therookery | CRYSTAL

Entry tags:

CRYSTAL - ota

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Nell Voss
RECIPIENT: All
WHAT: Hello, Inquisition. Nell is here to stir up your mage business. :]
WHEN: Forward-dated slightly to post-Llomerryn adventures
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: n/a

Inquisition, hello.

[ It's a friendly-enough voice, sort of husky without being unusually low, the common tongue spoken with the generic pronunciation favored by Circle tutors and just a hint of a muddled accent that's difficult to place beyond Northern. ]

My name is Nell, and I've only recently joined your ranks here in Kirkwall. I'd heard that the Inquisition's mages governed themselves through some sort of council, but I've yet to see hide or hair of it here. Was that only a rumor? I've heard quite a lot of rumors about the Inquisition's mages, it's not always easy to pick out the truth.

I suppose my real question is what is the status of mages here, exactly? And Templars, since I've see some about already? I'm eager to help the Inquisition in its fight, but I do like to know what I'm getting myself into.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He exhales, trying to find a peaceful way to explain.]

I appreciate that some in leadership do care, and I count you among them. My greatest concern is that right now, we're useful, but as soon as Corypheus is defeated the Inquisition will not stand with the mages who want choices for all mages and freedom for those who desire it.

I fear we will be abandoned and vulnerable, and even more, seen as liabilities when the Inquisition has to find a purpose after Corypheus' defeat. Useful for now, acceptable for now, but not a group the Inquisition will see value in.

That is concerning. Have any measures been taken to try to avoid that outcome?

I'm working on structuring a school for mages and non alike. So far integration with the curriculum isn't causing too many headaches, and with more kinks out it may serve as a model. But I am not there yet.

I heard in another message that you're Anders. My name is Nell Voss, and I fought with Fiona's forces throughout the war. Anyone highly placed among the rebels can confirm my identity for you if you'd prefer. Whatever you're working on, I'd like to help.

[He's quiet for a moment, pulling his thoughts together before he speaks. As happy he is to have another rebel among all of the loyalists and people who are afraid of change, he doesn't know where on the scale she falls. He'll send for that information.]

Thank you. I'd be glad of the help. I've a Clinic and school in Darktown, if you'd like to see it in action. Teaching people that we're people and not monsters to be feared is slow work, but it's progress.

Of course, [ she agrees easily, automatically. ] I'd be happy to help teach as many mages as are interested. The Circles left too many of us unprepared to fend for ourselves when necessary. What else?

What's your specialty?

I specialize in force magic and was trained as a knight-enchanter.

[Now comes the hard part. He should be used to this. He's spoken with countless rebels by now, after all, but it just doesn't get easier. He knows why she'd asked What else. He knows why every rebel does who comes to his Clinic, because the easy assumption is that he's got more going on.

He does. It just doesn't tend to be what they think.]

I'm glad the cause of freedom has a knight-enchanter here. It is my earnest hope that those skills in particular will not need to be called upon, but I'm glad of your presence.

My goal here is to build our future, build lives for mages, and that will take a great deal of time and effort and energy. And it will take goodwill from the civilians of the city, as well. If they fear us at every turn, they will never accept us.

And now I must ask what your goals are, and where you stand.

[ Nope, that is not the answer or the vibe she was looking for at all. Her answer is slightly slower as well, more thoughtful. ]

We all hope it won't be necessary, but it's safer to prepare ourselves for the worst. It may also avert some problems. Mages who are confident that they know how to defend themselves if they have to are less likely to panic and turn to demons.

And like you said yourself, there's a real danger that once this Corypheus threat is dealt with, the next move will be to try to resolve the mage/templar conflict once and for all. The Inquisition looks like it will play a key role in any decision that's made. We need to be prepared, and doing anything we can now to make sure that when the time comes, bringing the Circles back is impossible.

[Nothing is ever easy. But he hasn't survived this long by simply giving up.]

I agree with a great deal of that. Part of the reason I've the school is so that mages can have confidence in themselves and their abilities, and I teach civilians basic skills alongside the mages so they can realize we're people. My students, and our people, need to be ready. I believe this fully.

But I have been down the path of doing anything and everything, and I also believe that the more non-mage, non-templar casualties we cause, the harder our climb for independence will be. If we turn the public against us, there will be no end.

