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|name = [[Meredith Stannard]] |
|name = [[Meredith Stannard]] |
||
|image = Meridith.png |
|image = Meridith.png |
||
| − | |px = |
+ | |px = 270x360px |
| ⚫ | |||
|gender = Female |
|gender = Female |
||
| ⚫ | |||
|race = [[Human]] |
|race = [[Human]] |
||
|class = [[Warrior (Dragon Age II)|Warrior]] |
|class = [[Warrior (Dragon Age II)|Warrior]] |
||
|specialization = [[Templar (Dragon Age II)|Templar]] |
|specialization = [[Templar (Dragon Age II)|Templar]] |
||
| − | |rank = |
+ | |rank = |
| ⚫ | |||
|family = Amelia Stannard <small>(sister)</small> |
|family = Amelia Stannard <small>(sister)</small> |
||
| + | |affiliation = [[Templar Order]] |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |quests = [[Demands of the Qun]] <br> [[Showdown]] <br> [[On The Loose]] <br> [[Best Served Cold]] <br> [[The Last Straw]] |
||
|voice = [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0319638/ Jean Gilpin] |
|voice = [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0319638/ Jean Gilpin] |
||
|appearances = [[Dragon Age II]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]] |
|appearances = [[Dragon Age II]] <br> [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]] <small>(mentioned)</small> <br> [[Heroes of Dragon Age]] |
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| Line 21: | Line 23: | ||
== Background == |
== Background == |
||
| − | An orphaned native of Kirkwall, Meredith rose in the ranks of the Templar Order and became an accomplished warrior. She became Knight-Captain in 9:14. She proposed several changes to the administration of |
+ | An orphaned native of Kirkwall, Meredith rose in the ranks of the Templar Order and became an accomplished warrior. She became Knight-Captain in 9:14. She proposed several changes to the administration of [[the Gallows]] that resulted in greater efficiency and a more orderly schedule for the mages. Many of her fellow templars believed she had a hundred times the charisma of Knight-Commander Guylian and believed that she was the one who was the real leader of the templars despite her junior rank.<ref>{{Cite wot2|192-193}}</ref> |
| − | By 9:20 |
+ | By 9:20 [[Dragon Age (time period)|Dragon]] the templars were the largest armed force in Kirkwall and could have challenged even the viscount for power. Knight-Commander Guylian would have preferred to stay neutral, but [[Divine]] [[Beatrix III]] pressured him to force Viscount [[Perrin Threnhold]] to re-open the Waking Sea passage to allow Orlesian ships through. As a result, in 9:21 the viscount attempted to oust the Templars from the city: he hired mercenaries to storm the Gallows and had the Knight-Commander hanged. In retaliation, Meredith and a group of her best templars marched on the [[Viscount's Keep]] determined to exact justice. The captain of the city guard quailed before the templars and to prove his own innocence, asserted that the viscount had acted unlawfully and had him arrested. Threnhold was thrown in his own dungeons, his lands and title stripped from him. [[Elthina|Grand Cleric Elthina]] promoted her to leader of the Order, which she has governed with an iron fist. Viscount [[Marlowe Dumar]] was chosen at Meredith's strong suggestion. At his coronation, she gave him a carved ivory box containing Threnhold's bloody and broken signet ring with the words "His fate need not be yours" on the lid.<ref>{{Cite wot2|184}}</ref> Dumar has never openly or strongly defied the templars since. |
| + | {{SpoilerDA2| |
||
| − | + | When Meredith was younger, her older sister Amelia developed magical talents but her family decided to shield her from the Chantry, knowing that she couldn't survive in the [[Circle of Magi|Circle]] or face their rigorous tests. The Stannards didn't have the knowledge or the skill to train Amelia as a mage, and the strange things that happened around the girl eventually brought their neighbors to call the templars. When Amelia saw the templars coming for her she was so scared that she made a deal with a [[demon]] and turned into an [[abomination]], killing everyone in her family save for Meredith. The Templars eventually slew her sister, but not before the abomination had killed 70 more people. This experience led to Meredith's harsh view on magic, and why she thinks mages must be treated as people with a curse. |
|
| − | When the templar captain, Ser Wentworth Knell, returned to explain what had happened Meredith told him she wanted to go with him to become a templar. He took her to the |
