Though still reeling from political crises and the loss of Divine Justinia, the Chantry remains the most powerful institution in Thedas, and its relationship with the Inquisition has always been ambiguous at best. It is imperative that the Inquisition work to clarify and improve that relationship lest the Chantry turn its considerable influence against the organization. Working with the Chantry is also the Inquisition's best hope of shaping the ultimate outcome of the Mage/Templar conflict and the future of both the Circles and the Templar Order.
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NAME: Luwenna 'Wren' Coupe DIVISION: Forces CONTACT:Inbox SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Templar, loyal to/contacts among the slightly-progressive survivors of the Orlesian Chantry. Fluent in Orlesian, Trade, limited Tevene. Former project head.
NAME: Brother Jehan Mercier d'Annecy DIVISION: Diplomacy CONTACT:Inbox SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Chantry Brother, adventure style, with ties to the Orlesian nobility, various Chantry personnel, and the University of Orlais. What passes for an actual diplomat around here, since he is actually very good at talking to people, making people feel like idiots when they're rude, etc.
CURRENT WORK: Gettin' situated.
COMPLETED WORK & REPORTS: He's just coming back from soothing some fears about Inquisition heresy in Orlais, with moderate success.
SUBJECT: Chantry matters in Montfort and Churneau PARTICIPANTS: Jehan Mercier DATE FILED: Late Kingsway 9:43 STATUS: Complete SUMMARY: Jehan talked to some Chantry people in Orlais while he was gone.
REPORT:
Dear Ser Coupe,
I am pleased to be back and would be equally pleased to discuss any of these matters with you directly if you desire, but for the sake of your records and your time I have put it first to page.
After visiting my family I spent most of my time in Montfort, where Grand Cleric Henriette has been particularly vocal in her belief that we are heretics harboring demons and threatening to impose our will on the Chantry. I do not doubt her sincerity, but when I spoke to her of the good we are doing she was quick to acquiesce, and in later conversations seemed confused. It was almost as if she thought we were speaking of two separate organizations, the heretical and the holy. Her Grace is reaching the end of her years, and with all possible kindness I must report I am not certain how sound of mind she is.
However, her inevitable successor is Mother Mathilde, in whom burns enough fire to make even her kindest words to me scalding. She seemed most unhappy that I was there at all, meddling, and likewise seems to be the source of many of the Grand Cleric's beliefs regarding our heresy. Her sincerity I do doubt. She has cultivated friendships and may have designs on the Sunburst Throne. I did not consider an earnest appeal to her to be worth the effort, and perhaps counterproductive at this time, so I left her with her opinions.
As better news, however, I can offer Mother Alizée. She is Mother Mathilde's junior, and while she was somewhat skeptical of me as well, she was willing to listen. She has assured me that I have not persuaded her to trust us; however, she likewise does not trust Mother Mathilde, and she promised, unprompted, to write to us if Mother Mathilde makes a move that may hamper our efforts rather than continuing to stir a pot that is already stirred. If we have need of further efforts in Montfort, I believe she would be flattered to be contacted first and brought into our confidences.
In Churneau, Revered Mother Adélie was most accommodating, though I do have the advantage of having known her since my childhood. She said to me that she could not believe I would place this much trust in an organization that was not worthy of it, but I cannot say for certain whether she meant it sincerely or as underhanded caution to me. I am inclined to believe the latter. In either case it made frankly discussing her opinions difficult. I did not wish to risk any advantage I may have should we need a favor from her in the future by pressing an issue she was determined to dance around.
Sister Élodie was more forthright; had she the art to be underhanded, she would presumably also have the art to not be such a transparent gossip. She corresponds with Sisters across Thedas. In addition to the usual rumors that we are harboring demons, she has received scandalous reports that a group of Andrastians outside Hunter Fell have taken up the belief that our rifters are the Maker's Third Children, a compromise between spirits and the living with none of our sins who will inherit the world in our place, and the Mothers there are most distressed at their failure to dissuade them.
