008.

[dashing]

FORM: crystal
SENDER: all
RECIPIENT: Herian Amsel
WHAT: Chantry Relations stuff, Chant of Light chats
WHEN: early Cloudreach
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: if you'd like to do an action thread feel free to have them drop into Herian's office in an action response to this post

Good morning, Inquisition. I am happy to report that the Committee have selected a design for the memorial gardens, with some modifications to make it as precisely to their satisfaction as possible, and we have progressed to its construction and landscaping.

For those Rifters freshly arrived who I have not yet had the pleasure of speaking with, my name is Knight-Enchanter Herian Amsel, and I presently serve as head of the Chantry Relations project. If there are any matters that I meant lend assistance with, or matters you require clarity on, please do not hesitate to speak with me. I am oft located in the Chantry Relations office within the former Templar tower of the Gallows, but so too can I be contacted by crystal. I am afraid what I have to speak of next may be a matter of some confusion without context.

What I wish to speak of are the Dissonant Verses. I imagine the name may be unfamiliar to most; they are not well known even amongst the faithful. They are the Canticle of Silence, the Canticle of Maferath, and the Canticle of Shartan. It is the last with which I am most concerned, this day.

Shartan the Liberator was an elf who fought alongside the Blessed Andraste, when they rebelled against the Tevinter Imperium. He was leader to the elven slaves who joined her numbers, and an essential force of her cause. When Andraste was sent to the pyre and the flames rose about her, Shartan and the elves set themselves upon the pyre in a desperate attempt to save her, but all of them were slain.

In recognition of their heroism and sacrifice, the elves were rewarded with a new homeland in the Dales, but when... with the Exalted March on the Dales in the Glory Age, Shartan's verses were removed from the Chant and deemed heretical. They were published in the New Cumberland Chant of Light six years ago, but their inclusion remains controversial, and given Divine Justinia's death, there is no guarantee that it will kept in future editions of the Chant, or even acknowledged.

I would be... interested in hearing your thoughts and feelings on the matter of the Chant of Light and the Canticle of Shartan, to gauge the Inquisition's general sentiments on this matter.

Comments

[kecharitomene]

( with some interest— )

I've never heard this.

[dashing]

It is... a matter of some controversy. There are those amongst the Chantry who believe it should still be called Shartan's Heresy, and who denounce those who do not share that view. Despite Divine Justinia's best efforts, it is perhaps not surprising that so many of us remain in the dark.

It calls much into question.

[aenseidhe]

[ Iorveth was two seconds from dismissing this entire message when he heard 'Chantry' mentioned, having learned by now that the Chant of Light is the mass human religion, and likely another source for the many to tell the few to stay in line, even if their line is the shithole ghettos they live in.

But then we started talking about elves. The rest from there just had his blood boiling all the more. ]

If it's the truth, the thoughts and feelings of those offended by it should mean naught. [ Stated as if this is the most obvious conclusion. ] History, unlike some religions, is not a buffet which the followers can pick and choose from.

Assuming the Chantry Relations office cares more about the comrades of their savior than the disapproval of their current peers. [ aka, grow some balls, do the right thing, screw whoever's upset by it. Iorveth's people skills are terrible, but he's also seen this sort of thing happen too many times over hundreds of years, and he has no more patience for it. ]

[dashing]

( Crisply, but with her usual relentless calm, )

Serah, do not presume to know my feelings on it, nor what course of action I will advocate within my position.

[circleprodigy]

Elven history -and existence- always tends to remain controversial. [Said dryly, almost absently. She's too busy to be bitter.]

In my not unbiased view, the canticle should be restored. Whether or not it will...well, I won't hold my breath.

[dashing]

Technically it was already restored in the New Cumberland Chant by Divine Justinia, though how well it has circulated and if that revision has carried beyond that edition... I could not say the restoration has taken root.

