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(changed the Archons from alphabetical to Chronological order. Added date for Therion's reign. If he was assassinated when the Grand Cathedral was finished then he reigned circa 2:99 Glory.)
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[[File:HoDA Archon.jpg|thumb|250px|An Archon in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]'']]
 
[[File:HoDA Archon.jpg|thumb|250px|An Archon in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]'']]
   
  +
Archons with dated reigns
* '''[[Almadrius]]''': Reigned from -760 [[Ancient]]<ref name="wot23">{{Cite wot|23}}</ref> to -692 Ancient<ref>{{Cite wot|24}}</ref>. Built himself a great palace in the [[Eyes of Nocen]]. His reign ended in violence.<ref name="centurion">[[Codex entry: The Centurion's Cuirass]]</ref>
 
  +
 
* '''[[Thalsian]]''': First of the magisters. He claimed to have contacted the [[Old God]] [[Dumat]], and to have learned [[blood magic]] from him. According to Tevinter, he was made honorary Archon by Darinius after the formation of the Magisterium.<ref>{{Cite wot|122}}</ref> According to Chantry texts, the power he gained from blood magic allowed him to establish an empire under his rule.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Old Gods]]</ref>
   
 
* '''[[Darinius]]''': The first historically noted Archon, who united the [[human]] tribes under the Tevinter Imperium and ruled it from its inception in -1195 Ancient<ref>{{Cite wot|18}}</ref> to -1180 Ancient<ref name="Codex 1">[[Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium]]</ref>. Sealed a covenant between Tevinter and the ancient [[Dwarf|dwarven]] empire, traveling underground to meet with their leader Endrin Stonehammer. He was the first owner of the [[Imperium Rings]], which were given to him by the dwarves.<ref name="Codex 1">[[Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium]]</ref>
 
* '''[[Darinius]]''': The first historically noted Archon, who united the [[human]] tribes under the Tevinter Imperium and ruled it from its inception in -1195 Ancient<ref>{{Cite wot|18}}</ref> to -1180 Ancient<ref name="Codex 1">[[Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium]]</ref>. Sealed a covenant between Tevinter and the ancient [[Dwarf|dwarven]] empire, traveling underground to meet with their leader Endrin Stonehammer. He was the first owner of the [[Imperium Rings]], which were given to him by the dwarves.<ref name="Codex 1">[[Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium]]</ref>
   
 
* '''Thalasian''': Known as "The Destroyer", he declared war against [[Arlathan]] in 197 TE (-998 Ancient) and destroyed the city together with his blood mages in 220 TE (-975 Ancient).<ref name=WoT2-37-38>{{cite wot2|37-38}}</ref>
* '''Davan''': Predecessor to Radonis<ref name=WoT2-44>[[World of Thedas]], Vol 2, p 44</ref>, he granted [[Aurelian Titus]] a seat in the Magisterium and was eventually assassinated in 9:29 Dragon.
 
   
 
* '''[[Almadrius]]''': Reigned from -760 [[Ancient]]<ref name="wot23">{{Cite wot|23}}</ref> to -692 Ancient<ref>{{Cite wot|24}}</ref>. Built himself a great palace in the [[Eyes of Nocen]]. His reign ended in violence.<ref name="centurion">[[Codex entry: The Centurion's Cuirass]]</ref>
* '''Hadarius''': Succeeded the assassinated Archon Vespasian. He was himself assassinated, finding that the [[Magister's Shield]] did not protect him from poison as well as it did other things.<ref name="shield" /> A [[Ring of the Ferryman]] bearing his name surfaced in [[Kirkwall]] in 9:34 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]], though whether it was Hadarius' or a forgery is unknown.
 
