(fixed a minor typo.) |
(No confirmation, no trivia. Also English Church allows priests to marry, nobody mentions this one of bases of protestant church.) |
||
| Line 45: | Line 45: | ||
The majority of Imperial templars lack the ability to counter magic. They are primarily soldiers.<ref>Gaider, David. [http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/4546148&lf=8 "Why don't mages go to Tevinter?"] Bioware Social Network.</ref> |
The majority of Imperial templars lack the ability to counter magic. They are primarily soldiers.<ref>Gaider, David. [http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/4546148&lf=8 "Why don't mages go to Tevinter?"] Bioware Social Network.</ref> |
||
| − | == Trivia == |
||
| − | The nature and history of the Imperial Chantry seems to be based on that of the Church of England. Both of them broke from the central base of the religion over theological and political reasons. |
||
| − | The Exalted Marches that followed are possibly a reference to the Spanish Armada's that tried to return Catholicism to England.{{Confirm}} |
||
== See also == |
== See also == |
||
Revision as of 09:34, 18 March 2013
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
At one point the Chantry was the same across every land it touched in Thedas. As it had been since Justina I was named the first Divine in the Divine Age and resulted in the founding of the Chantry. However the Chantry never fully defeated the Magister lords of the Tevinter Imperium. So when Tevinter accepted the Chantry's laws and teachings, the Magisters did surrender to the Circle of Magi and Chantry oversight, but only on their terms.
Also the mages of Teviner were not common peasants or disowned children as they usually are in the south. Magic is a valued trait in Tevinter that is nurtured and carried through ancient bloodlines. So the Chantry was trying to control the Tevinter elite, the most powerful of their highborn. Because of this the Mages of Tevinter still retained much influence and power. Since the common Tevinter people also view magic as a gift and a part of their culture, the mages are respected by common people more than in other countries.
For these reasons the Chantry never had an easy time maintaining and spreading it's influence in the Tevinter Imperium. The Chantry's mistrust for magic has come into conflict with the native Tevinter culture which still viewed it as a mark of honor. The Chantry held on to power in Tevinter for nearly four centuries before these incompatible beliefs finally caused open conflict.
The conflict began, when in an attempt to reconcile their native beliefs with the Chantry's. The Tevinter Grand Cleric's modified the Chant of Light to say that the Commandment "Magic exists to serve man, and never rule over him" meant that Magic must serve the greater good. They argued that this could be accomplished by Magi being freed and taking part in government. The Chantry in Orlais demanded that they revert to the original Chant, and when they refused, then they left.
In 3:87 Towers, the Chantry went through a schism that resulted in the Tevinter Chantry breaking away from the Orlesian Chantry and placing Valhail, a male member of their Circle of Magi as head of their Chantry. The Imperial Divine's (also known as the Black Divine) 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 four marches in total as the Val Royeaux chantry amassed huge armies from all over it's domains and proceeded to invade the Imperium. However the stubbon defense that the Tevinter's made during all of these battles. Led to the Marches all failing to take Minrathous or force the Imperial Chantry to surrender. Also so with their mages free from Chantry shackles, the Imperium unleashed it's full unhindered magical might against the invaders. This, combined with the influx of foreign freedom seeking mages into Tevinter, caused massive casualties on the White Divines armies.
In the end all the Exalted Marches did was to ensure that the divide between Val Royeaux and Minrathous could never again be bridged. After they ended the opposing teachings had been established and the separation was complete. To this day the White and Black Divines both refuse to recognize the others legitimacy or authority. The only cooperation that has ever been seen between them was during the Blights and the Qunari wars.
Teachings
|
This section is incomplete and requires expansion. |
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, they claim it can be accomplished by magi ruling. The Tevinter priests altered the Chant to reflect that Magic must be used in the service of all mankind for their prosperity and condemned the Chantry in Orlais. 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 should be controled. Both Chantries condemn each other about their views on magic.
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 prophet with considerable magical talent, even if she is a symbol of hope. While the Imperial Chantry still respects and honors Andraste considerably. They forbid the worship of her that is common in the Orlesian Chantry, and instead focus only on the Maker.
Another teaching that the Imperial Chantry has that differs from the Chantry in Orlais is the allowing of male priests. In the Chantry of Val Royeaux while men are ordained as brothers in the Chantry, only women can become revered mothers, Grand Clerics and Divine. In the Imperial Chantry men have access to all levels of rank in the Tevinter Imperium. In fact the first appointed Black Divine was both a man and a powerful mage. This is the ultimate sacrilege to the followers of the White Divine.[1]
Imperial Templars
According to Fenris templars are controlled by magisters and exist only to enforce the law. Even in Tevinter templars can use the Right of Annulment, if magisters go too far. Lambert used to be an Imperial templar and claimed that in fact templars have no power there. It does seem that the Imperial Templars must act if a mage crosses the line and uses forbidden magics. However where that line is, is unclear. Since the use of blood magic seems to be common in many of the Imperium's upper class. Since the restoration of the mageocracy the Templars are under the authority of the Magisters and thereby the Circle of Magi.
The majority of Imperial templars lack the ability to counter magic. They are primarily soldiers.[2]
See also
Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry
Codex entry: Chantry Hierarchy
References
- ↑ Prima Official Game Guide: DAO Collector's Edition.
- ↑ Gaider, David. "Why don't mages go to Tevinter?" Bioware Social Network.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
