Imshael's been around long enough to know a little about a lot. So, when he found himself ensnared in the fiasco that is the Inquisition, he made a pesky habit of sharing forbidden knowledge in the form of fantastical tales... The Seeker seemed to enjoy that sort of thing.
In Fear & Faith: an Imshael / Cassandra Story
"Once upon a time, a young acolyte joined a temple of Dumat. As an apprentice, he was tasked with escorting, guarding, and recording the activities of the temple’s oracles. Worshippers paid tithes to have their desires revealed and futures predicted; the priesthood maintained an information network that tracked every commercial and political move of its merchants and magisters.
The acolyte’s faith was shaken to discover that his longstanding belief in Dumat’s favor fell to mortal contrivance and profane politicking. He vowed in Silence to ascend the ranks, to overhaul and correct this grievous sin... And his hope was renewed on the day of his induction, for a beast of the sea came ashore! A humble fisherman received free food and fortune-telling for bringing it, and they told Sethius to bring the sacrifice, for he would Conduct it himself."
"The oracles celebrated in their own way before any sacrifice. During their private revelry, the Chosen’s burdens were lifted from her heart in private, that she might go to Dumat with full and doubtless acceptance. The women chose one among them, and presented her, and Sethius knew her well for passing a defiant and scathing judgement on her subjects. Sethius doubted this choice, though it was not his place to speak against it.
Proudly did they both enter the preparation room, and the oracle watched him with scornful eyes as a curious ointment was streaked across her brow. The priests undressed her; they bathed her; when her legs grew unsteady, Sethius doubted her faith, but they explained that she was not weak—she was ready. Her speech became riddled and her pupils wide, seeing all but here and now. Sethius observed the ointment and the sheen of the bath water, and came to suspect duplicity.
They sat her upon an oracle’s throne to bestow her final prophecy, and Sethius painted every uttered word on a silk scroll until she went mute. Overwhelmed by the approach of Dumat, the priests explained, and now for the Old God’s augury. Defiance and spite had finally fled her, but Sethius deemed her far from ready... He watched the priests’ movements turn lethargic, drunken, and remembered that they dipped their hands in the poisoned bath.
They laid her on a litter and carried her to the temple balcony overlooking a sheer cliff. In a nearby basin, tentacles writhed and coiled, waiting to carry Dumat’s offering back to the sea.
This was the site of blood rites.
They beckoned him to the fore after laying her on the altar and declared: “Prima Sanguis!” He was to draw first blood. But when he requested the sacrificial blade, the priests laughed. They shook their heads, they grasped their groins. Prima Sanguis…
Sethius drew blade and blood as they bade, but not the sort they suggested in their heresy.
And in their befuddled state, the priests were helpless as he pulled a dagger from his sleeve and dragged it down his forearm in a single motion. He charred their flesh and cast their corrupt corpses over the balcony in a sacrifice fitting and proper at long last. But the flame of his and Dumat’s wrath had only just ignited.
He dared to anoint himself in the manner of a woman, endured Dumat’s unforgiving lessons, and inducted himself as the first and last High Priest—the Silent Conductor..."
This is Dina and old Tevinter is destroying my and her life. I never want to draw profiles again
I want to thank hedgieart and their pictures here and here, thank diesvitae and their pictures here and here and thank augmented-mind and this picture for forcing the idea of Pre-Black-City-and-Blight-Corypheus aka Sethius Amladaris (and pre-Blight-architect but to a lesser extend) on me with their awesome art. Y U GUYS DO THIS?! Because of you I got so stuck in this idea of not-so-fucked-up Corypheus doing Dumat-stuff and having a life and social contacts and friends and other people fangirling over Dumat with him.
This is how Dina happened. I got the idea for Sethius’ BFF months ago and finally I drew her. This is also my first picture in Paint Tool Sai so just fml. She’s taking bleeding out quite easy. Mah gurl!
Did I imagine that Sethius killed her just before entering the fade with the other magisters so that there would be no witnesses in case “something” goes wrong? Oh hell to the yes.
Did I write a fanfiction about it? Damn yes.
Is it in german so most people can’t read it anyway? Absolutley.
Special thanks also to my Dina-Playlist and Anders and his beautiful feather-style. Great inspiration.
