[Open] Mage Lyfe 101

[justice_is_blond]

WHO: OPEN, Anders
WHAT: Mage conferece on practical magic
WHEN: Kingsway 24th, all day
WHERE: Just outside Skyhold
NOTES: Plotting post and IC announcement.

The tables and chairs are set up, there's some parchment and a few quills for note-taking, and a table on the side has pitchers of water as well as a motley assortment of cups. He's done what he can, done the footwork and talking, and now has to hope it catches and spreads.

And hope Purrelden doesn't tangle herself around something with her leash again.

[ooc: hop on in, put up a header! If you have any questions, feel free to ask them on the ooc post or ping me on Plurk at Nadat!]

Comments

[gatheringstorm]

"Damn right, it is. The stuff that will save the day isn't always a flashy fireball or blizzard. The mages here need to be taught to think beyond just battle, and lessons like that will help them to be more practical." She takes a sip of the cider, not realizing until then how much she needed that. "I've been focusing on things like how to limit exposure to the elements or alleviate overexposure, random survival stuff that they can incorporate magic into, but also showing them non-magic means. The more options they have, the better they'll adapt. Or that's my hope."

[eolasemah]

Korrin's passion elicits a giggle from Sina, which she partially hides in her teacup as she takes a sip. "That's a good idea," she remarks, "it seems a lot of the younger Circle mages are so reliant on their magic, they wouldn't know what to do if they were exhausted or otherwise compromised." Korrin gets a knowing and somewhat tired smile. "Some of us haven't had that luxury."

[gatheringstorm]

Echoing that knowing smile, Korrin nods and sighs. "Isn't that the truth. I can't entirely blame them when they weren't taught to be independent in the first place, but it doesn't matter; the world on the outside isn't a kind one either, and they need to prepare for that. It's not going to care about their lack of experiences and go easy on them. So, time to play catch-up, as much as we can give them anyway."

[eolasemah]

Sina nods. "The elves concern me, in particular," she sighs, "many of those who grew up in Circles or cities assume the Dalish hold ill will against them. Several have been openly hostile." She bites her lower lip, shaking her head. "I don't know what to do. They've obviously been hurt, as we have."

[gatheringstorm]

That's news to Korrin and her brow furrows after she sets down her cup, cradling it in both hands. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was that tense. But why would they make those kind of assumptions? Who has been hostile to you?" Her tone is calm but there's a hard glint in her eye, instantly protective as she would be for any of her friends.

[eolasemah]

"Korrin," Sina says in a tone both amused and warning, knowing that look the instant she spots it. "This is between us, and my responsibility to bear. And make right." Just like with teaching Circle mages about Keeper magic, the various tensions between elves strikes her as their own business, inappropriate to share among other races. "There has been much misunderstanding over the years, I'm coming to find. Assumptions of ill intent, and in some cases actions on it."

[gatheringstorm]

"Okay, okay. You have a point. I just hate to see people give you -or the others- a hard time about things beyond your control." Korrin's frown eases, though her sympathy remains. "The closest thing I have to that experience doesn't quite compare. Tal-Vashoth and Vashoth aren't pitted against each other, and though everyone's at least wary of Qunari, there's only one of those around." And that's a whole other can of worms, given the baggage that comes with leaving or avoiding the Qun.

"If there's a way to bridge the gap somehow, at least get people to listen to each other, I bet you'll find it. You have the determination to see that through--and who knows, maybe there are some like-minded city elves. I know their liaison, she's a fair-minded person."

[eolasemah]

Sina shrugs. There will always be hard times, and most Dalish have grown a thick skin over their lifetimes. It comes with the territory.
"I'm not certain we're pitted against each other for any reason," she muses, "perhaps they resent our freedom, or we their ability to integrate so cleanly into a world that has mostly left us behind." Her face falls a little at this-- she won't admit it often, but there are times when she feels the bridge of understanding between herself and the majority of Skyhold is nigh uncrossable.
"Who's their liaison? I may have met her."

[gatheringstorm]

Taking another sip while listening, Korrin then reaches over and rests her larger hand over Sina's much smaller one, noting that sadness. She can't entirely understand that perspective but that doesn't mean she can't listen, and let Sina vent as she needs.

"That would be Eirlys Ancarrow. She's a healer from Gwaren; not the magical sort, but she does wonders with potions and poultices and the like. I've only ever seen her as polite and helpful towards everyone, whatever their background." If Eirlys has a chip on her shoulder about the Dalish, well, it's not like Korrin would be the first to know but it would still catch her off-guard.

"Sometimes there isn't a good reason. Shit happens and everyone gets caught up in their own perspective and forget that other people have theirs." There's bound to be more to it, of course, but as someone who isn't an elf, there's only so much Korrin can say on the matter.

[eolasemah]

"There are reasons," Sina admits, "I just wish we could take them back." With a sad smile, she turns her hand over to squeeze Korrin's. "I'll see if Eirlys is willing to teach me anything. I can always stand to know more about herbal remedies."