House Valisti is a family of merchant princes operating out of Treviso and affiliated with the Antivan Crows.
Background[]
The Valisti dynasty was founded by Princess Liviana, a member of the Antivan monarchy who joined the Antivan Crows and eventually rose to the rank of First Talon. She then married into the then-floundering Avastana merchant house and turned their fortunes around.
In 9:28, Prince Claudio Valisti arranged for the assassination of Rinnala, one of Prince Estefan's bastards who was being put forward as a legitimate heir to King Natale by the Rosso Noche cult, so that House Valisti could press a claim for one of their own instead. Although she was an assassin of House Arainai at the time, Master Eoman Arainai agreed to have her assassinated in exchange for the rank of Eighth Talon.[note][1]
By 9:34 Dragon, when Claudio took over as head of the family following his father's death, House Valisti had fallen to the rank of Eighth Talon due to mismanagement, and threatened to fall even lower into the rank of the minor cuchillos. Claudio quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Third Talon.[2]
Involvement[]
Dragon Age: The Silent Grove[]
Claudio ambushes King Alistair of Ferelden, Isabela and Varric Tethras after they break into the Archive of the Crows and unwittingly set off the alarm. Before he attacks, he realizes who Alistair is, as Claudio was the one who told him that there was evidence that King Maric had been captured by the Crows. Alistair says that he had to know the information was correct. Claudio asks whether Alistair is convinced now and mentions a Crow-run prison called Velabanchel. Alistair responds positively. Claudio lets Alistair and his companions go, but warns that he can't aid Alistair further.
When King Alistair and his companions enter the Tellari swamps, Claudio ambushes them once again. He explains that he is not on Crow business this time, but that his true master–later revealed to be the Tevinter Magister Aurelian Titus–wants Alistair. Alistair surrenders on the condition that Varric and Isabela are free and Claudio accepts. However, the two rogues later return to storm the camp and rescue Alistair. Isabela engages in a duel with Claudio, and the two argue about her late husband, Luis, one of Claudio's business partners. Isabela kills him in the duel.
Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights[]
Eight Little Talons
Lera Valisti is invited to Caterina Dellamorte's meeting on the Verdant Isle to discuss ways to combat the looming Qunari invasion. However, Lera is murdered by Emil Kortez, who has agreed to kill the other seven Talons for the Qunari in exchange for the promise of a peaceful invasion.
Known members[]
Prince Claudio Valisti
- Prince Claudio Valisti – head of House Valisti from 9:34 Dragon until his death in 9:38[note]; Third Talon
- Orlanda Valisti – Claudio's sister; was expected to succeed him as head of the family
- Ezio Valisti – Third Talon in 9:41[3]
- Lera Valisti – Third Talon around 9:44
Notes[]
- Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2 states that Claudio Valisti took over in 9:34 Dragon and quickly rose from Eighth to Sixth Talon,[2] but later implies that Claudio was already Third Talon by 9:28.[1]
- World of Thedas Vol. 2 states that Claudio was killed in 9:40 Dragon while Dragon Age: The Silent Grove places his death in 9:38 Dragon.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1
Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 95
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 45
- ↑ According to the guest announcements in the quest Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts in Dragon Age: Inquisition.