+ | When the templar captain, Ser Wentworth Knell, returned to explain what had happened Meredith told him she wanted to go with him to become a templar. He took her to the Gallows, where Meredith was dedicated to the Chantry and became an initiate. He became her mentor and guardian, she would act as his page when not at lessons in the chantry. In 9:14, when Ser Wentworth's failing health made it impossible for him to fulfill his duties as Knight-Captain in he named Meredith as his successor and gave her his prized [[Certainty|greatsword]]. He also said she was the daughter he never deserved. Over the next two years until he died, Meredith would visit him whenever she could even when he could no longer remember who she was.<ref>{{Cite wot2|190-192}}</ref> |
}} |
}} |
||
== Involvement == |
== Involvement == |
||
{{SpoilerDA2| |
{{SpoilerDA2| |
||
| − | Meredith initially prevents most [[Ferelden]] refugees from entering Kirkwall, including the [[Hawke]] family and [[Aveline Vallen]], forcing the refugees to prove they have legitimate business in the city by screening them at |
+ | Meredith initially prevents most [[Ferelden|Fereldan]] refugees from entering Kirkwall, including the [[Hawke]] family and [[Aveline Vallen]], forcing the refugees to prove they have legitimate business in the city by screening them at [[the Gallows]]. |
Meredith is first seen in person passing through [[Hightown]], before Hawke's first conversation with [[Bartrand Tethras]]. |
Meredith is first seen in person passing through [[Hightown]], before Hawke's first conversation with [[Bartrand Tethras]]. |
||
| − | Meredith keeps a constant watch over the [[mage]]s of the [[Circle of Magi|Circle]], and strictly enforces the use of harsh measures to neutralize [[Apostate]] mages. Her reign over the mages has been considered by some as draconian and she would often employ the [[Tranquil|Rite of Tranquility]] as punishment for petty offenses, whether [[Harrowing|Harrowed]] or not.<ref>[[Cullen]] explains [[Maddox]] and Meredith's liberal use of the Rite of Tranquility in [[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]</ref> Nevertheless, she denies Ser [[Otto Alrik|Alrik]] the use of his "Tranquil Solution" plan to turn all mages in Kirkwall into [[Tranquil]]. She is also the real political power in Kirkwall, as the current viscount fears to go against her wishes. Meredith is willing to neutralize anyone in order to root out corruption among the mages. She views the very existence of magic and mages as a threat to the general populace and thus sincerely believes her unremitting vigilance and harsh measures are necessary for the safety of all. |
+ | Meredith keeps a constant watch over the [[mage]]s of the [[Circle of Magi|Circle]], and strictly enforces the use of harsh measures to neutralize [[Apostate]] mages. Her reign over the mages has been considered by some as draconian and she would often employ the [[Tranquil|Rite of Tranquility]] as punishment for petty offenses, whether [[Harrowing|Harrowed]] or not.<ref>[[Cullen]] explains [[Maddox]] and Meredith's liberal use of the Rite of Tranquility in ''[[Dragon Age: Inquisition]]''</ref> Nevertheless, she denies Ser [[Otto Alrik|Alrik]] the use of his "Tranquil Solution" plan to turn all mages in Kirkwall into [[Tranquil]]. She is also the real political power in Kirkwall, as the current viscount fears to go against her wishes. Meredith is willing to neutralize anyone in order to root out corruption among the mages. She views the very existence of magic and mages as a threat to the general populace and thus sincerely believes her unremitting vigilance and harsh measures are necessary for the safety of all. |
During the [[Qunari]] invasion of Kirkwall, Meredith saves Hawke and their companions from a [[Saarebas]]. Soon after, Meredith joins forces with both Hawke and First Enchanter [[Orsino]] in an attempt to retake the Viscount's Keep. If Hawke agrees with Meredith and launches a frontal assault on the Qunari outside the Keep's entrance, Meredith and several Templars will fight alongside Hawke personally. Once Hawke deals with the [[Arishok]], Meredith appoints Hawke Champion of Kirkwall. She does so reluctantly, however, as Hawke's new influence in the city poses a potential threat and she initially views the foreign Hawke with disdain. |
