Blood Magic - 101

[judgemewhole]

WHO: James Norrington, and YOU.
WHAT: Norrington gets ambushed, for information.
WHEN: Currently
WHERE: Norrington's 'office' (aka the table he's secured outside his tent to write reports)
NOTES: Warnings for blood magic, irritated Templar and probable Mage and Templar politics abounding, as well as people asking silly questions

Honestly, he really should have seen this coming. He was a known Templar Knight Commander - he had been hunting blood mages for nearly fifteen years now. His name were on several papers on Maelficarium, and he had trained Knights all over the Free Marches and even as far away as Orlais and Fereldan on how to properly hunt and kill blood mages.

Certainly, people were going to know of him. Certainly people were going to ask him about his past experiences. It was inevitable.

What he did not expect that was after coming in at the tail-end of an abomination attack to be bombarded by questions about blood magic - from soldiers down to the common folk. They crowded around him now, and you could just hear his voice over the fray of questions, stern and sometimes even caustic.

" -- NO I am not here to execute all the apprentice mages! One of them slipped - one. That does not mean the rest of them are suddenly going to start slicing open their wrists! They are children, they are learning. Is there a danger? Yes, but I sincerely doubt any of the mages here is blatantly teaching them ancient mind control rituals... "

There was a fast murmur of questions and then Norrington's voice could be heard again. "... No. You cannot do blood magic simply by cutting your finger and cursing. If that was the case every cook in the history of Thedas would be a blood mage. There are practices that someone must follow to use blood magic. If not, that is how we get abominations and demons from those failed spells."

Another fast and loud rat-a-tat of questions, and Norrington could be seen rubbing his face, "... No, not every blood mage is a Tevinter. Nor are they all Dalish. No, the Dalish do not practice sacrificing babies with Tevinter magisters -- do you know what the majority of the slave trade is? Yes, then it stands to reason that the Dalish and the Tevinter Magisters are Not In Cahoots. And NO the Dalish are not aiding Corpheyus with their tattoos -- their tattoos are not blood magic!"

Clearly, this is going well. So if you wish to help Norrington -- or just add more fuel to the fire -- please, feel free to stop by.

Comments

[madame_de_fer]

The benefit of being known as Madame de Fer is the widespread recognition of being a hardass. Maintaining an intimidating and imposing image and reputation is a useful tool which she never hesitates to use to her own ends. So when the Iron Lady deigns to abandon her balcony to investigate the outdoor disturbance of ignorant commoners, people sit up and pay attention to see where she's going and why. A few curious folk actually follow behind in her wake to watch.

She lingers at just enough of a distance to hear what's being said and Norrington's increasingly frustrated replies. The poor man being hounded so. Well that's quite enough of that. All she has to do is walk closer to the source of the rabble and an uneasy hush falls. One or two ridiculous questions get started until someone elbows the idiot speaker. Talk then drops to whispers, nervous, gossipy: she'll turn you into ice if she's angry, I heard she conjures her own blade, didn't she kill that abomination? Remarkable what a little fear will do for the ill-educated and superstitious.

Vivienne coldly looks over the crowd, intense in her lineface, passing judgement on them all collectively. "I believe we all have more productive uses to our time than harassing the Knight-Commander with our ignorance." Mannerless morons.

It's effective enough. Many fall completely silent, waiting and watching to see if the Templar will put the mage in her place. Some are too frightened of Vivienne to retort or stay, lest she enchant them or worse. Others are shamed enough to shuffle off. At least it diminishes the crowd the man will have to deal with. Satisfied with her handiwork, Vivienne turns a warm smile to Norrington, "Now then, my dear, I came to see if there were any way I could be of assistance."

[judgemewhole]

Norrington raised both eyebrows at the way the common people suddenly started to simply ... well, not speak. He was surprised up until the moment he recognized the woman bearing her staff as if she were in fact, the Empress of Orlais herself. In some circles, she was considered secondary only to, in fact. Of course, there were few who knew her humbler origins, and Norrington was one of those.

Which meant when she approached, he knew to bow as if he would any noblewoman, hand over his chest, deep and low. "I thank Madame Vivienne for her ... timely interruption, and, no, you can offer me no assistance." He straightened, then paused, "I am not sure you would recall me, Madame Vivienne. We only spoke in passing terms, and I once escorted you back to your carriage, after you visited with First Enchanter Lydia, in Ostwick?"

