Backdated - Harvestmere 4

[mythalenaste]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Pel, Sina, and Herian
RECIPIENT: Everyone
WHAT: Quick "we're not dead" announcement
WHEN: Harvestmere 3
WHERE: Near Halamshiral
NOTES: Talk of violence, arson.

We're all right. Herian, Sina and I. I don't know who--what the Inquisition knows about what happened, but we were having negotiations with Clan Grymusseth and they took us. It was a trap all along.

We're back at the Inquisition camp being tended to. Their camp is on fire.

[OOC: Put the name(s) of the people you want your character to address (Sina, Herian, or Pel) in the subject line. Their disappearance lasted for hours after a negotiation began, so the local Inquisition camp began rescue efforts before they reappeared. If you want your character to have heard about this, feel free.]

Comments

private

[arlathvhen]

[ Hey Beleth is anyone she counts right. ]

I agree with you. The price of an entire clan is too high--even if they only killed a few, and set a fire. Those were family, Hunters, protectors. And since Pel was good enough to state their clan, everyone will know what a few of them have done.

But even more so, I am worried about how this will reflect on the Dalish in general. I do not think ones who have...integrated will be at risk of harm, but--This adds more fuel to the fire for those who would see us forcibly assimilated, or exterminated as violent pests.

It does not take much for a human to justify murder.

private

[rowancrowned]

It sounds as if this clan has been at the center of many a problem. Such things do not happen overnight.

[ hello, beleth. thranduil sounds very tired. by the sound- well, the lack of sound, he's not in the library. likely his rooms. ]

I do not think the Men will bother to separate clan from clan. Any group wandering in that area is at risk, any in Orlais like to be stumbled upon and hurt for vengeance, which will only heighten the chance that another clan will sour against Men so violently.

[ he stops speaking. he's coming to realize that the sort of change he and galadriel hope to foster cannot be done slowly, a gentle understanding built over generations. this world is built on blood and pain and suffering-- scars in the veil from death and loss and still that is not enough to convince those who maim and slaughter than it might, perhaps, be a good idea to stop. even the darkspawn are not enough to make them unify. ]

There is no way this... event can be read that could not be twisted to justify further death.

[arlathvhen]

It's not fair.

[ She's sullen, not as angry as she is resigned. Of course it's not fair, life as a Dalish--life as a elf--isn't fair. It hasn't been for a very long time. ]

We aren't entitled to be angry about how the humans treat us--not like they get to do for us. There are Orlesian nobles who have hunted clans simply for existing, and I can't make an announcement about it, I can't call for the death of their entire family. By the Dread Wolf--even if I just called attention to it, I would get people angry at me. Or worse.

This clan did something terrible, going after other Dalish--it's awful. But even so. Even so!

[ She can think of more things to say, but it just serves to make her angrier--something which will just be useless, in the end. She can't even voice her grievances publicly, lest she get yelled at like Thranduil himself had been. ]

If only the shemlen were held as accountable for the actions of their whole as we are.

[rowancrowned]

I know, child. I know. Be patient. [ he soothes as best as he can, not entirely in the mood for it but willing to attempt the soft voice of a parent promising the hurt will go away soon for her. she's one of the very few not to be delighted at the things happening here. ]

Know this: death begets only more death, and a love of violence leads to violent ends. Perhaps the peoples of Thedas are less attuned to righteous behavior because wrath and envy and all the others take form among you-- I cannot be sure. I ask that you see and know their mistakes and keep from them as best you are able. I would hate to see you twisted.

[ he sighs, exhales slowly. tired, of course, beyond caring about letting another witness such little things. but then again, beleth isn't even really 'another'-- in fifty years, she'll be dead, and that will be the end of her. mandos will not reembody her; her whole self will be as a flame doused-- a permanent end. this has changed nothing and yet everything-- perhaps he was too hopeful and blind to see it all before. it matters little. all will be made right. ]

[arlathvhen]

[ She wants to demand answers--what is she being patient for, exactly? And how long must she be patient for? Her ancestors waited, and her descendants will keep the vigil, if this is any indication. At least, what descendants she will have, until the Dalish perish--either assimilated like Pel and the rest of her clan that was here, or murdered in cold blood, like her father.

But she is not indifferent to tones, and realizes that she is acting like the child Thranduil calls her. He has no need to hear her grievances, he already knows them, and has his own to bare. So she withholds her frustration. ]

You are right. I'm sorry, Thranduil, for my harsh words. Killing isn't the answer here, no matter who it is that dies.

I'm sorry for my words. I didn't mean to...get so rattled about it. I just wanted to let you know that I agreed with what you said. That you aren't alone in your opinion.

[rowancrowned]

Do not apologize. You have done nothing wrong. I cannot-- will not-- fault you for feeling rage as I did. But you considered your actions far better than I, rather than giving into impulses. You made several conclusions that I could not. We cannot control our emotional reactions to events such as this-- I suspect not even the Lady could remain serene.

[ wry. he keeps the line open, then with all remaining sarcasm wiped away: ]

I welcome anything you have to say, Beleth. Better we speak to one another than keep all our emotions locked away.

[arlathvhen]

I've been in Thedas longer. I've got more experience in how unfair life can be for the Dalish. And in having to keep my opinions to myself. That's all that is.

I'm angry, but--as soon as I share that anger, as soon as I am not compliant, as soon as I am not a Good Dalish, as soon as I show that I am emotional about things that anyone would be emotional over, it's over. They write you off.

[ She simmers for a bit, anger still palpable. When she speaks, her voice is sharp, but more controlled. ]

Humans will always be humans. There is little hope that they will change. I'm more concerned about these Dalish attacking other Dalish. I'll write to my mother about it and see what she thinks can be done.