Before returning I travelled to visit Sister Sandrine, with whom I studied as a boy, in her mission to the Nahashin Marshes. It was a personal visit, but I can report that the marshfolk have heard little of us and seem content with that. Sister Sandrine confided in me that many believe we worship the Herald as one should worship Andraste and may come to convert them. I am not certain what there is to gain by relieving them of this notion, but there is no harm in knowing that they possess it.
Cordially,
Brother Jehan
NOTES & LINKS: This is regarding handwaved meetings held during my hiatus/Jehan's temporary drop. It's been cleared with The Mod Who Isn't Me.
Welcome back. Thank you for your thoroughness; I cannot commend it beyond that which it naturally presents.
While I regret to hear of the Grand Cleric's decline, I concur with your assessment: To attend to Mother Mathilde is to dignify her concerns. Mother Alizée seems a sound contact, and yours a solid approach. If her skepticism can be managed, it may speak better to us than unreserved support.
With regards to Churneau — Are there areas of ministry to which the Revered Mother gives particular focus? We should not risk your ties, incidentally or otherwise. I would sooner we be aware of how our actions in the region might disrupt theirs.
Gossips are a blessing of the Maker. Sister Élodie should be rewarded appropriately, perhaps a small group might be assembled to curate those rumours returned.
Hunter Fell requires redress, and we'll need to manage it without appearing to lend them credence. Though I hesitate to suggest anything that paints our Rifted guests in hostile light, perhaps a firsthand view of the most dim would convince —
[ The previous sentence is heavily, if not completely inked through. ]
Let us think on it.
The antipathy between Marshes and capitol being what it is, I am relieved to know you've ears on the ground (however damp). Though I cannot imagine they would attract Corypheus' attention, the Venatori drive further into the wilderness with each day. The occasional whisper of news would not harm us to own.
I defer to you fully in matters of theology, but admit reserve. The attention paid the Prophet has divided us before. The Inquisition requires the Herald's mandate, and the South has a taste for heroes, it is true. Still, this places a great deal of faith in the hands of those remaining Trevelyans. With respect paid to their mourning, I mislike them unwatched.
If there is an area you believe deserving of priority, I encourage you to begin. Sister Élodie and matters of background reconnaissance would not greatly tax our resources.
An aside: Enchanter Shivana has organized a Chant discussion group. It is my hope they might aid us in anticipating the variety of perspectives these times encourage. I am certain they would be pleased for your presence.
If you require aught to proceed, please inform me.
NAME: Herian Amsel DIVISION: Forces CONTACT:Inbox SKILLS & EXPERTISE: Devout pro-Circle Enchanter from the White Tower. Knight Enchanter & Champion specialisations, also skilled in Primal magic - so she's very much a in-the-fray battle mage. Very focused on honour/knight's code/proper conduct. Kind of a stickler for rules and uptight. Fluent in Trade, Orlesian & the language particular to the Starkhaven alienage. Elf-blooded, so has experience dealing with Alienage Sadness And Complicated Elf Related Emotion.
SUBJECT: The Annulment at Dairsmuid PARTICIPANTS: Araceli Bonaventura, Korrin Ataash, Malcolm Reynolds, The Outsider, Aleron Darton, Kas, Anders, Malcolm Reed, James Norrington, Ellana Ashara, James Kirk DATE FILED: Solace 9:42 STATUS: Complete SUMMARY: Araceli heard of the previous Annulment at Dairsmuid and survivors in need of aid living at a camp and asked the Inquisition to come help get them to the docks. Unfortunately the Templars raided the camp, took the survivors back to Dairsmuid, and the party had to race to the Circle to kill the Templars and free the mages.
