Casting down bad memories

[arlathvhen]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Beleth Ashara
RECIPIENT: Everyone who's part of the first group to Kirkwall
WHAT: Discussing what's to be done about the statues
WHEN: Sometime between Cloudreach 14th and 20th
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: This isn't an Official Poll that's going to decide things but it's a good way for people to throw out suggestions for voting on and discuss ideas

Good day, to every member of the Inquisition currently helping take care of the Gallows. We've been making some amazing progress, and I'm sure that our contributions will give this place the overhaul that it desperately needs. With time, the Gallows will become a symbol of hope, rather than despair.

If I may, I'd like to take time to discuss ideas for one of those symbols. Specifically, those horrid statues that are strewn about. Now that they will...probably no longer attempt to kill us.

I've been informed that there are artisans willing to melt down the statues and create new ones to be put in their place. Additionally, our group has been given permission to choose what kind of statues would be put up there. Suffice to say, whatever we go with will make a statement about our goals here. The Inquisition is trusting us to make sure that statement is positive.

So, I would like to discuss possibilities with everyone, and see if we can get some good ideas going.

To start the ball rolling, if it's alright, I'd like to share my own proposal. Of course, this is only a suggestion, and I welcome any other voices.

I propose that we have the statues remade to represent the diverse groups within the Inquisition. Have a statue of a dwarf, another of a Dalish, another of a mage, etc, etc. It would send a message of cooperation and coexistence, and hopefully promote such in our new home.

The floor is open for further suggestions.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

While I appreciate the mage being included, you've started with races. What if it's simply races? A dwarf, a Dalish, a human, a qunari? No weaponry, no armaments, staves or swords or otherwise.

...And perhaps a cat, because a cat never goes over poorly.

[arlathvhen]

[ That...is a little surprising to hear from Anders, but valid. ]

That would work, too. And would leave out risk of not including a group and someone becoming upset.

...Unless another race is suddenly discovered, I suppose. But surely they would understand.

oh my god I am so sorry, Anders, I am so so sorry but it's so open for this

[lyriumcarved]

An elf. You mean an elf.

[This is probably not someone Anders wants to hear from, and he sounds as agitated as ever.]

The Dalish are not representative of an entire race.

[gatheringstorm]

How about a memorial statue of the Herald? Her image would be a powerful message in and of itself.

[arlathvhen]

I'll note the suggestion, although...

Would the people who had met her be comfortable with that? I'd make sure to discuss it with the people who were in her inner circle, first. Otherwise, they might find it a bit disconcerting to have a giant version of her staring down at them.

[meds4sale]

Would an outsider's perspective be remiss?

[arlathvhen]

I would hardly consider you to be an outsider in this situation. You are helping clean up the Gallows with rest of us, and I...assume you will be living with us? [ There aren't many choices for where to stay. ] So your input is just as valid as anyone else who wishes to contribute.

[in_death_sacrifice]

You can never go wrong with a dragon.

And be sure to represent the Wardens with a griffon, if you're adding various groups.

[arlathvhen]

I...will have to consult the artisans on what molds will be within possibility.

[ She's not sure dragons will be among them. ]

I will note your suggestions, though...perhaps it would be better for the Wardens to be represented by, ah. A Warden? Simply to match the rest. But! It's been put down as a possibility. If things progress in that direction, I'm sure there will be further opportunities to discuss how the Wardens would be represented.

[lyriumcarved]

As long as you intend to represent elves by more than just the Dalish alone. You may find it a vast and complicated project, considering just how varied that diversity really is.

[He may sound a little skeptical, but it's just that if they want to include everyone? They have to include everyone, and that could ridiculously get out of hand fast.]

[arlathvhen]

If my proposal is the one chosen, than I am sure that there will be separate measures taken afterwards to try to get a consensus on the varieties of groups involved, and what would be feasible to create with the materials at hand.

[indocile]

The Inquisition was instrumental in what's happening now for elves in Orlais. A statue of Marquise Briala would be lovely.

( which is a not un-pointed contribution to follow fenris having noted that the dalish don't represent all elves. )

[arlathvhen]

Your suggestion has been noted.

[limier]

[ well this all sounds like a political disaster ]

The Veil is thin here. Corypheus wields red lyrium to his advantage. It would behoove us to not rebuild them,

[ least of all into shapes so likely to piss everyone off. and every shape, every single one, is going to piss someone off. generally wren's for that. generally they don't need northern allies with such dire intensity. ]

Lest they be used against us once.

[arlathvhen]

The cleansing runes they're putting in should take care of that, I...think?

[ Not that she knows anything about runes beyond what she's told. ]

...I suppose we could always bolt them onto their bases.

[tactical_alert]

I have to agree with Ser Coupe; even if we're certain that nothing unfortunate and dangerous happens with these statues again, there are better uses for such material. Be it crafting armour, weapons, forging other items as the need crops up, or simply selling it off to the highest bidder for the sake of funding, and even share such funding with the city. Maker knows they have their own projects that need people, materials, and coin.

And honestly, what better way to make a statement with these statues than to use them for the good of Kirkwall? As a token of our goodwill.

[judgemewhole]

[He hattteees his life.]

I agree with Seeker Malcolm.

[apologist]

May I request that one of these statues, at least, remain intact? They are hideous— [ and horrifying and depressing and so on, sure ] —but it is important not to entirely erase history, however ugly.

[mythalenaste]

I agree. Keep at least one statue. Maybe have the rest tell the story of how the Gallows overcame its past. How slaves and mages both rose up and were freed.

[circleprodigy]

I have to agree with those hesitant to rebuild the statues, for multiple reasons. Other plans for decor can be made.

