Post by Templar Knight on Dec 27, 2022 23:47:05 GMT
If the novel "Dragon Age: Asunder" is to be believed, there are 15 Knight-Commanders and 15 First Enchanters (outside Tevinter). The intended implication may have been that there is a Knight-Commander for every Circle tower. It's lucky, however, that this isn't directly stated. Dragon Age: Origins, after all, shows us multiple Knight-Commanders in Ferelden (a kingdom with only one Circle). Judging by the Green Ronin RPG handbook, it appears that at the time the idea was that each kingdom had its own Knight-Vigilant, with multiple Knight-Commanders (rather than the later lore that the Knight-Vigilant is the overall head of the Templars). Fortuitously, there are a few Circles where no knight-commander has been explicitly mentioned, allowing me to headcanon that some commanderies cover multiple towers and that perhaps the "secondary" Circle for the area is monitored by the Knight-Captain for the area. If we assume this, the numbers actually line up perfectly.
I have spent time comparing the various mentions of Circles, Grand Clerics, and Knight-Commanders. Here is the result of my work, along with my headcanon to connect the dots and make it all work.
FERELDEN
There is a Grand Cleric.
There is one Circle.
There are four(!) Knight-Commanders at the time of Origins. Greagoir at the Circle tower, Tavish in Denerim, Harrith in Redcliffe, and "Knight-Commander Thames", whose location is unknown but who sent a runner to Redcliffe to inquire about corpse gall after hearing of the events there. I propose that Thames is based in Amaranthine: It was the capital of occupied Ferelden, is the only proper "city" we know of outside of Denerim, and furthermore the chantry there is a significant holy site (resulting in it becoming the wealthiest chantry in Ferelden). It seems a logical place for Thames to be, if he must be anywhere at all.
FREE MARCHES
Two Grand Clerics. Elthina is stated to be for the southern Free Marches, which the codex then specifies to mean everything south of Starkhaven and the Minanter River. Another codex quotes a "Grand Cleric Francesca of Starkhaven". This means Elthina has jurisdiction over Kirkwall, Ostwick, Markham, and Hercinia, while the Grand Cleric of Starkhaven has jurisdiction over Starkhaven, Tantervale, Hasmal, Ansburg, and Wycome.
Kirkwall, Hasmal, Ostwick, and Starkhaven all have Circles and Knight-Commanders mentioned.
Tantervale (a deeply religious state) has mention of a "templar-commander", but no mention of a Circle.
Ansburg and Markham have Circles mentioned in codex entries set in the past. It is unclear if these Circles still exist, but if we include them, the "15 First-Enchanters" number adds up. No Knight-Commanders are mentioned for these areas, however. I headcanon that Markham is part of the Ostwick commandery, while Ansburg is part of the Starkhaven commandery.
ORLAIS
A minimum of two Grand Clerics: Duke Bastien de Ghislain's sister, Grand Cleric Marcelline; and Grand Cleric Victoire, whose center of power is in the Dales.
Incidentally, the three known Circles in Orlais are in Val Royeaux, Ghislain, and Montsimmard (which is near the Dales). It's not a stretch to imagine that Marcelline is Grand Cleric of Ghislain and that the Circle there is under her supervision. I headcanon that Orlais, like the Free Marches, has a northern Chantry and a southern Chantry: The north is led by Marcelline in Ghislain, the south is led by Victoire in Montsimmard, and Val Royeaux is under the direct authority of the Divine.
No Knight-Commander is mentioned for Ghislain, however, and if we ASSUME there is one there, then the "15 Knight-Commanders" figure doesn't work. So I will apply the same headcanon as above and propose that Ghislain is part of the Val Royeaux commandery. Val Royeaux is also supposed to be where the Knight-Vigilant (overall leader of the Templar Order) is supposed to be based. Perhaps the Knight-Vigilant answers directly to the Divine, while the Knight-Commander in Val Royeaux answers to the Grand Cleric of Ghislain?
NEVARRA
A Grand Cleric of Cumberland is mentioned.
Cumberland is also where the College of Magi convenes, in a resplendent palace owned by the Circle.
A Knight-Commander of Cumberland is mentioned.
Perendale is also indicated to have a Circle tower, but no knight-commander is mentioned: Therefore I propose that Perendale is part of the Cumberland commandery.
THE ANDERFELS
A Grand Cleric and a Circle are mentioned. No Knight-Commander is mentioned, but if we count all the others, there are only 14 - thus I think it is reasonable to place the 15th Knight-Commander here.
ANTIVA
A Circle is mentioned.
A Knight-Commander is mentioned.
No Grand Cleric is mentioned, but we can probably safely assume there is one.
RIVAIN
A Circle is mentioned.
A Knight-Commander is mentioned.
No Grand Cleric is mentioned, but we can probably safely assume there is one.
TEVINTER
There are known to be seven Circles of Magi in the Imperium, housed in former temples to the Old Gods, but only three have their locations stated: Minrathous, Vyrantium, and Carastes.
