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Kirkwall, also known as The City of Chains and historically asEmerius, is a coastal city-state and a major population center located in the Free Marches. It is on the southern edge of theVimmark Mountains, east of the Planasene Forest, and north across the Waking Sea from Ferelden. Hawke is known to become the Champion of Kirkwall.

Background Edit
Founded under the name Emerius, after Magister Emerius Krayvan, on the edge of the Imperium to be the main supplier of jet stone to build a Minrathous temple, the city gained notoriety after it was elected to be the new heart of the slave trade after aslave revolt made Archon Vanarius Issar fear for his security when he was almost killed. Magisters competed viciously for the honor of governing the port for nearly two decades before Emerius married his son to the archon's daughter. The Krayvan family constructed the Gallows, patronized the next three archons and were the main backers for the Imperial Highway into the Fereldan Valley, which devastated them when Andraste led her rebellion from there against the Imperium. At its height, Emerius was one of the mightiest Imperial cities with 1,000,000 slaves living and working in the city. The city was defended by the Fourteenth Cadre also known as The Black Cadre and was regarded by most Imperial soldiers to be a punishment to serve there. It wasn't until a massive slave revolt circa -25Ancient that the City of Chains came to be known as Kirkwall when a popularAlamarri slave named Radun was assassinated by wary magisters for his influence, which led to extremely violent retributions, including the sacking of Hightown and the death of its Tevinter rulers.

In 7:56 Storm, Qunari invaders took Kirkwall in a night raid and occupied it for four years, forcibly converting much of the populace to the Qun and making the natives work in labor camps previously manned by slaves. It was liberated by Orlesians under the chevalier Michel Lafaille, who was appointed Viscount in 7:60 by theemperor. He pursued a campaign of religious reeducation and formed the Kirkwall City Guard to act as the city's defenders.

In 8:05 Blessed, Kirkwall rebelled against Orlesian rule and gained independence, but maintained the title of viscount as its ruler.

In 9:21 Dragon, Viscount Perrin Threnhold attempted to expel the Templar Order from Kirkwall, killing Knight-Commander Guylian in the raid of the Templar stronghold, only to be overthrown by the Templar Knight Meredith Stannard, who was promoted soon after. With the Chantry's support, she appointed Marlowe Dumar to succeed Perrin, but commands the true authority in the city from the Gallows.

“There are men who embrace destiny; these are the ones that change the world forever.” — Flemeth This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age II. Click here to reveal them.

Governance Edit
Kirkwall is governed by a Viscount since the Orlesian occupation of the city, as the title itself is Orlesian. It has never truly been free to determine its own course, and since the ousting of Perrin Threnhold the Templar Orderholds considerable influence over his successor, Marlowe Dumar, and the city.

If the ruling line of a Viscount dies out due to no living heirs, then the nobility of Kirkwall will gather to elect a new line from their ranks.

“There are men who embrace destiny; these are the ones that change the world forever.” — Flemeth This article contains spoilers for Dragon Age II. Click here to reveal them.

City crest Edit
This stylized knot work representation of a dragon evolved from a symbol of rebellion etched into countless walls during the time when Kirkwall was a center for the Tevinter slave trade. It was an image that catalyzed the slaves who overthrew the ruling magisters, and while the symbol has changed, its meaning has not: Kirkwall is a city unto itself, beholden to no one.[2]

Places Edit
Darktown

Docks

Gallows

Lowtown

Hightown

Viscount's Keep

Kirkwall Chantry

The Hanged Man

Hawke Estate

Fenris's Mansion

Anders's Clinic

Bartrand's Estate

Harimann Estate

Gamlen's House

Dark Foundry

Merrill's Home

Kirkwall Alienage

Qunari Compound

The Black Emporium

The Blooming Rose

De Launcet Mansion

Lirene's Fereldan Imports

Amell Estate Cellar

Castillon's Landing

Disused Passage

Killer's Lair

Run Down Alley

Secret Meeting Place

Sewer Passage

Undercity Warrens

Winding Alley

Brekker's Hideaway

The Forgotten Lair

The Sewers

Sanctuary

Smetty's Fish Guttery

Banter Edit
Party banter may be triggered at the following spots:
 * Just outside the Hawke Estate
 * At the base of the stairway leading from Lowtown to Hightown

Trivia Edit

 * Kirkwall declared the common nug a noxious vermin in 5:20 Exalted over fears that the animals carried theBlight. The extermination became known as the Battle of Squealing Plains. It is not spoken of in polite company.[3]
 * Several of the nobles in Kirkwall are of Orlesian origin, such as the Launcet and the Carrac families.
 * Kirkwall, the real world capital of the Orkney Islands in Scotland, also had a Viscount, whom was traditionally the heir of the Earl of Orkney.

Gallery Edit
Kirkwall concept art

Kirkwall concept art

Kirkwall concept art

A statue representing victory over thequnari at the docks.

The twins of Kirkwall

Graffiti in The Hanged Man shows the old Tevinter heraldry roughly painted over the newer Kirkwall heraldry.

Add a photo to this gallery