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

[aceso]

I would not consider it pointless, but not easily done. There would be issues with keeping the blood from drying out and such. But I can talk it over with my team and we can perform tests in order to tackle this issue from every angle. However, in the interest of time, we might wish to consider if this is a path that will bear fruit. The point of phylacteries is that the blood is kept contained in a vessel. Testing blood outside of one, not bonded to a person, may not give us any answers worth presenting to the Chantry.

[dashing]

Of course. Perhaps blood in a glass container? It would not have the connection allowed by a phylactery without the blood magic, but it could still serve to illustrate and supplement other research? That might be more relevant to the conditions of phylacteries.

[aceso]

Indeed. The Chantry needs proof the phylacteries would be in danger from red lyrium. Yet I can already see the counter argument: The Gallows is red lyrium free, and the Gallows will be where the phylacteries are held. Which is just a theory on my part. They can just as easily be held at Skyhold. But I worry that the Chantry would not see the threat.