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The Principality of Antiva or simply Antiva is a plutocratic nation[1][2] in northeastern Thedas. Although it possesses few resources of its own, Antiva's location makes it a center for trade in the north. Antiva's wine trade, buoyed by its fruitful vineyards and an aggressive approach to trading practices with other nations, is one of the country's main resources, allowing for a relatively prosperous life for its citizens. Its capital is Antiva City, which lies on the middle of its coastline and is one of the wealthiest in Thedas.[2]

Geography[]

Antiva - Dragon Age The Silent Grove

Antiva City by night

Antiva is bordered by the Rialto Bay and Rivain to the East, the Tevinter Imperium to the West and the Free Marches to the South. The country enjoys a warm north-eastern climate. Much of Antiva is coastline, thus facilitating their seafaring nature. Five of their major cities are port cities, including the Antivan capital, Antiva City.

Settlements[]

Regions[]

History[]

Antiva's origins can be traced back to pirates and mercenaries who settled on the coast of Rialto Bay, seeing a lucrative opportunity in land trade. Over the years, the neigbouring settlements on the coast formed numerous alliances, eventually unting with the city-state of Antiva. The importance of trade led to a strong position of the merchant class within Antiva.[2] In ancient times, Beregrand, a dwarf from the kingdom of Gundaar with his impressive knowledge and skills, helped the city states of Antiva to greatly expand their naval power.[9] -30 Ancient, the city-state of Antiva evolved into a full-fledged nation.[10]

Starting in 1:45 Divine, the Chantry spread east into Antiva, and the teachings of Andraste gained favour among the citizens,[11] eventually becoming the main religion in Antiva.[2]

Antiva usually remained neutral in the conflicts of its neighbours, though it did ally with some city-states of the Free Marches in the period between 2:15 and 2:45 Glory to stop the territorial advances of King Fyruss of Starkhaven.[12][13] In 2:33 Glory, Antivan cities united under a common banner to better defend themselves.[14] The Starkhaven threat faded in 2:45 Glory when King Fyruss was betrayed by his Tevinter allies and the Imperium annexed Starkhaven.[15]

In 4:30 Black, Asha Subira Bahadur was born in Rivain.[16] She married the King of Antiva and eventually became known as the "Queen Mother of Thedas" after creating multiple unions between her offspring and other royal and noble families of Thedas.[12][17]

The Fourth Blight broke out in 5:12 Exalted with the awakening of the Archdemon Andoral.[18] Initially, the darkspawn concentrated in Antiva and the country was overrun. The city of Seleny fell after a four day siege. Next, the darkspawn forces started advancing towards Antiva City. Before the siege began, the ruling family of Antiva was killed by their royal guard in response for refusing to evacuate the citizens. Antiva City was all but destroyed.[12][19] The Blight ended in 5:24 Exalted. The darkspawn army was defeated in the battle of Ayesleigh in Rivain, where Garahel died after killing Andoral.[20][12] During the battle, an Orlesian captain Lambert Valmont saved King Azar Adalberto Campana, a surviving member of the royal Antiva family who came to rule the country after the end of the Blight.[21]

In 5:99 Exalted, Queen Madrigal of Antiva was assasinated. She was found with four steel swords plunged into her chest and many assumed she was murdered by the Crows. The event caused Divine Theodosia I to name the next age "the Steel Age".[22][23][12][24]

In the early Steel Age, Qunari arrived in Par Vollen and soon began claiming territories on the main continent. Between 6:32 and 42 Steel, Antiva was conquered by the invading Qunari forces.[25] In 7:25 Storm, the First Exalted March on the Qunari was declared. The Second Exalted March began at an unspecified time and ended in 7:52 Storm with the Qunari capturing most of Antiva.[26] The city of Treviso was burned by the liberating armies of the Orlesian Chantry and the Imperial Chantry.[27] In 7:84 Storm, the Third Exalted March ended with signing of the Llomerryn Accord, and Antiva was freed from the Qunari influence.[28]

In 8:99 Blessed, dragons reappeared in Thedas, first showing in Antiva, then spread into Orlais and Nevarra where they devastated the countryside. Attempts to reduce the number of dragons resulted in a great loss of life.[29]

In the early Dragon Age, a civil war erupted in Antiva, it became known as the "Three-Queens" era.[30]

Involvement[]

Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights[]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights.