[ Nell snorts softly. Not angry, or even annoyed, just mildly scoffing, a hint of sarcasm. ]

I'm not suggesting we blow up a Chantry. There's an awful lot of ground between indiscriminate murder to draw attention and sitting back being normal in the presence of a few locals and hoping for the best. Surely there must be some other political efforts in progress here? If it's that you don't believe that I'm truly on side then please reach out to whoever in the rebel army you trust. They can tell you I'm no Chantry-loyalist spy.

[Not suggesting indiscriminate murder is a relief. Anders relaxes a little.]

Running a school teaching mages is not sitting back. It's a flagrant display of magic... but I understand the sentiment.

[There's a pause.]

Yes. I've others spread around Thedas making contact with those who seek freedom, giving shelter, and organizing. But as much as my name has power among our people it is a liability when dealing with the Inquisition.

I can hear the answers you're being given by others. By now you've an impression of the shape of things, I take it? There are many fans of the Circle here. They've congregated, drawn by the promise of the way the Inquisition is tied to the Chantry. As such, I'm limited.

But you are not. You are an unknown, and you could slip in where I cannot, if your friend Kostos does not reveal your allegiances. I've resources, connections, and know the city. If the... [he scoffs,] If the Circle resumes as suddenly people are responding to its mere mention again, you could at the very least observe.

We cannot leave things up to hope because hope has never gotten us anywhere. If you're sincere about not being interested in indiscriminate murder, then I would be interested in working with you.

[ There's a lot there that merits further discussion, but Nell will have to work her way through it bit by bit and that means prioritizing. ]

Are you suggesting that I should hide any connection to the rebels or leaning in that direction? That I need to pretend to be in favor of Circles if I want to get anything done here?

No.

[He can't ask someone to go against what they believe in. ...Not when they believe in what he does, at least.]

What you do not want revealed is how high up in it you are, or that you approached me. The extent of your allegiance is what could close many doors before you've had a chance to get anywhere.

No one can truly hide what they're passionate about.

[ Nell considers debating that assertion, but whatever. She makes a sound of understanding, instead. ]

That's good to know, thank you. We'll keep our distance in public, in that case. What can you tell me about the people here? Others who support us, or particular enemies I should beware of?

A great deal.

[A pause as he contemplates a starting point.]

As far as the Templars go, James Norrington and Wren Coupe seem to alternate taking charge. Norrington is trying to do better. He has apologized for his actions while the Circles stood. Wren still believes that what was done was right. She seems convinced that mages and Templars were in matters together.

[The word is said mockingly, with a snort.]

She's good with politics and diplomacy, and likely the smartest of our opponents. There are other Templars. None stand out as particularly good or ill, aside from one that's been kicked from the order, Cade. He's a habit of assaulting mages, and the Seekers decided to wash their hands of him rather than acknowledge their role in shaping him. I wouldn't call him a danger, exactly. He's alone now, and bullies prefer to have a pack. But I'd steer clear of him.

Speaking of Seekers, we've also two there that stand out. Malcolm Reed is decisive and cold, but not entirely unhelpful. Be wary around him. Aleron Darton is... perhaps not the smartest man. It's hard to make sense of what he says at times, harder still to understand what he does. He was one of the Seekers who came to Kirkwall who turned a blind eye to what was going on, he allowed Cade to assault a mage in front of him, and he married a mage. I think he thinks his money will keep her safe, and he fails to understand any of the politics.

Are you still with me? Any questions? I'll go over mages next if not.

The Seeker married a mage? Was it investigated? To be sure she knew what she was doing and came to it of her own free will?

Bethany Hawke is the mage. Hawkes have... a way of doing things that are also not the smartest. There was no investigation as people seem to think even Templars and mages are suitable pairs, as if there's no dramatic disparity there.

[There's a lot of misgiving in his voice. He can't see how there can be an end to the imbalance in those relationships any time soon.]

I do believe she went into it of her own volition. It helps that Darton is not sharp, and Bethany is not cunning, beyond wanting the nice life she had for a couple of years in Kirkwall.

[ Her initial response is just a sound, not quite a sigh, of air huffed out in mild frustration. ]

Then she's a fool. They may be fine now, while the Inquisition keeps us all more or less on the same side, but one day he'll have to choose between his Order and her, and then she'll suddenly find she's just a mage after all, not a wife.

Please tell me we're not alone here with a hundred like her.

I know. He says that if matters come to a head he'll take her to his family's estate, but they're both fools for thinking it will be that simple.

