Skadi_the_Evil_Elf wrote...
Most of the other Chantric nations treat mages worse. Ferelden still treats it's mages poorly, so that should tell you something.
Can you cite any evidence for this? I'm intringued about the circles in other lands but haven't found anything. All I've discovered is that the Kirkwall Circle is extremely restricitve while Cumberland Circle appears to be more
liberal.
Skadi_the_Evil_Elf wrote...
I don't think you or I or others are saying there should be no system of checks and balances for the mage issue. I think that, however, the current system is unsustainable,potentially dangerous, ineffecient, and, depending on how one feels, immoral, and a better system needs to be put in place. I've said before, and I'll say it again, the first step for me would be removing Chantry control over mages, and making the Circle directly under the control and authority of the crown. But I think this should be done by multiple nations at about the same time, or by one powerful enough that it can easily afford pissing the Chantry off.
If I were to propose a system, I would have mage Circles be more like college dorms/ private schools, where mages go to study and learn for semesters, but are allowed out for weekends and holidays, as well as summertime breaks wherethey can go visit family and friends. There would be some major rite of passage like the Harrowing, though not the exact same thing, to prove they are capable of controlling themselves. After graduation, mages would be required to serve the crown in some capacity for a determined period, kinda like mandatory national service/draft. This could be either in the military, or direct service of the crown in some civic capacity. After which, they would be free to pursue whatever career path they choose.
there would be a control and safety net, should a mage become a public nuisance. There would still be phylacteries, but they would be held by the government, not the Chantry, in sort of a "national mage database". There would also be a sort of police force consisting of warriors trained in Templar talents, but not Templars themselves. This would be doable, since neither lyrium addiction nor religious belief are required to perform Templar duties. This force would generally be tasked with tracking down troublesome mages as well as serving security at the Circles, but other than that, they would not be in a permanent position of power over the mages and their circles.
Such a system, like all systems, does have potential flaws. but compared to the current system, it's far better in my opinion, and also provides a greater benefit for a larger number of people, even beyond the mages. The nation itself benefits from having mages integrated into national security or performing services for the benefit of society as a whole.
You know the case for increasing mage freedoms can become a lot more compelling if an alternative system is offered. Which you've done.
However there are some significant problems with your alternative which I think result in it being unviable.
Firstly placing the circles under Crown control is extremely problematic. Getting any Andrastian nation to agree to it would be almost impossible. The ruler would be going against the religion of the entire population causing
dissent both among the ruling class and the common folk. No ruler would make such a decision as there is no compelling motive which would overcome the significant risks. Furthermore the only nation that could realistically
withstand Chantry wrath if it were to make such a decision would be Orlais. For Orlais to make such a move would be unthinkable, given its status as the home of the Chantry.
As for alternatives to Crown control I can't think of one. Mage control of the circles would never be allowed not to mention the inherent problems of such a system. The dwarves could potentially be excellent candidates but harbouring mages would jeopardise trade agreements and likely bring war so convincing Harrowmont or Bhelen would be difficult.
However in addition to the difficulties of bringing about any transfer ofcontrol the issue of the Circle becoming a political tool is very real. Underthe current system mages are not used during conflicts between Andrastian nations. However if the government obtained control then it becomes a very real prospect. Which I personally see as being undesirable and dangerous. The same for the Circle gaining any political influence. The Circle would be well disposed to do so, given it would have a monopoly on several crucial services and it being a strong military power.
You mention a "Harrowing" of sorts but without details you don't help your argument. How would you test mage's control and ensure that they aren't a risk? What happens if there is a mage who isn't capable of mastering their
power?
Giving mages free reign would make me uneasy as they are well dispositioned to elevate themselves in society. Think about it mages would become another privileged class because of their birth. So many other children would remain ignorant and impoverished because they weren't born a mages. Why should the needs of mages as a minority be placed before that of the rest of the population? The fact that mages can theorize and intellectualize about revolution simply demonstrates how privileged they are. They have time for leisure. Compare that with the peasantry who have to toil daily in order to simply survive.
I don't think the necessity of lyrium has been proven either way. Alistair is not a position to provide accurate or unbiased information. And we don't have any other information to go on. The conclusion has to simply be that we don't know.
In addition to the lyrium there are other problems with your proposed security force. Firstly if mages are dispersed to numerous hamlets, villages and farms reacting to potential problems would be almost impossible. How long would it take for news to reach the not-templars? A couple days considering the setting. And then you have to add on the time taken to form a response and then get there. In some cases a fortnight could pass between the incident and the not-Templars getting there. How many people could die in the intervening time? The problem could escalate if the situation is particularly severe.
http://dragonage.wik...y:_AbominationsIf a mage commits a crime and knows the fuzz is after them then the risk of abominations will become much greater. If a mage threatened then rational decisions about summoning demons are not high on the agenda. And consider this
http://dragonage.wik...te_of_AnnulmentRemoval of abominations is evidently not an easy task outside of gameplay and for those not equipped with plot armour. Is "freedom" for a privileged group really worth endangering the lives of the rest of the population? Given that the peasantry have little real freedom. Working in the fields all day in the fields simply to survive the coming winter does not to my mind constitute freedom. While the nobility and the merchants to an extent have freedom, adding another group which exploits the rest of the population is not desirable.
In short I don't support the current system because I see it as being the best. I only support it, because any viable alternative that doesn't significantly endanger lives or place the needs of a privileged minority above that the general population has yet to emerge.
And given that large numbers would likely die in order to bring about any transition, the benefits of the alternative need to be more than simply marginal. If many are going to die, then it needs to be worth it. Many dying for a small minority can't be justified.
Modifié par Heretical Sound, 04 janvier 2011 - 09:40 .
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If they're trapped, at least. And if the first ever darkspawn were mages, welll...pretty big Fade connection there, I'd say.