[madame_de_fer]

Anyone who was looking for a mage to be handed a smackdown, and there were a few, were grossly disappointed by Norrington's well-mannered greeting. A quiet little smug part of Vivienne wanted to flaunt that in the face of the mage haters in the rabble, but that would be far too beneath her to justify such a response. Even were it not so, his question would have well done the job. Madame de Fer quite mourned her old friend, one she'd known since childhood and maintained across the years and distance.

"Ah, dear Lydia. Her death was such a loss for us all. She was a remarkable woman." And a dear enough friend to make Vivienne want to personally maim the stupid girl who murdered Ostwick's First Enchanter. Despite her grief, Vivienne inclines her head graciously and manages to pull up a sympathetic smile. "Of course, I remember you, my dear. How have you fared since our tragedy? And please do forgive me for having not seen you sooner."

[judgemewhole]

Norrington had strict rules about who deserved a smack-down -- a Circle mage who had do so much for Thedas as Madame Vivienne? Would never be on that list. He folded his hands behind him, bowing his head in respect for a grief they both shared.

"She was. A brave woman, staying with her principles even while the rest of the world went mad." His voice was quiet, before he stood himself up a little straighter. "I have been better, First Enchanter. I have been on the hunt for Lydia's killer, with little luck." He waved his hand, "You have your hands full, I imagine, caring for the Loyal Mages. I believe you were already here in the Inquisition, but whomever we could save in Ostwick, we got them to Monsimmard."

[madame_de_fer]

Vivienne is not a physically demonstrative woman in practice. There is an excess of familiarity that comes with it that she feels is ill-mannered in most cases. (Not to mention being reared in a Circle meant she never had the benefit of cuddle time with her parents as a child.) However, it does not mean she hasn't learned the art of using her words to be just as gentle as a light touch on the arm for support.

"You are a blessing and a gift, darling. You've done so much already in the face of such tragedy and still you serve. I do hope you'll take a little time off to share a meal with me. You could use some care yourself, I feel."

Anyone still lingering in the crowd and watching can simply feel like the asses they are, as far as Vivienne is concerned. Selfish, demanding rabble, so wholly unappreciative of the great efforts this man is still performing and under such terrible duress. She'd quite like to smack the lot of them.

Well, his efforts weren't going to go unrecognized by Madame de Fer. She bowed her head, then looked up armed with glowing praise. "I cannot thank you enough for having rescued our people." Vivienne is pretty convinced all the mages more or less belong to her now whether they like it or not. "You've eased my mind considerably and made it easier to see to the care of our own."

[judgemewhole]

Well, even Norrington had to realize how much of political coup it was to have Madame Vivienne publicly complimenting him, and his own men. He dipped his head into a gracious bow, "It would be my honor to do so, First Enchanter."

He stood straight, giving her a faint smile. "I am pleased they have found a home where they could feel safe, after theirs was so cruelly taken from them." The ones who had survived, the ones who needed the protection had been the quiet scholarly souls for the most part. There were a few strong enough to protect their brothers and sisters, but Ostwick had always been a Circle of contemplation.

He paused, for a moment, and spoke quietly, "We ... sent what we could of Lydia's things with them. I can send a letter, have them sent to you, if you wish."

[madame_de_fer]

Alas Vivienne is all too aware of the gentle and scholarly nature of the Ostwick Circle. It was too sedate and academic to suit her, even as a young apprentice, but she can all too well appreciate the importance and necessity of having a haven for knowledge and study. As well as the vulnerability it created in a group so wholly unsuited for defending themselves against aggressive malcontents. She will personally see that they are made safe and welcome now in Montsimmard, the last bastion of loyalty in Thedas.

Without reluctance, she shakes her head. "No, my dear, I don't think that will be necessary. They've been deprived of so much already. Allow them to take what comfort they can from the familiarity of Lydia's belongings." Poor consolation though they both must realize it is.

"I dread to ask, but was the library in Ostwick ransacked as so many others were?" The loss of their leader must be hard enough without the devastation that would have come from the theft or destruction of their expansive archives of magical history, theory and research.

[judgemewhole]

He exhaled softly - he would not have wanted to write that letter to Lydia's students anyways - and Vivienne's generosity brought a smile to his face. A true lady, in all aspects. "Thank you, I am sure they will appreciate it, and appreciate your graciousness during this mourning period."

He paused at her question, before he tipped his head slightly, "There, I can give you more positive news. The ... rebelling mages were more interested in a killing spree of templars and 'sympathizing mages', so it was easier to subdue them since they were focused on us. We were able to save much of the library -- that, as well, was sent into safe keeping, but to Tantervale instead."