therookery | Mercy for the Elves: An Unassuming Series of Announcements

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Mercy for the Elves: An Unassuming Series of Announcements

FORM: Message on the bulletin board
SENDER: Beleth Ashara
RECIPIENT: Everyone in Skyhold
WHAT: Beleth is looking for help for two different jobs that are not only completely legal but in no way of dubious nature.
WHEN: Just after her return from Morrigan's eluvian plot.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: This is a network post related to Beleth's player plot, but this isn't mandatory for those who are participating, and it's open to people beyond those participating. This is also not the plot proper, just setting up for it. There will be a section for action instead of notes.

[ Two notices are tacked to the bulletin board, one next to the other, in the same handwriting. ]

First Notice:

Attn: Dalish of Skyhold

I have been in contact with a Dalish clan in the Ylenn Basin, about the acquisition of resources for their clan.
Due to recent events and the inherent limit of written communication it has become necessary to go to the clan directly to
speak to their Keeper about the acquisition of these resources. As the road is quite dangerous these days, and as I know many
of us are missing our clans, I thought that it would be a good idea for several of us to go together and visit the clan in person.
If you would like to go with me, just let me know. I'll be in the barn in the evenings.

-Beleth of Clan Ashara
Praise be to the Creators

Second Notice:

Services Requested for Aid in Transportation

I have acquired valuable resources that I will be planning on transporting to a Dalish clan in the Ylenn Basin once I have
managed to work out a few minor issues. Once these are dealt with, I will still require aid in safely transporting these resources to
their intended location with minimal hassle. As such, I am requesting people who are skilled in combat against bandits, as well as
those generally skilled in moving cargo.

Please note that these resources will be accrued in Val Royeux, and then transported to the Ylenn Basin. I have heard less
than complimentary tales about the guards of Val Royeux, and their treatment of elves, and the Dalish in particular. As such, I would
generally prefer that those aiding me are not elvish in appearance, to try to avoid any more undue hassle than utterly necessary.

Additionally, please note that these resources, my acquisition of them, and the transportation thereof have not involved any resources from
the Inquisition, does not involve any missions regarding the Inquisition, and if you choose to participate, will not reflect on your job within the
Inquisition. You will, regardless, be compensated for your aid.

If you are interested, please come speak to me for further details. I will be in the barn in the evenings.

-Scout Beleth Ashara

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ And true to her word, in the evenings, Beleth will be found in the barn. She's taken over the table there and is seated on a stack of hay. On the table and her lap are scattered papers, some with figures and numbers, a few looking to be letters, and several papers tied together with string and forming a somewhat haphazard map of the Ylenn Basin.

Beleth, for her part, appears to be busy trying to tally up...something. Something involving math, if the scribbles on the paper and her occasional counting out loud while tapping her legs are any indication.

Feel free to volunteer, annoy, or interrogate her. ]

[Korrin doubts her usual heavy tread would genuinely catch Beleth by surprise, but she'll still call out to her upon entering the barn anyway. Those scattered papers and whatnot are give a curious glance, though she has enough control to await permission before inspecting it closely.]

Beleth?

[ Beleth appreciates the caution, Korrin. She looks up at her name being called, and smiles when she sees who it is. ]

Korrin! It's good to see you. Did you see my notices on the board, or are you just visiting?

[Turning her gaze to Beleth, she smiles back.]

I saw them, yes. The transporting resources and fighting bandits...well, that's what the Valo-Kas has done more times than I can count. If you need another mage, I'm up for the task.

[ Beleth shifts, and spreads the papers out a little more, so that Korrin can see them. Some of them are letters, some are charts organizing food, several are lists of names--some of people in Skyhold, one that has the names of some Dalish clans, if Korrin is familiar with them, most of which are crossed off. ]

I don't have everyone up for that yet, but I'll bare that in mind. It'd be nice to have someone I trust there. Although--

[ She looks at Korrin thoughtfully, and thinks about the Dalish who are coming with her to visit the clan in question. She doesn't expect too much trouble, but--There were a lot of rogues, and one mage. Korrin wasn't a warrior, but she's seen what Korrin is capable of. And she was capable of kicking ass handily.

