on ur crystal savin ur puppers

[tactical_alert]

FORM: Sending crystal
SENDER: Malcolm Reed
RECIPIENT: Eeeeveryone listening to crystals
WHAT: DOGS
WHEN: Sometime in the morning before the new month
WHERE: Kirkwall
NOTES: nothing just doggos

I understand that people get very excited about mabari puppies and the chance to bond with them. That's all fine and well, but I want to impress upon everyone the importance of all the other dogs that not only need good homes, but could be excellent companions out in the field.

Yes, before anyone makes any sarcastic quips, I'm Fereldan by birth. I never personally had a dog until after I'd joined the Seekers, so we aren't all 'dog lords'. But even so, it's important to realize that with proper training and care, your typical non-mabari dog can be taught to be an invaluable asset, and I'd like for people to understand that bonding with a mabari is a special thing, that not everyone who might be waiting for the next litter of pups is going to have a chance to ever be chosen.

So on this point, I would like to work with the locals and with our kennelmasters to assist with rescuing dogs around Kirkwall. I do not intend for it to be a place to drop off any unwanted pets, of course, but housing should be an option. Those who are interested in having a field companion of their own could get matched up with a dog and learn how to train them for whatever they need to--attack, discretion, and of course to learn how to take care of them properly.

But that also requires help from within the Inquisition. Time, a little money, donations of food, people who don't mind handling potentially timid or dangerous dogs around the city.

...This might seem like a case of focusing on something pointless and sentimental, but it will be good for the city, help the locals trust us just a little bit further, and assist us individually with companions and fellow soldiers. I'm asking for interest in case others see the potential of this idea.

Comments

[justice_is_blond]

You can't deny being a dog lord and then talk about having a dog and loving a dog and being Fereldan. It's all right to admit that you're stereotypical when it comes to Fereldans.

No one's rounding you up for too much dog affection, or knocking over your statues of dogs, or rewriting your songs about--no, I did hear a rather good rendition of Andraste's Goatbaby to the tune of Andraste's Mabari the other day in The Hanged Man, so I take that back.

[tactical_alert]

Oh I didn't deny being one. I denied that all Fereldans were dog lords. I may not have grown up one, but I certainly ended up fitting the stereotype, hm? I fully admit it.

Ah, the Goatbaby one, I was afraid for a moment you were going to say something as blasphemous as Andraste's feral cat.

[justice_is_blond]

Feral cat doesn't have quite the same beats as mabari or goatbaby. And beyond that, cats are far too noble a creature to be caught in a Fereldan song, or a song based on a Fereldan song.

[He almost went very blasphemous, but considering the audience, he's refrained. For once.]

Also considering basically every Fereldan I've known who has had the option of getting a dog has chosen to get one, I believe your premise may be incorrect. It's almost like your country has two things, dogs and mud, and Fereldans have some desperate need to be proud of some part of their land.

[tactical_alert]

Better dogs and mud than games and frivolous finery. [gee wonder what country he could be ragging on] Everyone must have something to be proud of, and I suppose 'mud' sounded better to some than 'acres of rolling farmland'.

[justice_is_blond]

[He snickers. There's something endlessly entertaining about Ferelden vs Orlais.]

It's a shame few get to be proud of warm weather. I could go for more of that.

[tactical_alert]

We could be proud of rain, hence the mud...that might be it. Nothing like a good rain shower to remind me of the homeland. I don't know that I could stand to live someplace warm nearly all year long. I like a little dreary now and then.

[justice_is_blond]

You might be the first person I've ever heard say that they like dreary.

[If they're offering up things that are honest instead of teasing, he'll give it a shot.]

I miss near-perpetual sunshine and heat. There's always been something welcoming to it for me.

[tactical_alert]

I daresay you wouldn't be the first or last to suggest that. I suppose despite all my years abroad, I've a little too much of Ferelden still in my bones, what can I say?

