CLOSED | C is for Chantry Relations

[limier]

FORM: sendin' crystal

SENDER: wren coupe
RECIPIENT: chantry relations project members
WHAT: check-in, discussion, planning
WHEN: some time this month when not everything's on fire
WHERE: n/a
NOTES: the comments have headings, please feel free to also just post generally or to make your own! ♥

This is Coupe.

[ there are new faces; it bears repeating ]


We’ve received the latest dispatches, including words collected of ranking clergy. You will find a copy of these — and of Brother Jehan’s report from Orlais — within the office. 

I ask your thoughts, and your priorities of each. We need look to the year ahead.

The theological status of Rifters will only gain controversy, as we draw closer to a new Divine. I needn’t state the importance of not aggravating matters within Kirkwall. 

[ but like, she just did anyway. so, ]

The Inquisition has offered the Rifters her protection; our fates are necessarily tied. If you’ve questions regarding them, I encourage you to speak with myself or another member of this project, rather than in public forum.

Last: I have received a disturbing report of Venatori action against the Tranquil. Contact me privately, if you would lend aid.

 

Comments

[limier]

A man is robbed upon the road, and seeks aid from the local guard. The robber is apprehended. Is this passivity?

[ she knows it's more complicated than that. she knows, very well, where this conversation is headed — would dearly like it not to — ]

Violence, lawlessness, this begets more fear. To hold Rifters apart from the systems that govern this city is to tell all that they do not belong here. Our goodwill is not infinite, our power to pursue matters is not. We need reserve both to respond to escalation.

[dashing]

Lawlessness? ( perhaps previously unheard of levels of incredulity from the Knight Enchanter. )

I swore to protect those who were vulnerable. Rifters have been cast away from their homes, set in a strange land, and targeted by our enemies. Kirkwall has made no enthusiastic show of kindness to those who have begged it of her in times past.

Abandoning the knights code and my duties to appease bullies is lawless, ser. Mayhaps you’ve some familiarity with such sacrifices.

they made it like 5 comments this time im proud of them both

[limier]

[ sharply: ]

We do not have the luxury to work only with the kind. We have sworn an oath of purpose, not of method. To further single Rifters out in the public eye is to endanger them — they needn't pay the price of our pride.

mark it in the calendar

[dashing]

Aye, luxuries are hard come by - but we have our own integrity, unless that is so easily forgot.

[limier]

I should hope neither of us forgets herself —

[dashing]

To forget ourselves is worthy of reprimand, but to forget the suffering of those less well positioned is greatly encouraged.

[limier]

Those less well-positioned manage half this outpost. What do you propose, Knight-Enchanter? In detail, if you please.

[dashing]

And what real freedom to they have to press-back suffering when they are held to such standards as these, that tie their hands when they would attempt some improvement? That would label them destructive in their behaviour, or granting preferential treatment? Does the ability to manage truly allow lawful change and progress, or is it a means to placate?

( she's totally a loyalist ok )

[unbrokenoath]

I think we need a group hug and maybe one of those things where we stand in a circle and talk about our feelings.

[ Chill a lil dudes. ]

[dashing]

I am not sure the Knight Lieutenant is best suited to standing in Circles, if you expect her to take any action. She may find herself conveniently absent.

[unbrokenoath]

I can and will walk all the way back to Kirkwall to put both of you in the time out corner.

[limier]

That will do, Warden, thank you. [ the words are like prying teeth, and what a struggle it is not to plunge those into amsel now, ] I believe we were all speaking of proposals?

[faithlikeaseed]

[V. dry,] We were. Marry me, Ser Coupe.

[He waits a beat, then continues:] Have we got the rifters' opinion on all of this? Whether they're feeling in need of additional protection from the threats leveled against them?

[dashing]

I know not the extent of actions taken with the rifters themselves.

But I do propose we pursue official word from the Chantry that condemns any accusations that rifters are demons. That will be enough to quell some and place doubt in others so set against them.

[faithlikeaseed]

As Serah Voss observed, there's a danger in doing that if they do turn out to be some type of demon we've never seen before. [His tone says how likely he believes that to be--i.e., not.]

