Education in Thedas varies depending on race, culture, and class, and from nation to nation.
Human nations[]
Chantry[]
The education provided to those of the Chantry appears on par with that of nobles. Templar recruits are literate and are taught history[1] in addition to their martial training and religious education. Only initiates, those who have taken vows to devote their lives to the Chantry, receive an academic education.[2]
Members of the Chantry, by virtue of their responsibilities, are naturally literate and well-read, in the Chant of Light if nothing else.
Local Chantries may also provide some instruction to their followers and allow access to their texts.[3]
Chantry members may also pursue scholarship. Clerics are the true academics of the Chantry, those men and women who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge.[2] The most well-known Chantry scholar is Brother Ferdinand Genitivi, lecturer and author of numerous texts and travelogues. Other scholars search for ancient artifacts and scrolls, such as Sister Justine, curator of the Denerim chantry. Justine is also versed in decoding ciphers and encrypted text. There are also those who study astronomy, music or history.
Circle of Magi[]
The education of a mage is as extensive as that of a noble, if not more so. Beyond being taught to control their magic, a mage learns of the various schools of magic as well as languages, reading, writing, scrying, healing, etc. A mage's training consists of extensive study of arcane lore.
Much like the Chantry, the Circle of Magi encourages scholarship and publishes the completed research. Examples of this are the botanical writings of Ines and the spirit research of Rhys. Through their education and scholarship, mages are considered some of the most educated members of society and as such may sometimes function as advisers in royal courts.
Circles of Magi have massive libraries and are typically the greatest repositories of knowledge in a given country, though access is naturally limited.
Commoners[]
Commoners appear to receive little formal education in most countries in Thedas and many may be illiterate. City elves receive even less education than human commoners. As such, dwarven runes may be used in place of writing in some cases.[4] In other instances tally marks may be used to delineate locations or distances.[5]
However, in sharp contrast, those who work as servants in noble estates appear to receive extensive education, at least enough that is sufficient to perform their tasks.[6]
In recent years, Empress Celene Valmont I has been strongly encouraging the University of Orlais to overlook the lack of status and rank for individuals who show prodigious talent or potential which could help further the interests and prestige of the Orlesian Empire, provided a noble sponsors them. Most recently this has even extended to Celene personally interceding in support of an elven math prodigy, Lennan, who was sponsored by Comtesse Helene.[7] Elves are now allowed into the university, although it is common for their work to go unacknowledged and uncredited.[8]
Nobility[]
Among the Fereldan nobility, an education is typically provided by a learned tutor, such as Aldous in the Human Noble Origin. Noble Andrastian families may often have a Chantry Mother as a member of the household to attend to the religious education of the young. Examples of Mothers attached to noble households are Mother Mallol and Mother Ailis of the Cousland and Theirin families respectively.
A major facet of noble education appears to be history, as Aldous drills both the Human Noble and young squires in the household on family history. Reading and writing are naturally part of this education. A noble education does not necessarily make one a strong scholar however, as even King Maric is by his own admission a poor reader.[9] Martial training is also a component of the education of nobility, as nobles are expected by their commoners to defend them and their territories. It is unusual, but not unheard of, for noble daughters to be educated in the ways of war and battle.
Noble households may also boast libraries, as Castle Cousland does.
Noble education may also include such things as dance and song, as Leliana learned in Lady Cecilie's household.
There are also finishing schools in Val Royeaux where young ladies may pursue their education and study mathematics, rhetoric, poetry, history, logic, and etiquette.[10]
Tevinter[]
Mages[]
Unlike in southern nations, attendance at a Circle of Magi is not compulsory for the mages of the Imperium. On the contrary, Circles are prestigious academies of learning highly sought after by the children of magisters. Mages who do not attend the Circle can study magic from private tutors, at universities[11] or in expensive private schools such as the one run by the Order of Argent in Minrathous.[12] To become fully-ranked enchanters of a Circle of Magi, mages must receive sponsorship and pass certain tests.
Slaves[]
Slaves in the Tevinter Imperium are often illiterate.[13] However, some receive formal education and training for specific purposes such as working in libraries, accounting or scribing. Literacy is notable and reflects on a slave's price.[14][15]
To make up for this lack of instruction, Tevinter slaves develop their own pictograms as a way to warn other slaves of things such as a master's temperament and other practical uses related to their society. These symbols go largely unnoticed by their owners and have a local significance, thus the same image might mean different things to different groups.[16]
Dwarves[]
Dwarven education in Orzammar appears to be given to those with caste. Little is known of the nuances of dwarven education but it appears that at least part of it, amongst nobles, may be administered by members of the Shaperate.[17] Martial training appears to be a major element of noble and warrior education in Orzammar, with the best trainers being retained by noble households.
