eachdraidh | 01 ♘ video

[ Cullen has used his locket a few times, particularly during his time in the Cothromach as he recovered from an injury. Still, it was one thing to respond to others, or leave them short messages. It was another to cast one’s thoughts out, as though talking to everyone and no one in particular. He rubs the back of his neck, frowning slightly. ]

There is something that I’ve been meaning to ask for a while.

[ …Oh Maker, he’s forgotten something. ]

Though, I suppose it might help if I mentioned my name first. To those that don't know me, my name is Cullen. In Thedas- [ a pause ] my home world, my title was “Commander”, but, I really doubt that means all that much here.

[ Another pause, as he tries to find his footing, feeling more and more foolish by the moment. ]

As I was saying, there’s something I’ve been curious about almost ever since I arrived here, but I hadn’t gotten the chance to ask anyone about it, what with that Blighted creature rampaging across the world…

[ Another pause. ] And… that’s magic. That is, I’ve been meaning to ask about magic. just in case he wasn’t clear enough. ] I’ve no doubt you all know what it is, seeing as we’ve all been brought here by such a force.

In my world, opinions about magic were… mixed, to say the very least. While mages are certainly valued in many situations, they are more prone to possession from hostile spirits that offer countless temptations in exchange for a foothold in the mortal world. Not to mention, some possess the ability to raze entire cities to the ground, demons or no. To that end, the Templar Order existed to guard against the dangers of blood magic and demons. W-[ he corrects himself ] They used abilities of their own to combat hostile magic, often at a great personal cost. Mages also often studied in something called the Circle of Magi, though conditions were… not always ideal.

[ Perhaps he was a bit biased in some regards, but he was still attempting to be as diplomatic as possible. Maker knows if he actually managed to succeed. ]

I’m curious to know more, both about the magic here, and magic from… other places. The places that you come from. And how those without magic interact with those that possess it, or where that power is drawn from. Or... those with other abilities that aren't magical but are still... something. It would be… rather helpful.

[ And not fully satisfied that he didn’t make an utter fool of himself, he closes the locket. ]

VIDEO | SEELIE LOCKED

[ Not much later, he opens the locket again, this time with a message only visible to those in the seelie court. While he is perhaps somewhat unaccustomed to asking total strangers about their opinions on more sensitive subjects, there is one thing that he does know how to do.

When he speaks again, he is professional and to the point. ]

Ser Lancelot has tasked me with locating additional men and women for guard rotations at Caer Glaem. Given what has occurred there, it is vital to protect not only those that would aid in reconstruction of the damaged areas, but others that still cannot defend themselves [ a pause, as he contemplates something. ]. And, regardless of your personal feelings on the war, it is a worthy cause.

[ A nod, as he shuts the locket. ]

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[Inwardly, Élise curses herself. She knows they come from entirely different worlds, she should not have believed that their respective orders might share anything more than a name.

Yet, how could she ignore it? A piece of home, a sign she might be less alone here than she thinks. But they operate in secrecy for a reason; she can't cast that aside on a whim.]

There are more things to guard the people against than magic and monsters, and other kinds of good that can be done. [She hesitates.] It is not something I am accustomed to speaking of publicly.

Of course. I am somewhat curious as to what causes those might be. [ And this piques his interest. ] What reason would the Templar Order of your world have to not speak openly about their deeds?

[ Yes, clearly there are differences, but the name still evokes certain memories. ]

Edited 2015-02-28 22:20 (UTC)

Several, all of which seemed logical to me.

[And only some of them had to do with the Assassins.]

I'm sure you understand if those reasons are also not something I'd like to discuss for all to hear.

[ And now, it would seem as though he might have caused offence. He frowns slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

Forgive me. I didn't mean to pry. It's just... [ well, this is hardly that difficult to say. After all, he was hardly ashamed of it. ] I was a templar in my world, for a time. I was merely... curious about any similarities between the two Orders, other than just the name.