During the [[Qunari]] invasion of Kirkwall, Meredith saves Hawke and their companions from a [[Saarebas]]. Soon after, Meredith joins forces with both Hawke and First Enchanter [[Orsino]] in an attempt to retake the Viscount's Keep. If Hawke agrees with Meredith and launches a frontal assault on the Qunari outside the Keep's entrance, Meredith and several Templars will fight alongside Hawke personally. Once Hawke deals with the [[Arishok]], Meredith appoints Hawke Champion of Kirkwall. She does so reluctantly, however, as Hawke's new influence in the city poses a potential threat and she initially views the foreign Hawke with disdain. |
||
[[File:lyriumsword.png|thumb|150px|right|Meredith in the Gallows with her lyrium sword]] |
[[File:lyriumsword.png|thumb|150px|right|Meredith in the Gallows with her lyrium sword]] |
||
| − | |||
At some point after Hawke accompanied [[Bartrand Tethras|Bartrand]] and [[Varric Tethras|Varric]] into the [[Primeval Thaig]] in the [[Deep Roads]], Meredith was able to obtain the [[Lyrium Idol|lyrium idol]] which they had discovered. She had this reforged into a [[Certainty|sword]] for herself. However, the side effects of the [[Red lyrium|lyrium]] it was composed of caused her to go insane, just like Bartrand. This exacerbated her paranoia and prejudices against mages, and tensions between herself and First Enchanter Orsino rose over the three years following the death of Viscount [[Marlowe Dumar]]. She had Kirkwall placed under martial law and blocked every attempt to replace Dumar. According to [[Karras|Ser Karras]], she went as far as to request the [[Right of Annulment]] from the [[Divine Justinia V|Divine]] in Val Royeaux in advance. |
At some point after Hawke accompanied [[Bartrand Tethras|Bartrand]] and [[Varric Tethras|Varric]] into the [[Primeval Thaig]] in the [[Deep Roads]], Meredith was able to obtain the [[Lyrium Idol|lyrium idol]] which they had discovered. She had this reforged into a [[Certainty|sword]] for herself. However, the side effects of the [[Red lyrium|lyrium]] it was composed of caused her to go insane, just like Bartrand. This exacerbated her paranoia and prejudices against mages, and tensions between herself and First Enchanter Orsino rose over the three years following the death of Viscount [[Marlowe Dumar]]. She had Kirkwall placed under martial law and blocked every attempt to replace Dumar. According to [[Karras|Ser Karras]], she went as far as to request the [[Right of Annulment]] from the [[Divine Justinia V|Divine]] in Val Royeaux in advance. |
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| Line 46: | Line 48: | ||
[[File:Promotional_Meredith.jpg|thumb|150px|Promotional image of "Red Lyrium Meredith" in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]'']] |
[[File:Promotional_Meredith.jpg|thumb|150px|Promotional image of "Red Lyrium Meredith" in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]'']] |
||
| − | |||
Meredith and Orsino meet again in the [[Gallows Courtyard]]. In a last ditch effort to save the Kirkwall Circle from annihilation, Orsino offers Meredith complete compliance to her wishes if she would only revoke the Right of Annulment. Meredith however, rationalized that the people of Kirkwall would demand retribution and she was determined to give it to them. |
Meredith and Orsino meet again in the [[Gallows Courtyard]]. In a last ditch effort to save the Kirkwall Circle from annihilation, Orsino offers Meredith complete compliance to her wishes if she would only revoke the Right of Annulment. Meredith however, rationalized that the people of Kirkwall would demand retribution and she was determined to give it to them. |
||
| − | If Hawke agrees to aid the Templars, Meredith will rally the Order and Hawke's party in the [[Gallows Courtyard]] to lay siege to the [[Gallows]] and wipe out Orsino and the mages. Once [[Hawke]] and their companions breach the defenses, Meredith will fight with them against Orsino. If [[Bethany Hawke|Bethany]] joined the Circle, Meredith will agree to spare her if Hawke insists. |
+ | If Hawke agrees to aid the Templars, Meredith will rally the Order and Hawke's party in the [[Gallows Courtyard]] to lay siege to the [[Gallows]] and wipe out Orsino and the mages. Once [[Hawke]] and their companions breach the defenses, Meredith will fight with them against Orsino. If [[Bethany Hawke|Bethany]] joined the Circle, Meredith will agree to spare her if Hawke insists. Meredith is more adamant that the other Circle mages who willingly surrender to the templars are executed. She argues that the Circle is irredeemable and that even if one blood mage survives the Annulment, it would pose a great threat to others. Knight-Captain [[Cullen Rutherford|Cullen]] will ignore her and orders the other templars to listen to Hawke if the Champion urges the templars to spare them. |
