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| + | {{For|the headquarters of the Assembly in Orzammar|Chamber of the Assembly}} |
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| − | The Assembly, housed in the [[Chamber of the Assembly]] in [[Orzammar]]'s [[Diamond Quarter]], is the central legislative political body in the city, second in influence only to the monarch and capable in many instances of superseding his or her power. It is unknown whether the dwarven empire has always had Assemblies in its various kingdoms or if this joint ruling is a more recent development and exclusive to Orzammar itself. |
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| + | [[File:Orzammar Assembly.png|thumb|300px|The Assembly of Orzammar while in session]] |
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| + | The '''Assembly''', formally known as the '''Assembly of the Clans'''<ref name="bandelor">Mentioned by [[Bandelor|Assembly Steward Bandelor]].</ref>, is the central legislative political body of the [[Dwarf|dwarven]] kingdoms. |
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| − | Members of the Assembly are known as "deshyr," which roughly translates to "assembly lord."<ref> ''Dragon Age RPG'' Set 2 Player's Guide, pg. 17.</ref> They are sometimes called, perhaps derisively, "deep lords."<ref>As referred to by [[Ohgren]].</ref> During the events of ''Dragon Age: Origins'' the Assembly is composed of eighty deshyrs drawn from the most influential noble houses in the city. The right of a noble house to claim a vote in the Assembly is predicated on that house having a deshyr, general, or [[Paragon]] among their ancestors.<ref>Mentioned by [[Assembly Steward Bandelor]].</ref> Therefore, the number of Assembly members can fluctuate. |
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| + | In the ancient dwarven empire, at least since the times of the [[First Blight]], each kingdom had its own Assembly, which however maintained allegiance to the capital of the empire, Orzammar.<ref>{{Cite wot|35}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | To become a member there must first be an opening in the tightly closed ranks, and this usually occurs through death or resignation. An acting member then nominates a candidate who must be approved by one-third of the Assembly.<ref> |
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| + | == Kal-Sharok Assembly == |
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| + | After [[Orzammar]] discovered in 9:12 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]] that [[Kal-Sharok]] survived, the Assembly of Kal-Sharok refuses to recognize the king or queen of Orzammar<ref name="wot40">{{Cite wot|40}}</ref>, despite Orzammar's protests. It is also known that the members of Kal-Sharok's Assembly may originate from any caste, not just [[noble caste]].<ref name="wot40"/> |
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| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
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| + | Kal-Sharok Assembly's meetings are held in the Sharokovar [[thaig]].<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Game Master's Guide, set 2, p. 64</ref> |
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| + | == Orzammar Assembly == |
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| − | Any deshyr may submit proposals or regulations for debate. The proposed law must be ratified by a majority vote of the Assembly members before the proposal can become law. Debates on such proposals can last years in some cases.<ref> ''Dragon Age RPG'' Set 2 Player's Guide, pg. 17.</ref> |
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| + | Orzammar's Assembly is housed in the [[Chamber of the Assembly]] in the [[Orzammar Diamond Quarter|Diamond Quarter]] and is second in influence only to the [[Dwarven royalty|king or queen]] of Orzammar and capable in many instances of superseding their power. All the members of the Assembly come from the noblest [[house]]s of Orzammar and no other [[caste]] is represented in there.<ref>As mentioned by Lord [[Denek Helmi]].</ref> |
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| + | The Steward of the Assembly is one of the most high-ranking positions in Orzammar's society. The Steward is a widely accepted and respected lord who oversees the proceedings of the Assembly. Because of their neutral position, they can neither voice opinions nor vote. They also have authority over the city guard, at least during the times when there is no monarch. |
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| + | During the [[Fifth Blight]], [[Bandelor]] is the Steward of the Assembly. It is also known that during the history of [[House Tethras]], three of its members have held this office. |
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| + | |||
| + | === Deshyr === |
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| + | Members of the Assembly are titled as "deshyr". There are currently eighty deshyrs in Orzammar, drawn from the most influential noble houses in the city. The right of a noble house to claim a vote in the Assembly is predicated on that house having a deshyr, general, or [[Paragon]] among their [[Ancestors]].<ref name="bandelor"/> |
