faderift | The dog days are over

Current Music: The Dog Days are Over - Florence and the Machine

Entry tags:

The dog days are over

WHO: Adelaide, Pel, and Ellana
WHAT: Some of the Mage Council's most prominent anti-Harrowing members regroup and talk strategy in the wake of an Abomination.
WHEN: A few days after an Abomination rampages through Skyhold.
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Discussion of Harrowings. Aftermath of violence.

Pel found a fairly clean empty room for them all to meet in and brought in some fruits and cheeses for snacking. Also these things called baguettes. Which are cute. Orlesians like small bread. So cute.

She sits back on a cushion and picks one of the baguettes apart with her fingers.

"So there was an Abomination. This means we have to put forth a new idea now before someone tries to force a vote on Harrowings. I imagine such a vote would not go in our favor."

She brings out a piece of paper and starts to read it.

"How's this: This Councilor proposes the following: that beginning one week after the defeat of the Abomination, all mages under the Council's authority must attend a course with the intended purpose of training against demon possession. This course will be designed by the Council and take at least two weeks of intensive training to complete. Any mages estranged from Skyhold at the time will complete the course upon their return.

That's the first bit, not all. Thoughts so far?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ellana doesn't have much of an appetite these days, what with the recent deaths and the impeding death of a friend that she doesn't want to come. She sits on the floor with her knees drawn up to her chest and her eyes on the floor, listening to Pel's announcement.

"There should be a part that stresses they won't be set against a demon during this training. Some may worry they're getting roped into an impromptu Harrowing if we're not clear."

"Lauren." Adelaide murmurs, a great deal more somber than she'd been previously during these discussions. In theory it is one thing; to have the truth of it laid out in all it's brutal glory? To live through the fight and mend the injured afterward?

"His name was Lauren."

There's a significant pause.

"That's...exactly why I need the two of you," Pel says, bending over to scratch some things out and write other things in. "I'm not always careful about feelings. No demons during training, and...the murder of Lauren by a demon. Keep things in perspective here."

She reads that part over again with the corrections. "How's that?"

"It's fine," Ellana answers, head tilted against her knees to give Adelaide a sympathetic look. "One of your students?" She's well aware that when a mage becomes an abomination that there's no going back; no way of saving them. If there's anything left of them in the Fade that's aware, then striking it down is a mercy. But even so, to lose one so young is a terrible thing. To be one of the ones to bring the former mage down, even more so.

"I know the words may seem empty when you would rather he be here, but he no longer suffers."

"Overcome by a demon. We killed him." She hadn't- couldn't- her contract with Compassion allows precious little distinction between a mage before and after possession. In a debate such as this specificity is required- if they are to make their political point on the bones of a child.

Adelaide takes a deep breath to settle herself, looking up to them both.

"No, not one of mine. But he does not need to be. Dithering caused this. We in our inability to offer an alternative, our inability to discuss this point civilly, to compromise- we did this. And we must make it right, that much I must agree on. But an outright ban on Harrowings as they were done in the circle will not be something we can manage." Not after this.

There's a long pause. Pel breathes in and out for a few moments.

"I understand why you feel that way," she says softly. "And I won't tell you to feel otherwise. But we weren't dithering. We've been working on this since it came up, and it's an impossible thing to solve a thousand-year-old mystery in a few weeks. Please don't blame yourself. You know this could have happened even if he'd had a Harrowing. You know the Harrowing itself could have caused this exact outcome: a possessed mage loose in Skyhold. We couldn't allow that and you know it. Even if we'd agreed to Harrowings, we couldn't do them here. It would have taken weeks to find a safe place for it.

"Adelaide...compromising on Harrowings in particular is like saying you'll only get a little bit pregnant. Every mage all around the world is looking at the Inquisition to lead by example. If we allow Harrowings to the extent we feel is necessary, they will allow Harrowings to the extent they feel is necessary. How much or how little we allow them won't matter. We've already told them it's acceptable.

"But I understand the need for templars now. That's what the next part is about."

Edited 2015-12-15 13:44 (UTC)

"There must be records," Ellana begins, her voice sounding slightly faraway as she works things out in her head. "Anything that puts mages in a poor light would be something the Chantry would ensure was written down. I've seen it while reading about the Dales in the library and the way the Chantry has twisted their past with the elves. There must be records on abominations that resulted from Harrowed mages and if we can show this to the Council, we can point out that no system is foolproof and we need to work on our own."

Ellana squeezes her arms tighter around her legs. She hates to think of anything good coming out of this tragedy, as if Lauren's life wasn't important, but this has been a wake up call. Everyone will rush to put their own ideas forward, and many of those ideas will be to return to tradition. A tradition that has terrified mages for centuries, leading them to ask to be mutilated, or die at the hands of a demon unless their resolve is strong enough to overcome the years of fear they've endured.

"Some will want to volunteer to take their Harrowing now after what they witnessed, so we should start scouting locations away from Skyhold. We can't say no Harrowings to those who truly wish to take them, otherwise we'd be no better than the Chantry in giving people no choice."

