the days that bind us

[exequy]

WHO: Lots of people
WHAT: Recovering lost phylacteries
WHEN: Guardian 23, 9:44
WHERE: The Storm Coast
NOTES: Violence! OOC post over here.

All signs point to the Storm Coast, and once scouts have narrowed down the location it's only a short journey across the Waking Sea to move a small force onto the rocky coast. They row ashore just after dawn in driving rain, and follow the beach for at least a mile before finding a path that actually reaches the top of the cliff. The rain fades to a drizzle but the day remains relentlessly overcast as they hike toward their goal, grey and dim even at noon, with a raw breeze off the water.

Comments

[circleprodigy]

Inessa straightens as Garahel licks his friend, turning around and nodding to him. "Of course. They should decide what is to be done with their own phylacteries...though for safety's sake, I would recommend destruction. This could happen again, with another group of like mind." It's gruesome to think about, but if one batch of people decided it must be done, why would there not be another to take up the banner?

"...and I plan to destroy mine, yes. A nice, big bonfire and plenty of wine, and tossing the accursed vial atop it. That seems a fitting end to the horror of the past several weeks."

[judgemewhole]

"That is up to them. I know that Sam will destroy his - I do not know about Carolus or Mal. They ... lean to Circles." James sighed, as he looked around. "I am not sure what else I can do, to make the Templar Order better, when I keep running into things like this. It is going to take ... longer than I am alive, to save us."

[circleprodigy]

"Even with Circle leanings, the potential for abuse as things stand now is very high. They were stolen once; they could be stolen again." Inessa just can't see any reason that would make keeping the phylacteries worth the risk, after the repeated assault she's endured. Her hand pauses at a crate, checking the vials, though she doesn't stop the conversation.

"It probably will, yes. Don't take that too much to heart, James. Templars, Seekers, Circles, all those institutions had been in place for many ages; reforming any of them will be lengthy task. That said, you still have the power to see how that happens. If your influence can prevent bloodthirsty thugs such as these from shaping policy, it's a significant step."

[judgemewhole]

"Well, then we will have to stop them again. Through whatever means necessary." James's voice is quiet, and cold, and deadly serious. He is not going to put up with this sort of brutality anymore. Not from anyone wearing a Templar uniform.

He exhaled, slowly. "I am not sure what place I will have in the new Chantry, but I will do my utmost to bring about the change that is best for us. We cannot ...we cannot go back to this. It's a never ending war, Inessa."

[circleprodigy]

"It's a never-ending because the underlying wounds remain unhealed. Mages and templars work together now because of the Breach and all that followed, not because there was a lasting resolution." Corypheus destroyed any chance of that with the Conclave, damn him. Though part of her wonders if they could truly have ended the war there, or what it would have cost the rebel mages. "The truce will hold for now, but any lasting peace can only happen when it doesn't take an ancient magister threatening the world for mages and templars to stop fighting."

Peace has to be built on something positive for it to last, she firmly believes. The state of affairs as it exists now will only last as long as the need for the Inquisition exists...and one day, that need will vanish. What happens afterward will depend on the foundation they built now.

She stares at the vials, then shakes her head. "Whatever comes, I hope these will no longer be a part of it. No one should have that hold over a mage, any more than a blood mage should be allowed to influence another's mind. It's beyond cruel."

[judgemewhole]

"Your points are all valid." James let out another noise, before he straightened himself up. "I suppose it is up to us - whenever this is all finished. We will have to be the ones to make the change, not force it ... but not stand down. Keep to the path that we have started to lay out." Working together, albeit warily, was the first step.

He and Inessa ... were the second step. Friends, despite or perhaps because of their backgrounds..

"Considering what what lyrium has done to the Templars ... yes, I have to agree to that."

[circleprodigy]

"A device created to hunt people down or control them...that level of barbarism is one thing which has to be left in the past, if the peace I just spoke about is to have any chance at all. That and many other things, but you'll forgive me if this is the one closest to my heart at the moment."

A slight apologetic smile forms as she nods, agreeing with what's said, but.... "My personal role in that is not likely to be significant, much as I believe in the serious need for reform. Grey Wardens have a different set of demands, and short of whatever miracle befell the Grand Enchanter, that's not likely to change. That said, I'm still invested in the outcome for the sake of my friends and allies."

[judgemewhole]

"I cannot and will not blame you, not even a little bit. Especially over what has been happening over the varying plagues we've gotten." He sighed softly, running one hand through his hair once more.

A curious look, before he tipped his head to the side, "IF you do not mind the question - what are the Wardens going to do, when all this is done?"

[circleprodigy]

"Prepare for a reckoning in the Anderfels, if that doesn't happen before. Even with Corypheus defeated, our northern brethren must be deal with. So, from one war to another. It's something to do in between Blights, I suppose." Inessa's words are flippant but her eyes dark with anger. Ciri's not the only one that wants that First Warden's head on a pike. Garahel growls as well, having similar feelings on the subject matter.

[judgemewhole]

Interceptor whines slightly, as James looks pensive as he looks around. "So what do we all have after this? More wars. Delightful. Well, at least they won't be headed by a darkspawn in a dress."

[circleprodigy]

That gets a quiet snicker out of her. "Yes, the fashion sense ought to be more bearable. But...we'll see, my prediction might be off. Perhaps the Inquisition will restore the Anderfels to what it was, though there will be work ahead for us regardless." She bends down to pet Interceptor, at ease once again with proximity to them both.