   
 
* '''[[Tidarion]]''': Successor of Almadrius, ruled from -692 Ancient to -640 Ancient.<ref>{{Cite wot|24-25}}</ref> Notable for being the first Archon from the Laetan class.<ref>[[Blade of Tidarion]]</ref> Spent his entire reign fighting a civil war, and died on the battlefield.<ref name="wot38" />
* '''Hadrianus''': Discovered arcanist deathroot growing on the bodies of dead [[Slavery|slaves]].<ref>[[Codex entry: Deathroot]]</ref>
 
  +
 
* '''Parthenius''': Successor of Tidarion, began his rule in -620 Ancient.<ref name="centurion" /> Former high priest of [[Dumat]]. Admitted Laetans into the temples and gave them three seats in the magisterium to end the civil war.<ref name="wot38" />
  +
 
* '''Valerius''': Predecessor and father of Hessarian.<ref>{{Cite wot2|37}}</ref> When his consort and advisor, [[Eleni Zinovia]], prophesied his downfall, he cursed her by trapping her spirit in a stone statue. The prophecy came true, Valerius was killed and his fortress destroyed.<ref>During the quest [[Bound in Blood and Magic]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'', upon clicking a statue in the [[Circle Tower]]'s [[Mage Tower - Basement|basement]].</ref>
   
 
* '''[[Hessarian]]''': Known as "The Redeemed", he ruled in the days of [[Andraste]], who was betrayed to his forces by her husband [[Maferath]]. He is said to have repented as he watched Andraste burn and the Maker spoke to him, so he killed her himself with a sword to end her suffering. He then converted to her [[Chant of Light]].<ref>[[Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 3]]</ref>. He died in his sleep in -125 Ancient.<ref>{{Cite wot|49}}</ref> The [[Codex entry: Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts|Canticle of Silence]] (Considered a Dissonant Verse in the southern Chantry) is attributed to him.
 
* '''[[Hessarian]]''': Known as "The Redeemed", he ruled in the days of [[Andraste]], who was betrayed to his forces by her husband [[Maferath]]. He is said to have repented as he watched Andraste burn and the Maker spoke to him, so he killed her himself with a sword to end her suffering. He then converted to her [[Chant of Light]].<ref>[[Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 3]]</ref>. He died in his sleep in -125 Ancient.<ref>{{Cite wot|49}}</ref> The [[Codex entry: Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts|Canticle of Silence]] (Considered a Dissonant Verse in the southern Chantry) is attributed to him.
   
 
* '''Orentius''': Successor of Archon [[Hessarian]].<ref>{{Cite wot|49}}</ref>
* '''Ishal''': Ordered the construction of the [[Tower of Ishal]] at [[Ostagar]].<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide|Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide]]''</ref>
 
   
* '''Vanarius Issar''': Was almost assassinated during a slave revolt in [[Minrathous]]. This event led him to select [[Kirkwall|Emerius]] as the new capital of the slave trade.<ref>[[Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1]]</ref>
+
* '''Therion''': In 2:2 [[Glory Age|Glory]] he gifted a replica of the [[Codex entry: Blade of Mercy|Blade of Mercy]] to his general, the first Archon who did so.<ref>[[Codex entry: Blade of Mercy]]</ref>
   
  +
* '''Vespasian''': Reigned circa 2:99 [[Glory Age|Glory]]. Assassinated on the same day that the [[Grand Cathedral]] in [[Orlais]] was completed. Succeeded by Hadarius.<ref name="shield">[[Codex entry: The Magister's Shield]]</ref>
* '''Lovias''': Forged [[Soulbound Earthbound ring set|two rings]] to simultaneously command the physical realm and the [[Fade]].<ref>Based on the [[Soulbound]] description.</ref> Authored the ''Chant of Lovias'', a rare arcane text that is nearly lost<ref>[[Codex entry: The Enigma of Kirkwall]]</ref>. A paranoid ruler, he held the throne up to the age of 89, when he choked on a fishbone.<ref>Based on the [[Wrath of Lovias]] description.</ref>
 
   
 
* '''Hadarius''': Succeeded the assassinated Archon Vespasian. He was himself assassinated, finding that the [[Magister's Shield]] did not protect him from poison as well as it did other things.<ref name="shield" /> A [[Ring of the Ferryman]] bearing his name surfaced in [[Kirkwall]] in 9:34 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]], though whether it was Hadarius' or a forgery is unknown.
* '''Melos''': He discovered [[Drake's Fall]] and gave the order to build a city on the bones.<ref>[[Codex entry: Drake's Fall]]</ref>
 