| − | Regardless of whether Hawke sides with the Circle or Templars, Meredith will turn on Hawke, accusing the Champion of plotting against her during the whole ordeal and orders the Champion to be executed. Her second-in-command, Knight-Captain |
+ | Regardless of whether Hawke sides with the Circle or Templars, Meredith will turn on Hawke, accusing the Champion of plotting against her during the whole ordeal and orders the Champion to be executed. Her second-in-command, Knight-Captain Cullen, who was previously mostly supportive of her harsh measures, sees her insanity has taken her completely and orders her to step down. |
[[File:Meredith petrified.png|thumb|150px|right|Meredith, petrified in [[Red lyrium]] when her sword disintegrates]] |
[[File:Meredith petrified.png|thumb|150px|right|Meredith, petrified in [[Red lyrium]] when her sword disintegrates]] |
||
| − | |||
This pushes Meredith over the edge and she accuses all of her Templars of being [[Blood magic|Blood Mage]] thralls. She then reveals the sword made of the lyrium idol found during the Champion's earlier trip to the Deep Roads. The sword grants her superhuman abilities and the capability of animating statues; nevertheless, the Champion and their companions are able to defeat her. In the midst of the battle, Meredith momentarily begins to question if what she was doing was right but her doubts are quickly washed away. As she refuses to admit defeat, her sword shatters and Meredith is petrified in lyrium. |
This pushes Meredith over the edge and she accuses all of her Templars of being [[Blood magic|Blood Mage]] thralls. She then reveals the sword made of the lyrium idol found during the Champion's earlier trip to the Deep Roads. The sword grants her superhuman abilities and the capability of animating statues; nevertheless, the Champion and their companions are able to defeat her. In the midst of the battle, Meredith momentarily begins to question if what she was doing was right but her doubts are quickly washed away. As she refuses to admit defeat, her sword shatters and Meredith is petrified in lyrium. |
||
Ironically, Meredith's attempts to enclose the mages became the catalyst for the rebellion of the other Circles in Thedas: seeing that the Templar Order could be defied and would even use the actions of an unaffiliated apostate to justify the annulment of an entire Circle, inspired mages everywhere to rebel. [[Cassandra Pentaghast|Cassandra]] comments that it was the Knight-Commander's actions which provoked the war, though Varric argues it could be said to be Meredith, the idol or Anders. |
Ironically, Meredith's attempts to enclose the mages became the catalyst for the rebellion of the other Circles in Thedas: seeing that the Templar Order could be defied and would even use the actions of an unaffiliated apostate to justify the annulment of an entire Circle, inspired mages everywhere to rebel. [[Cassandra Pentaghast|Cassandra]] comments that it was the Knight-Commander's actions which provoked the war, though Varric argues it could be said to be Meredith, the idol or Anders. |
||
| ⚫ | |||
}} |
}} |
||
| + | {{SpoilerDAI| |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | [[File:meredith_statue.jpg|thumb|150px|Petrified Knight-Commander in the Black Emporium]] |
+ | [[File:meredith_statue.jpg|thumb|150px|Petrified Knight-Commander in the Black Emporium]] |
| ⚫ | Years after the Kirkwall incident Meredith's corpse is said to still be at the Gallows<ref>[[Varric Tethras/Dialogue (Inquisition)#Varric and Blackwall]] inferred from Varric's dialogue</ref>. Because it's still contaminated with [[red lyrium]], no one wants to go near it<ref>[[Aiding Kirkwall#Results]] corroboration with the above reference</ref>. This reticence has seemingly allowed Meredith's petrified remains to be moved to a shelf in the [[Black Emporium]]<ref>as seen on a shelf in the [[Downloadable content (Inquisition)|The Black Emporium (Inquisition DLC)]]</ref>. |
||
| + | |||
| + | The fragments of Meredith's [[Red lyrium]] greatsword, [[Certainty]] were recovered, the blade reforged and taken by [[Samson]] as his personal weapon. |
||
| − | {{CodexConditionalParagraph|If the Inquisition recruits the |
+ | {{CodexConditionalParagraph|If the [[Inquisition]] recruits the mages|Later the blade passed into the hands of [[the Inquisitor]] and the re-established Inquisition.}} |
| − | Later the blade passed into the hand of the [[Inquisitor]] and the re-established [[Inquisition]]. |
||
}} |
}} |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | {{SpoilerDAIT| |
||
