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

[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."