She takes a moment, shifting stiffly where she sits, trying not to wince at the ache in her back. A constant reminder of what happened and what may yet happen and all the reasons why they must be swift and certain- at least until it healed. Adelaide drew a slow breath and pulled on the mask her mother gave her. A practice run for discussing this with the Council proper. Head high, eyes clear, voice calm. Simple.

"Compromising on Harrowings is the only way we shall ever have the opportunity or space with which to offer an alternative. It is impossible to avoid a discussion, a decision, and we must allow them to an extent. The apprentices are frightened, our competency is in question, continuing to deny Harrowings in any shape or form smacks of stubbornness or stupidity. If we wish to regain whatever support we have lost in this, we must give ground." For they have lost support, how could they not? Much as they are merely a governing party they have made themselves responsible. Those responsible are those that are blamed.

"Ask any from Kinoch Hold that survived the Fifth Blight. Singular, extraordinary circumstance as it may be; there are survivors enough that would still argue for Harrowings despite the event. Which is why they ought to be voluntary. With full knowledge of the risks. Said risks ought to be thoroughly expounded upon during this training course against resisting demons. Forewarned and without any sign of coercion, it ought to be voluntary. It ought to be a choice." Perhaps it had been, in the beginning. "What will make us better than the previous system will be offering more than death, expulsion, or tranquility as the other options available. There are templars that are reasonable, that are kind. Those that do not wish to be harrowed but have concerns may bring themselves before the Council and request a templar partner come nightfall. Someone to keep watch, to save them before this happens."

Pel shakes her head.

"I have two additions: first, that the apprentice is accompanied into the Fade by someone senior, and it is a high-level manner of training and not a test of a child's strength by throwing them to the wolves. Second, that it's not called a Harrowing, or in any way designed or intended to put mages through terror or pain, or preemptively punish them for sins they may never commit. It's a training exercise, not a circus. That is a practice I would find useful and uncruel. In fact, I'd be happy to be the first subject myself."

Edited 2015-12-15 20:52 (UTC)

Ellana waves a hand towards Pel's paper. "You should write that down." And after a pause to collect her thoughts, she adds, "Being accompanied should be something the student agrees to as well. I can only assume that some will want to do it themselves without someone either observing them or lending a hand."

"That would be difficult. The fade is a strange place enough on your own- and if you think or are expecting to arrive with someone else, even if you know who it is that should be there- a demon taking their guise would be a simple thing. Then it becomes a question of who is the true mage and who is the demon and that is a test that cannot be trained nor studied for- unless." Those with an affinity for Spirits had, if not an easier time, a more certain stride in their Harrowings. A familiarity with the fade and it's denizens. "I do not know if we've enough to make it worthwhile or even possible- or if it would work well. But Spirit Healers and the like are accompanied by their partnered spirits in the Fade. Much as a demon might be able to emulate a mage? They cannot emulate a mage and a spirit simultaneously. Not for long."

"It sounds like a smaller hurdle than demon possession." Pel is writing all of this down. "And a small price to pay if it makes the whole affair safer. Are we ready to move on to templars? There's a great deal more room to compromise with templars."

"That's a good reason for a mage who volunteers to go it alone," Ellana says, acknowledging Adelaide's point with a nod. "Facing a demon will be challenge enough. To then not know if you can trust the guidance of the enchanter with you would make it even more so."

All the discussion has re-awoken Ellana's appetite and she takes a piece of fruit.

"If you would like. It seems the next issue to tackle, since they relate to these Harrowings we will no longer call Harrowings."

"We need them." Before she'd been wary, terribly wary, but if not for the Templars it would have been much worse. More would have been dead. "And we need them to be led well and mindful of their own. Stannis, while he was here, held his men accountable for improper actions. To an extreme, yes, but he made the attempt. I do not know if anyone else of the Order has stepped forward to do the same since."

"We need them, but not as overseers. We can't create the same mess we're trying to get out of. We need them as equal partners. When I went to the Mire, Ser Maria Hill came with me. We fought side by side as equals, and she made sure I could do my work. I never knew working with a templar could be like that. The most she ever interfered was to suggest getting approval from Commander Cullen about a few things, perfectly within her realm. I would venture out with her again in a heartbeat.

"Quartering, though, preventing the very thing that happened a few nights ago...it has to at least be an option for mages who are uncertain of themselves. They need to be able to have a templar nearby if they are afraid, and the templar must have our utmost trust."

Ellana nods along as Pel speaks, eating her fruit quietly until Pel's finished before piping up.

"I know Maria too. She's sensible and doesn't act like mages are abominations waiting to happen. She would be a good person to ask for input on our ideas. For this to work, Templars and mages must meet halfway."

"I think we have made it quite plain we've no intention of bowing to them. The Knight Captain Maria, as you've said, and Knight Commander Alayre are aware of that. I will recommend with all due seriousness that the templar Nerva be kept far, far from younger mages. And from any Harrowing or Quartering that take place. She does not see us as people. We do not need more of that sentiment to be passed around, nor the resentment it would cause." Tensions are high enough. No need to press it.

