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

[dashing]

Focusing on the danger presented by the Venatori if rifter phylacteries were created and fell into the wrong hands could be effective. Either they would allow the Venatori to attack the rifters remotely, or they could make it easier for them to be located and their anchors to be put to use by them.

A means to tracking rifters without the use of blood magic could be valuable. It could even be positioned as a means to track all Inquisition members without identifying rifters particularly amongst them. Records could be protected with code, something of that sort.

Presenting rifters as blessings, as Enchanter Averesch reminded us was once a view in favour, and as potential voices to carry the Chant, and as magic serving freely.

Giving them some freedoms regarding rifters or the Inquisition in exchange would be compelling, but could present new issues to contend with.

What can be argued as being a benefit that relies upon the rifters not having phylacteries?

[faithlikeaseed]

The Inquisition draws--and seeks to draw--support from all of Thedas, from believer and non-believer alike. Given the Chantry's reputation in dealing with the latter, [he doesn't need to list every March, every offense, when they've already spoken of it at length,] there may be a moral victory won in showing it invites rather than compels service even from rifters.

We would need a concrete case, though--an outside group powerful enough to be worth befriending, that would otherwise shy away from the heavy-handed use of phylacteries.

[degenere]

I could invent such a group, if you like. 'The Bantry'. The Bantry are very large and secret and powerful. They exist on a small island in the far north of the Colean Sea. And they are far more forgiving than the Chantry, yes? They embrace Rifters. Venerate them. Marry them in elaborate ceremonies. Carry them around in litters and those chairs that are on poles and throw rose petals before them wherever they walk.

The Bantry would never demand phylacteries from the Rifters. And if the Chantry does not align their perspective on the matter, then we, the Inquisition, will pick up our Rifters and carry them across the world and throw our fortunes in with the Bantry.

Should we add in that they have gigantic unicorns to fight with them as well, or some other unimaginable fancies? The wilder the better. It hardly matters: the Chantry will know it for a lie the moment we claim that we plan to ally with a group more powerful.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Somewhere, Myr's eyebrows have met his hairline. They may not return.]

I did say "a concrete case," messere. But maybe the unicorns can find one for us. [There's a laugh in there somewhere.]

[degenere]

Please, do tell me when you find a unicorn able to put together an organization that possesses the breadth of rightful influence enjoyed by the Chantry.

[No, actually--]

Tell me when you have found a unicorn. Perhaps we will all become so distracted by it that we will forget to debate the Rifters at all.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Dry,] I fear I wouldn't be able to get close enough to a unicorn to find out whether it was the miracle-granting sort, but I'll let you know if I ever encounter one.

For joint authorship on the treatise.

[degenere]

You could yell at it from a distance. I fear that is what most would be doing, if the bulk of the legends prove true. Still, as I say: a good source of distraction. Every belligerent Rifter, members of the Inquisition, some members of the Chantry, would yell themselves hoarse.