To Cullen Rutherford, Commander of the Inquisition's Forces Leliana, Seneschal of the Inquisition and Left Hand of the Divine Cassandra Pentaghast, Right Hand of the Divine and Lady Ambassador Josephine Montilyet
My Lord and Ladies,
We have him. Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium is a prisoner of the Inquisition and of the rebel Grey Wardens. He is in the Inquisition's cells at this moment, loudly denying the Inquisition's authority and repeating his titles as if we did not hear him the first time. I sustained wounds in the fight and do not have the strength to interrogate him myself, but I request that at least one Warden be present for his interrogation. We have come too far and sacrificed too much to squander this opportunity.
We believe Hercules Hansen, the most senior of our order to yet come to Skyhold, was taken alive by the enemy. There were no deaths.
Your Obedient Servant, Senior Warden Nathaniel Howe
Forgive the tardiness of this report, but I had to know for certain that what we saw at the Temple of Dirthamen was exactly what it seemed.
The Temple of Dirthamen was mostly intact, despite terrible flooding. The ceiling was collapsed in places, but otherwise, it is a most remarkably preserved elven ruin. The reason for this is a magical artifact the ancient elves placed there. I have left the artifact in place, so that the temple might be revisited.
What we uncovered at the temple was a terrible ancient magic. The Veilfire runes there told the story of the so-called Highest One, the high priest of Dirthamen. He was a fanatic who decided he would seal the temple, with all the priests inside, as a way to protect Dirthamen's secrets. The priests chose not to kill him, but to dismember him, using the magic of Veilfire to keep him alive. His spirit was trapped in the Beyond, unable to pass on. The dismembered parts of his body still lived. Reassembling him summoned his spirit, but after so many years of torment, he had become a spirit of despair and had to be killed.
I have attached a translation of the story told in the Veilfire runes.
Why this magic existed, and why the ancient elves were so careless to use it and damage the Veil instead of killing the man, I do not know. I doubt they would innovate something so extraordinary strictly to stage some elaborate mutiny. Perhaps the ancient elves were simply that ruthless. Or, perhaps we have found actual evidence that ancient elves believed themselves immortal, whether it is true or no. Perhaps they did this because they did not believe the Highest One could be killed.
I do not know what will happen to elves, especially elven mages, if people learn that elven magic has produced something so terrible. But I serve the Inquisition by uncovering history, not covering it up. I put this in your hands.
Dareth Shiral, Pel
We few whisper here where shadow dwells. Some words remain unuttered. Truths are pushed down, down Where they shall never arise again.
Dirthamen is gone, he said. Our Highest One brings to us this gravest news. What shall we do? Where shall we go? What of the old secrets that burn within our hearts?
They will come for us in the night Those who could steal the words from our lips And our god no longer rises to our defense. We claw at the walls, at the walls. Now we pray for a dawn that will never arrive.
Our Highest One, he deceives us. The honeyed words that drip from his tongue We know the despair they mask. We disciples of Dirthamen know truth, now as ever.
The Highest One promises safety. I shall protect our ancient secrets, he claims All that Dirthamen once granted us will be safe. But it is our blood he seeks A sacrifice dark and unholy A prison of evil to keep us in and all else out.
We will not have it, will not have it! The secrets are madness in our ears, but they are ours The Highest One cannot take them from us. Only Dirthamen, our Keeper, only he And if he does not take the secrets They are ours forever.
His mind which cannot think His tongue which cannot speak His hands which cannot touch His ears which cannot hear His eyes which cannot see And thus shall our Highest One be bound. He shall join us in our Silence.
For his heart, for his heart Our Highest One is bound. The secret that he keeps, he keeps with us The vigil that he keeps, he keeps with us His fear will not weaken us No-one shall come, dear mentor. In our eternity, only darkness reigns.
This is to let the advisors know that I have received contact from Merrill at Weisshaupt. She reports that the Wardens do have the demon army there - the First Warden is not available and the mage they were allowed to interview seemed odd. From my experience, this sounds like mind control. There is apparently a Venatori on the premises, but that has yet to be confirmed or denied.
