How do you interpretate title "Masked Empire"? I interpretate it like a country ruled by nobles with dirty or scandalous secrets. We saw how amoral Orlesian nobles were in the novel. Everyone wears a masks, what means everyone tries to look better in eyes of others than they really are. Liselle said that chevaliers misuse their authority to rape commoners, many also have elven slaves to rape or simply to serve with no payment, the nobles have enough money to eliminate inconvinient witnesses and bribe local police to remain unpunished to the very end. Orlesian nobles constantly plot against each other like in ancient Rome. Conspiracy is common among nobles as breathing in each nation - Orzammar, Tevinter, Antiva, Ferelden, but that's another example of shame to hide. Absurdal fashion is just another way to cover ugliness of politics. I don't buy that the empire is masked because of the masked balls and fancy costumes. I think the real masks are PRs to cover dark secrets. What do you think?FirstDrellSpectre (talk) 16:01, May 2, 2014 (UTC)
I'll be honest, it didn't do much to change my impression of Orlais as a country full of utter twonks. The Game sounded utterly stupid the first time Leliana described it, what we could infer from Orlesian politics in DA2 didn't change my opinion on that, and actually reading it in practice in TMA is one of the few things that ever made me want to fling a novel across the room. I can't believe I find myself agreeing with a mass-murdering hypocrite like Celene, but Orlais could really use an invasion. The Game is utterly silly, pointless, and is a great example of what happens when people with too much money and an allergy to physical labour decide to make acting like catty teenage girls the cornerstone of their society. They play childish little games of saving face while Thedas burns.
But to quit my ranting and answer your question, I think the masks started out as a frivolity. But over time as they became not just commonplace but a standard, the disinhibition that comes from wearing a mask became the dominant force in their politics. Politics is all about faces, looking the other side in the eye. Look how much importance we place on leaders meeting face to face, even when technology allows an easier alternative. But in Orlais, they don't have to look each other in the eye, or even themselves in the mirror. This is how their empire has become so corrupt, by allowing all the worst things that come from hiding behind a mask to run it. That's how I interpret "masked empire" - a country that doesn't face itself, run by people who don't face themselves. Raidenshred (talk) 16:42, May 2, 2014 (UTC)
- Most of people hide their flaws, because they are ashamed, it's natural. If people can't face themselves and see their flaws, then they are arrogant.FirstDrellSpectre (talk) 05:30, May 5, 2014 (UTC)
i liked Celene and wanted her to have her way she wants to prevent a war and Gaspard just wants to have wars everywhere. But this book just confirmed to be how much im going to hate dealing with orleasians. And personally im scared of meeting Briala shes not trustworthy but she has the eluvians urgh orleasians Faye_Cousland (talk) 20:59, May 02, 2014 (UTC)
- Do you expect she'll betray even the elven Inquisitor? I am afraid that her mind can be corrupted by power of eluvian, but not by the taint or demonic possession, but deformantion of brain caused by magical radiation leading to insanity. She can also be simply blinded by her new power and misuse it.FirstDrellSpectre (talk) 20:16, May 2, 2014 (UTC)
- I don't think Briala would betray the inquisitor unprovoked, not yet at least, if anything Briala would probably be trying to maximize the effectiveness of the eluvians, not go power crazy--Jcama (talk) 07:23, May 3, 2014 (UTC)
- the inquisitor is dalish so yeah i expect betrayalFaye_Cousland (talk) 14:00, May 03, 2014 (UTC)
- She was betrayed already in the novel many times, it's hard to expect her to trust anyone.FirstDrellSpectre (talk) 21:14, May 3, 2014 (UTC)
- the inquisitor is dalish so yeah i expect betrayalFaye_Cousland (talk) 14:00, May 03, 2014 (UTC)
I hate everything Orleasian and it's why Loghain Mac Tir is my second favorite character of the series and why he always lives in my games. And if I can help Morrigan steal Celine's soul and burn her empire to the ground and then salt it afterwards I will. A little off topic, but if there's a place to get this off my chest this would be it. -- Soulofshezarr (talk) 18:21, May 5, 2014 (UTC)