, might also have orchestrated it has been another rumour- but what might benefit the Empress about seeing the Inquisition's spymaster fall? It is suggested that she has been haunting the Spymaster like a shadow, with some saying she is waiting for a chance to finish what has been begun.

It is confirmed that Dorian, Zevran and Josephine were the first to arrive, and that Josephine's shrieks were heard in the library (although initially assumed to be the result of a raven being monstrous by some, apparently.) There are those who suggest that perhaps there is some sort of sordid romance situation involving any of the three who found Leliana in various combinations and with various partings being spurned and vengeful... but it's just a theory. Rumours are particularly enthusiastic regarding the Tragic Love™ of Dorian and Leliana, doomed by jealousy and... well. Antivans, apparently.

Also confirmed: Anders and Adelaide were the medical personnel called on to assist, and whom have been keeping her alive.

Later on rumours also pick up that two separate groups have left, reportedly on missions related to the Left Hand, but what exactly?

Shardbearers & Venatori

[eviscerates]

A group of shardbearers went to Craintellier, a town near the Orlais-Nevarra border, their mission to close two rifts near the town. After the first rift was closed, the group of eight  (Araceli, Avery, Cosima, Daenerys, Jamie, Lexa, Martel & Ruby) were accosted and taken by the Venatori.

A second team (Adelaide, Bellamy, Bruce, Ciri, Korrin, Merril, Sabine & Teren) was deployed to close the second rift and rescue the missing first team if possible.

Different rumours circulate, including Venatori investigating shards, undead, blood magic and gold mines. One rifter supposedly freed dome slaves? Who knows.

A number of people from the mission have been in the medical tents for (regular) lyrium detoxification and varying degrees of injuries. One rifter, Ruby Lucas, has banished herself to the dungeons, wrists shackled, since their return.

LOCAL NEWS & GOSSIP

[faderifting]

"Local" might mean Skyhold or Inquisition camps, but if anything big happens that other characters might witness or hear about--if your character accidentally blows something up in public, if there's a brawl, etc.--you can spread the word here.

[fleurdesel]

During the Abomination's Rampage three mages (Vivienne, Sabriel, Adelaide) and an ex templar (Cullen) valiantly fought and defeated the beast. During said rampage Adelaide put herself between a gout of flame and Cullen while he was caught unawares, sparing him further injury and being singed herself.

Re: LOCAL NEWS & GOSSIP

[judgemewhole]

DO YOU KNOW WHO IS HERE? I'll tell you who is here - that blood mage hunter Norrington.

You know what else I heard? I heard he's been all in Northern Thedas, killing rogue Templars!

I heard he was killing Venatori!

Maybe he's here to deal with the abominations ...

[demonicbeauty]

There's a young girl who arrived with the first wave of Rifters named Ariadne who's been quietly doing manual labor for anyone who's in need. The girl has started giving away half of her food rations to random strangers.

She also appears to be sleeping in a tree.

...that's weird.

The local children seem to like her, though. She plays music on a strange flute for them, occasionally.

[arlathvhen]

Shortly before leaving Emprise du Lion, Scout Beleth Ashara managed to collect some new souvenirs to take home: some mysterious injuries, including a broken nose, and various degrees of bruising. She's also become rather twitchy, flinching at any sudden movements around her. She's forthright in providing an explanation to anyone who asks why, but considering the variety of answers she's given, they are pretty suspect.

Some of the explanations she's given has included:
-Fell off the wooden scaffolding that's everywhere, why don't any of them have railings
-Wrestled a bear
-Wrestled an Avvar
-Wrestled a bear AND an Avvar (how was she supposed to know they were cousins?)
-Found a spirit horse with a coal black coat and blood red eyes, who was bound to belong to only someone who could stay on his back for the entire night. After spending a night being led into branches and thickets and maybe the Fade itself, Beleth succeeded, but released the horse in the end, knowing that such a creature was never intended to be broken.
-It Was The Maker's Will™

When asked if this has anything to do with the rumor of that weird blond Templar losing it and attacking an innocent mage, Beleth laughed for an unreasonably extended period of time.

[onlyhymns]

Whether or not the truth has come out about Beleth's injuries, some are probably aware of Cade's outburst in Emprise and how it got him marched back to Skyhold by Nerva before anyone else left.

He has since been judged, allowed to stay in the Order but saddled with clerical duties and forbidden from possessing any weapons. He is also under supervision day and night.

Some are nervous, even angry about this verdict, worried that he's still a danger; others seem to accept it without complaint. Plenty have no idea this even happened.

hideously backdated;

[foxsays]

Since her arrival in Skyhold, one rifter going by the name of Araceli Bonaventura has been offering climbing, falling, and free running lessons, usually down at the stables. These are twice weekly; Wednesdays and Saturdays, though they can be arranged at other times if needed.

Come to think of it, it's rare to see her going to or from anywhere via the ground.

[dragoon_pride]

That grumpy-looking rifter who's always in full armor, Kain Highwind, has adopted a new pet! (Oh, you know which one he is, he's one of the dragonslayers!!). Anyway, his parrot is a real distraction, shouting out its foul language in the least appropriate times and to anyone and everyone in the area. Hmm... you have to wonder why the bird became attached to him of all people...

