Imperial Chantry

The Imperial Chantry is a denomination of the Chantry centered in the Tevinter Imperium. The Imperial Chantry does not recognize the Divine of the Chantry of Andraste in Orlais, but elects its own Imperial Divine—sometimes called the "Black Divine" by the Chantry of Andraste. This "Black Divine" is known to reside in the Argent Spire, in Minrathous, therefore it can be assumed that this is where the Imperial Chantry's headquarters are located. In contrast to the Andrastian Chantry, the Imperial Chantry allows male priests and has more tolerant views of mages and magic and the "Imperial Divine" is one of the Enchanters of Minrathous Circle.

Background
In 3:87 Towers, the Chantry went through a schism that resulted in the Tevinter Chantry breaking away from the Orlesian Chantry and placing a male member of the Circle of Magi as head of their Chantry. The Imperial Divine's declaration of a celebration when the Divine Joyous II died led to the new White Divine naming the next age the Black Age and declaring an Exalted March against the Tevinter Imperium. There were to be three more until the Chantry of Andraste gave up on subduing the Imperial Chantry (mainly due to the greater threat of the Fourth Blight).

Teachings
The principal teaching of the Imperial Chantry (and the one which led to the schism with the Andrastian Chantry), is their interpretation of the words, "Magic exists to serve man, and never rule over him." The magisters interpret this to mean that magic must serve the greater good, and that can be accomplished by magi ruling. This was what allowed the magisters to reclaim their ancient authority and once again rule the Imperium. Meanwhile, the Chantry in Orlais remains firm in its belief that Magi are untrustworthy and need to be contained or killed. Thus, the idea of Magi ruling a powerful nation is the most major sin in their eyes. Also, while the Chantry of Orlais believes that Andraste was divine, and was taken up to stand beside the Maker when she died, the Imperial Chantry maintains she was just a mortal woman.

Imperial Templars
According to Fenris templars are controled by the magisters and exist only to enforce the law. Even in Tevinter templar can use The Right of Annulment, if magisters go too far. Lambert used to be an imperial templar and tol that in fact there templars have no power.