A very heartfelt suggestion

[arlathvhen]

FORM: Written message posted on the board
SENDER: Beleth, but she didn't put her name down. People who know her well enough to recognize her handwriting can probably figure it out.
RECIPIENT: Everyone in Skyhold
WHAT: A friendly request to not harass the halla, in the tone of a beleaguered retail worker.
WHEN: Put up on the board in the middle of the month, probably will be kept up there for a while.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: humans are gross

[ The letter, hanging from the message board, has this to say:

'Due to several incidents that have occurred, this is a reminder for everyone that the halla currently with the Inquisition should not be approached unless you are accompanied by one of the Dalish. Furthermore, you are generally discouraged from attempting to poke, prod, ride, shave, and otherwise aggravate the halla.

This letter is not due to any ill will against any members of the Inquisition, this is simply the nature of the halla, and the Dalish will not be held responsible for any bitten fingers, broken limbs, and miscellaneous gorings that occur to those who disregard the advice given here.

Thank you for your time and support.' ]

Comments

[degenere]

[Attached beneath:]

It troubles me greatly that there are halla being kept by the Inquisition, or if not by the Inquisition, then by those who live in the Inquisitions good graces. While I find the effort of this notice admirable - indeed, remarkable - I find that I am moved to pose a series of questions in return.

- Who tends to these creatures and where do they stay? In the stables, with the horses?
- Where did they come from?
- Why were they brought in to Skyhold at all?
- How do these creatures bear the harsh climate of the Frostbacks as they are not native to this region?
- What special care is taken to ensure their good health?
- Why bring them in at all if they are not to be ridden?
- And, if they ARE to be ridden: why, when there are horses, which are beasts far more suited to the demands of battle and hard travel, having been BRED to serve such a purpose?

I understand that the herding of these halla are a traditional custom of some of the Inquisition's number. But we must consider that such practices, easily sustained in a more natural setting, do not belong in the confined walls of what is ostensibly a city. If nothing else, we must consider that the freedoms of open herding suit beasts such as these far better than dwelling within a paddock or enclosure. Have pity for these creatures, held within our walls.

In concern, I posit these questions and eagerly await logical and reasonable rebuttal.

Vᴀʟ Dᴇ Fᴏɴᴄé

[arlathvhen]

Thank you for your questions, I am exceedingly glad to see that there are humans who are as worried about the halla and their wellbeing as we are. Please, allow me to put your fears to rest, and assure you that the halla are faring quite well, with the occasional exception of people who, I am sure, were simply ignorant of the advice listed here.

Due to the nature of the halla and their preferences, they are kept in a pen with stables outside of Skyhold. Naturally, I understand your concern about their location, and I can assure you that they are kept a reasonable distance from people who might otherwise disturb them, allowing both them and the people to go about their everyday lives, unless someone willingly chooses to approach them.

They were brought to Skyhold as a gift from one of the Dalish clans that the Inquisition has aided, and represent the alliance between the two. They were a gift of friendship, willingly given as a sign of how important the Dalish believe this cause to be.

While halla are not, in fact, native to the Frostbacks, the truth is that they are not particularly native to many of the places that they travel with the Dalish. Halla are sturdy animals that can easily adapt to the various climates that they navigate while migrating across Thedas. Furthermore, we, the Dalish, are well trained in the various ways to care of them beyond their adaptations, and we have ensured they are quite comfortable in their current position.

I understand that, due to the nature of the halla, and their dislike of anyone who is not Dalish, there is little information on them beyond rumor and speculation, thus I do not hold you accountable for thinking that the halla have little to offer besides being ridden. Beyond the symbol of status they represent, as few ever organizations have been able to claim halla within their ranks, the halla offer a number of important services and provide valuable resources that few humans have access to.

Of course, I would not dream to put them on the level of your horses, as we do not breed our halla, but let them live as they will.

On that note, while once again it is incredibly uplifting to see others so worried over the quality of living that we have provided our halla, let me assure you that halla are not livestock that are shuffled to and fro with no thought to their will. They have never been ones to quietly submit, and we would have it no other way. Thus, if the halla disliked being here, everyone would be very aware of that fact, because in all likelihood, they would quite simply leave.