I believe that the people we have sent there are in real danger, but the timing would keep us from sending aid in time to save them. If nothing else, I believe we should prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
James Norrington Knight Commander Templar Order of the Inquisition
We have retrieved two Lights of Arlathan, but two are not enough to perform the function of the Lights. I have attached copies of letters Morrigan found in the Thaig. It may be that more of these Lights yet exist in the possession of Kal-Sharok. I await further orders.
[This will come tacked on with the letter that he writes to them as well.]
The report regarding the death of Kain Highwind is as follows:
Following the rumors and reports of the unusual deaths in the mountains close to Skyhold, we followed the trail and started to find footprints and bloodstains that were followed.
While following these marks, most - if not all of us - began to hear the whisperings of a desire demon. In addition, we found Highwind's dracolisk mount and the bird that he has with him.
At the end of the trail, we found the demon - and by then it had already possessed Highwind. It began to strike against us, and so were were forced to engage it.
After a hard battle, the demon was banished out of Highwind's body - but due to the injuries he gained from the fight and the demon having pushed his body past its limits, his condition was critical.
The fact that all healers at the scene - including myself - had been exhausted by the battle meant that none of us had the energy we had in order to heal him enough.
With his last few breaths he gave us his final words before passing on.
After some debate, the decision was made to burn his remains in order to prevent a similar incident from happening.
His dracolisk mount comes back with us to Skyhold for safekeeping. The bird he owns took off after the remains were burned, and has not been seen again since.
These are the events that transpired, in order. I know there is some information here that I did not disclose out in my earlier announcement, and have attached an additional letter for perusal in order to explain my actions and to seek advice.
[ three copies of a short (ok maybe not that short) note are delivered by raven to Cullen, Leliana, and Josephine. she is covering her bases and keeping everyone in the loop this time ]
As we agreed, I have met with Solas and the healer Bruce to discuss the implications of Highwind's death and how we may prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future. Solas has theorized that the shards themselves may be especially attractive to demons, an object of curiosity to be examined, even outside of the Fade itself. He has begun arrangements to meet with each shardbearer individually. He claims that he may be able to, in his words, "dim" the shards in the demons' eyes, so that the shardbearers may better escape their attention. He will also be examining each of them, to determine who is likely to be most vulnerable to possession.
At my directive, Bruce will be assisting Solas as needed. I have also promised him whatever supplies, space or personnel he might need. Meeting with each shardbearer individually will take time, but I believe it is both necessary and worthwhile.
Solas also suggested that training in how to resist demons, similar to the mage council's alternative to Harrowings, may also be useful for the shardbearers. I will be contacting the mage council to discuss how their techniques may be adapted to non-mages, and hopefully we will be able to begin implementing such training quickly.
As Solas warns, 'dimming' the shards may be only a temporary solution. Certainly it does not sound like a foolproof one. I have directed him to continue to study the shards, in the hopes of finding something more permanent.
( when the party that had traveled to orlais in this plot returns, the information they were sent to the vauquelin estate is provided, regarding trade agreements and political alliances in Orlais, specifically exposing ties that involved parties may be attempting to keep on the downlow, allowing the Inquisition to potentially take advantage of maneuvering opportunities that they otherwise might not have recognised. some of these are copies of binding legal agreements between parties (maybe best not to ask how he got his hands on them); other papers might be Emeric's best recollection of things he's witnessed, been told or overheard, written down by his steward.
there is a brief missive from the steward, tersely efficient and signed F. Guilfoyle, which states the Vauquelins will not be requesting reimbursement for aid provided to the Inquisition party after the Dalish clash, and explaining the presence of a new maid returning with them as necessary due to Mistress Baudin's death and that otherwise no changes are made to the arrangements for Gwenaëlle's upkeep. )
We don't know what this ancient weapon is, what magic Sashamiri used, or what became of Farele and whatever he took from the archives, but we thought you should know. Maybe your people will find something we couldn't if they know to keep an eye out.
