from the Division Heads: some srs talk.

[dashing]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Division Head Squad (Herian & Coupe)
RECIPIENT: all Kirkwall-based Inquisition members
WHAT: Discussion of potentially breaking away from the Inquisition
WHEN: Timing (backdated, covering a span, etc.)
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: Divine plot related.
If your character is the sort who would want to stick with the Inquisition and the Kirkwall base splitting away would mean that they’d leave, don’t worry! The mods have ideas to help ensure that no players are pushed into a position where they feel their character would have to leave the game in order to remain in character. More info about this will be provided in a future mod post depending on the outcome of this post and the IC poll that will follow.

Inquisition, this is a matter of some importance, and one that I would encourage you to discuss and contemplate before rushing to a decision.

[ mildly: ]

Or taking up arms.

As we know, the decision concerning the new Divine draws ever closer, and… matters have become more complex as that process has gone on.

The other Division Heads and I have been discussing matters around that, and the potential impact that a new Divine could have upon members of our base, here. It cannot be denied that in our Kirkwall base we have a unique blend of personnel, whether they are those from beyond the Fade, or mages from across Thedas, such as myself. We have members formerly allied with Tevinter and the Magisterium, and representatives from Dalish clans and the Frostbacks. There are many here who have good reason to be cautious of what a new Divine might mean, and how the Inquisition might be utilised or led by the new Divine. Might the people we have fought alongside be subject to harsh restrictions, denied a place in the Inquisition, or forced to heel in an Exalted March?

We cannot know with certainty, but many things are possible.

Certain duties have always been asked of those who pledge to this work. This has not changed — will not, under any banner. But the Inquisition has never held you in bond, and if we are to continue this fight, it must be with unity of choice.

With that in mind, we have discussed the possibility of our Kirkwall base here breaking away from the Inquisition, and becoming an independent faction focused on combating Corypheus and the Venatori, but— this is not a decision we feel we can make alone. We propose a vote to determine what is done. Our base here relies on our ability to work together and our unity, and if the greater number of our members here wish to remain part of the Inquisition, then we will respect that.

Please think on this carefully. There are any aspects requiring consideration; your personal views, how this will impact all of us, but also the matter of how effectively we will be able to carry on without Inquisition funding and backing. It may demand changes and sacrifice from all of us that we cannot predict.

We will arrange a means of voting so that numbers can be counted accurately, won’t be tampered with, but our time is limited. Another thing I would urge you to think on is how our relationship with Skyhold and the Inquisition would continue were we to part ways, and what sort of relationship we would wish to seek out with both the Inquisition, and the Inquisition’s allies.

Comments

[katabasis]

[Look at him, being all measured:]

What it gets us is some measure of independence to do what no one else has been willing to, the Inquisition included.

[coquettish_trees]

The measure of independence to leave this town and establish ourselves anew, I imagine.

You heard the list: Rifters, mages, heirs to the Magisterium, Dalish, Avvar [ , pirates ]. Without the name of the Inquisition granting the small legitimacy the organization has built for itself, Kirkwall will suddenly be hosting the inconvenient rabble of Southern Thedas who have both lost their funding and perhaps garnered the displeasure of both Chantry and Inquisition.

I should not be well pleased, were I the Viscount.

[katabasis]

And what of it? Kirkwall is hardly the only place in the world, the Viscount and people like him hardly the most suitable hand to see the necessity in a weapon in their own hand rather than simply paying someone else to swing something sharp in whatever direction they find most appealing. The inaction in the aftermath of the coupe in Minrathous is proof enough that we are being crippled by the indecision bought by that legitimacy.

[coquettish_trees]

And so we build our own shelter, with Wicked Grace and expatriettes from the Blooming Rose? On whose land? What nobility do you think shall grant us succor? Or do we take to wandering, as the Dalish do, only with the added excitement of very likely being actively hunted by the Chantry.

[katabasis]

If the Chantry is so motivated to hunt a faction whose goal is the unequivocal defeat of a force bent on destroying Thedas as we know it - an enemy on which we all are supposedly meant to agree -, rather than enabling it, we have larger problems than which nobles do or do not approve of us.

[Eat the rich.]

[coquettish_trees]

We have those problems already, Captain. Have you not witnessed the struggle of the Inquisition itself to draw the aid it so desperately needs even from countries directly affected by this war? Thedas is not in the proper unified accord that it must be in order to prevail, and yet we speak instead of fracturing it further.

