House Chalons is one of Orlais' most powerful noble houses.
History[]
House Chalons has been one of the most prominent noble families of Orlais, especially since the marriage of Duke Theodore de Chalons with Princess Melisande Valmont, the only daughter of Emperor Judicael I, sometime in the Blessed Age. They had two children, Gaspard and Florianne, born in 8:74 and 8:87 Blessed respectively. Following the Hundred Days Cough of 8:77 which took the lives of Crown Prince Etienne III, Prince Leopold and Princess Evangeline, Grand Duke Gaspard became the eldest surviving grandchild of Judicael I and as such was raised to believe he would become Emperor. Gaspard married Calienne de Ghislain, daughter of Duke Bastien of the Council of Heralds. However, when Emperor Florian died in 9:19 Dragon without naming his successor, Celene outmaneuvered him and was named Empress by the Council of Heralds. Gaspard partly blames his lack of the Valmont name as a reason for Celene's victory over him.[1]
After Celene's ascension to the throne, Gaspard remained an influential figure in Orlais. One of the highest ranking nobles to ever become a chevalier, he also won the admiration and respect of his soldiers throughout his distinguished military career.[2] Gaspard also led the effort which successfully repelled a Nevarran invasion of Orlais, even besting the Nevarran commander in single combat despite Celene's attempts to undermine him.
Florianne kept her suite in the palace and gained a respected but unsubstantial place in Celene's cabinet of advisors. She developed a reputation as the least important member of the royal family.[3]
Involvement[]
In 9:41 Dragon, Grand Duchess Florianne calls for peace talks to be held in Halamshiral in the hopes of putting an end to the deadly civil war. Celene and Gaspard both attend the talks. Duke Germain de Chalons, Gaspard and Florianne's uncle as well as a member of the Council of Heralds, is present as well. The Inquisitor has the opportunity to speak to all three.
During the peace talks, the Inquisitor discovers that Florianne is actually an agent of Corypheus, who's promised to make her ruler of all Thedas in exchange for her help. In the end, the Inquisitor can handle the situation in several different ways, with varying consequences for House Chalons: Florianne, after being exposed as a traitor, can be killed or spared; Gaspard can become Emperor (either on his own or with Briala behind the scenes), be executed by Celene, exiled from Orlais, or made to work with her again. If Gaspard is named Emperor, he retains the title of Grand Duke of Chalons in addition to this new title.[4]
If the Inquisitor asks the Dowager Mantillon for a dance during the ball, they can take part in a series of war table missions to acquire the Ylenn Basin. During Dance with the Dowager: The Courante, Duke Germain is one of the council heralds the Inquisitor can appeal to.
Known Chalons[]
- Duke Theodore de Chalons – father of Gaspard and Florianne; husband to Princess Melisande Valmont; it is said that he was not an affectionate man, and cared only for rich food, strong drink, and gambling on horse races [3]
- Duke Germain de Chalons – member of the Council of Heralds
- Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons – renowned chevalier and rival to Empress Celene I's throne; Emperor of Orlais (9:41) (conditional) [5]
- Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons of Lydes – younger sister of Gaspard; deceased or an agent for the Inquisition (9:41) (conditional) [5]
- Comte Brevin de Chalons – he is Ser Michel de Chevin's patron and sponsored his candidacy to the Academie des Chevaliers [6]
Family tree[]
| Duke Theodore de Chalons | Princess Melisande Valmont | Duke Germain de Chalons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lady Calienne de Ghislain | Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons | Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Codex entries[]
Notes[]
- Codex entry: Grand Duke Gaspard de Chalons refers to a Duke Gratien who is uncle to Gaspard. It is unclear at this time as to what his position in the family is.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Dialogue with Gaspard during Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.
- ↑
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 278
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 280
- ↑ Note: Dedication
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Based on the events of Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.
- ↑ Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, Chapter 4
