A very heartfelt suggestion

[arlathvhen]

FORM: Written message posted on the board
SENDER: Beleth, but she didn't put her name down. People who know her well enough to recognize her handwriting can probably figure it out.
RECIPIENT: Everyone in Skyhold
WHAT: A friendly request to not harass the halla, in the tone of a beleaguered retail worker.
WHEN: Put up on the board in the middle of the month, probably will be kept up there for a while.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: humans are gross

[ The letter, hanging from the message board, has this to say:

'Due to several incidents that have occurred, this is a reminder for everyone that the halla currently with the Inquisition should not be approached unless you are accompanied by one of the Dalish. Furthermore, you are generally discouraged from attempting to poke, prod, ride, shave, and otherwise aggravate the halla.

This letter is not due to any ill will against any members of the Inquisition, this is simply the nature of the halla, and the Dalish will not be held responsible for any bitten fingers, broken limbs, and miscellaneous gorings that occur to those who disregard the advice given here.

Thank you for your time and support.' ]

Comments

[wickedchase]

Someone please bother the halla.
Maybe shave funny words into them.
That would be great!

Love,

T.F.

[arlathvhen]

I'm feeding you to the halla.

[eolasemah]

[Somewhere, Sina sits bolt upright and is abruptly and inexplicably furious with Tobrevas. In a few hours her mindbullets should reach him.]

[eolasemah]

WHO DID THIS

WHO TRIED TO SHAVE THEM

[arlathvhen]

[ Chill, perhaps. ]

I was just listing out poor ideas. Keep an eye on Twisted Fate, though.

[eolasemah]

Why would you give them ideas

[eolasemah]

[Written underneath, in a delicate and vaguely exotic hand:]

Nuva Ghi'lan'nain then asa shud ove arsyl o 'tarasyl, i dirash na in masa dur su an'banal.

[amygdalae]

[A very neat postscript attached at the bottom of the notice:]

If there are any injuries that occur due to the halla, please don't hesitate to come to the healing tents for treatment.

No matter where the injury may be at.

also attached to the bottom

[mythalenaste]

Anyone curious about the halla can approach Pel (the grey-haired woman with the tree on her face) and she will take you to meet them.

[rowancrowned]

[ look who's approaching bel! ]

Am I to speak with you if I should like to meet the halla?

[mythalenaste]

[Oh, it's. One of the elflike beings from the rifts. He's even taller than Galadriel. Pel sizes him up as if she isn't a foot and a half shorter than he. Well. What had she expected, that humans would be the ones interested in meeting halla?]

Very well. [She gives him a nod and stands up.] Come with me. No apples or sugar, please, they'll get fat.

[Continued here.]

attached below said note

[inuko]

For those of us new around here, where does Pel generally spend her time?

written on the same piece of paper

[mythalenaste]

library

doodled in the margins

[byblow]

[degenere]

[Later modified:]






[and for good measure, down in the corner:]

Tacked alongside

[ombranera]

[ written underneath ]

At least be a little more creative.

[degenere]

[Attached beneath:]

It troubles me greatly that there are halla being kept by the Inquisition, or if not by the Inquisition, then by those who live in the Inquisitions good graces. While I find the effort of this notice admirable - indeed, remarkable - I find that I am moved to pose a series of questions in return.

- Who tends to these creatures and where do they stay? In the stables, with the horses?
- Where did they come from?
- Why were they brought in to Skyhold at all?
- How do these creatures bear the harsh climate of the Frostbacks as they are not native to this region?
- What special care is taken to ensure their good health?
- Why bring them in at all if they are not to be ridden?
- And, if they ARE to be ridden: why, when there are horses, which are beasts far more suited to the demands of battle and hard travel, having been BRED to serve such a purpose?

I understand that the herding of these halla are a traditional custom of some of the Inquisition's number. But we must consider that such practices, easily sustained in a more natural setting, do not belong in the confined walls of what is ostensibly a city. If nothing else, we must consider that the freedoms of open herding suit beasts such as these far better than dwelling within a paddock or enclosure. Have pity for these creatures, held within our walls.

In concern, I posit these questions and eagerly await logical and reasonable rebuttal.

