Chapter. 6
Mage against the Machine
Lothering had been an important, but small, step in the right direction for the Wardens.
They had managed to pick up two more companions, a Qunari named Sten and a former Chantry Lay Sister named Leliana, along with gathering a decent chunk of coin and supplies from doing various tasks and jobs around the town.
But they stayed in the town for less than a day, do to their new statues as criminals, and promptly left with the dwarven merchants.
It was in said camp that the two newly made Grey Wardens were having yet another nightmare.
-{O}-
Jaune found himself back inside the pitch black void.
Across from him was the Grimm woman, who somehow looked ancient and his age at the same time.
The both of them sat at a little table, sipping tea.
"Maybe it's because I'm not from their universe." Jaune mussed a' loud.
"Hmm?"
"The two other Grey Wardens I'm traveling with, their nightmares are about the darkspawn, well, the archdemon responsible for this Blight of ours."
"Their worlds version of the Grimm."
"Yup." Replied Jaune, popping the P. "And since most of the Grimm are practically mindless, I connected to you." He laughs. "I still can't believe the Grimm have a leader, or that you're the Headmaster's Ex-Wife, or that he hasn't figured out what you actually want."
Salem chuckles. "Yes, Ozma was renowned for his abilities as a mage and warrior, but politics and strategy were mine."
"But still…" Jaune sighed in exasperation. "How did he not see that you wanted to die? I mean… I'm an idiot and I figured it out. Did… did he just… never talk to you about anything that happened after his death, or did he just… take the gods at their word?" He laughs humorlessly. "I think you were being polite when you said he wasn't known for politics and strategy, I think he's just a frickin idiot!"
Salem chuckled once more. "Oh, I forgot how pleasant conversation could be." She sighs. "Unfortunately, I've only had sycophants and sociopaths to converse with."
Jaune ran his hands through his hair. "I mean seriously, how did he not even guess it!" He takes a sip of tea to try and calm himself. "I mean come on! You were cursed with immortality, betrayed by the love of your life, and then lost the only family you had! Oum! How can someone be so… so… stupid!"
Salem let out a loud, sultry, laugh. "Oh, if only it was you I meet all those millennia ago, mayhaps things could have been different."
Jaune laughs a humorless laugh. "I certainly wouldn't have betrayed my wife and mother of my kids because some gods and a random farmer, who didn't even know you, told me too!"
Salem chuckles once more, before sighing contently and looking to their lightening surroundings. "As jovial as it's been, it seems our time is up." She stands and gives Jaune a well practiced curtsy. "Till next we meet, young Jaune Arc."
Jaune stands and gives a curtsy of his own, though a slightly less practiced one than Salem's. "Till next we meet, fair Maiden."
-{O}-
Jaune awoke in a calm, controlled, manner, though the same could not be said for Kali – who had woken with a start and covered in a cold sweat.
It was early dawn, so much so the sun had yet to rise, and seeing how Kali was being attended to by Alistair, who know far more than Jaune did about the nightmares that plague the Wardens than he did. Jaune instead stood and decided to talk to the rest of their marry band of misfits.
After speaking with his fellow party members, some more easily than others "Cough" Sten "Cough", Jaune along with Kali and Morrigan make their way to the docks upon Lake Calenhad, near the Circle Tower.
Once there, the trio find their only way across to the tower blocked by a Templar, after a bit of back and forth, Jaune persuades the Templar to let them cross, by saying his superiors wouldn't like him keeping them from crossing.
Once across, a dire situation reveals itself, Knight-Commander Greagoir is organizing troops and sealing off the first floor on the Tower. He explains to the group that the Tower has been overrun by abominations and demons, and though he does not know the fate of the mages, assumes they are dead, and has sent word to the Chantry of Denerim requesting reinforcements and the Right of Annulment. Using said right, he intends to kill everything in the Tower.
After a bit off back and forth, Greagoir grants the group access to the Tower, but bars the doors behind them.
Once the group enters the first floor, they see the familiar face, to Jaune and Kali anyway, of Wynne fighting a Rage demon with the help of some apprentices in order to defend some nearby children and has set up a barrier to prevent any more demon from entering.
After vanquishing her fiery foe, Wynne turns to the group. "It's you! Now come no further, Grey Wardens or no, I will strike you down where you stand!"
"Wynne?" Asked Jaune. "What are you doing here?"
"I am a mage of the Circle." Replied Wynne. "More importantly, why are you here? The Templars would not let just anyone by."
"We've come seeking the Mages aid." Replied Kali.
"And you were told that the Circle was in no shape to help you, I suppose." Remarked Wynne. "So why did the Templars let you all in? Do they plan to attack the tower now?"