[serannas]

Voracious readers of Skyhold's library books will start to notice some careful editing in those that mention elven history or culture. Whole paragraphs are scratched out with black ink, and sometimes there are notes in the side margins saying this information is inaccurate or revealing the elven perspective of events. Keen observers will notice that these notes are written in two different handwriting styles, so at least two elves are in on this. But with so many elves coming in and out of the library with books, who can it be? No one knows for sure, though Ellana and Merrill seem to have a lot of ink on their fingers lately. Just a coincidence, though. Really.

[slipshot]

Gavin Ashara apparently attempted to break into Galadriel's room, and was seen dragged from there back down to the dungeons, where he is currently sitting miserably.


However, attempting to go see him, speak to him, or send messages, results in radio silence. No communication allowed.

freedom for everyone - to be updated, maybe.

[fightingale]

The Left Hand has been telling people with increasing frequency and fire(!!!) about her opinions regarding FREEDOM™ - which are basically that everyone should have it. Elves, mages, rifters, everyone - no one should be punished simply for being born as they are, and no one should be punished for being dragged into a world that is not their own.

Some of these conversations have involved:

- referring to the Chantry as tyrannical/hypocritical
- saying the Chantry undermines the principles Andraste stood for
- calling magic a gift from the Maker
- also talking about fighting alongside elves and mages and that they were amongst the best people she has ever known, how dare you suggest they are lesser
- SLAVERY IS TRASH

( side note: if you'd like your character to have such a conversation with Leliana or have overheard something from her directly, please feel free to get in touch with me and we can work out a thing. :V )

[arsebiscuit]

Rumor has it someone in Skyhold emptied out half the bottles of fancy, imported wine and refilled them with the cheapest wine from the tavern before resealing them. Same someone has started a betting pool among the servants on which (if any) visiting nobles will notice.

[arcaneadvisor]

After being spotted together increasingly, the Nightingale and the Arcane Advisor both seemed to agree to a mission together in the Hinterlands, the Nightingale pledging her scouts to this endeavour. Two small teams comprised of two rifters (Ruby Lucas, Kain Highwind), a Templar (Maria Hill), two Dalish elves (Merrill, Beleth Ashara), Scout Harding, an apostate mage (Clarke Griffin) and a mercenary with a shard in his hand (Malcolm) went to retrieve an elven relic lost in the Hinterlands.

It was discovered that relic had fallen not only into the hands of the Venatori but the Red Templars, and that they were working together, with some intelligence recovered from their camp in the aftermath.

A few of those involved knew the truth of what Morrigan brought back with her and that it was an eluvian but since returning it to Skyhold, it has been securely locked and warded within a room off the gardens.

[wontforgetyou]

If having a shard embedded in you isn't bad enough, apparently now they're changing, with that one rifter that insists on wearing a plaidweave skirt now able to use the mark to shoot small projectiles out of his hand, even though he claims he's never been a mage.

While so far this "ability" seems to be more effective on demons than people, apparently it can hit whoever it's aimed at. Perhaps this new magic has only been used on enemies of the Inquisition so far, but who's to say that that'll remain the case? And what about the other rifters and shardbearers? What sorts of terrible things are their shards able to do?

[justice_is_blond]

After a lot of mysterious gathering and people getting really badly hurt, rumor has it that Justice is gone and Anders is not possessed. That being said... no one's quite sure how to prove it.

On another topic altogether, rumor has it that if you catch an STI, Anders can take care of it. He doesn't ask questions and doesn't tell anyone else.

[circleprodigy]

The rifter Kain Highwind has died. Those in attendance -Anders, Bruce, Inessa Serra, James Norrington and Rydia- only say that he did so in a battle against a demon and give the public no other details. His body was given a proper pyre, and his dracolisk retrieved. The foul-mouthed parrot known as Bastard has flown away and hasn't been seen since.

slightly backdated

[gatheringstorm]

Late this Harvestmere, Korrin Ataash and others acquired a herd of nuggalopes for the Inquisition. Due credit is given to Honey Badger Hold, which provided advice and lures.

[serannas]

In mid-Wintermarch, Ellana headed off with a group of friends on a personal mission. When they returned to Skyhold, they had the broken pieces of the fabled Sulevin Blade, which now hangs still in pieces up in the great hall. However, the pieces have been copied and the blacksmiths are now able to forge new swords in the design of the original.

PERSONAL NEWS & GOSSIP

[faderifting]

Who's macking on who? Who's totally pregnant? Who's disgraced Antivan royalty? We're dying to know.

[amygdalae]

SEEN IN THE FALLOW MIRE: one (1) Bruce and one (1) Lead Scout Harding greeting each other with great fondness upon Bruce's initial arrival to the Mire (Mid to Late Firstfall, 9:41 Dragon).

The scouts working under Harding and other witnesses to this event may or may not have exaggerated this event to include details such as a warm and loving embrace, a dramatic retelling in where the two had run towards each other in sheer excitement - and in some saucier versions, having shared a passionate kiss. Speculations now begin to run rampant as to the nature of Bruce and Harding's 'true relationship' to one another.

Scouts working under Harding also may or may not be addressing Bruce in their notes as 'Hightown' when in discussion among themselves. (Thank you, Varric).

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS & GOSSIP

[faderifting]

If you have a tidbit that doesn't fit any of the categories above, drop it here!

[liberalum]

Upon returning from the Fallow Mire, Benevenuta Thevenet was seen gifting Dorian Pavus a frog. Dorian set the frog on fire. They laughed and walked away. Was this some kind of bizarre northern practice? A strange curse the likes of which have yet to be revealed? Who can say.