[justice_is_blond]

[He decides it's worth risking a little bit more of a joke:]

Have you tried bathing more? I hear that gets mud out of things.

[byblow]

My dog was forced on me against my will, and then I sent it away.

[justice_is_blond]

You might not actually be Fereldan. Have you considered that you might be Orlesian?

[byblow]

I am. Half. And I was born in the Anderfels. I'm a child of Thedas.

[justice_is_blond]

There we are. It's the Anders influence that has rescued you from being a dog lord.

[faithlikeaseed]

[If Myr were the sort to notice trends--

Scratch that, he is the sort to notice trends; he's not sure what to make of this one with Seekers and animal adoption, though.]

Certainly seems we've got the room for it in the Gallows, since we're not taking up so much space just by ourselves. What can people do who aren't much experienced with animals and, uh, don't have so much to donate?

[He is fairly sure Ser Coupe would not be excited about him spending all his money saving stray dogs, either. Fairly sure.]

[tactical_alert]

And even if the kennels run out of space, there hopefully would be enough kind hands around here to look after a few fuzzy faces, hm?

The kennel hands could always use more. Hands, that is. It's not wholly unlike handling a stable; you still need to clean out the mess, groom and feed them, make sure they're stimulated and exercised and not penned up all day long. There's nothing wrong with a little learning along the way.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Laughingly,] Hopefully, though I'm not going to let myself get talked into a dog now that I've got a nug to look after.

[Which is as much an admission of doom, since he wasn't going to let himself get talked into a nug, either...]

That, I'd be good for--if there's one thing you take with you out of the Circles, it's how to learn.

Assuming this all takes off--when would you be thinking of starting this, ser? [...That's the proper form of address for Seekers, right? Hm.]

[tactical_alert]

Ah, no, unless you've a dog already trained to ignore prey animals until told otherwise, best keep a dog away from a nug.

But, ah, the hope is to get this set up within the month. If this little program can at least get its start before the temperatures really begin to drop and any significant snow starts to fall, all the better.

[faithlikeaseed]

...Ah, that is something to be concerned about, isn't it. Another good reason.

Right, they wouldn't fare much better in the cold than people would. [He's silent a moment, thinking about that, then,] We ought to do something for them, too, though it's a damned sight harder than providing for dogs. [Well, that was glum. Back to the optimism.]

Well, with luck it'll work out. I'll pitch in what I can. ...And--how long, exactly, does the snowy weather last around here?

[tactical_alert]

I hadn't considered taking in the nugs of the city. We've only so much room, and I wouldn't want to house them with the dogs. Next someone will suggest cats, although they're much better at finding cozy and improbable spots to curl up. I'll focus on the dogs for now before everyone starts dumping every animal they find here. One challenge at a time.

As to the weather, we're a bit farther north from snowier Fereldan basins. I expect it will taper off by sometime in Guardian, though it wouldn't surprise me if we still saw some snow squalls in Drakonis as well.

[faithlikeaseed]

The nugs of the city-- [It takes him a moment to figure out what went wrong in this conversational track.] Oh. I was thinking Kirkwall's less fortunate citizens could use in out of the cold--though there's the issue of space and whether they'd even want to be penned up here.

But I s'pose we can always turn the Gallows in an animal shelter once Corypheus is dealt with for good and all; seems an appropriate fate for it. [He's joking. Sort of.]

...Not so bad as I was fearing. Though I was also expecting it'd start earlier, instead of all the rain. Thank you, for the reassurance.

[overharrowed]

Rescuing Kirkwall's stray dogs might, incidentally, do us some favors with the locals, assuming it's done well. It's a good idea.

I'm not very experienced with animals myself, but I'd be happy to help to the extent my other obligations allow.

[For the record, he's not even going to ask Gwen if he can have a dog himself, because he can imagine how that will go with his tiny Orlesian hostess.]

[tactical_alert]

[Be a rebel, Julius. Get a dog. You know you wanna.]

