crystal | closed to circle mages

[galvanising]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Nell, Kostos
RECIPIENT: Former Circle Mages in the Gallows
WHAT: Phylactery update, discussing a labor strike, business as usual
WHEN: After everyone is back from the Sunless Lands
NOTES: There's no "Circle mage" filter for the crystals; they're having to read off the names of everyone they know who might be one. But if your character has been reasonably open with the Inquisition about being a mage from a Circle, you can assume they're included.

Skyhold has ordered that the phylacteries recovered from the Seekers in the Storm Coast be locked up here in the Gallows until they choose what to do with them. Since they seem to be struggling to come to a decision, we thought we should help them by making clear to them where the mages of the Inquisition stand on this issue. To begin with, Kostos and I are drafting a letter to the leadership urging them to destroy these phylacteries and any others that come into the Inquisition's possession in the future, and we would like to be able to tell the advisors that the affected mages here in Kirkwall are in unanimous agreement, or near enough.

We'll be getting in touch with the mages in Skyhold and the other bases separately, and may speak with others in the wider community if further support seems needed, but since former Circle mages are the only people actually affected by this decision, we are the ones who should be making it.

[ Kostos—quiet, due to both internal conflict, a habit of following Nell's lead, and a natural disinclination to talk to large groups of near-strangers—breaks his silence to add, ] In the meantime, if everyone could refrain from doing anything hideously stupid that would remind people why they're useful, that would be… [ Good. You know. ] And we do need to know how you feel, and how strongly. There is a fine line between making threats and explaining consequences, and we can do our best to stay on the right side of it.

But we need to know how many of you will be willing to follow through if it becomes necessary to demonstrate to the Inquisition just how much they need us.

Comments

[dashing]

I respect the rights of mages to choose what is done with their phylacteries; they have been put to ill use in the past, even before this most recent debacle. With that said, if mages wish to use leverage against the Inquisition and refuse to aid them further until their desires are fulfilled, I will not support such a venture.

The Inquisition works to save our world entire. To sabotage that effort for the sake of our own whims, no matter how righteous might be, would not only stall that effort, but encourage others to refuse to help the Inquisition until they are indulged. It is, at best, negligent and selfish, and all to easily leans to being wantonly destructive.

[overharrowed]

I respect your commitment to the greater cause, Knight Enchanter, and I largely share it. But I do not agree that the request is an unreasonable one. The Inquisition attracted mages to its ranks without asking or requiring that they have this much power over us; they have our phylacteries now because it was unacceptable that we were being attacked through them, which is well and good, but I am hard pressed to see what practical or political purpose it will serve to deny us this.

I think there are others, not yet recruited, who would be much harder to win if they could point to this incident and say "See, this is how the Inquisition treats its own allies."

[faithlikeaseed]

To play Maferath's advocate, though, that last presupposes those unrecruited others care that much about the fate of mages. Anyone who doesn't have a phylactery might not understand the concern or think it warranted--and any protest we make that goes too far risks tipping them against us for caviling. And the Inquisition for letting its mission be impeded.

[Frustrated sigh.] And Knight-Enchanter Amsel is right, too, that what we do here sets a precedent for anyone else who feels her voice hasn't been sufficiently heard. Which--again--could as easily go against mages.

[dashing]

Enchanter Julius, I never said that the request was unreasonable, nor did I defend the existence of phylacteries. I believe their destruction necessary. If Circles are ever restored, they must be improved in myriad ways, the very system of them restructured, and part of that restructuring should include the destruction of phylacteries. There may yet be mages who would sooner avoid the Circles, even if they were improved and mages allowed sufficient freedoms within them, but the hunting of mages is not something I advocate.

I simply have concerns that threatening the fate of our entire world and stalling the efforts against Corypheus might not only lead to dangers we cannot predict, but turn public opinion against mages still more than it currently stands.

[galvanising]

That is a valid concern [ admittedly much to Nell's surprise ] and certainly we all hope it will never be necessary to risk either the public's opinion or the Inquisition's work. But public opinion of us is still poor outside the Inquisition, and we cannot predict what will happen in the future. Perhaps it will improve, perhaps it will get still worse. Perhaps the Chantry will agree to massive reforms, but perhaps they will elect a new Divine who wishes to hunt all of us down as heretics and escaped maleficarum.

