Orlesian royalty and nobility



The Orlesian Empire is probably best known for two things – being the birthplace of the Chantry and for its extravagant royalty and nobility. Orlais has a large aristocracy famed for its excess, in particular the fashionable use of cosmetics and complicated clothing, from colorful shoes to elaborate masks.

The Grand Game
Among the Orlesian nobility, status and appearance are set above all things. Orlesian culture is renowned for its infighting, with every family engaging in what is known as the Grand Game whose object is to one-up rival nobles.

Ennoblement
Outside of Orlais, it is believed that the lower classes find nobility and the Game contemptible. In truth, most Orlesians aspire to become its participants. Some say that Orlais is a kind of meritocracy, and it is true that anyone could conceivably join the ranks of nobility if they become wealthy enough. For example, a lucky merchant with a powerful patron could gain a title through the Council of Heralds. However, it is exceptionally rare and for most commoners ennoblement remains an unattainable goal.

Titles
Emperor Drakon, the founder of the Empire, abolished all noble titles with the exception of Lord, Lady and Emperor, fearing that the Grand Game would tear the nation apart. It did not end the Game as Drakon had intended and only made it worse. The nobles began to find other ways to state their superiority and even collect unofficial titles, such as "the exalted patron of Tassus Klay" or "uncle to the champion of Tremmes". With this failure the official titles would later be restored.

Emperors and Empresses

 * Emperors/Empresses with dated reigns:
 * Emperor Kordillus Drakon I – the first Emperor of Orlais, ruled from -3 Ancient to 1:45 Divine
 * Empress Area Drakon – the wife of Kordillus I
 * Emperor Kordillus Drakon II – the son of Kordillus I and the second Emperor of Orlais, crowned in 1:45 Divine
 * Emperor Xavier Drakon – an usurper who sparked a civil war. Deposed by Alphonse Valmont in the late Exalted Age, he was the last of the Drakon dynasty to hold the Orlesian throne.
 * Emperor Alphonse Valmont – the first of the Valmont dynasty to rule Orlais. Ascended to the throne in the late Exalted Age after deposing Xavier Drakon.
 * Empress Merise Valmont – ruled from 6:19-6:43 Steel
 * Emperor Freyan Valmont – ascended to the throne in 7:44 Storm. It is known that he abolished the law that disallowed women from joining the Orlesian knighthood.
 * Emperor Cyril Valmont- ruler during the liberation of Kirkwall from the Qunari in 7:60 Storm
 * Emperor Etienne Valmont I – the Emperor who presided over the end of the Exalted Marches against the Qunari he ruled from 7:71 Storm to 8:21 Blessed
 * Emperor Reville Valmont – known as the "Mad Emperor", he ruled from 8:21-8:51 Blessed and ordered the second and successful invasion of Ferelden
 * Emperor Judicael Valmont I – ruled from 8:51-8:70 Blessed, he rebuilt the Winter Palace in Halamshiral
 * Emperor Judicael Valmont II – ruled from 8:70-8:84 Blessed
 * Emperor Florian Valmont – ruled from 8:84 Blessed to 9:19 Dragon, lost Ferelden to a rebellion
 * Empress Celene Valmont I – crowned Empress in 9:20 Dragon after her uncle Florian died without issue. Current ruler of Orlais as of 9:41 Dragon.
 * Emperor Gaspard Valmont – can be crowned Emperor in 9:41 Dragon if his cousin Celene I is assassinated


 * Emperors/Empresses with undated reigns:
 * Empress Aimee
 * Empress Celeste
 * Emperor Corentine
 * Empress Jeaneve I – one of the early Orlesian rulers. She created many of the traditions and practices of the imperial court. Her guard, the Empress's Arm, were one of the main predecessors of the chevaliers.
 * Empress Vougiene