I hope that I have assuaged some of your fears, and look forward to continuing to enlighten others to some of the lesser known facts about our revered, noble companions, who willingly live side by side with us, whether out in the wilds, or within the Inquisitions.

[degenere]

Your response is not only appreciated: it is as admirable as your first message and a credit to your background.

But I must assure you, in turn: it is not the hapless men for whom I fear. I care little for the idiot who would presume to approach a beast without proper reverence and an improper interest (though I will be first to confess that I have shaved my initials into many creatures in my years). My fears are for the halla themselves. You are their advocate. But your number is limited, as are your resources. You say these creatures are kept outside of Skyhold, in a pen with stables of their own. Did your people construct the pen, or did the Inquisition? By what plans?

The climate may not trouble the halla overmuch today. But tomorrow? A mountain can be so quickly beset upon by snows, and as our years are ever turning, we must consider this obstacle - and then, the obstacle of their food. Your people provide for them. By what means? The Inquisition's, or your own? Do they graze, as a herd might tend to do? But then, they graze in a limited space, unless you have minders to tend the flock and lead them to verdant pastures, which will not last forever. Even a stable of horses must consider such things when preparing to face a season of cold.

I am pleased to hear that your people do not selectively breed these creatures. And I am as fond of the status of noble beasts as anyone. What other resources do they provide, if not transportation?

I also must question how willingly a creature might live in a paddock. But as you say: they are creatures of which so little is known about. Your interest in their continued obscurity is one that I find troubling but there is so much of your people that is perhaps better left in obscurity, for the preservation of traditions is so dear to the sentimental heart.

Your consideration, so carefully worded, is appreciated, and I commend what charitable translator you had to assist you.


Vᴀʟ Dᴇ Fᴏɴᴄé

[dalishious]

Stop condescending to her.

[arlathvhen]

♥♥♥ Thank you.

[dalishious]

Say the word and I'll kick his poncey Orlesian ass down the frostbacks
- M

[degenere]

A thirteen letter word! Good for you!




You see, THAT is condescension. My correspondence is correspondence. Do you see the difference?

[dalishious]

She doesn't need a translator.

[degenere]

She writes with surprising eloquence. I was paying her a compliment.

[dalishious]

Why is it surprising?

[ Just say it dude, you've shown your ass already. ]

[degenere]

A lively debate is always surprising. Especially outside of the University. To date we have not had success in inspiring any truly engaging conversation in Skyhold among any, human or otherwise.

[dalishious]

Do you assume everyone needs a translator?

[degenere]

I often allow for the possibility. Especially in Skyhold.

[dalishious]

You are so full of shit.

[arlathvhen]

Please, just let it go. It's fine, really.

[ ur gonna get in trouble!! ]

[degenere]

And you are inexplicably and mildly offensive.

[arlathvhen]

Your compliments are welcomed and treasured. Truly, the knowledge that someone as humble as I has been found worthy of admiration in the eyes of someone such as yourself is remarkable, and something that I will hold dear.

I thought of boring you with the intricate details of how a culture that has a god solely dedicated to these creatures, and have lived with them for generations upon generations manages to puzzle out the necessities of caring for them. But I have to admit, seeing your ardent and guileless concern for not only the halla themselves, but even for the number of my people tasked with caring for them moved my heart. I was positively inspired by your words, and realized that you are completely correct on your observations on the obscurity of the halla. That this troubles you effected me deeply, and lead to a revelation.

I am sure you are well aware, as any Orlesian might be, that words alone are hollow. It is actions that speak to the mind. Thus, with your curiosity, worry, and the poignant way that you clearly care about the halla, I have decided to bestow upon you a noble honor that few humans are ever offered. However, if there were ever a man to deserve it, I believe it is you.

Thusly, I have cleared you for aiding us in the cleaning, feeding, and care of the halla, so that you might come to an intimate understanding of the creatures and how we ensure their wellbeing. With someone who has already proven themselves so dedicated, I am confident that you will agree, and have already begun the necessary steps to petition the advisors to relegate some of your other assignments so that you will not be overburdened in this great adventure of learning.