REPORT:
Araceli was able to gain the trust of the mage contacts by speaking well of the Inquisition and Mage Council during her initial study trip to be given First Enchanter Rivella's journal so she could signal the group
The meeting with the mage contacts at the camp went well and they were all able to get enough details for the rescue attempt
Minor injuries to the party, mainly those involved in Team Templar Crushers
Rogue Templars were killed, their bodies burned since they were Chantry folk and there were Chantry people on the mission. The Rivaini mages had been locked in the dungeons and forced to drink a great deal of magebane; some were weaker than others and required healing but all survived
The Rivaini mages returned to seek refuge with the Inquisition - they plan to return to Rivain one day when the future is more stable, their loved ones are indebted thanks to the swift action and kindness they have been shown
Several artifacts and many books that could be salvaged from the wreckage of Dairsmuid were brought with the mages to Skyhold
Prior to leaving Rivain, a group lead by Ellana including Kirk, Korrin, Araceli and Anders made contact with the Rivaini Dalish; a personal visit but contact has been made and they discussed why they were in Rivain in the first place
The Rivaini mages are a small group of five women and three men, they returned to Skyhold.
NOTES & LINKS:Link; contains link to OOC posts and sending crystal announcement
I sent a copy of notes made on the connection between rifters and our world I made back in Skyhold after discussions Leliana and I had to Warden Serra, in hopes they might benefit her project somewhat. However, as someone with good sense in the Chantry Relations project, an argument can be made for a copy being sent here. So I send it to you.
This began when Leliana and I discussed connections: dragons, Coryphes, red lyrium, the Old Gods, eluvians. After Leliana had spoken to a young woman of the archdemons in her world and their names for the Deadly Sins as she called them of lust, pride, greed, and so the list went, and from what I was told they sounded very unlike what we understand of demons yet they were both struck by the overlap, as was I. Which brought us to what sticks with me to this day: the interplay of magic and stories. How many rifters do you speak with? How many of them share elements with this world in some form or even between their worlds, in truth, tale or both?
No names were mentioned in the letter to the Warden. You've the Templar instincts, I do not doubt your ability to seek out those you wish to.
There was one who came from a place with demons that were much different from anything we call demons. This one was a mage, yet a Church-knight; imagine, I suppose, if a Templar or Seeker were a mage, pious, souls that would not be in danger when there are dangerous things by them. It was a choice to do so, not a gift or curse as one looks upon it. Some might have a talent for it more than another but the choice would need to be made.
One came from a place where folk not only bonded with dragons but rode them into battle, I confess I find myself uncertain as to Tevinter feeling were they to learn that.
In one world magic is so secret that those who are not mages know not that magic exists, yet dragons do. Several breeds of dragons in fact, that females larger than males same as here, with differing names as might be expected though you would need to consult a draconologist, and most of those are Orlesian. Not worth the trouble. There were a 'class' of malevolent magical creatures, not so dangerous as a rage demon but were someone to get outnumbered by a cluster of things called grindylows underwater - small water demons, green, horned and with tentacles - they'd be drowned and eaten. Highly aggressive, known to eat people. Also merpeople keep them as pets. Merpeople are half-fish, half-hman; the upper portion of a person, but the fins, gills, and tails of fish. Sirens were a thing related to them, said to drown sailors by luring them into rocky waters by singing beautiful songs. 'Twas the Dementor that struck me, a creature that fed on human happiness, creating a sense of despair to anyone near them, and with the ability to consume the soul of a person through a Dementor's Kiss. The government in that place used and allowed such a thing as a punishment once. Elven magic was also very powerful in that world, far beyond anything a human could ever learn to do yet the elves had become servants to magical families, slaves to such a degree they were property. This person said they were very different in appearance and manner to the elves of Thedas however.
Dragons somewhere else are apparently far larger and more intelligent than those present in Thedas now; the smallest of theirs could swallow ours whole, and they were capable of devastation enough to reshape the world. Most interesting though was that they had no sex: they did not reproduce. He or she meant nothing if they referred to themselves as one or the other. No need to eat or sleep. Two purposes only: two destroy and to horde.
In another world dragons were spoken of though as the stuff of legends. 'Tis the beginning of a trend with the ending of this.
Somewhere else, there are things called aliens that look like demons but - according to this person - absolutely no demons. Only in their stories. Same with dragons. Demons are only in their religious texts, metaphors I gathered from the conversation.
