CRYSTAL - ota

[galvanising]

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.

Comments

[ipseite]

In theory, yes; in practise it is women's work, and in large part because it's strictly forbidden. My husband, who was my teacher, is unusual in his interest in such secrets-

So while his is the greater power, the notion of a man degrading himself so is a foolish one. Therefore, the magic must be his wife's.

( And she gets the flack for it. )

[galvanising]

Interesting. So magic is frowned upon where you're from as well, even though any may learn it? Is it forbidden out of fear, or religious proscription, or actual danger?

[ipseite]

Power that is not controlled by church or state is heretical and treasonous, and a woman who thinks to have power of her own will be swiftly made an example of.

It is frowned upon, yes. To be accused of witchcraft is as good as a conviction, and a conviction will see you burned in the square until you are dead. I am told the deaths of the children are quicker, but it has been some time since a woman was convicted and punished- more than a decade before I was born.

( Certainly, they would like to deal with her. )

[galvanising]

That is terrible.

[ The pause before Nell replies again is weight, not hesitation. ]

I suppose our world's treatment of mages must seem relatively kind, in comparison. At least we are not generally killed as children.

[ipseite]

To my knowledge, the purpose of such killings is-

they are only children, they practise no magic. But a mother will think twice before acting against the interests of her child, if she has seen what comes of it for another.

( A small exhale. )

I do not call what is done here kind, Nell, but around me I do see opportunity.