[closed] a templar's reckoning

[onlyhymns]

WHO: Closed to Seekers and Knights-Commander. And Cade!
WHAT: A meeting and/or hearing to determine the future of Knight-Lieutenant Harimann.
WHEN: Early Drakonis
WHERE: in that one empty tower
NOTES: everyone dies

[Cade has been temporarily released from Nerva's supervision to attend a gathering in the sparse but appropriately isolated tower where the Templars last met. There is a small half-circle of chairs facing a single chair, which he is escorted into by a fellow Templar, who promptly takes their leave.

Dressed in plainclothes and in possession of nothing that could be construed as a weapon, Cade looks rather smaller than usual. He folds his hands, looks at the floor, and waits for it to begin.]


OOC Note: It would probably be easiest to do this in the style of other meetings, more of a rapid-fire discussion than a log with full paragraphs. Having said that, let's still use a turn order just so nobody gets left behind or talked over.

Comments

1. Why/how did this happen?

[onlyhymns]

[Cade explains, for the umpteenth time, that his memory of the event is fuzzy. He is, however, aware that he is in the wrong, and that he is a liability to the Inquisition.

He seems genuinely torn up as he struggles to remember what happened; his account goes from standing guard to being tackled off the elf by Alistair, with a large gap in between. He timidly admits that this is not the first time such a lapse has happened; there are entire battles that he apparently won but doesn't remember.

Despite this, he acknowledges that the incident was his fault. He humbly puts himself at the mercy of those seated before him.

After he's finished speaking, he clasps his hands and looks down at the floor again.]

[equanimiti]

[There's not a hint of warmth left in Alayre's steely gaze as he listens to Cade's accounts. Judging from what he heard of the ordeal from Beleth, Cade was provoked into attacking the elf.

According to Beleth, she remembered Cade telling her to leave him be but ignored the warning. If the man was still in sound enough mind to give warning, then maybe there's still some hope left for Harimann. However, Alayre isn't about to offer this man a pardon.

Hell no.]

Re: 1. Why/how did this happen?

[judgemewhole]

[Norrington just sits there with one hand braced against the side of his face, his green eyes stormy. Clearly, anger is running deep here, but so is disappointment. He thought the young man was getting better, turning himself around.

Clearly, this was not the case.

The fact that he was blacking out and not telling them? Was a disturbing revelation.]

[lifeofendurance]

[As always, Aleron is an unreadable wall. An imposing one, with his arms folded, eyes locked on Cade. But he's neither frowning, nor scowling, nor anything one would expect in an outward show of displeasure. Rather he's internally sorting and sifting the facts and disliking the whole of what he hears front and back. The templar is taking responsibility for his actions which is a good step.

The lapses in memory, however... those are a problem and he has a concern. Several. All tied into one.]

Is this woman you attacked a mage? [She damned well better be, son. And right to the point:] Was there any evidence of a malificarum in the area at any time you suffered one of these memory lapses?

[Yeah. Aleron just went there. He wants all the facts.]

[onlyhymns]

[Cade realizes where he's going with this, and looks a little ill as he shakes his head.]

No, ser. ...a Dalish scout. [At least he thinks she was a scout. Previously he'd thought she was a servant, and he only assumes she's Dalish because of the tattoos on her face.]

I... there were in Redcliffe. We encountered them all the way down from the Waking Sea. Rebels. [He rubs the back of his neck uneasily. His men are the other half of the 'we' here, and all of them are since deceased.]

[equanimiti]

[Alayre cuts his gaze over towards the Seeker briefly. He's not liking how this manner of questioning is going.]

That was prior to you joining the Inquisition, was it not?

[No, guys. Cade is not under the influence of Malificarum. Nope. Nope, nope, nope.]

[onlyhymns]

[Cade nods wearily.] Yes, ser. We were making our way down from Kirkwall.

[lifeofendurance]

[Sweet Maker, what in the world could provoke a templar to attack a Dalish scout. Other than madness or blood magic? Aleron's certainly going to exhaust the possibility of one before exploring the other.]

How often have you suffered these gaps in awareness? When did they begin? Before or after the encounter with the rebels?

[onlyhymns]

[When addressed again, Cade looks shyly in Aleron's direction.]

Since... [He thinks a moment.] ...since the Qunari invasion of Kirkwall, ser.

[Before that, it had been pretty standard Templar duty, and nothing too upsetting beyond the occasional Harrowing gone wrong. Something about watching his brothers in the Order, and innocent townspeople, burned and dismembered and brutalized to death-- battle was different now.]

[lifeofendurance]

[Kirkwall. If there is anything under the Maker's sun that can make Aleron feel immediately guilty, it's mention of Kirkwall. He still blames himself for not having seen what was truly brewing under the lid when he was there a decade ago.

That does not negate the blood magic concern, since Kirkwall was known to be rife with them. However, it does temper the Seeker's train of thought and opens the door for further possibilities which must needs be addressed. Meredith's infamous use of red lyrium certainly complicates matters.]