Again, there was someone else who spoke of dragons and demons not being real outside the confines of several mythologies. This person shared the Seven Deadly Sins but was not the one who began this initial discussion between Leliana and myself. 'Twas from this one I gained all the names: Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Sloth, and Pride.
Lastly, I recently met yet another who speaks of this place being as something from stories or some sort of game in their home. A common theme. The overlap of fiction and what we live. Dreams. Dreamers.
There is one thing I did not mention in the other letter I mention here: the last rifter I speak of in this letter is a recent arrival. Who comes from a place as I described, without mages, or demons, or magic. Yet she has a friend who has the power to rewind time.
When this madness passes, speak with me. If not of the rest of it - Myrobalan is in Chantry relations, I believe, some of this may be of interest to him, he has one of the keenest minds out of a Circle - then that last part. I know much of magic the Circle would keep from the world, but time magic?
Morrigan
[Mmmm Wren just an innocent missive waiting to rock you like a hurricane.]
[ the handwriting drags, lags. it hasn’t been a kind few weeks ] M,
Cat’s out of the bag, and into the fire. Forgive the mixed metaphor, I am certain by now you will have heard:
They require binding. They become as spirits. What this makes them — for the interim — I confess I am not clear. I’ve never heard of a spirit coalescing this sort of mortal form. Idea, and flesh, and lyrium entwined?
Dreams, as ever. I can only thank you for the notes, and offer my own small update: There is a Rifted dwarf now, the first I have seen. It perhaps bears examination.
Shivana is due some rest, the boy looks dead on his feet. I agree it best to involve him when he is recovered; I am told that his contributions to understanding the nature of this illness were key. A light touch may be necessary — I am given to believe he is devout.
[ let's ignore what that implies about her ]
I require a few days to reorient myself with affairs. Perhaps Sundermount, after? I’ve no notion whether the Estate is presently inhabitable, and there are some matters I’d sooner not commit to spell or page. We might discuss this in greater detail then.
An aside: Amsel has taken up the project in my absence. I've no reason to doubt her skill or integrity, but perhaps, her discretion. Mail you wish read privately may yet find me at private address. — C
These are tasks that members of the Chantry Relations project (and their friends) might be asked or ordered to take on. If you’re interested in signing up for one, reply by the stated deadline. Results might not be strictly RNG—if someone is obviously a bad choice and it would be stupid to put them in charge of something, they’ll get skipped—but I’ll do my best to make sure things rotate and get spread around.
Assignments are mini-plots that will be given to one or two people to RP however they want sometime in a broad window of time. They usually won’t be complicated and won’t have huge individual impacts. The goal is more to give you guys work for your characters to be doing and talking about and new places to visit. Some specifics:
— The character or characters from Chantry Relations who are tapped to take on an assignment can bring a couple additional people of their choosing, but they’ll be on the IC hook for poor judgment if they choose to take a known bull into a known china shop.
— You don’t have to RP the assignment itself. E.g., if it’s boring to RP your characters being on their best bland behavior for nobles, you can handwave that and just RP them drinking and venting in a tavern afterwards.
— You can make up small details that don’t have a material effect on the assignment—give NPCs names and personalities, add minor complications, etc.—but don’t do anything major, like deciding the whole thing is a trap and your characters are nearly assassinated, without checking in first.
— It’s fine if you don’t succeed! If you want your characters to fail at their objective then that’s RAD, I LOVE IT, and it might mean they succeed at something else they weren’t trying to do. On the other hand, succeeding might have unforeseen consequences. So just do what’s fun and IC.
— If you don’t file a report, it never happened.
Missions are larger and more plot-like and may have more specific requirements in terms of timing and outcomes.
If you’re interested in any of these please sign up by April 10. These all indicate Cloudreach, but if they need to be delayed for Bloomingtide that's fine. The one exception is that if you want to sign up for Hossburg then you need to do so by April 5.
Please fill in the form below and reply to this comment indicating what project you are interested in. If you are interested in multiple projects, please list them in order of interest. If more people sign up than there are available slots, I will RNG or go with whoever makes the most IC sense. Sign-ups are only open to members of the Chantry Relations project, but if you would like to join the project, please sign up here.