( That is another matter entirely. ) To ever claim ourselves unbiased is surely foolish. Every moment of our lives grants us bias. Our perspective and opinions, our very selves... any who claim to speak without bias are either fools or liars.

private

[nadasharillen]

[considering Herian's feelings on the Dalish, Nari is surprised to hear the woman's note of hesitation when speaking of the Exalted March. She supposes that betrayal belongs to all elves. Picking and choosing between segments of the People may be something Dahlasanor never did, but it's still a favored pastime for too many. Elf-blooded, city elf, and Dalish alike.

That difficulty aside, the Canticle of Shartan is... important. Enough for her to adopt a quietly sincere and conciliatory tone.

Not yet enough to publicly broadcast her somewhat complicated feelings.]

It's Dalish history too. And not one oft mentioned in even the most accepting of the Clans, if at all. It won't change all minds to have the Canticle restored - perhaps it would reach only a few - but it would be a reminder that in at least one way we were once bound together in something other than death.

permaprivate

[dashing]

( Her immediate response to hearing Dahlasanor's voice is to tense. It is not an easily visible thing, just a rising of tension up her back, a sort of painful apprehension gripping her chest. She steadies herself, as she always must.

It's Dalish history might be enough to make her jaw set, if the tone were not conciliatory, if they were not in agreement on this. )

I am surprised to hear that it might move the hearts of any Dalish at all. I had thought they believed themselves far above and removed from the Chant to pay it any mind.

( Her tone is also careful, respectful. She is not gifted with words or their selection, but her intention is to voice genuine surprise, not parry with spiteful derision. )

[sorcerised]

[ Well this is interesting. Aro doesn't have context for, honestly, most of this, but he has to start somewhere. It's not really surprising to him that religion would be a matter of contention here. That seems to be the case everywhere. He's always gotten by with respecting all while subscribing to none. He fully intends to maintain that position.

So. ]

I'm new to this world, and can't claim to know what politics are behind any of this. I imagine they're complex. But given that I can't reasonably be on anyone's side here, is it far to say I think this elf's verses should be remembered? He and his people helped when they were needed, at great cost to themselves. It seems right that history should remember them.

Unless there's something I'm missing. Why were the verses removed in the first place?

[dashing]

I do not think you overreach with such a sentiment, serah. If there are questions you have in need of answering, I will do my utmost to assist.

The verses were ordered removed by order of Divine Renata the First when the Chantry lead an Exalted March against the Dales. An Exalted March is a... religious crusade, essentially. The first predates the Chantry itself, and was when our salvation, the Blessed Andraste, raised an army to fight against the oppression and slavery cast over Thedas by the Tevinter Imperium. The second, against the Dales...

Chantry texts claim many reasons. Escalating tensions, trade negotiators and missionaries met with violence, and the refusal of the Dalish elves to lend aid when the Second Blight swept over our lands - the Blight is another complex matter in needing of some explanation, and I apologise for confusing the matter further. However, the Dalish claim it was no more than persecution, rooted in religion and race.

( She has no love of the Dalish, but this is something beyond all that. This is their roots, their beginnings, and it is the word of a Chantry who she has seen commit great acts of cruelty, now. )

private;

[limier]

Justinia remains — however implicitly — our mandate to act as Inquisition.

It may be appropriate that we continue to support her prior actions, though controversial; I fear that any short-term gains of conservatism would be made moot, by those who seek to question our commission. If they are struck, by any party, it will weaken the position of a future Divine.

[ that's uh. not what was asked, buddy. ]

When did you first learn of them?

permaprivate;

[dashing]

( For a moment she is surprised. )

I... confess I did not expect to hear you speak so, Knight-Lieutenant.

During my travels in Orlais. I met by coincidence with a Chantry brother who had some copies and was working to circulate the knowledge at some personal risk, and had drawn the attention of a less than empathetic chevalier. He gave me a copy in thanks.

And you?

[justnice]

Still doesn't seem like it's —

[ he wish-washes. it's herian, she's trusty as shems get, and only hardly one at all. still. still seems like everyone's playing some kind of grand joke, and none much laughing for it. ]

— Well, I don't know. You said there were two more, why were those ones left out?

