[Open] [We're trackin' blood mages ...]

[judgemewhole]

FORM: Sending Crystal
SENDER: James Norrington
RECIPIENT: The Inquisition
WHAT: Time to take care of some random blood mage and red templar baddies.
WHEN: Currently
WHERE: Skyhold
NOTES: Blooood Maaaageees

Good morning, Inquisition. This is Knight Commander James Norrington. I've recently received some reports from local chantries in the south of Fereldan of some blood mage activity, and a number of red templars have been seen wandering about. I do suspect some possible Venatori involvement -- but as they have been scarce of late, all I am hoping to find is a trail.

Irregardless, my people and I are going to be doing a sweep. If anyone would like to join us - fellow Templars, [Mental Sigh] Seekers, fellow warriors, or even mages, I shall be glad for your company and assistance.

Also, since I will be doing the rounds, does anyone need anything in particular? I can pass on correspondence, and if need be, pick up anything valuable for research or personal interests.

[Trying to be civil? Always.]

Do let me know. I plan on leaving on the morrow with my people.

Comments

[ingrid_kief]

I am with you, ser.

[judgemewhole]

I am pleased to hear it, Templar Kief. Hopefully we should be able to make short work of these ruffians.

[ingrid_kief]

Any indication how many there are, Knight-Commander?

[judgemewhole]

The blood mages seem to be in a pack of three or four, so extremely dangerous. Red Templars, no matter the numbers, are a risky bet. So be prepared for anything.

[ingrid_kief]

Yes, ser. Understood.

Still. I wish there were a better way for them. They were our brother and sister templars.

[judgemewhole]

As do we all, Ser Kief, but we must not put our brothers and sisters before our duty to the people of Thedas. They are the ones who deserve our loyalty - and our sympathy.

[ingrid_kief]

Understood, ser. But I will pray for them regardless.

[judgemewhole]

... You are a good soul, Templar Kief. Not many share your compassion.

[ingrid_kief]

I believe that the Maker would rather we use compassion before reaching for our swords, that we try to save His creation before seeking to destroy it.

[judgemewhole]

I - [For a moment, he is speechless, before he speaks softly.] You are a bright light in a dark time, Ingrid.

[ingrid_kief]

[She notes the use of her first name, and smiles a little.]

Thank you, James. You're too kind, ser. I speak practically. I don't like waste. Especially something as precious as life. I know sometimes it cannot be avoided, but it should be as sparing as can be.

[judgemewhole]

[He may or may not now be red as a ... red thing.]

You may speak practically, but you speak with a great deal of sincerity. It is ... unusual, in these times.

[ingrid_kief]

[Oh, she sees that. So... he really hasn't been joking that he likes her as more than a sister-in-faith...]

Faith and sincerity are two of our greatest tools. More should aspire to use them.

[judgemewhole]

[He had perhaps not been joking about that at all, Ingrid. Ahem.]

We can only hope to live up to your example.

[nonsibi]

I'm in. Knight Commander.

[the title part is allllmost an afterthought. hi, bro.]

[judgemewhole]

Good ... ah, Bellamy, is it not?

[He's ... only heard of you. Sort of vaguely at that.]

[nonsibi]

Yes, sir. I'm happy to lend the help, if you need it.

[judgemewhole]

I most definitely need it, and I thank you for your assistance.

[nonsibi]

No thanks needed. It's what we're supposed to do, right? And it's better than training drills.

[judgemewhole]

It is indeed, but you would be surprised how many disagree with what our path truly should be.

[An amused snort.] I suppose it is.

[nonsibi]

Doesn't seem like we get a lot of room for disagreeing. At least, not where I'm from.

[judgemewhole]

I would imagine so - but I think it more clear now than ever, Bellamy. Our duty is to protect Thedas from the dangers of magic, and protect magic from Thedas. To hunt demons, abominations, and maelficarium -- those who would twist magic to their own dangerous ends.

[nonsibi]

That's always been our duty, ser.

[judgemewhole]

[You can't see it, Bellamy, but you've just gotten a faint nod of respect there.]

That it is. And whatever our corrupted brothers and sisters believe about restoring our honor and power? That is our true focus, our mission. Honor means nothing if you are not fulfilling the task left to you by the Maker.

[nonsibi]

Yes, ser.

Too bad the Maker didn't have anything definite to say about Rifters.

[judgemewhole]

They are strangers to our shore, Templar Blake. As long as they respect our beliefs, we should respect theirs.

[nonsibi]

With all due respect, Knight Commander, they're falling out of rifts. Kind of hard to think of them as just another stranger.

[judgemewhole]

True, they are not like us. In fact many of them are as little like us as possible. But does not the Maker say, 'My hearth is yours, my bread is yours, my home is yours. For all who walk in the sight of the Maker are one.'

They have been torn from all they know, to come here. We shouldn't censure them for events out of their control, Templar Bellamy.

[nonsibi]

Theology's the part I'm not good at.

[And even even if he was, the Maker probably didn't mean possible-and/or-as-good-as-demons, or whatever they're supposed to mark Rifters as. Since he's behaving himself, Bellamy keeps that part of his commentary himself.]

Guess I'll have to defer to your judgement on that one, ser.

[judgemewhole]

[Now that got a surprised noise out of him, but that was followed with a faint snort of amusement.]

Yes, perhaps if we are going to be stressing theology here. At any rate, shall I see you on the morrow?

[nonsibi]

Yes, ser. I'll be there.

[serannas]

I could come with you. I believe I count as an "even mage."

[ Said in good humor. ]

I helped a small group in Emprise take down an apostate and their followers. I'm not opposed to fighting those who misuse magic to hurt innocents.

[judgemewhole]

We'll be happy to have an 'even mage' with us.

[A faint smirk.]

Good that's just what I like to hear.

[Seriously, he loves responsible mages.]

[serannas]

When are you planning on heading out?

[judgemewhole]

Hopefully tomorrow - depending on whether or not I can get all our supplies together by then.

[serannas]

All right. If you need any help doing that, I can help.

[judgemewhole]

It depends on how good you are with the cook, I suppose.

[serannas]

Well, I would say... not terribly well. I'm afraid. I'll find some role to fulfill; I'm sure of it. I could make sure we're stocked up on health potions?

[judgemewhole]

That would be immensely helpful.

[serannas]

All right. Then just let me know when and where I should meet you tomorrow?

[judgemewhole]

In front of the stables, at first light.

[serannas]

See you then, James.

[judgemewhole]

See you then, Ellana.