crystal.

[luaithre]

FORM: Crystal + enchanted book supplementary
SENDER: Marcus Rowntree
RECIPIENT: Everyone
NOTES: n/a

Riftwatch.

A directive has been issued by the Knight-Vigilant of the Templar Order regarding their continued reconstitution. I've included the notification in full via our books for reference.

Those of the Order, past and present, make sure you declare your position to Riftwatch leadership as well as the Chantry. Spare us explaining your status on your behalf, or being informed without notice.

[ Although Marcus' tone is to the point, borderline impatient, rest assured he is having a great day.

Not long after this curt notification, enchanted books will also include the following; ]

To Riftwatch leadership,

It is to our understanding that Riftwatch harbors several soldiers of the Templar Order, and it is in an official capacity that we alert you to a recent development in our efforts to reorganize.

Concerning the departure of several sects and individuals from the Templar Order since the disaster at the conclave, Knight-Vigilant Aubin Héroux hereby issues an ultimatum to those who have not yet returned to the Chantry’s fold: they may either re-pledge themselves to the Order’s service and return immediately, or forfeit its protection.

“Protection” in this case encompasses that which shields a working Templar from civilian rule of law, pursuit and persecution by rebel magi, or any consequence of wartime actions performed in the service of the Order.

Furthermore, any Templar who continues to abjure his duty is henceforth to be considered a deserter and, in the name of justice, his dossier and whereabouts may be granted to any organization of magi upon request.

In the event of a Templar bearing an anchor shard, they are given leave to remain with Riftwatch until the situation’s resolution, under the condition that they publicly make known their loyalty to the Order and intent to return to their duties.

In Andraste’s name,

Knight-Divine Lorenco Sarmiento II

Comments

[thereneverwas]

[somewhere in the Gallows Barrow stops what he's doing: his affable smile technically remains on his face, his eyes beginning to resemble those of a nug confronted by a bright light.]

What, [he says into the crystal, unthinking.]

[luaithre]

Which part.

[thereneverwas]

the, um,

[a long, contemplative silence that he fails to conclude, probably in favor of finding a book—-

and then, some ten minutes or so later:]

Thanks, er. For the heads up, Commander.

private

[bouchonne]

[ His voice is light - sounds almost ironic. But the offer is genuine. ]

Say the word, and I'll help to find you a bolt-hole down South, dear fellow.

forever

[thereneverwas]

[With the distinct impression that he’s had the wind knocked out of him, more ways than one:]

Uh- thanks. Thanks, mate.

private;

[dissolving]

[ gwen will understand, probably, why he hauls the horse a little further back down the road: ]

Reckon this fucks th'Skyhold agreements?

[ specifically, the ones on lyrium. the rest never amounted to much. ]

forever

[thereneverwas]

[Hoarse and humorless:]

Reckon it fucks a lot of things.

crystal; private

[wearyallalone]

Commander. As I tendered a formal resignation years ago and have not used my former rank, the Templar insignia or, more recently, their supply of lyrium for some time, the point should, in theory, be moot.

That said, if you wish me to send a message to the Chantry reiterating to whom I submitted my formal letter of discharge, the date it was accepted, and a statement that my resignation was intentional and final, I will of course do so.

[A very brief pause.]

It is possible that the new hardline approach could retroactively label a voluntary discharge a desertion. I will submit to what approach you think is best, should that be the case.

∞

[luaithre]

I shouldn't think it necessary.

[ A pause, then, ]

But my interpretation of this letter is that the formally discharged are still subject to a lack of protection by the Order, and potentially still subject to the classification of deserter. One doesn't leave the Order any easier than a mage renounces magehood.

[ In this instance, and thank goodness it's private, he does not sound like he is beating Vanya upside the head with this opinion. A statement of fact, and an absence of goodwill extended to the Chantry. ]

[ipseite]

Cleaning house, one may suppose.

[luaithre]

A little unseasonal.

[ It's not spring. ]

groupchat;

[wythersake]

Should we write? A thank you for the Satinalia gift —

[ it's a bad sign: incentivizes the worst of them to stay, relegitimizes the order, establishes their right to do as they fucking please. those mages revenge draws forth have not been granted a mandate to murder, only the information to do so. an invitation to the noose. the chantry's grip tightening leads nowhere good,

but five minutes of listening to them sputter almost feels worth it. ]

groupchat ∞

[ipseite]

If any decide to return, cap in hand, they may carry it for us.

( betting pool? )

[atonally]

[ Unfortunately for everyone including him: ]

I have dispensation to be here, authorized by Knight-Commander Donnell,

[ punks. ]

[luaithre]

Much obliged.

[ Bitch. ]

[thereneverwas]

[man fuck off]

[bouchonne]

Well. This is petty.

[luaithre]

They'll live.

[dissolving]

[ haha good thing no one here had doubts about war crimes specifically. ]

Haven't abjured — [ shit almost makes it out of his mouth. visibly, to gwens in the vicinity. ] — Nothing. Diplomacy's got the paperwork, I'll post a copy.

[ and that could end there, except: ]

We oughta press the sect bit. Get help t'look for the ones attacked Serah Amsel.

[elegiaque]

( distantly, through cedric’s crystal, )

Is anyone who signed it even alive?

( instead of any of the seventeen other things she might have said. )

[bouchonne]

I don't suppose you're acquainted with this - [ He audibly flips through pages to find the copy of the letter, and then very deliberately mispronounces: ] Knight-Divine Lauren Sarminto Two.

[favoriteanalyst]

[More muttered than anything:] Oh, the Vigilant's got an ultimatum, isn't that nice.

[And all (okay, most) snarkery aside:] Guess what truly surprises me is how long this took. Things must not be going well on their front lines. And it sounds like I've got a letter to write.

There will be a copy in our records the morning it's sent.

[luaithre]

[ This absence of Templars informing him they intend to pack their things and go is really unfortunate. He says, ]

Good.

[ Even though this is at best 'neutral'. ]

[elegiaque]

( when cedric rides ahead for his quieter conversations, )

Do you know who I would need to reach out to make sure that they know about C—

( a hesitation, finding what she wants to ask, and how she wants to ask it. finally: )

The Forces commander previous to Flint is in lyrium dementia decline. It would be better to have my name attached than her husband’s. I think we’re going to a Chantry in Cumberland if it would be more straightforward to ask there.

[luaithre]

I'm not familiar with the protocol around retirement and Templars being decommissioned through their lyrium sickness, but there will be one.

[ If they were routinely mercy killed or expected to maintain service somehow, they'd probably have heard about it. ]

The Knight-Divine's office appears to be taking correspondence on the matter.