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| + | |||
| + | Resignation is uncommon and as a consequence, the average age of the deshyrs is quite high making the legislative body of the dwarves very traditionally oriented in its decisions.<ref>As indicated in conversation with [[Noble caste|Lord]] [[Denek Helmi]] who says he is the youngest member and also that the Assembly is "mired in tradition".</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | {{SpoilerDAI| |
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| + | {{CodexConditionalParagraph|If Bhelen was crowned king|}}During the events of ''[[The Descent]]'' [[Downloadable content (Inquisition)|DLC]] King [[Bhelen Aeducan|Bhelen]] wishes to meet [[the Inquisitor]] in person but he is talked out of it by the deshyrs.}} |
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| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
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| ⚫ | The word "deshyr" roughly [[Dwarven languages and phrases|translates]] to "assembly lord". To become a member there must first be an opening in the tightly closed ranks, and this usually occurs through death or resignation. An acting member then nominates a candidate who must be approved by one-third of the Assembly.<ref name="rpg17">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 2, p. 17</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | ==== Surface ==== |
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| + | The title is also used by the [[surface dwarves]]. Deshyrs are the voting members of the [[Dwarven Merchants' Guild]], all of them representing influential surface families and most likely the ones who can trace their lineage to Orzammar's nobility or other upper castes. [[Varric Tethras]] and formerly his brother [[Bartrand Tethras|Bartrand]] are deshyrs in the Merchants' Guild. |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | The Assembly as a legislative body sets law and advises the king, and functions to a lesser extent as a judicial system in the case of criminal law. Any deshyr may submit proposals or regulations for debate. The proposed law must be ratified by a majority vote of the Assembly members before the proposal can become law. |
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| + | |||
| + | The Assembly is also used to decide the fate of those who commit serious crimes, such as kinslaying, and to determine their punishment.<ref>As seen at the end of [[A Noble Expedition]] in the [[Dwarf Noble Origin]].</ref> It should be noted that in ancient times, the punishment of exile was issued in very rare cases as it was considered to be one of the fiercest.<ref>[[Codex entry: Beregrand the Bold]]</ref> |
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When the Assembly passes a law, it is recorded in the [[Memories]]. |
When the Assembly passes a law, it is recorded in the [[Memories]]. |
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| + | [[File:Royal throne in the Assembly.png|thumb|280px|The royal throne inside the Assembly]] |
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| ⚫ | Kings and queens are voted into power by a majority vote in the Assembly but this is typically not such a simple matter. Murder, blackmail, and betrayal often presage such decisions when various candidates vie for the position of king. |
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| + | |||
| ⚫ | The Assembly can also become deadlocked when a decision cannot be made and this can have disastrous consequences for the city, particularly when it regards the choosing of a king. Bloodshed and chaos run rampant during these times as warring candidates battle for dominance. Kings and queens are voted into power by a majority vote in the Assembly but this is typically not such a simple matter. Murder, blackmail, and betrayal often presage such decisions when various candidates vie for the position of king. Even the deshyrs are not safe during such times of debate. |
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| + | |||
| + | Traditionally a king appoints his successor, often his eldest son. This does not ensure the heir will be king as the Assembly is not required to recognize the king's choice, but in most cases the nominated child assumes the throne.<ref>As indicated in conversation with [[Dwarven royalty|Crown Prince]] [[Trian Aeducan|Trian]], Prince [[Bhelen Aeducan|Bhelen]], Lord [[Pyral Harrowmont|Harrowmont]] and [[Gorim Saelac]].</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | In addition to voting in a king, the Assembly also votes upon the creation of new Paragons, a task of arguably even more importance than that of choosing the king. Declaring a dwarf a Paragon is essentially declaring a new noble house, since that Paragon and their family will be elevated to noble status as well as have the right to elect their own deshyr in the Assembly. It is known that Paragon [[House Aeducan|Aeducan]] was chosen unanimously by the Assembly except a single abstention, while [[House Vollney|Vollney]] became a Paragon by the narrowest margin in history, one vote. |
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| + | |||
