[He walked over to the hearth and lifted a carafe of wine to show, and then to pour. The liquid was a rich red-violet, mulled with cherries and apple, and spiced to contrast the weather. He brought both glasses with him back to the table at the center of the room.]
This may be shocking to you, but I'm actually at a great divide in my own kingdom. Until the incident at Redcliffe, the people liked me. The nobles, not so much. We're a Chantry-fearing nation, and the fact that I gave the mages their leeway and continue to follow the Inquisition's directives on mage freedom has left my rule... precarious. Many of my citizens want the mages to be under the Circle's care once more. I... want to show them that mages are people.
[And who better for this than a Tevinter magister? He'd seemed to think so.]
[ Dorian takes the offered glass and sits at the table, legs crossed as he gets comfortable. They'll be here for quite some time, he imagines. The wine smells sweet, though there is still the hint of bitterness beneath and it pairs well with the spices. ]
I can't imagine it did you any favors kicking the mages out of Redcliffe for something quite beyond their control. People tend to be afraid of what they can't understand.
[ The Circles had their pros and cons, though Dorian was solidly opposed. While lots of mages didn't get the luxury of mage schools like those in Tevinter, perhaps that is something that can change. Vivienne's college of magic seems to be a decent enough start, though they still don't see eye to eye as far as magical jurisdiction. ]
There have been some notable steps, but the Chantry doesn't do the mages any favors. Did you know, your Grace, that the Templars you have in the South are vastly different from those in Tevinter? Back home, they serve the Circle of Magi, enforcing Imperial law. Of course, the term 'enforcing' is used rather loosely. There are many things that I intend to change, but there does need to be a balance between the two. The mage-hunting they do in the South does little for the beliefs of your people. It only encourages the continued stereotypes.
Believe me, I'm aware. Redcliffe, the differences in Tevinter and here...
[He sighed heavily as he lifted his glass, watching the play of firelight through the glass before he sat. This entire matter was one he was taking seriously, and it showed. His shoulders weren't sloped, but the weight that rested on them was nearly visible.]
You're right. There must be a balance. Even when I was in Templar training, I never saw mages as anything but people. The rules about their existence then made no sense to me. You can't keep people hemmed in forever, and I think the incident at Kirkwall - which is putting it lightly - is an example of what happens when you try. Even when I was young and in the monastery, I caused no end of trouble because of the strictures they laid on me. I can't guarantee I wouldn't have blown the place up eventually if I'd had the ability.
[But then, with a sigh, he placed his glass aside and leaned forward, closer to Dorian, to drive his point home.]
That's why I asked for you. Please, serah - work with me to find this balance, and I'll do the same with you. Together, with the Maker's providence, we can start to make Thedas the place it should be.
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chiming
no subject
Date: 2017-08-21 07:25 am (UTC)From:[He walked over to the hearth and lifted a carafe of wine to show, and then to pour. The liquid was a rich red-violet, mulled with cherries and apple, and spiced to contrast the weather. He brought both glasses with him back to the table at the center of the room.]
This may be shocking to you, but I'm actually at a great divide in my own kingdom. Until the incident at Redcliffe, the people liked me. The nobles, not so much. We're a Chantry-fearing nation, and the fact that I gave the mages their leeway and continue to follow the Inquisition's directives on mage freedom has left my rule... precarious. Many of my citizens want the mages to be under the Circle's care once more. I... want to show them that mages are people.
[And who better for this than a Tevinter magister? He'd seemed to think so.]
no subject
Date: 2017-08-30 11:22 pm (UTC)From:I can't imagine it did you any favors kicking the mages out of Redcliffe for something quite beyond their control. People tend to be afraid of what they can't understand.
[ The Circles had their pros and cons, though Dorian was solidly opposed. While lots of mages didn't get the luxury of mage schools like those in Tevinter, perhaps that is something that can change. Vivienne's college of magic seems to be a decent enough start, though they still don't see eye to eye as far as magical jurisdiction. ]
There have been some notable steps, but the Chantry doesn't do the mages any favors. Did you know, your Grace, that the Templars you have in the South are vastly different from those in Tevinter? Back home, they serve the Circle of Magi, enforcing Imperial law. Of course, the term 'enforcing' is used rather loosely. There are many things that I intend to change, but there does need to be a balance between the two. The mage-hunting they do in the South does little for the beliefs of your people. It only encourages the continued stereotypes.
no subject
Date: 2017-09-05 06:51 pm (UTC)From:[He sighed heavily as he lifted his glass, watching the play of firelight through the glass before he sat. This entire matter was one he was taking seriously, and it showed. His shoulders weren't sloped, but the weight that rested on them was nearly visible.]
You're right. There must be a balance. Even when I was in Templar training, I never saw mages as anything but people. The rules about their existence then made no sense to me. You can't keep people hemmed in forever, and I think the incident at Kirkwall - which is putting it lightly - is an example of what happens when you try. Even when I was young and in the monastery, I caused no end of trouble because of the strictures they laid on me. I can't guarantee I wouldn't have blown the place up eventually if I'd had the ability.
[But then, with a sigh, he placed his glass aside and leaned forward, closer to Dorian, to drive his point home.]
That's why I asked for you. Please, serah - work with me to find this balance, and I'll do the same with you. Together, with the Maker's providence, we can start to make Thedas the place it should be.