[For a moment she just looks at him, but then her shoulders relax slightly.]

There is no need for forgiveness, sir. You merely caught me by surprise.

[And...she probably shouldn't, but...]

I would not object to speaking on the matter with you privately.

I… would like that.

[ a pause for a moment. ]

Would you like to discuss it in person, or are you fine with doing so over the locket? I… have some experience with sending messages only one other can see with these.

I would prefer not to trust such a discussion to the security of magic.

[It's probably fine, not that she knows how effective magic is or isn't. But after having revealed herself so quickly in this conversation, she's more than a little shy at the moment.]

If you are still in Caer Glaem, I could meet you in the library.

I'd be happy to.

[ And with that, he shuts the locket, and begins heading to the library. The Templar Order might not be the same one that he knows, but it is still a small comfort. ]

[Élise beats him there, the result of an anxiety-induced quickened pace as much as proximity to the place. By the time the other Templar arrives, she's scouted out a quiet nook with few people around and a vantage point that lets her see him as he arrives—and anyone else who might choose to eavesdrop.]

Commander Cullen. It is good to see you again.

And you, Lady Élise. [ He almost asks her to call him "Cullen" again, but refrains, remembering their previous conversation. ]

Now, what can you tell me about the templars of your world? Or would you-- ah-- like me to tell you more about mine, first?

[ Since it was so clearly a matter she didn't quite feel comfortable talking about. ]

I would like to hear more of it, yes. You are sometimes an army and stand against those who would misuse magic, yes?

[It sounds sensible enough to her. Although excessively public. She can't help but wonder what her father would make of it.]

I confess I don't see what religion has to do with any of that.

For a time, yes.

[ Though that does bear better explanation. ]

The Chantry-- our Church controls the Circle of Magi, and also controlled the templars, by extension. "Magic exists to serve man, and never to rule over him." In that sense, the templars were there to ensure that magic did not rule over mankind. [ A pause. ] Templars could, and often did, aid in charity works brought about by the Chantry.

In addition, our training requires us to learn a great deal of Chantry History and practices.

[It's all quite different from Élise's home, but she can imagine the good such an organization could do. Just like the good her Templars do—but clearly, their methods differ.]

That sounds like a worthy organization, though I see no reason it could not be one under its own control. The Templar Order—the one I know—once had its own ties to the church. But that ended centuries ago.

[And off they'd gone into the shadows, thanks to the Assassins. Perhaps the Brotherhood had done them a favor that day.]

It is, though I left sometime ago to pursue another path.

[ Or perhaps, it "was" might be more accurate. But he tries not to dwell on it for too long. ]

Many in the Order apparently felt the same. About a year or two ago, the Templar Order, and the Seekers of Truth, severed themselves from the Chantry to... better fight dangerous magic.

[ He says the next words solemnly. ]

It... has not gone particularly well.

I take it that's something of an understatement.

[It's in his eyes, his somber expression, the weighty pause in his speech. Funny, that Cullen's Templars are so clearly not her Templars and yet she can still feel a pang of sympathy. If nothing else, she knows what it is like to see one's life's devotion go awry.]

You... could say that.

[ a sigh. ]

I left the Order some time ago, before things started getting truly out of hand. But, the life was no longer one for me.

[ Not that he could have made much of a difference even if he had stayed. If anything, he worries that he might have ended up much like Samson... or worse, somehow. ]

You're a brave man for doing so. I may not know your Order, but I know that it's much easier to remain with what is familiar, even when it changes in a way one can't support.

[In her case, she's fighting back against the change. But it's so much harder than she imagined.]

My own Templar Order began centuries ago. It was a religious faction of sorts—they supported the King of England in his Crusade in the Holy Land, financially and in combat.

[Not that this will mean anything to Cullen.]

But it grew into into something more—something greater. The Templars as I know them work to improve the world, to bring order to the chaos.

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