| + | {{SpoilerDAO| |
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| + | If [[the Warden]] is of [[Dwarf Noble Origin|Dwarf Noble]] or [[Dwarf Commoner Origin|Dwarf Commoner]] [[Origins|Origin]], they will be nominated for Paragon status following the defeat of the Fifth Blight. After months of deliberation in the Assembly, the Warden is named Paragon and if still alive, the vote is unanimous.<ref>See [[Epilogue (Origins)|epilogue]].</ref>}} |
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| + | {{Tabletop RPG material}} |
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| ⚫ | Debates on proposed laws can last years in some cases. Furthermore, the king or queen may too submit proposals for consideration and these are decided upon in the same fashion as if the proposal had been made by a deshyr. When the Assembly enacts a law which does not have a unanimous vote, the king or queen may send the law back for further debate and another vote. This can be done on an unlimited basis and amounts to an executive veto.<ref name="rpg17"/> |
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| + | === Known members === |
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| − | Traditionally a king appoints his successor, often an elder son, to rule in his stead by naming him the first candidate for consideration.<ref> ''Dragon Age RPG'' Set 2 Player's Guide, pg. 18.</ref> This does not ensure the heir will be king as the Assembly is not required to recognize the king's choice, but in practice the successor typically takes the throne. There is no proscription upon a female heir being named. |
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| + | [[File:Steward Bandelor.png|thumb|200px|Assembly Steward Bandelor]] |
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| + | * '''[[Bhelen Aeducan]]''': The leader and deshyr of [[House Aeducan]] following the death of his father, King [[Endrin Aeducan|Endrin]]. |
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| + | * '''[[Pyral Harrowmont]]''': The leader and deshyr of [[House Harrowmont]] as well as High General of Orzammar and King [[Endrin Aeducan|Endrin]]'s [[Noble caste#Seconds|second]]. |
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| + | * '''[[Denek Helmi]]''': The deshyr of [[House Helmi]] in the Assembly and during the events of the Fifth Blight the Assembly's youngest member as well. |
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| + | * '''[[Lady Dace]]''': She is appointed by her family's [[Anwer Dace|patriarch]] as [[House Dace]]'s deshyr in the Assembly. |
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| + | * '''Sardirak Vollney''': He is a deshyr from [[House Vollney]] in 9:41 Dragon.<ref>{{Cite wot2|258}}</ref> |
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| − | == |
+ | == See also == |
| + | {{:Codex entry: Orzammar Politics|style=iconmini}}<br> |
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| − | * [[Lord Helmi]]: A forward-thinking young representative of House Helmi. |
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| − | * [[Lord Anwer Dace]]: A warrior lord and patriarch of House Dace. He has appointed [[Lady Dace]] to the Assembly but she does not have the authority to vote.<ref>Noted in ''Prima Official Game Guide: Dragon Age: Origins'', pg. 247.</ref> |
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| + | {{Dwarves}} |
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| + | [[ru:Совет]] |
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[[Category:Dwarven lore]] |
[[Category:Dwarven lore]] |
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Revision as of 19:29, 20 February 2020
- For the headquarters of the Assembly in Orzammar, see Chamber of the Assembly.
The Assembly of Orzammar while in session
The Assembly, formally known as the Assembly of the Clans[1], is the central legislative political body of the dwarven kingdoms.
In the ancient dwarven empire, at least since the times of the First Blight, each kingdom had its own Assembly, which however maintained allegiance to the capital of the empire, Orzammar.[2]
Kal-Sharok Assembly
After Orzammar discovered in 9:12 Dragon that Kal-Sharok survived, the Assembly of Kal-Sharok refuses to recognize the king or queen of Orzammar[3], despite Orzammar's protests. It is also known that the members of Kal-Sharok's Assembly may originate from any caste, not just noble caste.[3]
Kal-Sharok Assembly's meetings are held in the Sharokovar thaig.[4]
Orzammar Assembly
Orzammar's Assembly is housed in the Chamber of the Assembly in the Diamond Quarter and is second in influence only to the king or queen of Orzammar and capable in many instances of superseding their power. All the members of the Assembly come from the noblest houses of Orzammar and no other caste is represented in there.[5]
Steward of the Assembly
The Steward of the Assembly is one of the most high-ranking positions in Orzammar's society. The Steward is a widely accepted and respected lord who oversees the proceedings of the Assembly. Because of their neutral position, they can neither voice opinions nor vote. They also have authority over the city guard, at least during the times when there is no monarch.
