[CLOSED] call it a conference call

[ragweed]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: Kit
RECIPIENT: all primary and secondary members of the Other Powers project
WHAT: Kit solicits feedback from team members about the project.
WHEN: Whenever it fits, but possibly backdated to the beginning of Harvestmere.
WHERE: Kirkwall, but people whose characters are currently elsewhere should feel free to chime in anyway.
NOTES: None currently, will update as needed.

 

 

[Skipping the inevitable 'can everyone hear me?' 'yep, we can hear you,' 'so-and-so, we can't hear you, can you hear us,' etc.]

I've made time to meet most of you, but if we haven't crossed paths yet, just sit tight, we'll make it happen.

This project has a pretty broad mandate--forge stronger ties with Orzammar, and asses the state of affairs with the Qunari. I'll be frank and say that political acumen is probably, uh--[non-existent]--not my strong suite; I can give Diplomacy plenty of straight forward information about what's what in Orzammar, but I'm not the guy you send in to handle the negotiations. [One look at his brand beneath his tattoos would be enough to derail everything.]

So, when I go to Diplomacy with our recommendations, I want them to be our recommendations. You're all here because you know your shit, or, if you don't, you know how to suss it out.

Where should we apply our focus with Orzammar, and the Qun?

Comments

ORZAMMAR

[ragweed]

[iceblade]

The most contact I had with Orzammar before all this was when merchants came to trade at my hold. It only makes sense to focus on keeping the trade flowing, eh? There's a lot in the way of resources we could use from below, and they from the surface. Especially lyrium, everyone's always talking about that. So whatever we do should be done with protecting those trade routes and making certain there's something left to exchange on both sides.

...that's my take, at least. I'll defer to the experts.

[inagutterson]

I know more about Orzammar than Orzammar would want me to know about Orzammar and how it works. Not just as much since Bhelen took over [probably the first time Kit's heard from Yngvi since they got back, been pretty much silent on his end and camped out at his lady's place, that isn't going to change outside an official summons] but looking at it from a different angle? I know that.

Maybe looking at the ones that aren't satisfied with the deal they got is a way to go. Trade is good, trade happens, trade could always be better. Inquisition has a lot of ties to a lot of places. Lot of moving parts. Let's the legitimate ones cut out the middlemen if we know the going rate of the backroom deal.

[Which he might.]

You got an Avvar sound 'bout you though, that an angle we can play? I know one hold but Orzammar and the Avvar do a good bit of trade.

[iceblade]

Aye, that's right. [Pleased.] I'm Avvar, and my hold -White Wolf Hold- has traded often with the dwarves of the surface, acting as intermediaries for those below. I wasn't involved with the trading itself, but I'm in good standing with my hold. A word from my thane and I might be able to wrangle some authority, or at least gain another for that cause.

[ragweed]

[He doesn't pry into Yngvi's silence; he understands. Best to wait, sometimes, let the dust settle. Literally.]

Was thinking about whether it might be worth approaching Diplomacy about expanding the scope of our project here to include the Avvar. Might be worth doing if we're going to be asking your folk for aid of any kind, Skadi.

[iceblade]

Aye, it would! The Avvar have much to offer, and they've as much stake in not losing the world to Corypheus as anyone else.

[inagutterson]

Right now Bhelen looks like he's actually following through with everything about making things better, and Inquisition has Templars so we can't really piss that lot off too much. [Paying for black market lyrium isn't going to be an option for the Inquisition, if it ever comes to that they're already done for.] Still, there's a lot of stuffy traditionalists there.

How do the Avvar fall on tradition versus your whole time not being permanent thing?

[iceblade]

Change is inevitable; it isn't always kind, but sometimes it's necessary. We know this, as do the gods. Avvar hold all oaths close to sacred, it's true, but the final authority on them, the thane, can always find "a hole in the tent of any promise, a place for the cold wind to sneak in".

[aestivation]

Who are your Hold currently promised to?

[iceblade]

A few neighboring holds, for mutual protection and trade. We have trade agreements with the dwarven merchants that visit us, as well.

THE QUNARI

[ragweed]

[overharrowed]

Jumping in to say I don't know most of you as well as I'd like yet, but I'm pretty handy with reading dry, deeply academic texts and translating them into layperson, if that's a thing anyone needs.