And how often do you have these lapses? Are they frequent?

2. What should be done with him?

[onlyhymns]

[equanimiti]

[The awkward silence prompts Alayre to speak.]

Harimann has already been stripped of his duties as a Templar but is this enough?

[He looks to his fellow Knight-Commander.]

What say you, Norrington? Our decision here today will define our future here as Templars and allies of the Inquisition.

[judgemewhole]

What I say is that he should be thrown in jail for assault.

[Is Norrington's stony reply, but he sighs as he sits up in the chair.]

However. I respect Cullen's judgement, so I will honor it. No weapons. Heavily restricted duty.

[Green eyes narrow on Cade.]

In fact, I think he needs to take the time to seriously reflect his actions. I am going to recommend a few days in Vigil, before he takes on strictly secretarial duties until further notice.

[tactical_alert]

[A Seeker in the room generally makes any Templar nervous. Or angry. A Seeker with his hand so firmly grasped about the hilt of his blade, though still sheathed, moreso.]

Whether he was provoked into action or not, that he could not show more restraint coupled with this dangerous lapse in memory a liability at best, a danger to everyone around him. A blade is not the only thing that makes a Templar dangerous, and simply stripping him of it and of his duties does not guarantee anything.

[Though he has yet to put the actual words out, it's clear the direction he's suggesting.]

[equanimiti]

[The Seeker's demeanor certainly warrants some wariness from Alayre. The Knight-Commander has been watching him.]

Are you suggesting that we toss Harimann out of the Order?

[He takes a moment mull over that idea.]

[lifeofendurance]

[The other Seeker in the room remains impassive in demeanor. His arms are folded over his chest, rather than on his own blade, which is the only external expression one is like to see of how displeased he truly is.]

I believe we're suggesting that we do with him what is done with any Templar gone rogue.

[Which is put them down. It's not necessarily a cruelty either. Just tossing him out of the Templars, and leaving him alive with a lyrium addiction, could be seen as unjust.]

[onlyhymns]

[Cade seems pained by, but resigned to, the idea of execution. Since the get-go, it's been in the back of his mind, and indeed, he would rather be dead than useless. He still shivers and glances around as they discuss it, but nothing evokes a reaction from him until Alayre suggests just tossing him out.]

NO-- [he yelps, but catches himself before he can make a bigger fuss. He looks imploringly from one man to another, visibly beginning to lose his composure.]

3. Anything else?

[onlyhymns]

Beleth's Side Of The Story

[arlathvhen]

[ Upon request of Seeker Aleron, Beleth is fetched. She thought about asking for someone to accompany her--Zevran maybe, or Merrick, but ultimately comes alone. She doesn't cut a very intimidating figure as she slips into the room, eyes kept down. She only looks up to sweep the room for possible exits in case things get messy, and ends up sliding against the wall, next to a window. ]

You called for me, Ser?

[ She's already thinking about her own goals. Cullen's decision can't stand, and this is her best opportunity to make sure of it--without having it go to the extreme of the other direction. If that means that she has to deal with a room of Templars, so be it. ]

[lifeofendurance]

[Ah. He recognizes her. Which will either help or hinder the now necessary investigation.]

I did. [He holds out a hand to a chair as an invitation for her to take a seat.] Please.

[He'll just wait for her to settle in before continuing.]

[arlathvhen]

[ She was fine leaning against the wall, Aleron!!! But she doesn't really see that she has much of an option. So she takes the chair, shifting uncomfortably. She glances up for a moment, eyes resting on Alayre. At least she wasn't without any friends in this room. But she turns her gaze back to studying Aleron's boots. ]

I'll answer any questions that I can, ser.

[lifeofendurance]

[Uncomfortable is okay. People who are uncomfortable tend to say more in an effort to assuage their discomfort.]

I recognize you are Dalish and thus may not be fully informed. I would not have it remain so before we continue. Do you know what role the Seekers of Truth serve?

[arlathvhen]

[ Aleron she is already thinking of ten different ways to twist you around her finger do not test her. ]

I, ah. I didn't know, before. But I've asked around, and I've done a little reading. You're...the people who are in charge of keeping the Templars in line.

[ For a single moment, she looks up, meeting Aleron's eyes, and raises her eyebrow. ]

You must be a very busy man.

[ Because you have been doing a brilliant job of that so far, bucko. ]

[lifeofendurance]

[Hey, he just got here. And already busting up trouble. It's fine hi and hello.

Completely deadpan and not rising to that bait:]

Remarkably so.

You are partially correct. Our responsibilities extend beyond those boundaries. The pertinent information you need is that we are charged with the disciplining of the Templars, answering directly to the Divine.

[Right to the point so she understands the gravity of this discussion.]

Among those duties is attending to the execution of Templars who have gone rogue.

4. The Verdict

[onlyhymns]

[As determined by the Seekers and Knights-Commander present, Cade is to remain in the Templar order, but under supervision at all times and limited to clerical duties. He is forbidden weapons of any kind, and must spend time doing penance for his outburst.]