World of Thedas claims that in the event that the Grand Clerics cannot agree on a candidate for Divine, the Archon casts the tiebreaking vote. This implies there are at least three Grand Clerics. I will assume there are exactly three and no more, considering the amount of territory a Grand Cleric ordinarily has jurisdiction over.
Tevinter Nights mentions a Knight-Commander in Minrathous, and depicts templar barracks next to the Circle tower (which is located in the "Circle district".) Magisters and other mages are seen going to and fro.
Dragon Age: Absolution depicts a Knight-Commander in the southern city of Nessum, stationed at an old summer palace of the Black Divine. There is a place of worship at the summit of this palace, described as a "cathedral". The only other instances of "cathedral" being explicitly used to refer to a chantry are the cathedral in Denerim and the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. As a cathedral in real life is the ceremonial seat of a bishop, I will assume that in Thedas a cathedral is the seat of a Grand Cleric. Absolution also includes a high-ranking member of the Imperial Chantry, who is indicated to be a magister (and we know the Grand Clerics and the Divine receive seats in the Magisterium...). Could he be the Grand Cleric? He is never referred to as such, but he does seem to think he has a good chance of becoming Divine... World of Thedas claims the Divines are elected from among the Grand Clerics (notably this clashes with multiple ingame codex entries across the series, which indicate the Divines are always elected from the ranks of the First Enchanters. WoT also claims that the Divine is *usually* a man, while Dorian ingame states that they are mandated to always be men and that a number of lady magisters are cross about this. I leave it to you to decide what sources to consider here).
From these details, I will wildly extrapolate and create an elaborate headcanon that is almost entirely conjecture, due to the dearth of actual concrete details:
!!HEADCANON WARNING!!
I propose the following headcanon:
Minrathous is under the direct authority of the Divine, who also has charge of the city's Knight-Commander and supervision of the Circle.
There is a Grand Cleric of Vyrantium, who additionally has jurisdiction over Tallo, Asariel, Marnas Pell, and Vol Dorma. (The Northwestern Imperium) Of these, Vyrantium and Marnas Pell have Circle towers, each with a Knight-Commander.
There is a Grand Cleric of Teraevyn, who additionally has jurisdiction over Ventus, Carastes, Neromenian, and Marothius. (The Northeastern Imperium) Of these, Teraevyn and Carastes have Circle towers, each with a Knight-Commander. (NOTE: The actual location of Teraevyn is unknown. The city is mentioned in Dragon Age: Asunder, but does not appear on any official maps. I have nothing to support it being in the northeast.)
There is a Grand Cleric of Nessum, who additionally has jurisdiction over Caimen Brea, Trevis, Solas, and Perivantium. (The Southern Imperium) Of these, Caimen Brea and Perivantium have Circle towers. However, the Knight-Commander of Caimen Brea spends much of her time stationed at the cathedral in Nessum, leaving supervision of the Circle to her Knight-Captain.
If you've read this far, I thank you profusely for your time, and invite your thoughts and feedback. Also say "Enchantment!" to signal that you've read this. You won't get anything, but it'll make me happy.
I have spent time comparing the various mentions of Circles, Grand Clerics, and Knight-Commanders. Here is the result of my work, along with my headcanon to connect the dots and make it all work.
FERELDEN
There is a Grand Cleric.
There is one Circle.
There are four(!) Knight-Commanders at the time of Origins. Greagoir at the Circle tower, Tavish in Denerim, Harrith in Redcliffe, and "Knight-Commander Thames", whose location is unknown but who sent a runner to Redcliffe to inquire about corpse gall after hearing of the events there. I propose that Thames is based in Amaranthine: It was the capital of occupied Ferelden, is the only proper "city" we know of outside of Denerim, and furthermore the chantry there is a significant holy site (resulting in it becoming the wealthiest chantry in Ferelden). It seems a logical place for Thames to be, if he must be anywhere at all.
FREE MARCHES
Two Grand Clerics. Elthina is stated to be for the southern Free Marches, which the codex then specifies to mean everything south of Starkhaven and the Minanter River. Another codex quotes a "Grand Cleric Francesca of Starkhaven". This means Elthina has jurisdiction over Kirkwall, Ostwick, Markham, and Hercinia, while the Grand Cleric of Starkhaven has jurisdiction over Starkhaven, Tantervale, Hasmal, Ansburg, and Wycome.
Kirkwall, Hasmal, Ostwick, and Starkhaven all have Circles and Knight-Commanders mentioned.
Tantervale (a deeply religious state) has mention of a "templar-commander", but no mention of a Circle.
Ansburg and Markham have Circles mentioned in codex entries set in the past. It is unclear if these Circles still exist, but if we include them, the "15 First-Enchanters" number adds up. No Knight-Commanders are mentioned for these areas, however. I headcanon that Markham is part of the Ostwick commandery, while Ansburg is part of the Starkhaven commandery.
ORLAIS
A minimum of two Grand Clerics: Duke Bastien de Ghislain's sister, Grand Cleric Marcelline; and Grand Cleric Victoire, whose center of power is in the Dales.
