A is for Arcanum
Everyone talks about him, but never to him. Not unless they need something.
Finn is the mage they seek out if they need help with their Creation classes, or if they are having trouble communicating in their Spirit classes.
At least they have stopped calling him Flora.
His pursuits are seen as wasteful, until someone needs him. He studies "useless" languages, and spends all of his time translating tomes so old that he frets over the covers and bindings. Why bother learning Arcanum when everyone speaks Common? The other mages spend all their time absconded in corners with each other doing things that just hold no interest for him, but it is his pursuits that are seen as worthless.
Reading and studying makes the days pass. Who could resist having a knowledge of something like the language used by the mages of Tevinter? The spells are more logical when read in the original text. So many things make more sense if they can be read from the original source instead of trusting the scrivener's translation.
He doesn't approve of their methods, naturally. Blood magic is far too unsanitary, even when learned in the most proper and formal of settings. Finn is bright enough and talented enough to be able to avoid deals with demons if he wants to pursue such things, but the thought alone makes him shudder. The risks are not worth the power. That he knows how to do it is enough. All knowledge is worth having, even if you don't think you'll ever use it.
Speculum, the first book says, and suddenly it makes so much sense. Everything clicks into place like the mechanism of a dwarven lock, finally, and he pulls out a packet of parchment scrolls that are haphazardly bound together.
The Dalish don't keep books. They are notoriously known for not committing things to writing, and based on the history he's memorized over the years, he can see why. Still, this packet of writings are invaluable as a resource, and he'a been studying it forever. He was chasing after an answer, and it has taken him a while to draw the lines. Ancient magic. Ancient magic that has so many possibilities, so many ways for his mind to wander and ask questions and make theories.
Could they really be used to communicate?
Think of the ways that they could enhance teaching! The ways that they could share information, to bridge great distances for the sharing of magic!
He carefully and painstakingly turns the parchment pages until he finds the section he's been working on. Checking his notes a third, fourth, and fifth time to be certain, his face breaks with a wide grin, the kind that only comes when he solves a puzzle.
Eluvian. He finally puts the pieces together.
It might never be useful. It may never bring him any credit or glory or recognition, but the fact that he now knows what it is has more reward to it than Finn could ever hope to explain to anyone.
All knowledge is worth having, and someday, perhaps, this will prove useful to someone. If not, the satisfaction is enough for him.
He rolls up the scrolls again, gingerly closes the book, and returns them to their nooks. Slinging Vera back over his shoulder, Finn returns to his quarters with a huge, satisfied smile on his face