(I don't know half of you half as well as I should like.)

[castintoflames]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Maedhros
RECIPIENT: Open!
WHAT: He has found documents in the library that have sparked his curiosity.
WHEN: Now.
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Warning for disturbing backstory if Maedhros divulges anything about his past.

I fear I am becoming a scholar - or a philosopher. (Maedhros's deep voice is tinged with amusement.) The library at Kirkwall has been catalogued and alphabetized.

(Why did he decide on such an undertaking? The answer is complicated.)

My efforts have unearthed documents concerning alchemy, dragons, the various races...

I would like to know your stories. What sort of life have you lived? What do you think of the other races? Rifters are welcome to respond too and, remember, should you have inquiries for me, I will answer them truthfully.

(Some might wish he was a little less truthful in fact. He has led a sad, destructive existence.)

Your story can be added to the rest if you so desire.

Comments

Private

[justice_is_blond]

What... sort of stories are you looking for? I've no issues with other races; the politics of many are the problem I have.

Private

[castintoflames]

Any! All! I too have little love for politics. I would prefer if races could be honest to one another without fear of offense.

Permaprivate

[justice_is_blond]

For the most part, I think it's institutions and religions that aren't honest, that have agendas, rather than specific races. Yes, the qun is mostly followed by qunari, but not all qunari follow it. The Chantry leads marches against the elves and imprisons mages, but not every human is a fan of the Chantry. It is different where you're from?

Permaprivate

[castintoflames]

I have noticed that when any race congregates and times are hard, bad decisions are bound to be made. (Not always, but often enough that it makes him wary of groups.)

No. Passion often leads to tragedy. My family alone is evidence of that; we have but two of our kin amongst the living.

[utulien_aure]

Oh, so that was what all those books were doing in our room.

[Fingon had been a little surprised to see the one book he'd been sure he'd taken out multiply to six or seven.]

[castintoflames]

Sorry for the clutter, cousin. I do not know what possessed me to take on the task. (Other than it's hard for him to sleep and books are interesting. He hasn't had much time to sit down and read in forever.)

[utulien_aure]

You needn't worry for me. I've lived in worse places than a makeshift study.

Did you find anything particularly interesting?

[castintoflames]

I am just happy for a roof and walls, personally. (He was more than a mess before his death.)

Lore on the different races. I left a few books behind for you to see.

[utulien_aure]

How very humble, for a Noldo. Tell me at least that the walls should be decorated!

Hmmmm. Any topic you would have me start first?

[circleprodigy]

Ah, I'm glad someone has taken the time to properly organize the library. I did what I could when available, but that amount of time has been surprisingly slim. My thanks.

[castintoflames]

I had the time and I did not mind. We are in possession of many valuable tomes. Now they should be easier to find.

[circleprodigy]

Are there any particular tomes or subjects which have caught your interest?

[castintoflames]

I admit to being curious about the Qunari. There is no race like them on my world and their height is much like mine.

[gatheringstorm]

You know you're opening a can of worms, right, asking about opinions on other races? Thedas is pretty damn racist, if you couldn't already tell.

[castintoflames]

Rather here than in the streets. I can handle a good argument, but I will not accept outright (or subtle) racism. We are grown and we should know better.

[gatheringstorm]

I mean...putting it out here won't prevent it from happening in the streets, either. And yeah, we should know better but there's a huge gulf between what should happen and what will.

[castintoflames]

Likely not, but this is a safer venue. I am fully capable of keeping the peace here or there if I am called upon to do so.

(He's a lot of Elf.)

Have you been injured?

[swordproof]

I was a mercenary for seven years and a Paladin for more after that. I do not know which stories you might wish to hear. Would the Inquisition wish to record the tales of a Rifter?

[castintoflames]

That is an impressive record. (Even more so for a woman, but he knows he has a rather limited view of such matters.) Start with the mercenary tales. The Inquisition might be curious about our tales - at least, I think they should be - but I have no say in the matter.

[swordproof]

There are stories. [ Six pauses for a moment as she considers. ] We were once commissioned to attack a house that was said to be haunted.

[castintoflames]

Was it haunted? (He believes in restless spirits. There are places on Arda where they dwell.)

yelling

[whiskeyandbrimstone]

MAEDHROS! You god-damn son of a bitch, what...oh, damn, wait.

[Private mode on]

There we go. Now, What the hell! Did you rat me out? I've got guards so far up my ass that I can taste it, I'm under what I'm forced to call 'house-arrest lite' and I want to know, did you tell ANYONE about our project!?

(Private)

[castintoflames]

My lady? I would not tell anyone of our project. (He has no reason to nor any inclination.) Are they handling you roughly?

Re: (Private)

[whiskeyandbrimstone]

Naw, they're not being rude, I wouldn't stand for that. Just following me around untill they get back in a damn week.

So you didn't tell anyone, any chance the blueprints could've been stolen or something? I may need a copy of 'em at some point as well, come to think of it...

(Private)

[castintoflames]

I would not stand for that either. (She isn't alone, at least.) I have them locked away. Once I return to my rooms, I will ensure they are where I left them.

(But anyone who would steal from someone as tall and scary as him isn't thinking straight.)

I promise you, what we speak of remains between us. I have not even told my cousin.