It's a good thought, but they'd also be ages deliberating on whether there's any theological validity to it and coming to a consensus--and they may not even want to convene until they've elected a new Divine.

[Pause.] I'd thought about this myself and raised the idea with Ser Coupe. I don't think it'll be so easy as that.

[dashing]

What, then, would you propose, beyond quips and jests?

( She didn't miss that, bruh.)

If we do not act then we might talk indefinitely, and ineffectively. I agree that debate must be had, and actions not rushed to, but the Rifters have been among us and fighting to aid Thedas full years, now. Are we simply to hope they disappear as suddenly as they arrived, and wash our hands of any responsibilty to them?

[faithlikeaseed]

[Come on. He's not going to miss an opportunity like that.]

We assemble what we safely can on the rifters and send it along with our request to the Chantry for their aid in the matter--going through those Revered Mothers already sympathetic to us. There's nothing wrong with pursuing a writ, only it won't be an immediate solution.

We continue to work with Kirkwall's Guard to see that anyone who actually harms a rifter is brought to justice. Trying to crush vocal discontent only drives it underground and breeds resentment; if there's a lesson everyone needs to learn from the Circles, it's that.

And we talk to the rifters about what it is they need from us to keep themselves safe--which might not be overt defense against all comers.

[unbrokenoath]

I'm siding with Ser Coupe's new husband, he's got a solid plan.

[dashing]

Warden, I beg that you address these matters with the gravity they are due.

As for your proposal, Myrobalan, I agree it serves a sufficient starting point. Have any amongst us much experience dealing with the Guard?

[galvanising]

Ser Coupe's intended does have a sensible plan, but I cannot believe there are many in the Chantry both so highly placed that their word on this matter would carry any weight and also either so liberal or so devoted to the Inquisition that they would consider making such a finding if asked. That sort of friend is rare and valuable, and we should be cautious not to spend their favors unnecessarily.

Are the rifters truly in any danger? Have there been problems beyond the usual grumbling and vague hostility? I've heard of none.

[dashing]

( She sighs; she'd rather not concede the point that opening dialogue with the Chantry on this might do more harm than good, but she can certainly see the logic in such a consideration. That merits more thought, rather than immediate comment. )

Not having heard of them does not indicate an absence of offences, or ill-intent. Regardless, better to be prepared for preventing and discouraging, than needing to pursue justice for attacks committed. Strengthening rapport with the Guard would not harm the Inquisition, in either case, but— perhaps if there are rifters willing to speak of experiences they have had, we can learn more from them.

[galvanising]

...So you're not aware of any actual incidents with Rifters, either.

Strengthening the Inquisition's relationship with the City Guard is smart regardless, but otherwise this seems like an overreaction. I very much doubt we have the resources to respond like this to every spate of discontent with the Inquisition generally or one of the many factions within it.

[dashing]

I am aware of instances, but I won't pretend to have an in-depth knowledge of all elements of this when I do not.

Last year a group of rifters on a mission were abducted by the Venatori and tortured, experimented on with lyrium; given Kirkwall's history, and the hostility rifters have been faced with, taking measures for their protection hardly seems an overreaction.

[galvanising]

A year ago, the enemies who routinely attack all members of the Inquisition targeted rifters once. And so today you want us to start intimidating random citizens of Kirkwall who say mean things about them or won't let them into taverns.

[ a pause, in hopes that the absurdity she sees there will speak for itself ]

What is your stake in this, precisely? You seem very concerned about people speaking ill of the rifters for someone who is not one.

[dashing]

They were targeted for their shards, which is a vulnerability and marker not all Inquisition members carry.

I am a mage of elven blood, human as I am. I have witnessed enough cruelty inflicted on people for who they are - allowing another group to suffer without doing all possible to prevent it would be beyond negligence.

( A brief, pensive pause. ) And to fail to admit my own personal attachment to one of the fighters would be remiss as well, though it does not eclipse my judgment. We cannot leave them without support, or allow them to be made more vulnerable.