The Qunari recruit Emil Kortez, an Antivan Crow Talon, and convince him to assassinate the other Talons by promising a peaceful takeover. Emil assassinates three Talons before the other four discover his treachery and kill him for it.[31]


As We Fly[]


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights.


Eventually, Treviso is invaded and captured by the Antaam. The occupying Qunari are led by Daathrata, a member of the Antaam who's nicknamed the Butcher due to his cruelty. The Antivan Crows in the city are actively engaged in resistance efforts, taking out Qunari lieutenants such as Kaathrata the Lash and destroying Qunari weapon caches.[32]


Politics[]

Main article: Antivan royalty and nobility

Officially, the line of kings in Antiva has remained unbroken for two and a half thousand years, but the monarchy is very weak and has virtually no army. In reality, Antiva is a plutocracy: the true power conferred strictly by wealth lies in the hands of a dozen merchant princes. They are not princes in the literal sense, but heads of banks, trading companies, and vineyards, each with a personal army, and each locked in a constant struggle against all the others. They possess sufficient capital to resolve any external diplomatic quandaries with a well-aimed purse or threat of withdrawn trade.

Despite the lack of a strong military tradition, there is another reason why Antiva has rarely feared invasion: the infamous House of Crows, the most efficient, most feared, and most expensive guild of assassins in Thedas. Their fame is such that Antiva has no need of a standing army. No leader is willing to order an attack on her borders or to lead the troops due to fear of assassination. Even the Qunari leave the nation alone.

In addition, the political machinations of Queen Asha Campana, "The Queen Mother of Thedas," involved an extensive array of political marriages between numerous noble houses in the effort of establishing alliances. This has given the Principality of Antiva significant political protection: to start hostilities with Antiva would mean running the risk of dragging half of Thedas into war.

An association of Antivan pirates called the Felicisima Armada is the leading maritime power in the region. It gained influence when the pirates aided the allied forces in the Exalted Marches against the Qunari, and now poses a serious threat on the Waking Sea. Wealthy merchants often prefer to pay the leaders of the Armada rather than to risk their cargo.

Trade and exports[]

Antiva, as a coastal country with bustling ports, facilitates a great deal of trade, both through piracy and legitimate business. Some of this trade may be under the aegis of the Antivan Crows and their confederates.[33] The exports of Antiva are numerous and varied. Antiva is renowned for its admittedly unparalleled wines, as well as its coffee.[34] It is also known for its rubies[35] and diamonds.[36] There are pearls in Rialto Bay.[37] Antivan leatherworking is also particularly exquisite, and its crafters are the envy of the known world.[38] In addition to leather Antiva produces fine weaving[39] and silk of great renown.[40] Antivan crafters also excel at the production of porcelain of a quality so fine light shines through,[41] as well as woodwork.[42] The country enjoys healthy trade with many nations, including the empire of Orlais,[36] to which it exports things such as Antivan olives,[43] Antivan port and brandy,[44] orange essence,[45] and other foods. Although the country produces a lot of rice, only a small proportion of this is exported as most of it is used in domestic consumption.[46]

Culture and society[]

The origins of modern Antiva lie in the alliance of pirates and "ne'er-do-wells" who favored a safer and more lucrative life on land as opposed to a dangerous life on the sea. They made a home on Rialto Bay's western coast which was, however, owned by the king of Antiva, the nearby city-state. Eventually the two distinct groups merged into one people, evolving into the nation of Antiva as it's known today.[47] Dueling, usually to a non-fatal extent, is a past-time and way to solve disputes among the nobility.[48]

One particularly notable woman in Antivan history - and indeed Thedosian history - is the Rivaini-born Queen Asha Campana, also known as Asha Subira Bahadur Campana, the Gana of Ayesleigh. The daughter of rich merchants, she married the weak King Dario Campana during the Black Age, but was not content with allowing history to pass her by. She desired that Antiva have a larger and more powerful role in Thedosian politics. To this end, she married her children and grandchildren into royal and aristocratic families throughout the continent, leading historians to refer to her as the "Queen Mother of Thedas." She is said to have descendants amongst the royals of Orlais, Nevarra, Starkhaven, the Anderfels and even amongst some Tevinter magisters.[49][17]

Satinalia is a Theodosian holiday. It is accompanied by wild celebration, the wearing of masks, and naming the town fool as ruler for a day. Particularly in Antiva, Satinalia lasts for a week or more, while a week of fasting follows.[2] This holiday is celebrated at the beginning of Umbralis.[50]