   
 
* '''Nomaran''': Elected in 7:34 [[Storm Age|Storm]] "directly from the ranks of the enchanters." His rise saw mages regain open political power in Tevinter, and was therefore condemned as "a return to the days of the magisters" by those outside Tevinter. The people of Tevinter itself, however, are said to have greeted his election with "great applause".<ref>[[Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry]]</ref>
 
* '''Nomaran''': Elected in 7:34 [[Storm Age|Storm]] "directly from the ranks of the enchanters." His rise saw mages regain open political power in Tevinter, and was therefore condemned as "a return to the days of the magisters" by those outside Tevinter. The people of Tevinter itself, however, are said to have greeted his election with "great applause".<ref>[[Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry]]</ref>
   
 
* '''Davan''': Predecessor to Radonis<ref name=WoT2-44>[[World of Thedas]], Vol 2, p 44</ref>, he granted [[Aurelian Titus]] a seat in the Magisterium and was eventually assassinated in 9:29 Dragon.
* '''Orentius''': Successor of Archon [[Hessarian]].<ref>{{Cite wot|49}}</ref>
 
 
* '''Parthenius''': Successor of Tidarion, began his rule in -620 Ancient.<ref name="centurion" /> Former high priest of [[Dumat]]. Admitted Laetans into the temples and gave them three seats in the magisterium to end the civil war.<ref name="wot38" />
 
   
 
* '''[[Radonis]]''': The Archon of Tevinter as of 9:41 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]]. After the events of the [[Winter Palace]], he is quick to offer alliance to the [[Inquisition]]. [[Josephine Montilyet]] describes him as cunning, politically well-versed and a powerful mage. Allegedly, he has a soft spot for cats.
 
* '''[[Radonis]]''': The Archon of Tevinter as of 9:41 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]]. After the events of the [[Winter Palace]], he is quick to offer alliance to the [[Inquisition]]. [[Josephine Montilyet]] describes him as cunning, politically well-versed and a powerful mage. Allegedly, he has a soft spot for cats.
   
  +
Archons with undated reigns
* '''[[Thalsian]]''': First of the magisters. He claimed to have contacted the [[Old God]] [[Dumat]], and to have learned [[blood magic]] from him. According to Tevinter, he was made honorary Archon by Darinius after the formation of the Magisterium.<ref>{{Cite wot|122}}</ref> According to Chantry texts, the power he gained from blood magic allowed him to establish an empire under his rule.<ref>[[Codex entry: The Old Gods]]</ref>
 
   
 
* '''Hadrianus''': Discovered arcanist deathroot growing on the bodies of dead [[Slavery|slaves]].<ref>[[Codex entry: Deathroot]]</ref>
* '''Thalasian''': Known as "The Destroyer", he declared war against [[Arlathan]] in 197 TE (-998 Ancient) and destroyed the city together with his blood mages in 220 TE (-975 Ancient).<ref name=WoT2-37-38>{{cite wot2|37-38}}</ref>
 
   
 
* '''Ishal''': Ordered the construction of the [[Tower of Ishal]] at [[Ostagar]].<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide|Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide]]''</ref>
* '''Therion''': In 2:2 [[Glory Age|Glory]] he gifted a replica of the [[Codex entry: Blade of Mercy|Blade of Mercy]] to his general, the first Archon who did so.<ref>[[Codex entry: Blade of Mercy]]</ref>
 
   
 
* '''Lovias''': Forged [[Soulbound Earthbound ring set|two rings]] to simultaneously command the physical realm and the [[Fade]].<ref>Based on the [[Soulbound]] description.</ref> Authored the ''Chant of Lovias'', a rare arcane text that is nearly lost<ref>[[Codex entry: The Enigma of Kirkwall]]</ref>. A paranoid ruler, he held the throne up to the age of 89, when he choked on a fishbone.<ref>Based on the [[Wrath of Lovias]] description.</ref>
* '''[[Tidarion]]''': Successor of Almadrius, ruled from -692 Ancient to -640 Ancient.<ref>{{Cite wot|24-25}}</ref> Notable for being the first Archon from the Laetan class.<ref>[[Blade of Tidarion]]</ref> Spent his entire reign fighting a civil war, and died on the battlefield.<ref name="wot38" />
 
