Report: Supply Situation in Kirkwall
Following protocol, this letter dispatched via Viddarathi assets across land. Justification; sea access limited.
Circumstances: We are increasingly low on all critical resources. Five shipments did not arrive on time, leaving the garrison with only our existing arms and personnel. Of the follow-up convoy, only two ships arrived in Kirkwall to transfer their goods. Crew report from transport BT-03 as follows.
- Three days south of Seere, sails were spotted on the eastern horizon. This was immediately noted as a probable pirate, as no legitimate bas vessel would be so far out to sea. Convoy turned west by south west at best speed sailing speed, oars prepared.
- Pirate vessel closed the distance at extreme speed over the following two days. Estimated at 12 to 13 knots on three masts with a favorable wind, possibly as high as 14 knots.
- Dreadnought C-27 'Conquest' moved to intercept, only for the enemy vessel to use the wind to cut across its stern before the oars could bring its broadside to bear.
- Magic & stolen Gaatlok mortars were then used to rake C-27's stern before it could finish the turn to engage. Fire reached the primary magazine, detonating it.
- Convoy ordered to scatter by senior surviving officer on transport BT-01.
- Last view of the pirate vessel was it in pursuit of BT-01.
Warning: One of the missing vessels was carrying additional gaatlok. If it was taken intact, the powder will certainly be used against the Qun. Investigation should be launched immediately as to how pirate vessel was able to salvage such weaponry.
Conclusion: Kirkwall Garrison is presumed to be under distant blockade. Requesting explicit orders of how to proceed. Further recommend additional light warships or disguised warships be sent to the eastern sea to destroy this vessel if it continues its operations.
Status Report; Soldier's Peak
Commander Maharial,
As per your request, I offer the following analysis of our situation.
We currently have 24 Humans, 15 Dwarves, and 14 Elves as full members of the Order. These are supported by only two dozen staff servants. This is completely inadequate for a fortress of this size, or to complete our duties in expunging the remnants of the Darkspawn remaining in this kingdom after the Blight. Either recruitment must be stepped up, or aid requested from other branches as soon as possible. I estimate we require at least one hundred full Wardens, and three times that many servants and potential recruits to adequately conduct our duties.
Regarding our material assets;
Arms: Sufficient steel, insufficient silverite.
Armor: Insufficient in all categories
General supplies; adequate
Magical supplies; adequate
Politically; Commander Cousland's ill timed actions have led to nearly as great a disaster as Commander Dryden's. That King Allistair is ensuring that few in Ferelden know the truth of what happened in Kirkwall is currently the only thing ensuring we do not see general ridicule when we depart this fortress. I would recommend you make every effort to track down remaining Darkspawn and be seen doing so to rebuild our goodwill, and to avoid any and all political entanglements moving forward.
I will be available for further discussions upon the completion of my latest experiment,
Warden Avernus
For the Office of the Knight Commander,
The Gallows population currently stands at one thousand, one hundred, and forty two mages of all ages. While our own recruitment and training efforts have caused our Noble Order to expand, we only now have six hundred and fifty seven sworn members, of whom more than two hundred are on other duties within the city at any given time.
Per Chantry protocol, the Gallows is more than three hundred mages above maximum capacity, and more than seven hundred above what is considered 'safe' capacity. Speaking with the fellow officers you tasked with considering this problem, we have come up with the following recommendations,
Increase the Kirkwall Guard's budget to enable an expansion from their current six hundred members, to a minimum of one thousand so that they might take over Templar duties in the city, allowing more Templars to be moved back to the Gallows. Increase the Night Watch numbers from fifty to one hundred and fifty, Increase the Stone Watch numbers from fifty to one hundred and fifty. Assign both groups to keeping the Qunari Compound isolated, freeing up the City Guard to take over the security of local Chantries; allowing further Templars to be moved back to the Gallows. Demand the Prince of Starkhaven begin construction of a new Circle which is now three years overdue. Failure to comply should result in Kirkwall strongly considering empowering Sebastian Vael to replace him. Begin transferring those mages of less troublesome fraternities to other, secure, Circles in Orlais or the eastern Marches.It must be stressed that we recommend items five and six as the most critical. We know that the Grand Cleric has refuted such requests in the past, but unless we pull in all other Templars currently operating in this March, we simply do not have the manpower to keep the Circle secured.
With respect,
Knight-Lieutenant Markus.
A sinya kal
Longing could not remember the last time it was truly shocked, stunned, reeling... but entering the dream of this mortal had certainly done it.
Its shell nearly gaped at its surroundings. At things it had never seen before, had no concept of. Lights blazed with no fire in glass containers. A box of some kind of strange metal hummed with power, images flashing across it too fast for it to process.
All the while a mortal's spirit was crouched, arms wrapped around its legs, rocking back and forth as it wept. The sheer force of its desperation, of its raw desire for safety, security, for home, made Longing's entire being quiver.
The mortal's magic was completely out of control. Roiling, raging, surging. It had been... mauled, manipulated in a way Longing had never seen before. Whatever had been done to it was already fading, the soul trying to settle, to adapt, but its emotions would be out of control until it had.
"Shhh..." Longing murmured, kneeling down. "It's all right."
The mortal was a descendant of the Elvehn. Its wide eyes were wet with its sorrow, the tears staining its cheeks. When it spoke it was with a defeated rasp, "...great. A demon. I have demons in my head now."
"Spirit." It corrected, "My name is Longing, I am pleased to meet you."
It sniffed, wiping at a little nose. "I'm sure you are. Here to eat my soul or something?"
"No, I am not that kind of spirit." It assured the mortal. "I am one that seeks knowledge. I offer that which you desire in exchange."
It shook its head. "Don't try and disguise it. Know what you are, Demon of Desire. Want to trap me in memories of what I want while you eat me."
It knew what it was... or at least, the prejudiced version of what it was. That was extremely interesting, given its surroundings. Was it merely that inventive? That imaginative? Longing did not know, but in that moment it needed to know.
Longing sat slowly, taking great care not to alarm the mortal. "That is how some of my kind operate, yes. And how the Chantry would believe we all do... but that is not true for all of us."
"...don't believe you." The mortal mumbled, head dropping back into its arms.
"You have no reason to." Longing replied, keeping its tone as gentle as possible. This mortal, whoever she was, was more than merely fragile. The wrong word or push would see it shatter.
The most careful wisp of magic gave it a better feeling for its desires, for its emotions, its...
...Longing flinched back with a gasp, the raw agony writhing through the poor thing's spirit. Its longing for the safety of home, for control over its self, for the ability to wake up, for... knowledge of what had happened to it.
"Allow me to gain a bit of trust." Longing spoke, "I can wake you from this dream, if you wish it. No connection between us shall be made, no claim made upon you."
A head of ragged black hair shook. "...don't believe you."
"I do not need you to." It murmured, reaching out carefully lay a hand atop the mortal's arm. "I merely ask that you wake up."
The mortal gasped as it vanished, as the dream shattered, returning Longing to its formless state.
It floated in the Fade... and felt a new excitement rise within it, a new desire, a new hope. What was what it had seen? What had been done to that soul?
For the first time since it had become Longing, it had no idea what it had just witnessed. No concept, no reference, no knowledge. It was... exhilarating.
It wanted to know. Needed to know. Perhaps this mortal's bizarre dreams, equally bizarre nature, would be the key to finally answering its questions.
Perhaps Longing would finally learn how to truly escape the shackles its nature placed upon it.