930 Dragon, Molioris 7th
I received some information today from Val Royeaux. The circle there is also known as the White Spire and Knight-Commander Eron is the head of the Templar order at the White Spire. The White Spire also houses the Knight-Vigilant, the leader of the Templar Order, who commands the Templars from within. The White Spire magi are divided into various mage fraternities and have room for 500 mages. The number currently in residence was not provided although it was noted that many mages actually live in the city of Val Royeaux.
The rate of mages who survive their Harrowing seems to be seventy percent there. There was little information on number of suicides although I did find out that many of the rules imposed here in Kirkwall are apparently not in existence there.
930 Dragon, Molioris 14th
We gained three initiates today. Jean Louise a female human of 16 with brown hair and brown eyes, Cyndith Mahariel a male Dalish elf of 8 with brown hair and brown eyes, and Lucy Interswin a female city elf of 13 with brown hair and brown eyes. Lucy has been placed in Enchanter Bethany Hawke's magic studies classes.
930 Dragon, Molioris 30th
Andre Smith became 14 today, but he had previously requested no celebration so we did not have one. I did notice a few other children giving him some presents and I handed him some candy after class was done. He seemed to enjoy the understated affair.
930 Dragon, Ferventis 8th
Enchanter Telris Hebridge, a male human of fifty with silver hair and brown eyes has been imprisoned and is waiting for a trial for teaching blood magic. The initiates who were learning from him have not been named although all will be given extra guards and watched for any signs that they are Maleficar.
930 Dragon, Ferventis 11th
Enchanter Telris Hebridge has been deemed guilty of teaching Blood Magic and declared Maleficar. His body was burned at the stake in the Gallows Courtyard. All residents of the Circle above the age of 14 were required to attend.
As his screams pierced the air I felt the power within me welling up along with a bitter sadness. I pushed it away and turned my head. I wondered why he would teach such a discipline and risk this.
930 Dragon, Ferventis 12th
I spoke with Enchanter Bethany Hawke after class today as we were grading papers. "Why did Enchanter Telris Hebridge teach blood magic?"
"I'm not sure he did the trial was very short and the evidence seemed pretty thin to me." Her voice was filled with anger.
"So you think he was innocent?" I queried.
"Not sure of that either. I wish I did know I wish he'd have turned into an abomination and attacked then I'd feel better about his fate. As it was, well it seemed like they were just tormenting someone."
I sat silently taking that in and then we went to other topics.
930 Dragon, Ferventis 16th
Six initiates and two mages went missing in the night. A boat was seen sailing away from the docks and the suspicion is that they were on it. No information as to the name of the ship or its destination has been found.
Templar numbers in the circle have been increased and a curfew has been established. Anyone out after curfew will be punished. This means I will be spending more evenings at the healing center and sleeping there. Healer Allaste has requested a change in residence for me and two sets of personal clothes.
Today was also Daren Marchant's birthday, the young Dalish elf became 14 today. He alo requested an understated affair and we obliged.
930 Dragon, Solis 8th
I received some information on the Circle Tower on Lake Calenhad in Ferelden. The Circle Tower, officially named Kinloch Hold, is Ferelden' s regional headquarters for the Circle of Magi. It accessed only by its docks. As per Chantry and local law, human and city elf citizens of Ferelden with magical potential are brought here to be imprisoned for most of their lives and instructed in the legally-approved Schools of Magic, and trained to resist demons.
A small trading hamlet has developed on the shore to facilitate trade and to maintain a ferry to the tower, which was originally reached by a massive bridge (now in ruins). Visitors are few and far between, however, as most come either to learn magic or to watch over those who do.
The Hero of Ferelden came to the Tower seeking aid against the Fifth Blight. There she discovered that the Circle was overrun by demons and abominations. The Hero of Ferelden saved the mages and the mages joined the Grey Wardens in the fight against the Blight. After the Hero of Ferelden perished defeating the archdemon. The King of Ferelden, Alistair Theirin, made royal decrees granting the Circle Mages more freedoms.
There was not any information on numbers of mages, suicide rates or number of mages who survive their Harrowing. I will write another letter requesting this information.
930 Dragon, Solis 15th
I have been given a written missive:
To All Tranquil Mages,
It is your duty to inform the Templars of any activity regarding the Mages Underground and any Mages who are attempting to escape the Circle.
Signed,
Knight Commander Meredith
I now know that the rumors of a group of mages who have been leaving the circle are true. I am also very confused since this evening First Enchanter Orsino has come to me personally and asked that I ignore the order from The Knight Commander.
He leaves and I am in turmoil. I have two very different orders. I simply wish to serve and yet how is that possible when I have such a conflict. I went to Enchanter Bethany Hawke and asked her what I should do. She said, "Follow the First Enchanter, he cares for the mages not Knight Commander Meredith."
Is that what I should do? Follow the orders from the person who cares the most? How do I reconcile that with the simple fact that my cares were washed away with the change? Is that why I must follow orders? If so does that mean if I do care I can ignore orders?
This is far too complex. I will read more about healing and simply follow First Enchanter Orsino's orders. His orders were verbal and I have never before been given written orders. I will discuss this issue with some of the other Tranquil and see what they suggest.
930 Dragon, Solis 16th
I spent time speaking with other Tranquil about the letter yesterday. Out of 19 other Tranquil only 8 understood my problem. Four others would simply follow whichever order was most recent and the other seven were unable to read at all. These seven were the ones who require constant supervision and can hardly even talk in coherent sentences.
The nine of us who understood the paradox discussed it in some detail with my suggestion of ignoring written orders being deemed useful, but not satisfactory. What happens if two different mages give us two different verbal orders?
We finally came to a decision rating First Enchanter Orsino and any mages above him as first priority since we were also mages. After that came Knight Commander Meredith Stannard and any Templars. After that came mages. We determined that we need not follow an initiate's orders unless we had time and an inclination. It was perhaps not the best system since we all were very keen on following orders, but we would do the best we could and only use the system when orders were in conflict.
930 Dragon, Solis 18th
Amberlee Hanaras became 13 today. The female city elf enjoyed a celebration with baked goods and presents. I received a hug from her and remembered to return it.
