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

[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.