And out of the people who weren't Dalish, there was a small list of people she trusted to come along. ]

--How do you feel about visiting a Dalish clan?

[Glancing over the spread of papers, Korrin's eyebrow raise, her curiosity growing. Beleth's question catches her off-guard, though, and she looks back over to her abruptly at that, head tilted.]

The Valo-Kas has worked with Dalish before; not extensively, but sometimes help was needed and they'd rather deal with us than humans. I can't blame them for that. So I'd feel just fine about it and go where I'm needed most.

I won't tell you that you have to do one or the other, but if you wanted to come with me and some of the others when we go to visit the Dalish clan...?

[ She rubs the back of her neck for a moment, then nods, making a decision. ]

We're not just going to chat, though. Just so you know. I--I found some elves, in Val Royeux, who want to go to a clan. I just...have to convince the Keeper to accept them. Then I have to move them. But...I want to stay low key with it. I don't want people deciding it's too...politically controversial or whatever.

[She raises her eyebrows all over again at such ambition, though she gives an approving nod to both the mission and the low-key nature of it.]

We've had more than enough political bullshit to go around, so I understand not wanting to add to that. The elves wanting to leave deserve better than to be caught in the middle. I'll go with you; I'm no diplomat, but maybe it would help to see that others are willing to get involved? And if there's any trouble on the way or back, Vivienne's teachings won't go to waste.

[ Beleth smiles at Korrin's words. She'd trusted that the vashoth would understand, but it was still a relief to hear Korrin say it in her own words. The elf nods a few times, fingers fidgeting with her scarf as she looked at her papers. ]

Thank you. I agree, I think it'd be good to get voices that aren't just us, but aren't--well, humans. And...as for trouble, well. Groups of elves travelling, we tend to be targets for bandits, you know? Although most will leave us alone if they see that we're Dalish.

The ones that don't? They're either really stupid, or really dangerous.

But--I'll be glad to have you with us, either way. I think the others would be happy, too. You get along with all of us--Even Merrick. Which, I have to say, is impressive.

[Korrin nods; she likes plenty of humans, is dating one, but it's easy to see how the presence of even one would raise the hackles of Dalish, used to keeping them at arm's length. Better to eliminate that point of stress beforehand.

She chuckles and smiles at mention of Merrick.]

What can I say, we appeal to each other's need to grumble and drink insane amounts of strong alcohol. Never underestimate either as a bonding point.

As for bandits, in my experience they tend to lean towards really stupid. I've gotten away with making them flee by pretending to conjure demons and other such bullshit. Sometimes ignorance about mages has its upside.

It's rare for him to find anyone who can keep up with him drinking. Whenever I drink with him, I'm just sitting there sipping while he's chugging.

[ She shakes her head with a wry smile--then laughs at Korrin's mention of scaring bandits off. ]

Well! Teach that trick to Pel, and we should be fine. It'll be a relief to have you with us. Merrick would have been the only one any good at melee, and he's an assassin, not a duelist. I'll get to you with the details, once I figure out when a good time to go is.

[Korrin grins at getting that laugh.]

If she doesn't know it already, I will. And that sounds good to me. I don't usually need much notice; hell, I've had far more of that working for the Inquisition than the Valo-Kas. With the latter, we'd get an assignment and go, learning about it on the way. I'm used to that.

[Eventually, Twisted Fate arrives, leaning against the barn wall with his arms folded. He looks over to Beleth, his eyes peering out from under his widely brimmed hat.]

So, you're actually transporting elves from the city to a clan.

[It's a statement without much inflection. Truthfully, he's a little impressed. But his feelings on it will remain his own, for now.]

[ Beleth responds to Twisted Fate's statement like a startled cat, puffing up and jumping back, making a grab for the papers almost sent flying. She shuffles the papers back in order while glaring reproachfully at the man. ]

I find it rather worrisome that you draw the conclusion of elves when people speak about resources.

[ That isn't a 'no'. ]

Tell me I'm wrong, then. [He raises a brow.]

...How obvious was it?

