Keatons wrote...
River5 wrote...
I wasn't so much interested in how the Circle came to be (though it is good to understand history in order not to repeat it), but more about how things are working right now. Who is pulling the strings? Why are mages still locked up in towers? How could they hope to be free?
What if a child was born into a human family that had decided to worship the creators (because they have chosen to adopt the system of belief of the Dalish since it makes more sense to them than the story of the Maker and Andraste), and at 8 years old, that child began showing signs of magic.
No matter what he or his family believe, that family will be forced to follow the Chantry's law, and the child will be taken away to the Circle.
What if a mage dreams about being a smith, having a wife, and raising a family... What then?
If you believe in the freedom of choice, then nothing about the Circle "works".
I prefer to think the circle still exists not only because of the power of the chantry and templars, which I will admit to a large factor, but also because mages within the circle see the need for a system LIKE the circle, perhaps not as controlled as the current incarnation, but something similar with the core points of the circle, which I will explain in further detail later, and to paraphrase first enchanter irving, the circle is there to keep the mages in as much as it is to keep out those who would do them harm. I also seem to remeber a mage from Witch Hunt that hated going outside or leaving the circle becuase the outside world was ditry, and I mean that in a very literal way (ie Dirt and Mud), not for you specifically River, but for those who haven't played the DLC.
And not to be rude, but there are 2 major flaws in your example. 1) A human wouldn't worship the dalish gods because the dalish gods have been clearly stated to only protect the dalish, Vaterrals and most Dalish lore being an example of this, 'city elves' would have made a better example, and 2) The chantry forbids all worship of the creators. But disregarding that point, a mage has to be a mage due to the very nature of magic. As much as the circle takes away choice, most of the dreams of what mages want to be when they grow up is taken not by the circle, but by the simple fact that they have magic due the fact that it causes mages to be tempted by demons and an unprepared mage, say one trying to be a smith instead of a mage, maskes an all too easy target. While one could possibly find another apostate to train from, it is not a quarentee of survival, and though I will admit that neither is the circle, a lone abomination loose in a tower filled with templars is far less dangerous than one loose in say a small village or along a busy trading path. I'm not saying the circle is perfect by any means but merely that core principals of what the circle is supposed to be are worthwhile.
Really? What is to stop a human from believing in the creators, embrace the Dalish lore, and see elves as a superior race? Or, then again, adapting the Dalish Faith in order to include a place for humans. Or, to start worshipping their own paragons. Or to simply believe in something else entirely!
Some people are willing to believe in pretty crazy stuff you know, even if it doesn't make much sense. But what one chooses to believe in should always be his or her choice.
"The Chantry forbids all worship of the creators" My point, exactly! Lol! People don't have the choice but to adhere to the Chantry's teachings, or suffer the consequences.
If you return to my first post, I was never in favor of mages NOT receiving any training from the Circles.
I'm doing some "copy/paste" (with adding a thing or two), because I don't feel like composing all my arguments again. Lol!
I was basically saying that, when their powers manifest, young mages could be immediately assigned as apprentices to a master (preferably accredited by the Circles) that would teach them how to use and control their powers.
Circles of Magi could be converted as teaching institutions, instead of prisons.
Laws could be put in place to regulate the use of magic, and people (mages and/or non mages) could be assigned to enforce them. I'm not suggesting Templars, because I would never leave magic regulation to any religious organisation. People tend to get carried away when they believe they are doing some god's will.
Also, I'm refering to Circles of Magi as an independant organization, working in collaboration with the King, or the country's ruler. Not as being a faction of the Chantry that must answer to the Grand Clerics.
Freedom for the mages does not mean them being allowed to do whatever they want with their powers!
Freedom for the mages is basically allowing them to share the same rights as any other individuals. People who don't have magic must also abide by certain laws. It should be no different for them. After all, if it isn’t right
to kill a person using a spear, or control them through extortion, it shouldn’t be any more right to do so through the use of magic.
Making apprenticeship mandatory for all mages (and keeping official records) is one thing. But locking them up and taking their families/lives/minds/dreams away from them is another entirely.
And if there were some severe laws against committing hate crimes against mages, they would be protected from the population just as well.
As for a mage becoming a smith, why not? Once his magical training is completed, what's to prevent him from learning other skills? He could even integrate a bit of magic into his creations.
And why shouldn't he fall in love, marry, and start a family? Better yet! If one of his children turn out to have the magic gift too, that father would be able to help his child learn to control his powers, and resist the lure of demons. A loving, suportive parent that understands what the child is going through would be a great asset to that child's teachers.
I'm not even opposed to have young, untrained children remain in the Circles for a while (like a boarding school) while being allowed to receive frequent visits from their parents and friends, write to them... Have places where the parents can stay with them until the child adapts to this new environment (if he or she is very young, or afraid), etc.
"With great power comes great responsibility"
Mages need to be educated, and learn to treat their gifts with caution and respect. Just as the rest of the population needs to be educated about mages and magic (not just about the risks of magic, but its wonders and benefits as well!), and learn to treat mages with understanding, compassion, and respect.
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