Good morrow, Inquisition.

( Herian always sounds even and controlled. It's her own personal cliche, on par with "it was a dark and stormy night." Now, however, it takes on a new dimension, a suggestion of flatness that could be tiredness, or could be... something else. )

I bring good tidings. Though there were those who felt the loss of the Hightown forest keenly, the fire cleared the way for work to begin on the memorial, the progress of which had been stymied for some time. Working with a committee of Kirkwallers, the families of the lost and survivors, and members of the Chantry, the Chantry Relations project and the Inquisition has aided with the design and construction of the memorial gardens. The gardens were designed as a place of reflection and to commemorate all those who lost their lives in the Chantry explosion of the thirty-seventh year of the Dragon Age, and its aftermath. However... as a place of peace for all those who have lost people and who seek succour, all are welcome.

It would be remiss to speak of the memorial gardens without acknowledging, in particular, the work of Siuona and Nahariel of Clan Dahlasanor. For all that feeling was much divided on it, the current growth and fertility of the gardens would have been impossible without the efforts and Sina and those who aided her in raising the forest. It was their shared vision of a peaceful place for the coming together of people in remembrance that allowed Andraste's Grove to come into being, and Narahiel's work that gave us the statue that has become an icon for so many. Though the fire destroyed much, all that survived it - the trees, the flowers, the ground of that grove as well as the statue of Andraste - are sacred. It has become a place of peace, and of pilgrimage. Knowing all the injuries that the Chantry has inflicted in the past, it seems... it seems all the more fitting that a place of healing and reconciliation be the result of Dalish idealism.

( Her own feelings on the Dalish are not warm, or perhaps much better than frosty, but her sentiment is genuine.

There follows a bit of a pause. )

I hope that... even with all the adversity that faces us now, new challenges arising alongside the old, that when it comes to protecting this world and standing against Corypheus, we can do so together. That... that animosity might be saved for those who stand as a threat to us all, and that breaches between us, allies even when it be... through circumstance rather than choice, might be settled peacefully whenever possible.

Easy words to say, I know, and I cannot claim that I have stood by that ideal anywhere near so well as I ought in times past. I wish to do better, on that count. If you should wish to find me, I am most often in the Chantry Relations office. Doubtless there is much to discuss, in light of recent developments and proposals.

Inquisition. [Very somber, very Orlesian.] Especially members of the Scouting Division. We must demand your attention. Our beloved Head of Scouting, Beleth Ashara, has been tragically and most temporarily laid low by an ill-founded and frankly poorly researched experiment. In these coming weeks, please, join us in offering sincere prayers to Andraste for Beleth’s healing and recovery.

But tragedy must not forestall the work of the Inquisition! Beleth Ashara, eternally professional and aware of the solemn charge of her most important position, has temporarily assigned the duties and tasks of leading the Scouting Division to me: Valentine Nicasus Maxence Mérovée Olivier de Foncé.

[A pause, to properly savor the announcement--and then, as a small but gracious afterthought, he goes on--] And to her other dear friend--or at least, I imagine they must be dear friends, as I am with Beleth, for who better to trust with important work and secrets of the Division than friends--her dear friend, Kostos Averesch. You cannot see his face, of course, but he is quite thrilled.

Don't. [ --misrepresent his expression, which is distinctly not thrilled? address him? talk anymore at all? All of the above, maybe. Also: ] It is very temporary. [ If the Maker has any mercy at all. ] If you acquire information of immediate, war-changing importance, direct it to the remaining division heads. If you have questions about your pay or routine responsibilities, direct them to--him.

[ The one with the long name. He refuses to learn it, or at least to admit he's learned it. ]

[Very helpfully:] Valentine Nicasus Maxence Mérovée Olivier de Foncé. Val. And if you acquire any letters of well-wishing for Beleth Ashara, or come across any woodland creatures that need taming, you might direct either to Averesch, who is followed around by a large raven and might, possibly, be able to speak with animals. And if you acquire any interesting gossip you might direct it to us both.

[ Unseen, and unheard, Kostos' head lowers into his hands in defeat. ]

Above all, do not worry, Inquisition! Do not worry, scouts! We are more than capable of handling all that is asked of us. And we are, of course, treating this temporary but quite important reassignment with all due solemnity. In the name of the Inquisition, and of Beleth Ashara.

[When the crystal turns on, there is only a Sigh. A deep sigh, a sigh that many are probably familiar with. That sigh simply says, 'I just can't with you people. I just. Cannot. Deal. With you people and your ...everything.' It is a sigh that has been sighed a great deal in the going on three years that James has been here.

It peters off, and finally James speaks.]

While I realize that to say that many people are not pleased, in any corner, of the announcement of meetings between varying factions ... I would like to simply remind people that sending me pictures of penises and telling me 'U r a dic' is not conductive to solving the many, many problems we have on our plate right now. I do not know if this is from the mages, the Rifters, or even my fellow Templars. I ... sort of doubt the last one, as you cannot leave your training without rigorous lessons in spelling - but how do I know? It could be a ruse.

In any case - I am not one to paint anything with a gilded brush. People do not like the outcome. That is fine. Everyone of us has the right to ... feel our ... feelings on these situations. However, I cannot - cannot stress this enough - we have a bigger threat sitting on the horizon, and we cannot use any of our precious time, or resources, to handle a division cut deep within our ranks. We cannot face the dragon coming at our backs until we have taken care of the dragon right before us.

I am not saying let go of your anger, or fear, or even your pictures of genitalia. I am saying focus them on getting us out of the cross-hairs of an ancient darkspawn magister who is probably sitting somewhere gleefully rubbing his hands together like a villain out of a Fereldan play.

With that in mind, and with the future to focus on ... [Another deep exhalation.] The Grand Tourney is coming in a few weeks - and the Inquisition wishes us to make our presence known. I am going to competing, and in the measure of that, anyone who wishes to train with me or have me assess your own training, I would be pleased to spar and offer my own insights if they be welcome. Also ... on the heels of the announcement, I will also be offering Templar training to anyone who wants to learn.

[Pause.] And yes, I mean anyone. It requires a great many things - resolve, patience, faith in something greater than yourself ... but most importantly it requires the ability to let go of parts of yourself - hopefully the truly ugly ones. That is what being a good Templar is all about.

[Deep breath in - keeping some level calm and not all 'So get it together morons!'] ... you can contact me via crystal. I shall be visiting the sickroom of our dear Scoutmaster to annoy her back to health.