closed | project meeting

[misdirection_hex]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Vandelin Elris
RECIPIENT: Members of the Hostile Powers project who are not currently imprisoned
WHAT: Conference call to discuss recent events
WHEN: After people have returned from Tevinter
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: None

Enchanter Averesch and I-- [Because damned if Vandelin is going to dispense with formalities and titles just because he was told to.] --thought it best that we all confer about our collective priorities in the aftermath of Corypheus' assault. Priorities, strategies, suggestions for what we can each individually do.

Are we all met?

Comments

[hassaran]

It will be much easier to raise an effective opposition if it's headed by nobles. The sort of power and resources they possess aren't something we can replicate, and they're best prepared to engage with magical threats on this level.

[exequy]

We could—

[ He's gonna throw up. ]

—we could prepare other people. To an extent. In addition.

[wythersake]

They've been fighting the Qunari for — 

[ he doesn't actually know. what is he, a nerd. ]

— An absurd length of time. The military and merchant classes are powerful, and may be more willing to strike a deal that opens the Imperium to outsiders. Southern expansion profits them, but a civil war's disruption we might leverage. With or without a giant party at the end.

[ you know. orlais. ]

[hassaran]

Are you suggesting that we seek their support, or that we try to topple the Magisterium in their favor?

[wythersake]

Both, [ does that sound gutlessly indecisive, because it is, but also: ] For now.

I suggest we feel out our options. Approach likely nobles, but make it a point to do so through their officers, their creditors, the hands in the field.

But if pressed to choose —

[ he tries not to. it's inevitable here, else they look like they're playing both sides false. but hopefully that can be someone else's fault. ]

A Magister without backing is only a mage. A man who can conjure fire isn't going to move an army alone.

[ how much does old blood count for, if they can secure money and might? it's not a nation of only altus to deal with magical threats. and the dwarves will have ideas. ]

[hassaran]

It's my understanding that our mission is to defeat Corypheus as quickly and completely as possible. Adding a secondary objective this significant would risk delaying the accomplishment of the primary goal. Isn't that a decision for Skyhold?

[wythersake]

No more or less than a decision to work through the titled power structure.

It's one thing to plot a coup, it's another to build alliances through those who actually enforce them. The Venatori will be targeting dissenters. Easier for them to lop off a few heads at the top, than to reconstruct the infrastructure of a nation.

[hassaran]

The approach you're suggesting will sow conflict among Tevinters that has nothing to do with Corypheus or the Venatori. We can either try to harness Tevinter's power ourselves against them or we can try to tear down its power and deny them use of it, but we can't do both at the same time.

[wythersake]

What does your alternative to cherrypicking Magisters actually entail? I'm unclear.

[hassaran]

You've suggested we try to undermine them by courting their officers, creditors, and tenants with the end goal of destroying the political order that's stood largely unopposed in Tevinter for a thousand years. Do you think that can be accomplished without starting a true civil war?

[exequy]

[ —interjecting, grudgingly. ]

This is not a decision we will make right now, or likely at all.

[wythersake]

[ talking over kostos, like an asshole, ]

I suppose that what I don't see is how it's different from inciting slaves to rebellion. I'm not opposed to the latter, it's terribly noble, but let's not fool ourselves about the consequences. Both courses promote chaos. To act against the Imperium in any manner outside the Magisterium promotes chaos.

[hassaran]

I agree, that's why I'm not suggesting we incite a slave rebellion, either. Unless Skyhold decides that chaos and the chance of greater change is more desirable than a faster victory and return to the status quo.

[wythersake]

A faster victory, if any victory could be had. The Venatori want to trade the status quo for the glory days — that's harder to dismiss when they've proven they can take a city. The nobility are all descended from Corypheus' old friends, aren't they? What can we give them that he can't?

[ see, they're brainstorming again, isn't everyone proud ]