Codex text
When one mentions the Templar Order, you no doubt picture the armored members of the southern Chantry. These templars are trained to combat uncontrolled magic, blood magic, and abominations with the goal of protecting people—including mages themselves—from the most violent manifestations of magical power. However, they also embody the southern Chantry's control over mages and enforce many of its strict rules and regulations over magic in general.
In addition to combat training, these templars ingest lyrium. This mineral, usually used by mages for enchantments and rituals, grants templars the ability to resist and dispel magic. The fact that it is also addictive—chaining them to the Chantry and resulting in paranoia, obsession, and ultimately dementia—is often swept under the rug. (Yes, we've heard all about that dirty little secret.)
As you may have surmised by my use of "southern" Chantry, this is not the case in the Tevinter Imperium.
In Tevinter, we know that magic can only serve if it is allowed to flourish. We do not suppress talent, we nurture it.
That is not to say that we ignore the dangers of magic and what it might allow those with violent intent if not combated. As in the South, our templars are trained to prevent the excesses of blood magic and to subdue demons as well as those inflicted by possession.
But our templars do not take lyrium; they do not enforce unnecessary regulations. They are not given power over mages, but follow the lead of our most esteemed Magisterium. They serve the Chantry and the people of the Imperium.
I must admit, I rather prefer our way of doing things.
—From a letter written by Lythisea Pallus, living in a border town in the Tevinter Imperium, to a cousin in Orlais, 9:15 Dragon