"Not until this "Right of Annulment" gets here, whatever that means." Answered Jaune.
"They went for it, then. I feared they might have. What else could they do?" Sighed Wynne. "So Greagoir thinks the Circle is beyond hope. He probably assumes we are all dead." She begins to pace. "They abandoned us to our fate, but even trapped as we are, we have survived. If they invoke the Right, however, we will not be able to stand against them."
Jaune takes a moment to look around, before turning back to Wynne. "What… happened here?"
"Let it suffice to say that we had something of a revolt on our hands, led by a mage named Uldred." Answered Wynne. "When he returned from the battle at Ostagar, he tried o take over the Circle. As you can see, it didn't work out as he had planned." The group looked to one another. "I don't know what became of Uldred, but I am certain all this is his doing. I will not lose the Circle to one man's pride and stupidity."
"So… what do you plan on doing?" Asked Jaune.
"I erected a barrier over the door leading to the rest of the tower, so nothing from inside could attack the children." Answered Wynne. "You will not be able to enter the tower as long as the barrier holds, but I will dispel it if you join with me to save this Circle."
"Very well." Replied Kali. "We will help you."
"Once Greagoir sees that we have made the tower safe, I trust he will tell his men to back down." Wynne explained. "He is not unreasonable."
"But Greagoir said he'd only accept that the tower was safe if the First Enchanter said so." Jaune pointed out.
"Then our path is laid out before us." Replied Wynne. "We must save Bruing."
"Will the children be safe here?" Jaune followed up.
"Petra and Kinnon will watch them." Answered Wynne. "If we slay all the fiends we encounter on our way, none will get by to threaten the children."
"You should stay here." Advised Kali. "We can go on alone."
"No." Wynne shot down. "I know the tower, and I know what we face. And if the Circle is indeed lost and all the mages dead, I would see this for myself."
"Join us, then, and we can clear out the tower together." Replied Jaune.
"You want us to assist this preachy schoolmistress? To rescue these pathetic excuses for mages?" Morrigan scoffed, looking to Jaune. "They allow themselves to be corralled like cattle, mindless. Now their masters have chosen death for them, and I say let them have it."
"You could've been one of these so called "pathetic mages", had things been different." Jaune pointed out.
"I could be here, had my mother not shielded me from the Templars, so I am to show sympathy?" Asked Morrigan. "My mother often said that things are the way they are, because they could not have been any other way. I always questioned this." She looked away. "Do what you wish. I care not."
"Thank you, Morrigan." Replied Jaune, sincerely.
Wynne looked to the two mages behind her. "Petra, Kinnon… look after the others, I will be back soon."
"Wynne… are you sure you're all right?" Asked Petra. "You were so badly hurt earlier. Maybe I should come along."
"The others need your protection more, I will be all right." Replied Wynne. "Stay here with them… keep them safe and calm."
"Have faith." Said Kali. "We will not fail."
"Your confidence is refreshing, though you should make sure it does not blind you to your weaknesses." Warned Wynne. "If you are all ready, let us go end this."
Wynne joins the group as they venture into the Tower. The first floor is the former Apprentices Quarters, which is filled with a few tough enemies, with the toughest being a Greater Rage Demon before the stairs to the next level.
Upon entering the second floor, the group encounters a Tranquil named Owain. After leaving Owain, they encounter a group of Blood Mages blocking the way into the rest of the tower. The Mages attack on sight, and after a short but tense skirmish, one of the Mages begs for mercy – giving up a little information about Uldred and why she and her brethren succumbed to the temptation to become Blood Mages. Jaune recruits her into the Mage Army to fight the darkspawn and redeem herself.
Before the party goes to the next level, Morrigan pulls Jaune aside to a secluded alcove. "I have a thought."
"Oh? What's on your mind?" Asked Jaune.
"We have an opportunity that I believe we should take advantage of." Answered Morrigan. "To the point: my mother was once divested of a particular grimoire by a most annoying Templar hunter. It occurred long before I was born, but even today Flemeth speaks of the loss with great rage. With the Circle of Magi in such disarray, it occurs to me that this might be the perfect time to recover the tome from their possession, for surely it eventually ended up in their hands."
"Why didn't you mention this earlier?" Asked Jaune.
"I did not think of it, earlier." Answered Morrigan. "Truly, Mother has assumed for a long time that the tome was lost forever, I only remembered it now after thinking what treasures might be found in the Circle of Magi's tower now… in its condition."
"And… what do you want this "grimoire" for, exactly?" Asked Jaune.