[judgemewhole]

I have to throw in my lot with those who say melt them down and keep them melted down. Then donate the whole lot of it to Kirkwall.

If we want some sort of ... decoration, why not a wall mural? I seem to recall beautiful ones done around the base of the library, and then there was some rather nice murals around the compound on the docks.

And frankly, if we're going to go for a symbol - why not do the Inquisition's own sigil, which covers the lot of us?

[alankazam]

I did those,

[ alan, he is not talking about your shitty-ass flower paintings ]

I could do some more.

[degenere]

[A LOUD SCOFF.]

Please. I agree, of course, with Jehan. We must leave one for history's sake. But the others we may remove entirely, and not replace.

As anyone with sense will tell you, in decor of any taste, statues are very outdated. The fashion these days is finer works of sculpture, not beholding to the lines and styles of our ancestors.

[arlathvhen]

I've added Brother Jehan's suggestion, and will note under it the fashion discrepancy that we risk by having statues.

[ That's a lie. ]

[alankazam]

They're interesting, all over the place like that. It's pretty when they catch the light.

[arlathvhen]

...Alan, do you have an actual suggestion, or.

[ She'd be more willing to listen to him usually, but her patience is being tested by getting personal attacks for the sin of...letting people know about their options?? ]

[onlyhymns]

(quietly, public although clearly appealing to specifically Beleth)

Can we not just... get rid of them?

They've always been frightening.

after Anders filled him in

[quietblade]

I was told someone suggested the idea of melting it down, selling it and donating the profits to the Kirkwall people, and I like that.

If it has to be statues, I'd suggest a monument to all the people that died in this place. Maybe it'll appease the spirits, too.

[arlathvhen]

[ She opens her mouth, thinks on it, realizes the futility of replying, and just writes it down, instead. She'll let him know that his suggestion was put down next time she sees him. ]

[aventuriere]

I of course agree with my colleagues that the historical significance of these pieces of art cannot be ignored. To destroy them entirely would be a crime against scholarship we would be forced to resist most strenuously.

I suggest that we put the matter to the people of Kirkwall. It is, after all, their heritage we are discussing. Why do we not support both the city and our cause by commissioning local artists to design the new monument? We could give them a theme and put out a call for proposals, then choose from the most suitable.

[arlathvhen]

I've put down the option of leaving one of the statues unmarred. It will be a separate poll from what to do with the material of the statues once they've been melted down, since they'll be destroyed in any foreseeable event.

And the option of polling the local population has been added. The artisans who will be dealing with the statues are locals, and if it's decided that the statues are to be replaced with something else, we can certainly look for locals with the appropriate skills.

[inagutterson]

You're not even from Kirkwall and you're embarrassing yourself, surface dwarves don't give a rat's arse about statues, that's the ones from Orzammar that scrape about sobbing about the paragons. Kirkwall's alienage gets a say long before you or anyone else ever should.

[byblow]

I assume that's how you say thank you for thinking of us, but I don't know that dwarves would appreciate the gesture, and have you considered asking the locals for their opinions? in some dwarven dialect.

action

[onlyhymns]

[Wherever Beleth is sitting, some time into this conversation she abruptly finds herself joined by a nervous man in a Templar tabard who sits beside her with a plate of cookies. He has the air about him of a dog in a thunderstorm with only treats to keep him calm.

He might share if she reminds him.]

[arlathvhen]

[ Beleth is so busy writing and sighing and stressing out that she doesn't even notice Cade at first. It's only after she takes a break to wring out her hands from writing cramps that she realizes she's been joined by him. After a few moments, she speaks, in a much softer tone than she's been using on the crystals. ]

I've got the suggestion of just getting rid of them put down. For the record.

[ She sighs once more for good measure, and puts a hand on her forehead. ]

I didn't expect this to be so...chaotic. Mean-spirited. They're just statues. I'm just trying to help.

...Can I have a cookie?

[wardeneructate]

How about a pair of domes with some small tower looking things at the top? Call it "Unity" or some nice thing like that.

Enemies would be confused when they them and we can smash them good. And have a good view for us.

[pinprick]

No.

[rowancrowned]

How long will the Inquisition hold this place?

[ possibly genuinely curious, but he points the question carefully, urges beleth to come to the conclusion on her own. ]

Melt all the statues down but one; donate the coin intended for new art to the people of the city. Offer the scrap to the city as well. There is foulness in it. We needn't keep it around.

[arlathvhen]

Actually, I'm not sure--Ah. [ The little arrow in her brain moves from 'No clue' to 'Gets it'. ] Maybe Inquisition-themed statues won't be appreciated by the next inhabitants. I guess that whole idea was more idealistic than realistic.

[ Though a small part of it was just that she wanted to have a Dalish statue. ]

private ; beleth

[rowancrowned]

I assume you intended to include a statue for a Rifter in your little diorama. Did you have a model in mind?

[ he's teasing, voice lilting pleasantly. ]

[arlathvhen]

Yes, actually. I was thinking of Bill the Pony.

[ Only he is worthy of being immortalized. ]

[nadasharillen]

[the Dalish artisan is practically humming with excitement]

Get me in touch with the team? I'd like to help with the casting.

[arlathvhen]

We'll have to see what gets done with the statues, though I'm sure that melting them down will happen, no matter what. I'll give you their information.

From the peanut gallery.

[tallasaking]

[There's no voiced opinion.

No angry yell raised in protest.

Not even a shy whisper.

Just perhaps the sound of ... crunching.

Like someone might be snacking upon candied nuts and listening to this whole conversation with some sort of devilish glee.]

[arlathvhen]

[ Tall as a jerk. ]