crystal || OPEN.

[degenere]

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: Val de Foncé
RECIPIENT: E V E R Y O N E
WHAT: researchers, meet your new boss. everyone else, give Val a high five. applications for Research Secretary now being collected.
WHEN: right now
WHERE: your ears

Research, Inquisition. [Hail and well met my dudes Val is still Orlesian. Note the accent.] If this word does not thrill you as it does me, we have very little to speak of. In fact we may not have spoken at all. In Val Royeaux, at the University, I and my friends are well known for all of the research that we have contributed to the vast stores of knowledge that are contained within our much beloved and greatly venerated University.

And I am pleased now to inform you, Inquisition, that I have been made Head of Research for this very organization that we all name as our own. A very wise choice. There are so very few that possess my credentials, experience, and charm. It is my belief that we, as a division, shall far surpass the work of all other divisions. For our purpose is not only superior: it is clearer, too.

[In a more serious tone, now:] To those lucky enough to be working on research projects for the Inquisition, I am requesting that all work you have amassed on each topic be put into the fires and burned. [And a pause before, more cheerfully:] No! Do not do that. What I mean is, we start anew, together. But you must submit your work to me for a metaphorical burning. I shall burn it with my critique. I require at the very least a written proposal for the work you are conducting. If a project has begun, let us visit it together.

I shall also require a secretary. Chief duties for this position will be, of course, reading project proposals. Please, make an introduction and submit your credentials to me in my office forthwith. You need not be a member of our research efforts, but you must have a keen interest in reading terrible handwriting.

[And generally doing all the work but that part remains unsaid.]

And! To those that might contest my selection, I shall quote the translation of a rustic proverb found engraved upon the wall of Orzammar, taught to me by my very dear Baroness Frédérique: may a demon eat your arse.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

I'm researching the Blight, its spread and its cure. I can give you copies of what notes I have, in a hand that's very tidy, but I'm not certain how much critique you could have for it.

[And he's... not sure about putting together a proposal. There's nothing that could make him stop researching this, after all.]

I've also been spending some time digging into practical applications of magic for improving the life of everyone.

[degenere]

I should very much like to read your notes, my friend, in whatever hand they have been penned in. Bear in mind that I am a student of many disciplines and many years. I have likely seen worse handwriting.

And I am a powerful critic. But fair, of course.

[And humble. Did he mention humble? Super humble.]

Now, what sort of practical applications do we speak of?

[justice_is_blond]

I should have them copied by the morning.

[That will be simple enough, if he's not sure it's the most practical use of his time. Thankfully he can bring that to his rooms with Nate. But all neutral sounds leave his voice as he launches forward on something he's passionate about.]

As far as magical applications, what can't magic make more easy? Earth can be used for making roads smooth and more resilient. Fire runes in hearths can make sure that there's never a lack of tinder. Fire and earth together can make walls and residences stronger. Creation magic, obviously, can heal so many things. Ice can put fires out that have gone out of control, or be a constant source of fresh water. Seeds can be sprouted, wells made... There is a vast benefit to having mages integrated into communities and helping out. Villagers that treat their mages as allies can prosper greatly.

[degenere]

First, I must pause and savor the sound of passion in your voice. It is a refreshing sound. I feel this way often of my own studies, and it is my opinion that it should be felt more often.

[And he really does pause. Three, two, one--]

There! And now I will say that I find your innovations of particular interest. We must, of course, be cautious in the minutia. I adore the careen forward, the risk and the danger that one feels when confronting magic. But there are some who will not share such a feeling.

And yet you are right. If, through research and innovation, we teach the small-minded and under-educated, the wary, the wounded--if we use convenience to show them the greatness of which you speak--why, your kind will make such forays into culture and, perhaps someday, even popularity.

I have a particular question, my friend. These crystals, on which we now speak. What is their magic, precisely? I have often wondered.

[justice_is_blond]

I want my people to be free, and this is the best way to ensure we get to keep that freedom. We can bring our world forward, so far forward, rather than making us halt and stagnate so that those who are afraid of magic can feel more comfortable in their illusions.

If popularity is what we need, then I will push for it. I don't want another child torn from their family because they discover an ability they'd no choice in.

As far as your question goes... I don't know. It's a fascinating use of power, and I couldn't even tell you where they originate from. Not that I've delved into it too much. I don't want to risk breaking mine. If you ever come across an extra, I may be able to figure out more.

[degenere]

I agree completely. There is much we can do to raise knowledge and increase the desired profile of the mage in Thedas. I will volunteer to be torn from my family, for one, and make a very big show of it, and attribute the act, when asked, to a cause of understanding.

[So helpful!]

Perhaps, in addition to your efforts, we might commission works of art or something fine to appeal to the aesthetic sense of the masses that both popularizes and demonstrates the heroics of the mage. This is certainly something to consider.

I will see, too, what can be done about an extra sending crystals. I wonder if there is some other means by which we, the Inquisition, might communicate more effectively.

[justice_is_blond]

[Art and acting. At least he's trying, Anders tells himself.]

As much as I like the convenience, I'm not certain I want greater communication. It can be used against us just as easily as it can be used by us.

[The Chantry will build itself back up as soon as it has a Divine, and then they'll use that communication against mages.]

Could I suggest instead of art and fine things, we provide more basic items that can meet needs? The poor cannot eat a painting, or get warm from a sculpture.

[degenere]

[A brief confused pause precedes Val's answer.]

But-- that is just charity.

[justice_is_blond]

[He makes a slight choking noise.]

Yes. What's wrong with charity? People need charity. Not everyone can fight their way up; some need assistance.

[degenere]

There is nothing wrong with charity, of course. It is just--

[Hm.]

--boring, would be the best word, I think. Charity is boring. And also somewhat overdone.

[justice_is_blond]

[Boring. Anders is quiet for several minutes. He needs to pitch this in a way that works for Val, apparently, if he wants assistance here. And overcome his natural inclination to be argumentative for the sake of the downtrodden.]

Surely nothing can be boring to an educated mind. You can find ways to make anything entertaining, I'd think. And new, rather than overdone. Create an art installment of blankets, a grand tree stretching upward that they can then take apart. Perhaps dangle food from its branches as if it was fruit to be picked. You could create interactive art.

[degenere]

There is truth to that...

[The part about the educated mind, anyways. It is a shade too close to what his tutors used to say to him. Only a boring man is boring, Valentine! But they were the boring ones, so their proverbs would have been better directed at themselves.]

And the idea of art that can be taken is a tempting idea indeed. It would go against all of the narrow selectivity of art that must be kept preserved and pristine in salons and the like. Yes, I will give this more consideration.

If there is one thing that can be said of Kirkwall, it is that such art would see great use. There are many pathetic people around.

[justice_is_blond]

[He manages to keep from facepalming. Pathetic? It's not their fault they've fallen so far, for the most of them. And even for those who it is their fault, they still deserve another chance.]

You could start a new art movement, give it its name, maybe even see it spread. The wars have created a multitude of places where such installations would be valued.

I look forward to hearing your further thoughts on the matter once you've given it due consideration.