1551 réponses à ce sujet

[Drasanil]

Too general. Even the Circle system requires some measure of power and political pull being allotted to the mages in order to function correctly.

 

How is it too general? Those mages, generally speaking, have power with in the circle amongst their own. That's fine, mages need to organise and run themselves like everyone else. The circles however do not tend to have much political power or weight on the rest of society, which is the point. You don't see circles/first enchanters collecting tithes from local farmers, administering laws or generally being in charge of things outside their own self-contained structure. 

[Lumix19]

Given that abominations are treated as just part and parcel of Rivain society, I imagine yhey react to them the same way people react to earthquakes or riots. Cultural indoctrination is a powerful thing, human societies have been ok with bloodshed on a regular basis on levels that would horrify modern people. See the Mesoamerican societies, slavery during the Roman Empire, the Crusades (and other religious conflict such as the 30yrs war or wars with the Ottomans) and so on.

Those casualties are contained to small area though, had Uldred been able to operate unchecked for the amount of time it would take to organize a templar response the devastation could have rivaled the Blight itself.

Natural disasters vary widely in scope and devastation and not all are completely negative. Wildfires might tear through a forest, hurting nobody, but I would still call that a natural disaster. Similarly we can't compare the result of a Rivaini natural disaster with the slaughter of mages, tranquil and templar on the Circle since we don't know exactly how the Rivaini mages are commonly dealt with. Natural disaster invokes the image of tornados and hurricanes tearing through cities but there are far more natural disasters on much smaller scales. Perhaps they do cause innumerable deaths, or perhaps they are simply hunted down by other Seers like the Avvar do or Rage of Koda-style.

[The Baconer]

How is it too general? Those mages, generally speaking, have power with in the circle amongst their own. That's fine, mages need to organise and run themselves like everyone else. The circles however do not tend to have much political power or weight on the rest of society, which is the point. You don't see circles/first enchanters collecting tithes from local farmers, administering laws or generally being in charge of things outside their own self-contained structure. 

 

They need some kind of leverage to ensure that whatever protections the system affords them can't be casually disregarded, which was a big factor in the tensions leading up to the rebellion. This could mean allowing mages into the Chantry, or recruiting them as agents of the institution that replaces the Seekers, among other possible changes.

[Drasanil]

They need some kind of leverage to ensure that whatever protections the system affords them can't be casually disregarded, which was a big factor in the tensions leading up to the rebellion. This could mean allowing mages into the Chantry, or recruiting them as agents of the institution that replaces the Seekers, among other possible changes.

 

Admittance to the Seekers would basically be the only thing that really works in this regards. In part because the process of becoming a seeker weeds out a lot of people, making it very hard for it become mage-exlusive club and in part because a seeker-mage would not be able to use magic to influence the other seekers mentally. It would also help provide a counter-balance to help check abuses by templars against mages.

[The Baconer]

Admittance to the Seekers would basically be the only thing that really works in this regards. In part because the process of becoming a seeker weeds out a lot of people, making it very hard for it become mage-exlusive club and in part because a seeker-mage would not be able to use magic to influence the other seekers mentally. It would also help provide a counter-balance to help check abuses by templars against mages.

 

I don't even care so much about the Seekers in particular, but any organization that acts as internal affairs like they were supposed to should recruit from both mages and non-mages.

[Bayonet Hipshot]

Yes they did... Demons would be almost non-existant in thedas without mages (and less threatening) as there are even barely any incidents in series where non-mages damaged veil and allowed demon to come through.Blights are results of magisters power hunger a problem that could have been only caused by mage (or person like inquisitor but that is another matter) whether blight existed long before and was locked up in black city or magisters created blight doesn't matter what matters that they are one who unleashed it onto world in their power hunger. So your facts are irrelevant to the matter that pretty much as far only mages are responsible for all world threats and non-mages are in no position to cause world-threat  ,same for magisters unleashing blight onto world.   

 

This is an inaccurate statement. Demons and spirits are both creatures of the Fade and they are the opposites of the same kind. Spirits become demons when they are perverted from their original purpose, a feat that can be accomplished by anyone who experiences strong emotions that calls a spirit to them. One does not need to be a mage to attract the attention of Fade creatures and one certainly does not have to be a mage to pervert the purpose of a spirit and turn it into a demon.