I'm doing a lot of catching up at the moment, mainly on the Qun, but if anyone wants help on something in particular, I'm happy for direction.

...sorry, that wasn't very helpful toward answering the actual question, was it.

[ragweed]

[A friendly laugh,] You're all right.

I'm hoping Fenris will have some insight here, but I'd appreciate anything that'll help us better understand their particular negotiating tactics.

[aestivation]

The Inquisition lacks ethnic qunari,

[ casimir still hasn't seen one, has only heard they're here. ]

But the philosophy will take others. [ he knows little of hasmal's refugees, beyond stories in the circle. he knows they weren't all andrastian. ] There may be a few adherents in Kirkwall, who didn't leave with the occupying force.

[lyriumcarved]

Nor are we likely to get any actual members of the Qun necessarily joining anytime soon. Even if we did... their loyalty will always be to their code first, rather than to the Inquisition.

[Their particular way of life is all-encompassing, after all, and extremely rigid.]

It doesn't mean it's impossible, just... more difficult than recruiting Tal-Vashoth. [Of which they definitely have a few, such as Korrin.] They'd need to see how our goals fit within their own way of life. Certain aspects may appeal to them. They consider themselves part of a greater whole, rather than as individuals. [He considers.] It's been a while since the occupation, and while most are likely long gone, there may still be some around. They'd be prone to cluster together if so. [They no longer have the compound they once occupied but maybe they've found some other area?]

[overharrowed]

Either way, the more we know the better, and we'll only get so far secondhand. Do you think it makes sense to start looking, in case you're right about a group left behind?

[ragweed]

A fair number of folk have already come to the Inquisition with divided loyalties; this wouldn't be the first time. But I'm not sure outright recruiting from their number is the right way to go, just based on what you've told us so far, Fenris. We probably stand to gain more demonstrating that the Inquisition makes Thedas stronger, rather unstable.

[The last thing they need is an invasion from their friends to the north--that certainly won't win them any friendships with Tevinter, either.]

[lyriumcarved]

Exactly. They won't respond well to blunt recruitment tactics. It's likely to lead them in the other direction entirely, if we're not cautious. We already do plenty that doesn't sit well with their code, such as our- the Inquisition's- acceptance of mages. We'd have a long way to go in proving ourselves to them.

[They probably have to start easy, such as with... reminding them they're not the enemy. Or not trying to be. Becoming actual allies will take more time and work.]

We could always attempt to look for any in the city. It shouldn't be hard to trace any sign of them, anyway.

[aestivation]

We don't need to recruit them to ask them questions. If we want a perspective on negotiating, a first-hand source may be valuable. In its absence, perhaps the Imperium would have more extensive documentation of their views.

[ragweed]

[Considering,] Don't we have two first-hand sources currently locked up in the dungeons?

[aestivation]

I've not spoken with the younger, but the other was cooperative. I see no harm in the asking.

[ literally, they're locked up. but probably someone else should do that part. ]

[lyriumcarved]

That could be a starting point... and all the better if they're willing to cooperate in some way. If it's information we're after, then that should be able to be arranged.

[The Qun are... difficult and stubborn, sure, but that's also something that makes them predictible in some ways. He'd know how to talk to them so as not to cross any lines, anyway.]

[apologist]

As I understand it, the glimpse some of have had of the possible future includes an invasion. Whatever we do, it would be prudent to not give them the impression we are too weak to solve our own problems. Perhaps that we live now in Kirkwall will keep anyone from forgetting how they correct disorder.

[ragweed]

[A noise of agreement.] Begs the question of what it means to negotiate effectively with folk like that, though. What's diplomacy going to look like under the Qun?

[apologist]

In my experience it has looked like running away as quickly as we can manage.

[overharrowed]

An interesting diplomatic innovation.

[A joke, though his tone isn't unkind.]

[apologist]

[ With cheerfully joking puffiness: ] We are pioneers.

However, for the Inquisition to apply that technique may be counterproductive. The best ideas would come from someone with more experience, of course, but we might consider limiting the scope of any assistance we ask of them, providing a common benefit—they know already their own strength, that they have eyes in Seheron where we do not, and undoubtedly in Tevinter, and watching the passage between Par Vollen and Rivain. They know that they have gatlock and we do not. Perhaps they would view requests for help in these matters as efficiency rather than weakness.