ASSIGNMENT: OOPS I DID IT AGURN. WHAT: A remote chantry that borders on the Western Approach has been overrun by gurns. The chantry itself is historical in nature, makes extremely famous mead, and is known for skillful beekeeping. They are far enough from the Approach that normally the creatures who prosper in that desert climate do not stray close, but a herd of gurn has recently moved to the area and overrun them, trapping the small number of clerics that dwell there and wreaking havoc. The Inquisition is required to clean up the gurn situation and show its support to Chanters in peril. WHERE: (not quite) the Western Approach WHEN: Flexible, Cloudreach. WHO: 1-2 Chantry Relations members, who may each bring a Plus One so long as that person is appropriate or can be justified. If there is a lot of interest for this one I might just make it 3-4 Chantry Relations members.
ASSIGNMENT: ABOAT A BUOY. WHAT: A group of Chantry clerics specialising in research and the discovery of historical artifacts require a protective escorts as they sail from Jader to Treviso. They will be crossing through pirate infested waters while carrying some very sacred and valuable relics. Sharks! Swashbuckling! Seasickness? WHERE: THE HIGH SEAS. WHEN: Flexible, Cloudreach. WHO: 1-2 Chantry Relations members, who may each bring a Plus One so long as that person is appropriate or can be justified. If there is a lot of interest for this one I might just make it 3-4 Chantry Relations members.
ASSIGNMENT: ABSOLUTE SHARTANTY. WHAT: A group of more liberal clerics and chantryfolk are holding a symposium to discuss the Canticle of Shartan and whether it should be restored to the Chant of Light. A number of these more liberal clerics lean towards supporting the Inquisition, but have no yet declared themselves. The Inquisition is invited to attend the symposium and requested to support and security in case of unwelcome interference. This could win the Inquisition support, but may serve to alienate more conservative clerics who have come to support the Inquisition, and stop others from considering it altogether. Characters have the choice of providing tight security, or sabotaging the event. WHERE: Orlais. WHEN: Flexible, Cloudreach. WHO: 3 - 4 Chantry Relations members.
ASSIGNMENT: EXECUTION (OR NOT) IN HOSSBERG WHAT: A joint project with Northern Powers. The Grand Cleric in Hossberg has been arrested for speaking out about the new regime, and she's unlikely to survive long in captivity before dying of "natural causes." The Anders are a devout people, so either saving her so she can continue swaying opinions from outside the country or making sure the locals know the new regime has killed a priest will have an effect. Pending the outcome of arguments among the Inquisition's leadership, a team will be chosen either to prevent her death or to make sure that her death isn't kept secret. WHERE: Anderfels. WHEN: Sometime in Cloudreach. WHO: 1-2 Northern Powers people to get paired up with 1-2 Chantry Relations people, maybe they can bring a friend. Stealth/ability to blend in with Ander locals required. Wardens not permitted due to the distinct possibility that Corypheus is in Hossberg and could wreck their brains.
CHARACTER: Jehan! ASSIGNMENT(S): Absolute Shartanty, Aboat A Buoy. NOTES: (1) Drop HIM if there are more signups than slots, haha take that K2. (2) He wouldn't want to actively sabotage Shartanty because he believes in the free flow of information and the Chant evolving through good academic processes but he would not be THREE CHEERS FOR ELVES about it either. (3) He's obviously not a combatant but he is an ADVENTURE SCHOLAR and he would insist on being able to handle danger.
CHARACTER: Cade ASSIGNMENT(S): Shartan NOTES: He has a special interest in this currently due to certain involvements with certain elves and may be inclined to bring her along if possible. (Nari)
CHARACTER: Nari ASSIGNMENT(S): Shartan very much, Gurns (BEES) NOTES: She has a special interest in Andrastian things currently due to certain involvements with certain humans and is in fact inclined to go along.
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faderiftorg2017-05-02 09:15 pm
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