 

As for the Blight, no one really knows who caused it. We say it was the magisters but this view is only one that is skin deep. Or should I say, surface deep. The Dwarves contest the view that the Blight was caused by magisters. What's more since we know that Red Lyrium is Blighted Lyrium, then how did we find it in a Primeval Thaig that predates the First Blight ? How is it that carvings and drawings of Ancient Elves depict some of them with Red Lyrium / Blighted Lyrium as they fought their Civil War ? The reality is that the Taint has existed for a long time. I will hazard a guess that it is a byproduct of the Forgotten Ones and it came from the Void. I also think that the Titans have something to do with it too. All we know for sure is that the magisters did a ritual to go into the physical Fade and something happened. We don't exactly know what that something is. We also know they took the darkness in the Black City for themselves.The Chant of Light, like many other religious texts, is one that contains half-truths, not absolutes.
 

[Iakus]

  One does not need to be a mage to attract the attention of Fade creatures and one certainly does not have to be a mage to pervert the purpose of a spirit and turn it into a demon.

 

True.  But mages are particularly vulnerable to possession due to their stronger connection to the Fade.  And a mage abomination is far more dangerous, as it has access to the mage's magic.

[MisterJB]

 

You stated that every society with Free Mages is ruled by them. I corrected and informed you that a most of them are in fact not ruled by Mages. Yes, your statement was completely incorrect. You are nitpicking and grasping at straws. The Rivani Seers are not rulers by any definition i.e. "Having supreme power over a nation". Do you really consider a Spiritual/community leader a RULER? You cannot dismiss the fact that they owe their allegiance to an actual RULER.

The concept of maintaining appearances and powerless monarchs seems to elude you.

You know, I was just going to ask you a question that I was hoping would be disarming and eye opening.

"Who rules in Antiva?"

 

But really, chances are it would be too subtle so, I'll just explain the logic behind the question.

 

In Antiva, the monarchy has little to no power. The real rulers are a dozen merchant families who control trade, have enough power to hire private armies and ties with the Crows.

And yet, I am quite certain they swear allegiance to the king.

 

A many of the societies that we know anything about with Free Mages are in fact not ruled by Mages. The Wardens, Rivain, the Avvar ARE NOT ruled by Mages and have mundane leaders.

This is not arguing, this you repeating what I contested without using further arguments to disprove mine.

 

I use examples from the game, post passages from The World of Thedas and codex which explicitly state how a council of women headed by the Seers make ALL decisions and you fail to refute any of that, just repeating "they are not ruled by mages".

If you don't believe me, here what I said.

 

 

 

We have seen Keepers making unilateral decisions which have even harmed the clan without consulting any one else. And when these supposedly powerful elders have disagrees with these decisions, for instance Vellana and Ilen in DA2, they always abandoned the clan along with their supporters as if this was their only recourse. If you have evidence the Keepers needs the approval of a majority of clanmates before taking a decisions or that the elders of the clan can hold a vote of no confidence and this means that the Keeper is legally obligated to act in the manner they want rather than that of his or her choice, then present it. Otherwise, the Keeper is an autocrat.

World of Thedas page 80 "All decisions involving the welfare of most Rivaini communities rest solely with the eldest women. The most senior of these women are caled seers, who freely practice magic."So, first of all "all decisions" meaning they have authority in matter beyond the spiritual. Second, the senior of these eldest women is always a mage making a mage the person with the most authority in these communities. That is ruling.

 

 

If you don't want to debate with me, that is absolutely fine but at least have the courtesy of saying so. 

 

And the Grey Wardens aren't a society. They are a paramilitary organization composed of the deadliest sons of a b*tch in Thedas who are linked together and to an infinite swarm of orc-zombies through a mystical curse and have a lifespan of 30 years tops.

[MisterJB]

Furthermore, foregoing the fact method used in tribal societies are not applicable to societies numbering in the millions, it's worth pointing out we never actually see Avvar mages helping the clan. We hear about their methods to teach mages and deal with ones who are at risk of becoming Abominations...which wouldn't even be necessary if their mages were in the Circle.

[Iakus]

Furthermore, foregoing the fact method used in tribal societies are not applicable to societies numbering in the millions, it's worth pointing out we never actually see Avvar mages helping the clan. We hear about their methods to teach mages and deal with ones who are at risk of becoming Abominations...which wouldn't even be necessary if their mages were in the Circle.

I wonder if "living free" would be worthwhile if you knew you were at risk of being killed in your sleep if judged too weak?

