MOD PLOT: SHOULD GLORY COME AT SUCH A PRICE, Part I

[faderifting]

WHO: The Inquisition's Minrathous delegation
WHAT: A diplomatic visit to Tevinter's capital
WHEN: Mid Solace
WHERE: Minrathous, Tevinter
NOTES: Slavery cw. OOC post here.

I. SWEET DIGS

The Archon's palace is a vast complex at the northeast of the island, buildings of stark black and white stone drawn straight up out of the ground and shaped by magic alone. Ringed by a wall of the same, it is made up of the palace proper and dozens of outbuildings, stables, barracks, baths, gardens, and the like. The Inquisition delegation is housed in the guest quarters, a single long hall in one wing of the palace. They are not its only occupants: special emissaries from the Anderfels occupy several rooms at one end of the hall, and other visitors are scattered throughout—trade envoys, out-of-town courtiers, relatives and guests of the Archon. There is also a veritable army of staff, constantly fetching, carrying, cleaning. Skyhold will have sent stern reminders for the Division Heads to pass down to the rest of the party: assume you are being watched at all times and mind your tongue accordingly.

The areas of the palace open to foreign visitors are somewhat limited: aside from the Archon's personal apartments, several wings apparently house massive bureaucracy behind the throne, and guests are not permitted without an appointment and an escort. The library and hall of treasures are free to be wandered, though they are carefully guarded against theft or vandalism, and the gardens are lovely and imposing testaments to the wonders magic can wring from nature.

II. GUIDED TOUR

The delegation's first day in Minrathous is fully booked, beginning with a guided tour after breakfast. The tour focuses on the nicer parts of the city and is led by a friendly elven mage, Caeso, who works for the Archon—someone is trying to make a point, perhaps, about how high elves can rise, as long as they're the right sort.

Minrathous is ancient, and it shows, with not even the care and pride Tevinter has in its heritage able to stave off signs of wear. The buildings are enormous and dark, made largely out of black stone and metals, but they indicate a majestic history more than a majestic present. There are also signs of magic, everywhere. The foundations of many buildings seem to have been pulled up straight from the earth, rather than built on top of it, and towers and bridges that should have collapsed ages ago are permanently enchanted to defy gravity. While he doesn't take them inside any of the buildings, Caeso points out the Argent Spire, the headquarters of the Imperial Chantry and Divine; the Minrathous Circle, the oldest in Thedas; and the Ambassadoria, where dwarven ambassadors work underground to preserve their castes. Then he guides them through a colorful central market where they're able to have lunch around a fountain and enjoy open displays of magic and enchanted objects by street performers and merchants. He's happy to answer basic questions about the city and Tevinter in general, and after lunch provides everyone with maps that are, possibly, designed for tourists who aren't particularly trusted (or aren't believed to be particularly bright). They only show significant landmarks and the streets required to reach them from the palace.

III. FANCY PARTY

That afternoon, everyone is due back in time to dress up, fix their hair, fix other people's hair as needed, and sit down for dinner with the Archon—distant, at the end of the table, and quiet—as well as a number of members of the Magisterium and other notable figures, with an over-the-top sixteen course meal served by a quiet, respectful staff that may be slaves or may be servants. Afterwards, and after a break to allow a little bit of digestion, the entire group migrates to join even more guests for an evening of music, dancing, and mingling in a ballroom adorned with floating lights.

The locals will shy away from discussing anything too sensitive, like Corypheus' origins or Tevinter religion and politics, but they'll be happy to discuss history and to ask questions of the delegation. A southerner is as rare a sight for them here are a Tevinter is in the south.