| − | {{SpoilerDAIT|As of the time of the anthology ''[[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]'', and the short story ''The Dread Wolf Take You'' by [[Patrick Weekes]], the [[Lyrium Idol]] hidden within her transfigured corpse has been acquired by [[Solas]] to further his plans. |
||
| ⚫ | The [[Kirkwall City Guard]] celebrated getting Meredith's body out of the Gallows by an impromptu parade. Several Lowtown residents composed a song on the spot with lyrics to the effect of "Thank the Maker the crazy cursed Templar is gone," which was remarkably catchy.<ref>[[Codex entry: Varric and the Last Few Years]]</ref> |
||
| + | }} |
||
| + | |||
| + | {{SpoilerTN| |
||
| + | Solas claims to have acquired the [[Lyrium Idol]] hidden within her transfigured corpse to further his plans.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights]]'', The Dread Wolf Take You</ref> |
||
}} |
}} |
||
== Quests == |
== Quests == |
||
'''Act 2''' |
'''Act 2''' |
||
| − | {{:Demands of the Qun|style=iconmini2 |
+ | :{{:Demands of the Qun|style=iconmini2}} |
| + | |||
'''Act 3''' |
'''Act 3''' |
||
| − | {{:Showdown|style=iconmini2 |
+ | :{{:Showdown|style=iconmini2}} |
| − | {{:On The Loose|style=iconmini2 |
+ | :{{:On The Loose|style=iconmini2}} |
| − | {{:Best Served Cold|style=iconmini2 |
+ | :{{:Best Served Cold|style=iconmini2}} |
| − | {{:The Last Straw|style=iconmini2 |
+ | :{{:The Last Straw|style=iconmini2}} |
== Quotes == |
== Quotes == |
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| Line 89: | Line 95: | ||
* (While grabbing romanced Hawke's companion) "How does it feel, Champion, to know I hold the life of one you love in my hands?" |
* (While grabbing romanced Hawke's companion) "How does it feel, Champion, to know I hold the life of one you love in my hands?" |
||
* "I tried to have sympathy! Maker knows, I've tried! But how can we allow them freedom when so many would use it to commit atrocities? They control minds, they become abominations, they began the Blight itself! And now [[Elthina]]. Oh, poor Elthina. I will avenge you, dear friend!" |
* "I tried to have sympathy! Maker knows, I've tried! But how can we allow them freedom when so many would use it to commit atrocities? They control minds, they become abominations, they began the Blight itself! And now [[Elthina]]. Oh, poor Elthina. I will avenge you, dear friend!" |
||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Note texts == |
||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| + | :{{:Letter: The Last Straw|style=iconmini}} |
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== Trivia == |
== Trivia == |
||
* [[David Gaider]] wrote Meredith for ''Dragon Age II''.<ref>Gaider, David. [http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/5747196/8#5748374 "Meredith Knight-Commander of the Templar's: Appreciation thread. "]. BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-01-17.</ref> |
* [[David Gaider]] wrote Meredith for ''Dragon Age II''.<ref>Gaider, David. [http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/141/index/5747196/8#5748374 "Meredith Knight-Commander of the Templar's: Appreciation thread. "]. BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-01-17.</ref> |
||
| − | * Meeting her is required for the "Friends in High Places" achievement, along with Viscount [[Marlowe Dumar]], First Enchanter [[Orsino]], and |
+ | * Meeting her is required for the "Friends in High Places" achievement, along with Viscount [[Marlowe Dumar]], First Enchanter [[Orsino]], and Grand Cleric [[Elthina]]. |
* Meredith is one of the figures on the starting screen of the game, along with First Enchanter Orsino. |
* Meredith is one of the figures on the starting screen of the game, along with First Enchanter Orsino. |
||
== Gallery == |
== Gallery == |
||
| − | <gallery widths=" |
+ | <gallery widths="180" spacing="small" position="center" captionalign="center" orientation="portrait"> |
Meridith Act 2.png|Meredith during Act 2 |
Meridith Act 2.png|Meredith during Act 2 |
||
meredith.jpg|Meredith in the [[Gallows]] |
meredith.jpg|Meredith in the [[Gallows]] |
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| Line 102: | Line 119: | ||
meredith2.png|Meredith from the Rise to Power Trailer |
meredith2.png|Meredith from the Rise to Power Trailer |
||
Dragon age fresco merredith by nthornborrow-d3c4z4w.jpg|Loading screen Fresco depicting Meredith |
Dragon age fresco merredith by nthornborrow-d3c4z4w.jpg|Loading screen Fresco depicting Meredith |
||
| ⚫ | |||
meredithpaint.jpg|A painting of Meredith |
meredithpaint.jpg|A painting of Meredith |
||