[Jaison1986]

Furthermore, foregoing the fact method used in tribal societies are not applicable to societies numbering in the millions, it's worth pointing out we never actually see Avvar mages helping the clan. We hear about their methods to teach mages and deal with ones who are at risk of becoming Abominations...which wouldn't even be necessary if their mages were in the Circle.

 

They would still need to teach such things there. The only thing you would be changing is their location.

[TEWR]

Furthermore, foregoing the fact method used in tribal societies are not applicable to societies numbering in the millions, it's worth pointing out we never actually see Avvar mages helping the clan. We hear about their methods to teach mages and deal with ones who are at risk of becoming Abominations...which wouldn't even be necessary if their mages were in the Circle.

 

To be fair, you're never gonna be able to know if it works on a city-wide or national level because every attempt to get that far is usually met with another institution trying to run roughshod over you because of your decisions.

 

I also don't feel like you're giving the cultural norms a society grows up in enough credit here. How a society looks at magic and magical weirdness will in turn have an effect on the Mages' well-being.

 

Case in point: numerous instances of Chantry villages attacking mage children due to how magic has been so heavily stigmatized.

[TheKomandorShepard]

This is an inaccurate statement. Demons and spirits are both creatures of the Fade and they are the opposites of the same kind. Spirits become demons when they are perverted from their original purpose, a feat that can be accomplished by anyone who experiences strong emotions that calls a spirit to them. One does not need to be a mage to attract the attention of Fade creatures and one certainly does not have to be a mage to pervert the purpose of a spirit and turn it into a demon.

 

As for the Blight, no one really knows who caused it. We say it was the magisters but this view is only one that is skin deep. Or should I say, surface deep. The Dwarves contest the view that the Blight was caused by magisters. What's more since we know that Red Lyrium is Blighted Lyrium, then how did we find it in a Primeval Thaig that predates the First Blight ? How is it that carvings and drawings of Ancient Elves depict some of them with Red Lyrium / Blighted Lyrium as they fought their Civil War ? The reality is that the Taint has existed for a long time. I will hazard a guess that it is a byproduct of the Forgotten Ones and it came from the Void. I also think that the Titans have something to do with it too. All we know for sure is that the magisters did a ritual to go into the physical Fade and something happened. We don't exactly know what that something is. We also know they took the darkness in the Black City for themselves.The Chant of Light, like many other religious texts, is one that contains half-truths, not absolutes.
 

 

Yes it is accurate statement i said it 5000 times, again only way for demons to cross veil is cross it through damaged veil , be summoned by the mage or possess a mage creating an abomnation.In first place non-mage can't interact with spirit or demon unless it crossed veil or non-mage was dragged to the fade with magic so your talk is pretty much pointless because even if non-mage could have corrupt spirit he would need a mage to be able contact with one. 

 

We know who caused blight or should i say unleashed it upon world chantry explains that and later we get living evidence that chantry was correct in that matter ,and so what that Primeval Thaig is older than blights so are deep roads and dwarven empire their existance before blights prove nothing ,and i don't know anything about elven drawings with red lyrium.

[Master Warder Z_]

Case in point: numerous instances of Chantry villages attacking mage children due to how magic has been so heavily stigmatized.

 

Its stigmatized because every other year regular old people get their lives, livelihoods and families obliterated by magic.

 

There is no vacuum not in DA or reality, stigma exists because there is reason for said stigma to exist.

[TEWR]

Not denying that there are historical reasons for one to be wary of magic, for one to be cautious of its dangers. Never did I say the stigma arose by itself because of the Chantry. But there's a world of difference between understandable caution and fermenting a situation where the population is actively kept in ignorance rather then learning and understanding about magic, leading to a society that doesn't just shun mages but will actively persecute and commit violence against them.

 

Sera put it plain as day that the common folk know shite about mages or Templars except when they're barreling down their neighborhoods.

 

It's not helped either by the continuing trend of the Circles to keep the Mages so completely isolated from society that they have no idea how to really get by on their own or be members of society in a contributory sense -- when all they have are perhaps their ideological goals and how far those goals are allowed to go, for example Lucrosian merchants might not exist in some Circles but do in others -- and thus the problems aren't able to be addressed. 

 

The Chantry wasn't the root cause of the stigma against magic, but they have actively helped it grow, whether through disinterest in addressing core fundamental problems or simply a definite desire to keep the divide going.

 

So long as mages are ignorant of how to live in society and society is ignorant of just what being a mage entails -- which can only truly be something a Mage tells you. Some Chantry mother who doesn't deal with the **** can't really talk of how magic impacts a mage's life (or at least not as well) -- then there's not going to be any real change.