IV. FREE TIME

Under the Archon's protection as long as they remain his guests, and despite what the maps they're given might suggest, the delegation has been given more or less free rein in the capital, with only sensitive areas of the palace, naval yards, and the Circle and Spire off-limits for casual visits. Minrathous is a city like any other: tightly-packed buildings, bustling streets, opulent theaters and rundown shops, markets selling vegetables and flowers and fabrics, cafés packed with students arguing politics or beleaguered bureaucrats taking tea, pristine gardens filled with elaborate topiary, or small squares of green tucked between buildings, flowering vines draped down their walls. Of course it's also like nothing they've ever seen further south: street performers here make common use of magic, not just breathing fire but shaping it into a flock of birds or a dragon in flight. Slave markets are kept to the outskirts of the city but those near the docklands are vast and busy. In the harbor, among the forest of masts of trading vessels from every corner of Thedas, sits the Imperial Navy, four ships always on guard at the broad mouth of the harbor, a reminder that this is a nation at war.

Outside of specific missions, everyone is free to wander the city and explore, though they are given strict instructions to stay out of trouble—no matter what. They are also asked to keep their eyes and ears open as they do, to mingle and talk with anyone who seems willing, and to keep watch for anything unique on sale in the markets. Rare books, unknown potions, unusual enchanted objects should all be purchased if spotted: this may be the Inquisition's only opportunity to get its hands on the wealth of magical and historical knowledge hoarded by Tevinter (and reimbursements will be offered, within reason).

Potential agents are another invaluable commodity, and the delegation is charged with taking note of anyone who seems sympathetic to the Inquisition's cause and bringing their names and information to the attention of the Scoutmaster and her aides. Those capable of carefully sussing out the depth of that interest are to do so, but given the delicacy of the situation everyone should proceed with the utmost caution, and under no circumstances is any non-member of the Inquisition—no matter how friendly—to be trusted.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Inessa's brow furrows as she stares at the lines before her, biting her lip. "I haven't needed to translate ancient Tevene in some time, but...I think I remember enough of my lessons to at least try. From a glance, it seems to be about ancient Dreamers; mages who could enter the Fade at will, without lyrium or blood magic. If you want me to read more, let's claim a table?"

[rathercommon]

"All right," she says, energized by the offer. She'd thought for sure she wasn't going to have luck, but the woman seems capable, if not confident. She tucks the book under her arm, and finds a place to sit, then spreads out the book in front of where Inessa will be sitting.

"I've heard of lyrium before," she says as Inessa gets settled. "What's blood magic?"

[circleprodigy]

She's silent for a moment, her lips thinning as she stares down at the tome rather than meeting Kitty's gaze. It's a sensitive topic, but one that she won't avoid for the purposes of giving a sufficient warning.

"Blood magic is an...alternate...source when it comes to magic, one not taught in a Circle but through demons. Instead of the spell being powered by lyrium, it is powered by blood...yours or another's. The reasons it's forbidden are many, and I'll admit right now that you will not get an unbiased opinion from me. I have seen the dangers firsthand, and the mages who became corrupted because they were prideful or desperate enough to engage in such a foul practice."

[rathercommon]

Kitty's lips thin. It's not hard to imagine the implications of that. If the magicians back home knew that they could power their magic with human blood, then they'd open great commoner farms for slaughtering people by the thousands. The mere thought of it -

"What's the punishment for using it?"

[circleprodigy]

"In the south? Execution. Templar will hunt maleficar wherever they exist. My Circle was nearly annulled because blood mages had taken over, and spared only due to the Hero of Ferelden's efforts. In Tevinter, I believe it's publicly condemned but still happens behind closed doors. The only mages who get caught and punished are political rivals or those without the influence to protect themselves."

[rathercommon]

Kitty takes a breath and gives a small nod. "And I suppose they don't typically use their own blood, do they," she says, voice soft, face unhappy. A moment as she thinks that over, and swallows miserably, thinking of the poor people and their suffering. Then she pushes it down.

"Annulment. That's - when they kill everyone, right?"

[circleprodigy]

Inessa responds to that non-question with a slight headshake. What magister would bother with that level of sacrifice when there are plenty of living targets?

"Yes, that's right. When a Circle was deemed an irredeemable threat to the world outside it, they would be eliminated to a person. I can't say there was never a reason to resort to that extreme -abominations and blood magic are highly dangerous, this honestly cannot be overstated- but I suspect that the amount of times where it was used as a first resort rather than last is higher."