And we've plenty of fools who think that if they play nice and are obedient that everything will be fine. There have been Templars and mages dating and everyone acting as if the Circles were a part of the past and have no impact now. And as if they can't come back.

[It's frustrating. None of the issues have been solved in a lasting way, but people feel content.]

And then we've the ones who want the Circles back. A great many of those have come here because the Inquisition will likely be part of how the future Chantry takes shape. There are those that are more harmless, like Julius and Myrobalan, who will at least discuss matters. The former is better at it than the latter. The former is also a friend.

[Please don't hurt his friends even if they like the Circle.]

Then you've the sort that probably killed their own alongside Vivienne when White Spire broke. Herian Amsel. I've no proof of her doing it, just Vivienne, but she is rage paired with limited foresight.

And you've the Mage Council. They've been dormant for a bit, for the best. Teaching is crucial for young mages, but that was all the good that came from it. What the group did was keep the radicals calmer while pandering to the Templars, Seekers, and Inquisition authorities. Those who were not in favor of Circles felt heard and important when in actuality they were tolerated. It was a smart creation on the part of the Loyalists, and I'm very glad Vivienne is no longer involved with it. If her and Wren teamed up... Maker, we'd be in serious danger.

[ Nell is taking notes, and there's the faint scratch of a pen on paper at the beginning of her next message to hint at it as she finishes up taking down the names and key characteristics of those he's mentioned. She reviews with a quick sweep of her gaze but it just confirms what she'd thought she'd heard. ]

Everyone you've named is a Loyalist to some degree. There must be rebels here, I know Fiona was here herself for a time?

[ Even so, it comes out as a question. There are reasons she didn't join the Inquisition sooner, and she'd be surprised and disappointed--but not shocked--to discover that the fight has been lulled out of most of her former comrades. ]

[Have a heavy sigh.]

Most are loyalists to some degree. Maybe that's why Fiona was here so briefly.

As far as those who aren't loyalists go... You've Korrin, the qunari mage, who does not always make sense but at least she's respected. There are a few Dalish mages like Pel and Sina, and they are of course against the Circles. Bethany, of course, but it's more that she has never known the Circle and as a Warden will never know it. Morrigan who has also never know the Circles and will never. Kattrin is an Avvar mage.

Mm. Samouel Gareth is not exactly of rebel stock, not a loyalist, and he's been through the Circles. He's a good man, but if you ask him to participate in anything for freedom you'll have to be choosy about it. Christine Delacroix is worthless, refuses to be called a rebel but wants her freedom, and cannot be counted on. Inessa Serra, while a Warden, understands what it's like to want freedom, but expect her Warden vows to come first.

As far as anyone else... I've no idea where Saoirse stands. She's a possibility. I don't know your friend Kostos, if you could fill me in I'd appreciate it, and I know Vandelin by name only. There are plenty of Rifter mages who would like to keep their freedom, so they may well ally with us but they may also vanish at any moment. Petrana is sharp and careful, Sarkan is smart and... fiery, Waver is calm and collected.

[He pauses deliberately and hope enters his voice.]

And then there's Fern. One of the newer generation, who has not lived in fear of the Circles. If she can thrive, she could be exactly the model that many of the older generation need to see - a mage living outside the Circle and doing well, supported by other mages, finding her own way. Proof that not only is it doable, it's doable by them as well.

[ this time the sound Nell makes is heavier, longer, a low whistle that turns into a sigh ]

A bunch of non-human apostates who don't know anything about the Circles or the Chantry, some rifters who are Maker-knows-what from Maker-knows-where, half a Warden, and a couple of fence-sitters. That's what we have to work with here. Andraste's tits, no wonder nothing's been done in two years.

[ She takes a moment, though the recording continues even as she scrubs both hands over her face. ]

If she's lived without fear of the Circles she must be barely out of diapers, and I'm not prepared to play that long a game, here. We don't have fifteen to twenty years to wait for a bit of proof that we're not all monsters waiting to turn abomination at any moment.

[The half-a-warden comment gets a snort, but he listens quietly to the rest.]

I disagree. I believe we lose nothing by supporting her what little she needs, alongside any other projects we're doing. It is a long game, and the long games are as important as the short ones.

We are pebbles wanting an avalanche; we need many plans in motion. This does not cost us and it helps our future.

CRYSTAL - ota

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