[Boost32]

Not denying that there are historical reasons for one to be wary of magic, for one to be cautious of its dangers. Never did I say the stigma arose by itself because of the Chantry. But there's a world of difference between understandable caution and fermenting a situation where the population is actively kept in ignorance rather then learning and understanding about magic, leading to a society that doesn't just shun mages but will actively persecute and commit violence against them.
 
Sera put it plain as day that the common folk know shite about mages or Templars except when they're barreling down their neighborhoods.
 
It's not helped either by the continuing trend of the Circles to keep the Mages so completely isolated from society that they have no idea how to really get by on their own or be members of society in a contributory sense -- when all they have are perhaps their ideological goals and how far those goals are allowed to go, for example Lucrosian merchants might not exist in some Circles but do in others -- and thus the problems aren't able to be addressed. 
 
The Chantry wasn't the root cause of the stigma against magic, but they have actively helped it grow, whether through disinterest in addressing core fundamental problems or simply a definite desire to keep the divide going.
 
So long as mages are ignorant of how to live in society and society is ignorant of just what being a mage entails -- which can only truly be something a Mage tells you. Some Chantry mother who doesn't deal with the **** can't really talk of how magic impacts a mage's life (or at least not as well) -- then there's not going to be any real change.

There is no ignorante, mages are dangerous and should stay in their quarentine zones to not endanger others.
The rebellion showed that they cant be trusted, they said they would hunt down dangerous mages but instead not only allowed their own to go on killing spree but allowed a Tevinter magister to expel mudanes from their home in Redcliff. Only those who can be trusted should be given some kind of freedom, but even them should not have total freedom.

And Sera is wrong about the templars, they are viewed as heroes by the common folk. Just hear what Leliana says about the templars when the Inquisitor recruits them: "You did good to bring the templars to the Inquisition. The people trust the templars, now they trust us".

[Ariella]

There is no ignorante, mages are dangerous and should stay in their quarentine zones to not endanger others.
The rebellion showed that they cant be trusted, they said they would hunt down dangerous mages but instead not only allowed their own to go on killing spree but allowed a Tevinter magister to expel mudanes from their home in Redcliff. Only those who can be trusted should be given some kind of freedom, but even them should not have total freedom.

Considering they'd been chased from foxhole to foxhole, hunted by templars who intended to purge (the word Lucian uses) mages... Not surprised that they accepted help when it was offered.

And if the Lord Seeker hadn't gone all ape and declared war... A lot of things would be different.

And Sera is wrong about the templars, they are viewed as heroes by the common folk. Just hear what Leliana says about the templars when the Inquisitor recruits them: "You did good to bring the templars to the Inquisition. The people trust the templars, now they trust us".

Some do, many don't and the Order's actions during the conflict didn't do anyone any favors. The woman whose husband was murdered by the templars in the Hinterlands for example. I doubt she's alone.

Mages are allowed to survive but they aren't allowed to live. There is a large difference, and the idea they should be denied lives because of something they were born with? It flies in the face of every concept of human rights and human dignity.

[Riverdaleswhiteflash]

Considering they'd been chased from foxhole to foxhole, hunted by templars who intended to purge (the word Lucian uses) mages... Not surprised that they accepted help when it was offered.

And if the Lord Seeker hadn't gone all ape and declared war... A lot of things would be different.



Some do, many don't and the Order's actions during the conflict didn't do anyone any favors. The woman whose husband was murdered by the templars in the Hinterlands for example. I doubt she's alone.

Mages are allowed to survive but they aren't allowed to live. There is a large difference, and the idea they should be denied lives because of something they were born with? It flies in the face of every concept of human rights and human dignity.

This particular foxhole had kept out Ogres and Emissaries, and while it comes uncomfortably close to failing as the Warden arrives it's not like it's facing anything like the same threat this time. I'm surprised they thought they needed more security than that.
 

But I'll agree that it's surprising that the Templars are still trusted. If Leiliana was right and not just biased in favor of anything Chantry.

 

And your last point? The problem is that human rights are a concept that are suspended if the need arises. People who are sufficiently insane (and insane in the right way; ie dangerous) can be forcibly put in a hospital. People who are sick with something contagious are put in quarantines, and not all of them like it. I'm pretty sure that potential abominations are about as dangerous, at least until they've earned some trust. Maybe you'll come up with an argument that changes my mind on this, but it's not going to be anything like this simplistic because this issue is by design not a simple one.