[ She sighs, expression filled with resigned acceptance. She glances around the barn carefully, before turning back to Fate. ]

This isn't illegal, and I tried to make it as separate from the Inquisition as possible. But...look at all the nonsense these people have gotten worked up over. I can't let this turn into a political thing for a bunch of humans to muse over, like they have a right. I won't let it happen, even if it gets me in trouble.

Only moderately.

[There's a shake of his head before he holds up a hand.]

You hardly need to explain your motives and intentions to me. I am curious as to how you intend to succeed.

I'll take moderately.

[ Humans are inordinately stupid, after all. ]

It's simple. I'm going to go with some of the Dalish and we will speak to the Keeper and convince him to allow the city elves into his clan. If we can't...I don't know. We'll figure something out. My clan has been known to accept them.

[ She doesn't look real pleased by that idea. Mostly because it would involve speaking to her mother. ]

Anyway, that will be the hardest part, but I know that I can make it work. After that, I just need to get the elves out of the alienage without causing a fuss, and get them to whatever clan will take them. Which will be simple enough, I've had enough experience moving people different places.

Your clan is exceptionally sized and unusually invested in assisting the Inquisition. Other clans are a fair bit more stubborn. ...But if you think you can do this, then I respect that.

[Twisted Fate frowns in thought.]

You'll need to escort them without attention somehow. I know you're confident in moving people, but these are city elves. It won't be simple.

[ Beleth raises an eyebrow at Twisted Fate even implying that he respected her. She doesn't say anything, however. Instead, she pulls a sheet of paper from the stack, a list of different ideas on how to move the elves, with little notes next to them. ]

Elves leaving the alienage during the day isn't illegal, but the size of the group will be sizable enough to draw guard attention. We'll have to convince them we have a very good reason to be moving this many elves. I was thinking, we have plenty of nobles here. If I can get one of them to write a letter saying that the elves are bound for one of their summer estates, or something to that accord...

Worst comes to worst, they can leave in twos and threes.

[ She shuffles the paper back in, and pulls out another one, this one something she'd gotten from another scout--a report on the current level of dangers in the area they were heading for. ]

As for the way there, we'll start off with it being fairly easy going. A great deal of merchants go to Val Royeux, and the near area is heavily patrolled. We might attract attention from that patrol, but as long as we have that story, we should be fine. I...think that bandits will be the biggest issue. Bandits are always attracted to large groups of elves.

Not Dalish bandits, obviously, I doubt they'll give us any trouble.

[ She says that calmly, stating a simple fact. Of course Dalish bandits wouldn't raise a hand to their fellow elves--especially if they saw she was with them. ]

But...that's why I'm asking for help.

[The barn, as always. Dirthamen was...horrible, so doing something familiar among her own kind sounds like a welcome reprieve. Pel has been quiet and drawn since her return, and won't speak of what she saw.]

Could I come with you?

[ Beleth likes the barn, okay. It's comfortable. She looks up when Pel enters, and smiles at her. She's noticed something a little...off, but who was she to say anything? They were all hiding secrets these days. ]

Of course you can. I was hoping you'd want to. But--um. I should tell you ahead of time, this trip isn't entirely what I said it was on the board. But I had to be...discreet. Nothing illegal, but. I don't want these idiot shemlen vomiting opinions on things they have no say in.

That's fine, I trust you. [Pel sits, and doesn't meet Beleth's eyes.] I want...I need to get back to my roots. Remind myself who I am. Visiting another clan sounds like just the thing.

It's not too late to decide to come back to the clan, Pel. The Keeper would accept you back, you know that she would.

[ Not without some passive aggressive muttering, but better than what Beleth would have gotten, she's sure. ]

But you are welcome to come, either way. In fact, I think that you would be particularly helpful. You've been helping some of the city elves learn about the Dalish, haven't you? [ Beleth stop being a creepy spy ] That's what I'm trying to do. There are elves from the Val Royeux alienage who asked me to help them get to a clan.

We just need to get the Keeper to agree to take them.

Excuse me?

[It had taken her some time to decide whether or not she wants to be involved in this. The passion is there, certainly, but she's still relatively new in Skyhold, and given the various tensions arising from her being both a rifter and what some might consider a mage, Hermione had wanted to keep her head down for as long as possible.