We can't know what will come and we can't know if we will ever again have the chance to see thousands of phylacteries destroyed in a single blow, but we know we have it now. I would rather take this opportunity and face whatever comes knowing that there is no longer a noose held 'round my neck or yours or anyone else's as I do.

[dashing]

I agree, Knight Enchanter, and the Inquisition agreeing to destroy phylacteries would be a great win, symbolically and practically. It may also increase the opposition they face, but if our world is to improve, principals such as this cannot be neglected for the sake of making the necessary work easier.

My concern is that if it proves necessary to make a stand, in the quest to make the world a better place for mages we risk condemning the entire world by allowing Corypheus some window we cannot easily predict, by significantly reducing the Inquisition's resources to hand. I understand that is the very power in the leverage, but— it cannot be wise, nor beneficial to mages.

[galvanising]

If it proves necessary to make a stand--and if merely threatening that stand is not enough--think about what that says about the Inquisition. If they were to say no, it would mean they were willing to risk the battle against Corypheus just to deny us this request. It would mean they care more about keeping a leash on mages they claimed were allies than about the work that we do, the people that we help who might be hurt if we stopped.

If that's true then what kind of organization is this? What do they truly stand for and should we even serve them at all? Corypheus is a danger, yes, but if the Inquisition denies us this despite understanding the potential consequences, it means that Corypheus is not their true priority, and if he is ours then we would be better off all going to join the Nevarran army instead.

[dashing]

I understand that, and I agree, but at this point, we stand upon a precipice. Our duty is not simply to the Inquisition.

Who else has made the effort to stop Corypheus, or has the resources to hand that we are able to use? Who would you propose we serve in their stead, or if we were to attempt an independent organisation, how would be begin to amass the necessary influence to make a meaningly difference?

[galvanising]

Nevarra, or I suppose Orlais if we must. They have done little so far, but they've felt his meddling already and have the most to lose if Corypheus continues to grow in power; no one would ever be content with just the Anderfels. [ because it's shitty, obvs ] We would destroy the phylacteries anyway and go treat with one of them, offer our services to aid their armies against him.

[dashing]

Neither are ideal, but if it becomes necessary... we must be prepared to follow through with any plans we make. There will be losses to the mage cause if we quit the Inquisition, I fear.

What is your personal preference in this? The Inquisition, or a nation?

[overharrowed]

My apologies for misinterpreting your word choice. I truly hope, as it sounds that most of us do, that if we present our request reasonably and with a united front, the Inquisition will see that it benefits not only many of its members, but the aims of the organization as a whole, to destroy them.

But there is no perfect answer to "what next" if they say they will not. I am, frankly, glad we are taking time to discuss it now before it comes to that, so we can at least weigh it properly. You dislike the idea of refusing to help as a demonstration, and I can understand your position. But it seems likely to me that at least some mages may prefer to do their part against Corypheus elsewhere, through other means, if the Inquisition makes it so explicitly clear that they are less than their compatriots when they were once told they were equals. A well-planned demonstration of limited scope would offer a middle way, if it is needed, between pure acceptance of such a situation and breaking ties completely.

[dashing]

Your apologies are not necessary, Enchanter, but I... suspect my own may be. I am not... gifted with words, not their choosing.

( There is a long pause, as she tries to organise her thoughts, to do better. )

You are not incorrect, nor must we assume that our hands will be bound to a particular course of action, or indeed, inaction. I simply... dread the potential outcomes of abandoning our work here, and that even should we begin that work anew elsewhere, much will be lost.

( Her jaw is tense, but she forces herself to keep talking. ) It may be that we cannot move forward without risk.

[keenly]

Well...no, I disagree. People don't just stop working because they want something. That's risky as shite. Most employers would more likely sack you and replace you with someone more agreeable than give you what you want. That's the point--they see you're so desperate, you'll risk losing your job over it.

Risking losing the world over it is probably a good thing to debate, though.