"She's really that bad?" Pel sounds unconvinced, like she's wondering if she could take her.

"Adelaide wouldn't say these things if she didn't know for sure," Ellana points out. She's a sensible woman, not given to making up wild tales. If she says Nerva thinks that way, it must be because she knows it to be so.

"She was civil enough with me until I made mention of my name and she recalled that I am a mage. Her manner changed drastically- I was no longer an academic, no longer a person, but a thing. A dangerous thing to be monitored, used when required, and locked away." It had left quite an impression on Adelaide. "The last time I was looked at with such distaste was when the Spire fell. I'll not have that around my students."

"And I don't want her around Sina. I will move that Sina is exempt from any Fade training regardless of what the Council decides. I have no idea what it will to do her, with that thing in her chest."

"Sina has to be the exception," Ellana agrees. "And anyone who argues will be asked to explain to us the exact nature of the shard in her chest. That should shut them up."

"That she has a shard with some connection to the fade physically embedded in her body is more reason for her to undergo fade training than it is to exclude her from it. It is a beacon, an open door for any demon regardless of her will." They cannot afford the risk to her health anymore than they can afford the risk to the remainder of the Inquisition. "It will be more difficult for her to evade and resist demons because of the shard."

Pel looks like she just bit into a lemon. She glances at Ellana, silently passing the argument to her. It's a better idea than letting herself say what's on her mind.

Ellana sets her fruit aside, losing her appetite once more. Her arms fold around her knees, drawing them up close to her chest, and while she sees Pel wants her to speak, it will take her a moment.

Right now, everything seems like too much. Merrick hates her, Felix is dying, an abomination just caused havoc through Skyhold, and now they're being told Sina is even more susceptible to demons due to the shard. Add in the fact that Ellana's dreams are filled with desire demons bothering her with offerings on how to solve all this and it's not a very good time for her at the moment.

Instead of answering straight away, she lowers her head down onto her knees, and the sight looks as though she may be close to crying. But then her head snaps up and there is a firm, determined look on her face. Mages know better than most how one tiny slip can destroy everything, and so she has to face this head on.

"I will talk to Sina, and make her aware of the dangers. I'll explain how the training is to keep her safe, and also will offer myself as a personal instructor, if she feels unwell enough to always attend the group training." Her expression softens slightly. "That is, I will if she and you two approve of me doing so."

"One on one instruction would be best- it is less likely for her to be overwhelmed in any way- and it is all the better done by someone she knows and trusts. If that is what it will take to see her trained and protected from what the shard might do to her, so be it." So long as she was protected, so long as she could be prepared? Adelaide is satisfied.

This gets a smile from Pel. Excellent. Sina's safety squarely in Dalish hands. If anyone will be careful enough with Sina, it will be Ellana.

"I only meant she shouldn't go into the Fade. But I trust you, Ellana. You'll be the perfect instructor for her."

The admission surprises her, since she hardly thinks she'll be perfect. If anything, being a First means Sina must know specialized magic while Ellana doesn't. But she's dedicated to Sina's safety, as well as the safety of everybody else, and she knows that Sina is comfortable around her, so all that's left is to speak with her about it.

"Well, is there anything else we need to discuss today?"

"Not that I am aware of." Lauren and what came after- that had been her primary concern. Anything more is something they can see to another day.

"That's everything." Pel collects her notes. "I'll write a final draft and present it to the Council as soon as I can. Thank you for your help, both of you."

Ellana nods and moves to stand. They've accomplished what they wanted to do with this meeting, so now all they need to do is speak with the rest of the council.

"Let me know if you want any help writing it."

"Be prepared for an argument, for dissent, and for Confusion. What is put forward is most likely not what will be agreed upon; there will likely be compromises requested if not demanded." Such was the way of ruling by committee.

"The entire document is a compromise. Just. On both sides. I doubt anyone will walk away from it happy. Half of them will think it goes too far and the other half will think it doesn't go far enough. I just hope we manage to pass something."

"There will be a way to meet in the middle and at least satisfy everyone, if we can't make them happy. Which we won't." But Ellana has had enough talk of the council for one day. With a dip of her head, she's the first to depart.

"We will. We can't not." Adelaide offers Ellana a quick dip of her head- or as quick of one as she can manage with the skin on her back so tight. Standing herself took time and grit teeth, but she manages. "Is there anything else you need, Pel?"

Pel shakes her head. Then appears to change her mind. "We'll need a resolution on continuing education. What's in this proposal is just the immediate aftermath of the possession. We'll need more. Do you want to draft that one?"

"I have a few thoughts on the matter I have been roughing out. Given time for polish I intend to sumbit them to the Council. We are in an unprecedented position when it comes to those that might teach and what can be learned." Not every Circle taught the same spells the same way, let alone what they might learn from apostates.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The dog days are over

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject