Kordillus Drakon I

Emperor Kordillus Drakon I
Title	Emperor of Orlais
Race	Human
Gender	Male
Location	Orlais
Family	Empress Area (wife) Kordillus II (son)
Appearances	Historical

Emperor Kordillus Drakon I was the founder and first emperor of the Orlesian Empire. Drakon was a fervent believer in the Maker and often claimed that the god had personally charged him with spreading the Chant of Light. He was instrumental in turning the cult of the Maker (which had no central leadership at the time) into the Chantry. Because of his actions, he was declared "Anointed" by the Chantry and is revered as much as Andraste by many of its members. Drakon was also a brilliant general, leading the newly founded empire to rapid expansion.

Rule

In the year -15 Ancient, the young and ambitious king of the city-state of Orlais began construction of a great temple dedicated to the Maker, declaring that by its completion he would have brought Andrastian belief to the world. He then successfully led a series of attacks in the Heartlands aimed at uniting the warring city-states of the south.

The temple was completed in -3 Ancient and Drakon was crowned emperor. His first act as emperor was to declare the Chantry as the established religion of the Empire. He created the holy office of the Divine, and after protracted elections Olessa of Montsimmard was proclaimed the first Divine three years later, taking the name Justinia. The event marked the beginning of the Chantry calendar at 1:1 Divine.

Drakon believed that the Grand Game was tearing the nation apart, so he abolished all titles besides emperor, empress, lord and lady.

When the Second Blight began in 1:5 in Anderfels, Drakon enlisted the help of the mages, permitting them to use their full power against the darkspawn. They proved themselves to be effective allies in battle, and Orlesian army under Drakon's command won a series of significant victories against the horde including the hard-fought Battle of Cumberland in 1:16. In 1:20 he played a role in the signing of the Nevarran Accord between the Chantry and the Inquisition that established the Seekers of Truth, Circle of Magi and Templar Order.

A city of Montsimmard was nearly destroyed in 1:25, but overall the campaign was successful. In 1:33 Orlesian armies marched north to the Grey Warden fortress of Weisshaupt, relieving it from the siege. The Wardens were so impressed with Drakon that they converted to the Chantry. The united forces moved north to salvage what was left of Anderfels, leading to its conversion to the Chantry and annexation by the Orlesian Empire later that year.

Drakon died of old age in 1:45 Divine and was succeeded by his son Kordillus II.

Marriage

Empress Area was the third of Lord Montlaures of Val Chevin's famously unmarriageable six daughters. When she met young Prince Kordillus, she was the captain of her father's archers and led the defense of Laures Castle. According to the legend, she was not the fairest, nor the most elegant or charming, but when the prince – who was no charmer himself – witnessed Area shooting the wings off a bumblebee at one hundred paces, he was instantly smitten.

It is said that on their wedding day, Drakon presented his bride with a golden bow crafted by the mages of Val Royeaux, so that they could ride into battle and spread the Light of the Maker together.

Trivia

• Kordillus is incorrectly spelled Kordilius in the codex.
• Drakon is probably at least partly inspired by the Emperor Charlemagne, who conquered most of western Europe in the late 700s AD. Charlemagne is remembered for reuniting Europe for the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire, for Christianizing much of pagan Europe, and for empowering the Catholic Church. These events are paralleled in Drakon's military leadership, organizing of the Chantry, raising Orlais to a power status equal to Tevinter (as Charlemagne's kingdom rivaled Byzantium), and incorporating the Anderfels (analogous to Saxon Germany).