Incidentally, the three known Circles in Orlais are in Val Royeaux, Ghislain, and Montsimmard (which is near the Dales). It's not a stretch to imagine that Marcelline is Grand Cleric of Ghislain and that the Circle there is under her supervision. I headcanon that Orlais, like the Free Marches, has a northern Chantry and a southern Chantry: The north is led by Marcelline in Ghislain, the south is led by Victoire in Montsimmard, and Val Royeaux is under the direct authority of the Divine.
No Knight-Commander is mentioned for Ghislain, however, and if we ASSUME there is one there, then the "15 Knight-Commanders" figure doesn't work. So I will apply the same headcanon as above and propose that Ghislain is part of the Val Royeaux commandery. Val Royeaux is also supposed to be where the Knight-Vigilant (overall leader of the Templar Order) is supposed to be based. Perhaps the Knight-Vigilant answers directly to the Divine, while the Knight-Commander in Val Royeaux answers to the Grand Cleric of Ghislain?
NEVARRA
A Grand Cleric of Cumberland is mentioned.
Cumberland is also where the College of Magi convenes, in a resplendent palace owned by the Circle.
A Knight-Commander of Cumberland is mentioned.
Perendale is also indicated to have a Circle tower, but no knight-commander is mentioned: Therefore I propose that Perendale is part of the Cumberland commandery.
THE ANDERFELS
A Grand Cleric and a Circle are mentioned. No Knight-Commander is mentioned, but if we count all the others, there are only 14 - thus I think it is reasonable to place the 15th Knight-Commander here.
ANTIVA
A Circle is mentioned.
A Knight-Commander is mentioned.
No Grand Cleric is mentioned, but we can probably safely assume there is one.
RIVAIN
A Circle is mentioned.
A Knight-Commander is mentioned.
No Grand Cleric is mentioned, but we can probably safely assume there is one.
TEVINTER
There are known to be seven Circles of Magi in the Imperium, housed in former temples to the Old Gods, but only three have their locations stated: Minrathous, Vyrantium, and Carastes.
World of Thedas claims that in the event that the Grand Clerics cannot agree on a candidate for Divine, the Archon casts the tiebreaking vote. This implies there are at least three Grand Clerics. I will assume there are exactly three and no more, considering the amount of territory a Grand Cleric ordinarily has jurisdiction over.
Tevinter Nights mentions a Knight-Commander in Minrathous, and depicts templar barracks next to the Circle tower (which is located in the "Circle district".) Magisters and other mages are seen going to and fro.
Dragon Age: Absolution depicts a Knight-Commander in the southern city of Nessum, stationed at an old summer palace of the Black Divine. There is a place of worship at the summit of this palace, described as a "cathedral". The only other instances of "cathedral" being explicitly used to refer to a chantry are the cathedral in Denerim and the Grand Cathedral in Val Royeaux. As a cathedral in real life is the ceremonial seat of a bishop, I will assume that in Thedas a cathedral is the seat of a Grand Cleric. Absolution also includes a high-ranking member of the Imperial Chantry, who is indicated to be a magister (and we know the Grand Clerics and the Divine receive seats in the Magisterium...). Could he be the Grand Cleric? He is never referred to as such, but he does seem to think he has a good chance of becoming Divine... World of Thedas claims the Divines are elected from among the Grand Clerics (notably this clashes with multiple ingame codex entries across the series, which indicate the Divines are always elected from the ranks of the First Enchanters. WoT also claims that the Divine is *usually* a man, while Dorian ingame states that they are mandated to always be men and that a number of lady magisters are cross about this. I leave it to you to decide what sources to consider here).
From these details, I will wildly extrapolate and create an elaborate headcanon that is almost entirely conjecture, due to the dearth of actual concrete details:
!!HEADCANON WARNING!!
I propose the following headcanon:
Minrathous is under the direct authority of the Divine, who also has charge of the city's Knight-Commander and supervision of the Circle.
There is a Grand Cleric of Vyrantium, who additionally has jurisdiction over Tallo, Asariel, Marnas Pell, and Vol Dorma. (The Northwestern Imperium) Of these, Vyrantium and Marnas Pell have Circle towers, each with a Knight-Commander.
There is a Grand Cleric of Teraevyn, who additionally has jurisdiction over Ventus, Carastes, Neromenian, and Marothius. (The Northeastern Imperium) Of these, Teraevyn and Carastes have Circle towers, each with a Knight-Commander. (NOTE: The actual location of Teraevyn is unknown. The city is mentioned in Dragon Age: Asunder, but does not appear on any official maps. I have nothing to support it being in the northeast.)
There is a Grand Cleric of Nessum, who additionally has jurisdiction over Caimen Brea, Trevis, Solas, and Perivantium. (The Southern Imperium) Of these, Caimen Brea and Perivantium have Circle towers. However, the Knight-Commander of Caimen Brea spends much of her time stationed at the cathedral in Nessum, leaving supervision of the Circle to her Knight-Captain.
If you've read this far, I thank you profusely for your time, and invite your thoughts and feedback. Also say "Enchantment!" to signal that you've read this. You won't get anything, but it'll make me happy.