We do have some of Dumat's blood. Not much. If you and your friends are very nice to us perhaps we'll let you hold it in your fancy vault.
Alistair
[ Attached are the following letters—not the originals, all freshly copied, half in Alistair's hand and half in someone else's. ]
***
The creature can speak. It has a name, Corypheus. We have encountered darkspawn before who use words, but none individual enough to have chosen a name. This Corypheus appears unique among darkspawn, and has gathered many of its brethren to follow it.
It would be wasteful to kill such a creature. If it can be captured, tamed somehow, its unnatural influence over the darkspawn could perhaps be turned to our favor. It is clear the darkspawn will never bow to human commands, but this Corypheus seems at times more human than beast. I have conversed with it, and though its thoughts are disordered and inhuman, it speaks of the Old Gods by their Tevinter names. I have wondered if perhaps he is no darkspawn at all, but a ghoul, so corrupted by the taint as to have become a new creature entirely.
I recommend we find a way to capture Corypheus, hold it somewhere safe from both men and darkspawn, and study its unique nature. This will require magic, however, for Corypheus's own abilities are powerful. It uses spells both human and tainted, and has a strength that would shame any magister. We must muster our best mages to face it and to hold it.
—From Warden-Commander Farele to the First Warden in Weisshaupt, 1004 TE
***
Senior Warden Sashamiri,
The First Warden has agreed. The darkspawn Corypheus must be captured and held by whatever means we can find. Your protests have been noted, but we cannot waste this opportunity. If Corypheus is the key to having influence over the darkspawn, it is our duty to discover how, for the good of all Thedas. That means someone must devise a trap that can draw and hold him. Your wisdom has been proven a dozen times over; I cannot entrust this task to anyone else.
Can I ask this of you, Sasha, or must it be an order?
Warden-Commander Farele
***
Warden-Commander,
I swore obedience, not willful ignorance. I will do as you ask, but I will have my say first: you are becoming too complacent about this creature. If you need to remember what darkspawn are, go to the Silent Fields and remind yourself what horrors Dumat wrought on my homeland.
Sashamiri
***
Warden-Commander,
The transcript of your conversations with Corypheus seems to have an answer, though not one the First Warden will like. The creature speaks of Dumat almost with reverence. We know already that the Archdemon had control over the darkspawn horde, that they were drawn inexorably to its presence. There it is, then: if we need to draw Corypheus and bind it, we should send to Weisshaupt for what remains of Dumat's carcass. In the blood of that Archdemon, and perhaps the ancient weapon I’ve been studying, I may find what I need. You, however, need to find somewhere that this trap can be laid. The more remote the better. If nothing else, my friend, it will keep you out of the Deep Roads.
Sashamiri
***
To Warden-Commander Farele:
The authority to remove the Archdemon’s remains did not include permission to raid the fortress libraries, too! Senior Warden Sashamiri has already been provided with the tomes she asked for. You are ordered to return all materials immediately or face censure by the First Warden. What has gotten into you?
Stafes Nerrah, Chamberlain of the Grey, Weisshaupt Fortress
***
Farele,
It is done. You will soon have your captive darkspawn, far beneath the Vinmark Mountains. Once the other seals are laid by my apprentices, this trap will be closed. I hope you will gain Corypheus’ secrets . . . but I have ensured it will not get yours. The blood of the Archdemon is consuming my life, even as it draws Corypheus inexorably on. Forgive me, my dear friend, but blood magic has its price, and I’ve chosen to pay this one. I pray it is enough to make you see how this monster has been manipulating you. With my death and the destruction of Dumat’s remains, the secret of this spell will be lost: no Warden can fall to Corypheus’ manipulations and give it the knowledge to break its chains from within. Not even you.
In peace, vigilance.
