The Judgement of the Dalish

[arlathvhen]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Beleth
RECIPIENT: Every Dalish. All of them. Even Twisted Fate. And Zevran.
WHAT: Merrick beat up a Templar, the advisers let the Dalish exercise their autonomy to punish him. Beleth is calling a sending crystal meeting to exercise this right and discuss what to do with him.
WHEN: Backdated to a few days after the soiree
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Beleth will be discussing punishment for Merrick relating to events in the log located here

[ People who know Beleth will recognize the way that she speaks is what she uses when she's trying to channel her mother--in other words, trying to do something political. Particularly, something political that she does not care to do, but must be done. This entire situation has her on edge and unhappy, but she's going to see it through if it kills her.

...Hopefully it won't, but, you know. ]



Aneth ara, falonen. Most of you know me, but for those of you who do not, I am Beleth of Clan Ashara, daughter of our Keeper and sister to our First. [ That second part feels a little weird, but. She wants to try to feel like she has some kind of authority to be able to call this impromptu meeting--or voice meeting, as it were. ]

This conversation has been filtered to exclusively Dalish, as I've come to you to discuss a grave matter and ask for your opinions. Ah--I've also invited Zevran Araini, because the subject at hand heavily involves him, and he's become fairly important to a great many of us. We could probably twist my mother's arm into adopting him in if anyone is particularly upset by his inclusion. [ That's a joke. Being able to convince her mother of anything, at least. Not Zevran being an honorary Dalish, that's true. Sorry, dude. ]

One of our own, Merrick of Clan Ashara, attacked a Templar the night of the soiree, in the Templar's own bedroom. However, the attack was...not entirely unprovoked. [ Beleth's voice falters for a moment, because she really didn't want to talk about this to a group of people, even other Dalish. But she can't let Merrick look like he'd just gone completely off the handle. ] This Templar...attacked me, several weeks ago. I know that this is news to most of you, because I wanted to avoid this kind of situation. I am fine, the situation was handled, and the Templar was punished to my satisfaction.

However, because the Templar was already disciplined for his actions against me, the Order and the Inquisition view Merrick's attack as unjustified and expect him to be disciplined in turn for his insubordination. The advisers have been good enough to respect the Dalish autonomy, and have left us in charge of his recompense. I've spoken to the members of the Templar Order, and they will respect our decision as long as we react reasonably.

And so, it is up to us to make a decision regarding what is to be done with Merrick. I would like to expand, somewhat, on Merrick himself, so that those who do not know him will be informed enough to make a decision.

Merrick--He's not a bad person. Not by a long shot. He's a good man, a trustworthy man, and he still is, despite his actions. Merrick--Has a history of struggling with his anger. He's been getting much, much better about it, especially since he started working with Zevran. This was a relapse--But it was not that Merrick attacked someone at random. He attacked that Templar because he hurt me. Not because Merrick is somehow untrustworthy or...a loose cannon. The rest of our clan would tell you this, as well. He's a good person. He's one of my closest friends.

He's just--Troubled. But he's working on it.

[ She hesitates, but decides that covers as much as she's willing to say. She's reluctant to go about explaining Merrick's full situation to people outside of the clan, even other Dalish. ]

I know that according to our customs, most of us would be perfectly content to shrug the incident off. A shemlen attacks one of the People, we attacked back. It doesn't matter if the humans already penalized him. That is our way. And, certainly, I don't want to punish Merrick. [ She falters again, but steels herself after a moment. ] But when we came to Skyhold, and joined the Inquisition, we agreed to certain rules. That includes abiding by Inquisition decisions and punishments. If we shrug off Merrick's attack, we open ourselves up to numerous problems.

Firstly, we must understand that the people of the Inquisition will be watching what decision we make. If we let this go, this will set a troubling precedent and send a dangerous message to everyone watching us. Those who are unhappy with our presence here will use this as leverage against us, that we are dangerous, and we will look the other way when one of our own attacks someone.

Secondly, this autonomy is a precious thing. And it's a thing that can be taken away. We must prove that we have the ability to be autonomous, that we can deal with our issues without the humans intervening, and that we can do it well. If we let attacks on humans go unanswered, the Inquisition may decide that we do not have the right to this autonomy, and take it away. Then Merrick will be punished by the hands of humans that don't know him, don't care about him.

And finally, if we do not answer to this fairly and justfully, there will be dissent among the humans. Templars who feel that one of their own has been slighted may take it upon themselves to retaliate in turn. If we don't stop this where it stands right now, we could have a cycle of violence on our hands that no one can afford. [ Her voice grows cold for a moment, deadly serious as she states: ] I would have my life ended before I see the People pulled into a blood feud because of me.

I've deliberated, and come up with a suggestion for what to do about Merrick. There are a number of Dalish clans in Orlais. I think that the best thing to do would be to have Merrick go to them and offer his aid for any situations that might need an extra skilled fighter. We tell the Inquisition that Merrick has been temporarily dismissed from his work with the Inquisition, and will be tasked with, ah. Community service, maybe.

Additionally, I think he should be assigned a caretaker who will be with him at all times to keep an eye on him and make sure that he doesn't lash out at anyone else. I can't think of anyone better for this specific job than the qunari Metaari, as he was the one who broke up the fight between Merrick and the Templar in the first place. [ Okay so maybe they're also banging but DETAILS. ]

I think that this will serve as fitting discipline to ease the minds of the Inquisition, and give Merrick some time away to collect himself. However, the decision is not mine alone to make. Now that you know the situation, I open the floor to the rest of you. I will answer what questions I can, and Pel and Cyril may be able to help with that as well.

Ma serannas.

Comments

[samahl]

[Cyril is so incredibly torn up all of this, and the timing in which it happened. On top of the guilt he feels about not being there when it went down.]

I'm reiterating what Beleth said in that I'm here to answer questions.

[He really can't say more than that at this time.]

[arlathvhen]

Ma serannas, lethallin.

[samahl]

You are not to blame.

[arlathvhen]

[ She hesitates, but swallows down her emotions. She doesn't deserve anyone trying to spare her feelings over this. ]

I am. I told Merrick the Templar's name. I knew what Merrick would do, but--I did nothing. I let this happen, and I will not allow myself to stand back and duck responsibility.

private - to beleth, pel, and zevran

[samahl]

I could have done more myself. While he was attacking a human, I was up in the castle enjoying a human party. The fact is, all of us who care about him will talk until our faces are blue blaming ourselves for not doing enough for him.

I can't give you the forgiveness you need. Only you can do that. Just know that I do not blame you.

Your idea is a good one. So is having Metaari come along. Us closing ranks around him, as much as that's my natural way of doing things, makes it look bad. Having someone else do it is good. And we can trust Metaari.

More than that, though, Merrick trusts Metaari.

[arlathvhen]

[ Too bad Beleth will never ever give herself forgiveness. ]

Thank you for your words, Cyril. There's plenty of wisdom to be found in them. And thank you, for your support. I'm relieved that most people seem to be finding my idea to be amenable.

[samahl]

[Cyril relates to that. He'll never forgive himself either.]

I think you have the right to say it too. You're the one who was originally attacked. [Then, more serious.]

Are you going to be okay?

[arlathvhen]

[ A sigh can be heard over the crystal, and she doesn't speak for a few moments. Then: ]

I will be. It was worse, right afterwards, but I've been getting better, and I thought maybe I could just let the matter lay to rest. I don't want people to think that I'm trying to get attention for it, or that I'm some kind of victim, or--whatever.

I just want things to go back to normal.

[samahl]

I think we all want that.

You're allowed to feel whatever you feel, lethallan.