therookery | (no subject)

FORM: sending crystal
SENDER: Seneschal Salvio Pizzicagnolo
RECIPIENT: the Inquisition
WHAT: there's been a murder
WHEN: Cloudreach, shortly before the Conclave to choose the next Divine
WHERE: the Gallows
NOTES: happy election

This is-- Salvio Pizzicagnolo, seneschal to the Inquisition's base in Kirkwall and Head of Base Operations. And there is-- news, from Val Royeaux. Ill news. On the heels of all else-- [Wincing. Please no more on what else has been discussed, which Salvio has been trying not to think too hard about.

Best to just. Say it.]

Grand Cleric Agathe of Cumberland has been killed. On the road to the Conclave. One of the candidates. A prominent candidate, who enjoyed much support.

The Grand Cleric's absence will be felt upon the ballot. Votes from the Conclave that would have been hers will go elsewhere. Doubtless there will be an investigation. Her, it-- it was no accident. As her supporters, and those closer, have said.

Some--strife, is to be expected. In Nevarra, and among her supporters, who will seek to and-- certainly, among those that might seize upon the opportunity, or make some claim, to own this--deed. The Conclave will take place as scheduled. And the Inquisition--

[His voice falters, just a little.]

The Inquisition is-- urging caution. Please. For questions, there will be but few answers. There is--no decision yet, as to the Divine, or--any part of it. News will be shared, as it is learned.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes.

[Well, no, wait, it would be wise to say more--]

Um, that is--reports would suggest that the general feeling is, there is--little choice but to proceed. The grand cleric's more vocal supporters would, uh--prefer to halt the proceedings and, and investigate, but... um. The Chantry has been without a Divine for--some time now.

And they would prefer to risk the chance that the murderer would benefit from the crime?

[Organized religion, why are you like this?]

Well-- yes.

Or the response, the, uh--decision, to continue, that-- confirms that they are thinking in this way. Perhaps not quite in that phrasing. Um, the murderer, or, the group responsible--

You do not mean to suggest that the-- that another candidate, might... have?

A candidate. Some supporter of a candidate, who left his patroness unaware. The Venatori, to sow more confusion and anger in the Chantry. An old, private enemy of Agathe's. A group of madmen, with goals only they know.

I do not really think the candidates themselves are likely- but we cannot know, unless an investigation is conducted. And if one is chosen who is involved, would she not have the power to bury the evidence?

[There are so many paths from this road that they are going down, with some many horrors waiting at the end of each of those paths, that Salvio starts to feel a little light-headed. He's therefore a little dazed when he manages, at last, a response--]

Yes. Uh, well-- yes, if that is... It inspires little faith. In the Chantry. And the Chantry should have-- well it is-- a force, that-- an important force. In Thedas. For good reason and cause, though it is much critiqued, and-- Well. To hold such suspicions, of it, cannot end well.

['Dazed' sounds through his voice, and for a few moments Fingon feels a bit sorry for him. This isn't kind, is it? Interrogating a man who is merely the messenger?

So for the sake of the poor man's nerves, Fingon tries to soften his voice.]

Yes, the Chantry is an important force in Thedas. But important forces must be held to a higher standard, must they not? So that they may be worthy of standing as example, and so that they may not misuse the power entrusted to them.

Or at least, that is what I was always taught.

Well--

[Having detected that someone was being deliberately kinder to them, some people might get offended. If Salvio detects this softer tone, he does not get offended. Instead he swallows and tries to recover himself a little, to enter into this discussion. Far from his favorite topic, and certainly not anything welcome, but--]

Um. I suppose there is a rightness, to what you say, but-- if there is overmuch critique, this would... The destabilization, of such an institution--there is danger in that, too.

Would it not already be unstable? A weakness in a building's foundation cannot be covered by a coat of paint, or a marble facade. And it is far more dangerous when the builders pretend that it is not there.

[A pause at that.]

Had you just heard the news when you informed us?

Er, well--

[Oh shit that's true. Salvio has dealt with the redistribution of resources for emergency construction and repair, having worked in many older buildings that have patiently stood the ravages of time while slowly weakening. He is thinking of these instances, and the metaphor, when the next question comes.]

Oh, I-- had some time with it. With the news. Um, it did not seem... I wanted to prepare something. To be said. As best as it could be said, so-- not just heard. I took care not to wait overlong.

Um, but your-- There is truth, in the danger of a weak building. But one would trust an expert to review and discern a solution, before--inviting the public, to come and stare at the weakness. Yes?