Dragon Age Wiki
Dragon Age Wiki
(the category is to be deleted)
No edit summary
(40 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Quote|The [[spirit]]s shall watch in envy as the mortals of this world bow down before me!}}
  +
 
<onlyinclude>{{CharacterInfoBox
 
<onlyinclude>{{CharacterInfoBox
|name = [[Baroness]]
+
|style = {{{style|}}}
|image = Baroness.png
+
|name = [[Baroness]]
|px = 270px
+
|image = The Baroness' Profile.jpg
|class = [[Mage]]
+
|px = 270px
|specialization = [[Blood mage]]
+
|class = [[Mage]]
  +
|specialization = [[Blood magic|Blood Mage]]
|rank = Boss
 
|race = [[Human]]
+
|rank = [[Boss]]
|gender = Female
+
|race = [[Human]]
|location = [[Blackmarsh]]
+
|gender = Female
  +
|location = [[The Blackmarsh]]
|voice = [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1424599/ Belinda Cornish]
+
|voice = [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1424599/ Belinda Cornish]
|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]]
+
|appearances = [[Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening]] <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]]
 
}}</onlyinclude>
 
}}</onlyinclude>
   
'''The Baroness''' was once the [[Orlesian]] ruler of the [[Blackmarsh]], during the [[Fereldan]] occupation. She defeated the [[Queen of the Blackmarsh]] through her powerful sorcery.
+
The '''Baroness''' was once the ruler of the [[Blackmarsh]] during the [[Orlais|Orlesian]] occupation of [[Ferelden]].
   
 
== Background ==
 
== Background ==
Once, a high dragon took to living near Blackmarsh, causing destruction to its residents. On one night, the Baroness came and travelled to the dragon's lair. The next day the dragon had disappeared, presumed dead, and while rumours circulated that the Baroness must be a blood mage to have brought down the beast, the grateful townsfolk paid them no heed. The Baroness became the Orlesian ruler of the Blackmarsh during the occupation, but her rule was marked by oppression, violence and injustice. She was, in fact, a blood mage and paid great amounts for the young girls of the town to restore her youth. The Baroness met her end when her subjects turned against her and burned down her mansion. With one last spell before dying, the Baroness captured all their spirits into the [[Fade]], shaped as a nightmarish version of Blackmarsh itself.
+
Long ago, a [[Queen of the Blackmarsh|particular]] [[high dragon]] settled near the [[Blackmarsh]], wrecking chaos upon its residents. One night, the Baroness came and traveled to the dragon's lair. The next day, the dragon had disappeared, presumed dead, and while rumors circulated that the Baroness must have been a [[Blood magic|blood mage]] to have brought down such a beast, the grateful townsfolk paid them no heed.
  +
  +
The Baroness later became the Orlesian ruler of the Blackmarsh during Orlais' occupation of Ferelden, but her rule was marked by oppression, violence and injustice. She was, in fact, a blood mage and paid great amounts for the young girls to come to her mansion in order to restore her youth. The Baroness met her end when her subjects turned on her and burned down her mansion. With one last spell, the Baroness pulled all of their spirits into the [[Fade]], trapping them in a nightmarish [[Blackmarsh Undying|version]] of the Blackmarsh itself.
  +
  +
According to a villager the Baroness did not have any children.<ref>Mentioned by the female villager if you asked [[Justice]] if that baroness is [[The Mother]].</ref>
   
