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

[rowancrowned]

Cloak ourselves in the imagery of the Chantry?

[exequy]

[ If only he were someone who would joke about hats. ]

Or less conspicuously scorn it. Have any of you ever converted?

[rowancrowned]

[ he is Inspired.

casually: ]

My lover is Theodosian. I would have wed her long before this but we assumed no Mother would perform the ceremony. Would an open conversion convince one to allow it?

[exequy]

[rowancrowned]

[exequy]

I have had no reason to know or care about marriage customs since I was nine years old, but I understand Anders found someone, somehow.

1/2

[rowancrowned]

I... assumed for all his talk that it was in no way legal or binding, given any number of factors.

[ really? ]

[rowancrowned]

Nonetheless, I do not seek to emulate Anders in the least. Knight-Enchanter Amsel, [ since he assumes she's listening, ] do you think such a thing would be of any value, or ought we to consider just conversion alone?

Or anyone who has a good deal of experience with the Chantry.

[faithlikeaseed]

I've little more knowledge of marriage than Enchanter Averesch, Provost, but it would knit you to Thedas in a way that would be--difficult to gainsay. [Could demons marry? Could spirits?] Though some might argue the union's validity, but if you could meaningfully convert then there's no reason your union to another Andrastian wouldn't be binding.

Though much might depend on your lover--and I don't know Kirkwall's laws governing the marriage of elves.

[dashing]

I think they would be supporting arguments, but not something to be relied upon too heavily. The way to win the Chantry over is to present them with reasons why easing the pressure for rifter phylacteries would be beneficial to them, not to rifters.

Certainly the potential of more followers could appeal, but they have elven amongst their faithful, and that has not... resulted in meaningful improvements in the condition of elves.

[exequy]

The benefit to them would not be converts among the rifters. It would be the narrative. If this—great evil, threatening the foundations of Andrastian civilization— [ and unseen vague gesture, he's not here to make a speech, someone else do that part ] If it is to defeated by mysterious beings from beyond the Veil with magic they cannot explain, it is in their interest to be able to tell the people—the people who pay their tithes and look to them for guidance—to tell them that we owe Thedas' salvation to blessed agents of Andraste, not to demons they never trusted.

But it would require them to not gleefully spout heresy in public, at a minimum, so it may be a lost cause.

[dashing]

That sounds as though it would appeal to them, yes. ( Nicely done, Kostos. You should work in PR. )

It may be possible, but it would take a combined effort. I agree that it would be... challenging, but perhaps better not to dismiss it out of hand.

[rowancrowned]

The Herald of Andraste. Herald, announcing the coming of- the Rifters only arrived once she had perished.

This is very clever.

I believe I can turn the tide of Rifter opinion on the matter, in exchange for a few guarantees.

[dashing]

I am in no position to offer guarantees, but if you let me know them, they could certainly be taken up with Skyhold and the Chantry, whichever is the relevant party for particular requirements.

[exequy]

[ He would be fine at PR as long as it didn't require actually talking to anybody without glaring at them and potentially losing his patience after an unreasonably short amount of time and calling them all idiots.

But thanks. ]