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

[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.

[galvanising]

But no one is allowing them to suffer, or leaving them without support. They are protected and supported the same way every other member of the Inquisition is protected and supported, including mages and elves, who are perhaps even more likely to be mistreated and subjected to cruelty. Would you have the Inquisition make public statements and write to Chantry leaders for writs of support and send soldiers to effect reprisals every time a mage is refused service or an elf is called rabbit?

[dashing]

( Her tone remains soft; her temper had eased considerably since the bitten comments about Coupe, and now everything is very calm and controlled, more quietly curious if anything. )

Would you advocate complacency? Do you consider tolerance of such acts the better course?

[faithlikeaseed]

[Quietly,] While I agree we can't go to hyperbolic lengths to defend rifters, there's something to be said for taking away the reasoning that would let people treat them the same way mages and elves are and have been.

[dashing]

Thank you. I am— not so deft with words as swords.

[faithlikeaseed]

Any time. I'd a good sparring partner back in Hasmal to practice the words on.

[galvanising]

You say that as if it would be easy and cost nothing. But everything the Inquisition spends time, effort, and favor doing means that those resources are not available to be spent elsewhere. Is it really the wisest course to go out on a limb--and ask our allies to do the same--to try to clear the names of rifters? When they are so few, and we still know so little of them, and no real harm has been done to them that can't be handled through the usual channels?

We would be better served spending our efforts on ensuring that the next Divine is someone who will be open to the notion of Rifters. Even if we could get a statement made now, it would be worthless when new leadership is chosen and likely doom the candidacy of whoever made it.

[faithlikeaseed]

[Dryly,] Should we only do the right thing if it's easy and costs us nothing, serah?

It isn't simply a matter of preventing harm to rifters--with two of them among the Inquisition's leadership, that fear and doubt about their origins is a very real barrier to anything else we hope to accomplish.