001 | Crystal

[mousquetaire]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: d'Artagnan
RECIPIENT: Everyone with a crystal
WHAT: A question about phylacteries and discussion of the upcoming tourney.
WHEN: Shortly after tourney sign-ups are announced.
WHERE: Kirkwall, Docks

[ Here d'Artagnan is, seated on one of the long tables used for dining at the docks in Kirkwall. He's trying to look like it's very normal to talk into a crystal. ]

Hello. I'm d'Artagnan, recently of the Forces Division, originally of the King's Musketeers of Paris, which makes me what you call a rifter, I suppose, although I'll say I'm not fond of that title.

[ And with introductions out of the way… ]

I know that phylacteries is the word of the day. [ And check it out! He pronounced that with almost no problem at all. He maybe stumbled over the middle section, but surely no one will notice. Anyway: ] I'll be honest: I don't know what that is. From all of your reactions, I doubt it's anything I'd like. If you can explain it to me without starting another war over it, I'd owe you a debt.

[ Not that you're not all lovely people. But with that unhappy admission of ignorance out of the way, let him just segue straight into what he is actually good at. So… ]

The Tourney, on the other hand. You, my friends, shall have my sword, and I'll challenge any one of you to meet me on that field. My King is not protected by Knights, but by Musketeers, so when the games come, I will fight for the garrison, and my brothers. Who among you will attend?

Comments

[champions]

D'Artagnan, with the pistol? We met in the Sunless Lands, albeit briefly.

( What a jumpy man. Admittedly it had been an entirely justified caution around polar bears, but she's choosing to gloss over that part of the memory in favour of thinking of him as jumpy, just because it's more entertaining. )

I'll let someone else explain phylacteries, ( because she's a contrary jerk, partly, but mostly because she's just a little weary of the topic ) but I'm curious - do you count the Inquisition so quickly amongst your brothers, or do you speak of your Musketeers from home?

[mousquetaire]

My fellow Musketeers. [ Says d'Artagnan at once, without really thinking about it. Once it's out he wonders if that might be offensive to the Inquisition, who were quick enough to welcome him. He'd rather not irritate them unduly.

Still, it's true. He doesn't know if this place will ever feel like home, but it certainly doesn't now. He's not even sure that he wants it to. ]

Forgive me, I don't mean to dismiss anyone here. But when I speak of the garrison, I mean my garrison. You're all unlucky enough to be unused to my regiment, so it falls on me to show you what you're missing.

[ Pause. ]

Unless everything goes badly, in which case I'm representing no one. Did you tell me your name the last time we met?

[champions]

I can't remember, ( she replies, very lightly and very honestly.
(Or is it? It probably is. This time.) )

We spoke so long ago and so much was happening that I'm not beside myself that you don't remember my name regardless of whether or not I shared it - I am Lady Marisol Vivas.

( Her laughter is warm and amused. )

You certainly think very highly of yourself and your garrison. I hope that you can put your money where your mouth is.

[mousquetaire]

Lady Vivas.

[ His tone holds a note of deference that only emerges when he speaks to nobility. In truth the problem isn't that he doesn't remember her, but that it's strange to be unable to put faces against voices. D'Artagnan has never done that before. Using this crystal is an alien thing. ]

I mean to try. I would not be a Musketeer if I did not know my brothers are the best of their kind. They would delight in this kind of competition. The last time we had any of the kind was the day I won my commission. And that did not involve jousting.

[ The thought of that, though...

You see, now he's smiling stupidly at a crystal. That's the other problem with these things. ]

Do you mean to attend, my Lady?

[champions]

I do. I may even compete, though I've yet to be fully persuaded.

That must have been a very happy day for you. I suspect this will be... very different, knowing you are so far from home, but I hope you enjoy it. Are there any challenges not being offered in the current tourney that you wish were available?

( There is a moment of thought, and— ) You have mentioned your brothers. Do you have no sister Musketeers?

[pati]

Aaaand so what exactly happens when I kick your ass at the tourney?

[mousquetaire]

[ Now, this voice he recognises. Immediately scoffing! ]

I'd say we'll find out, but it's impolite to lie, and I am a gentleman, as you know.

