Orlais

Orlais, or the Orlesian Empire, is currently the most powerful nation in Thedas. Val Royeaux is the capital of Orlais, and home to the Chantry. Orlais is ruled by Empress Celene I. Amongst its previous rulers were Emperor Reville and Emperor Florian. It was founded by the Emperor Kordillus Drakon, the man who established the Chantry. A century ago, Orlais conquered Ferelden, but was expelled 30 years ago by King Maric.

Culture and Society
The current Empress has led a resurgence in Imperial prestige with her focus on art and education. She has also given prominent Orlesian thinkers positions at court. In imitation of their Empress, the general aristocracy has also begun to promote scholarship and the arts, leading to a cultural renaissance of sorts.

Orlesian culture is contrasted to the "rugged" and "practical" tastes of Ferelden. It would be characterized as "refined", "courtly" or "sophisticated", consisting of elegant furniture and fragrant perfumes.

Aristocratic society is vicious and marked by fawning envy to the powerful. Orlesian Nobles often entertain bards in their courts despite their roles as spies, assassins and saboteurs for their employers (usually other nobles). Nobles welcome such entertainers with full knowledge that any could be a bard; the thrill of outwitting a spy is a notion the Orlesian aristocracy can hardly resist.

Meghren during The Stolen Throne was known to import many of his Orlesian tastes, such as masks in the royal courts or Orlesian furniture.

Politics
In Orlais, land is owned exclusively by the aristocracy. Power rests solely in the Emperor as in many monarchies in Thedas where power descends from the throne, unlike Ferelden whose power derives from the support of freeholders.

The chevaliers are knights with both power and responsibility. They are honored by many and are considered amongst the best of all soldiers but they also have unlimited rights when it comes to handling the peasantry; a cause of many conflicts.

Cities

 * Val Royeaux - Capital
 * Montsimmard
 * Val Chevin
 * Val Foret
 * Val Firmin
 * Montfort
 * Arlesans
 * Ghislain
 * Churneau
 * Lydes
 * Verchiel
 * Halamshiral
 * Mont-de-grace
 * Jader - Nearest major Orlesian city to Ferelden

Trivia

 * The character Leliana is culturally Orlesian. She often remarks of the fashionable shoes of Orlais compared to the rugged boots of Ferelden.
 * Orlais is loosely based on the real-world nation of France. Orlesian characters speak with French accents, and their knights are referred to as "chevaliers".
 * Orlais was once called Arles. The name was changed because Arles is a real town in France.
 * In the upcoming expansion pack Awakening, if the player chooses not to import a previous Warden character, they have the option to play as a new Gray Warden character from Orlais, starting at level 20.