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

[limier]

Phylacteries persist for many. Only identified, Inquisition mages may ask of those in known custody.

[ arguments don't get better unless someone pokes the easy holes. ]

[rowancrowned]

New phylacteries.

Another thought: we do not have many, but what of children who manifest magic while in Inquisition custody or proximity?

[limier]

[ until now it's been — distant. abruptly, far more firm: ]

The last thing that mage children require is their further association with demons.

[rowancrowned]

Good. [ firmly. harrowings are off the table. ]

So it is not that we are corruptible, only that we need be leashed.

[limier]

How in the Waking Sea did you arrive at that point?

[rowancrowned]

They are suggesting phylacteries only, not Harrowings.

Their assumption is that we cannot be possessed- Rifters can, there was that Man several months back- presumably because we are demons, so they did not bother to insist upon Harrowings.

But, they assuming phylacteries will be compatible with our-- with how we are made.

[limier]

Rifters have already been bound.

[ it takes some sideways straining to follow his train of thought. but so long as they aren't tossing apprentices onto the pyre for the world's most irritating demons. ]

The plague, no? I would be surprised did this, too, not prove out. But a spirit's nature remains mutable, corruptible; what is a demon if not the essence of corruption?

[rowancrowned]

What do you think we are, Ser Coupe?

[limier]

A pain in my fucking ass.

[ did she that out loud? oops. ]

[rowancrowned]

But not a demon.

private;

[limier]

There are accounts of more esoteric constructs — difficult to say what one might separate from fiction, my studies have been limited to the practical.

private;

[rowancrowned]

Such as?