010.

[dashing]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Herian Amsel
RECIPIENT: Division Heads (and/or their stand-ins) project leaders & assist leaders, Saoirse & Myrobalan.
WHAT: An idea to tackle the rifter phylactery discusssion.
WHEN: Current
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES:

I apologise for making contact with you all after so recently sharing an update on the Chantry Relations project with the network, however I think we can agree that the matter of the rifter phylacteries and the reaction to them is a disruption to our work, and causing divisions amongst our ranks.

Following the hard work of those who attended Skyhold to negotiate the matters of the phylacteries and were faced with considerable opposition from the Templars and Chantry, I think it is key that they come to understand it is not Skyhold and the Inquisition that pushed for this measure, but those other agents.

I also come to you to propose an idea to counter. Given that the Chantry and Templars pressed the matter of phylacteries for rifters, the most effective way to work against it is to diplomatically persuade them of the dangers and risks that come with said phylacteries, and diffuse the idea without further fracturing of our alliances and resources.

One matter that has been raised is that, as we have so recently seen, phylacteries could be used to harm the rifters should they fall into enemy hands. Furthermore, they could be used by the Venatori to target and abduct rifters. We do not know what they could do with them, but their shards are powerful and important to our efforts, even if we were to neglect what the Venatori might use them for in order to further their goals.

If you have insights or ideas on what other arguments could be used to present to the Chantry and the Templars, I appeal to you now to share them with me so we can present a strong and effective argument. This is not solely a matter of concern for rifters, though I can confess my bias; this is for the sake of our Inquisition, and more importantly, the sake of Thedas. Interruptions to our work jeopardise our cause.

Those who would be willing to attend a meeting with Chantry leadership with me, please make yourselves known.

Comments

[exequy]

[ Pausing the mortal enemy thing for a moment. But just a moment. ]

They believe you are more dangerous than us. If it is not true— [ and it probably is ] —I cannot think of a way to prove it to someone who might insist on believing otherwise.

[rowancrowned]

How flattering of them.

[ which may well be true in some cases, but. his end goal is to ensure that galadriel doesn't carve a pathway to freedom, literally. ]

What do they imagine us to do with this power? Surely not become the new Corypheus. We already cannot be parted for long from other shardbearers without immense pain. I will never live a life outside whatever becomes of the Inquisition. With that, we are leashed already. With that, the Venatori will not have us in their custody and alive for long.

[exequy]

I am sure infiltrating the upper ranks of the Inquisition to turn it sinister purpose has crossed one mind or another.

[rowancrowned]

[ he laughs. ]

I am no Shartan. I fear the best way to convince them of this would only ruin what little goodwill I have left with the Chantry.

[exequy]

[ There's a pause, reasonably long, while Kostos considers asking and then almost audibly decides not to. ]

Perhaps if one of your people would submit to Templars formally testing their abilities without bursting into tears.

[rowancrowned]

May I pick the Templar?

[exequy]

Were it up to me.

[rowancrowned]

In the suggestion you offered, did you have any greater vision for it than 'a test'? Possibly one tempered by your life-long experience with Templars, which I do not have.

[exequy]

My experience.

[ Bitter. But not at Thranduil. Mortal enemy status downgraded to orange. ]

Most of the Inquisition's Templar allies took the duty to control us so seriously that they broke with the Chantry to do it. They might have fought harder for the phylacteries— [ He believes. He wasn't there. He can't read Ser Enpeesee's mind. ] —but the phylacteries have belonged to the Chantry all this time, and they have proven that they can win a war against us without them. Knowing that their abilities and their enchanted cells will leave you as helpless as us might let them compromise and still sleep at night.

[ Which is a shame. Maybe they'd be easier to defeat if they were chronically sleep deprived. ]

As for what would convince them it is not a ruse—I cannot say. They have a great talent for jumping at shadows and blaming maleficar.

[ Your mom is biased. ]

[dashing]

If a rifter were willing to submit to such a test in the presence of Chantry officials, it might hold some meaning. It could also serve to alarm them to see too powerful a rifter. It would need to be done with caution.

[exequy]

Pity the floating one with the black eyes is gone.

[ That's

a joke

not that there's any change in his tone to accompany it. ]

[dashing]

( eAe )

Yes.

( Also a.... joke. )

We might be able to ask for volunteers. I doubt issuing an order will help the situation, given the current escalation of things. Further disruptions will only delay our work further.

