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]

That does not make the inaction right.

( She is in conflict, over this proposed strike, would sooner it not be necessary and diplomacy proove adequate. )

[dissono]

It, ah. It will—

If right is done. It will, will not—won't be needful.

( but if right is not done, gervais is tired of quietly doing nothing about that. )

[dashing]

I do not disagree. I am uncertain allowing people to die will bring us success rather than vengeance, however.

[dissono]

Sh-should the—

( you know what, inquisition is a long word. )

Should Skyhold. Not, ah, not wish to—not wish to deal honorably.

( he knows you like that word, herian )

When, ah, when—when did you last see, ah, see a dishonor...dishonorable foe ch-ch-change their mind over...over a bare throat.

I speak—

( with much fucking difficulty? have patience )

—I speak. Speak of last resort. Needful action.

( if they spread their legs and take it, skyhold will know it can fuck them without consequence. )

[dashing]

I understand. ( She agonises, deliberates, but she understands. There are complexities and nuance to this. Even as she supports the Circles for the good they can offer, phylacteries are one of the things most often abused, or most easily abused, at the very least. Especially now. )

How do we decide if our duty to mages alone outweighs our duty to all of Thedas? Do we prioritise the innocent and vulnerable amongst our own ranks over others? Is that honourable?

[dissono]

Why,

( gently )

Why is-

Why do you let, ah, why do you think...that we are not, ah, not- that we aren't.

Thedosian.

Where, ah, where- where are. Where are those who will... ( exhales, deeply, through his nose ) speak for us when, when, when duty to Thedas does...doesn't require that, that, that allies be, ah, be treated equally if they are...mages?

If they are- are in Skyhold. Good.

If we are, are, are prisoners. Then we, ah, we have no duty. We exercise...choice, you exercise choice. You, you, you dispute with me. As if your opinion...matters.

Your opinion.

Does not matter to, to, to someone who believes you are not. Worthwhile. Without a leash.

[dashing]

( It is hard to respond to that. It is the sort of sting that lashes over long-existing hurts, threatens to reopen wounds that never truly heal.

She makes no verbal response, it is perhaps not necessary when they are sitting together, both using her crystal. She simply stands, nods once, swallowing painfully.

He is right. He is right for all the reasons that have hurt since the Annulment, since before. )