Vᴀʟ Dᴇ Fᴏɴᴄé

[arlathvhen]

Thank you for your questions, I am exceedingly glad to see that there are humans who are as worried about the halla and their wellbeing as we are. Please, allow me to put your fears to rest, and assure you that the halla are faring quite well, with the occasional exception of people who, I am sure, were simply ignorant of the advice listed here.

Due to the nature of the halla and their preferences, they are kept in a pen with stables outside of Skyhold. Naturally, I understand your concern about their location, and I can assure you that they are kept a reasonable distance from people who might otherwise disturb them, allowing both them and the people to go about their everyday lives, unless someone willingly chooses to approach them.

They were brought to Skyhold as a gift from one of the Dalish clans that the Inquisition has aided, and represent the alliance between the two. They were a gift of friendship, willingly given as a sign of how important the Dalish believe this cause to be.

While halla are not, in fact, native to the Frostbacks, the truth is that they are not particularly native to many of the places that they travel with the Dalish. Halla are sturdy animals that can easily adapt to the various climates that they navigate while migrating across Thedas. Furthermore, we, the Dalish, are well trained in the various ways to care of them beyond their adaptations, and we have ensured they are quite comfortable in their current position.

I understand that, due to the nature of the halla, and their dislike of anyone who is not Dalish, there is little information on them beyond rumor and speculation, thus I do not hold you accountable for thinking that the halla have little to offer besides being ridden. Beyond the symbol of status they represent, as few ever organizations have been able to claim halla within their ranks, the halla offer a number of important services and provide valuable resources that few humans have access to.

Of course, I would not dream to put them on the level of your horses, as we do not breed our halla, but let them live as they will.

On that note, while once again it is incredibly uplifting to see others so worried over the quality of living that we have provided our halla, let me assure you that halla are not livestock that are shuffled to and fro with no thought to their will. They have never been ones to quietly submit, and we would have it no other way. Thus, if the halla disliked being here, everyone would be very aware of that fact, because in all likelihood, they would quite simply leave.

I hope that I have assuaged some of your fears, and look forward to continuing to enlighten others to some of the lesser known facts about our revered, noble companions, who willingly live side by side with us, whether out in the wilds, or within the Inquisitions.

[degenere]

Your response is not only appreciated: it is as admirable as your first message and a credit to your background.

But I must assure you, in turn: it is not the hapless men for whom I fear. I care little for the idiot who would presume to approach a beast without proper reverence and an improper interest (though I will be first to confess that I have shaved my initials into many creatures in my years). My fears are for the halla themselves. You are their advocate. But your number is limited, as are your resources. You say these creatures are kept outside of Skyhold, in a pen with stables of their own. Did your people construct the pen, or did the Inquisition? By what plans?

The climate may not trouble the halla overmuch today. But tomorrow? A mountain can be so quickly beset upon by snows, and as our years are ever turning, we must consider this obstacle - and then, the obstacle of their food. Your people provide for them. By what means? The Inquisition's, or your own? Do they graze, as a herd might tend to do? But then, they graze in a limited space, unless you have minders to tend the flock and lead them to verdant pastures, which will not last forever. Even a stable of horses must consider such things when preparing to face a season of cold.

I am pleased to hear that your people do not selectively breed these creatures. And I am as fond of the status of noble beasts as anyone. What other resources do they provide, if not transportation?

I also must question how willingly a creature might live in a paddock. But as you say: they are creatures of which so little is known about. Your interest in their continued obscurity is one that I find troubling but there is so much of your people that is perhaps better left in obscurity, for the preservation of traditions is so dear to the sentimental heart.

Your consideration, so carefully worded, is appreciated, and I commend what charitable translator you had to assist you.


Vᴀʟ Dᴇ Fᴏɴᴄé

[kallian_endris]

Why would anyone want to hurt a halla?

[arlathvhen]

I wonder.

[ Humans. Always humans. ]

[dalishious]

How about this: you touch the halla, you lose a finger
no need to be so long winded

[arlathvhen]

I like being long winded.

[ And it's more polite! But that rarely bothers Merrick. ]

[qunari]

You figure after the first few times one of them got chomped on, they'd learn.

[arlathvhen]

Human tenacity is truly remarkable.

[ They're stubborn dumbasses. ]