Counsel Indeed

Upon her return, Arbiter Voah asked the acolyte to summon the Friar to the Keep so that she may speak with her and the Duke to gauge their responses.

"Gentlemen I have brought you here summoned you to discuss my findings on the Odsier and their practices of witchcraft and I would ask for you counsel on the matter."

The Friar and the Duke look at the Inquisitor attentively.

“I can confirm the rumors that some of the members of the tribe can speak with the dead. They have admitted as much though I have not witnessed it myself. What I have experienced was the practice of Oneiromancy, dream magik, and I have been told by the Odsier that the power is perceived as a “gift” wielded only by women. They say that these witches can shape and influence nature around them, thus they hold positions of influence. The tribe believes that those who show aptitude carry the "blood of Erewhon", which I understand as some spirit of the natural world... This information leaves me troubled. There seems to be no knowledge of our gods. Now what do you make of it?"

The Duke and the Friar exchange confused looks. Voah is an Arbiter. A living embodiment of the Inquisition and a weapon against magik. Could she be testing them and their commitment to the cause? The Duke is the first to speak.

"Now that you have witnessed it before hand we can no longer ignore it." he said looking at the Friar and Voah. "Before, we could have dismissed it as the invention of weaker minds among us and down to fear of this new land and it's people. But now..." He left it trailing looking at Voah curious at her seeming calmness in the presence of magik.

The Friar coughed. "You are the voice of the Inquisition Arbiter. More important than what we make of it, is what DO YOU make of it..." He asked genuinely.

She explained to them the questions she had been asking herself about the presence of the gods in Arcadia, or the lack thereof.

“My teaching tells me that the practice of magik must be vanquished at any rate… of that I am certain. Though I feel no certainty from the Gods in what manner to proceed. I find, for the first time, my heart and mind are in conflict. These are not the same sort of heretics I have dealt with. ‘Tis not the same as the Inquisition that we know, past nor present. Have you… either of you… heard before of this… ‘Erewhon’?”

The Lord Commander hid his thoughts well. The Friar on the other hand looked relieved. Relieved that the Arbiter wasn't calling upon everyone to engage a war against the natives. Although he was not about to share that with her yet. It could be a test of some kind. "I can't say I have." he told her. "A spirit you said?"

Before Voah could reply the Duke added. "I am not sure what conflict you refer to...
'Do my prophets no harm and suffer not the witch to live.' he quoted from the tenants of the Inquisition." Magik is banned across the realms under the pain of death. Are you saying that the holy power of the Pillars does not hold sway over this land and that the Inquisition is suspended?" he asked gauging her reactions.

“I am simply questioning the manner of the Inquisition, not that it should be suspended. You speak of witches and the witches I have known were willing participants in heresy. I pride myself in my insight of people and these did not qualify as such. It disturbs me all the same. Why would the Gods allow these natives to continue for so long without making themselves known to them or… or punishing them for their blasphemy?“

A thought came to her then that she had not anticipated. Was this an omen then? Was her coming to Arcadia the will of the Gods? To make them known? Was her purpose to be their vessel across the sea? Was she their true manifestation, their voice? She did not speak those thoughts aloud.

“Perhaps this is a test of my faith. Or perhaps it is one of the exceptions I’ve read about in the Codex about banishing magik while also being merciful. As an Arbiter of five Gods, the tenants are not measured to such extremes, but more of a balance. Perhaps it is time for reform.”

The Friar looked on shocked at her words. That was the closest to blasphemy he had ever heard someone from the faiths come face to face. Not to mention an Arbiter. He did not know how to make of this at all and was lost for words.

The Lord Commander however was visibly disturbed by this turn of events. "Arbiter Voah Sahnsuur." he started by using her formal title. "The Noctua Inquisition has been in place for over 167 years. It is the stone on which almost every society in Helias built its culture upon. None more so than Mizar and Salos." he looked at her directly in the eye. "You are the voice of the Inquisition in this city but you are not the voice of the Pillars or the faith. Your words can be... misconstrued by the wrong people."

She wanted to say, 'We are no longer in the Empire nor Mizar, but instead she sighed, “I do beg your pardon, Lord Commander, Friar. I have not felt like myself of late. I must meditate and I we can continue this discussion later this evening if that works for you.”