But old habits die hard, and the mention of going against a group of people who in turn are against elves as a whole... well, she can't let that go without at least asking after it.]

Scout Beleth Ashara? I heard you were looking for some help. It's nothing... illegal, is it?

[ Beleth looks up when her name is called, and she gives Hermione a pleasant smile. ]

Oh, no. I wouldn't advertise anything illegal on the Inquisition bulletin board.

--Or, you know, do anything illegal in the first place.

[ She adds, somewhat belatedly. ]

Were you interested in helping?

[Hermione doesn't look wholly convinced that Beleth wouldn't do anything illegal, but she can't really say one way or the other, since she really doesn't know her. So she doesn't comment on it, instead focusing on the matter at hand.]

That depends on exactly what's involved. What sort of resources were you talking about?

[Because it definitely sounds like illegal smuggling to her, and she doesn't want to end up being held as an example for why people shouldn't trust rifters or mages, so it either needs to be on the up-and-up or at least totally worth whatever the risk might be.]

[ There's definite, very suspicious hesitation at Hermione's question. She glances away, mouth twitching. She's been trying to keep from saying too much until she's sure of what team she's going to gather. The last thing she needs is for this entire plan to fail before it even gets started because someone went to tattle to Leliana. But--Well. She had a right to know. ]

...City elves are technically allowed to leave the city. They can quit their jobs and wander off to do whatever they want. There are no laws against it. However--well.

[ She finally turns to look at Hermione, fingers tapping on her papers. ]

Nobles generally don't like the idea of the help taking off to go join the elf barbarians in the wild. And what nobles don't like has a bad habit of trumbing what is and isn't actually illegal. The job I want help with is simply ensuring that no one attempts to stop the elves from doing what is well within their right to do.

That is the reason for keeping it all hush hush. I don't want people fussing over how popular such a task will be.

[She immediately perks up when she hears it has to do with elves, and the moment Beleth's proposal becomes clear, Hermione stares at her with slightly widened eyes. Even the free(ish) elves aren't free. It makes her think of Dobby, and what his life would have been like if Harry had been the sort to hold the granting of his freedom over his head.

... it probably wouldn't have ended much differently, honestly. But at least, with the way things had played out, Dobby's choices had been entirely his own. It's a cold sort of comfort, and she can't necessarily guarantee the safety of any of these city elves, but....]

I'm more than happy to help them. [The answer is immediate, and said with a stern nod of her head.] I owe my life to an elf from back home, and he'd valued the few years of freedom he'd been granted before giving up his life for me and my friends. I'd be remiss if I didn't agree to help other elves gain their freedom, even if the rules are a bit different here.

You must have been a good friend, for someone to be willing to die for you.

[ She says it with total seriousness, nodding. It's approval points for Hermione, that an elf would consider her worth dying for. Surely you can't be a total asshole to elves and have them willing to make that sacrifice. And as important, she seemed to value that sacrifice. Beleth turns to her papers and shuffles a few of them around, turning back to Hermione. ]

I'm glad, then. Not everyone really...understands. Do you have a lot of experience in transporting, or fighting...? And what would you usually charge?

If you don't have a lot of experience, that's fine. [ Because she was awfully young. ] I don't expect a lot of trouble, I just want to make sure. I'll be damned if I promise to help these people and then get them all killed because a few bandits saw us as an easy opportunity.

... I'm friends with a very good person. You'd be surprised how many people would have been willing to die for him. [Herself included, really.] I was just the worst off of us that night, so I would have certainly died if not for him.

[She needs a moment to pointedly not think about that night beyond the broadest description of it, and once she can effectively swallow back the pain, she's able to talk business easily enough again.]

I can do magic, but I'm afraid I've been having a little more difficulty with it here than I do at home. I'm learning to work around it, though, and I can certainly still cast basic spells, like Shield Charms and Blasting Curses and the like. A major war had just ended a few months ago back home, and my two friends and I had been in hiding for most of a year, stealthily destroying magical artifacts to weaken our enemy. I'd like to think that means I've grown to become fairly adaptable... and that bandits wouldn't be a particularly large hurdle.

