The Dragon Age Series presents some decidedly trickychoicesthat affect every game from Orginsto Inquisition. One of them is whether to side with the Templars or Mages. The constant pull of each narrative drives the story and builds the words within Dragon Age IIand Dragon Age: Inquisition.
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Fans of the series have delved deep into the lore through the additional narratives within the novels and comic books. They arm their arguments of siding with the Templar Order or Mages with facts of history and Thedas' mythology. Many new players may be curious about a few of the surface reasons for supporting the Templars vs. the Mages and the impacts it has on the storyline. As well as theworld-building that sets up in Dragon Age: Inquisition.
10 Templars: Mages Are Dangerous
Following Dragon Age lore, Mages pull their energy from the Fade. By pulling magical energy from the Fade, they shape the material world around them and draw the attention of spirits and demons who live there, like moths to a flame. Thus, making them susceptible to the temptations of spirits and demons who wish to possess the Mage and wreak havoc upon the world of Thedas.
Therefore, putting innocent bystanders at risk and creating an imbalance of power. Those trained and educated in the Circles are still at risk and pose a threat to Thedas. At any moment, they could give in to the lure and temptation of a demon and become corrupted. With such a threat, the Templar order believes they must exist as the balancing force, and that magic should be controlled and contained - no matter the cost.
9 Mages: The Templars Suffer From Lyrium Addiction
The lyrium taken by the Templars becomes an addiction they cannot live without, the cravings unbearable. Over time and exposure to lyrium, the dependency causes disorientation and the inability to distinguish the present from memories. Their worst memories surface, haunting not only their nightmares but their every waking hour as well.
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Those who leave the Order, or are banished from it, experience lyrium withdrawal. This often leads to life on the streets, as seen with Kirkwall Templar Samson's story. He took to serving Corypheus after years of begging in the streets and was swayed by red lyrium and the promise to alleviate the suffering of the Templars. The other alternative of lyrium withdrawal is insanity, which often results in death.
8 Templars: Blood Magic Is Not To Be Taken Lightly
The Chantry preaches that blood magic cannot be practiced with good intentions and thus deems it the worst practice of magic. They believe it is because of blood magic that the first darkspawn were introduced to thephysicalworld, infecting Thedas with the Blight. The Chantry orders the Templars to kill anyone caught practicing blood magic to prevent the worsening of these demon possessions and the unbalance that the occult practice can inflict upon the physical world and the Veil.
Even if a blood mage uses their own blood for a ritual and believes they are not putting anyone in harm's way, the power blood magic allows will be swayed. Once a Mage has had a taste of that power, they will go to great lengths to find it and cast even more powerful spells. Blood magic requires a sacrifice that will match the spell's power, and the more significant the spell, the greater the sacrifice required. Such a hunt for power can lead to demon summoning, mind control, and other heinous acts. Blood magic can also be used as a portal to open the Veil. With it opened, demons can pass into the physical world.
7 Mages: Templars are Hypocrites
The Chantry and the Templar order warn about the heinous act that is blood magic. Mages that practice blood magic are known as Maleficarum. A forbidden practice in Thedas, the Templar order kills Maleficarum on site. However, per the Chantry's orders, the Templars perform a blood magic ritual on every Mage that enters the Circle.
The phylactery, which holds a few drops of blood from the Mage, becomes a homing beacon and glows as it gets closer to the respective Mage. This form of blood magic aids the Templars in finding Mages that have escaped the Circle and even provoke their compliance in certain instances.
6 Templars: Anders And Justice Are Unstable
Anders is a mage with a spirit of Justice inside of him. Technically an abomination, he works on keeping himself and the spirit under control. Until he blows up the Chantry, starting the Mage Rebellion, which leads to a full-blown war between Templars and Mages. His anger twisted the spirit of Justice into one of Revenge.
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In Dragon Age II, the spirit sometimes takes over him and possesses him to the point where Hawke must fight or reason with him, depending on previous choices. If romanced, it makes a more elaborate narrative.
5 Mages: Knight Commander Meredith Stannard Is Ruthless
A high-ranking officer of the Templars, Knight Commander Meredith, has no mercy for Mages. Meredith's family history has led her to rise through the ranks of the Templar Order and eventually rule with an iron fist. The Right of Tranquility was a common punishment enacted on Meredith's command for the slightest offense.
She is willing to neutralize any threat that could lead to corruption amongst the Mages. Through Hawke's journey, Meredith becomes so paranoid over the idea of protecting the city from Mages that she essentially loses her mind to red lyrium and destroys the entire city, becoming worse than an abomination.
4 Templars: Knight Commander Ser Delrin BarrisDies If The Player Sides With Mages
While there are evil Templars, there are also the amazing ones, and Ser Delrin Barris is one. He's not afraid to question his superiors and, if given the opportunity, can save many Mages and Templars alike while rebuilding the Order as Knight Commander.
However, if the Inquisition chooses to side with the Mages, Ser Barris will perish along with the rest of the uncorrupted members of the Order. The only way to save him and allow him to become the great man he can be is to side with the Templars.
3 Mages: Only Those Who Side With Mages Meet Grand Enchanter Fiona
To side with the Templars would be to lose the opportunity to meet Grand Enchanter Fiona, the former Grey Warden and leader of the Circle of Magi, since she will sell herself and her people to Tevinter and perish without the Inquisitor's aid.
And dashing all hope of a mother and son reunion with Alistair, depending on how previous games were played. If the Inquisition sides with the Mages, Fiona reforms the College of Enchanters as a new order to instruct Mages and the use of magic.
2 Templars: They Believe In Law And Order
Templar Order recruits are sworn in under a vow to protect Thedas from the dangers of magic and safeguard Mages from the outside world. They're the military arm of the Chantry. The balance they provide keeps innocents safe, and magic contained.
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With the power to resist magic and wield its ability to fight against it as a commendable force, tyranny and abuse exist within the Order. Under Chantry rule and ordinance, it is a price that those in Thedas must pay in exchange for the security that the Templars provide.
1 Mages: Players Can Explore Harrowing Or Tranquility
Many Mages have come to resent the Templars and look upon them as their jailers rather than protectors. During their training in the Circles, Mages go through the Harrowing. The Harrowing is feared by many Mages, as they are forced into the Fade. While in the Fade, Mages must resist the temptations of demons, spirits, and individual trials.
Mages that fail become abominations that are slain by the Templars. Weaker Mages who are changed by the Harrowing and considered a threat or too weak to resist future temptations are made Tranquil upon their return. The process of Tranquility severs the Mage's connection to the Fade and disconnects them from their magic, emotions, and desires. Mages that successfully come back from the Fade, unchanged, are still considered a threat because even though they resisted the temptation doesn't mean they will be able to in the future.
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