Dragon Age Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Dragon Age Wiki


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.

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.[3]

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.[4]

Known Archons

  • Darinius: The first historically noted Archon, who united the human tribes under the Tevinter Imperium and ruled it from its inception in -1195 Ancient[8] to -1180 Ancient[9]. 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]
  • 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.[11] 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.
  • Hadrianus: Discovered arcanist deathroot growing on the bodies of dead slaves.[12]
  • 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.[13]. He died in his sleep in -125 Ancient.[14] The Canticle of Silence (Considered a Dissonant Verse in the southern Chantry) is attributed to him.
  • 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.[16]
  • Lovias: Forged two rings to simultaneously command the physical realm and the Fade.[17] Authored the Chant of Lovias, a rare arcane text that is nearly lost[18]. A paranoid ruler, he held the throne up to the age of 89, when he choked on a fishbone.[19]
  • Melos: He discovered Drake's Fall and gave the order to build a city on the bones, where later the Mother would have her lair.[20]
  • 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".[21]
  • Parthenius: Successor of Tidarion, began his rule in -620 Ancient.[7]
  • Radonis: The current Archon of Tevinter.[23] 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, and considers him a better ally than King Markus Pentaghast of Nevarra. Allegedly, he has a soft spot for cats.
  • 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.[24] According to Chantry texts, the power he gained from blood magic allowed him to establish an empire under his rule.[25]
  • Tidarion: Successor of Almadrius, ruled from -692 Ancient to -640 Ancient[27]. After his death, the magisters battled themselves for twenty years.[7]
  • Valerius: 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.[28]
  • Vius: Authored the book "Tevinter Journeys Inward".[29]

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. Codex entry: Ring of the Ferryman
  4. YouTube (November 17, 2014). Dragon Age: Inquisition- Sexy and Talented Dorian Joins! (First Conversation) + Flirt.
  5. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 23
  6. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 24
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Codex entry: The Centurion's Cuirass
  8. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 18
  9. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Codex 1
  10. Codex entry: Archons of the Imperium
  11. 11.0 11.1 Codex entry: The Magister's Shield
  12. Codex entry: Deathroot
  13. Codex entry: The History of the Chantry: Chapter 3
  14. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 49
  15. Dragon Age: Origins Collector's Edition: Prima Official Game Guide
  16. Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 1
  17. Based on the Soulbound description.
  18. Codex entry: The Enigma of Kirkwall
  19. Based on the Wrath of Lovias description.
  20. Codex entry: Drake's Fall
  21. Codex entry: The Imperial Chantry
  22. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 49
  23. During the events of Dragon Age: Inquisition.
  24. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 122
  25. Codex entry: The Old Gods
  26. Codex entry: Blade of Mercy
  27. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 28
  28. During the quest Bound in Blood and Magic in Dragon Age: Origins, upon clicking a statue in the Circle Tower's basement.
  29. On a list of books acquired for Solas found on a table in Solas' chamber in Skyhold.
Advertisement