The Shaperate is arguably the largest repository of history and knowledge. Its resources are available to anyone, in order to pursue both personal[18] and professional research. Noble households may also serve as patrons for Shaperate scholars.[19]
All dwarves in Orzammar are groomed to inherit the skills of their Ancestors, so all foremost education is aimed at learning skills that are relevant to their caste.[20] Parents drill their children in the art of their trade, hoping that their children can attain excellence in their field and consequently renown.[21]
However the Shaperate is not the only source of scholarly work in Orzammar. A mining caste dwarf named Grundrak wrote a book named 'On Combustibles and Corrosives' which discusses the use of combustiles and corrosives for best effect and contains the formalae for both the Fire Bomb and Acid Flask. This book was written in the Trade tongue as he was certain that humans needed the advice most of all.[22]
Casteless dwarves[]
Amongst the casteless there is no formal education; indeed, most casteless dwarves appear to be functionally illiterate.[23] However, noble hunters are literate and highly educated in poetry and other skills in order to make them attractive to noble partners.
Qunari[]
Education amongst the Qunari is administered according to one's role in the rigid society of the Qun. Learning is a core philosophy of the Qunari way of life. In spite of it, many Qunari do not speak the common tongue of Thedas.[24] Amongst Qunari, the tamassrans are arguably the most educated, being fluent in many languages[25] in order to educate, or re-educate, converts to the Qun. Tamassrans raise the young, administer their general education, and evaluate them for placement in society.
Tamassrans raise all Qunari children to be literate so at a base level, all who were raised under the Qun know how to read.[26]
Dalish elves[]
Education among the Dalish appears to be in the main oral,[27] who instruct through the use of lore and storytelling. The Dalish retain their history through oral tradition as well as books in some cases.[28] A clan's First studies lore, magic and history in order to become a successful Keeper.[29] A Keeper is ostensibly a clan's leader and as such is viewed as wise and learned.
Dalish elves hold Arlathvhens in order to reconvene with other clans and to exchange their collected lore.
The Dalish believe it is their responsibility to relearn the old ways of their ancestors. However, their knowledge of the old elven culture is patchwork from what little they could salvage themselves; what knowledge of the old ways they do know has taken them lifetimes to achieve.
The Dalish have tried to preserve the ancient elven culture by remembering stories of their history. What techniques or philosophies their ancestors utilized that are still applicable in serving the needs of the clan are taught as trades for Dalish members. This has brought about specialized roles in Dalish clans that not only bears the responsibility of learning everything they can about their aspect of Dalish culture, but also serves to help sustain the clan in their new way of life. For example, a clan craftsmaster's duty is to learn what they can of the ancient elven arts of shaping wood and ore, while a hunter may learn ancient elven knowledge that protect and provide for the clan. Whatever their role, the Dalish use their talents and knowledge to address the needs of the clan.