Sasha
***
I was wrong. We cannot control the creature Corypheus. Even our most powerful mages hold no influence with him. In truth, it is they who have been most vulnerable.
A dozen times, those assigned to guard or study the creature have sought the key to free him. When they are removed to a safe distance, they remember little. They speak of a voice in their minds, a calling like that of the Old Gods, but it wanes outside Corypheus's presence.
Darkspawn have attacked as well, seeking him. I can only assume they are summoned the same way. Somehow, his magic lets him speak through the blight itself, affecting any who bear its taint.
This same power stays the hand of any Warden who approaches to kill him. I must recommend that we seal this prison over and conceal its very existence. Corypheus must not be allowed to go free.
—From Warden-Commander Daneken to the First Warden in Weisshaupt, 1014 TE
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Leliana, Seneschal of the Inquisition and Left Hand of the Divine
Cassandra Pentaghast, Right Hand of the Divine
and Lady Ambassador Josephine Montilyet
My Lord and Ladies,
We have him. Lord Livius Erimond of Vyrantium is a prisoner of the Inquisition and of the rebel Grey Wardens. He is in the Inquisition's cells at this moment, loudly denying the Inquisition's authority and repeating his titles as if we did not hear him the first time. I sustained wounds in the fight and do not have the strength to interrogate him myself, but I request that at least one Warden be present for his interrogation. We have come too far and sacrificed too much to squander this opportunity.
We believe Hercules Hansen, the most senior of our order to yet come to Skyhold, was taken alive by the enemy. There were no deaths.
Your Obedient Servant,
Senior Warden Nathaniel Howe
no subject
Copied to Morrigan
Forgive the tardiness of this report, but I had to know for certain that what we saw at the Temple of Dirthamen was exactly what it seemed.
The Temple of Dirthamen was mostly intact, despite terrible flooding. The ceiling was collapsed in places, but otherwise, it is a most remarkably preserved elven ruin. The reason for this is a magical artifact the ancient elves placed there. I have left the artifact in place, so that the temple might be revisited.
What we uncovered at the temple was a terrible ancient magic. The Veilfire runes there told the story of the so-called Highest One, the high priest of Dirthamen. He was a fanatic who decided he would seal the temple, with all the priests inside, as a way to protect Dirthamen's secrets. The priests chose not to kill him, but to dismember him, using the magic of Veilfire to keep him alive. His spirit was trapped in the Beyond, unable to pass on. The dismembered parts of his body still lived. Reassembling him summoned his spirit, but after so many years of torment, he had become a spirit of despair and had to be killed.
I have attached a translation of the story told in the Veilfire runes.
Why this magic existed, and why the ancient elves were so careless to use it and damage the Veil instead of killing the man, I do not know. I doubt they would innovate something so extraordinary strictly to stage some elaborate mutiny. Perhaps the ancient elves were simply that ruthless. Or, perhaps we have found actual evidence that ancient elves believed themselves immortal, whether it is true or no. Perhaps they did this because they did not believe the Highest One could be killed.
I do not know what will happen to elves, especially elven mages, if people learn that elven magic has produced something so terrible. But I serve the Inquisition by uncovering history, not covering it up. I put this in your hands.
Dareth Shiral,
Pel
We few whisper here where shadow dwells.
Some words remain unuttered.
Truths are pushed down, down
Where they shall never arise again.
Dirthamen is gone, he said.
Our Highest One brings to us this gravest news.
What shall we do? Where shall we go?
What of the old secrets that burn within our hearts?
They will come for us in the night
Those who could steal the words from our lips
And our god no longer rises to our defense.
We claw at the walls, at the walls.
Now we pray for a dawn that will never arrive.
Our Highest One, he deceives us.
The honeyed words that drip from his tongue
We know the despair they mask.
We disciples of Dirthamen know truth, now as ever.
The Highest One promises safety.
I shall protect our ancient secrets, he claims
All that Dirthamen once granted us will be safe.
