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[ancarrow]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Eirlys
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: A couple of small announcements and a question
WHEN: Mid-Justinian
WHERE: Skyhold

[Eirlys looks a little nervous as the broadcast begins, knowing she needs to look authoritative and professional, and feeling neither. She's never addressed more than a few people before and knowing that the entire Inquisition can potentially see and hear her is a little overwhelming.]

Hello, there. My name is Eirlys Ancarrow, I'm one of the healers. I just wanted to say that I've taken over running the workshops to craft potions and poultices. If you've any time to spare, extra hands are always needed to help out -- unfortunately healing items are always very much in demand.

I also wanted to announce that I've been appointed the City Elf Liaison within the Inquisition. [This is something she can't help but look exceptionally proud of, and is then immediately embarrassed at letting that show.] I know there aren't many of us here, but that makes it even more important that any concerns we have are heard. And if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to meet any other city elves around Skyhold that I'm not yet acquainted with personally, just so we're all familiar faces to each other if there is a problem to sort in the future.

[She's about to sign off, but at the last moment remembers something else that she might as well ask while she's here.]

One last thing -- a question for those who've come through the Rifts. Jamie was explaining to me that, at least in his world, disease is caused by creatures called 'germs'. I was wondering if anyone had a little more information about these beasts, and how to fight them.

[That's not to say they exist at all in Thedas, but better safe than sorry.]

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

Liaison, huh? Good for you, Eirlys.

I have some time to kill, so I can always make my way over relatively soon.

[ancarrow]

Thank you, Korrin. I'm not sure that I've done anything to merit such a position, but I'm rather proud nonetheless.

That would be wonderful, if you don't mind. There was something I wanted to ask you.

[gatheringstorm]

You speak your mind and you care about people. I'd say that's merit enough.

Oh, what is it?

[motherfucking_ghost]

Oh, yeah, germs. Bacteria and viruses. ...Shit, right, you guys don't have microscopes yet. Um. So I guess it sounds all pretty fantastical to say they're too small to see with the naked eye, but they can cause all kinds of diseases. And you can make some medicines against them, orrrr make vaccines to try and prevent them...

Uhhhh so with the current state technology here, we gotta start with some of the basics. Cleanliness! Being...one of them. Also, man, when you guys invent indoor plumbing, that'll definitely help some.

[ancarrow]

I think you've managed to confuse me even more, Ser. Are bacteria and viruses types of germ, just as hurlocks and genlocks are types of darkspawn?

I've noticed cleanliness is a good practice to ward off disease - it thrives most in areas of poor sanitation where there's bad air and bad water. Unfortunately it's sometimes easier said than done, especially when out on missions in the middle of nowhere.

[motherfucking_ghost]

Yeah! Mostly just like that! They have different properties but are both basically germs.

Okay but like...you go take a shit, you wash your hands with soap. You don't toss shit any old place. Filtering drinking water, or boiling it first, is a good step, too. Bad air is kind of a misconception? Like if someone sneezes, and that gets on you, then you might get sick, but if you smell something gross you aren't going to pick up anything from it. I mean, like, there are airborne diseases but that's not something you're going to ward off with a mask full of perfume or anything.

[youwonscience]

[Oh look, you just made this biologist's day!]

Um, I'm very new here, but I'm happy to talk about germs, if you like? It's... okay, it's not exactly my specialty back home, but very closely related in some ways. To what I do... do.

What do you know so far?

[ancarrow]

Oh thank the Maker, I didn't expect to find anyone who's an expert in them! I don't know very much at all, just that they can get into infections and make people sick. Jamie called them "wee invisible beasties", but he didn't seem to know much more than that himself.

[She tries and fails completely at his accent there.]

[youwonscience]

I mean, he isn't really wrong. Humans can't see them without magnification, which covers invisible, and they are alive. Well... viruses are sort of alive, but let's not get into that for now.

At the most basic, there are all sorts of creatures that are too small for us to see. A lot of them don't really affect us at all, and some of them actually keep us healthy. But a few of them make people sick, and those are the ones we most often call germs. There are a lot of different kinds, and they make you sick in different ways.

[nonsibi]

You need any supplies for your potions, or just people to make them?

[ancarrow]

Supplies are always in demand, particularly after that epidemic a couple of months ago. We need to stockpile as much as we can. I can get a list of the most common plants and herbs written up, if you like.

[nonsibi]

Whatever you need. I can come by the tents and get he list from you. I'm mostly out of Skyhold anyways, and I know what the stuff looks like.

[hlif]

I can lend you my company mage, heals like she's punching you out of the grave. It's...it's something.

[Well Asher if you will whine at the fire mage to learn healing spells…]

[ancarrow]

That's very kind of you, Asher. More healers are always appreciated, though I think I prefer a softer approach myself.

[hlif]

Well we have a dwarf alchemist for potions, ever had someone get a fever out of you by forcibly sweating it out? Didn't know who'd burn first when I watched it, powerful stuff.

Private

[justice_is_blond]

I know... The spread of disease. I know some things. Right now is not a good time for me. I can help, but I can help later. I'm sorry.

[ancarrow]

Of course, it's not urgent. ...Are you all right? You don't sound good.

[wontforgetyou]

[For Jamie's part, he's completely unaware of any attempts that may be being made elsewhere to try and get his accent straight - but he does inadvertently wind up providing some more fodder from her to draw from when he turns up on the device slightly later on. He also might be grinning at her, just a bit.]

There, see. That's no so bad, is it? Asking people about the germs, that is.

[ancarrow]

[The smile Eirlys gives him in return is a little more reserved, but she's clearly rather pleased.]

I'm just not used to stepping into the centre of attention like that. But yes, I think it went well. I've already had some useful information about them.

[glandival]

Sabine, of Halamshiral.

[ It feels a little to her overworked instincts like taking bait, so she sets her own, a little. ]

[ancarrow]

Halamshiral, truly?

[Eirlys is surprised and more than a little curious, knowing so little of the place but that her ancestors must surely have come from there before the Exalted March, along with all the rest scattered in alienages throughout Ferelden.]

Well met, Sabine. I've never met anyone who hails from there before.

[universal_charm]

The easiest way is through good hygiene - fighting germs, that is. Washing your hands after using the bathroom and before meals, bathing regularly - a good time frame is about every other day to two days. Making sure you cook your food properly, as well, and when you have open wounds keeping them clean and covered with clean bandages.

So reiterating a few things that have already been said, really.

[ancarrow]

I'm afraid it's going to be easier said than done to encourage people to make all those lifestyle changes. Especially in places like the alienage where I grew up, bathing so often would be a luxury they can't access.

[el_tybs]

Ah. I was wondering who was taking over that workshop.

[Good times, good memories.]

When I find time I can always stop on over and help if needed.

[ancarrow]

That would be very much appreciated, I could always use the extra hands.