research plot: Automatic Rift/Rifter Indicator Via Early Detection system.

[propulsion]

WHAT: On the revelation that Solas is the antagonist, or at least one of them, in popular video game Dragon Age: Inquisition, Riftwatch is in the process of forming up its own ability to locate rifters swiftly, and bring them to safety and not left to capture by the Venatori or being eaten by bears.

After many months of monitoring, research, data collection, and development, the nerds have fabricated a device called the Veil attenuation network echo (or, a VANE, or just a vane, don't shout) that can monitor wide geographic areas and measure the levels of Veil-thinness in that area. Once Fadeiation levels have reached a certain critical point, the vane will send a signal back to a sending crystal switchboard housed in the Gallows that will prompt a rescue team to travel out and intercept the coming rift, narrowing it down using thaumoscoping devices.

This plot will pick up when the instalment of the Automatic Rift/Rifter Indicator Via Early Detection (ARRIVED) system is in the process of deployment, a network of vanes across, initially, the Free Marches, branching out further. Now that they can confirm that rifters seem to emerge where large deposits of lyrium exist, they can begin to build up the network itself.

HOW: This is kind of a sprawling project that can't be represented in a single log, and so there isn't going to be one. Instead, if you volunteer to assist in this project, you will be given a task IC to carry out. It is up to you to complete this task sometime in the next two months, however you see fit. You are encouraged to integrate it into your normal day to day role play, maybe use it as an excuse for a CR-building road trip, or just chat about it in inboxes, really any way you like. By the end of the quarter, I'll ask the task-leads to come together to form up a report that represents how their individual tasks progressed the instalment of the ARRIVED system.

Tasks will be tailored by me to the people involved, and can involve anything from convincing a local landowner access to their territories so Riftwatch can build there through to scouring an area for evidence of rumoured lyrium deposits. I will provide details, hooks, prompts that you can do what you will with. You are welcome to RP with each other, but I would anticipate you to RP about it with whoever you like. Only task-leads will collect AC rewards for their involvement, but if you partner up with someone else and they're heavily involved, let me know and I can check about it.

WHO: You! Hopefully. This is a very Research heavy operation so preference will be given to Research division members. Fill in the form below in the comments. I'll be in contact with tasks in the next week.

Comments

[propulsion]

One of the earlier vane structures they'd erected is no longer sending 'pings' back to the Gallows, implying that it has broken down, or been damaged in some way. Erik, and those he asks along with him, will be sent out to determine the extent of the damage and make repairs if possible.

The vane is located at the Wounded Coast, a stone's throw outside of Kirkwall. Several pieces have been removed, mainly from the internal panel that deals in sending signals back to the Gallows. A core component of enchanted crystal has been removed, and will need to be replaced. Checking the machinery itself will show that attempts had been made to remove some gears but had mostly damaged these elements instead.

At the site of the investigation, however, Erik and friends will be at the centre of a bandit ambush, ten men strong. Their weaponry is a couple of crossbows, bows and arrows, and some swords. They are there to take everything you have, and don't mind a little murder if a fight is put up. How Erik wishes to engage with this situation is up to you: negotiation, hostility in return, defensive retreat, etc.

Let me know how Erik and friends may wish to approach this, and I can supply more information as to his success.

Refer to this note for additional guidance.

[clawings]

The group uses Negotiation. It's hopefully successful. Erik himself would have had enough coin on hand to pay for a meal for everyone in Kirkwall (because that's what he was expecting to do once they were done). He's not against fighting though, if negotiation goes sour.