[circleprodigy]

A phylactery is a vessel containing the essence of a magical being. The Circle of Magi and the Chantry used small phylacteries filled with blood—taken from an apprentice mage—to track down mages that turned apostate. As to how it functions, the phylactery glows brighter the closer it gets to its respective mage. If the mage dies, the glow ceases. In addition, it can be used to cast a spell remotely on the mage.

In short, it's a violation that no one deserves, mage or rifter.

[mousquetaire]

So they can find you through your blood.

[ His tone belies every inch of his skepticism. This entire concept is crazy.

But real. He knows it's real. Making himself genuinely accept that is another matter. ]

What happens, to mages who turn apostate? That means they've turned against the Chantry, yes? They're no longer following orders.

[circleprodigy]

[Her tone remains calm, matter-of-fact.]

They are pursued. If there is reason to believe they've given in to blood magic or other crimes, then they are killed. Otherwise. they would be returned to a Circle tower.

That the Circles have fallen leaves all mages apostates, for the time being. Only the arrangement with the Inquisition has kept them safe.

[mousquetaire]

[ A thoughtful pause. ]

So they're killed for using blood magic, but is not the business of making a phylactery blood magic, in itself? If it involves magic with all of their blood.

[ Is he just criminally misunderstanding all of this? In fairness, he might be. ]

And who is the Inquisition keeping the mages safe from, if the Circles have fallen? Surely that means there's no one around to pursue them. Doesn't it?

[gatheringstorm]

[Sidestepping the phylactery talk since someone else has it covered and she's trying to keep a lid on her temper.]

Oh, I'll be there. No self-respecting Marcher would fail to show up. I can't take part in most of the martial stuff since I'm a mage and not going to hide it, but the magical melee portion is a team event that includes non-mages. Feel free to join that and maybe we'll be on the same team or be pit against each other.

[mousquetaire]

[ This is another voice he knows, and he can't help but smile. ]

Hello, Korrin. I don't exactly see how it's fair play to pitch non-mage against mage. Won't it be embarrassing when you lose?

[ He says that so innocently. At least 70% of his sass is pre-match bluster. He couldn't be looking forward to this more. ]

[gatheringstorm]

[An amused snort at that.]

Don't mistake me for those noodle-armed robed mages that never saw a real fight. I've spent my life mastering combat magic, with a mercenary company that's fought against dragons and the like. So the way I see it, I'm the one with an unfair advantage.

[mousquetaire]

Oh, I'd not suggest anything of the sort.

[ He actually has a healthy respect for magic. He's only seen snippets of what it can do, but those snippets were impressive. ]

I didn't realise you'd been a mercenary. I'll look forward to seeing you in action. What else will you be participating in?

[keenly]

They take a bit of your blood and put it in a vial. If you get lost, captured, or run away, they can use it to find you.

[mousquetaire]

I'll say now, some of those possibilities are kinder than others.

[ D'Artagnan turns the crystal over in his hand. He wishes he knew who he was talking to. ]

Are they made for our safety, or to keep us within reach? Intent makes a difference, even if the result is the same.

[keenly]

In the Circle, they said it was for our safety, but it was really to keep us from escaping. Though I wouldn't panic, not yet. There's a lot of uproar right now, but nobody is actually making phylacteries. So you have time to negotiate things with the Inquisition and the Chantry.

[mousquetaire]

I understand that. It's just that I can't negotiate if I don't know what's on the table.

[ He, unlike what seems like half the people in this city, is not overreacting. That's mainly because he's not fully abreast of the issues, though. ]

You're a mage? How do you feel about your own phylactery, presuming you have one.

[justnice]

A musketeer? Oh, we've got those.

[ no, finch. ]

[mousquetaire]

[ Um. Unsure. ]

Not that I've seen. Perhaps you could direct me.

[ This will end well. ]

[justnice]

Reckon they'll be camped out on the banks of the nearest river, come rain.

[mousquetaire]

I think we are speaking of very different kinds of musketeers, Monsieur. Unless you intend that I take offence.

[justice_is_blond]

I hear the phylacteries have been covered, and how they're a violation. As far as the rest... What title would you prefer to Rifter?

[mousquetaire]

My name would be a start.

[ He's aware that's a novel concept. Stay with him, everyone. ]

Failing that, as I've said, I'm a Musketeer. A soldier. And here, I've joined the Forces Division, and don't see why the thing in my hand should be the only thing that matters.