 
== Involvement ==
 
== Involvement ==
 
{{SpoilerDAOA|
 
{{SpoilerDAOA|
After you are brought into the Fade by [[The First]] during [[Shadows of the Blackmarsh]], one of the Mother's [[The Disciples|Disciples]], you'll eventually reach the village's square where you are greeted by a Spirit of [[Justice]]. The spirit will explain that the Baroness has been feeding from the souls of the villagers for many years now and that for all this time he has watched their torment, seething with anger. Now he has finally decided to step up and end her reign. Justice will ask for your help during the fight and, after a brief cutscene, you will be in the mansion's court and have the option to intimidate the Baroness or to fight her. She is aided by some faithful servants and by the First, who has sought her help to escape the Fade.
+
[[The Warden-Commander]] is brought into the Fade by [[The First]], one of the Mother's [[The Disciples|Disciples]], during [[Shadows of the Blackmarsh]]. Once in the village square, a [[Spirit]] of [[Justice]] will explain that the Baroness has been feeding from the souls of the villagers for many years now and that for all this time he has watched their torment, seething with anger. Now he has finally decided to step up and end her reign. Justice will ask for the Warden-Commander's help during the fight and they have the option to intimidate the Baroness or to fight her. She is aided by some faithful servants and by the First, who has sought her help to escape the Fade.
   
When you defeat the First, the Baroness, in a desperate attempt to escape, will use the First's remaining life force to tear the veil open and enter the mortal realm. In the process, the Spirit of Justice is also hurled through the Veil and he ends up in the body of Kristoff, the dead [[Grey Warden]] who was investigating the [[darkspawn]] presence in the Blackmarsh. Together with Justice, you must confront the Baroness, who, during the long years spent in the Fade feeding on the peasants' spirits, has become a [[Pride Demon]] so powerful that she's able to enter the mortal world even without a body to possess. She does, however, express surprise towards the extent of her power, being previously ignorant of her capacity of doing so.
+
When First is defeated, the Baroness, in a desperate attempt to escape, will use the First's remaining life force to tear the veil open and enter the mortal realm. In the process, the Spirit of Justice is also hurled through the Veil and he ends up in the body of [[Kristoff]], the dead [[Grey Warden]] who was investigating the [[darkspawn]] presence in the Blackmarsh. Together with Justice, the Warden-Commander confronts the Baroness, who, during the long years spent in the Fade feeding on the peasants' spirits, has assumed the role<ref>According to [[Justice]] during the first conversation with him in the waking world</ref> of a [[Pride Demon]] so powerful that she's able to enter the mortal world even without a body to possess. She does, however, express surprise towards the extent of her power, being previously ignorant of her capacity of doing so.
   
It is also possible to choose to fight at her side against The First. If you persuade her to offer a greater reward than the mere escape from the Fade, she will offer the following: either a bonus to health, to magic, to cunning or she will teach you blood magic. After your choice is made, a short cutscene follows in which the Baroness kills The First to empower the Warden-Commander. In any case, it is necessary to fight her demon form in the real world.
+
It is also possible to choose to fight at her side against The First. If the Warden-Commander persuades her to offer a greater reward than the mere escape from the Fade, she will offer the following: either a bonus to health, to magic, to cunning or she will teach blood magic. After the choice is made, the Baroness kills The First to empower the Warden-Commander. In any case, it is necessary to fight her demon form in the real world.
  +
[[File:Baroness Abomination.jpg|thumb|The Baroness as a [[pride demon]].]]
 
}}
 
}}
   
Line 43: Line 51:
   
 
== Quotes ==
 
== Quotes ==
  +
* "My, my. All that shouting outside, and now you finally decided to barge in. Without even a proper invitation!"
* "The spirits will watch in envy as the mortals of this realm bow down before me!"
 
  +
* "As was my due! You lived on my land! I, your rightful ruler! Your blood was mine just as your lives are now!"
   
== Trivia ==
+
=== Dialogue ===
  +
* '''Warden:''' "How is it you created all this? How do you remain?"
* The Baroness is likely based on [[wikipedia:Elizabeth Báthory|Elizabeth Báthory]] (sometimes known as the lady Dracula as she was a source of inspiration for Bram Stoker's novel), a countess who invited peasant girls to her castle to work as servants with promises of high pay. Once there, the girls were imprisoned, and often tortured and mutilated before being murdered by the countess. Her killing spree gave rise to a rumour that the countess bathed in the blood of her victims, in the belief that this would preserve her own youth and beauty.
 