And as far as the approval of the nobility? This is not the sea, where you may travel where you please. If we leave Kirkwall we shall need a place to go, and the caretakers of the lands we might occupy may be made as unhappy as the Viscount by the unrest we should bring with us. Unless you do not care, and mean to foster outright rebellion against the entire socio-political structure of Thedas rather than simply the Chantry whilst simultaneously fighting a guerrilla war with reduced resources.

[ Get in line. ]

[katabasis]

[Never.]

If we wait patiently for the rest of Thedas to come to their senses, we will die waiting. There are members of our present company who don't have the luxury of pretending otherwise.

[coquettish_trees]

[ At her desk Alexandrie makes notes and smiles, although the tone of her voice doesn't change in the slightest. ]

You sound as if you believe the Inquisition has done nothing and plans to continue doing so.

[katabasis]

This is a question of our future efficacy - and whether certain people who have faithfully served the Inquisition's cause will be allowed to continue once the Chantry once more has the capacity to make whatever demands it pleases.

[coquettish_trees]

And you believe the Inquisition will fold up meekly at the foot of the Sunburst Throne? It has gathered much to bargain with in exceptionally short order whilst the seat sat empty, and it knows well enough the world watches it.

If you do not trust Skyhold, why trust those it has appointed here in Kirkwall?

[katabasis]

[Easily, mild as milk:]

I trust Skyhold to do what it believes to be in its best interests when making arrangements with a Chantry who may have some renewed interest in quieting the kind of conversations Kirkwall regularly entertains. Better to make our move now while some arrangement can be made amicably.

[hornswoggle]

I cannot speak for Captain Flint [ lol ] but we shouldn't deny that there are certain restraints that keep our force from being as effective as possible. Is there not some value in our independence if it allows us to take measures that the Inquisition itself would step back from?

private

[rathercommon]

[ With curiosity rather than judgment: ] Are you hoping this'll get people to help you take back your island? Make that our new base?

[shri]

What it does is weakens us into two groups with no central control and more prone to corruption when we need to stand together the most.

[katabasis]

The Inquisition is already bending to the pressure of people who are more concerned with the appearance of stability and certainty than taking any action which would guarantee it.

[Radonis is alive somewhere.]

Freeing ourselves from our responsibility to the Inquisition's desire to appeal to every opposing side gives us the opportunity to make true allies instead of passing half measures. We can become that point of control if we're bold enough to make real, meaningful decisions.

[shri]

Then what are we?

Wait - nothing. A splinter cell from a group that stood against general opinion, to begin with, that now has no true backing.

[katabasis]

What we would be [he says, firm and steady and certain as the truth is] is capable in a way that we cannot be with our hands tied behind us as they are now. If we wait to see what ends the new Divine puts us to, we risk sacrificing everything. For all we know, she will dissolve the Inquisition in its entirety and then we really will have no path forward save the most desperate one. Better to be certain now, while we still have the luxury of choice.

[Here, a pivot:] What has anyone outside these Gallows done to inspire you to have such faith in them?

[shri]

You look so small, Captain. It isn't what the Gallows or any other land has done for me.

It was the protection the Inquisition provides as a whole that is formidable. Let me see, clothing me, feeding me, arming me, protecting me and let me think what else, actually bothering to acknowledge I am a person, and not a demon. Don't speak to a Rifter like we have some land we can return to. The Inquisition is at present, the only thing we have.

Anything smaller, will not serve anyone. Nevermind, I would think of a man of your position who is familiar with battles [ you goddamn pirate, is the tone. ] You know the danger is becoming many small parts that do not move with true cohesion. What happens, how much further personal ambition can get in the way. Corypheus would have his work half done.

[katabasis]

We are already a series of small parts moving in opposite directions. Never mind half his work - if we wait for those disparate pieces to rally behind one banner whose motivation is already mired in first asserting their power, or if we base our decisions on what affords us the most comfort, then we've already lost this war.

[shri]

Did the army in Ghislain look small to you? Or do you think something lesser will be needed to topple Corypheus?

[katabasis]

[Finally, a noise of frustration.]

You are defending our intimate attachment to a power which has made it infinitely clear that it cares more for exercising control than it does for toppling anything.

[shri]

[ He gets it right back, though far more wretched a sound. ]

I am defending a whole and unified army which is our only chance. The second we separate, we are doomed.

[katabasis]

We would be pursuing the same goal, the same ends. If the Chantry then chooses to reject our aide on the principle that we value the security of loyal members from our ranks who would otherwise be forced to compromise their freedom, then we are doomed either way.

[shri]

If our fear is that woman's choices, we should be putting the word, and the appeal, to her people to make sure that does not come about - not splitting our numbers, leaders and in doing so assure her bad will against us.