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

[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?

[circleprodigy]

Yes, it is quite hypocritical. Phylacteries are blood magic, as you say.

[Sigh.]

Unfortunately, that's quite untrue. Earlier this year, many Circle mages were tormented through the phylacteries by a group of Templars and Chantry supporters. They may not have the backing of a Divine, but that has not stopped them from attempting to enforce their will.

[mousquetaire]

[ A slight pause while he takes that in. ]

So these devices, which should not even be allowed given that the law prevents blood magic, are used to torture mages.

And this is what they suggest extending to rifters. [ That's barbaric. It is evidently barbaric. If they are already being misused, why in God's name are they discussing expansion? ] You were right to call it a violation. I don't know how anyone could support such a thing.

[circleprodigy]

I've seen that it's always easier to demand such things of people when those doing so never have to make a similar sacrifice. But even if they did, it's still unjustifiable.

[mousquetaire]

That makes it all the worse. How long have you lived with one yourself?

[circleprodigy]

I was first taken to the Circle when I was four years old, so...since then. Though it has been destroyed recently, so I no longer have that hanging over my head.

[mousquetaire]

Four years. And your family were all right with that?

[ He really doubts that they were. The more he hears about this, the less he likes it. ]

If it's gone, I'm glad, and all the more concerned that they want to make more. Aren't you worried they'll come for you, and make another?

[circleprodigy]

[Calm and matter-of-fact.] Alienage life is hard. They could not afford to keep me fed and healthy, so I suspect it was a relief.

I am now a Grey Warden, they cannot legally force that upon me again...but while the Chantry's leadership is in tatters, it remains a grave concern. And I worry for those without such protection, even when it does regain power.

[mousquetaire]

[ They couldn't afford to feed her. D'Artagnan thinks of the slums of Paris where it's not far from that, and wonders if his own people would ever do the same. He would like to think they wouldn't.

But he can't guarantee it. ]

If it regains power. [ Perhaps things would be altogether better if it didn't. Not that he would suggest any such thing, of course. ] My apologies, Mademoiselle, I'm not entirely sure what a Grey Warden is. I assumed a soldier of some kind. Why does it exempt you from this?

[circleprodigy]

I would say 'when' and not 'if'; change always invites backlash for those valuing stability more so...and there has been an abundance of change. That could make the backlash even stronger.

Ah, I see. The Grey Wardens are an organization that includes all races, nationalities, mage and non-mage, kings and criminals...it's sole purpose is to stop Thedas from being lost to the Blights. You might have heard that term before, but just in case no one has explained, I'll do so. A Blight happens when a horde of darkspawn -tainted beings whose only purpose is to kill and corrupt- are lead to the surface by an archdemon. Most darkspawn possess a feral cunning and no more...but when they find and taint an Old God in the Deep Roads, it's another matter entirely. An archdemon is intelligent, powerful and only killing it will end a Blight. And only Grey Wardens are capable of doing so.

[mousquetaire]

Why?

[ Many of these are words he's heard before, but he's never had them defined like this. Darkspawn. Archdemon. That one sends a chill from home up his spine. He can imagine how the Church might react. For once, it's not so different from how d'Artagnan thinks he would react. ]

I've killed demons. Lots of us have, they come through the rifts. What makes an archdemon different, and how is it that only Grey Wardens can kill them? Something to do with your training?

[circleprodigy]

Something, yes. I cannot give specifics, as that's only for members of the order to know. [And while she no longer believes in the order blindly, this is one thing she happens to agree with.]

Archdemons are said to be the Old Gods, vastly powerful beings in the forms of great dragons. They initially taught mages how to use magic and became the subject of worship by many awed by their power. According to legend, the Maker retaliated by imprisoning them deep beneath the earth for turning mortal worship away from him. Their true nature and extent of their powers is unknown, but well beyond mortal limits...and once corrupted, they turn all that power and knowledge toward destroying the mortal world above. If legend holds, there are yet at least two Old Gods remaining...and thus, two potential Blights.