“We have been given the gift of freedom by our forbearers. Let us not squander it.”
Anora Theirin (née Mac Tir) is the wife of King Cailan Theirin and daughter of Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir. She is the Queen of Ferelden, a consummate ruler and committed to ensuring economic security for Ferelden.
Background[]
Anora was born to the Teyrn of Gwaren and his wife, a former cabinetmaker named Celia. She spent much of her early life in Gwaren with her mother while her father stayed half the year at court. In 9: 10 Dragon, after Celia argued that Loghain was spending too much time away from his daughter, Loghain started taking her to court.[3] There she met and was betrothed to the young Prince Cailan. As a child, Anora began to display many characteristics which did not fade in adulthood: she was imperious and domineering, refusing to play with other children and leading her betrothed around like a puppy on a leash. Yet she also exhibited charm, intelligence and a fierce sense of independence. Her youth was also marked by significant rebellion, as illustrated by the West Hills incident, which involved Anora and Cailan running off to the West Hills arling in 9:23 Dragon to help a freeholder rid his lands of giants.[4]
Anora eventually married Prince Cailan and though the two were fast friends, the marriage was initially one of convenience rather than true love. Though that friendship eventually blossomed into love, Anora always viewed her husband as a fool, lovable and charming, but a fool nonetheless.
Upon Cailan's accession, Anora assumed most of the monarchical duties her husband shirked. She did not rule in her own name, but there was no doubt who really ruled Ferelden. To her credit, Anora was held in much higher esteem than her husband by the people of Ferelden, nobility and commoners alike. She also commanded the respect of foreign nations, having once inspired Empress Celene of Orlais to declare, "Anora of Ferelden is a solitary rose among brambles."[5] Despite their five years of marriage, Anora and Cailan did not have any children which lead to rumors that she was barren.
Anora's strongest bond was with her father, whom she viewed as a role model and as someone who knew her better than anybody in the world. Indeed, one reason why Anora finds so many unimpressive is that they inevitably fail to live up to her exceptional standard of her father.
Involvement[]
Dragon Age: Origins[]
Anora leading the Fereldan army at the Battle of Denerim.
Anora is deeply saddened by the demise of her husband at the Battle of Ostagar, though she stands beside her father as he proclaims himself regent. She continues to perform the duties of a ruler, seeing to the day to day administration of the realm, though for the first time cracks began to emerge between her and her father. According to Anora's servant, Erlina, Anora eventually tried to get the truth out of Loghain, strongly suspecting that it was in fact he that had been responsible for Cailan's death. However, Loghain only deflected her inquiries. Furthermore, as the Fereldan Civil War and Fifth Blight exacerbate the state of the country, Anora begins to believe her father may be misguided but he is too proud to admit it. Anora eventually visits Arl Rendon Howe in his Denerim estate and demands the truth regarding the dark rumors pertaining her father.
Soon after the Warden and Arl Eamon of Redcliffe's arrival in Denerim, Arl Rendon Howe, Loghain's closest lieutenant, accuses Anora of treason and imprisons her in his estate. Anora dispatches her servant Erlina in secret to meet with Arl Eamon and the Warden—and also to ask for their help. The Warden storms Howe's estate and rescues Anora, but they were stopped by Ser Cauthrien and a company of Loghain's guards. If the Warden reveals their intention to rescue Anora, she will deny it and accuse the Warden of kidnapping her. Anora would later justify her ruse to the Warden by explaining she was trying to discreetly evade confinement by her father's henchmen and they threatened to draw her unwanted attention by announcing her to Loghain's most trusted lackey. Ultimately the Warden is either captured by Cauthrien and has to be rescued/escape from the prison of Fort Drakon or fights their way out of Howe's estate. In the meanwhile, Anora flees to Arl Eamon's estate and can be the one that informs Eamon of the Warden's capture. Once the Warden returns to Eamon's estate, Anora begins to scheme against her father. Anora was the first to suggest that the Warden should investigate the Elven Alienage in Denerim, as she has suspicions that Loghain may be behind the unrest there.
Anora attempts to sway the Warden to support her claim to the Ferelden throne, arguing they would look to the public as supporting Ferelden's best interests rather than solely the Grey Wardens. Furthermore, despite Alistair's Theirin blood, Anora also fears Alistair will make a poor ruler − just like his brother Cailan.
If the Warden talked to Anora before the Landsmeet, promised to support her claim for the throne and didn't insist that Loghain must pay for his crimes, she speaks in favor of the Grey Wardens. If the Warden earned Anora's support, Anora paints Loghain as a villain in front of the Landsmeet and paints the Warden as her rescuer from Howe's dungeons. Otherwise she will speak against them, claiming they are slandering Loghain and she also accuses Alistair of being an impostor and an usurper. She will also chastise the Warden for refusing to cooperate with her and accuses them of being the true threat to Ferelden.