Meredith Saarebas concept art.jpg|Concept art of Meredith with a [[Saarebas]] |
Meredith Saarebas concept art.jpg|Concept art of Meredith with a [[Saarebas]] |
||
| + | Promotional_Meredith.jpg |
||
MeredithHoDA Tier4.jpg|Tier progression of Knight-Commander Meredith in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]'' |
MeredithHoDA Tier4.jpg|Tier progression of Knight-Commander Meredith in ''[[Heroes of Dragon Age]]'' |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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| − | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | |||
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== References == |
== References == |
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| Line 120: | Line 131: | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stannard, Meredith}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stannard, Meredith}} |
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| + | <!--Categories--> |
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[[Category:Characters]] |
[[Category:Characters]] |
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[[Category:Dragon Age II characters]] |
[[Category:Dragon Age II characters]] |
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| ⚫ | |||
[[Category:Humans]] |
[[Category:Humans]] |
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[[Category:Free Marchers]] |
[[Category:Free Marchers]] |
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[[Category:Templars]] |
[[Category:Templars]] |
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[[Category:Knight-Commanders]] |
[[Category:Knight-Commanders]] |
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| + | <!--Interwiki links--> |
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Revision as of 02:23, 16 April 2021
“Magic is a cancer in the heart of our land, just as it was in the time of Andraste. And like her, we are left with no choice but to purify it with fire and blood.”
Meredith Stannard is the Knight-Commander of the Templar Order in the city of Kirkwall.
Background
An orphaned native of Kirkwall, Meredith rose in the ranks of the Templar Order and became an accomplished warrior. She became Knight-Captain in 9:14. She proposed several changes to the administration of the Gallows that resulted in greater efficiency and a more orderly schedule for the mages. Many of her fellow templars believed she had a hundred times the charisma of Knight-Commander Guylian and believed that she was the one who was the real leader of the templars despite her junior rank.[1]
By 9:20 Dragon the templars were the largest armed force in Kirkwall and could have challenged even the viscount for power. Knight-Commander Guylian would have preferred to stay neutral, but Divine Beatrix III pressured him to force Viscount Perrin Threnhold to re-open the Waking Sea passage to allow Orlesian ships through. As a result, in 9:21 the viscount attempted to oust the Templars from the city: he hired mercenaries to storm the Gallows and had the Knight-Commander hanged. In retaliation, Meredith and a group of her best templars marched on the Viscount's Keep determined to exact justice. The captain of the city guard quailed before the templars and to prove his own innocence, asserted that the viscount had acted unlawfully and had him arrested. Threnhold was thrown in his own dungeons, his lands and title stripped from him. Grand Cleric Elthina promoted her to leader of the Order, which she has governed with an iron fist. Viscount Marlowe Dumar was chosen at Meredith's strong suggestion. At his coronation, she gave him a carved ivory box containing Threnhold's bloody and broken signet ring with the words "His fate need not be yours" on the lid.[2] Dumar has never openly or strongly defied the templars since.
When Meredith was younger, her older sister Amelia developed magical talents but her family decided to shield her from the Chantry, knowing that she couldn't survive in the Circle or face their rigorous tests. The Stannards didn't have the knowledge or the skill to train Amelia as a mage, and the strange things that happened around the girl eventually brought their neighbors to call the templars. When Amelia saw the templars coming for her she was so scared that she made a deal with a demon and turned into an abomination, killing everyone in her family save for Meredith. The Templars eventually slew her sister, but not before the abomination had killed 70 more people. This experience led to Meredith's harsh view on magic, and why she thinks mages must be treated as people with a curse.