[thunderproof]

❰ nut up or shut up, adalia. ❱

I offered to be put through a Harrowing, a few months ago. I would still be willing, if it would help us plead our case.

[dashing]

It could, though that was not what I had in mind. Truthfully, Harrowings... mages who have passed the Harrowing are not rendered immune to possession.

I think what could prove more valuable would be allowing a test of whether a Templar would be able to cut short a rifter's abilities. It would grant them assurance that rifters are no a terrifying, unstoppable force that could run rampant.

[limier]

We are able.

[ as those who've faced the red forces can attest. ]

But our ranks are among those who argued for these, no? Concern that our efforts alone will not be enough, reluctance to shift duties already split, to assume full responsibility for containing a relative unknown.

[dashing]

Of course, Commander. Mayhaps, though, as a display for the Chantry themselves to witness? That might render the information less an abstract claim, and more a confirmed reality.

You are right, though. So far as I understand it, the Templars brought the phylacteries to the table, and not the Chantry. That would doubtless be a sticking point.

( Unseen, she rubs her hand down her face. She's tired, has not been sleeping well, avoiding sleep and all that waits in the Fade since their return from the Anderfels. )

[limier]

I do not say this to dismiss the notion of a demonstration, only to suggest it may be bolstered. Each notion is as piece of a plan, no?

[ for her own part, the words are — detached. distant. need be, to have them said. ]

The Rifted pose more than one form of danger; I cannot say how much of this winter's illness is known outside the Inquisition, but even without the knowledge gained of it,

[ spirits. spirits, or partially. ]

It troubles. Laid low those who might do something of it. Caused us to forget the very tally of them, even as agitation unspun their natures and granted new powers. And should the Fade twist some future plague to broader form?

[ herian doesn't want to hear that, she knows. it's a bad time for herian to hear that, she knows. they don't have time to wait for a good one. ]

Before her departure, de Cedoux proposed emergency procedure be outlined. [ she switches to private: ] The leadership will not trust her. I do not trust her. But I trust to her self-interest, and under the circumstances, she might be convinced to speak with you of it.

[dashing]

Yes. It must be so.

( It's not like Herian is totally without distance, herself. Engaging with debate does not an emotionally healthy person make. )

These matters all require consideration. A register, perhaps, of rifters? I know not what comprehensive records may already be kept.

( And also, private: ) I will speak with her, if it will benefit the Inquisition in moving past this disruption.

( It is not solely for the sake of the rifters. This is for Thedas, just as her refusing to stand with the strike was for Thedas. Work still had to be done. ) Do you think my failure to involve with the strike will make her unwilling to engage with me?

perma private

[limier]

Warden Serra has been kept voluntary records; a study of shards, alone. It has drawn small ire. Our personnel files themselves are piecemeal. I think it likely we would require more palatable name than register —

But an idea to perhaps ease minds.

De Cedoux strikes me unlike to turn aside a useful tool. She may question the choice to involve yourself now; an honest answer will do best. Invoke my name if you must, I imagine she will find that amusing.

[ but irony doesn't buy you back the good graces of skyhold or first access to information, so petra can still suck it !! ]

She is a politician. Do not bristle for soft words, or a genteel demeanour; do not either mistake her for more than temporary ally. Those accustomed to power mislike its absence.

[ she oughta know ]

ditto

[dashing]

Aye, I suspect that's so. ( Register would not go down well. And yet, surely at some point they need to draw the line at how flexible they can be. What follows, though, is a long silence. )

How would— my reaching out for assistance strike the nerves of her need to step down?

( Slowly; cautiously, really, because while she is trying to parse this, it remains rather new territory. )

I did not join the strike, but that does not mean I did not think the destruction of phylacteries important. I— realise I am seen as a traitor by my fellow mages.

( Dishonourable, a hypocrit. She has to swallow. ) I did not strike because I felt that we needed to ensure that Thedas survives by continuing our duty, before seeing to the needs of mages alone. If she asks me why I am involved now, it is not because I favour rifters over mages, but because their discord threatens to undermine out ability to move forward and protect our world from Corypheus.

[limier]

Then that is the answer you should give.

[ she doesn't grasp the question, if there's one; doesn't have reassurances to otherwise offer. she isn't a mage — her guess as to how others will see the decision are ultimately that: guesses, educated by hot words and the basic nature of people. ]