Ultimately, the Warden wins the Landsmeet. If Loghain is not executed for his crimes, Riordan will propose that Loghain make amends by becoming a Grey Warden. Anora supports her father's redemption and tries to persuade the Warden to admit Loghain into the Grey Warden order by arguing he will either be a valuable asset as a renowned general, or die from the Joining.
If Loghain is spared and becomes a Grey Warden, then an infuriated Alistair uses his betrothal to Anora and status as co-ruler of Ferelden to leave the Grey Wardens and the Warden's party. While Alistair sulks, Anora appoints the Warden as the commander of the Fereldan Coalition forces. Anora eventually rallies the Fereldan forces during the Battle of Denerim.
If Loghain is executed for his crimes, then Anora is dismayed by her father's death but soon composes herself. Anora asserts that King Maric Theirin would have wanted the Theirin line to be tied to the Mac Tir family and would have approved of her and Alistair's union. While Alistair fulfills his duties as a Grey Warden and faces the Blight, Anora elects to remain in Denerim and rule in Alistair's stead.
The accession and betrothal of Anora and Alistair was formally recognized by the Landsmeet, with the couple being crowned and married following the defeat of Urthemiel. Though the marriage was not a happy one for either party, the pair prove popular with the people.
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening[]
Anora in Awakening
The Darkspawn Chronicles[]
Dragon Age: Redemption[]
Dragon Age II[]
Dragon Age: Inquisition[]
Anora tarot card
Previously wife to King Cailan, descendant of Calenhad and last of the Theirin bloodline to rule Ferelden, Queen Anora came into her own during the Fifth Blight. With the throne left vacant following her husband's death, she was confirmed as sole ruler with the support of the Hero of Ferelden—and this confirmation allowed her to rally her nation behind the Grey Wardens and the battle that ultimately ended the war with the darkspawn before it ever truly began.
After the Blight's end, Anora and the Hero of Ferelden were married. She began the process of rebuilding a country devastated by the Blight's corruption... a process that is considered to have gone well, at least until the Hero of Ferelden's disappearance from the Fereldan court several years ago.
Since that time, concerns linger that Queen Anora has still not produced an heir, concerns that she has thus far successfully dismissed. The people believe her rule wise and well-reasoned, and they fully supported her decision to give the rebel mages safe harbor in Redcliffe following an impassioned speech she delivered in Denerim six months ago. When the rebel mages took over both the town and castle, forcing Arl Teagan to flee for the capital, her support among the nobility dwindled rapidly. What this will mean for her rule in the coming years—particularly with renewed interest from neighboring Orlais—remains to be seen.
—From Codex entry: Queen Anora Mac Tir
Trespasser[]
Quests[]
Dragon Age: Origins[]
Dragon Age: Inquisition[]
In Hushed Whispers (conditional)- Shadows over Denerim (war table) (conditional)
- Delicate Negotiations (war table) (conditional)
Quotes[]
- "I realize that my... actions at Howe's estate may not have painted me in the best light. For that I apologize, and hope that we can start again."
- "I have ruled this nation on Cailan's behalf for many years. I am a great queen, and as beloved by my people as I love them."
Codex entries[]
- Codex entry: Anora
- Codex entry: Queen Anora Mac Tir
- Codex entry: Bard's Honor
- Codex entry: A Dispatch from the Crown of Ferelden
Trivia[]
- In Bioware's character file for her, Anora's appearance is described as: "Beautiful. Slim."[7]
- Writer Sheryl Chee has said that when going out for a drink Anora would "skip the beer and go straight to tequila shots."
- Writer David Gaider states that, "the most important thing to know about Anora is that she is her father's daughter."[8]
- When Anora is first seen by the party, she is wearing guard armor. The Warden may say "Aren't you a little short for a guard?" This is similar to what Princess Leia said upon first meeting Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, who was wearing Stormtrooper armor at the time. If a dwarf or elf uses this line, Anora points out the irony.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ RoseofStone (March 30, 2015). "Can you tell me more about Celia Mac Tir? How did she die? What was she like? Thanks!" Twitter.
- ↑ Dialogue with Loghain if recruited in Dragon Age: Origins.
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 98
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 100
- ↑ Codex entry: Anora
- ↑ Codex entry: A Dispatch from the Crown of Ferelden
- ↑ Dragon Age: Origins Resource File: queenanora.chr
- ↑ David Gaider (July 15, 2009). "Would you like to learn more about Queen Anora? (Both Game and Stolen Throne Spoilers)" (archive). BioWare Forums (offline).
RoseofStone (March 30, 2015). 
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