Sending crystal announcement

[mythalenaste]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Pel Ashara
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Announcing the publication of her first book
WHEN: After Weisshaupt/Western Approach things calm down a bit
WHERE: Skyhold

[A somewhat monotone voice is heard over the crystals.]

It's Pel. Of Clan Ashara. I've written a book and it's published now. It's about Dalish culture. I will be selling it at my yarn shop until the new Divine is elected, at which point it will be banned because it's a book about elves written by an elf. So buy it while you can.

[What? She's not a hawker. She's not a beggar, either.

She'll hang around on the crystal in case anyone has questions.]

Comments

[universal_charm]

Any copies left, or did you sell out?

_{[ He's interested. While the library has volumes upon volumes about many things, learning about Dalish culture from an actual Dalish elf? Priceless. ]}

[mythalenaste]

I still have copies. Want me to set you one aside? What's your name?

[universal_charm]

Yes, that would be perfect. It's for Jim Kirk.

I've been interested in learning more about the Dalish. I'm glad an actual Dalish has written something about your culture.

_{[ Because clearly anything else he might find written runs the risk of being so far from the truth that it's practically slander. He's caught on to the fact that certain peoples are not always displayed in the best of lights. ]}

[mythalenaste]

I wouldn't be the first. Just the least recently banned.

Jim Kirk. Is that one name or two?

[universal_charm]

Two - J-I-M and then K-I-R-K.

Is that how it is then? I'm sorry to hear that. It's always a sorry state of affairs when information like that is suppressed.

[mythalenaste]

I don't actually know, to be honest. Human authors have had works banned for certain topics about us. Portraying us as sympathetic during...politically potent times, for example. The Chantry won't have it any other way but for us to be heathens. Eccentric at best, blasphemous and greedy at worst.

But for all I know, the reason I've never found a Dalish book about Dalish is because we've never had enough interest in the rest of the world to write one.

[universal_charm]

Still, I'm sorry that a group would try so hard to distort impressions of your culture. All the more reason for me to pick up your book and read it, though.

[mythalenaste]

You think so? On that merit alone?

[She sounds...sort of in awe.]

[universal_charm]

I've always thought the best way to learn about a culture is to go the source - that is, the people.

Secondary sources are nice when you don't have a way to talk to someone of that culture, but secondary sources aren't going to be entirely accurate either - especially those written by people who have agendas against a certain culture.

[mythalenaste]

[She wants to put him in her pocket and carry him around.]

Even primary sources usually have some manner of agenda. Fortunately, my agenda is to tell it like it is, as much as I can. Or perhaps unfortunately. It remains to be seen how well, or how poorly, this might be taken.

[universal_charm]

_{[ He probably would not object to this. ]}

Well, I myself am eager to learn more about you and your people, so I'm looking forward to picking up my copy. Would you mind if I contacted you if I had any questions?

[mythalenaste]

Not at all. I have your book set aside, Jim. Whenever you'd like to pick it up.

[universal_charm]

Thanks. I'll come by as soon as I'm done with a few more errands on my end.