 

Now, I do agree with you that the Circles should allow some freedom. Mages who have earned some trust should be allowed outside to work and maybe work off some degree of the distrust that common, ignorant people have of them. We've seen that people can get over their justified distrust of magic, or at least make an exception to it, if they owe a mage their lives. Why not let mages try to earn some of it, while spreading the word that they owe it to the proper training given by the Circle? This system might very well help keep mages from going untrained their entire lives or being lynched before they can arrive for training.

[Master Warder Z_]

But I'll agree that it's surprising that the Templars are still trusted. If Leiliana was right and not just biased in favor of anything Chantry.

 

Their basically the Thedosian Night's Watch friend that's why.

 

For a thousand years they were the sword and shield protecting the common people from magic.

[The Baconer]

I would understand people being wary in the Hinterlands and Rivain, but we don't know how extensive the collateral damage was outside of those areas. I don't see why the average person in Orlais, for example, would have a reason to stop trusting the Templars. This is before their movement to Therinfal, of course.

[Boost32]

Considering they'd been chased from foxhole to foxhole, hunted by templars who intended to purge (the word Lucian uses) mages... Not surprised that they accepted help when it was offered.

And if the Lord Seeker hadn't gone all ape and declared war... A lot of things would be different.



Some do, many don't and the Order's actions during the conflict didn't do anyone any favors. The woman whose husband was murdered by the templars in the Hinterlands for example. I doubt she's alone.

Mages are allowed to survive but they aren't allowed to live. There is a large difference, and the idea they should be denied lives because of something they were born with? It flies in the face of every concept of human rights and human dignity.

So they started a war that they couldnt win and when their asses where beat, its ok to screw up? They said they would never abuse their powers and would hunt down those who misused it, they betrayed their own words (http://dragonage.wik...ry:_Rebel_Mages), they deserve nothing.

9

And if they would not declare a war by leaving the Circles this conflict would have not existed, the ones who stayed were protected by the templars (http://dragonage.wik...est_from_Hasmal)

 

please show me those many who dont,if you can point only one its not many.

 

How they are not allowed to live? They live with better conditions than most people in Thedas, they have 3 meals for day, they dont endure the cold winter, they dont need to do any manual labor, etc. Its not like the peasant have a better life than a mage, they can be abused by the local noble,bandits, guards and yet somehow only the mages suffer.

What must be done is a better oversight to prevent abuses from happening, ofc it will not be perfect, its impossible to stop every person in authority to ever abuse its power, still its a better solution than letting the mages go and praying for the best.

[Ariella]

This particular foxhole had kept out Ogres and Emissaries, and while it comes uncomfortably close to failing as the Warden arrives it's not like it's facing anything like the same threat this time. I'm surprised they thought they needed more security than that.

You're talking about a group of people with no military training against one of the best armed forces in Thedas, one they have a good reason to fear, considering they'd been (in their minds) imprisoned by the Templars. I'd be terrified too. Add to that the fact they believe that everyone in Thedas thinks they killed the Divine. This was their last stand.

 

But I'll agree that it's surprising that the Templars are still trusted. If Leiliana was right and not just biased in favor of anything Chantry.

I always thought that very strange considering how Leliana was pushing for the mages.

And your last point? The problem is that human rights are a concept that are suspended if the need arises. People who are sufficiently insane (and insane in the right way; ie dangerous) can be forcibly put in a hospital. People who are sick with something contagious are put in quarantines, and not all of them like it. I'm pretty sure that potential abominations are about as dangerous, at least until they've earned some trust. Maybe you'll come up with an argument that changes my mind on this, but it's not going to be anything like this simplistic because this issue is by design not a simple one.
 
Now, I do agree with you that the Circles should allow some freedom. Mages who have earned some trust should be allowed outside to work and maybe work off some degree of the distrust that common, ignorant people have of them. We've seen that people can get over their justified distrust of magic, or at least make an exception to it, if they owe a mage their lives. Why not let mages try to earn some of it, while spreading the word that they owe it to the proper training given by the Circle? This system might very well help keep mages from going untrained their entire lives or being lynched before they can arrive for training.

You don't imprison a person based on what they might do, and the truth is that the slippery slope can go the other way. We've seen it before.

St. Augustine of Hippo called for the Jews to be an eternal "witness people" to be allowed to survive but not thrive. What came after was well... we all know the stories.