But it is our blood he seeks
A sacrifice dark and unholy
A prison of evil to keep us in and all else out.
We will not have it, will not have it!
The secrets are madness in our ears, but they are ours
The Highest One cannot take them from us.
Only Dirthamen, our Keeper, only he
And if he does not take the secrets
They are ours forever.
His mind which cannot think
His tongue which cannot speak
His hands which cannot touch
His ears which cannot hear
His eyes which cannot see
And thus shall our Highest One be bound.
He shall join us in our Silence.
For his heart, for his heart
Our Highest One is bound.
The secret that he keeps, he keeps with us
The vigil that he keeps, he keeps with us
His fear will not weaken us
No-one shall come, dear mentor.
In our eternity, only darkness reigns.
Update Report - Bloomingtide 30th - Urgent
I believe that the people we have sent there are in real danger, but the timing would keep us from sending aid in time to save them. If nothing else, I believe we should prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.
James Norrington
Knight Commander
Templar Order of the Inquisition
Justinian 20th
We have retrieved two Lights of Arlathan, but two are not enough to perform the function of the Lights. I have attached copies of letters Morrigan found in the Thaig. It may be that more of these Lights yet exist in the possession of Kal-Sharok. I await further orders.
Pel
Kingsway 8th
The report regarding the death of Kain Highwind is as follows:
These are the events that transpired, in order. I know there is some information here that I did not disclose out in my earlier announcement, and have attached an additional letter for perusal in order to explain my actions and to seek advice.
I thank you for your time once more.
- Bruce
no subject
short(ok maybe not that short) note are delivered by raven to Cullen, Leliana, and Josephine. she is covering her bases and keeping everyone in the loop this time ]As we agreed, I have met with Solas and the healer Bruce to discuss the implications of Highwind's death and how we may prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future. Solas has theorized that the shards themselves may be especially attractive to demons, an object of curiosity to be examined, even outside of the Fade itself. He has begun arrangements to meet with each shardbearer individually. He claims that he may be able to, in his words, "dim" the shards in the demons' eyes, so that the shardbearers may better escape their attention. He will also be examining each of them, to determine who is likely to be most vulnerable to possession.
At my directive, Bruce will be assisting Solas as needed. I have also promised him whatever supplies, space or personnel he might need. Meeting with each shardbearer individually will take time, but I believe it is both necessary and worthwhile.
Solas also suggested that training in how to resist demons, similar to the mage council's alternative to Harrowings, may also be useful for the shardbearers. I will be contacting the mage council to discuss how their techniques may be adapted to non-mages, and hopefully we will be able to begin implementing such training quickly.
As Solas warns, 'dimming' the shards may be only a temporary solution. Certainly it does not sound like a foolproof one. I have directed him to continue to study the shards, in the hopes of finding something more permanent.
Cassandra
notes on a plot;
there is a brief missive from the steward, tersely efficient and signed F. Guilfoyle, which states the Vauquelins will not be requesting reimbursement for aid provided to the Inquisition party after the Dalish clash, and explaining the presence of a new maid returning with them as necessary due to Mistress Baudin's death and that otherwise no changes are made to the arrangements for Gwenaëlle's upkeep. )
no subject
Look at us, being transparent.
We don't know what this ancient weapon is, what magic Sashamiri used, or what became of Farele and whatever he took from the archives, but we thought you should know. Maybe your people will find something we couldn't if they know to keep an eye out.
We do have some of Dumat's blood. Not much. If you and your friends are very nice to us perhaps we'll let you hold it in your fancy vault.
Alistair
[ Attached are the following letters—not the originals, all freshly copied, half in Alistair's hand and half in someone else's. ]
***
The creature can speak. It has a name, Corypheus. We have encountered darkspawn before who use words, but none individual enough to have chosen a name. This Corypheus appears unique among darkspawn, and has gathered many of its brethren to follow it.