Antiva has a long history of puppetry. While the primary purpose of puppet shows is to entertain, many street shows comment on political issues. The Antivan Crows are known to use these shows as a way to send public messages. Antivan approach to puppetry might have been influenced by Antivan Dalish clans' habit of building "forest marionettes" to scare humans away from their clans.[51]

Food[]

Dinner in Antiva is usually eaten late at night.[52] The meals eaten by Antivan nobility are extravagant and indulgent, consisting of ten courses,[53][54] antipasti and primi being the first two.[55] Wine and coffee are frequently taken along with food,[56] and are often paired with Antivan dishes such as Cacio e Pepe,[57] sugar-drizzled lemon cake,[58] cold cuts,[59] and paella. Additionally, when drinking coffee, Antivans will follow it with an ammazzacaffe; a drink taken after coffee to dull the taste or effects and while it can be any liquor, it is usually brandy. [60]

Common ingredients in Antivan cuisine are olives, truffles, pasta, lamb, cheese, cream, nightshade plants such as eggplant,[53] rice,[46] fish, and seafood such as cuttlefish, mussels, oysters, shrimp.[61] Other common foods from Antiva include crops like the Antivan pepper,[62] Antivan cord-seed,[63] capers, grapes, oat, oranges, passion fruit,[64] peanuts, and wheat. However, rice is a crop that Antiva rarely exports, allowing the grain to stay relatively cheap within the country compared to other grains. Thus making it a primary part of meals eaten by all Antivans, especially the poor. For example, "Crow feed" is a simple, affordable rice dish made with onions and butter; its name being derived from the Antivan Crows.[46]

Traditional dishes such as Cacio e Pepe is also eaten by the poor. Its recipe is simple, using only a few ingredients - pasta, pepper, and a dry cheese - but notoriously easy to get wrong. The sauce must have a smooth consistency without clumps.[65] Paella is a dish made with rice, saffron, and various types of seafood; such as shrimp, cuttlefish, and mussels. While it is usually prepared in a broad, shallow pan known as a paellera, this dish can be cooked in almost any skillet providing it is deep enough. In some areas of Antiva, a paellera is also called a "paella".[61]

Other well-known Antivan dishes are: Antivan olives, a side where olives are stuffed with capers and soaked in vinegar. Fish chowder is a thick, creamy and classically Antivan soup that is well known in Antiva City.[66] Gnocchi,[55] a type of pasta made from eggs, salt, potatoes, flour, and wheat. One variation of this dish calls for the gnocchi to be topped with a rich cheese sauce and leeks.[54] A unique dessert in Antiva, is called the Antivan apple grenades. A hot, sweet dessert pastries filled with apple and made to resemble the Antivan Crows' Fire grenades in both shape and heat.[67] The Antivan Sip-Sip is a "mean" spirit popular among highborn who wish to seem dangerous, but more at home grasped by the neck by those who actually are.[68] It is speculated that it may be called a "sip-sip" as it is hard to drink more than a sip at a time, with each sip having to be "chased by a sip of something else", such as water.[69]

During the occupation of Treviso in the Qunari Wars or the New Exalted Marches, a famine food known as Treviso energy balls was invented to help people get by. They are comprised of peanut butter, oats, and dried fruit; though small in size, they are energy-rich.[70]

Notable Antivans[]

ZevranBetter

Zevran Arainai

NPC-Master Ignacio

Master Ignacio

Josephine-DAIProfile2

Josephine Montilyet

For a complete list, see Category:Antivans.
Note: The list below can include people of either Antivan ancestry or Antivan nationality.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: Antiva Codex entry: Antiva
Codex entry: Zevran Arainai Codex entry: Zevran Arainai
Codex entry: The Raiders of the Waking Sea Codex entry: The Raiders of the Waking Sea
Codex entry: Beregrand the Bold Codex entry: Beregrand the Bold
Codex entry: Queen Asha of Antiva Codex entry: Queen Asha of Antiva

Trivia[]

