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FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Diabhall Minett
RECIPIENT: Everyone
NOTES: His Arrival Catch-All is over here if you want to have talked to Di before this point - this crystal message is set in the present!

Will update as necessary for content warnings.

[The voice that comes over the Crystal is a very new one - words all smooth around the edges and tone chilly, arch, clinical.]

Well met. Given as my quarantine has ended and I have already stepped out once, I thought it prudent to make an open introduction. My name is Diabhall Minett, and I am newly arrived as of roughly a month ago. I will be entrenching myself in the Research Division and trying to make myself useful. I look forward to working alongside the rest of you. For the most part, I have found the answers to my questions in the time I was unable to leave the Gallows...but there are a couple of things I am curious about, if you will indulge me.

I am an architect by trade, and I have been studying the Gallows and the areas surrounding. I believe I have an understanding of standard construction and materials here in Thedas, at this juncture, but I would like to further deepen that knowledge. Is there anyone in charge of building upkeep here?

Second, is there anyone or anywhere at present who would have call for an architect's skillset? I needn't languish if there is anywhere I can immediately apply myself.

[There is a beat, just a brief note of hesitation in the otherwise clear, articulate speech.]

Lastly - can anyone recommend someone of some skill to set a small bit of crystal in a simple ring for me? Or a place where I may see about having this done?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A student of architecture? My friend! Were I not so inundated with far more important projects of my own, I would offer to tutor you! For you cannot appreciate the true feats of architecture of the finer schools by merely observing the brutish lines of the Gallows. This, to say the very least, is an inadequate representation of the art.

[There is a brief pause at this.]

...A student, yes, in that way that all craftsmen are continually learning. Back home, I was the most sought-after and prolific architect on the continent. Here I shall have to rebuild my reputation brick by brick.

I agree that the Gallows are...somewhat crude in places, however they have been useful in reconciling my knowledge against the way things are done here.

Are you an Architect yourself, then, Mister...?

[Quite promptly--] Valentine Nicasius Maxence Mérovée Olivier de Foncé. Val will be most suitable between us, of course. I allow all of my friends to call Val, and we will very naturally become friends. How could we not!

For--yes--I am a student of architecture myself! And I say student in that very selfsame way in which you described. I believe truly that one has never completed one's education, even when one has won accolades and become accomplished and prolific and garnered a reputation for one's self and so on. There is always so much to be learned, forever. An education is not a book that is closed.

I, personally, was educated at the University. You will have by now heard of it, I presume.

[Ah. Well, this does bring back memories of social events at home, now doesn't it?]

Charmed, I'm certain, Val. [The diminutive name sounds awkward on his lips.] I am pleased to hear that we are in agreement about education. Perhaps should the opportunity ever arise, we can compare notes.

I have heard of it, in passing only. But I know very little of it.

[Val, an Orlesian, and thus used to anything not in Orlesian sounding awkward and stiff and unmusical, pays no mind.]

Ah, then this is what we must first reconcile! If there is anywhere in all of Thedas to study architecture--true architecture!--it is the great University. The libraries in Val Royeaux contain all of the knowledge worth knowing and, if there is knowledge not yet contained in her walls and pages, and it is worth knowing? Then it will soon come to be within her! This is inevitable. There is no institution in all the other countries to rival her. Even those jealous of her must admit to that--and do, often with sour faces.

If you are to be very serious about your study of architecture while spending time here with us, you must visit. And study, if possible. Though you will of course have an advantage, having done study of your own!

[It is, perhaps, a good thing that he is over voice alone so that no one can see the way he rolls his eyes at all this.]

I shall certainly take it under advisement, Val. I appreciate your input. More places to familiarize myself with this world can only help, after all.

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How sophisticated is the smithwork itself? Delicate matters would best be seen to elsewhere, yet if you wish the jewelry to simply exist, any of the local artisans would suffice.

Provided they are of sufficient repute. [Otherwise they'll steal ur shit, bro.]

It needn't be anything beyond a simple setting. It's delicate crystal, but I don't favor a lot of flash.

[It's strictly sentimental, but he will not mention this aloud.]

Lowtown may suit, but judge carefully the make of your options. There are some within this city who would steal both coin and crystal, were the opportunity theirs to take.

Duly noted. I am accustomed to being savvy.

I do appreciate the advice.

Edited (wrong icon) 2021-09-19 06:19 (UTC)

My pleasure. Call upon me if you have need.

Judge Magister Gabranth.

I will - thank you. I'm certain the pleasure is all mine, Judge Magister.

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archademode - 2021-09-19 09:42 (UTC) - Expand

Hm. I could find some use for an architect. - Byerly Rutyer; head of diplomacy.

Is that so? I would be glad to speak with you on the topic. I don't idle particularly well.

I can give you the name of a jeweler in Kirkwall. Hightown, very skilled. But the price might be a bit of an issue, if you aren't prepared to haggle her down.

Useful, thank you. I would appreciate a direction to look into.

I'm scarcely afraid to haggle. Buying materials en masse for two hundred years likely gives me an edge.

Two hundred years. I'd call it an unfair advantage, but considering our merchants, I think you'll need all the advantage you can get.

See Imen in the Hightown market. Her stall has a blue drapes, first on the left. You can tell her I sent you, if you like.

Indeed. I take nothing for granted, I assure you. Most everything here is new to me, in the end.

Thank you for that. I will see about her - and I will gladly take that recommendation, Sir. Might I ask your name?

John Silver.

Are these all your lingering questions, or is there some other curiosities you'd satisfy?

A pleasure, then, Mister Silver.

[There is a pause, with a little hum of consideration before he speaks again.]

I suppose that would depend on what your purview is here, Sir.

Edited 2021-09-19 09:07 (UTC)

Precisely the manner of task I was hoping to hear about. Thank you, Mister...?

Holden. James Holden. I can introduce you to the people involved whenever you're free.

Mister Holden. A pleasure.

I am doing very little for the moment beyond getting my bearings further - name the place and the time and I will be there.