When the templar captain, Ser Wentworth Knell, returned to explain what had happened Meredith told him she wanted to go with him to become a templar. He took her to the Gallows, where Meredith was dedicated to the Chantry and became an initiate. He became her mentor and guardian, she would act as his page when not at lessons in the chantry. In 9:14, when Ser Wentworth's failing health made it impossible for him to fulfill his duties as Knight-Captain in he named Meredith as his successor and gave her his prized greatsword. He also said she was the daughter he never deserved. Over the next two years until he died, Meredith would visit him whenever she could even when he could no longer remember who she was.[3]
Involvement
Meredith initially prevents most Fereldan refugees from entering Kirkwall, including the Hawke family and Aveline Vallen, forcing the refugees to prove they have legitimate business in the city by screening them at the Gallows. Meredith is first seen in person passing through Hightown, before Hawke's first conversation with Bartrand Tethras.
Meredith keeps a constant watch over the mages of the Circle, and strictly enforces the use of harsh measures to neutralize Apostate mages. Her reign over the mages has been considered by some as draconian and she would often employ the Rite of Tranquility as punishment for petty offenses, whether Harrowed or not.[4] Nevertheless, she denies Ser Alrik the use of his "Tranquil Solution" plan to turn all mages in Kirkwall into Tranquil. She is also the real political power in Kirkwall, as the current viscount fears to go against her wishes. Meredith is willing to neutralize anyone in order to root out corruption among the mages. She views the very existence of magic and mages as a threat to the general populace and thus sincerely believes her unremitting vigilance and harsh measures are necessary for the safety of all.
During the Qunari invasion of Kirkwall, Meredith saves Hawke and their companions from a Saarebas. Soon after, Meredith joins forces with both Hawke and First Enchanter Orsino in an attempt to retake the Viscount's Keep. If Hawke agrees with Meredith and launches a frontal assault on the Qunari outside the Keep's entrance, Meredith and several Templars will fight alongside Hawke personally. Once Hawke deals with the Arishok, Meredith appoints Hawke Champion of Kirkwall. She does so reluctantly, however, as Hawke's new influence in the city poses a potential threat and she initially views the foreign Hawke with disdain.
Meredith in the Gallows with her lyrium sword
At some point after Hawke accompanied Bartrand and Varric into the Primeval Thaig in the Deep Roads, Meredith was able to obtain the lyrium idol which they had discovered. She had this reforged into a sword for herself. However, the side effects of the lyrium it was composed of caused her to go insane, just like Bartrand. This exacerbated her paranoia and prejudices against mages, and tensions between herself and First Enchanter Orsino rose over the three years following the death of Viscount Marlowe Dumar. She had Kirkwall placed under martial law and blocked every attempt to replace Dumar. According to Ser Karras, she went as far as to request the Right of Annulment from the Divine in Val Royeaux in advance.
After Anders destroys the Kirkwall Chantry in his attempt to spark an uprising among the mages, Meredith retaliates by invoking the Right of Annulment on the Circle, even though they were uninvolved (as Anders was an apostate mage who had never been a part of the Kirkwall Circle.) Hawke is forced choose to side with Meredith and the Templars or support Orsino and the Circle.
Promotional image of "Red Lyrium Meredith" in Heroes of Dragon Age
Meredith and Orsino meet again in the Gallows Courtyard. In a last ditch effort to save the Kirkwall Circle from annihilation, Orsino offers Meredith complete compliance to her wishes if she would only revoke the Right of Annulment. Meredith however, rationalized that the people of Kirkwall would demand retribution and she was determined to give it to them.
If Hawke agrees to aid the Templars, Meredith will rally the Order and Hawke's party in the Gallows Courtyard to lay siege to the Gallows and wipe out Orsino and the mages. Once Hawke and their companions breach the defenses, Meredith will fight with them against Orsino. If Bethany joined the Circle, Meredith will agree to spare her if Hawke insists. Meredith is more adamant that the other Circle mages who willingly surrender to the templars are executed. She argues that the Circle is irredeemable and that even if one blood mage survives the Annulment, it would pose a great threat to others. Knight-Captain Cullen will ignore her and orders the other templars to listen to Hawke if the Champion urges the templars to spare them.