[dashing]

I am less well informed of the other two, I must confess, though I look to correct that. As best I understand it, the Canticle of Maferath speaks of how the Blessed Andraste's mortal husband betrayed her, and the Cantle of Silence speaks of the creation of the Blight, when the Magisters breached the Golden City. The Cantle of Silence has, at least, circulated for some time amongst academics, after its exclusion, though it was deemed too much akin to propaganda that supported the actions of Hessarian. Both done, I think, to craft a more particular view of our faith, or perhaps of our Maker.

It is ill-done, to say the least, to cut words from that which is part of history.

[faithlikeaseed]

In justice, it should be restored to the Chant.

[Which isn't all justice demands of the Chantry when it comes to elves--and Shartan's memory especially--but as he told Nari, this isn't something you noise about in polite company. Still--

It would do to be more vocal about it. Especially if asked.]

The Maker sent the Liberator and his people to our Lady's side, and they died in droves in the attempt to save her. To erase them from the record is an offense to Him as well.

[dashing]

I am glad we are agreed, Mage Shivana.

And of the other Dissonant verses?

[thunderproof]

May I please have a copy of this canticle, thank you.

❰ crisp, brooking no argument, and FULL OF RAGE. the avowed of candlekeep are librarians first and historians only incidentally, but both of adalia's professional inclinations are offended at this idea. destroying history just because you're in a pique with the children of the heroes is not, unfortunately. a thedas-specific action. the victors of all of toril's wars choose the history as much as the humans here do. it's still disgusting, and should never happen. that it was done specifically to hurt elves, here —

well. she agrees with iorveth. ❱

[dashing]

I have some additional copies of the New Cumberland Chant that I can lend you, but I will require them back. The library will also have copies, should you wish to peruse.

Have you yet read any other portion of the Chant of Light?

[coiledscales]

It all sounds like ancient history to me. Interesting to study, but... of very little concern, at least for now.

I'd have to study the verses in question to see how it fits into the wider story your people tell one another. There are likely clues to be gained from that about the veracity of any or all of it.

[dashing]

Of little concern? When his being declared heretical can be linked so tangibly with abuses suffered by elves these past seven Ages?

[onlyhymns]

I think, um... [hesitant and yielding, as ever,] it's, uh, in the Inquisition's best interest to acknowledge the new information and... um, investigate it.

[dashing]

I agree, Harimann. Why do you consider it in their best interests?

[utulien_aure]

I will not pretend to entirely understand the importance the Chant of Light holds in Thedas.

[Organized religion is...just. Odd.]

But people have the right to know their history. That includes the elves of Thedas... and its men as well. Living under a lie is no blessing, even when one does not know the lie exists.

[dashing]

I make no protest of the destructive nature of lies. There is no honour in falsehood, and it can bring no joy.

The Chant of Light... it is the song of our Lady Andraste, who sought to liberate all from the shackles of slavery. A woman of great bravery ad compassion.

[paladingus]

True as the Chant may be, all told, we know why the verses were stricken--or why Shartan's canticle was stricken, at least. Those who censored it were mortal humans, and they did it to justify things that maybe we ought rightly to be questioning now.

If the world has to be in upheaval, and the Chantry in shambles, I don't know that we need to set it back just as it was, glorifying of Exalted Marches and everything that goes with that. I don't think that serves us best, nor the Lady who loves us all.

[He's had Reasons to contemplate this before. Myr had only added a few more of them.]

[dashing]

The very purpose of the Inquisition is the interrogation and rebuilding of that which has been corrupted. This seems a prime subject for debate in that. The Dissonant verses must be reconsidered, for our own moral vindication and improvement and that of Thedas' future.

[letoldthingsdie]

[Ah. It's the girl from before, who gave him such a warm welcome.]

Forgive my ignorance, Knight-Enchanter, but could you tell me more about this Chantry?

[He's showing a polite interest, having never heard of it.]

[dashing]

Of course. What do you wish to know? It is a topic of some broadness and complexity.