House Valmont

The Valmont family has been the ruling family in Orlais since the end of the Exalted Age.

Background
The Valmont family first rose to prominence during the Exalted Age when Lambert Valmont, a young captain in the Orlesian army, distinguished himself during the Battle of Ayesleigh in 5:24. Lambert is said to have disregarded his orders and went to the aid of the beleaguered Antivans, saving them from absolute destruction (some say this was motivated by his infatuation with an Antivan camp follower, though this has never been confirmed). The Antivan force had been led by King Azar Adalberto Campana himself, and the King thanked his savior by elevating him to noble rank and giving him one of his daughter's hand in marriage. Lambert adopted the lion as his symbol, a creature native to Eastern Thedas. When Lambert returned to Orlais the Emperor felt obligated to follow suit and granted him a Marquisate. Jealous nobles gave him the nickname of the Swaggering Lion, a nickname which Lambert embraced.

The Valmont family rose to royalty with Lambert's son, Alphonse, who led the civil war against the usurper Xavier Drakon. He killed Xavier in single combat, giving rise to the great Orlesian legend of The Lion Slaying the Dragon and putting an end to the Drakon dynasty.

The Valmont family has ruled Orlais since the end of the Exalted Age. The current ruler of Orlais is Empress Celene Valmont, who ascended to the throne in 9:20 Dragon after the death of her uncle Emperor Florian. Celene's reign was controversial from the start, and in 9:40 her cousin Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons rose in rebellion against her.

Known members

 * Lambert Valmont – 'the Swaggering Lion'
 * Alphonse Valmont – the first Valmont Emperor
 * Emperor Reville – 'Mad Emperor Reville'
 * Duke Gratien – Emperor Reville's twin brother
 * King Meghren – 'The Usurper', King of Ferelden
 * Emperor Judicael I – rebuilt the Winter Palace at Halamshiral
 * Emperor Florian - lost Ferelden
 * Empress Celene I – current ruler of Orlais
 * Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons – leader of the rebellion against Celene
 * Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons – Gaspard's sister

Trivia

 * The Valmont heraldry is a golden lion on a purple field.
 * The blood of Queen Asha of Antiva runs in the Valmont family.
 * The Valmonts have a fascination toward the occult. Emperor Reville believed in ghosts, Emperor Judicael I was fascinated by all things ancient and arcane, Prince Reynaud collected carvings of Halla and Empress Celene employed an arcane advisor.