Yes, I realize that it's not a one to one, but the basic idea is the same. How long does it take before someone starts asking "why are we bothering to keep them alive?"

I'm not arguing that mages need training. I'd think a more "guild" style Circle would work, but the idea that they have to be completely isolated without lives... It just exacerbates the problem the Chantry is trying to prevent. Mages have no stake in the world, and have no real idea what it's like to live IN the world. So they're willing to commit to insane and stupid risks because they have nothing to lose and think everything will be rosy on the outside.

[Ariella]

So they started a war that they couldnt win and when their asses where beat, its ok to screw up? They said they would never abuse their powers and would hunt down those who misused it, they betrayed their own words (http://dragonage.wik...ry:_Rebel_Mages), they deserve nothing.

Of course, completely ignoring pretty much everything else that was said in the pamphlet. People fight back when they're oppressed. Rape, murder, being made tranquil outside the laws of the Chantry. This didn't just happen in Kirkwall but a lot of places.

And if they would not declare a war by leaving the Circles this conflict would have not existed, the ones who stayed were protected by the templars (http://dragonage.wik...est_from_Hasmal)
 
please show me those many who dont,if you can point only one its not many.

I don't know what this is supposed to prove except the fact that people are scared and will lash out.
 

How they are not allowed to live? They live with better conditions than most people in Thedas, they have 3 meals for day, they dont endure the cold winter, they dont need to do any manual labor, etc. Its not like the peasant have a better life than a mage, they can be abused by the local noble,bandits, guards and yet somehow only the mages suffer.
What must be done is a better oversight to prevent abuses from happening, ofc it will not be perfect, its impossible to stop every person in authority to ever abuse its power, still its a better solution than letting the mages go and praying for the best.

A gilded cage us still a cage. They aren't allowed to have families, they aren't allowed to be a part of the world.

Living is not just eating, breathing, and relieving one's self. Living is art, music, spending time with friends, family, making choices about what you want to do with yourself. Mages aren't allowed that. They aren't allowed to use their powers to help because people fear magic so much. They have to be locked away from the world.

That's not life.

[TK514]

Of course, completely ignoring pretty much everything else that was said in the pamphlet. People fight back when they're oppressed. Rape, murder, being made tranquil outside the laws of the Chantry. This didn't just happen in Kirkwall but a lot of places.


I don't know what this is supposed to prove except the fact that people are scared and will lash out.
 

A gilded cage us still a cage. They aren't allowed to have families, they aren't allowed to be a part of the world.

Living is not just eating, breathing, and relieving one's self. Living is art, music, spending time with friends, family, making choices about what you want to do with yourself. Mages aren't allowed that. They aren't allowed to use their powers to help because people fear magic so much. They have to be locked away from the world.

That's not life.

 

It's a better life than most of Thedas' peasant population, who don't live in palaces (or even clean, well maintained former prisons), are forced to work without owning or profiting from the fruits of their labors, and have neither the time nor the resources to pursue education, hobbies or any of the various other luxuries mages take for granted.  All while having even less legal protection from abuse than the mages.  At least when someone like Alrik is a horrible person, he has to hide it from the people in charge.

[Boost32]

Of course, completely ignoring pretty much everything else that was said in the pamphlet. People fight back when they're oppressed. Rape, murder, being made tranquil outside the laws of the Chantry. This didn't just happen in Kirkwall but a lot of places.


I don't know what this is supposed to prove except the fact that people are scared and will lash out.
 

A gilded cage us still a cage. They aren't allowed to have families, they aren't allowed to be a part of the world.

Living is not just eating, breathing, and relieving one's self. Living is art, music, spending time with friends, family, making choices about what you want to do with yourself. Mages aren't allowed that. They aren't allowed to use their powers to help because people fear magic so much. They have to be locked away from the world.

That's not life.

And it need to be prevented with a better supervision on the templars, still does not excuse the mages for what they did in the Hinterlands. If they betrayed their own word, how can you trust them to no screw again in the future?

 

Its to prove that if they didnt started the war, they wouldnt be hunted and all those deaths in the war could have been prevented.

 

And its have a motive to be a cage, mages have almost destroyed the world countless times, entire villages wipped, blood magic sacrifices, etc. They need to be watched.

 

And they have art and music, they can spend time with their friends, with permission get married, they can choose what fraternitie they will join, etc. In fact they have way more choice than a peasant will ever have in his or her life.