  +
* '''Baroness:''' "What's this? The pathetic fools have managed to recruit yet more sympathizers?"
* The Baroness may have also been based on the [http://diablo2.diablowiki.net/The_Countess Countess] a Demon from Blizzard Entertainment's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diablo_II Diablo] franchise. The Countess was a human who used the blood of virgins to sustain her youth but eventually after her downfall her tower was forever cursed and inhabited by various demons and their ilk. Also another similarity is the Baroness is the ruler of Blackmarsh whereas the Countess and her tower reside in a location called Black Marsh in Diablo 2, presumably the area of Black Marsh may be her kingdom. Another similarity is that both the Baroness and Countess have returned from the dead as tyrannical evils. The name's Countess and Baroness are similarly coined both signifying a title of nobility, and the actual Countess Bathory held both titles. Another interesting fact is both their true names have not been revealed as of yet. It should be noted that the Countess of Diablo 2 was a reference to Countess Bathory.
 
  +
* '''Justice:''' "We are no longer alone, Baroness. Your reign ends here!"
  +
* '''Baroness:''' "As it happens, I am no longer alone either."
  +
* '''Baroness''': "Oh I'll sunder the veil alright, I'll send them all back, but you.... your ''life'' is going to provide the power!"
  +
  +
== Gallery ==
  +
<gallery widths="189" captionalign="center">
  +
Baroness and Guard.jpg|The Baroness in the ''[[Blackmarsh Undying]]''.
  +
Baroness_HoDA.jpg|Tier progression of the Baroness in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]''
  +
Baroness HoDA tier.jpg|Artwork of her tier progression in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]''
  +
</gallery>
   
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
* [[Codex entry: The Baroness's Secret]]
+
{{:Codex entry: The Baroness's Secret|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  +
{{:Codex entry: Records of the Blackmarsh|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  +
{{:Codex entry: Baroness of the Blackmarsh|style=iconmini}}{{clrl}}
  +
  +
== References ==
  +
<references/>
 
[[Category:Characters]]
 
[[Category:Characters]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening characters]]
 
[[Category:Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening characters]]
 
[[Category:Humans]]
 
[[Category:Orlesians]]
 
[[Category:Orlesian nobility]]
 
[[Category:Magi]]
 
[[Category:Magi]]
[[Category:Demons]]
 
 
[[Category:Apostates]]
 
[[Category:Apostates]]
[[Category:Nobles]]
 
[[Category:Orlesians]]
 
 
[[Category:Blood mages]]
 
[[Category:Blood mages]]
 
[[Category:Abominations]]
 
[[Category:Abominations]]
[[Category:Humans]]
+
[[Category:Heroes of Dragon Age characters]]
[[Category:Orlesian nobility]]
 

Revision as of 18:15, 15 March 2020

“The spirits shall watch in envy as the mortals of this world bow down before me!”


The Baroness was once the ruler of the Blackmarsh during the Orlesian occupation of Ferelden.

Background

Long ago, a particular high dragon settled near the Blackmarsh, wrecking chaos upon its residents. One night, the Baroness came and traveled to the dragon's lair. The next day, the dragon had disappeared, presumed dead, and while rumors circulated that the Baroness must have been a blood mage to have brought down such a beast, the grateful townsfolk paid them no heed.

The Baroness later became the Orlesian ruler of the Blackmarsh during Orlais' occupation of Ferelden, but her rule was marked by oppression, violence and injustice. She was, in fact, a blood mage and paid great amounts for the young girls to come to her mansion in order to restore her youth. The Baroness met her end when her subjects turned on her and burned down her mansion. With one last spell, the Baroness pulled all of their spirits into the Fade, trapping them in a nightmarish version of the Blackmarsh itself.

According to a villager the Baroness did not have any children.[1]

Involvement


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.


The Warden-Commander is brought into the Fade by The First, one of the Mother's Disciples, during Shadows of the Blackmarsh. Once in the village square, a Spirit of Justice will explain that the Baroness has been feeding from the souls of the villagers for many years now and that for all this time he has watched their torment, seething with anger. Now he has finally decided to step up and end her reign. Justice will ask for the Warden-Commander's help during the fight and they have the option to intimidate the Baroness or to fight her. She is aided by some faithful servants and by the First, who has sought her help to escape the Fade.