I must not, however, confess to my great shame a mistake I see that I have made. You see, some of the resources that halla provide are highly sought after by certain humans, and I have seen their horns, and goods made from their milk, fetch remarkably high prices in the shops of Val Royeaux. Now I realize, abashedly, that I have made a grave misjudgment, and assumed that because certain subsets of the population enjoyed these luxuries, that the entire population of Orlais would at least know of them. To lump together an entire people and assume what all must know based on the knowledge of a few is incredibly rude of me, and I must thus apologize.

And another shameful admittance follows, though this one hopes to correct a perfectly natural misunderstanding that has occurred. I am sure that someone like yourself might be able to hire whomever you please, to overcome the (assuredly few) shortcomings you might have. Unfortunately, not everyone has such a distinguished lifestyle. Therefore, I had to gain the necessary knowledge for myself, rather than simply hire someone who had conveniently already had this knowledge, and save myself from learning it. And so, I had no need of a translator, charitable or otherwise, save for my own learning. A step that I envy your ability to skip.

I look forward to working with you in the future, in what I am sure will be a most enlightening experience for all.

[degenere]

Your graciousness and thoughtfulness in your responses have demonstrated your ability to overcome mean circumstance and I remain dutifully impressed. Please: with your next response, if there is one, you must sign what it is you are called or otherwise make yourself known to me in some way.

But I fear that you have read too far into my words. I do not wish to assist your endeavors. Though I find the halla fascinating and would truly love the opportunity to observe them, a close communion with these creatures seems ill advised. Especially as our correspondence has begun from a warning for all to avoid the halla.

Are you now suggesting that we men do NOT need to avoid these beasts? For then I will of course be happy to sit beside this paddock that you have described and observe them, for at least a short while, until my heart has grown too heavy and grieved at the thought of their captivity and I find myself unable to bear to watch them any longer.

If we DO need to continue to avoid them: I am sure, then, that your offer was made in a fit of passion and genuine strong feeling and not to be taken as anything else. I will quite understand and forgive, knowing that there are those with constitutions more affected by such passions. Your thoughtfulness is a shining light and a credit to your people. In lieu of my direct participation, I would therefore invite you to examine my previous paragraph and suggested interaction with the halla. Zoology is a passion of mine, and an accredited specialty. I believe your people and, more importantly, the halla themselves, would greatly benefit from my observations and work.

And as you have correctly surmised: I would not know of such luxuries as you have described. I do not make use of horns in my decorating, having always found them to be crass. And I do not drink exotic milks, unless invited to do so as part of some local custom. While there may be those in Val Royeaux who do enjoy such tastes, I cannot be counted among them. But I thank you for your correction and your understanding of your error. Your capacity to admit your wrongdoing and to express emotion so clearly is as admirable as the rest of your abilities have proved to be. I do marvel at your lack of assistance with translation. I suppose your time in the Inquisition has been enlightening to you, and I find myself further endeared toward this organization for its work and efforts, a feeling which you, having so profited from such efforts, no doubt share most heartily.

I shall speak to the proper advisors to clear up the extent of my duties with the halla.

Vᴀʟ Dᴇ Fᴏɴᴄé

handwritten below it all

[mythalenaste]

Val-

It is not the best idea, but declining the halla is an insult to the clan allied with us. We're still working out what to do about them.

Their antlers fetch a good price, their milk is very sustaining, and their droppings make very good fertilizer.

Now buzz off and mind your own.

[degenere]

If we are all a part of the Inquisition, and the halla have been dubiously gifted to the Inquisition, then surely this IS my own business? (I assume that is what you are ordering of me: to mind my own business.)


If so: it is therefore the business of us all. Especially those of us concerned for the fate of wild creatures.

[mythalenaste]

You're not concerned for the halla, you just want to be right about something. And you are right about something.

Thankfully, it is not your task to manage every bloody thing in Skyhold or out. We're doing our job. That's all you need to know.

[degenere]

I am very concerned, and I am insulted that you would boldly assume otherwise.

What is more: if I am right, that assertion does not assuage my concern. I assure you that I have been an advocate for many creatures on many occasions. It concerns me that there is limited resources for creatures whose diet is, I presume, primarily grasses and legumes. It concerns me that we keep these creatures here if they are so difficult to care for, and if your people are so apparently adverse to offers of assistance.

"We" should be the Inquisition. I will not be alone in this opinion.

[mythalenaste]

[Anyone who passes by will find Val's previous response ripped down.]