Mara accepted Madeline’s offer and sat down next to her fellow Arlessa. She sat silently, allowing Madeline to speak. Mara could not find fault in Madeline’s words- this was a crisis that needed to be addressed swiftly yet carefully, effectively and efficiently so that all involved would benefit.
Mara nodded. She had heard the stories of Ferelden refugees of the Fifth Blight being rejected in the Free Marches and Orlais. Even when Ferelden was deemed safe again for the refugees to return, many of them had nothing to return to. Many of the smaller villages were destroyed, and even her city was partially decimated by the Darkspawn’s attack. She knew the horrors of people having nowhere to turn to when their home has been lost.
“The Fifth Blight forced thousands of Fereldens to leave their homes for refuge in Orlais and the Free Marches,” Mara said with a frown, her voice solemn. “I have seen those that have returned after the Blight having nothing left. Not even resources to rebuild their old life. It would surely be no different for the Orlesians.”
Her biggest priority was her people. With the influx of refugees, there would surely be tension between the Fereldens and the Orlesian refugees. She knew Denerim’s alienage would be more welcoming to their elven brethren, but even she could not be certain that the Alienage would be able to accept the refugees, let alone accept them peacefully. And who was to say the Orlesian refugees were not to cause any problems, especially those with ‘holier-than-thou’ attitudes towards the elves?
“One of the biggest points of concern will be resources,” Mara continued. “Denerim is the largest city in Ferelden, true, but even we have only so many resources to go around- food and water we could easily enough through trade, but shelter and housing may prove to be more difficult to provide for. A majority of these people may be forced to sleep in the streets if we do not provide the adequate shelter they will need. I’ve never been the religious type, but Maker knows what could happen. They could easily be taken advantage of by petty criminals looking to make easy coin, or worse. Not to mention, Ferelden Winters are not the kindest for the people to endure.”
Mara shivered slightly at the thought. She remembered when life was more difficult in the Alienage, where she caught numerous fevers from the cold alone, having to cling to her mother or father’s side for the slightest bit of warmth.
@Madeline Wulff
Mara nodded. She had heard the stories of Ferelden refugees of the Fifth Blight being rejected in the Free Marches and Orlais. Even when Ferelden was deemed safe again for the refugees to return, many of them had nothing to return to. Many of the smaller villages were destroyed, and even her city was partially decimated by the Darkspawn’s attack. She knew the horrors of people having nowhere to turn to when their home has been lost.
“The Fifth Blight forced thousands of Fereldens to leave their homes for refuge in Orlais and the Free Marches,” Mara said with a frown, her voice solemn. “I have seen those that have returned after the Blight having nothing left. Not even resources to rebuild their old life. It would surely be no different for the Orlesians.”
Her biggest priority was her people. With the influx of refugees, there would surely be tension between the Fereldens and the Orlesian refugees. She knew Denerim’s alienage would be more welcoming to their elven brethren, but even she could not be certain that the Alienage would be able to accept the refugees, let alone accept them peacefully. And who was to say the Orlesian refugees were not to cause any problems, especially those with ‘holier-than-thou’ attitudes towards the elves?
“One of the biggest points of concern will be resources,” Mara continued. “Denerim is the largest city in Ferelden, true, but even we have only so many resources to go around- food and water we could easily enough through trade, but shelter and housing may prove to be more difficult to provide for. A majority of these people may be forced to sleep in the streets if we do not provide the adequate shelter they will need. I’ve never been the religious type, but Maker knows what could happen. They could easily be taken advantage of by petty criminals looking to make easy coin, or worse. Not to mention, Ferelden Winters are not the kindest for the people to endure.”
Mara shivered slightly at the thought. She remembered when life was more difficult in the Alienage, where she caught numerous fevers from the cold alone, having to cling to her mother or father’s side for the slightest bit of warmth.
@Madeline Wulff
09-13-2024, 01:38 PM