"'Tis a book of spells, of the sort that Flemeth has dabbled with throughout her long life.'Tis not the sort of thing that would benefit a mage by the standard variety, they were taught a different path. I, however, was taught by my mother." Answered Morrigan. "I know a way around the wards my mother would have placed on such a tome, I know the language that she would have written it in I would find such a tome… most useful."
"Useful in what way?" Inquired Jaune.
"Useful in the way that it might increase my power, useful in the way that I would become more useful to you." Answered Morrigan. "Does that now follow?"
"And what makes you think that the Mages still even have this book?" Asked Jaune.
"Flemeth is a sorceress of legend, is she not? And her grimoire would be more than a mere curiosity to mages that daren't even glance towards the places my mother has walked for eons." Explained Morrigan. "No doubt 'tis considered something dangerous, perhaps best locked away somewhere dark, yes? And if not? Then at least I know it does not exist, but there is no harm in looking, surely."
"Very well." Replied Jaune. "I'll keep an eye out for it." He smiled good naturedly. "And I expect a reward."
"Is my eternal gratitude nor the use I would provide with it, not enough? If so, you can certainly dictate other… rewards." Teased Morrigan. "And I am most interested to see its contents, should it be located. The grimoire is leather-bound and adorned with the symbol of a leafless tree, should you come across it, if not, however, then I shall simply put it out of my mind."
A smug looking Morrigan and flustered looking Jaune return to the party and continue on.
When the party makes it to the third floor, they are beset upon by the undead as well as both Possessed and Charmed Templars, and eventually fight a Desire Demon and her group of thralls. Upon the fourth floor was a singular fight, with a much more powerful Blood Mage, and a moral dilemma featuring a bewitched Templar and a Desire Demon, which Jaune ultimately let's go as killing the demon would result in the death of the innocent Templar. After a brief rest, the party enter the central chamber, and encounter the Abomination known as Sloth.
Sloth, standing over the unresponsive body of a Mage, turns toward the party. "Oh, look. Visitors. I'd entertain you but… too much effort involved."
"Killing demons is enough entertainment for me, thanks." Jaune spat, reading for a fight.
"But why? Aren't you tired of all the violence in this world? I know I am." Replied Sloth. "Wouldn't you like to just lay down and… forget about all this? Leave it all behind?"
"Can't… keep eyes open." Kali mumbles. "Someone… pinch… me… preferably Jaune… shirtless… and covered in oil…"
"This is ridiculous." Scoffed Morrigan. "You cannot expect me to rest of a floor sticky with blood…"
"Resist." Warns Wynne. "You must resist, else we are all lost…"
Sloth looks to Jaune. "Why do you fight? You deserve more… You deserve a rest. The world will go on without you."
The world fades to black, and the party finds themselves in the… Fade. After a strange adventure into the Fade, the party come to groggily, and after a moment Jaune went to the deceased Niall's body and retrieved the Litany of Adralla.
The party continues on, fighting through a veritable horde of Drakes and Dragonlings, to confront Uldred.
Along the way they discover a Templar trapped in a magical prison. "This trick again? I know what you are. It won't work. I will stay strong…"
"A Templar, and it seems he is a prisoner." Jaune mused.
"The boy is exhausted. And this cage… I've never seen anything like it." Wynne remarked, before turning to the Templar. "Rest easy… help is here."
"Enough visions. If anything in you is human… kill me now and stop this game. You broke the others, but I will stay strong, for my sake… for theirs…" The Templar exclaims. "Filthy Blood Mages… getting in my head… I will not break… I'd rather die."
"Where are the other survivors?" Inquired Kali.
"What others? What are you talking about?" Asked the Templar.
"Irving and the other mages who fought Uldred." Explained Wynne. "Where are they?"
"They are in the Harrowing Chamber." The Templar answered. "The sounds coming out from there… oh, Maker…"
"We must hurry." Wynne urges. "They are in grave danger, I am sure of it."
"You can't save them." Warned the Templar. "You don't know what they've become."
"And you do?" Asked Jaune.
"They've been surrounded b-by Blood Mages whose wicked fingers snake into your mind and corrupt your thoughts." The Templar spat.
"His hatred of Mages is so intense… the memory of his friends deaths is still fresh in his mind." Kali sighed.
"He's suffered pain and anguish like few have had to endure." Explained Wynne. "That and his lust for revenge have confused the issue-"
"Do not presume to judge me, Mage!" Roared the Templar. "I am thinking clearly—for perhaps the first time in my life."
"I want to save everyone I possibly can." Explained Jaune
"Are you really saving anyone by taking this risk?" Asked the Templar. "To ensure this horror is ended… to guarantee that no Abominations or Blood Mages live, you must kill everyone up there."