Regardless of whether Hawke sides with the Circle or Templars, Meredith will turn on Hawke, accusing the Champion of plotting against her during the whole ordeal and orders the Champion to be executed. Her second-in-command, Knight-Captain Cullen, who was previously mostly supportive of her harsh measures, sees her insanity has taken her completely and orders her to step down.
Meredith, petrified in Red lyrium when her sword disintegrates
This pushes Meredith over the edge and she accuses all of her Templars of being Blood Mage thralls. She then reveals the sword made of the lyrium idol found during the Champion's earlier trip to the Deep Roads. The sword grants her superhuman abilities and the capability of animating statues; nevertheless, the Champion and their companions are able to defeat her. In the midst of the battle, Meredith momentarily begins to question if what she was doing was right but her doubts are quickly washed away. As she refuses to admit defeat, her sword shatters and Meredith is petrified in lyrium.
Ironically, Meredith's attempts to enclose the mages became the catalyst for the rebellion of the other Circles in Thedas: seeing that the Templar Order could be defied and would even use the actions of an unaffiliated apostate to justify the annulment of an entire Circle, inspired mages everywhere to rebel. Cassandra comments that it was the Knight-Commander's actions which provoked the war, though Varric argues it could be said to be Meredith, the idol or Anders.
Petrified Knight-Commander in the Black Emporium
Years after the Kirkwall incident Meredith's corpse is said to still be at the Gallows[5]. Because it's still contaminated with red lyrium, no one wants to go near it[6]. This reticence has seemingly allowed Meredith's petrified remains to be moved to a shelf in the Black Emporium[7].
The fragments of Meredith's Red lyrium greatsword, Certainty were recovered, the blade reforged and taken by Samson as his personal weapon.
Quests
Act 2
Act 3
Quotes
- "What I have done is protected the people of this city, time and again. What I have done is protect you mages from your curse and your own stupidity! And I will not stop doing it! I will not lower our guard, I dare not!"
- "What other option do we have? Shall we look the other way? Tell the poor victims of a possessed mage that we meant no harm? Tell me, Champion, that you have not seen with your own eyes what they can do, heard the lies of mages who seek power?"
- "Why is this taking so long? Can ones so evil truly be so powerful? Maker, guide your humble servant! Please tell me what I must do! What if... I'm not doing the right thing? What if this is all madness? No! I must remain vigilant!"
- (While grabbing Cullen) "Why would you defend these mages? They are an infection upon all humanity!"
- (While grabbing Hawke) "You dared to rise up against me, Champion. Now you will feel the sting of the Maker's wrath!"
- (While grabbing romanced Hawke's companion) "How does it feel, Champion, to know I hold the life of one you love in my hands?"
- "I tried to have sympathy! Maker knows, I've tried! But how can we allow them freedom when so many would use it to commit atrocities? They control minds, they become abominations, they began the Blight itself! And now Elthina. Oh, poor Elthina. I will avenge you, dear friend!"
Codex entries
Codex entry: Knight-Commander Meredith- Codex entry: History of Kirkwall: Chapter 4
- Codex entry: Red Templars
Note texts
Trivia
- David Gaider wrote Meredith for Dragon Age II.[10]
- Meeting her is required for the "Friends in High Places" achievement, along with Viscount Marlowe Dumar, First Enchanter Orsino, and Grand Cleric Elthina.
- Meredith is one of the figures on the starting screen of the game, along with First Enchanter Orsino.
Gallery
References
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, pp. 192-193
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 184
- ↑ Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, pp. 190-192
- ↑ Cullen explains Maddox and Meredith's liberal use of the Rite of Tranquility in Dragon Age: Inquisition
- ↑ Varric Tethras/Dialogue (Inquisition)#Varric and Blackwall inferred from Varric's dialogue
- ↑ Aiding Kirkwall#Results corroboration with the above reference
- ↑ as seen on a shelf in the The Black Emporium (Inquisition DLC)
- ↑ Codex entry: Varric and the Last Few Years
- ↑ Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights, The Dread Wolf Take You
- ↑ Gaider, David. "Meredith Knight-Commander of the Templar's: Appreciation thread. ". BioWare Social Network. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