   
 
* '''Melos''': He discovered [[Drake's Fall]] and gave the order to build a city on the bones.<ref>[[Codex entry: Drake's Fall]]</ref>
* '''Valerius''': Predecessor and father of Hessarian.<ref>{{Cite wot2|37}}</ref> When his consort and advisor, [[Eleni Zinovia]], prophesied his downfall, he cursed her by trapping her spirit in a stone statue. The prophecy came true, Valerius was killed and his fortress destroyed.<ref>During the quest [[Bound in Blood and Magic]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]'', upon clicking a statue in the [[Circle Tower]]'s [[Mage Tower - Basement|basement]].</ref>
 
   
* '''Vespasian''': Assassinated on the same day that the [[Grand Cathedral]] in [[Orlais]] was completed. Succeeded by Hadarius.<ref name="shield">[[Codex entry: The Magister's Shield]]</ref>
+
* '''Vanarius Issar''': Was almost assassinated during a slave revolt in [[Minrathous]]. This event led him to select [[Kirkwall|Emerius]] as the new capital of the slave trade.<ref>[[Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1]]</ref>
   
 
* '''Vius''': Authored the book "''Tevinter Journeys Inward''".<ref>On a list of books acquired for [[Solas]] found on a table in Solas' chamber in [[Skyhold]].</ref>
 
* '''Vius''': Authored the book "''Tevinter Journeys Inward''".<ref>On a list of books acquired for [[Solas]] found on a table in Solas' chamber in [[Skyhold]].</ref>

Revision as of 08:00, 25 September 2017

“No pestilent hate could turn aside Tevinter's ferryman...
-Canticle of Silence 3:18”



The Archon, officially the Imperial Archon, is the mage-ruler of the Tevinter Imperium. The position is usually inherited, whether through blood relation or apprenticeship of the previous Archon, but the Magisterium, the legislative body of Tevinter, has the power to elect the Archon should the need arise.[1] Most notably, this is done in the event that an Archon passes without an appointed heir.[2]

Background

In ancient times, when the Imperium had expanded into most of Thedas, the one who held this office was by de facto the most powerful person in the continent.

One third of the Archons throughout history have been Laetans.[3] Archon Tidarion was the first Laetan to become Archon, and the outrage that this caused among the Magisterium led to a civil war that lasted over seventy years. The magisters believed that magic was a favor of the Old Gods rather than an accident of birth, and refused to acknowledge the mage underclass of elves and newly liberated foreigners. The civil war was only ended in -620 Ancient when Archon Parthenius, former high priest of Dumat, finally admitted the Laetans to the temples and gave them three seats in the Magisterium.[4]

Archons are technically part of the magisters and used to be elected from the ranks of the Magisterium but since the Black Age this practice changed and no member of the Imperial Chantry or a magister can become an Archon.[2]

The seal of the Archon is a hooded ferryman.[5]

Archons technically have the power to overrule laws passed by the Magisterium, but this power is exercised rarely. The Archon's most coveted power is the ability to appoint new magisters, so the ruling families actively vie for his or her favour.[6]