"I can't make any type of decision about what to do without seeing what's going on." Replied Jaune.
"That is your choice to make, but I beg you to consider what I have to say." The Templar begged. "You cannot tel maleficarum by sight, just one could influence the mind of a King, of a Grand Cleric."
"I don't want the blood of innocent people staining my hands." Replied Jaune.
"I am just willing to see the painful truth, which you are content to ignore, but what can I do?" Asked the Templar. "As you can see, I am in no position to directly influence your actions, though I would love to deal with the Mages myself."
"Good." Replied Kali. "Then you can't cause any trouble."
"My cage is Uldred's doing… or one of his Mages." Explained the Templar. "Once they're dead, I will be free."
"And then I will also decide what to do with the others." Jaune replied.
"No one ever listens, not until it's far too late." The Templar sighed. "Maker turn his gaze on you, I hope your compassion hasn't doomed us all."
The party enters the Harrowing Chamber, just in time to see Uldred turn an unwilling and bound Mage into an Abomination. "Do you accept the gift that I offer?"
Uldred turned toward the party. "Ah… look what we have here. Intruders, I bid you welcome. Care to join in our… revels?"
"I take it you're Uldred." Jaune replies.
"Oh. Very observant. I'm quite impressed you're still alive, unfortunately, that must mean you killed my servants." Uldred praised sardonically. "Ah, well, they are probably better off dying in the service of their betters than living with the terrible responsibility of independence."
"You'll soon follow your servants!" Kali spat.
"Wait, wait, wait… let's not be hasty, I'm trying to have a civilized conversation here." Uldred explained.
"Fine then." Replied Jaune. "Talk."
"A Mage is but the larval form of something greater. Your Chantry vilifies us, calls us abominations, when we have truly reached our full potential! Look at them. The Chantry has them convinced. They deny themselves the pleasures of becoming something glorious."
"You're mad! There's nothing glorious about that you've become, Uldred!" Cries Wynne.
"Uldred? He is gone, I am Uldred and yet not Uldred. I am more than he was. I could give you this gift, Wynne. You and all mages. It would be so much easier if you just accepted it." He sighs. "But some people can be so stubborn."
"I'm glad so many of them stood up to you." Replied Jaune.
"And what good did that do? I still won." Uldred replied, before looking to his side. "I even have the first enchanter on my side, don't I… Irving?"
"What have you done to him?" Demanded Wynne.
"Stop him… he… is building an army." Wheezed Irving. "He will… destroy the Templars and-"
"You're a sly little fox, Irving, telling on me like that." Uldred commented. "And here I thought he was starting to turn."
"N-Never." Wheezed Irving, defiantly.
"That's enough out of you, Irving. He'll serve me, eventually." Uldred looks to the party. "As will you…"
"What's that suppose to mean?" Demanded Kali.
"Oh, I'm not stupid. Do you think I'm going to let you wander around this tower, knowing you are a pawn of the Templars? You are a thorn in my side and I must remove you before you fester."
"Did you have to use such a disgusting analogy?" Asked Jaune.
"No, but it served to bring the point across, I cannot let you be, but killing you… such a waste." Answered Uldred. "Your raw potential, with the strength of a demon behind it, would be unstoppable, I can do that—I can give you power, and a new life."
"Sorry." Jaune apologized. "But that doesn't sound very appealing to me."
"I don't think your opinion matter, that is what I've decided, and that is wat will be done." Uldred replies. "Fight, if you must, it will just make my victory all the sweeter."
"Don't forget the Litany. It will thwart Uldred's attempts to control the Mages and win this fight for us." Wynne warns.
After a rather annoying fight, where Uldred revealed himself to be a Pride Demon, Irving and the Mages were saved.
"Irving!" Wynne cried. "Are you all right?"
"I've… ngh… been better." Answered Irving. "But I am thankful to be alive, I suppose that is your doing, isn't it, Wynne?"
"I wasn't alone, I had help." Replied Wynne.
"The Circle owes all of you a debt we will never be able to repay." Irving proclaimed. "Come, the Templars await. We shall let them know that the tower is once again ours."
"All right then, lead on." Jaune replied.
"I'll need you to guide me down the stairs… Ah, curse whoever insisted the Circle be housed in a tower." Grumbled Irving.
The party, with Irving in tow, descend the tower and greeting the amassing Templars. And after a bit of back and forth, the aid of the Mages and Templars is gained and Wynne joins the party.
Fin.
Sorry for not having a Fade portion, but it's just a Mage tutorial in game, and I couldn't think of anything better to add.
Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed.