001.

[luaithre]

FORM: Crystal
SENDER: Marcus Rowntree
RECIPIENT: All
NOTES: Occurs not very long after the Abomination attack.

Greetings. For those I've not met, my name is Marcus. I'm with the Forces division.

[ Male, proper adult in tone and resonance, and a lilt to his accent that marks him as coming from Starkhaven. His manner is-- mannerly, measured, mild. ]

I also number among the mages here who have seen battle before. My skill as a combatant isn't my purpose for addressing anyone today, but we suffered an attack very recently that required quick response, and I have some thoughts.

[ There's a pause, as if to compile said thoughts before speaking to them. ]

As mages, we differ from other militant units in that someone entirely new to combat might exhert the same sheer power as a mage who is well trained and battle hardened. We also wield vastly different weapons, and such weapons can be made deadlier when wielded in combination and tandem. There are enemies some are better suited to face than others. The way in which we engage with a threat differs between each individual. This makes us difficult to corral, but potentially, extremely effective, and hard to predict.

I think we should take the opportunity to share between ourselves our areas of battle and magic expertise, and the things we are weak in. As for myself, I am predisposed towards wielding the elements of fire, rock, and smoke, with a little skill in defensive magics. I am late to learning how to engage an enemy without magic, and I would be glad to learn more.

I'd invite Rifters, too, who have magics of their own, to share what they can do, if they like. And train among us.

[ He could probably leave it there. But he adds-- ]

It's no small thing, to witness a mage overcome the way this stranger was. It was affecting for me as well, as it will be for others. The Circles, once, had an ability to handle such eventualities, in their customarily brutal manner. Whether it be today, or another day, I would welcome conversation between mages about what the future of such moments will be in a world without Circles. This moment, and many others.

My thanks.

Comments

[windyvoice]

How did the Circles handle shit like what happened?

[luaithre]

They preempted the possibility with mages considered at risk of it by conducting the Rite of Tranquility.

When an Abomination did occur, Templars cut them down, or were sent to destroy them where they existed outside the Circle.

[highborn]

Mm, fire. Always so flashy. [ There's a smile in that, but it fades as he goes on: ] I've never seen group magic training before. How does that go, exactly?

[luaithre]

Somewhere remote, usually.

[unshut]

[Do go on.]

[luaithre]

[ DON'T WORRY HE WILL ]

[sulahnan]

I've been training a few folk in unarmed combat. I dunno much of anything about magic but I'd be happy to help train if I can.

[luaithre]

Perhaps the better contribution would be to familiarise yourself in magic. To fight alongside it, I mean.

[tender]

I had an aptitude for healing and defense, [ the tone derrica relates this in implies she is referencing someone else's assessment. a slight bend of humor colors her added: ] And lightening.

[ but more importantly— ]

But I know how to use knives, and my fists, and how to use my stave as a weapon instead of a focus. I can teach that to anyone who wants to learn from me. [ a slight pause. ] It's important to have something to fall back on. I've thought it was for a some time now.

[luaithre]

I learned that lesson the hard way.

[ There is a very subtle shift in tone, once engaged in conversation with a native mage -- or perhaps, someone responding to his post the way it is intended. ]

I would welcome the practice.

private;

[wythersake]

Have you been introduced to Sister Sara?

private ∞

[luaithre]

Yes. By chance.

[exequy]

[ Sounding grudging, but that's mostly just how he sounds, ]

I am a spirit medium. I haved learned to amplify other people's magic. And my barriers are— [ during this pause it would be very easy and correct to imagine him stuffing the words better than any of yours back into his own throat ] —decent.

[tender]

They're better than decent.

[luaithre]

It's a useful talent to have. Fighters should be glad to have you on their side.

[sarcophage]

You Nevarrans and your modesty.

[flashback, anyone]

[ipseite]

I cannot say I would add much of use to such training, but my skill lies in—I suppose the evasion of battle. If there are mages interested in bettering their agility, for instance, or in mastering techniques of riding required for pursuit or eluding it—

I believe I might easily recreate my demonstration for Mlle Bonaventura, were I provided with an open second story window and a mount. The Black Divine would be more than adequate to my needs, ( yes, that's what she named her nuggalope, ) but I suspect training horses would be more suitable for others.

[luaithre]

[ He has already sighed once about the name 'The Black Divine', and so refrains from repeating himself. ]

We normally find ourselves rooted in place when we have to cast. And we lack some of the adjacent training that soldiers are normally granted.

You can borrow Kevin.

[libratus]

Apart from the obvious-- [ Necromancy; surely everyone's gotten the memo by now, ] my strengths are in disorientation and anti-magic.

Preferably from a distance, though. I can use a staff for defense in close quarters, but I will admit I'm more accustomed to it as a non-lethal option.

[luaithre]

Not every mage belongs at the front of an assault. Really, I'd say most of them don't. But knowing how to perform when a battle loses its composition--

[ It helps. ]

Did Nevarra have much expectation of its mages, to develop skill in battle?

private;

[katabasis]

Speaker Fabria was working on a curriculum to train mages to recognize the effects of magebane and how to defend oneself while under its effects. You might consider consulting him for its inclusion in your training.

private ∞

[luaithre]

[ Huh. ]

Do we have a supply on hand reserved for such a purpose, then?

[heirring]

I don't suppose this grand effort has any need of a clerk for record keeping? An impartial observer, perhaps?

[Let her look at your magic!!!!!]

[luaithre]

[ Genuinely uncertain for a hot second-- ]

Does it?

private;

[overharrowed]

For the record, this absolutely isn't the way I'd have preferred this conversation to finally get off the ground. But at least it has. Perhaps best not from me.

[Easier to ignore from the man who's been attempting to raise it since Skyhold.]

private ∞

[luaithre]

[ This gives him pause. It is a little surprising in a way he doesn't immediately identify. So, he invites elaboration-- ]

You don't mean the training.

[bouchonne]

That is something of an assumption, no?

[ His voice is mild. ]

A world without Circles.

[luaithre]

The world we currently're in.

[tensive]

Fire and ice, and I've had training as a Knight-Enchanter. Regrettably light on support magic.

[ Not all news to the man posing the question, and given very plainly. ]

I can help if you'd like to train with a sword. [ And, with a hint of interest in a reply that's otherwise been for posterity: ] I agree with your purpose, but I'd suggest we keep public discussions of our strengths brief.

[luaithre]

I'm given to understand that the crystals are a most secure way of conveying information.

What are your reservations, Knight-Enchanter?

[okayimin]

We need more of you training in healing. Our healers right now are skilled, but it's dangerous for all of us to have only them. We need more folks who can use a bit of magic to pop a bone back in place or heal an internal rupture til another medic can get them off the field.

[luaithre]

A reasonable proposal, sister.

Lacking, as we are, in tutors, I'd be obliged towards those capable if they were to offer some guidance.

[inkindled]

Maybe if we had other mages, assigned opposite. Whatever you're bad at, they're good at. Then they're responsible for taking you down if you go abomination. Better than a templar.

[luaithre]

[ A thoughtful pause, before he says; ]

I don't know that it is, better than a Templar. The idea of someone waiting for you to give into your worst.