[He doesn't reply to her on the notice board. Instead, he seeks her out directly. When he sees her he has a paper folded flower. He usually puts notes and things inside of his paper flowers, if she has the time to unfold this one it's a little drawing of her standing heroically on a hill that says 'Beleth to the rescue!' It's definitely meant to make her laugh more than to tease her and the drawing is flattering if a little cartoonish.

He sits next to her and waits for her give him her attention before he hands it to her.]

I want to go with you when you leave.

Edited 2016-03-29 19:00 (UTC)

[ She's pleased when Cyril arrives at the barn, and waits to speak to him until he sits down. But he gets her attention as soon as he does so, taking the flower and blinking at it. She unfolds it carefully, then stares at the image for several seconds. But his drawing succeeds, and Beleth laughs at the image, looking amused by the doodle of her. She shakes her head, still grinning, as she folds it up and sticks it in her pocket. ]

I'm honored to go down in history in such a sterling manner. Of course you can come, lethallin. But--ah. There's something I should tell you.

[ She pauses, fidgeting with her scarf. ]

I want to go to the Keeper because there are alienage elves in Val Royeux who want to join the People. But I need to find a clan for them. I plan to try to convince the Keeper to let them join.

[Cyril nods at that and accepts the idea. He can see the logic in it.]

The fact that you are a Keeper's daughter should come in handy here then? And it will be good to have more of the people with you to help convince them.

Korrin will be coming, as well. She's obviously good at working with Dalish, even Merrick likes her. And we need someone who can deal with close combat, if anything risky happens on the road.

[ She wrinkles her nose. ]

But yes, I've been using my status as the Keeper's daughter to pull a few strings. I just hope she doesn't find out, or she'll start telling me that I ought to act like one before I get the perks of one.

Your mother should be proud of you. Anything else she says would be inaccurate.

[ Beleth snorts, a wry look on her face. ]

When has she ever been proud of me? When have I ever done anything to deserve it?

Well, I'm proud of you.

Well, what have I done to deserve that?

You came here. You're learning a bunch of new skills. Back home you traded well and kept the peace. [A pause.] You helped Merrick figure out things about himself.

Like what, that he likes qunari?

[ That was probably unworthy, and she flinches a little after she says it. Not that she's JEALOUS. ]

--But thank you, Cyril. You are very kind.

It's all right. I understand. [And come on, she knows that he understands the jealousy. But he means to focus on what he meant.]

And no, you helped him figure out that he isn't broken.

...so you need transport, hmm? Fortunately, I'm in the business of moving things.

Please list your name, and what you charge, and I'll add you to the list of potential agents.

[Of course, he's going to stop by the barn. First week in town and already something that looks promising. He has a guess as to what the cargo might be... it's usually something he steers clear of, but since it's, hopefully, being done with good intentions, he can make an exception.

Luckily for him, there aren't too many elves hanging around the barn and he can make an educated guess as to which is the one he's looking for.]

... Scout Beleth?

[ The elf looks up at the name, so it's pretty safe to assume he's right. She takes a quick moment to look him over, before giving him a pleasant, polite smile. ]

That's me, ser. Can I do anything to help you this evening?

Perhaps. [Her smile is returned with a confident smirk.]

I saw your request on the bulletin board. Your request for some help transporting some -well, it doesn't really matter what you're moving- some things from Orlais to the Ylenn Basin. I wanted to offer my services.

I've spent some time in Orlais, speak the language. And shipping is my business.

Ah, I see.

[ She's hesitant at first, she doesn't know this man. She doesn't want to give the jig up and have him spill the beans before she could get things arranged. So she shuffles through her papers, and takes out what looks like a sheet with a few names on it. ]

Can I please have your name, your rates, and your personal opinion of elves?

[ That's relevant. ]

[Certainly, this was an instance where his faked Tevene accent wasn't earning him any favors.]

Balthier. And for you, I'd make it fifty gold. [He pauses and raises an eyebrow at her last request suspiciously, but leaves it at that.] Elven coin is as good as anyone else's, but not having personal opinions is also my business.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mercy for the Elves: An Unassuming Series of Announcements

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/forever late, so sorry

i am the latest dont worry

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