Ferelden is a kingdom located in the southeast area of Thedas. It is a dark and foreboding place, where death and violence lurks in every shadow. A troubled world, where even the brightest light can often find itself extinguished by the ever encroaching darkness.
The mighty walls of Ostagar are beginning to crumble against the onslaught of an ancient threat. The darkspawn have returned again to bring their taint to the land, and this time their ancient adversaries, the Grey Wardens, have been left neglected by a complacent world that felt they no longer needed them. The fate of the world hangs in the balance, as these mighty warriors again take their place on the front lines against the Blight. But powerful as they are, their numbers have dwindled, and the time is near that a champion needs to step forward from their ranks and lead them to victory. But will the success of this Grey Warden ensure a new, brighter future for Ferelden, or be the first bloody step into a more perilous future?
Ferelden was conquered by Orlais a century ago, when King Darlan ruled, but was freed through the efforts of King Maric Theirin, Darlan's grandchild. Maric's son, King Cailan Theirin, is the current ruler.
Geography
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Ferelden has two coasts. It is bordered on the north by the Waking Sea and on the east by the Amaranthine Ocean.
To the west are Lake Calenhad, Redcliffe, mountain passes, and the dwarven kingdom Orzammar at the northwest edge within the Frostback Mountains. Beyond the mountains is the Orlesian Empire.
In the northern center is the Bannorn, a large area of fertile land where the banns compete for the right to rule.
Highever sits on Ferelden's northern coast.
To the northeast is the capital Denerim.
The eastern part is dominated by the Brecilian Forest, with the coastal city Gwaren to the far southeast, connected by the Brecilian Passage.
To the south are the Korcari Wilds. The areas beyond the Wilds are uncharted.
The climate of Ferelden appears to be temperate, and Ferelden along with Thedas itself is located in the southern hemisphere.
Trivia
- Ferelden is loosely based on the real-world medieval England. Human characters from Ferelden speak with a distinctive English accent. More specifically, Ferelden seems to be based on the culture of the Anglo-Saxons, with some Norse influence as well -- essentially what England would have been like if the Saxons had repelled their Norman conquerors in around AD 1200, like Ferelden ousted Orlais.
- According to Sten and Marjolaine, "Ferelden smells like wet dog."
- Like most of medieval Europe, Ferelden is split into fiefdoms with lords known as arls (earls), and minor nobles known as banns (barons).
- Ferelden's people are described as being a surly, spirited lot that are a single bad day away from reverting to the barbaric ways of their forbearers.
- Ferelden's clothing focus on necessity rather than appearance - such as the majority of foot wear in Ferelden being rather sturdy, tough and ugly boots.