Casting down bad memories

[arlathvhen]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Beleth Ashara
RECIPIENT: Everyone who's part of the first group to Kirkwall
WHAT: Discussing what's to be done about the statues
WHEN: Sometime between Cloudreach 14th and 20th
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: This isn't an Official Poll that's going to decide things but it's a good way for people to throw out suggestions for voting on and discuss ideas

Good day, to every member of the Inquisition currently helping take care of the Gallows. We've been making some amazing progress, and I'm sure that our contributions will give this place the overhaul that it desperately needs. With time, the Gallows will become a symbol of hope, rather than despair.

If I may, I'd like to take time to discuss ideas for one of those symbols. Specifically, those horrid statues that are strewn about. Now that they will...probably no longer attempt to kill us.

I've been informed that there are artisans willing to melt down the statues and create new ones to be put in their place. Additionally, our group has been given permission to choose what kind of statues would be put up there. Suffice to say, whatever we go with will make a statement about our goals here. The Inquisition is trusting us to make sure that statement is positive.

So, I would like to discuss possibilities with everyone, and see if we can get some good ideas going.

To start the ball rolling, if it's alright, I'd like to share my own proposal. Of course, this is only a suggestion, and I welcome any other voices.

I propose that we have the statues remade to represent the diverse groups within the Inquisition. Have a statue of a dwarf, another of a Dalish, another of a mage, etc, etc. It would send a message of cooperation and coexistence, and hopefully promote such in our new home.

The floor is open for further suggestions.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

While I appreciate the mage being included, you've started with races. What if it's simply races? A dwarf, a Dalish, a human, a qunari? No weaponry, no armaments, staves or swords or otherwise.

...And perhaps a cat, because a cat never goes over poorly.

[arlathvhen]

[ That...is a little surprising to hear from Anders, but valid. ]

That would work, too. And would leave out risk of not including a group and someone becoming upset.

...Unless another race is suddenly discovered, I suppose. But surely they would understand.

[justice_is_blond]

[If mages have a separate statue that stands out, that marks them as unusual rather than simply another member of the people group.]

If another race is suddenly discovered, I'm certain we can come up with enough material to represent them as well. And then we can use the base that was formerly used for the cat.

Do you have a reason to think we'd come across another race?

[arlathvhen]

I've heard there's another race that lives with the qunari in Par Vollen, but they never leave the island. I suppose it's possible they could make an appearance?

...I doubt it'll ever come up, really. The point was that it would be more unlikely to have a new race show up than a new group.

[justice_is_blond]

I've not heard of them. I was mostly wondering if you'd heard anything of the future from the travelers that suggested another race joined us.

What's the other race called? Do you know?

oh my god I am so sorry, Anders, I am so so sorry but it's so open for this

[lyriumcarved]

An elf. You mean an elf.

[This is probably not someone Anders wants to hear from, and he sounds as agitated as ever.]

The Dalish are not representative of an entire race.

[justice_is_blond]

Grow up. I was using her own terminology as a basis to build upon.

Why don't you find a convenient hole to fall into again? I enjoyed the time while you gallivanted off to who-knows-where-no-one-cares to do no-one-cares-what.

listening.

[indocile]

( she's gonna remember this. )

[lyriumcarved]

If it were "simply races" as you said, you would have been more precise with your words.

Why don't you go off and become an abomination again? Surely it's only a matter of time before you give in to that weakness and allow the next spirit or demon into your head.

[Ah, yes, now he remembers why he'd been content to stay away. And to ignore Anders as much as possible.]

[arlathvhen]

[ In a pleading voice, with just a hint of beginning panic: ]

Please don't fight here, either of you. Criticism on suggestions is certainly welcomed, but if you could just...um. Keep the personal insults...not here...?

Please.

[justice_is_blond]

Are you truly so stupid that you can't understand I'm not precise every moment of every day? Maker. Find a hobby.

[arlathvhen]

[ Beleth's tone is polite. Incredibly polite. The kind of polite that no one uses with any sincerity. ]

I apologize, truly, if I caused any undue offense. There are, of course, other elves who have been accepted into different groups, or created their own. I'm sure that if the proposal is put into place, then there will be discussions about how the elf statue will appear.

As Dalish happen to be elves, it is within the realm of possibility that an image of one could be used to represent elves as a whole, just as much as any other group of elves. It remains to be seen.

[ Beleth, in her consideration, doesn't bother to point out that the Dalish ought to be the representatives, since they are the last true elves, and have the whole actual elvish culture and language. Not that she's bias.

(She's really bias) ]

[lyriumcarved]

[Bias? Ohhh yeah, we've got it here too, in the other direction. The Dalish are overboard with their superiority in his opinion, and this here is a good example of it.]

All Dalish are elves, but not all elves are Dalish. Why is that so hard to understand?

[arlathvhen]

[ In the same painfully polite tone: ]

I appreciate, and thank you for your information. I believe I grasp the idea. I'm sure that there will be discussions on it, if it becomes necessary.

[indocile]

Thank you.

[lyriumcarved]

[He didn't expect that, and for a moment isn't sure how to respond.]

Someone had to say it. [Oh yeah and,] You're welcome.

[indocile]

( she leaves it at that. )

[justice_is_blond]

He only stepped in because I misspoke. Anyone else and he'd still be drinking away. Maker forbid I not be perfect.

[indocile]

Mmmm.

( because it's about him, right. )

[circleprodigy]

Quite agreed.

[She isn't against the Dalish, but honestly? No, they do not get to represent all elves. This is Margaux's post all over again.]

[lyriumcarved]

I'm glad it seems I can count on you to always be sensible.

[And yeah, maybe this was a bit of a double-whammy, being a "Dalish as elves" comment coming from his least favorite person. Even so... the whole thing is still important to clarify, he feels.]

action

[quietblade]

[Glancing over at the mage from where he was sitting, Taas notices the growing frown and look of annoyance.]

...is something wrong?

Re: action

[justice_is_blond]

[Realizing that he's rolling his eyes at Fenris, Anders gives Taas a look that's a little embarrassed.]

Ah, I'm... Beleth made a post asking for suggestions of statues to replace the broken ones in the Gallows. I misspoke and someone who has hated me for years swooped in to angrily correct me and then got thanked. But I'm fine; they're assholes.

Do you have any statue ideas? So far [Anders lists all the suggestions that have been made, finger-spelling the names.]

[quietblade]

Everyone misspeaks sometimes.

[The warrior says softly, more of a statement than anything else. It wasn't his place to judge anything since he wasn't involved.

...the idea of the statues, however, makes him curious. He takes a moment to watch Anders talk about the different suggestions and can't help chuckling a little at the dragon suggestion.]

Well, I kind of like the idea of melting it down, selling it and donating the profits to people, but if there has to be statues...

[He rubs his chin a bit.]

...a monument to all the people that died in this place. That's the history we're standing on top of, after all.

[justice_is_blond]

[Anders nods, looking down for a moment. He had no little role in that, after all. After that moment, hee looks back up at Taas.]

Would you like me to say as much on the crystal for you? In your name, I mean. Or you could speak on the crystal and I could tell you anything that's been said in response. Mine may not be the voice people would want to hear that sentiment in.