That's my hope. I admit I had thought of this on a diplomatic level as well, especially since the locals are getting a touch anxious with us of late.

I thank you for the support, as any extent that can be spared will help. I imagine there will be those that see it as a minor or frivolous duty to the greater picture--but sometimes we need a break from the greater picture.

So sorry for the delay, yikes

[overharrowed]

I think that maintaining the mental health of the Inquisition staff is a not unimportant aim, while we're at it. People are under a lot of pressure. Perhaps the dogs will help with that, too.

Let me know when and where you'd like the help, and I'll do what I can.

[unshadowing]

[Whoever this dude is, he's good people.]

I'm no stranger to dogs. If you need help rounding them up, I can always lend a hand. I've got heavy armor, if nothing else.

[tactical_alert]

[He chuckles lightly.] Here's hoping that it won't be needed. The rowdier ones might need a firmer hand, though--some rope to catch them, and some meat to placate them.

[unshadowing]

[Hopefully not, but gauntlets might be handy when dealing with scared and aggressive dogs.]

I'd be willing to do it. Know a bit about training, too, though I'm no kennel master. It's mostly from what I've seen.

[tactical_alert]

And isn't that the best kind of experience? I'd not want to overwhelm all the kennel hands, after all, and we can all learn from one another in fact.

[unshadowing]

Second to actually doing it, I'd wager. [Marian had taken on almost all of Dog's training when they first got him. Carver had just seen what she'd done, though it wasn't always perfect.] Have you gotten the kennelmasters to agree to all of this yet?

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Oi. Serah. I'm in. I can even tell you where you can find most of these dogs. Locally raised, Fereldan-born.

[tactical_alert]

...I beg your pardon, but you sound as though you're giving me a sales pitch.

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

Uh. Well. Maker. Sorry Serah, I think ... that's just what went through my head all the time. Sort of an occupational hazard. Uhm, honestly I just love animals and would like to help out?

[tactical_alert]

[#doubt] ...Right. Well, if there is a collection of these dogs to be found in specific areas, no doubt that's where we'd want to start.

Feral dogs, mind. Loose without any owner. We're not to snatch up any laying on doorsteps or at anyones feet. [He feels he has to clarify this just in case.]

[gottakeeponejumpahead]

[Ah-HAH and this is where they were getting the confusion...]

So ... what about dogs put in fighting rings, or are abused and the like...?

[circleprodigy]

A noble cause, and one which I would be glad to lend assistance. Garahel, as well; I have no doubt he would show talent in rounding up dogs we can find and making them feel welcome.

[tactical_alert]

He's quite the ambassador for all of dog-kind. I don't think I've seen him ill treat anyone or anything save our enemies. And Milady is sure to want to make a few new friends herself.

[circleprodigy]

I'm certain baking some mabari crunch treats will help. They need a lure, and I'm happy to provide. Garahel can afford to be generous, I know he'll be buried in treats come Satinalia.

[tactical_alert]

What a lucky mutt! Yes, treats would be appreciated; I'm afraid I don't know how to make them, but give me a recipe and I can have him taste test for me. Better than leaving out scraps of meat to lure as well all the cats and rats and nugs of the city. I imagine if this all goes to plan, some may take advantage of our generosity, but I'll try to make sure it's only dogs for now, lest we end up with everything from birds to nuggalopes.

[circleprodigy]

It's mostly baked elfroot and deep mushroom, with a binding agent. I've tried it on other animals, but they don't seem nearly as partial to it, so I doubt we'll be overwhelmed.

[hearher]

So it's possible we could have dogs that are smaller than mabari?

[Yeah, that's mostly all that Carlos got from that.]

[tactical_alert]

There are many breeds across the land, and most if not all are smaller than mabari. They just haven't been specifically bred over generations and centuries to be hyperintelligent warhounds. It doesn't mean they haven't their uses to us, as companions and as allies in the field.

[hearher]

I would really like to help out with them. I don't have money, but I have time and I don't mind working with dogs that others might ignore.