It would be wasteful to kill such a creature. If it can be captured, tamed somehow, its unnatural influence over the darkspawn could perhaps be turned to our favor. It is clear the darkspawn will never bow to human commands, but this Corypheus seems at times more human than beast. I have conversed with it, and though its thoughts are disordered and inhuman, it speaks of the Old Gods by their Tevinter names. I have wondered if perhaps he is no darkspawn at all, but a ghoul, so corrupted by the taint as to have become a new creature entirely.
I recommend we find a way to capture Corypheus, hold it somewhere safe from both men and darkspawn, and study its unique nature. This will require magic, however, for Corypheus's own abilities are powerful. It uses spells both human and tainted, and has a strength that would shame any magister. We must muster our best mages to face it and to hold it.
—From Warden-Commander Farele to the First Warden in Weisshaupt, 1004 TE
***
Senior Warden Sashamiri,
The First Warden has agreed. The darkspawn Corypheus must be captured and held by whatever means we can find. Your protests have been noted, but we cannot waste this opportunity. If Corypheus is the key to having influence over the darkspawn, it is our duty to discover how, for the good of all Thedas. That means someone must devise a trap that can draw and hold him. Your wisdom has been proven a dozen times over; I cannot entrust this task to anyone else.
Can I ask this of you, Sasha, or must it be an order?
Warden-Commander Farele
***
Warden-Commander,
I swore obedience, not willful ignorance. I will do as you ask, but I will have my say first: you are becoming too complacent about this creature. If you need to remember what darkspawn are, go to the Silent Fields and remind yourself what horrors Dumat wrought on my homeland.
Sashamiri
***
Warden-Commander,
The transcript of your conversations with Corypheus seems to have an answer, though not one the First Warden will like. The creature speaks of Dumat almost with reverence. We know already that the Archdemon had control over the darkspawn horde, that they were drawn inexorably to its presence. There it is, then: if we need to draw Corypheus and bind it, we should send to Weisshaupt for what remains of Dumat's carcass. In the blood of that Archdemon, and perhaps the ancient weapon I’ve been studying, I may find what I need. You, however, need to find somewhere that this trap can be laid. The more remote the better. If nothing else, my friend, it will keep you out of the Deep Roads.
Sashamiri
***
To Warden-Commander Farele:
The authority to remove the Archdemon’s remains did not include permission to raid the fortress libraries, too! Senior Warden Sashamiri has already been provided with the tomes she asked for. You are ordered to return all materials immediately or face censure by the First Warden. What has gotten into you?
Stafes Nerrah, Chamberlain of the Grey, Weisshaupt Fortress
***
Farele,
It is done. You will soon have your captive darkspawn, far beneath the Vinmark Mountains. Once the other seals are laid by my apprentices, this trap will be closed. I hope you will gain Corypheus’ secrets . . . but I have ensured it will not get yours. The blood of the Archdemon is consuming my life, even as it draws Corypheus inexorably on. Forgive me, my dear friend, but blood magic has its price, and I’ve chosen to pay this one. I pray it is enough to make you see how this monster has been manipulating you. With my death and the destruction of Dumat’s remains, the secret of this spell will be lost: no Warden can fall to Corypheus’ manipulations and give it the knowledge to break its chains from within. Not even you.
In peace, vigilance.
Sasha
***
I was wrong. We cannot control the creature Corypheus. Even our most powerful mages hold no influence with him. In truth, it is they who have been most vulnerable.
A dozen times, those assigned to guard or study the creature have sought the key to free him. When they are removed to a safe distance, they remember little. They speak of a voice in their minds, a calling like that of the Old Gods, but it wanes outside Corypheus's presence.
Darkspawn have attacked as well, seeking him. I can only assume they are summoned the same way. Somehow, his magic lets him speak through the blight itself, affecting any who bear its taint.
This same power stays the hand of any Warden who approaches to kill him. I must recommend that we seal this prison over and conceal its very existence. Corypheus must not be allowed to go free.
—From Warden-Commander Daneken to the First Warden in Weisshaupt, 1014 TE