When First is defeated, the Baroness, in a desperate attempt to escape, will use the First's remaining life force to tear the veil open and enter the mortal realm. In the process, the Spirit of Justice is also hurled through the Veil and he ends up in the body of Kristoff, the dead Grey Warden who was investigating the darkspawn presence in the Blackmarsh. Together with Justice, the Warden-Commander confronts the Baroness, who, during the long years spent in the Fade feeding on the peasants' spirits, has assumed the role[2] of a Pride Demon so powerful that she's able to enter the mortal world even without a body to possess. She does, however, express surprise towards the extent of her power, being previously ignorant of her capacity of doing so.

It is also possible to choose to fight at her side against The First. If the Warden-Commander persuades her to offer a greater reward than the mere escape from the Fade, she will offer the following: either a bonus to health, to magic, to cunning or she will teach blood magic. After the choice is made, the Baroness kills The First to empower the Warden-Commander. In any case, it is necessary to fight her demon form in the real world.

Baroness Abomination

The Baroness as a pride demon.


Skills

Same skills as the Pride Demon, but with an extra ability: she can summon portals but she can be stopped with enough damage, just like a normal long casting spell.

  • Fire Bolt deals approximately 50 Fire damage and leaves a burning damage over time effect (on Nightmare difficulty).
  • Ice Bolt deals about 50 Frost damage and freezes the target solid for a few seconds (on Nightmare difficulty).
  • When she summons a Fade Portal, an elite-rank Fade Portal enemy spawns which continually spawns Shades until its destruction. Shades deal minimal damage but can be a nuisance with their knockdown attacks. The Baroness only opens Fade Portals for the first phase of the fight.
  • Drain deals approximately 10 points of damage per tick on Nightmare - around 50 to 60 total damage if the Baroness is not interrupted via Shield Bash/Overpower/Pommel Strike/etc. However, she also heals herself for several hundred points of damage each tick. On Nightmare, the Baroness will gain nearly 2,000 health over the brief duration of this attack. She only uses this ability in the second phase of the fight (when she runs and breaks open the gate into the courtyard). She will never use this ability above 50% health.

Note that the healing effect of Drain is actually unaffected by how much damage is dealt to the target. Tested with a Bulwark of the Ages-enhanced Carapace effect and Strength of Stone enhanced with Blessing of the Ancestors - the warrior and rogue took no damage at all but the Baroness healed for the same amount.

Bugs

  • Sometimes the Baroness traps you in the fade permanently. Save before first encounter.
  • Although the Baroness agrees to reward you, you actually receive no statistical increase regardless of your choice.
  • The Baroness is scripted to knock down the door to the keep courtyard after she successfully opens the first portal during combat. If she fails to do so (i.e., she is killed), the gate will remain closed after combat and cannot be opened. There is, however, nothing that can be interacted with in the courtyard.

Quotes

  • "My, my. All that shouting outside, and now you finally decided to barge in. Without even a proper invitation!"
  • "As was my due! You lived on my land! I, your rightful ruler! Your blood was mine just as your lives are now!"

Dialogue

  • Warden: "How is it you created all this? How do you remain?"
  • Baroness: "What's this? The pathetic fools have managed to recruit yet more sympathizers?"
  • Justice: "We are no longer alone, Baroness. Your reign ends here!"
  • Baroness: "As it happens, I am no longer alone either."
  • Baroness: "Oh I'll sunder the veil alright, I'll send them all back, but you.... your life is going to provide the power!"

Gallery

See also

Codex entry: The Baroness's Secret Codex entry: The Baroness's Secret

Codex entry: Records of the Blackmarsh Codex entry: Records of the Blackmarsh

Codex entry: Baroness of the Blackmarsh Codex entry: Baroness of the Blackmarsh

References

  1. Mentioned by the female villager if you asked Justice if that baroness is The Mother.
  2. According to Justice during the first conversation with him in the waking world