The Dalish take on apprentices from the younger generation of their clan to pass on their knowledge and continue the legacy of their ancient arts. The apprentice appears to graduate their apprenticeship after passing a test of competence when their mentor and Keeper deems them ready. Graduation from apprenticeship also seems to be a rite of passage to adulthood in Dalish clans.[30]
Known scholars[]
- A. Pourri[31][32]
- Andvan Therastes[33]
- Sister Adalaide[34]
- Lord Ademar Garde-Haut[31][35][36][37]
- Mother Ailis[31]
- Lady Seeker Alandra Vael[31][38]
- Lady Alcyone[39][40]
- Brother Ansel of Hossberg[31][41]
- Brother Ashor Vell[31][42]
- Enchanter Ephineas Aserathan[31][43]
- Atronus of Antiva[44]
- Senior Enchanter Bader of Ostwick[45][46]
- Brother Bedine[31][47][48][49][50]
- Mother Bezoria[51]
- Bodaliere[52]
- Mother Clothilde[53]
- Sister Damson[31][54][55]
- Prelate Davidus[31]
- Sister Dorcas Guerrin[56]
- Sister Dulcinea[31][57]
- Elodie Ferrneau[31][58][59]
- Erwine Cavy[60]
- Brother Estomahr[61]
- Brother Ferdinand Genitivi[62]
- Lord Fleming[63]
- Brother Florian[64]
- Senior Enchanter Francois[31][65]
- Lord Francois Maigny[66]
- Marquise Freyette[31][67]
- Ferdinand Pentaghast[68]
- Professor Frederic of Serault[31][69]
- Gaston Gerrault[70]
- Lady Gihn[71]
- Magistrate Gilles de Sancriste[31]
- Gregorias Pepigit[72]
- Guillaume van der Haute[73]
- Brother Harlon Ascari[31][74][75]
- Sister Harriet[31]
- Baron Havard-Pierre d'Amortisan[39]
- First Enchanter Halden of Starkhaven[31][76]
- Hendrik of Cumberland[77]
- Henry Lannon[31][78][79][80]
- First Enchanter Heron[71]
- Brother Herren[81][82][83]
- Revered Mother Hevara[31][84][85]
- Sister Holda[86]
- Lord Horace Medford, "Adventurer"[31]
- Master Ilian Gravire[31][87]
- Botanist Ines Arancia[62]
- First Enchanter Irving[71]
- First Enchanter Josephus[88]
- Revered Mother Juliette[31][89]
- Revered Mother Laeticia[90][91]
- Sister Lilian Hatch[62]
- Senior Enchanter Lorace of Cumberland[92]
- First Enchanter Luidweg of Ansburg[31][93]
- Sister Manon[31][94]
- Senior Enchanter Mareno of the Minrathous Circle of Magi[95]
- Sister Marigold[31][96]
- Sister Mary[97]
- Maryden Halewell[31]
- Swordmaster Massache de Jean-Mien[56]
- Enchanter Mirdromel[31]
- Sister Oran Petrarchius[98]
- Paul Legrand[31]
- Brother Pekor[99]
- Senior Enchanter Percivale[31][100]
- Sister Petrine[62]
- Philliam, A Bard![101]
- Plume[31]
- Pol Ageire Phridee[102]
- Brother Ramos of Guilherme[103]
- Renatus of Ayesleigh[31][33]
- Lord Renaures[104]
- Enchanter Reva Claye[105]
- Lord Roderick Gutenschwantz[31]
- Lord Rodney Pierce[31][106]
- Enchanter Rodomonte van Heigl[107]
- Sister Rondwyn of Tantervale[31]
- Sister Rosette[31][108]
- Lady Simone Therese Germaine[31]
- Stephan d'Eroin[31][109][110][111]
- Bann Teoric[112]
- Sister Tessaria[31][113][114]
- Tilda Adere[115]
- Brother Timious[116]
- Ser Treus[71]
- Violette Armand[31][117]
- Brother Vincent[31][118]
- Senior Enchanter Vormann Quine of Cumberland[119]
- Warden Warren[31]
- Lord Werner Jauquin[120][121][122]
- First Enchanter Wenselus[123]
Disapproved/Banned by the Chantry[]
- Seer Agata[98]
- Brother Capria[116]
- Lord Cerastes of Marnas Pell[98]
- Father David of Qarinus[124]
- Esmar Treviento[125]
- Keeper Gisharel
- Laudine[126] (former Chantry Sister)
- Senior Enchanter Maleus (formerly of the Circle of Rivain)
- Magister Pendictus[98]
- The Randy Dowager[98]
- Hahren Sarethia
- Magister Vibius Agorian[98]
- Archon Vius[71]
- Senior Enchanter Wentworth Higgingbottom[98][127]
Notable repositories[]
- The Shaperate of Orzammar
- The library of Kinloch Hold
- Archive of the Crows in Antiva City
- The Grand Library of the Winter Palace, Orlais
- Vir Dirthara, the Shattered Library, accessible from The Crossroads
- The library of Weisshaupt Fortress in the Anderfels[128]
Known universities[]
- Royal University of Antiva[129]
- University of Ferelden (founded if Anora is the sole ruler)[130]
- University of Orlais[131]
- University of Markham[132]
- Unnamed universities in Tevinter
Trivia[]
- Zevran Arainai and other assassins of the Antivan Crows are notably literate,[133] and the Crows maintain their own scholarship in their archive.
- Fenris is illiterate as a consequence of his enslavement.[134]
- Elan Ve'mal mentions there being a specific college for herbalists.