"Yes, the proverbial gilded cage," He opines, and the driness of his tone is nearly a sneer all by itself, "It is frustrating in the extreme. And yet, the residents of this place seem largely content with their lot here."

Which is its own kind of frustrating, really. There should be riots, resistance, resentment... not this vapid subservience. But then, Solas was not entirely innocent of compliance himself.

"It is far worse, for mages," He says, into that thoughtful silence. These Leaders are dangerous, he clearly understands that much, but how dangerous? "They strip those who come here with magic of their connection to the Fade, or any other source of power. Until you work to earn it back, of course."