Known Archons

HoDA Archon

An Archon in Heroes of Dragon Age

Archons with dated reigns

  • Thalsian: First of the magisters. He claimed to have contacted the Old God Dumat, and to have learned blood magic from him. According to Tevinter, he was made honorary Archon by Darinius after the formation of the Magisterium.[7] According to Chantry texts, the power he gained from blood magic allowed him to establish an empire under his rule.[8]
  • Darinius: The first historically noted Archon, who united the human tribes under the Tevinter Imperium and ruled it from its inception in -1195 Ancient[9] to -1180 Ancient[10]. Sealed a covenant between Tevinter and the ancient dwarven empire, traveling underground to meet with their leader Endrin Stonehammer. He was the first owner of the Imperium Rings, which were given to him by the dwarves.[10]
  • Thalasian: Known as "The Destroyer", he declared war against Arlathan in 197 TE (-998 Ancient) and destroyed the city together with his blood mages in 220 TE (-975 Ancient).[11]
  • Tidarion: Successor of Almadrius, ruled from -692 Ancient to -640 Ancient.[15] Notable for being the first Archon from the Laetan class.[16] Spent his entire reign fighting a civil war, and died on the battlefield.[4]
  • Parthenius: Successor of Tidarion, began his rule in -620 Ancient.[14] Former high priest of Dumat. Admitted Laetans into the temples and gave them three seats in the magisterium to end the civil war.[4]
  • Valerius: Predecessor and father of Hessarian.[17] When his consort and advisor, Eleni Zinovia, prophesied his downfall, he cursed her by trapping her spirit in a stone statue. The prophecy came true, Valerius was killed and his fortress destroyed.[18]
  • Hessarian: Known as "The Redeemed", he ruled in the days of Andraste, who was betrayed to his forces by her husband Maferath. He is said to have repented as he watched Andraste burn and the Maker spoke to him, so he killed her himself with a sword to end her suffering. He then converted to her Chant of Light.[19]. He died in his sleep in -125 Ancient.[20] The Canticle of Silence (Considered a Dissonant Verse in the southern Chantry) is attributed to him.
  • Hadarius: Succeeded the assassinated Archon Vespasian. He was himself assassinated, finding that the Magister's Shield did not protect him from poison as well as it did other things.[23] A Ring of the Ferryman bearing his name surfaced in Kirkwall in 9:34 Dragon, though whether it was Hadarius' or a forgery is unknown.
  • Nomaran: Elected in 7:34 Storm "directly from the ranks of the enchanters." His rise saw mages regain open political power in Tevinter, and was therefore condemned as "a return to the days of the magisters" by those outside Tevinter. The people of Tevinter itself, however, are said to have greeted his election with "great applause".[24]
  • Davan: Predecessor to Radonis[25], he granted Aurelian Titus a seat in the Magisterium and was eventually assassinated in 9:29 Dragon.

Archons with undated reigns

  • Hadrianus: Discovered arcanist deathroot growing on the bodies of dead slaves.[26]
  • Lovias: Forged two rings to simultaneously command the physical realm and the Fade.[28] Authored the Chant of Lovias, a rare arcane text that is nearly lost[29]. A paranoid ruler, he held the throne up to the age of 89, when he choked on a fishbone.[30]
  • Melos: He discovered Drake's Fall and gave the order to build a city on the bones.[31]
  • Vanarius Issar: Was almost assassinated during a slave revolt in Minrathous. This event led him to select Emerius as the new capital of the slave trade.[32]
  • Vius: Authored the book "Tevinter Journeys Inward".[33]

References

  1. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 176
  2. 2.0 2.1 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 76
  3. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 77
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 38
  5. Codex entry: Ring of the Ferryman
  6. Per conversation with Dorian
  7. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 122
  8. Codex entry: The Old Gods
  9. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 18
  10. 10.0 10.1 Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium
  11. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, pp. 37-38
  12. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 23
  13. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 24
  14. 14.0 14.1 Codex entry: The Centurion's Cuirass
  15. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, pp. 24-25
  16. Blade of Tidarion
  17. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 37
  18. During the quest Bound in Blood and Magic in Dragon Age: Origins, upon clicking a statue in the Circle Tower's basement.
  19. Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 3
  20. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 49
  21. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 49
  22. Codex entry: Blade of Mercy
  23. 23.0 23.1 Codex entry: The Magister's Shield
  24. Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry
  25. World of Thedas, Vol 2, p 44
  26. Codex entry: Deathroot
  27. Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide
  28. Based on the Soulbound description.
  29. Codex entry: The Enigma of Kirkwall
  30. Based on the Wrath of Lovias description.
  31. Codex entry: Drake's Fall
  32. Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1
  33. On a list of books acquired for Solas found on a table in Solas' chamber in Skyhold.