[dashing]

That is my precise point. I agree that the destruction of phylacteries is necessary, but to chance giving Corypheus the upper hand in our refusal to tend our duties, or turn public opinion of mages more soundly against us?

We must consider our duty to our world above our duty to mages alone.

[keenly]

What about a selective strike? The war effort we'll keep a hand in, but anything else--day-to-day functions, for example--we let drop?

almost replied as helena #yikes

[dashing]

Are there sufficient mages involved in day to day functions for such a step to be effective? And where would the lines be drawn, in some cases? Would healers, for example, agree to suspend their treatment of all patients? I fear that, in some instances, it would not be the Inquisition that suffered for our hands being stilled, but the common people of Kirkwall and beyond.

[keenly]

The common people of Kirkwall are treated on our own time. We're not working for the Inquisition when we do that.

[dashing]

But there are other branches of aid that do fall under the Inquisition's efforts, whether they are diplomatic or otherwise.

Certainly having more time to see to the people of Kirkwall and aid them would be a boon, I imagine. Still, there are matters of discuss. Would you, for example, feel at ease refusing treatment to an Inquisition soldier who has no hand in the business of phylacteries for the sake of supporting the mage cause?

[keenly]

How do you think it ought to be done, then? [There are non-magical healers, of course, but chasing a single tangent down a rabbit hole seems like it would be missing the point of this discussion as a whole.] We have to have a way to have autonomy, to create consequences, and this way is at least peaceful. Maybe you can think of something better?

[dashing]

At present I have no satisfactory answer. ( She is big enough to admit that. ) My hope is that if we compile a comprehensive list of the reasons why the ending of the phylactery practice and destroying of all existing phylacteries is beneficial to the Inquisition and Thedas, beyond just mages, it will not come to this.

As I believe Knight Enchanter Voss and Enchanter Averesch said, the refusal to continue service is to be done only should it be necessary, not as the first attempted effort... better, I think, that we focus on the diplomatic first effort, than draw ourselves overmuch into the second before we know the Inquisition's answer. Knowing that might better allow us to hone our response.

[keenly]

So, focus on plan A knowing we have some time to think of plan B. Sounds sensible.

[dashing]

Something to that effect, yes. The second plan may be necessary but... let us pray otherwise.

[faithlikeaseed]

Which is also something we ought to consider; practically, I know I'm unlikely to give up my work entire--it's habit now--and there won't be a world for mages to be free in if Corypheus succeeds.

[He'd go on--but realizes what he's about to say is probably better not said in public; half of it would only poison the conversation and he's got to work out what won't with someone he trusts. So, private it is.]

That said, I don't think it's a mere whim to not want a sword over one's head. Not when it's been so lately demonstrated what sort of woe can be done a mage through her phylactery; we know Corypheus' people have infiltrated the organization, recently, and an opportunity to disable half the Inquisition's mages in one strike would be too tempting to them. Leaving aside what ill-intentioned members of the Inquisition might do.

And even if we [a fraction of a pause] trust all the Inquisition's intentions wholly--that none of the leadership will make any use of the phylacteries, simply hold them--what good are any promises of service a new-coming mage might make if she's learned the Inquisition already has a leash on her?

not private

[dashing]

( Not unkindly, )

You cannot have it both ways, Mage Shivana; either you stand against the Inquisition and suspend your duties, or you stand with them and continue them. That is the point. I agree with that the principle behind the mages standing against the Inquisition, but I do not think the potential cost of standing against the Inquisition is worth it. If they should refuse to shatter the phylacteries, and we have no guarantee they would refuse, are we willing to risk Corypheus claiming victory?

equally not private

[faithlikeaseed]

Right. [This pause is where he's rubbing at his face, and sighing to himself; it's so easy to temporize and try to work a problem from all sides when you're not called to stand on it.

Time to choose, and choose again, and always be deciding what's most important among a million conflicting principles.]

In which case I think the best chance of success lies not in splitting ourselves over whether or not we'll stick with a strike and chance the Inquisition's failure, but instead point out the very real dangers of their retaining the phylacteries. Not threats, but a sober assessment of risks to their own personnel and mission.