Princes and Princesses

 * Princess Charlotte – sister of Emperor Corentine
 * Crown Prince Etienne III - one of Emperor Judicael II's twin sons, died during the Hundred Days Cough of 8:77 Blessed
 * Princess Evangeline - daughter of Emperor Florian, died during the Hundred Days Cough of 8:77 Blessed
 * Prince Arwand de Glace – son of Empress Vougine
 * Crown Prince Leopold - one of Emperor Judicael II's twin sons, died during the Hundred Days Cough of 8:77 Blessed
 * Prince Reynaud – son of Emperor Judicael I, brother to Emperors Judicael II and Florian, and the father of Empress Celene I
 * Princess Melisande - daughter of Emperor Judicael I, and sister to Emperors Judicael II and Florian

Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses

 * Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons – challenged Celene I rule, sparking a civil war
 * Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons - sister of Gaspard
 * Grand Duke Gratien – murdered along with his wife and children on the orders of Mad Emperor Reville who feared him as a rival

Dukes and Duchesses

 * Duchess Clarisse de Montfort - mother of Empress Celene I
 * Duke Prosper de Montfort – a close friend of Celene I
 * Duke Remache of Lydes – Gaspard de Chalons' ally during the Orlesian Civil War
 * Duke Bastien de Ghyslain – Grand Duke Gaspard's father-in-law
 * Duke Germain - member of the Council of Heralds, and paternal uncle to Grand Duke Gaspard
 * Duke Theodore de Chalons - husband of Princess Melisande, and father of Grand Duke Gaspard

Marquises

 * Marquis de Chevin – one of Celene's closest allies; along with Houses Ghyslain, Morrac and d'Argent, he makes up the "northern host" of the Empress' supporters
 * Marquis de Montsimmard & Marquise Cosinne de Montsimmard – with strong ties to the Montsimmard Circle of Magi
 * Marquis Durellion
 * Marquise Lady Mantillon – an elite player of The Grand Game
 * Marquis of Salmont – a friend of Meghren
 * The "Shame of Serault" - great grandfather to the current Marquis of Serault, he was secretly an Apostate Mage who became an Abomination.
 * Marquis of Serault – the young ruler of Serault in western Orlais in 9:40 Dragon; protagonist of Dragon Age: The Last Court.
 * Marquis of Alyons, known as His Dour Lordship

Comtes and Comtesses

 * Comte Guillaume de Launcet – was once engaged to Leandra Amell of Kirkwall
 * Comte Dorian – he owned Fiona and used her as a slave. He was eventually slain by her with magic.
 * Comtesse Jeannevere
 * Comte Brevin de Chalons of Montfort
 * Comte Pierre of Halamshiral – a nobleman somewhat sympathetic to the elven plight
 * Comte Chantral of Velun – an ardent suitor for Celene's hand
 * Comtesse d'Argent – an ally of Celene
 * Comtesse Elodie
 * Comtesse Helene – a patron of learning attempting to sponsor an elven math prodigy named Lennan being accepted into the University of Orlais
 * Comtesse Montbelliard

Lords and Ladies

 * Lord Emile Deveraux - "the Golden Prince" of the Summer War
 * Lord Eustace of Val Foret, Bosom Companion of Florian the Glorious and Principal Patron of Leorande the Younger
 * Lady Cerise, wife of Lord Eustace
 * Lady Cecilie – lover of music and guardian of Leliana following the death of her mother, Lady Cecilie's handmaiden; she and her household left Ferelden following the Fereldan Rebellion
 * Lady Elspeth
 * Lady Seryl of Jader – a loyal ally of Empress Celene I
 * Lord Bencour - a nobleman of Halamshiral; considered by the City elves something of a deadbeat regarding payment of his debts
 * Remi Vascal – commonly known as the Black Fox
 * Lord Mainserai – a little-liked nobleman of Halamshiral
 * Lord Ignace Poulenc - with his wife discovered the beneficial properties of "Salubrious Embrium".
 * Lady Adele Lescot
 * Lord Esmeral Abernache

Barons and Baronesses

 * Baron Arlange
 * "The Cheery Baron"
 * Baron Edouard

Trivia

 * "Comte" is the French word for "Count". Aside from "chevalier", it is the only Orlesian title mentioned in-game that uses the French – all other Orlesian titles (Empress, Duke, Viscount, Baroness) are in English.