During the Fifth Blight, Bandelor is the Steward of the Assembly. It is also known that during the history of House Tethras, three of its members have held this office.
Deshyr
Members of the Assembly are titled as "deshyr". There are currently eighty deshyrs in Orzammar, drawn from the most influential noble houses in the city. The right of a noble house to claim a vote in the Assembly is predicated on that house having a deshyr, general, or Paragon among their Ancestors.[1]
Resignation is uncommon and as a consequence, the average age of the deshyrs is quite high making the legislative body of the dwarves very traditionally oriented in its decisions.[6]
The word "deshyr" roughly translates to "assembly lord". To become a member there must first be an opening in the tightly closed ranks, and this usually occurs through death or resignation. An acting member then nominates a candidate who must be approved by one-third of the Assembly.[7]
Surface
The title is also used by the surface dwarves. Deshyrs are the voting members of the Dwarven Merchants' Guild, all of them representing influential surface families and most likely the ones who can trace their lineage to Orzammar's nobility or other upper castes. Varric Tethras and formerly his brother Bartrand are deshyrs in the Merchants' Guild.
Functions
The Assembly as a legislative body sets law and advises the king, and functions to a lesser extent as a judicial system in the case of criminal law. Any deshyr may submit proposals or regulations for debate. The proposed law must be ratified by a majority vote of the Assembly members before the proposal can become law.
The Assembly is also used to decide the fate of those who commit serious crimes, such as kinslaying, and to determine their punishment.[8] It should be noted that in ancient times, the punishment of exile was issued in very rare cases as it was considered to be one of the fiercest.[9]
When the Assembly passes a law, it is recorded in the Memories.
The royal throne inside the Assembly
The Assembly can also become deadlocked when a decision cannot be made and this can have disastrous consequences for the city, particularly when it regards the choosing of a king. Bloodshed and chaos run rampant during these times as warring candidates battle for dominance. Kings and queens are voted into power by a majority vote in the Assembly but this is typically not such a simple matter. Murder, blackmail, and betrayal often presage such decisions when various candidates vie for the position of king. Even the deshyrs are not safe during such times of debate.
Traditionally a king appoints his successor, often his eldest son. This does not ensure the heir will be king as the Assembly is not required to recognize the king's choice, but in most cases the nominated child assumes the throne.[10]
In addition to voting in a king, the Assembly also votes upon the creation of new Paragons, a task of arguably even more importance than that of choosing the king. Declaring a dwarf a Paragon is essentially declaring a new noble house, since that Paragon and their family will be elevated to noble status as well as have the right to elect their own deshyr in the Assembly. It is known that Paragon Aeducan was chosen unanimously by the Assembly except a single abstention, while Vollney became a Paragon by the narrowest margin in history, one vote.
Debates on proposed laws can last years in some cases. Furthermore, the king or queen may too submit proposals for consideration and these are decided upon in the same fashion as if the proposal had been made by a deshyr. When the Assembly enacts a law which does not have a unanimous vote, the king or queen may send the law back for further debate and another vote. This can be done on an unlimited basis and amounts to an executive veto.[7]
Known members
Assembly Steward Bandelor
- Bandelor: The Steward of the Assembly during the Fifth Blight.
- Bhelen Aeducan: The leader and deshyr of House Aeducan following the death of his father, King Endrin.
- Pyral Harrowmont: The leader and deshyr of House Harrowmont as well as High General of Orzammar and King Endrin's second.
- Denek Helmi: The deshyr of House Helmi in the Assembly and during the events of the Fifth Blight the Assembly's youngest member as well.
- Lady Dace: She is appointed by her family's patriarch as House Dace's deshyr in the Assembly.
- Sardirak Vollney: He is a deshyr from House Vollney in 9:41 Dragon.[12]
See also
Codex entry: Orzammar Politics
References
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