therookery | [ OPEN ]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Adelaide LeBlanc
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Questions for Shardbearers
WHEN: Guardian 22
WHERE: Emprise Du Lion, heard by all
NOTES: Research Questionnaire for people that have shiny things on/in their person.

This message is for anyone that has a shard in their hand, their chest, or otherwise on their person; Rifter or Thedosian or otherwise. If you are so fortunate or unfortunate depending upon your view of the shard as to have one I've questions for you in the interest of better understanding that which you have and what it means for your health, the world around you, and how likely it is you might attract demons in your sleep. At my current best estimate the odds are high in on last but I tend to err on assuming the worst and being pleasantly surprised when the world doesn't rain down fire, death, and the undead.

If you would rather speak in person and are in Emprise du Lion- I can be found in my healing tent. If not? I will return to Skyhold at the end of Guardian if you would prefer to wait to speak face to face or am available at all hours on the crystals.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ariadne's quiet for a moment.]

So you're wondering if we Rifters have been in league with demons.

Approached by does not mean 'in league with', otherwise I myself would have been 'in league with' demons since I was a child. Demons like to talk, they like to taunt, they like to offer. Learning to ignore or move past them is a large part of he training a mage is given.

I am wondering if it is possible for them to come to you- or if you are spared that particular nuance of living and dreaming in Thedas. If you are hearing them- it is possible and I had best sort out a way to offer the required background so that those of you from other worlds are able to dream safely.

[Ariadne wants to believe that, but without a heartbeat to verify, she has to try to be skeptical. It's what Aunt Lysia would want.]

I see.

[She pauses.]

It seems to me that there should be some sort of process to introduce Rifters to Thedas. Including warning us of something like that.

The simplest option would be a written pamphlet- but as much as I am unable to understand the native tongues and letters of worlds beyond so too does it seem that those of you from other worlds, while your languages may be similar, cannot parse our written world easily. That is a gross generalization of a remarkably nuanced issue I would work more on had I the resources and time.

[ As it stands? She has too little of both. ]

Perhaps an introductory lecture. 'Welcome to Thedas, here is what is, here is what could be, please don't say yes to demons.'

What answers would you find most useful?

Well, it would have been nice to know that demons might invade my dreams...

[She's quiet a moment.]

There are a lot of people who won't talk to us, my lady. Who treat us like pariahs. When many of us want to be useful. Want to understand this situation.

As it is, we have to cobble together what little we know from conversations and hearsay.

And sometimes we get it wrong.

It is not something many people care to discuss even among those from this world.

[ A sad fact of life- everyone is aware of the risk, precious few are willing to discuss it. ]

Ask whatever you like, and I will answer to the best of my ability. For now that is the only promise that I can make; at the next meeting of the Mage Council I will see what we cannot put together specifically on demons and fade dreams.; and what more from that of Thedas in particular.

A lot of us don't know a Mage from a Templar.

We can't point to Skyhold on a map.

We don't know the most basic facts of life.

[She sighs softly.]

And a lot of us are scared and just want to go home. I don't want you to think I'm blaming you. It's just that...a lot of people don't see us as people. We're a problem.

Mages do magic. Templars prevent magic- they also tend to wear plate mail, carry swords and shields, and pray a fair bit. Without the armor and without the robes and staves, put one next to the other and there is no way to truly pick out which is which. We are people that happen to have particular skills.

To be perfectly honest I still have trouble finding it on a map either, we truly ought to do something about that. Telling someone 'north west and climb until your feet are about to fall off' is not terribly helpful.

[ Adelaide's voice warms a bit. Gentles, in so much that she has some capacity for gentleness. ]

I know the feeling. Not quite so viscerally as you and the others like you do- but to some extent, I understand. This is not your home.

No. It isn't.

[She pauses. One can almost hear the frown in her tone.]

But if there's no way for us to return, we need to make it our home. As much as it's yours. And I think it would be wise to view us as neighbors, rather than invaders or miscreants.

Is there anything in what I have said to cause you to think I see Rifters in such a way?

Public opinion is a fickle and nuanced thing. Ask anyone neither mage nor templar after mages and you will find their opinions wide, varied, and equally frightened. We might offer rifters our support but that may damn you as much as aid you.

I can't guess what anyone thinks of me unless I see it in their eyes.

[Or hear their heartbeat, but that's another issue.]

I don't know what you think of me.

But I do know that there are a lot of people who see me as a danger. And I wish I could do something to prove that I'm no such thing.

Welcome to Thedas. Everyone is afraid of everyone for their own reasons, some valid, some not. I cannot offer recommendations on how to change the public's opinion on rifters- if I knew the trick to that there would not be quite so much fear and distrust surrounding mages.

All I can say is do what we do. Work for the betterment of the Inquisition, assist where and how you can, if you can. Actions, after all, speak louder than words by far.

[She considers that for a moment, lost within her own thoughts.

When she speaks again, it's slowly and carefully.]

I should apologize. I didn't mean to sound so confrontational. It's not in my nature. And I shouldn't have taken your line of questioning off track. I'm sorry for that too.

[She sighs.]

It's just been a difficult adjustment. But rest assured, I don't believe in promises that come in dreams. And if I ever saw such a demon, I would let you know.

You are cold, you are weary, and you are lost in a world that is not your own. Any and all frustrations or fears you have are entirely valid. [ She cannot take such things personally. It is difficult on occasion but- they did not ask to be here. So long as she is mindful of that? It is simple enough. ] Think nothing of it.

Thank you. If you have not by now, it is likely you might not at all but- everything with the shards is unprecedented. I will say I am glad you have not run across any just yet.

I don't suppose you know of any way to remove the shards?

It's only that...I've heard they can kill.

Unless you wish to be short your hand? None that I have been able to find. You heard of what happened to Sina, yes? Her shard is over her heart. The complications it causes are many and varied.

No, I'm quite attached to my hand.

[Ariadne's not very good with jokes. Forgive her.]

I just thought I should ask.

It is a fine question. One day I might have a better answer for you- what happened to Sina, how it's affected her so deeply- that is why I have asked this of those that bear shards. To see if it is simply a matter of where it is- or if all of them have the potential to do harm to those that bear them.

I understand the need to ask questions. It's the only way to get answers.