book | and remember, this is for posterity,

[murderbaby]

FORM: Written
SENDER: Mhavos Dalat
RECIPIENT: y'all
NOTES: What will surely devolve into an academic shitshow.

In the educational spirit that Sister Sara has intended, it's come to our understanding that many lack information about the Blight and its dangers. To remedy this, the Sister has attempted an educational program, but as I exist in a far different place than a healer, I have something else to ask of you.

At the library and the mess hall are an assortment of small, easily finished surveys on the matter of the Blight. I wish to see how strong or weak our general knowledge of the Blight is.

I would of course ask that everyone fill it out only once, and pay special attention to the first questions, but as I have no power over you and your choices, I can only wonder at what fascinating answers I will undoubtedly receive to simple missives.

When enough data is collected, it will be accessible in the library archives. All data is, and remains, anonymous.

Should you need someone to read the answers for you to take the survey, I am available.

[ooc For fun, here is the actual survey if you want to fill it out for your characters. Feel free to handwave your character getting help w/ the survey if they're illiterate, or not; I'm not you're boss.]

Comments

[kantikoy]

Thank you for this. I'll be curious, as a Grey Warden, to see what the answers to this survey come up to.

[murderbaby]

I have some theories about how the data will correlate to country and profession, if it is taken honesty.

I have more still if it is not, but that is beyond the point.

[kantikoy]

What are your theories, if you don't mind? For instance: whom do you think, other than those who are not native to Thedas, will be the least informed?

[murderbaby]

1. The least informed will be those in Northern countries.
2. Those not native to Thedas will vary in their understanding based entirely on how long they have been sequestered here.
3. Fereldans will overall be the most knowledgeable.
4. Grey Wardens may be either very knowledgeable, very unknowledgeable, or opt not to take the survey as all, due to their generally secretive natures.
5. No one knows what 'somnambulism' means.

[kantikoy]

Points 1 & 2 make sense to me.
Fereldens have dealt with the Blight most often recently, but also any dwarves like Sister Sawbones might have knowledge given the state of the Deep Roads and the fact that the darkspawn remain there.
Isn't it sleepwalking?

[elegiaque]

Put me down for "I know Warden secrets and don't answer questions about them".

[murderbaby]

That is the nature of the 'other' section, but I'll take the hint as it was intended under your auspices.

Is the fantastical story of a Warden bearing their soul to you in your writings?

[elegiaque]

You might have noticed that the Wardens at Skyhold were never mentioned in anything that I published while I was writing for the Inquisition.

( gwenaëlle can be bribed with information. )

[murderbaby]

Very keen.

Could I trouble you for some time? I've some questions about a project we discussed before the latest dégringolade.

not here.

[heorte]

[ but noted, with interest. ]

[deuselfmachina]

[ All in Orlesian; ]

Hello. I know nothing about this topic.
But will you come and attend The Great Pity of Lydes? It is playing in two nights.

[murderbaby]

[Orlesian right back 'atcha, and forever anon,]

If you would like your ignorance to be recorded formally, please take a survey. Maker knows you will not be alone.

That, however, that sounds lovely. Where?

[Does he have to worry about price? Can he just sneak in and watch from the rafters like a weirdo?]

[deuselfmachina]

[ As words appear, they and his own get decorated. Little sprouting flowers, a peeping sunrise. The question mark at the end of Mhavos' message gets a crown. ]

The Red Curtain. I think every city thinks itself clever for a theatre house named for the curtains.
There will be a party after!

[murderbaby]

[How charming.]

[Not charming enough for Mhavos to attend a party.]

I hope you enjoy the party. I shall enjoy the play.

What part have you in it?

private.

[elegiaque]

Are you trying to fuck him or can I also come to your play ?

private.

[deuselfmachina]

Madame!

Of course you should come to my play. No strangely compelling character who refuses to attend the after party with me would cause me to refuse.

private.

[elegiaque]

Mon coeur!

I'll make sure he doesn't come over all antisocial and talk himself out of going, then.

[heorte]

[ scribbly handwriting— ]

Is that all you're planning to do with the data?

[murderbaby]

See how little we know and focus educational attentions there? See where general knowledge trends by country and background? Discover if someone truly believes you can catch the Taint from talking to elves?

[heorte]

Education beyond the pamphlets?

[murderbaby]

One thing I have learned in life: there will always be more pamphlets.

[raas]

( in very precise handwriting, utterly devoid of curlicues: )

How will you make it anonymous?

[murderbaby]

You will do me the favor of not signing your name to it.

[raas]

Handwriting is distinct.

[murderbaby]

Less than you think.

If you are so worried, I'll copy down the surveys in my own hand to anonymize it further.