  • Antivans speak with an Italian[73] and Spanish accent and some Antivans in-game even may say words in both Italian and Spanish. Zevran, whether romanced or not in Dragon Age: Origins, will randomly say "Sì, amor?" ("Yes, love?") when switching control to him in the party. A similar case is Vincento in Dragon Age II, who says "Maldición" (a Spanish term for both "damn it" or "curse", depending of the context). In addition, Antiva has other Spanish cultural references, such as the use of many proper names that are typical in Spain or the Felicisima Armada which was a historic Spanish maritime fleet, among others.
  • Politically, Antiva seems to be a fictionalized version of a medieval city-state like Venice. Cities of Treviso and Rialto, which appear in the map, are an actual Venetian city (in the case of Treviso), and the name of the largest and most famous Venetian bridge (Ponte Rialto). Antiva was originally going to be called Calabria, only because of how it sounded, not because of any similarities between the two, and it's erroneously referred to as Calabria in Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne and in some of the localized versions of Dragon Age: Origins.[74]
  • In his dialogue with Morrigan, Zevran mentions the rumors of a Witch of the Wilds settling in the Antivan Tellari swamps. This rumor is confirmed to be true in Dragon Age: The Silent Grove where it is revealed there is a Witch of the Wilds named Yavana living in the Tellari swamps.
  • The symbol of Antiva is a golden drake.[75][76]
  • King Maric Theirin owned a mahogany vanity, a gift from the Antivan royal family.[77]
  • According to Zevran, the Dalish in Antiva are more violent than those in Ferelden.
  • Devon implies that grandmothers in Antiva sometimes sternly and closely examine the attempts of their younger family members at cooking the sauce for Cacio e Pepe, only approving when the correct consistency is finally achieved.[78]

References[]

  1. According to Mike Laidlaw at 2011 NYCC.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 63
  3. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons
  4. Mentioned by Zevran when recounting the tale of his second mission for the Crows.
  5. Dragon Age: Last Flight, p. 28
  6. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 46
  7. Dragon Age: Last Flight, p. 229
  8. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons
  9. Codex entry: Beregrand the Bold
  10. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 52
  11. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 67
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 64
  13. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 75
  14. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 78
  15. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 79
  16. 16.0 16.1 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 93
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Codex entry: Queen Asha of Antiva
  18. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 98
  19. Dragon Age: Last Flight, chapter 2
  20. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 101
  21. Codex entry: The Lion of Orlais (Inquisition)
  22. Codex entry: Blade of Mercy
  23. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 107
  24. 24.0 24.1 Codex entry: The Crows and Queen Madrigal
  25. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 109-110
  26. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 114
  27. Codex entry: A Vessel of Tears
  28. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 121
  29. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 132
  30. Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 4
  31. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons
  32. Short Story: As We Fly
  33. As implied by the Antivan merchant Luis and his business partner Claudio Valisti, Third Talon of the Antivan Crows, in Dragon Age: The Silent Grove.
  34. Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, p. 362.
  35. As mentioned by Vincento as part of his sales pitch in Dragon Age II.
  36. 36.0 36.1 Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, p. 48.
  37. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons
  38. Item description for Antivan Leather Boots.
  39. Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, p. 167.
  40. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, p. 190.
  41. Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, p. 16.
  42. King Maric Theirin owns a mahogany vanity gifted to him from the Antivan royal family in Dragon Age: The Calling.
  43. Good Neighbors
  44. Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 86
  45. Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 292
  46. 46.0 46.1 46.2 Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 43
  47. Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1, vol. 1, page 63-64
  48. An Unexpected Engagement
  49. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 64,93
  50. "Thedosian Holidays"
  51. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 267
  52. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 97
  53. 53.0 53.1 Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons, p. 381
  54. 54.0 54.1 Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 73
  55. 55.0 55.1 Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons, p. 385
  56. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons
  57. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, The Wigmaker Job, p. 267
  58. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons, p. 393
  59. Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, Eight Little Talons, p. 415
  60. Short Story: As We Fly
  61. 61.0 61.1 Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 75
  62. Codex entry: Feast Day Fish
  63. Codex entry: On Avvar Cuisine
  64. Rare Antivan Brandy (gift)
  65. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 91
  66. Zevran mentions it in Dragon Age: Origins
  67. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 131
  68. Codex entry: Bottles of Thedas
  69. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 161
  70. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 123
  71. Verdict
  72. Codex entry: Fiona
  73. Josephine Montilyet's voice actor is Italian.
  74. Screenshot from the old BSN forums. See talk page for transcription.
  75. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, Chapter 8. Note: the nation is erroneously referred to as "Calabria" in the source.
  76. Dragon Age: Last Flight, Chapter 2
  77. Dragon Age: The Calling, Chapter 12
  78. Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook: Tastes of Thedas, p. 91
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