XXIII. [Video]

[leaporfall]

Well. I suppose it goes without saying that this place is up to its old tricks again.

[That Marian is one of the people caught up in the latest trick is also fairly evident - her usually fair skin has turned slate grey, and her dark hair has lengthened to brush her shoulders and gone white-streaked. Slender horns curve up and back from her

Comments

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

[Having only seen Marian once before she barely recognizes her... and she can't help staring. At least she also manages to look concerned.]

What is happening to you...?

[Video]

[leaporfall]

[Marian wouldn't blame her for just staring, really. It's just that strange.]

Transformation of a most unwilling sort. [She grimaces, though the expression is cramped by the presence of the stitches.] At times, the powers governing this place choose to toy with our identities.

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

Does it cause you pain? [She means in general, but she's staring right at those stitches now.]

[Video]

[leaporfall]

Some. I've had worse.

[She touches one finger to the stitches, and shakes her head, flinching in surprise as the too-long hair slides over her neck.]

I'm just grateful that so far, my mind has remained intact.

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

[Brow furrow] Could you remove them?

Then this creature is dangerous?

[Video]

[leaporfall]

I have. They seem to grow back. [This is just as disturbing as it sounds.]

They aren't dangerous the way you probably mean. Qunari are a reasoning people - their mindset is just one I find rather difficult to swallow.

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

Oh. [She thinks so too.]

[Slight headtilt] What sort of mindset would that be?

[Video]

[leaporfall]

They place very little importance on individuality and choice. Less so if an individual happens to be a mage.

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

[Morgana touches her own lips.]

And this is how they punish them...?

[Video]

[leaporfall]

[Marian nods slightly.]

Those born with magic are masked, bound in shackles, and have their mouths sewn shut. To keep others safe from the possibility that they might be influenced by demons, you see.

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

[She visibly shudders.]

Someone else, an elf named Fenris, also mentioned that mages are locked up for fear of being possessed in your Thedas. He called the prisons Circles.

[Video]

[leaporfall]

The Circles are less - overt in their methods, but the underlying belief that mages are things to be feared remains similar.

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

Taking children from their parents sends a rather overt message... [Pause] But it's preferable to the laws of my own land. All those suspected of using magic are put to death.

[Video]

[leaporfall]

It does - but somewhat less a one than stitching their mouths shut and binding them in chains.

[She frowns - and that, at least, this form can convey very, very well.] Put to death? That's barbaric.

[Video]

[uthergtfo]

In comparison, yes... But is it truly that dangerous for those with magic to be on their own in your world? I was told that they are susceptible to possession.

[She glares at nothing in particular] It is. None are spared, not even children.

[Video]

[leaporfall]

No. It isn't. The Circle doesn't even work as it is now.

--I would ask why the people allow this, but it really isn't such a stretch.