[ It's a tone that Cassandra is very well versed in, and a tone that puts Cassandra automatically on guard. Just as Varric told the stories of Hawke's valor, he told stories of the fire, the anger, that could boil inside the Champion. He uses her title in a way that is like a weapon being drawn. ]
[ She would be lying to say she didn't expect to be on the receiving end of it-- but for finding him, not for whatever this may be. She answers in video as well, her face serious and guarded. ]
[ Of course. Cassandra's face falls a fraction before she returns to stone once more. ]
Yes. The Lord Seeker, every Lord Seeker since the beginning of the Order, has known and kept that secret from all of Thedas. The discovery that the Rite could be broken... it started the Rebellion in full. I left the Seekers shortly after.
I have disbanded the Order for their atrocities, Hawke. I can do little more. [ She swallows thick, but tries so hard to keep herself emotionless, as if she is pleased by her choices. ] The powers that should know of the cure were made aware. It is now in Inquisitor Adaar's hands to decide if it can be utilized without the Seekers aid.
Yes. It wasn't until after I had slain the Lord Seeker that the Seekers crimes became known. If I had the tome they had been hidden in I would give it to you, but I do not and so I cannot. I apologize.
[ Perhaps Hawke could do something with the knowledge within the pages. She can only share what she remembers as it stands. ]
I just-- You think you know the world, have a grasp on just how deeply fucked it all is, and then you find out you're wrong. It's much worse! And then you feel like an idiot for thinking it can ever get any better.
I do. [ Her voice is simple, but it is true. She once had hope the Seekers could be redeemed after they left the Chantry, but she's come to realize there is nothing salvageable in their roots, the guts of the Order. It is all rotten, and she knows that now. ] The Lord Seeker had always known how to break Tranquility, ever since the foundation of the original Inquisition. Anyone else with the knowledge had been killed, and those who discovered the cure after the events of Kirkwall fared no better.
There are consequences to breaking tranquility, as the ritual to do so is not truly a cure. The mages, once freed, lose control of themselves, overwhelmed and irrational, completely unable to focus. It is my hope that Inquisitor Adaar looks into understanding more of the the ritual and if it ever can truly be called a cure. No Lord Seeker has let anyone live long enough to discover if the state of disorientation ever passes, or if the mages stay in such a state.
I see. That-- It makes sense. To have all your emotions taken away and then thrust back upon you so suddenly... [ He sounds bitter when he speaks of it, his voice full of loathing. It's obvious what his opinion on Tranquility is. ]
[ Cassandra wonders if she should tell the Champion this, but realizes-- he will discover this if he had the Book of Secrets. She promised to share. ]
To become a Seeker, one must embark on a years vigil, carried out in complete solitude. At the end of the trial, we are turned tranquil without us even knowing. The Lord Seeker then summons a Spirit of Faith to break the tranquility, and it is that which grants us our powers. Tranquility breaks and it is safe. It is only the results which can turn caustic, Hawke.
When I was sixteen, after I had completed my vigil. [ Cassandra does not want to speak of how it hurt to find out that her powers weren't given to her by the Maker, that instead a Spirit had touched her mind. Her devotion had proved fruitless when for so long she had carried its boon close to her chest. ] Only for a moment, a seconds length, but it was long enough.
And I thought the Knight-Commander was the only one who treated Tranquility like a bloody sport. I used to imagine her carrying around a little note pad to do tallies with, trying to make an even score before breakfast.
[ She accepts his scorn. There is nothing else for her to do. She supposes she could be considered the Lord Seeker now, this is her burden to wear. ]
As I said, I have dissolved the Order. The Seekers that remain after-- after our culling will be the last Seekers of Thedas. It is my hope the Rite dies with us, but the cure remains.
Adaar has brought Thedas to its knees. It is up to her were she takes the world now. What she changes, or what she keeps. She is the one you should tell that to, though she has already proven your words wrong.
I am sorry I can be no more help. I will find you the Book.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ She would be lying to say she didn't expect to be on the receiving end of it-- but for finding him, not for whatever this may be. She answers in video as well, her face serious and guarded. ]
Champion. What is it you wish to know?
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[ His tone is absolutely scathing. ]
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Yes. The Lord Seeker, every Lord Seeker since the beginning of the Order, has known and kept that secret from all of Thedas. The discovery that the Rite could be broken... it started the Rebellion in full. I left the Seekers shortly after.
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[ Perhaps Hawke could do something with the knowledge within the pages. She can only share what she remembers as it stands. ]
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[ He sighs and rakes his hand through his hair. ]
I just-- You think you know the world, have a grasp on just how deeply fucked it all is, and then you find out you're wrong. It's much worse! And then you feel like an idiot for thinking it can ever get any better.
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I will tell you what I can, if you ask.
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[ He'd seen it work on Karl briefly, but that had only been for a moment, and then--well. ]
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[ Cassandra wonders if she should tell the Champion this, but realizes-- he will discover this if he had the Book of Secrets. She promised to share. ]
To become a Seeker, one must embark on a years vigil, carried out in complete solitude. At the end of the trial, we are turned tranquil without us even knowing. The Lord Seeker then summons a Spirit of Faith to break the tranquility, and it is that which grants us our powers. Tranquility breaks and it is safe. It is only the results which can turn caustic, Hawke.
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And I thought the Knight-Commander was the only one who treated Tranquility like a bloody sport. I used to imagine her carrying around a little note pad to do tallies with, trying to make an even score before breakfast.
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As I said, I have dissolved the Order. The Seekers that remain after-- after our culling will be the last Seekers of Thedas. It is my hope the Rite dies with us, but the cure remains.
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--Though honestly, I don't even think there is another way to learn that.
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I am sorry I can be no more help. I will find you the Book.
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Then you do not know the Inquisitor Adaar I do. Consider yourself blessed to have it so.
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Well, I am careful to count my blessings every day.